Sunday, January 31, 2016

Happy Sunday!

Hi folks,
How's everyone this evening?  I'm doing okay.  The snow is gradually melting here in PA, which I'm quite happy about.  We still have piles of snow on the ground, but at least, it's melting.  I hope we don't have any more heavy snows, like the one we had, this winter season.  It's not even pretty anymore, more there's so much dirt on it.

How was your weekend?  Mine was fairly uneventful.  Yesterday my husband went to visit his father for the day, so that left me to occupy myself, which I did quite fine.  I got a surprise phone call from my Grandson, saying that his Mom and Dad wanted us to meet them for dinner.  I explained to him that Grandpa wasn't home.  His Mom said they'd pick me up for dinner, since I don't drive after lunch anymore.  We went to Hoss's and had a nice meal.  It wasn't too crowded when we arrived, but it was packed as we were leaving. 

Today was a quite day for me.  I went to Mass this morning and then worked on my hand embroidered gift card/money holders for next Christmas.  I enjoy doing this kind of creating very much.  My hand-made cards are coming along well.  Most of them are complete, but I still have some all occasion ones to create yet. 

I've been asked if I'm going to start another novel soon.  Well, maybe and maybe not.  I'm not sure yet.  Perhaps I'll wait until closer to summer before I start that venture.  Writing a novel takes a lot of my time and energy, although I love doing it.

I still haven't heard anymore regarding my friend, who's in a nursing home.  At least I think she's still there.  I have some ideas that might help her, but the last I heard, she didn't want any visitors.  I emailed another friend today to see if she heard anymore about her.

My new laptop is working well, which I'm very happy about.  Electronics are not my forte, to say the least.  I'm so glad I returned the first one I purchased and they gave me a new one.  The hard drive was 'fried'.  I'm getting a bit more familiar with Windows 10 now, thank goodness. 

What have you been doing that qualifies as 'creative'?  Oh come on, I know you have some creativity within you.  Perhaps you just don't realize that what you all like to do, is classified as being creative.   Preparing a meal on a limited budget is being creative; working a full time job while raising children takes creativity.  Think about it!

I hope the remainder of your weekend holds some fun for you.  Relax and read a book, or watch your favorite television show.  Stay safe and may God bless each of you.
Susan

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

It may be over, but it's not gone!

Hi all,










Of course, I'm referring to the snow.  These are some photos that I took yesterday, while my husband was shoveling.  We had over 38 inches here in York County.  I don't think we'll ever get rid of it. 

Schools have been closed Monday and Tuesday and some will remain closed tomorrow, as well.  The ones that will be open tomorrow, have a two hour delay.  Some  roads are passable, but many are not.  Personally, I think it's dangerous for the buses to try to travel  on back roads, when they are not passable yet with a car, much less a big old bus.  Just my opinion...

I've basically been indoors.  I haven't really been outside since last Thursday, and probably won't be out again until this Thursday, which is okay with me.  It would be nice if this was the one and only snow storm of this season.  After all, Monday is Feb. 1 already.  So, spring isn't too far away.

I hope you all are well and are surviving whatever weather your part of the world is having.  Stay safe
and may God bless each of you.
Susan

Saturday, January 23, 2016

Can you say, "Snow"!

Hi friends,

Let me just say that I am now sick of this snow storm.  We have over 24 inches on the ground as of right now.  The good thing is that it's to end around 9:00 pm tonight.  Our street was plowed a little over night and early this morning, but nothing since.  I suppose they will get to it tomorrow.  Actually our street is on the snow emergency route here in York.  So, that means that they should, at some point, remove all the snow from our street.  But, so far, nothing...

I am so thankful that we've had no power problems.  I'm grateful that we have a warm home, enough food, and we'll handle all the snow tomorrow and Monday.  This snow storm has hit the Eastern coast of the United States and I just heard on television that it's now recorded as the worst snow storm ever recorded for this area. 

I remember the snow storm which happened in January 1996.  The reason that I recall that one so well is because it snowed for about three days straight, along with high winds and drifting.  The city called for a snow emergency during that time, also.  We received a telephone call from my Dad that my Mom was very ill and he'd called an ambulance.  We said we'd meet them at the hospital.  I was a bit leery about driving on the city streets, because you could get ticketed for that during the emergency. 

When we arrived at the hospital, we found out that the ambulance could not get into the development where my folks lived, so a fire truck was called in to pick up my Mom.  They wrapped her in blankets and then in a tarp, placed her on a stretcher, which was then attached to the top of the ladders on the fire truck. Once out  of the development, the ambulance was waiting and they put her into the ambulance to transport her to the hospital. 

That was a very traumatic  time for all of us and the start of a very sad year for us.  My Mom lived ten months, from January until October, and during that time, she was hospitalized nine times.  Finally in October, she passed away.  I can still recall some of the nurses saying that not once, during the nine times she was in the hospital, did they ever hear her complain, not even once. 

