Updated Dec 28th 2016

Hi Everyone,

 It is Christmas Night here. The day has come and is slowly coming to an end here. It is 7:00 pm and so a few more hours of Christmas and can you believe that 2017 is just around the corner? It just doesn't seem possible that another year has come and gone already.

 No scrap page for today but I came across this image a while back on my Google Plus and I love it. It says so much because we are all connected some way, some how. I love this. I have to stop and grab a bite of dinner and then I will be back....

 December 28th, 2016

 I didn't know that this somehow was published... How strange...  Our internet had to be reset so I thought that I lost it. Odd that it saved it! We have had problems over the last few days with our internet but it looks like perhaps it is fixed now...

 Ohhh so Christmas was really nice. Being with my family  was the number one gift that I received. I wish that all of them could have been with me but it just wasn't possible. But I did get to talk to everyone over the course of the day s0 that make everything even more festive,

 This is me and Foxy Christmas Morning. When Karyn comes thru the door and takes her off her leash she is like a bullet... Racing straight to my room and jumps up on the bed giving me lots of kisses all the time and usually settles down. Christmas morning was no exception. She loves to cuddle with me and Karyn tells her "That's My Mama" and she will sneeze and shake her head as if to disagree...

 That is how my Christmas morning started off and then we headed to the coffee pot. I had a lot of nice gifts and have enjoyed them all.

 This is a charm bracelet from my friend Edna! Oh there was so much ooohs and ahhhs and even a job offer if she is interested lol...

 Isn't that beautiful... among the beads is a fairy, a fairy door, a Celtic type knot, a Christmas tree, a Bat, a Butterfly, A doggie bone, and paws. It is beautiful and I love it. So did my family. They all had to have a look and a big smile.

 Cisco in his sweater from Edna and Pogo and his toy. He is getting ready to go outside and I was lucky to capture this picture. Karyn is taking the toy from Pogo away because he was going to take it outside too!

 This is how he sleeps! The toy is not far away. And of course he has to sleep on top of my robe. He wants my scent close to him always.

 A lovely beaded necklace my friend Joyce made for me. You really cannot tell all of the beautiful colors but it is all the colors of the ocean. I love it. So now I have 2 pieces of jewelry to wear!

 This is a little bigger photo. She beaded for her family and friends this year. I think that this is something that I might be interested in learning how to do. The charm bracelet would be fun to learn as well as the necklace.

 Jellies/Jam from a friend in Essex England. They are from Tiptree and they are just wonderful. We were talking on a thread one day and everyone was talking about Tiptree and I was curious so she sent me a small sample box of my very own. Orange Marmalade, Raspberry and Strawberry. She is into crafts and she made the little box. See the tag? It is attached to a wrap around loop and if you pull the tag it slides off so you can open the box. I think that is super cute!

 And the jellies/jam.... I love them all, but I do believe that the raspberry is my favorite of them all.

 This is just part of my Christmas. It would take me all day to photo the rest. Oh a calendar from Edna that I just love, and such gorgeous pictures. It is going to be a joy to see them every month when I turn to the next month. I was going to wait and not look thru and let each one be a surprise but I can't do that. I am way to excited to see!!! I am glad that I looked at each and everyone of them.
 And a picture frame with my granddaughter Celeste, her mom Courtney and Santa Clause. The frame says I (Heart) Nana.... What a wonderful surprise and also a 32GB memory card for my phone.

 Karyn made a delicious Christmas dinner.  I was banished from the kitchen but was able to sit at the dining table while she chopped and stirred and prepared. I had coffee and phone calls and she and I chatted in between all of the conversations.

 Oh and one of the biggest hits was Kyra's red cabbage and apple and raisin dish. It went so fast that next time we are going to have to make a double batch! We loved it and it went perfect with the ham. We decided to have it often thru the year and not just holidays. Thank You Kyra for the recipe.

 I have heard from friends all over that they had a wonderful Christmas. I was disappointed  that Edna's Christmas box was not delivered to her until after Christmas but she finally got it and that was a relief. I was so afraid that it was lost or delivered to the wrong address or something, but it finally showed up!

 Time for one more cup of coffee and then I am going to clean the kitchen and my bedroom, so everyone have a wonderful day, and be kind to one another.... BB

Wow It Has Been A Week

 Hi,
 Isn't this gorgeous??? It is a card made for me from a friend that I received this morning. My friend Rosie is so talented and she and I are both Cardinal lovers so she did this card for me. She actually draws her own birds! Isn't she amazing? Aren't those Cardinals amazing? She draws other animals as well. I just love her kits because she really puts a lot of herself into them.

 Well as usual, there isn't much news to share. It is misty out this morning with a slight fog. It will burn off today and our high is supposed to be 70. W do have 96% humidity so that is good for my plants. I set them out yesterday, the living Christmas tree and the cactus, and my Ivy and the other plant that I have no idea what it is but I love it.
 Th directions say that as long as it does not get below 45 degrees then they can be outside. Our low was 51 so I hope that they are going to be alright.

 Well my son is off to work and I am home for the rest of the day with just Cisco and myself. He deserted me last night and when I got up this morning he and Nathan was sound asleep side by side. I should have gotten a picture of that! But I was too busy getting my first cup of coffee lol. That is the first thing that I do in the mornings. Flip on the coffee pot and go out to feed the birds. By the time that is done I am pouring my first cup and taking it to my room and turn on the computer to see what I have missed in during the night. I really do like my routine!

 Yesterday was pretty hard on me. The night before my sugar dropped pretty low. It was a sudden drop. No warning at all. Thankfully Nathan was here and he got me some juice and some crackers and cheese and I had that and it came back up, but then yesterday morning I tested and it was really low again. So I had a fruit cup and some toast. (Then I had my coffee). I was ok for awhile but I tested off and on and ate according to my testing. Then last night I hit bottom again. I am not sure what is going on with this. I haven't changed anything so I am a bit puzzled by it all.
 This morning I was at a good range and had a bowl of oatmeal. I hate oatmeal. But I really didn't want to cook any eggs or anything. I have some Pumpkin Harvest soup that I will have for lunch today with a half of a turkey sandwich. That should keep me going.

 During the times that I felt well, I sat down and scheduled 3 of my doctor appointments with the ride transportation that I use. I have one more to schedule but I can't schedule that one until the first of January. They only do 30 days in advance. It is a pain sometimes because instead of them keeping a data base with all of my information and doctors that I use, I have to give them my insurance ID number, my address, phone number, special directions such as the gate code and then I have to give them the name of the facility, the address, the name of the doctor, the phone number, the reason for the visit and then I have to wait for them to process all that information then they give me my confirmation number. So it is time consuming so I do multiple appointments so I don't have to keep going thru the automated system and wait ten years for them to answer my call. I just get them all together and make one phone call and schedule them all at one time. It is much easier this way.

 Then after I did that I hung my calendars up for 2017. I have a large desk calendar that I bought that has big squares on it and a place to write notes and such. I already have 3 squares filled in for January for 2 of my appointments and the information for the one that I have on the 29th of December. I have one more item to put on it for my Podiatry appointment on the 27th. That is the one that I have to wait until the first of the year to schedule with the ride transportation. I have the card up as well so that I don't forget it.

