Almost Out Of Here

 2020 is coming to it's final hoorah.  I'm sure many are actually saying HOORAY! for this day.  I read my post from New Year's Eve 2019 and read the optimistic outlook for what I called "The Roaring 20's".  Never in my imagination did I think that statement of being roaring would be so dang true.  I always pick a word to focus on in the new year.  Last year it was CHANGE.  Again I never imagined how true that word became.  My sister's illness, surgery, kidney failure, and near death experience along with my dear Mother's falling and breaking her leg, rehab, eventual homecoming, and then her passing all made our family go through change in heartbreaking ways. My job as a  Surgical Technologist went through the changes that Covid 19 brought on.  Surgery was closed and we were reassigned to new areas and new job duties that were out of our comfort zone and, for my RN co-workers, scary as heck.  We missed our surgery "home" and friendly faces.  When we did get back the supplies were limited and we had to change a few things to help preserve them and yet keep working day to day.  In the early part of the pandemic I thought it was a bit over blown and figured it would be over soon.  Boy, I was wrong!  Soon masks were everywhere. No visitors in the hospital and nursing homes.  Not being with my Mom was the worst thing and really challenged her in her 90's to be separated from all she was familiar.  I'm glad she was able to come home and that she was able to be surrounded by loved ones, family faces, at her passing. We miss her every day.  I can't imagine how hard it would have been on Jack and I if I wasn't allowed to visit during his 17 day hospital stay.  The family being there during those stressful times can be a life saver.  When I used the word change for last year I was really focusing on my retirement plans.  I mentioned in that post I would go PRN and not truly retire. Well those plans changed as I found out I would be leaving money on the table if I did that.  So retire I did with the idea of going back in January.  That may not happen unless the hospital gives permission to have a PRN person in surgery.  So not sure about that in 2021.  I did learn many things from 2020.  I was reminded again how fragile life is and how quickly things can change.  I drew closer to God in so many ways even though Church was closed for a bit and we did more studying in our home. That was an eye opener.  You have to find your faith in Christ in yourself and not rely on others to supply it.  It's nice to have a Church meeting along with the good people who become a church family but truly you have to have your own testimony to rely on. I found out there were so many good people willing to offer up prayers in our behalf and then I was able to witness the power of those good thoughts and prayers.  Yes, I can say I have seen miracles preformed in 2020.  I have been blessed in 2020.  I have learned some wonderful lessons and have made decisions for the future that needed planned. My biggest lesson from this year for me was that "I CAN DO HARD THINGS"!  We all can when we put on our big girl..or boy, panties and get it done. So what's the word for 2021?  I'm choosing "HOPE". It's
hope in my heart that it will be a healing year for the world.  That the vaccines will indeed move us into a better place so we can gather with family and friends again.  I have hope that my sister will continue to improve as she has done since her illness happened...that a new kidney will happen for her.  I have hope for good health for Jack and I and our family.  I have hope that whatever comes our way in the new year, challenges or trials, that we can get through them with the help of God, the love of family, and the support from friends.  I wish everyone a very Happy New Year!

Making Merry!

 I've watched about every Scrooge movie there is this year. Jack and I have stayed in and not gathered with family like usual. This post won't be filled with photos of our gang making quite merry as Mr. Cratchet would have said.   Jack is doing quite well in his recovery but we decided not to push the envelope on Covid.  2020 has not been our best year in many ways. However, we did have a delightful day of quiet filled Christmas spirit. We opened gifts, ate good food, listened to beautiful music and watched a Christmas stocking full of Christmas movies. We watched snow fall gently and abundantly...7--8 inches...all day long.  I hope everyone has had a lovely day today.  I know there are many who did not and are struggling with feeling that Christmas Spirit. It's been a different year for sure. So I guess I'll just say: "Merry Christmas from our home to yours" and hopefully next Christmas will be better.  I will throw in a few pics though...sorry!

A few weeks ago this was the weather...sunny and 60de! Our son Phil came and split wood. See that pile to the side of him? Gone into nice split stacks and warming our home as I type. He's a sweetheart! Love this kiddo! 

Jack was even feeling good enough to come out and thank him and get a few rays! Notice he's wearing a heavy coat? He has lost a lot of weight and is cold quite often. But still getting better each day! 

