Blessed With Another Life Lesson

The results of Wild Bill's PET scan, done on Dec 19th, were as best as we could hope for... 

Wild Bill no longer has to do Chemo treatments -- he's done for now!

He'll do another scan in 3 months to ensure there's no residual cancer cropping up, but for now he's healthy. 

We can close that chapter of our life and move forward to the next...once we figure out what it is!

Last Christmas - No Idea What Was Ahead Of Him!

We have our Christmas miracle! Remember...Just 7 months ago even the second opinion doctor at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center said there was no hope of recovery -- everyone agreed he would be gone in 8 months or 12 months at best!

They say we're here on "Earth School" to learn life lessons. It seems to me the lesson I've experienced over and over is:

 "life is short -- live each day as if it's your last!"

I'm probably a dimwit since so many times the Lord has had to send me experiences to relearn that lesson. I feel like Bill's recent illness was one more of those experiences. 

Mom and Pop - 70th Anniversary Party Mar 2017

In March a year ago, Bill's parents were both in their 90's and still going strong! The photo above is from their 70th anniversary party. It seemed like they would live forever and so would we! Even March 1st of this year they were doing really well.

Then his mom got ill in May, Bill was diagnosed with 4th stage terminal cancer on June 6th, and his mother died the next day. 

Subsequently, his dad was doing well, but fell on Nov 8th and died 4 days later. 

Pop A Few Days Before He Fell In Nov 2018

It seems crazy when I think how we had vowed back in June that if we only had 8 to 12 months, we would make it the best year ever... God sure had other plans!

I should have known better because way, way back in March1991 (in a 20-year marriage held together "for the kids") I was in a terrible wreck with two of my daughters in the car. 

I could see the wreck coming, in slow motion in my mind, knowing we were going to die. All that I could think, over and over, was, "Life's too short. If I could, I would live life so differently!" 

My car was totaled and the other car was extensively damaged. But both daughters and the people in the other car were safe but bruised, and except for a gash on my head, so was I. 

Within a few weeks, our house was for sale. Within a few months, I was legally separated. Within 2 years, I was finally divorced! I vowed to remain single the rest of my life.

In early 1992, I met Wild Bill -- who was a "friend only" for years until fate changed that...but that's a story for another time because we're talking about life lessons here!

Wedding May 1997

One Daughter's Wedding 2004

When Wild Bill and I moved to Texas in 2005, we had a 2-person team of realtors who helped us with our relocation. 

"D" was a divorcee, about 48, very pretty and well put together. 

"C" was her business partner...a family lady who was a little younger, a little frumpy, a little plump. "C" worked the office while "D" was the "seller" and star of the team.

Around 2008, "C" got a divorce. "C" started riding a bicycle with a bike club. At first 5 miles, then 10, 20, 50-mile bike trips! 

Subsequently, "C" lost weight. "C" got a tummy tuck, a boob lift, a little nip and tuck of her face, and a more professional hair style. When I stopped by their office, I hardly recognized her!

Soon "C" and "D" split up their 2-person team. "C" wanted to be a seller, she wasn't willing to be the office-side of the team any more.

Eventually, "C" had seemingly reached perfection. She had even bought a brand new luxury car because she was making far more money selling real estate on her own. 

One day "C" was sitting in her brand new car at a 4-way stop light headed north in a lightly traveled, rural area -- probably knowing she had the life she always dreamed of -- when a south traveling car, on the other side of the road, tried to beat a yellow light just as a car with the green light moved forward right into his path.

The two cars hit at an angle, and one car was forced by the impact right into "C's" lane and hit her brand new car head on.

"C" didn't even have a chance to think, "Life is too short!" She was killed instantly.

If you think this is a strange story for Christmas, you're probably right! But, I think of "C" every time I think life is going along well. And I think of "C" when life sucks too!

And even though Wild Bill and I are hardly young, I hope I never again get complacent and forget that life is just too short! 

A Little Shocked After Second Opinion Appointment

Please Remember: 

• Whether you're 70 and told you're dying of cancer soon...and don't...
• Or you're 44, perfect, and think you'll live forever...and don't...