 Ohhh My I am getting so excited. Christmas is almost here! The magic of Christmas. Even my kids are getting a bit of the Spirit, as Jonathan was humming Jingle Bells last night. I laughed and shook my head. It was pretty awesome. I have my gifts on a little table. I was going to put them on the bar with my cards, but it started getting really crowded and I need to wipe the bar down. I didn't put out any Christmas decorations this year. I really don't have the room for them. I can't use my dining table as I did last year because it is in constant use this year. At the other place everyone used the other table that I had, but when we moved we didn't bring it with us. We only brought what we really wanted as this place is smaller. But I sure like this one better. It has been a good move for us.

 I just took Cisco out and it is really misty out there and still foggy. I am wondering if the weather is correct because it certainly does feel gloomy outdoors. Cisco doesn't like to get his paws wet. He looked back at me as if to say... "You want me to go out in that?"  I told him, "Sorry buddy but it is what it is. I know the ground is wet but if you gotta go you better do it now." So he decided he better go. I usually don't take him out anymore these days but Nathan was running late to work and I know that he must have forgot to do it.

 So like I said, not much is going on here. Just waiting for Santa to come tomorrow night and then Christmas Day we will have our Christmas and then start cooking. I will take the ham out to defrost tomorrow night. I put it in the lower part of the refrigerator already to give it a head start. It isn't to large so it will thaw fine. It is already fully cooked but I still put it in the oven.
 I have 2 small gifts left to wrap and I am done. Just waiting on the countdown to start!

 I will let you go for now. I am not sure if I will be back until after Christmas so I wish you a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year and many Blessings for 2017... BB

A Dreary Sky

 Hello To All,

 The sky looks gray and gloomy, dreary and dark but it is only 57 degrees outside with a low tonight of 44 so it isn't all that bad. It looks colder than it really is. It reminds me of Hot Chocolate time but it isn't quiet the right time just yet.

 This scrap page is for my dear friend Karen and her daughter. They really look so much alike. I surprised her with this page the other day. I wish that I could afford an international phone plan so I could talk to my friends on the phone. It is possible with Facebook but not everyone including me really wants everyone to see each other. I know that I don't! Still got some dental work to do before I can go there.

 So last week I took a peek, okay more than a peek at the trees and was amazed at how green they were for the most part. Yesterday morning I stepped outside and went Whoa! Most of the leaves are yellow now and barely hanging on. A good wind will send them tumbling to the ground. A sad venture for me as I will miss them as I walk outside. But it is that time of year where the trees need their sleep and I can look forward to the re-birth of the new.

 I missed feeding my birds this morning. I over slept and was just walking into the bathroom when my driver called and said he was outside. He was early. Almost a half hour early but I told him he would have to wait and I threw on my clothes and headed once again out the door as fast as I could. This particular company is going to make for darn sure that your at your appointment on time. Much better than the last one that use to come and collect me. I hope that I can keep this one but the insurance that pays this service will send the first available transportation that they have to get me so it is not a guarantee that this service will always come to get me.

 Anyway I have a few things that I need to work on. My diabetes is first and foremost. My A1c went from a 7 to an 8.2..... that is a little high for a 3 month average but I know by talking to my doctor (Which I had a great gut feeling and good impression of ) and the Nutritionist that I seen today that I actually was able to identify a couple of culprits.
  Mainly my fruit... Oh now I love fruit. I usually have some kind every day, but I don't over do it usually but she wants me to cut my fruit intake into half and limit it to only 2 or 3 days a week.
 It is because it is a natural sugar that stays in the body much longer. I was surprised as my other doctor told me that a serving say a banana in the morning with breakfast was fine. So I usually had a banana every day. I see her point now that she showed me how slowly they digest and if eaten with a cereal even tho it is a good one with grain say a Bran flakes, the cereal still has hidden sugars. So it just adds to the problem.
 So the new diet plan is to have it more protein than carbs.... So I can have a veggie  omelet and a half banana and then the next day I can have cereal and that should be enough. I can still have my coffee and everything.
 I am signing up for the classes as so much has changed. Research is coming a long long way in diabetes. She took me off that horrible pill I was on and just added 10 units to my sliding scale with each meal so that is doable along with 10 minutes of exercise after each meal.
 But I have to get it down because even tho my one remaining kidney is functioning normally, the high sugars are spilling protein into my urine. That is scary so I am going to work really hard to stay on track better.

 Blood pressure excellent, cholesterol and triglycerides are down a lot. Vitamin B looks good as well as Vitamin D... She is in agreement with my pain management and my other doctors so I was pleased. You know what really impressed me about this doctor is that she actually listened. She didn't interrupt me, she didn't blow me off and she said... I work for you and not the other way around. If you ever need me I am here.

 Ok so enough about doctors and tests.... I want to tell you that while I was waiting on some lab tests to come back they told me to go and have lunch if I wanted.
 This is a strip mall so many shops to explore. They had a Kolachie place with lots of pastry so that is no good, a Chinese place which is a big no no for me and a Smoothie store with lots of fruit so I had to pass that one up and on the end is a small Mexican place. So that is where I chose to go. I ordered the beef  Toastado but in a child's size.. I told the server just to put half of what normally comes on it other than the lettuce, onions, tomato's and cilantro. It looks much bigger in the photo than it actually was and I didn't even finish it all. Plus I had the choice for either coffee or Iced Tea with the meal. That was a great deal to. So for less than $5.00 I had a great lunch.

The server was very friendly as well and so I left her a $2.00 tip. I made my way slowly back to the clinic taking my time to peek into a few of the shops and it was well timed. My latest labs were back and then my ride showed up 10 minutes later.

 It was really a great time for me to get in that bit of exercise as well. Once home I stripped and put on some comfortable clothing and have just been here working on my blog after reading a couple of blog posts.

 I had a great conversation last night with the owners of my support group. What wonderful and kind ladies. I will check in with that group a little later on. We connected so easily and so fast and it was really a wonderful conversation. So I am looking forward to more delightful conversations and discussions.
 Someone brought up Medical Marijuana as a discussion. I have such mixed views on that subject that I am just going to read it and see what it was about but some of the things that I caught was that it really is not much help to the group that has tried it. It is not legal here so I don't have to worry about it.

 I have a set of cards to get ready for the mail. That is really all that I have to do at the moment. I will also write a couple of letters to a few friends and put into their cards but that is really all I have to do.

 My floors are so nice. I am so glad that they are finished and I don't have to worry about them over the rest of the holidays.

 I guess that I will close for now. I am getting really tired since I slept so poorly last night. I hope that everyone has a wonderful and Blessed Day.... BB

OOOohhhh Boy!

 Hi,
 I dug into my archives to pull out this Christmas page that I made last year around this time. I used several kits so I am not real sure who all gets the credit. Lins_Creations mostly as I do remember part of her Christmas kits and I was using them a lot last year. But mostly some of my misc. items.