That was my Mom.  She was a very strong woman and I miss her so very much.  I hope I can be as strong and uncomplaining as she was.  Rest in peace, Mom and Dad.  I love and miss you both so very much.

If any of you live here in this part of the US, I hope you all stay warm and safe inside your homes as this storm finishes up and leaves us in the next few hours.  Be safe and may God bless each of you.
Susan

Friday, January 15, 2016

How are things going with all of you?

Hi all,

How was your week?  Mine was okay although I have been under some stress fighting with my new laptop. By the way, I'm writing this post on my old laptop.  I've had enough contention for one day.  I just may have to put in a call to my tech guy and let him take it home and clean it out.  Why would they put so much on a new laptop, that you have no extra memory at all?  That just seems dumb to me...how about you?

Well yesterday and today it wasn't too cold outside, but I understand that by Monday it's only to be in the low 30's and in the teens overnight.  I'm not looking forward to those temperatures, that's for sure.  I suppose I'll be staying indoors a lot next week, not that I go anywhere most of the time.  We did have a light covering of snow earlier this week.  It was mainly on the cars and on the roof of the houses.  That was enough for me!  If it was up to me, we'd have spring and fall all year long, but I suppose that's wishful thinking on my part.

I'm still trying to find ways to "give back" for all the many blessings God has bestowed on me and my family. Of course, since I live every day with chronic congestive heart failure and a few other medical problems, my ways of doing this are few.  I'm not complaining, just simply stating a fact.

I still haven't heard anything more regarding my friend.  I don't know if she's home or in a nursing home.  I pray that someone lets me know soon.  Being ill isn't easy!  I truly know how hard it is for the ill person and also for those living in the same home.  Illness affects everyone who lives in that household.  It changes the lives of every one of them.

As I've shared before, I live every day with gratitude and acceptance; gratitude for the fact that I'm still alive and acceptance of everything in my life, including my illnesses.  Feeling sorry for oneself only complicates a person's life and everyone else who lives there.  I do know what depression is like and I know how hard it is to live with it.  It takes a strong person to fight the depression and occupy their minds and hearts with positive thoughts.  But most of all, it takes a lot of prayers and strength to let God handle your life.

My current project has been working on my hand made greeting cards.  I now have my Valentine's Day, Easter, Halloween, Grandson's birthdays and Mother's Day cards complete.  I'm almost done with my Father's Day cards.  I have about another half hour or forty five minutes to complete them.  I always make myself a list so I don't forget any occasions.  I won't work on any Christmas cards until later on in the year.

I've been working on my hand embroidered Christmas ornaments for Christmas 2016.  I will create one for everyone in my family, including my boys significant others.  I want to make sure everyone gets one.  I usually work on these why I watch television in the afternoon and evenings.  I like to keep my hands and mind busy.

Tomorrow is Saturday and I do hope all of you have a great weekend.  Stay safe and may God bless you.
Susan

Monday, January 11, 2016

I have absolutely no patience!

Hi all,

Well, here we are close to the end of another Monday, and the start of another week.  As far as my title goes, I have to admit that I've never had much patience, that is as an adult.  I truly can't remember if I did or not as a child.  But, being honest, I have none at this stage in my life.  You may ask yourself , "What has Sue frustrated this fine evening?"

Well, the answer is very simple:  I bought a new laptop and I am currently doing this evenings post on my old laptop.  I suppose you can figure out why that is!  I've been working on the new one an hour or so, two or three times during the course of the day, but if I have something I want to accomplish, in a short space of time, I will continue using my old laptop.

My husband asked me why I'm not using my new device and my answer was this:  It may take me a month or more before I will have the new one figured out enough not to get annoyed with it.  First of all, it has Windows 10 on it and I'm not liking it one bit.  I did manage to download one or two applications to it but that took me so long.

As I've mentioned before, you can give me any creative project to do and I'll have no problem with it, but give me an electronic device and I get so frustrated, so fast.  I guess we can't be good at everything, but why does it have to be so difficult?    I'm just saying...

Now that both the Christmas Holidays and the New Year Holiday is behind us, things have seemed to get back into routine, at least in our home.  I'm glad.  I have to admit that I am a creature of habit.  I work better doing things that I'm used to doing.  I have a schedule for my duties, such as doing laundry, cleaning, cooking, etc.  I always have had the same schedule for many years now,  I suppose for most of my adult life. I like it that way and no-one is going to change me at this age in my life.

In many ways I take after my Mom, but in others, I take after my Dad.  I have to say that makes me very happy.  Just knowing that I have a part of both my Mom and my Dad in me, makes me smile.  They were both such great parents that I'm proud to be like the both of them.  How about you?  Do you find  you are most like your Mom or your Dad, or are you like the both of them, too?