I made a little change in my kitchen.  I moved the bench that was here and put my old singer as a desk for my laptop. I like it here!

The bench our son Jack made for me for Mother's day a few years ago is now in the foyer...come on in and sit a spell!

As the snow fell all night and day you can see the accumulation on the bird bath.  But we did have some entertainment watching the birds come to the feeder.

Like this little dude.  I went outside to get some snow off the feeder and it fell and broke open.  I scooped up as much of the seed as possible and put it on the deck railing until we can get a new one.

The broken feeder didn't stop them from enjoying some food on a very cold Christmas morning.

The cold didn't stop Arnie from enjoying the snow. He doesn't mind it at all. He loves to rub his face in it but as you can see it's up to his chest! 

This evening I made a couple of little peppermint milkshakes...yummy....

They helped make our spirits brighter! As Tiny Tim would say: "God Bless Us Everyone!"

Moving Into Winter

 Monday will move us formally into the Winter Season.  We've had a couple of snowfalls that made us feel that Winter is upon us. We didn't get the massive snowfall that those farther East received but it wasn't too shabby either! I think maybe we got 4-5 inches.  The other day I took a stroll up to the Creepy Woods close to sundown.  Although the temps were around 30 there was no wind and that made it quite pleasant to wander. I had my trusty companion, my camera, along.  In the quiet white stillness Winter has it's own beauty.  No excitement that Spring brings with new life and the lovely smell of fresh dirt and pretty flowers popping up.  Not the green of a lush Summer day sprinkled with sunshine, heat and sometimes humidity that we like to complain about in Ohio. None of the explosion of color that accompanies Fall as Mother Nature gives us that last blast of beauty.  This is the season of gray skies, white fields, blankets of snow that cover the pines and naked branches on the trees. The bird feeder is attracting the Winter birds who brave the cold and stop by for a snack.  There are many who don't enjoy Winter cold and snow. Those folks who worry about ice and driving and staying indoors more.  The seniors who migrate down to warmer climes.  I totally understand and some days during this time I think I would enjoy a warm day on a beach filled with sunlight! But for now I'll be enjoying this other beauty. Maybe because I feel I'm slowly entering the Winter of my life and hope I can appreciate the white beauty of hair without miss Clairol...one day when I'm ready for that change! (Not there yet though!)  Walking slower, doing less, having memories that will help keep me warm when the days stretch out bone chilling and gray. For today I'll just wander the Pines and enjoy the quiet beauty that is Winter.  

I jokingly call this trailer my lawn ornament.  It's just waiting for someone to fill it up and tow it someplace!

The pine trees all frosted.

Tracks in the snow that let me know I'm not the first today to visit the woods.

The quiet whiteness.

The paths that lead back to home.

The woods decorated in the colors of the season! The red just stands out and brings life to the starkness.

The neighbor's barn stands out in the snow and keeps the animals inside cozy and warm.  At least that's what I'm assuming since none of them were out like me walking and enjoying the snowfall!

I eventually came in from the cold and watched the snow gently fall.  It was a lovely afternoon and coming in and enjoying the delish smell of dinner in the oven and the warmth brought on by our wood burning furnace made me happy to be here, in our home, this almost Winter day.  Come on by.  You may not be able to come in because of the times of this year but I'll leave a light on for you to let you know all will be good eventually. 

Celebrations Past

 Christmas will be celebrated differently in many homes this year.  In our home it will be just Jack and me and Arnold of course!  All the gifts are bought and will soon be wrapped and ready to be delivered or picked up by my family.  We will follow the "better safe than sorry" rule.  This weekend would usually have been our Christmas gathering with my siblings, nieces, nephews, and all the kiddos that go along with our group.  We would pack the car full of gifts, food, the silly "white elephant" gifts for our annual game we play as a family.  The Christmas CD's would play on the drive out, especially my favorite John Denver and the Muppets Christmas one! (don't judge me please!)  In the past we would arrive at Mom's and see her smiling face, smell the delicious food she and my sister prepared and hug and talk for hours! Jack would then head up for a nap while we did the talking! I have many fond memories of trips to the shopping center by Mom's. A trip to our new favorite place...a resale shop that I always find something I can't pass up! This year none of that will happen.  Mom is gone and Covid is not so all celebrating with a huge family gathering is cancelled.  I know I'll connect with my family this year. Phone calls, video chats, etc.  Our youngest, Jordan, is in California with his new job and we miss him and I feel bad he will spend Christmas totally alone this year.  Yep, many things are different.  So we'll sit here and enjoy our cozy, warm home and the decorations that tell us it's Christmas. We'll listen to the songs of the season and remember our Savior's birth is the real reason for the season. We'll count our blessings. Yes, even with all that's happened this year we have had many blessings come our way.  I'm just going to show a few pics of celebrations past and pray for a better one next year.