 Ohhh it is going to be a long night for me. I took my shower and my night meds and was almost asleep when Nathan called me via Facebook. He got off work at 10:00 and no one was there to pick him up. While he was in a panic of how to get home and not get taken to jail from Loitering, Karyn shows up and says "Did Nathan make it home from work?' Well as I had the call on speaker since I didn't know she was going to walk thru the door there was an argument.
 Basically she said that she was there and he wasn't and her phone was at home because it was dead. Now I have to agree with Nathan... Why do you never charge your damn phone, especially when you know that your going to be out in a pretty isolated area at 11:00 pm at night? And second of all, there is a charger in the car. Why not use it? She knows it is there because she is the one that bought it for the car!
 All of this could have been avoided IF she had taken her phone with her! So Nathan had to walk back from the 7-11 store that he was at and almost hit by a car that ran a red light. Since she was already gone and without her phone no way I could call her and say hey... Pick him up at the 7-11 and not his job, So he had to walk back to his job which is a  long way from where he works.

 I don't know what has gotten into Karyn lately. I asked her to drop my stack of Christmas cards in the mail. She says that she did it but Nathan says that he was with her all day yesterday helping her move and at no time did she even go by the post office, even tho she told me that she did. Why lie to me? Why not just say "I'm sorry Mom I didn't have time or I just forgot to do it." Give me back the cards and I will do it myself!
 She did my laundry for me but has no idea where my bleach is or Nathan's laundry basket is. I specifically told her I need my bleach back and this is all of the dryer sheets I have so make sure that you get them back to me tonight. That was yesterday.
 Oh and how convenient it is that Joey got sick with some kind of virus and has been throwing up since the first day they moved into the apartment? Not that I believe that story at all. He was just to lazy to get out of bed and go and help her so she came and got Nathan to help her on his day off.

 Anyway I am going to be up because it is too soon for me to take anything else to help me sleep, and since I had a really nice long nap today I will not be able to sleep tonight which is going to make it hard for me tomorrow. I thought about passing the time and crocheting some tonight but am to agitated to work on it tonight. I did take some photos of what I have done so far. I had to pull out the first 5 rows and start over. Here are the pictures I took earlier of what I have done so far.

 It is turning out pretty but I didn't work on it today at all. I chose this stitch instead of the other in the first part that I ripped out. I was having so much problems with the yarn. I am going to have to return it. I thought that it could have been my needle but it wasn't. I switched out needles and still had the same problem. The threads kept separating with nearly every stitch and was really slowing me down.   The yarn it's self is defective I think. I started over with a new skein so it is so much better than the first skein I was using. I really like the gray that is in this yarn. It is called Icelandic. The other had more of a sea foam green and some sandy tan and purple. After she had time to look at it more, she didn't care for the purple in it. I am glad that she chose this one as I wasn't really fond of the other that she had chosen. This is coming together much prettier. Of course the pictures do not do the yarn justice.
 I really should have put in a few more rows today but I just didn't feel up to doing much except laying down today and resting. Last week was really a busy one so I did not feel guilty for taking today for myself.

 I really am enjoying my support group. It has been really informative and I have met some sweet people. This woman in Mississippi has been really nice. We really have a lot in common with our illness and in real life. She has just been diagnosed with PVD and Fibromyalgia. But she also has a heart condition but that can be controlled by mediation. It has been nice to have made a few new acquaintances. Even the groups owners are really nice. We had a meet and greet on the forum today. We introduced ourselves and told of where we live. One lady is from Peru and another is from Greenland and the rest of us are scattered all over the place but mainly the United States. No one in Texas has joined this group so far. I am the only Texan lol. I am sure that there will be more.

 The group will become locked at 100 members. They are talking about opening a second chapter because they don't want the group to become overwhelming. Most people will stop coming for support if it gets to large because it will become impersonal. I agree. I don't want to be a part of a huge group where no one can really form a connection to others. I was part of a group like that once and I didn't care for it. But I understand that they want as many people that are in pain to be able to go there for comfort and to ask for suggestions for help.

 A lady posted today a whole list of her ailments. Mainly she suffers from pain caused by a hip and 2 knee replacements. She talked of physical therapy and rehab. Everyone was so nice to her and welcomed her, even tho our group is totally different, we rallied around her as we would anyone because she is hurting, I can say for me I don't spend a lot of time at the group, when I do check in it is all supportive.

 I watched a link sent to my by Kyra on how to propagate my  Christmas Cactus. It was very informative Kyra, and thank you, I can see how I can easily have several of these beautiful plants to give away, Early Spring and summer is the best time and she even showed us how much water they require. Not much! I am hoping to get a few more colors before they are all sold out after Christmas.
 My next gardening of plants will be herbs. I miss my herbs. Not only are they awesome for cooking, they also repel mosquito's and flies and other pests. I wish that my patio was big enough for a ficus tree and a Bougainvillea. It is so tropical tho I would have to bring it inside and I really don't  have room for that. I do have a nice spot for a Ficus tree tho. .I would just have to push my table and chairs out further or turn them long ways to fit into the dining nook.

 I guess that I am going to try and lay back down. It is after midnight. I really should try and get some sleep so I will say good night and wish everyone a wonderful Monday. BB

Such A Busy Week

Hi Everyone,

 Well I haven't been scrapping pages lately. I think that I have only done 2 this entire week. I have been so busy!
 My friend did put out a new kit called Asian Beauty and so I made this scrap page for her as she has been really sick. She has MS and has been in a lot of pain and then caught a nasty cold on top of it and had the blues. No one had made any pages with her kit and she thought no one liked it. So to cheer her up several of us made pages.
 It is a gorgeous kit. I just love the Koi fish. Unfortunately this is the only page that I have had time to do with the kit. I am sure that as soon as Christmas is over then we will be able to settle down and I will have more time to play at the computer.
 And of course I am having issues of my own. It has just been too hard to rest. So much had to get done and no matter how I tried to pace myself it has not gone according to plan.

 Kyra, it is really hard to explain Fibromyalgia. Basically everyone experiences it differently. It is usually caused by something very stressful in your life and it could have started years ago and lay dormant until something else triggers it. They symptoms at first can be confused with Rheumatoid Arthritis  because it starts out affecting joints ad so forth. There is really not much clinical information. A lot of studies are done on it and a lot of doctors do not even believe that it exists. I was one of those people who didn't believe that I had it and went for a second opinion and then I seen another doctor, a Rheumotologist who confirmed it.
 For the most part I do ok. I have days that I have no problems at all and then others that are very difficult to get thru and sometimes I don't pay attention the way that I should and I over do. For me the pain or Flare Ups start in my right elbow. Then other spots in my body start to become inflamed and hurt and swell.

 Edna, this support group is really awesome. I have met some incredible people on there. Some who will just send an encouraging message to me on Messenger or private message me on Facebook and of course there is the group. They really take the time to talk with you. That has been so wonderful for me. I am so glad that I found this site and don't you feel guilty for using your handicap parking sticker. You have a valid reason to use it.