LIFE IS TOO DAMN SHORT TO TAKE IT FOR GRANTED!

Proud To Be World's Worst Selfie Taker

The merriest of Christmas to you and the happiest of New Year's. As the song says...If you get a chance, I hope you dance!

Thank you for staying with me through all this post if you did. I'm curious whether life keeps sending you a repeated message over and over? Do you pay attention or does it get ignored until it hits you over the head like a bat out of hell?

Thanks for dropping by!

A Charming Way To Serve Fudge

Ever have your fudge turn out just a little too soft to cut properly? 

Maybe we could serve our too soft fudge in this charming way...

Making Gift Fudge At Mamas Mercantile

"Mamas Mercantile" 

Don't get me wrong...looks like Mamas Mercantile's fudge turned out perfect! 

But I think if my fudge doesn't turn out as solid as hers (and I admit it doesn't sometimes) this would still be a perfectly lovely way to serve it.

Hop on over to her post HERE and check out all the gifts she whipped up in her kitchen...Even Mama's "gift soap" looks good enough to eat!

Thanks for dropping by!

Golden Boys And Me...A Colorful Room

I was tired of looking at our neutral beige walls and furniture, so I went looking for some colorful inspiration. I found it on the blog, Golden Boys and Me...

GOLDEN BOYS AND ME

Warm Colorful Room On Golden Boys And Me

After years of going mostly neutral, I find this year I'm loving red again!

Here's an old photo of a red plaid duvet from Pottery Barn and some old red floral shams my mother gave me a long time ago. 

I sent the floral shams to a blogging friend who is a terrific sewer, hoping she can remake them into something for her home, but I still have the red plaid duvet to use on one of the beds.

I found the storage box with these $5 red throws I got a bargain on a few years ago...

They're from Old Navy's store. One of them cheered up a leather chair one Christmas past...

The other one livened up the corner beige chair like it will do this year too...

I found this photo of our living room from last year when I put an old family quilt on our love seat... 

Even though there's very little red in the old quilt, I think I'll dig it out and cheer our place up a little like the room on Golden Boys and Me's blog.

The red in this old chair wreath is perky and cheerful -- just right for adding red to the dining room...

And last year or the year before, Oldest Grandgirl made this cute red Christmas Elf picture for me, which I'll frame and hang up this year.

hmmm...the little blond elf in the drawing sure looks familiar! 

I wonder if she was looking in the mirror when she was drawing it?

If you want some ideas for a cheerful room or two, head on over to this post on The Golden Boys and Me. 

I think her home will give you inspiration.  And...I don't want to spoil the surprise, but her kitchen has a sleigh hanging from the ceiling!

Thanks for dropping by!

P.S. 

They're saying it might snow here this Saturday...YAY!!!

Wordless Wednesday - Saltgrass Steakhouse Sidewalk

Finding Bits Of Christmas Past

Have you started decorating for Christmas yet? Somewhere in our garage and storage closet are Christmas decorations I need to find.

I've been trying to find the inspiration to get started in my search so I've been looking at photos from years past to get me going! 

I've got to find my snow boots for instance...it didn't snow at all here last year, but they're my favorite decoration for the entryway even if I don't need to wear them!

The year before last it really snowed here in NE Texas. My feet were warm every time I ventured out in those snow boots.

The View From Our Porch In Winters Past

I've been tempted to buy some new Christmas signs and pillows recently, but this year I've vowed to bring out all the decorations hidden away and use what we have and only keep what I love.

I'd forgotten about these Christmas pot-holders in floral and stripes. I love to hang them for Christmas decor...I'd never actually use them!

Last year I mixed the white dishes we use every day with this woodland Santa and faux Christmas greens. 

I like the look of the white mixed in so if I buy anything this year it will be white -- or black and white -- decor.

Somewhere these Merry Christmas signs are tucked away tight! I hope I'm not the only one who packs things away and then can't find them...

I bought this Santa last year (or the year before) at Home Goods. They had so many wonderful Santas it was hard to choose.