Silly white elephant gifts!

Santa visits

Sister Moments

Those sister moments from years ago.

Cookie baking with the Grands!

Siblings and Mom moments.

Mom with her Christmas tree.

Not getting together this year, on this weekend, is probably not so bad. It just wouldn't be the same without Mom here.  I know she's probably having a great time with my Dad and all her family that has passed before her.  But for us this year....Mom we miss you.  Perhaps next year we will be in a better place to celebrate and have all the other memories of celebrations past kept in our hearts. 

Deck The Halls

 Jack's been home a solid week now and things are still going good. He sure would love to have his energy levels back but slowly and surely it will happen.  We're getting Christmas under wraps and have the shopping (on line of course!) almost done.  I decorated a little less than I normally do but if you didn't know me and just came to visit you might not think that! But if I showed you all my containers in the storage room you would understand! I know I'll appreciate it when it comes time to take it all down. Less trips up and down the stairs! Here's a glimpse of my decor this year.  Actually, it's pretty similar to years past! 

The tree is ready for the gifts!  We won't be gathering this year so the gifts will probably stay wrapped and separated by family for them to get picked up.  I'm sad we won't do the traditional Christmas day festivities but I think it's better to stay safe and just have a quiet day.  Next year we'll rock it out! (God willing and the creek don't rise!)

My favorite cookie jar. Jack got me this some years ago and also a matching cake stand. However the cake stand broke as things sometimes do over time.  Anyway, I love this and when it's filled with goodies the Grandkiddos do too...not this year though...(insert sad face here)

I picked these up at Bronner's Christmas store last year.  Salt and pepper shakers..or I should say: Snow Flakes and Coal Dust!

This is one of the few Santas I put out this year.  I've had him forever! When my kids were little they called him "Psycho Santa"...the green gloves creeped them out! I had a good laugh back then and now he's just part of my kitchen Santas and this has been kind of a crazy year so he fits right in!

The mantel on the kitchen fireplace has my "Lori Mitchell" figurines that I love and the wreath is another very old decoration I bought at a craft show years ago. I'm guessing it's close to 37 or 38 years old.  It's a classic I guess!

The mantel in the living room has this Nativity set that Mom gave me some years ago. It's all metal and it has the 3 Wise Men too.  I'll certainly be thinking of Mom every time I look at it. 

This sweet Mary and Joseph are another Lori Mitchell design.  There are more pieces to it but that's on my list to purchase one of these days. I just think these are super cute. The painting above is one that's out all year.  Mary kissing the baby Jesus...It's titled: Kissing the face of God.   

I picked this up this year at our local hardware store downtown. I thought it fit in here at Whispering Pines!

A tiny tree in the dining room gives a nice glow.  Anyway, that's about the size of it for now.  I do have some lighted garland in the foyer and even though we didn't put out any outdoor lights this year I have candles in all the front windows that are simple but festive.  Even though it's not the same as past years, we can still celebrate this Christmas season with lights, music, and joy. Have a good week!

Hello December..Hello Snow

 First day of December brought the first snowfall of this season.

Last night the snow started and we ended up with about 5 inches of heavy, wet, snowman making white stuff from heaven. (Or perhaps hell if this is not your thing!)

The Pines are frosted..lovely.

I wouldn't suggest sitting on the bench under the oak tree. Brrrr!

I wasn't planning on having flocked wreaths on the little red barn but Mother Nature had a different idea. If you don't get snow where you live I will gladly share the pics of the snow so you can stay warm and still enjoy the season! As the seasons change so do other things in life. 

Thursday Jordan is heading out to California for a new position with his company. Because of the snow storm he was able to leave a couple of days later than planned. We will miss him but are excited for this new adventure. Yes, I'll probably cry but he's looking forward to a change and if my kids are happy so am I.  One more month for this crazy year. Jack is home and doing good and that really makes me happy. Stay safe everyone!