 When I was 19 my niece was in a basketball tournament. Her mom and my brother both had to work so I took off work and went with her because for her it was a big deal to be in this tournament. When we got to the school I bought both of us a soda from the concession stand. The first game went well and they were going to play another game and some how during the games our drinks got mixed up. So we drank after each other. Right after that she came down with the flu or so we thought. I was back working and not feeling well either but I worked that week. On Friday night my sister in law and I went to the grocery store and I got really sick while we were shopping. I bought some Tylenol and we finished shopping and went home. My dad was there and said that my boss had called and someone called saying that they needed me back to work the next day so I left. My niece was still sick and we figured that it was just the cold/flu type thing. On Sunday after my shift was over my dad took me to the hospital. They admitted me right away because all of my nymph nodes in my whole body was swollen and inflamed. I was so sick I don't even know how on earth I was able to work that weekend. The tests came back that I had Mononucleosis. The famous kissing disease that I got from drinking that soda at the basketball tournament with my niece. I was in the hospital for several days. My sister in law took my niece to the doctor and she had the same thing. In fact the entire school had to be shut down because so many had contracted it.
 My niece was young and rebounded fast. Most people do. Most people never even know that they actually have it. For me it had attacked my internal organs, spleen, liver and so forth so healing was a big deal for me. They wanted me to stay in bed 6 weeks after I went home. Well that was impossible. I had a job that I didn't want to lose nor could I afford to lose it. I had an apartment and I had a car payment. I had to go back to work.
 I never regained my strength or energy after that. When I talked to my doctors they blew it off and said after my first baby was born, "Your a new mom of course your going to be tired" and that was mainly the trend of things.
 Some days I felt good other days I could barely function but you do what you have to do with a family. More than likely my Fibromyalgia was triggered then and just lay dormant until a series of other heath issues became too much for my body to handle and these flare ups are now pretty obvious since so many doctors are acknowledging it. Not all of them, but this support group has really been awesome.
 The sensitive skin, the pain, the bone tired weariness and so much more, I really know that I am not the only one out there saying... What's wrong with me.

 Ok so now on to some other things. When I last ended my blog post I told you that I would explain my neck and shoulder pain. 4 years ago my girlfriend and I were leaving Walmart. We were stopped at the entrance/exit and a car rear ended us. Not hard, just a good jolt, but as I went forward the seat belt snapped me back and my neck popped.
 I was very angry with my friend because she got out of the car and talked to the people and said that there was no real damage to either car so she didn't call the police or even write a report. I told her... I hurt my neck... well come to find out the reason she didn't report it was because she didn't have insurance on her car. I didn't know that for  several weeks. My neck got better and I let it go. Then it would start hurting again and finally I had to go to the doctor. I have a bulging disc in my neck and sometimes it it becomes inflamed and causes me some pain and problems. The only thing that I can do for it is surgery and there really isn't much to say that would even help, so I just deal with it for now.

 Ok now on to some other things....
 Let's talk Christmas...
 I have my tree. I have a few more decorations on it now, but these pictures are from the day that I bought it.  I love it. It is a Norfolk Island Pine. It looks like it should have come from somewhere cold but actually it was grown from a seed on an Island in Hawaii. Interesting little story. I read it on the tag with the directions on how to care for it. Here is my pics...

It has some bows. Just click to see it in a larger size. I also bought a Christmas Cactus. I have been wanting one and so I have been saying I was going to get one and I haven't and I finally did. I chose this one because it is loaded down with pink buds. I was actually thinking of getting a red one but they were already flowered and had very little buds on them. So that is why I chose the pink and Oh wow.. Tomorrow I have to take more pictures because it is flowering out so pretty.

It is so pretty and see all of those buds on it and this is just this side of the plant. Not the back side which has a lot too.

 Here are a couple of other pics I have.

I did some reading on the Christmas Cactus. In September I have to put it in a place that is dark so it can go to sleep for 4 weeks then I can bring it out and it can start the flowering process. It is a succulent so it requires very little water. In fact it is supposed to dry out completely before watering.

 So many pretty flowers this year. But when I spotted the tree and the cactus I knew they were meant to be.

 And I have a little funny to show you before I go. But first I want to wish my friends on Google Plus a very happy week. I love hearing from you all and thanks for the notifications that you send to me. Yes I do get them and thank you...

 I hope that everyone is having a great Christmas Season.... I know that I am really enjoying the time that I have shopped even tho I was having a hard time later I did enjoy myself.

 Oh before I go, I bought my ham for Christmas dinner. I caught it at a wonderful price and I also bought my everything to make Kyra's cabbage. I still have to get the cabbage yet. A bit to early for that just yet.
 Karyn wants baked beans and Potato Salad. I told her "Sure, if you make it" lol... she frowned at that... "But Mom your's is sooooo good" and I smiled and said... "And your's is just sooooo delicious" so more than likely she will do the potato salad and I will do the beans lol.
 I want to make some Ambrosia this year or a fruit salad. But just a small one as fruit is very expensive this time of year.

 Ok well I am off and headed to bed. I have a quiet day tomorrow. Other than my laundry and I plan to just hang out here at home, in my room with my dog. I have Foxy right now until tomorrow. Karyn will come and get her then. They had laid carpet all thru her apartment so they had to come today and pull it up and put down the right floor. So far she has been really sweet to Cisco which is good or she would find herself out in the cold... lol... Good night and BB

I Am So Lost!

 Hi Everyone,
 I am not sure if I posted this page or not. This is the page that I made for my friend Sue who recently lost her mother a week ago. Sue finds great comfort in Teddy Bears and I hope that this one brought her a bit of joy.

 This post is going to be a short one. I would love to write all night but this girl is exhausted. I was busy over the weekend and I got out and about with my son on Friday night, my daughter Karyn and her husband/boyfriend Joe on Saturday and then Karyn and I went grocery shopping on Sunday.
 Today I had an assessment with a nurse to see about an aide to come in and help me and I didn't qualify because I live with both of my children and I have a daughter near by and they can all help me. True enough. It didn't hurt to try tho. Then there was an insurance mix up because when I switched insurances in June of 2015 I was never unrolled from my previous insurance. What joys I had today dealing with some crazy insurance people.
 Anyway I knew that it would catch up with me finally. And today is the day that it did. I have been mentally and physically drained.

  I found this incredible support group on Facebook  for chronic pain and Fibromyalgia.  It feels so good to be able to talk to people who actually understand some of the things that I go thru and the way that I feel that I don't know how to explain to other people.
 I was really happy that I stumbled upon the group. It was just by accident as I was reading this article and then it had several links and I seen one that said something like, "My Story Of Fibromyalgia" so I decided to read it and the more that I read the more I wanted to read. She had posted some links so I clicked on several of them that led me down another rabbit hole and so I backed out of it and went back to her links and I seen one that said something that caught my eye. It was a support group so I liked the look of the site and joined.
 Now there is a draw back to this site. I chose it because it only had 59 members. It is small enough that you can actually feel a connection to who your talking to but since it is an open group  so far in the last 2 days 20 more people have joined and tonight an announcement of 6 more new members. I really don't want to be a part of a group that has 500 people in it.
 So I will see how this works out. I am glad that the group is open for others that may need it. I am because a lot of people have it a lot worse than I do. I don't have it as bad as a lady that I met at my pain clinic. Oh that poor lady could barely move. Friendly she was so we were able to talk a bit before they called her back. She gave me the name of her support group here in Austin and I requested but it just said that my request is pending and that has been several months ago so I cancelled it.
 My sister says that it is all in my head, that it is just something that doctors say when they don't know what is wrong with you. Some of my friends don't understand and I get to the point that I don't say anything. Why bother when they don't understand. So anyway it is really nice to have this support group.  One thing that I have found. What I was able to do today, I may not be able to do tomorrow. Just because I went shopping this weekend and was able to walk just with my cane instead of my walker does not mean that I can go shopping next weekend. My sister said one time, well your able to do this and this and that so if you could do it then why can't you do it now? I really am tired of people telling me that my pain is in my head. Just because I don't always look sick does not mean that I am not sick. But that is a rant for another day.