And last year Trader Joe's had these wonderful little bright green bushes. I bought 2 or 3 of them and loved using them on the kitchen counter and dining room cabinets. 

I've gone to Trader Joe's twice this year, but haven't found them for sale yet.

Though some of the Grand-Dogs are no longer with us, each year their ornaments (shown here from a past Christmas) will again remind me of those sweet canine grandkids!

Sweet Dee Always Loved To Celebrate, Especially If Food Was Involved!

I especially miss Dee (above) and Wrigley (below) whenever I see their ornaments and think of them.

Mr. Wrigs Was Afraid Of His Own Shadow When Adopted, 

But Became A Loving Party Animal

My own dog, Ginger, died over 27 years ago. I haven't been able to adopt a dog of my own because of her memory.

This picture of her makes her look white, but she was ginger colored just like this ornament, which reminds me so much of her...

Her favorite toy was a green squeaky frog, which we called "Froggy"...so original!

A few years ago, I walked into a store after Christmas in a little town in Illinois while visiting Middle Daughter.  

Right on the tree in front of me was this green frog ornament, and I promptly burst into tears! Twenty-seven years...and it still hurts my heart to think of her loss.

Thanks for joining me on this trip down memory lane. I enjoy your visits so much and your comments are always appreciated. I'll be by to see your decorations as soon as you get them up.

Thanks for dropping by!

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Thursday's Favorite Things

Sort of...Wordless Wednesday

Only In Texas!

Allen Texas is northeast of Dallas about 25 miles. 

We were sitting at a stoplight in Allen recently and were tickled to see this memorial to the first train robbery in Texas!

I would take a better picture if I could find this corner again

The plaque reads:

"The first train robbery in Texas took place in Allen where railroad tracks cross Main Street. Sam Bass led the hold-up on Feb 22, 1878."

Only in Texas would a town proudly boast of having the first train robbery in the state.

Thanks for dropping by!

Can I Have This Dance?

Yesterday on the Veterans Day holiday, my WWII father-in-law Raymond left this world to join Jessie, his sweetheart of 71 years.

Jessie and Raymond, Now Together Forever

We do not grieve for him as we all knew when Jessie passed last June that Raymond would be impatient to once again be by his wife's side.

All his life Raymond loved to dance, and it was at a dance club in Dallas Texas back in 1947 that he asked a shy girl (sitting far back at a table with her friends) to come dance with him. 

The music was lively, so Jessie said yes. Due to a paralyzed arm  (which was injured by the doctor at birth) Jessie seldom danced to slow songs because she could not lift her paralyzed arm to a slow dance position.

When the fast dance ended, Raymond did his best to keep the pretty stranger on the dance floor with him for a slow dance. 

Jessie would have none of it, and she told Raymond she did not dance slow dances! 

Now Raymond prided himself on his dancing prowess (and of course he thought he could change her mind) so he smugly asked, "Why not?"

Jessie's quick response was to point to her limp right arm and retort (in 1947 language), "I'm crippled!"

And an amused Raymond (who grew up with his beloved deaf older brother) shot right back, "Isn't everyone?"

They danced.

Thanks for dropping by!

Colorful Outdoor Pots For The Holiday Season

Are your potted plants losing their color and life as mine are? 

I was looking for inspiration down in McKinney Texas the other day and the plants outside the shop My Favorite Room drew my attention.

Potted Plants Outside My Favorite Room

The shop owner always manages to pick just the right time to add a few new seasonal plants to the year-round boxwoods and ivy in front of her shop.

Here the purple and green cabbages and the yellow mums are growing in fuller just as the peppers are starting to fade away...

No matter how I try, our front entry doesn't have the northern exposure that seems to provide the perfect light and temperature to keep potted plants as happy as these plants seem to be no matter the season.

Yet, despite past failures *sigh* I plan to try once again to perk up our outside pots this season. 

Please let me know if you have a favorite outdoor plant that will add some color to outdoor pots in an east side exposure and thrive for the holiday season.

Thanks for dropping by!

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Home And Garden Thursday