Home Sweet Home

 Jack came home from the hospital yesterday! He's about 30 lbs lighter and his energy level is not what he would like it to be but being home is the best medicine and we will forge ahead as he recovers his health. He is happy to sit again with Arnie and enjoy the comfort of the big brown recliner and cozy blanket!  I knew that "not so pretty" chair would eventually be welcomed!  I'm very happy not to make the long drive back and forth to University Hospital in Cleveland. We are extremely grateful for the care we received there. It's a ginormous place, unlike our University satellite hospital here in Ashland.  I had heard some not so nice reviews from others who had gone there but for us it was good.  A life saver.  From the life flight to discharge we can say we have been blessed with good technology and hard working healthcare professionals.  Especially as they struggle with the Covid crisis.  So for today all is good! Thank you all for the good thoughts and prayers and sweet comments here at the Pines.  We do have much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving weekend. 

Home Sweet Home

The Struggle Is Real

 I thought an update on Jack was due. I've been spending my days at University Hospital in Cleveland and hoping each day would be the discharge to home day.  Jack is doing well in many aspects of his recovery but is struggling with nausea and vomiting.  Not sure what's going on. At first everyone thought it was the usual after a major surgery ileus that would pass with moving around and such.  Not happening.  Finally they did an x-ray of his abdomen that showed nothing unusual. Yesterday another x-ray and then a late night CT scan.  We don't have the results yet and so he's still not able to eat or drink except for sips of water. On pins and needles until the results. On one hand we want nothing to be on the CT and on the other hand we're baffled if nothing shows on the CT!  Certainly not a win-win. We are very, very appreciative of the well wishes, tons of prayers, super duper help from my boys to take care of Arnie who is missing his one good source of forbidden snacks.  He's always afraid he's starving! The Vet will be happy with his weight loss however! So the struggle today is real as it is in so many people's lives this year.  I've uttered the words: "Jesus take the wheel" on a few occasions and I know He has been with us on this journey.  I guess I have to let Him be the driver!  As we approach a Thanksgiving like no other, sharing gratitude on social media to flood out the negative has been an invitation from our Church President, Russell M. Nelson.  A 7 day challenge to write something you're grateful for each day. Even in the middle of our trials there are so many things to be grateful for. Top of my list is Family..love all of you!  Friends...so many wonderful people I count as chosen family! That includes my blog buddies who have been so supportive and a source of fun and information and proof that the world is truly full of good people just trying to do their best each day.  Of course my Faith is at the top also...don't know what I would do without my belief in Jesus Christ as my Savior. He steadies me and His grace and mercy are overwhelming.  So that's my thoughts today. I hope everyone is staying safe and being grateful and I hope comforted where needed in trials.  

The sunset from Jack's room.

The Unexpected

 This year just keeps throwing up on us. Yesterday my sweet hubby was life flighted to University hospital in Cleveland.  He'd been feeling ill since Saturday and thought it was just a stomach bug. He put up with it until Wednesday night and the pain was too much. Vomiting too.  A CT scan showed blood clots had cut off blood  to the small bowel.  After emergency surgery to see how bad it was, they were thankfully able to remove the dead bowel, put it back together and send him to ICU.   He will have another surgery tomorrow because they left his abdomen open (covered by a wound vac) so they will take another look and make sure it all looks good and hopefully close him up. We are hoping to get out of the hospital next week. Maybe Wednesday if all's well. He's very lucky but not out of the woods yet. Prayers for him are appreciated.  

Thank You Veterans!

 Heroes are celebrated today. I know many veterans who don't think of themselves as heroes...especially if they haven't served in a war.  However, serving in the military is saying that if a war happens you'll be there.  You never know what will happen in life and going through the training that's required makes you able to do that. Taking an oath to defend this wonderful country is being a hero.  I salute all of you! My Dad served in WWII and my brothers in Vietnam.  They are my super heroes and I love you guys!  I was trying to think of a different post than any previous Veteran's Day posts so I found this letter from my Dad to my Mom while he was serving during WWII. It's dated February 12, 1945.  He was in Germany. He drove a Sherman Tank. He was in the US Third Armored Division.  (Yep, that's Dad with the X!)

So I'm going to share this today for my family and my blog journal.  