 I hope that everyone is getting their holiday shopping done, and that no one is overly stressed because it is one of the most stressful times of the year and really it should just be one of the most joyful.  I didn't let it sneak up on me this year. I did a few things each month. Nothing big but things that are needed for the most part. I know that I may be a little boring there, but I would much rather buy things that people need and I know that they can use than a bunch of stuff that they have no need or use for. Of course if I find something reasonable that I know that they will like then I try and get it. Nathan has been wanting this set of ear buds for a while now. I have them for him for Christmas... That stinker went to Walmart Saturday night and bought himself a pair. Well there goes that surprise but oh well, if the ones he is using breaks he has a back up!

 Cisco wants out of my room. He can't make up his mind if he wants to be with me or Nathan tonight. He better choose soon tho because I am fixing to go to bed. I want to read a little before I go to sleep. It might help me relax. My shoulder and neck have been hurting. More on that a bit later on... Good night to everyone on my side of the Globe... BB

It's Beginning To Feel Like Christmas!

 Hi Everyone,

 It is December already. I was going to say the first day of December but I just looked at the clock and it is 1:12 am... so it is the 2nd day of December...
 And this little fellow is Pogo and he is my featured page of the day! He is waiting for Santa... Now his mom might disagree and think that he is waiting for his pal Joe to come home from the store and give him a turkey treat or even that he might be waiting for the mail man to deliver something special in the mail, but between Pogo and I we know that he is being good so he doesn't get on the Naughty List, as if he ever would... But we have proof that he is being Sweet as Sugar!

 And of course my second featured page of the day is my sweet boy Cisco.

I had to be fast getting this photo. I have a few more of him that I will share... Yeah I am a proud mama...

I know that you all must think that I never make up my bed but I do... Honest I do, but Cisco does not like a neatly made bed. He must have it rumpled and the covers piled in several ways for him to be comfy..... so here are a few more pictures of my fur baby. Now if you notice I also have 2 robes on the bed. There is a reason for that.
 First off I live in Texas and the weather changes from minute to minute. The pink plaid one is my evening and early morning robe for when it is really chilly outside. The second one is blue with Pink Flamingos. That is my summer robe for when I step outside or walk around the house and it is not very chili outside. Cisco loves both robes so I leave then draped over the foot rail and he will pull and tug and get them where he wants them and then either burrows under them or lays on top of them. It isn't enough to rumple the covers. He needs to rumple my robes too.

 He is so sleepy in this last photo he can barely keep his eyes open. And yes he was having the bone in my bed. His Bed... Our bed... It is a game we play. Since the covers are all in a disarray I hide the bone and his little nose searches it out. Like I said, I had to be fast taking these photos because he is camera shy.

 I have some good news to share...
 The wildfires in Tennessee have ravaged so much that it is heartbreaking, but my family and friends are alright. They got a break in the shifting wind and some rain. That eases my mind so much. Still so many people and animals have lost so much. Their lives, their homes, businesses, trees, plants and wild life, all because some mean and cold hearted person chose to start a fire. How sad. This has truly been devastating to so many people watching and praying but I cannot fathom what those poor people are going thru. I have been thru disasters before but never a fire. It is the one thing that terrifies me more than hurricanes, or tornado's or floods. Fire keeps going. One spark can wipe out everything and those that work to contain it work continuously and still the fire will sweep right on thru. Keep these people and wildlife in your thoughts and prayers.
 Dolly Pardon said that Dolly-Wood and her foundations will give every home owner a $1,000.00 a month to help them get back on their feet. More foundations are setting up accounts to help rebuild as well. There are those that have died that have no insurance and they fear that there may be more that have died and not been found. My heart just goes out to these people.

 I have worked hard today on some scrap pages that I have wanted to do and a few for the 2 CT's that have put out kits. I need to make one more for Carolyn and I need to do a personal page, a sympathy page for a friend that lost her mom unexpectedly a few days ago. It has been so very rough on this poor lady the last few weeks. She lost her brothers 3 months apart just recently and now her Mom.
 Our group has been rallying around her, she has had so very many people thinking of her, so I am so very happy for that. I will make her a card and send to her tomorrow because I wanted to give her a little time and not overwhelm her. And I forgot one of my oldest and dearest friends birthday yesterday. I cannot believe that I forgot her birthday. Then again I have been under the influence of pain pills and not been myself at all. Today has been so much better. Even yesterday was really great that I was able to get up and move about.

 It is now approaching 2 in the morning and I need to call it a night. I am finally winding down and think that I can sleep so I will close for now and I want to say to all of the Blog Train people that have put out kits and freebies and go to all of the trouble to do this for everyone, Thank You. And do stop by and at least say Thank You. They work very hard designing these for all of the scrappers that are out here in our great big world so I want to make sure that they know that I am very thankful for all they do. Thank You!!!!

 Good night everyone, or Good Morning...... Have an awesome day or night, which ever corner of the world that your in.... BB

Look At That Innocent Face... Hahahahahahaha

 Hi everyone,
 Above is a really neat thing that Pet Smart is doing for the fur babies.... The main one is  that Santa Clause is coming to Pet Smart our fur babies can  have a free picture taken with Santa...

 Just look at that face... Isn't that the face of an innocent fur baby? This is my Cisco.... This is the love of my life. This is my bed partner, my cuddle partner, the one person in this house that I defend, and yes my dog is a person!
 AND he is on the Naughty List and does NOT get to go and have his picture taken with Santa....

 Yesterday morning around this time I awoke and had my coffee. Nathan had to go to work, and his ride showed up early so he had to leave. Cisco was still sleeping and Nathan said "Mom I don't have time to take Cisco out this morning."
 Not a problem I assured him. I will take him out. "You have a great day."
 So when Cisco woke up I gave him breakfast, even scrambled him an egg. Then I asked him if he wanted to go out and he wagged that little tail and got all excited and ran to the door. I followed him with my cane and got his leash on.
 Out we went. He sniffed around, found some grass he liked, sniffed some more, and we made our way to the bins that held the doggy bags. He was a happy dog doing his doggy thing. Then wham... He took off in a charge. Across the road from us there was a man walking his dogs. 2 very big dogs I might add. Now mind you they are WAY across the way. No where even close to Cisco or myself.
 Cisco charged at such a fast speed that I lost my balance and fell and while hanging on to the leash with all the strength that I had, I rolled..and I rolled some more.... I rolled alllll the way down the hill. A Big Hill. The leash tangled around my arm and left wrist, all the while he was pulling me to get to the dogs that were long gone. I mean he was gagging, and I was afraid that he was going to break his neck. Or choke to death.