A few days ago, I wrote my blog about a friend of mine with whom I lost contact.  Well, since that blog, I learned that she will have to go into a nursing home to live.  She's having a very hard time accepting this decision and I feel so bad for her.  I do know that life is only as good as we make it.  If we fight the changes that have to occur in our lives, then our quality of life will not be good.  It's just the same as when we accept the depression that occurs with changes in our lives, making us sad and upset.  We need to accept the way our lives are and make the decision to go on the best we can.  At least if one is in a senior center or a nursing home, that person is surrounded by older folks, just like them.  There are always many other people who are in worse situations then we are, at any time during our lives.

I will continue praying for my friend because I still consider her my friend and I always will.  I hope your troubles are small and easily solved.  Be safe and may God bless each one of you.
Susan
PS:  I love taking photos of the sky as the sun rises and as it sets.  It is so beautiful, don't you think so?

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Somethings just make me very sad.

Good evening everyone,
I hope you all are doing well this Wednesday evening.  I'm okay.  I suppose you're all wondering what I may be sad about tonight.  Well, I guess my answer to that question would be how friendships change over the years.  I know that people come in and out of each of our lives, all through life.  That's just the way things are.

I was very close to a lady and her husband some years ago.  We'd speak on the telephone at least twice a week.  She was really a "shut in," but she didn't drive and she had a hard time getting around because of illness and being over weight.  I went and picked her up from time to time and we'd go someplace together. I so enjoyed her company.  She was a fun person to be around.

I guess you're wondering what changed?  Well, her husband passed away and for a while she wanted my friendship and I was very happy about that.  I still spent time with her and encouraged her to keep living.  But, as time passed, she decided that she didn't want the friendship we had, anymore.  I finally stopped trying to get in touch with her.  I was very hurt because I valued our friendship and didn't want it to end.  But it did.  That was a few years ago.  I still mail her one of my handmade Christmas cards just to let her know that I still cared about her.  Later on she moved in with her daughter and her family.

Yesterday I found out that she was in a local rehabilitation center.  Since it was fairly close to our home, I decided to go and visit her.  I wasn't sure how she'd feel about my visit.  When I got there, the nurse was preparing for my friend's sponge bath, so we talked a bit with the curtains between us.  I guess I was there for about one hour and fifteen minutes.

It was nice seeing her again, although she's having more health problems.  She said she'll try to call me from time to time.  I told her I missed her friendship.  I have my doubts that she'll call, but I truly hope she does.  I miss her friendship.

Oh, it's not the first, or will it be the last friendship that I will loose in this life.  I know that friends come and go all through your adult life, but some are harder to lose than others.  I suppose some people don't get as close to friends as I do.  I sincerely love my close friends.  Not that I have many close friends, because I don't.  I have a few long time friends and they mean the world to me.

I'm sure this has happened to many of you, especially if you are an older person and I know that it's normal for friends to come and go from our lives.  But, that doesn't mean it's not going to hurt when that happens, especially for no reason.

I hope your evening is going well and that God will keep you and your loved ones safe always.
Susan


Saturday, January 2, 2016

That was fast...

Hi friends,
Can you believe that tomorrow is the third of January already?  Time goes by so quickly for me, how about you?  I suppose being a senior citizen, or I could say an old timer, is partly the reason for that.  I know some older folks try to hide the fact that they are old.  They use cosmetic surgery to take wrinkles away, to lift parts of their body that needs some support and lots of other ways.  That's not me!  Here's what I believe:  that if God wanted us to look and feel like we did when we were thirty or forty, He would have made us that way.

I feel happy with the way I look and I'm not upset with my health issues either.  I've lived a good life.  I have three beautiful daughters, two wonderful son-in-laws (and one more hopefully soon), six handsome grandsons, a marvelous husband, a wonderful family and friends.  No, I've never done anything great or memorable, but I'm okay with that.  I've lived a full life and I've met some wonderful people many times during my life.

I am very content and happy with my life just the way it is right now.  There is nothing I need, I've made amends with anyone I've needed to, I help my family as much as I can, and I love and trust in God with all my heart.  I live every day giving Gratitude and Acceptance to God for all the many blessings He's given to me throughout my lifetime.

I had a wonderful childhood, with two very special parents.  They both died many years ago and I miss them every day.  I had two very special grandparents.  They died when I was young, but their memories stay with me all these many years later.  I have truly been blessed all my life.

I thank God every day for the gift of creativity.  It is so much a part of every day of my life and for this I am grateful.  I truly don't know what I would have done ten years ago, if I had no creative abilities.  My life changed so much then, and God chose to put a human angel in my life, momentarily, to give me hope.

So, as I start this new year of 2016, I am just so thankful for everything I have in my life.  There is nothing I need because what I truly need I have:  Jesus' Divine Mercy.  He directs my life and whatever He has in store for me is all I need.

I hope each of you will find God's Mercy just as I have.  He makes it available to each of us.  All we have to do is ask for it and He will give it to us.  I wish you all good health, love and peace in your lives.  Have a wonderful year!
Susan