Dear Mary,

I passed up my chance to write yesterday but I am trying to make up for it tonight. Mail has been pretty scarce here of late but I suppose I can't complain as I do not write very much myself. At times you would be surprised what a change in mood a letter can make...or would you?  I don't know why it is, but here lately I have been thinking and wondering more and more about you and I and what we are going to do after this war is all washed up. In magazines I manage to pick up here and there, I read all about the wonderful things they have planned for us after the war.  How changed things will be.  But do we want them changed?  I am sort of tired of the pattern people have fashioned my life to.  Why can't we have our own design?  I have come to realize that the most wonderful part of life is in making your own decisions and then living them without regrets. Anyway, I've been wondering a lot about other things too.  After sweating this one out I've been wondering if it's Occupation, China, or somewhere in the Pacific..or home. I'd like to go home naturally, but there's a time element.  I wonder if I've been here long enough.  I know I've been in the Army long enough! Three years now.  It doesn't seem that long does it?  Well, I guess I'll have to go now.  I've got a little job to do tonight so until next time..Love as always, Carl

Thanks to all who gave their all when we needed heroes!  

A Bit "Cheesy"

 Hello November...my quiet month.  I've stated on my blog over the past 12 years that I consider November the quiet month.  Of course when it's an election year it's not so quiet. I will be glad to not hear the ads on TV and the phone calls. Usually I consider it the calm before the storm of December but Covid 19 will make December a bit less social this year.  No school Christmas concerts or Church Christmas pageants or socials.  No caroling perhaps?  Not sure how this will go down but for now I'll just enjoy the month of November.  I'll plan for Thanksgiving. I think we're still allowed to be thankful. I'm sure we will have the family over.  Jordan is moving away to California for his job but not sure exactly when. I do hope he can be here for Thanksgiving for a little farewell from us and his siblings. We will miss him for sure. I already have the turkey in the freezer. I have the same menu every year..it's tradition after all...so that will be easy to plan. We're having a little Indian Summer (wait, is that not a PC phrase? I apologize if I err)  I just mean we're going from pretty chilly to a high of 70 by the weekend.  Sunday I was thinking to myself that we made it through the month of October with no snow.  I swear it wasn't even 5 minutes when I looked outside and it was snowing!

I couldn't get a great shot of the white stuff but I think you can see it on the pine tree here. Keeping my thoughts to myself didn't keep it from happening!

Here's a better example. It didn't cover the ground and no snow blower was needed but it was the "S" word anyway. Yesterday and today the sun was out and all's good! So why did I call this post "Cheesy"? It wasn't because I went and bought or ate cheese. I just did a few things that seemed cheesy to me. 

I went to the Dollar store and bought a cheesy little centerpiece for the kitchen table. I love that store when I need just something inexpensive.  I didn't stop at cheesy centerpieces..

I found this little paint set for Thanksgiving. I needed something for this shelf and I do enjoy painting these little $1 cuties.  I did one for Halloween so I thought I should do one for turkey day. What's even more cheesy is it will be on display in the downstairs powder room.  Have a seat and enjoy I guess!  Then I found a Thanksgiving card that I couldn't resist buying for a special someone.  Not saying who it's going to...that would be cheesy!

How could I not buy this? It makes me laugh every time I read it!  My final thought and pic is dedicated to Arnie.  I took him to the groomer today.  It's the first time since his surgery and they took good care of him.  However, they were suppose to text me when he was done.  I left him there at 3 but by 5:45 I still  hadn't heard from them.  I called but they were closed! I left a message and then hopped in the car and headed over to the Barker Shop. On the way there they called me back. Whew, they were still there and said they had texted me at 4:30.  Nope, no text on my end.  Arnie was in the kennel and when he saw me he barked his head off!  He was probably getting "hangry" by then! He doesn't like to miss his kibble and the time change already has him starving by 4pm!  Then I noticed he was groomed a little different...they cut his ears super short. 

He wasn't even going to look at me.  Sorry Arnie!  I know it's him and not an imposter.  He knew exactly the moment we drove into to driveway!

Here's how his ears usually look.  We often joke that he's not the same dog we brought home from the rescue place....

This is the first pic I took of him the day we brought him home...

His first grooming...he used to be brown and white..

I'm not sure if this qualifies as cheesy but it does qualify as "What happened to the real Arnie?"  I report, you decide!