 Not only that but I was in a state of undress in my robe and night gown. (I will not ever do that again) and  no one to help me up. I had to get that leash off my hand as it was hurting pretty bad and still  grip it pretty hard and then I had to crawl the best that I could to get to my cane which was behind me and use it to pull myself up. Not a soul around to help me and as bad as I needed the help, I am thankful that no one saw the old lady with her coat tails above her waist with a very un-lady like view of her back side as I made it to my knees with a choking Cisco because he was still trying to get loose, barking and growling between gasps of air. I made it up. I don't know how but I did. I hobbled inside pulling Cisco behind me.
 He went nuts over those dogs. I know that he can be bad at times but this was the worse I had ever seen him act.
 I barely made it in the house, and took stock of myself in the bathroom. Bits of grass and dirt in my hair and face and Oh MY God please tell me that is mud and not.... Poop... no it was poop. My whole right side got it the worse. I think that I hit every water sprinkler in my path on the roll down.
 My right shoulder, elbow and wrist was on fire. My hip, leg and ankle came later once the feeling started coming back. I was so scared that I broke something, but no I could move everything just fine. I was just sore and felt like my right side was on fire.

 After a shower and a pain pill I curled up in my bed and stayed there... all day. I got up to use the bathroom and to find some crackers to munch on. I was not up to trying to fix anything to eat.
 Cisco cannot go and see Santa. There is no way that he will even halfway behave and I am sure that there will be a lot of dogs there that are going to have their picture made with Santa. This breaks my heart but what if he acts like he did in the store and that is not all, hurts someone or knocks someone down because we can't control him or if he even acts half ass decent and then bites Santa?

 Last night Jonathan carried him out and a woman was walking up to the doggy bin and Jonathan had to grab him by the nape of the neck and keep him from lunging at the woman and her dog. What if he is to bite someone or hurt someone else's fur baby?
 Jonathan said, "Mom I know that you want to take him places but you see how he acts and he is getting worse. " I have to agree.
 My grandson said that Cisco tried to bite him when they were visiting before we moved and I thought that perhaps that he just accidentally stepped on him or something. But now I believe that Cisco did try and bite Adrian.
 It also reminds me of when I had to take Cisco to the vet and they handed me a muzzle in the waiting room because he was acting aggressive.
 Nathan picked him up last night to put him on the bed with me and he went after Nathan. Oh Nathan was mad. He said... "You want to act like that, then let's go, come on and try to bite me again." Of course he crawled under my robe and Nathan said if he gets off the bed then he will have to sleep in the floor because I am not picking him up again.
 I don't know what is wrong with him. I know that he is territorial but this is beyond that. He is acting aggressive to the boys now. Jonathan said out on the patio the other day he went after his leg. He has gone after Karyn before too. He went for her face. She leaned down to kiss me goodbye and he leaped right at her. She was so lucky to move as fast as she did and I caught him in time.

 Ok well that is my adventures with Cisco. I am very sore today. My entire body feels like I have whip lash. I have to say that this is worrisome for me. We have encountered people and dogs before and yeah he barked and growled and kicked his hind legs but we could just tighten the leash and he was fine. Now we have to try and physically restrain him too.

 So that is it for me today. I am not sure that I will do much of anything today. I had plans to go and wash some towels and do a load of whites today after I get home from the doctor but they will have to wait. I just can't move well enough to do it.
 Jonathan said that he will take care of dinner tonight. So I only have to worry about my breakfast and my lunch. Nathan is here until 2:30 or 3:00 so if I need anything he will be close by to assist me. But he will be gone by the time that I get home from the doctor. It is with my pain management doctor so I can't really discuss my dog issue and fall with them. They will not give me anything additional for pain. They are funny about pain meds, and I will be alright. I was thankful for the pain meds yesterday.

 I have to go and try and get myself in the shower, my breakfast and insulin. You all have a great day and if you know of any suggestions to help me with my dog then please pass them on. I am worried about him. Have a great day BB

My Search Paid Off

 Hi everyone,

 I spent most of yesterday searching for this kit. I knew that I had to have misfiled it but I also had the name of the kit wrong. I thought that it was called Frosted Windows but it is actually called Winter's Spell.  I am so glad that I found it. I wanted to use it for a challenge page but in the end I did use part of it and then I used some bits and bobs from some other kits. Here is the one that I did to enter the challenge with.

I have been over to look at the pages in the challenge and no way is mine going to win with all of the beautiful pages already in the challenge. I fell in love with most all of them. But I am not doing the pages or entering them to win. I am doing them for the fun of it now.

 My friend Heather did put out a set of Masks so she needs them by the 8th so I will have a little ct work to do. Still plenty of time. My other designer friend is having both hands operated on on the 6th or the 8th of December and I am not sure if she will put out a kit before then or not. She really doesn't rush to do them as often as most of the others do.

 My friend Robyn is very sick. She told me that she isn't sure if she can do the kit that I asked for. With Chemo and all that she has on her plate right now I told her not to worry about it. She needs to get well so she can take care of her kids. It is bad enough that she has to travel 2 1/2 hours each way just to receive her Chemo treatments and arrange for help with her kids on those days. The treatments put her down several days after she has them.

 So Jonathan took me out to lunch yesterday. We were going to a buffet and we seen the sign Shrimp Dinner and he and I looked at the sign and then how crowded the parking lot was and we turned around and headed the other way. We ended up going to our favorite mom and son place and enjoyed our meal. Then Nathan came home last night with 4 large carry out boxes with Beef ribs, pork ribs, grilled chicken and sausage. So we each had a rib and a sausage. I caught Jonathan sneaking bits of the beef ribs and sausage to Cisco. I told him to stop or he was going to have an over night guest in his bed. No way did I want him to get sick again. Luckily he didn't get sick but he is still sleeping. Which I thought that I would do as well. I was wanting to go and sleep for a couple of more hours but in the end I stopped by my blog.

 I tossed out some whole grain bread last night under the crepe myrtle trees late last night for the birds. Nearly all of it is gone this morning. I am glad that they got it. I was afraid that they wouldn't find it but it looks like they did. We do have one black bird that I am slightly worried about. A resident backs his truck in under the portico and I have been watching this one bird building a nest in the fender well. I never see him when he leaves or returns but I want to tell him that he has a bird that is making his or her home near the tailpipe of his truck. I might leave a note on his windshield. It would break my heart to look out and find the bird dead.

 Last night or rather early this morning before day break I was watching the leaves fall from the trees. They swirled and twirled and danced as they made their way to the ground. It was so beautiful to watch them as they fell and then caught a breeze and flew away.
 Autumn is my favorite part of the year, then Spring. My oldest sister Sharon and I would wait anxiously for the first Blue Norther as we call it here in Texas. We would make hot chocolate and toast and play word games. We would plan our Thanksgiving menu and would go bargain hunting for crafts to make an Autumn wreath, find new place mats and candles, and we would Christmas shop, put gifts on lay a way for the kids. I miss those days with my sister.
 Now we live 4 hours apart, she has 10 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. She and her husband are retired and they do their own thing now with their family. Still we play the word game. We take a word and try to find as many things that it relates to. We have done this word a hundred times, still it amazes me when we read off our lists and check to see if we thought of the same thing, how many things that we didn't think of. This word is December. I wonder how many I can get and how badly she will beat me lol. Still it is a fun game for the both of us.

 Time for some pics...  So here goes!

 Rain clouds are gathering for the cold front moving in today. I took another photo so you could see the dark blue building up at the side of the building but it really didn't turn out well but if you look at the bottom you can see a partial of the deep blue. To the right of this photo, the sky is really a much deeper blue. It is coming from the north east so I am not sure if it will pass us or go to the east of us. My bet is that it will go east.

 I found what is left of Cisco's rope. LOL... this was in the kitchen last night as I was cleaning. See that little orange strip at the top. It is no longer connected! I have since re-braided the rope and added some more knots in it. He loves this thing. He will go ad get it and bring to us to play tug of war. That dog has some strong teeth. Once he grips it, you can forget about getting it away from him. I have been playing  a little more easy with him as I am afraid that as hard as he grabs a hold of it that I could pull out some teeth.

 Well I guess that this is about it for me today. Nathan is leaving for work and I am going to to lay back down and read a little. It is a good day for that. Besides, I have a new book... Yay for me... Have a great day everyone. BB

4 Weeks To Christmas

 Hi Everyone,
 The Thanksgiving day was nice and filled with family and love. Even if we didnt all see eye to eye on a few things the spaghetti, salad and garlic toast and beans were delicious, and Karyn's Lemon bars were wonderful. We had a lot of food left over as well so Karyn could take some home with her. She left the lemon bars with me... YUMMY.
 We are doing the works for Christmas. Karyn is getting the ham and I am getting the turkey. We will have lots of ham and turkey salads, sandwiches and some turkey soup. The sides never really last for long. Perhaps we don't make really huge portions of the sides.

 In a comment from Kyra she talked about a red cabbage and raisn dish. I am going to ask her for the recipe because I have had my mouth watering from just the description... It sounds perfect for a side dish with the ham.

 I haven't made my granddaughter her scrap page. I have just been wiped out. I have slept a lot over the past few days. I know that they say that sleep heals and so I really hope that is true as I have not been able to get my energy back in so long.

 Karyn and I were reading our lease agreement yesterday and I don't have to have the adhesive hooks after all to hang my pictures. Wow I swear I read the lease and I could have sworn that it was right there in black and white. And it was ... It was just worded strangely. It said that You could NOT use adhesive hangers for pictures... Whoo hoo... now I have a project to do this weekend but I truly want to get the pegs for my bookshelves and no matter where we have looked they do not have the ones that I am looking for. I could kick the boys butts for not taking the shelves out before they tried to move my book shelf. I tried to tell them to do so but no one listened as usual.

 Don't you just hate trying to write a blog post when there is nothing to blog about? Well I seriously don't have much to talk about. I watched a movie called The Forgotten Christmas and I really just wasted my time on that. It was alright but I really didn't enjoy it all that much. I am a stickler about finishing something when I start it so of course I had to see it to the end. I was hoping for that moment when it turns from okay to brilliant. It didn't happen! In the end it was still just ok.

 I have movies that I want to see tho. I want to see the new JK Rowling, Magical Beasts And Where To Find Them. Then there is The Arrival that I want to see and I still haven't had a chance to see Skully yet and I have a few favorites that I always enjoy. Tonight is The Christmas Card. It is a Hallmark movie and one of my all time favorites.

 And ... On December 6th Nora Roberts is releasing the last book of her Trilogy. I am so excited as I wouldn't get the first 2 books until the last one was out. I have been waiting and waiting, very patiently I might add. Also she wrote in her last blog that she is working on a new path, something totally different. Something that she has never done before. More of a survival type of story line where there is a world crisis and a handful of people who will play important roles in helping others to survive. Of course this first book will not be out for a year but it will give us Nora Roberts fans something to look forward to. I know that she does a lot of romance but you know, she really goes off the beaten path in her books. Some things are predictable and others take you by surprise. I have heard so many good things from this Stars Of Fortune series so I can't wait to get my hands on the first book. I will not buy it tho. I will hit up the library for this set as they are very expensive. I have learned to cull a lot of my books. I don't need a copy of every book that I love. I use to. Oh... My basement shelves were filled with so many books. When it came time to move I had such a hard time letting go of my "Friends" and only kept a few of them. The same thing when we did this last move. My closet shelves and book shelf was filled to the capacity, so I was able to let go of a lot of books. Some that really didn't hold that much appeal for me, but My favorite Nora Roberts books are still with me.

 I wish that I could be witty and charming tonight with much fun chatter but the truth is, it has been a quiet day. Cisco has been by my side most of the day and he and I are going to to crawl in between the covers and watch The Christmas Card. One movie that I know will get my feel good hormones going into over drive....
 Until next time... Y'all have an awesome day... Love, Cisco and Beth

Thanksgiving Eve

 Hi Everyone,
 I couldn't resist posting this one. How many families wish that they could stuff the turkey with a little feel good medicine lol?

 Not much happening in the world of Beth today or this week even. Jonathan and I are going to sit down this afternoon and make a final grocery list for tomorrow.
 My mother in law use to make the best Ambrosia I have ever eaten. It was always a big hit at Christmas so that is on our Christmas menu. We are going to have the works on Christmas but not too sure about what we are going to end up as a final meal for Thanksgiving other than the pinto beans decked out with tomatoes, onions, bell peppers and sausage along with some cornbread and my homemade Mac and Cheese. I say that is enough. Karyn is making lemon bars for dessert and of course I thought about serving Jonathan that Bologna sandwich that he said that he wanted lol. I am so glad to say that things worked themselves out on that end!

 I slept well for most of the night. Cisco did as well. He stayed glued to my side and was still there when I woke up this morning. I wish that I could have slept in a little longer but Nature called and I had to stumble out of bed and go and answer. By that time my eyes were opening a little bit so I turned on the coffee pot and waited for that first cup that I start my mornings off with.

 It is a beautiful day here. Yesterday was over cast and gray, then we had some rain and it seems to have cleared out the air, It is really a gorgeous morning, crisp temps and not a cloud in our pretty blue sky. I wish that it could stay like this all of the time.

 Ahh just heard from Karyn and she said that Spaghetti and a salad sounds good for tomorrow. Well what ever we come up with, I sure want it to be easy and fast and the clean up just as easy and fast. Several places here are offering the meal. All you have to do is show up. I love it when the community comes together and does this for people who may not have family and are alone, or the homeless, or those that just are at a time when they have no food to cook.
 I know that we are blessed beyond measure. We may not always have our cupboards stocked but we always have enough food that no one goes hungry. So very many are not that lucky.
 Nathan is off work tomorrow. At first they said that he would work Thanksgiving but that was wrong. They are always closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

 Oh our apartment office is doing something really nice for the complex. They set up a gift wrapping center so that anyone can go and wrap their presents with paper, they supplied tissue paper, tape and ribbon and even gift bags for the residents. We got a notice in our newsletter. I also like the fact that they do a newsletter that lets everyone know of the special events that they are holding. I hear that summers are really packed with movies, concerts from local venues, grilling potlucks, events for the kids.
 I didn't take my phone the last time that I was at the office so I missed out on some pictures of the fall decor. I may go up there later on and take some pictures. They already had their little Thanksgiving event. It wasn't so much a meal as it was just a get together. They did big pots of chicken soup, breads and crackers. I forgot about it. I had so much going on with my day that it totally slipped my mind.

 Tomorrow is my sisters birthday. It falls on Thanksgiving this year and the next day is my granddaughter Cathy's birthday. I guess I had better break out the scrapbooking program and do a few cards. It will give me something to do so that will help fill in today.
 I hope that everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving if your in the U.S, and even if your not, remember to give thanks for what you have. Living Life should always be filled with Thankfulness.
 Until next time, BB

Memory Monday!

Hi Everyone and Happy Monday.

 My page today is a little different. It is in Memory of a very special man that use to be on a scrapbooking site that is sadly no longer with us anymore. Eifion was a magical whiz when it came to thinking outside and inside the box in our scrap world. So they put up a challenge of his Magic Box which was a shadow box filled with all kinds of things.
 This is my take on the box. I chose to do a Nautical theme. Since I didn't have any shadow boxes that I could find and I know that I have several, I made my own with a set of windows. I put two side by side and 2 length wise for the bottom. It was very challenging to do this page but it was for Eifion so I just couldn't pass it up.
 I really wish that I could do more than just one page for this challenge. I could do more but can only enter one. Thank you for looking.

 My daughter Karyn is much better but still has the migraine or did last night. The fluids and shot always helps so hopefully today she will be over the hump. I don't know if she went to work or not. I am not going to bother her as I know that she will contact me if she needs too.

 So it is a brisk 41 degrees here. Very nice when the wind isn't blowing. That wind cuts you right to the core. While I was out this morning waiting for my bats to come straggling home from their nightly hunt, I saw a flock of geese fly over. I was so happy to see them. The first of the season.
 When we lived in Arkansas, which is the Geese Capital of the world, my little grandson was around 2 at the time and he would get so excited and say ""Gooses Na-Na Gooses". So I guess that winter is truly on it's way. The flying of honking geese is our signal that it is almost winter.
 Arkansas is also the  Rice Capital of the world. You would think that Asia would be but no, it is Arkansas. If you ever buy Riceland rice if you look where produced it will say Stuttgart Arkansas. I use to live a half hour from the plant. Many of my friends worked there and the fun thing was that one of my friends every Christmas would give me a case of rice. It was one staple that we never ran out of.
 So I always buy the Riceland brand here when I can find it. I like the par boiled as it is so much easier to cook and fluffs up so pretty.
 So today is memories... Eifion, Geese and Rice.

 I was really tired last night. I was in bed and asleep by 10:00 pm and slept the night thru. Well that is not exactly true. I think that Cisco got cold and he woke me up wanting under the blankets so I let him in and curled up with him and drifted back off to dreamland.

 I dreamed of Donald Trump. Not surprising as I had just read an article of him just before I fell asleep. In the dream he had some kind of food allergy and I was the only one with an Epi-pen. I saved his life and he rewarded me with a pair of high heel shoes. Such strange dreams I swear.

 My house is clean. I really just need to wipe down my bathroom today and I have a box to unpack and that is all that I am doing. I have been unpacking a box a day of my things. I am the only one that has things packed. The boys unpacked what few things that they had regarded important when we moved in. All of their video games, books and DVD's were taken care of in the first 48 hours lol.

 Cisco has had breakfast and his walk so he is happy even tho he is still looking for a treat. That poor doggie still thinks that he is a little pup. When I am sitting outside he wants up in my lap. He can't get into my lap and I can't lift him into my lap. I cuddle with him in other ways but he remembers when he use to sit in my lap all of the time. Mainly from the time that he was 6 weeks old. He loved to cuddle even then and now he is really still a cuddlier. Only on his own terms right now, lol.

 Right after my vascular surgery I was at my daughters recuperating, we were sitting on the sofa  and he literally jumped into my lap. Ohhhh the pain. And the Blood. My daughter and son in law took me to the Emergency Room because it had been so soon since my surgery.  They rushed me back for an emergency MRI and  thankfully no internal stitches were busted loose but I can't say that about the external. Healing was pretty slow after that. And poor Cisco was banned from the sofa while I was on it. I felt bad but he didn't know.

 When I had my kidney removed tho, he climbed gently on the sofa and NEVER left my side except to go potty and to eat. When I was in pain he would whimper and lay his head over my stomach. That is how they remove kidneys now. From the front instead of the back. But he was very gentle. I am sure that he was trying to get away from Foxy when he jumped on the sofa and landed on my stomach after my first major operation. She is a vicious little thing at times. It is so weird because she was never like that until they had her spayed and her entire temperament changed. Of course she isn't always mean and vicious. She does have her sweet moments.

 I guess that I will close for now. I haven't really been to any of my normal sites over the weekend, so I need to go and check some places out, check out my Facebook and lay out something for dinner tonight. Not sure what I want to cook but I will think of something.

 Take care and have a great day and enjoy your new week. BB

So How Do You Hang Your Toilet Paper?

Hi Everyone,
 This is my grandson Dante. New pictures of my little angel boy! I did the page with a photo book layout and then later took it and put it on a letter landscape size page and used a new kit from my friend Rosie called Winter Blues. Thank you for looking!

 Ok now for the topic of my headline. How do you hang your toilet paper? I was laying in bed tonight trying to fall asleep and couldn't seem to rest I decided to read thru one of my magazine apps on my phone.
 One article had a headline that said something (and I am not quoting verbatim) that "Your Really Not Who You Think You Are" and so I clicked on it. I didn't actually finish the article because after page 9 of 31 I realized that I am a dominant Narcissist.
 People who put their toilet paper so the roll is over are dominant. Those that put it to roll under are submissive and those that do it either way are more laid back but still show dominant traits.
 Hmmm... I don't care how the roll gets put om the roller as long as it gets put on the roller....
 I wonder just how much money was spent doing these "Studies" that really are just so stupid.
 I am also a Narcissist because I tend to say things in emails like ... I and Me and that shows that I am really only just tooting my own horn, because my email is mostly talking about Me... Perhaps I do that a lot but mainly because I am telling the recipient of my email what I am doing. I mean really how many times in an email can you ask the person your writing to how they are, what are they doing etc.... It isn't like we can have a 2 way conversation here.
 I am also Dominant because of the way that I eat my food. I pick up the fork and I eat it. I do not stop between each bite and lay my fork and knife down on to my plate, chew my food at least 20 to 30 times, pick up my napkin and wipe my mouth. Then pick up my fork and knife and cut the next piece of food.
 Those that do eat slowly and chewing their food are savoring life's moments. They are taking their meal to the next level of adventure,getting all that they can out of each bite.
 Those that cut their food up into tiny pieces are Neurotic. (There is no hope for you) You Neurotic You!
 Did you know the way that you can walk can determine if you will be attacked sometime in your life or have been attacked? Obviously from one such study a video was shown to High Criminals and they picked out victims according to the way that they walked. It really didn't go into detail on how this study was accurate, but never the less a study was done on this.
 I closed out the article and flipped to another one that caught my attention. I realized that I am not a happy person because I do not gaze into the mirror after I wash my face and brush my teeth and admire myself while saying things like... "Your an amazing strong woman."  No I really don't. I have never been one to preen so perhaps that explains the way that I think... Sheesh... I always thought that people who looked at their reflection even in the shiny part of the toaster was just vain...
 I finally (There I go again with the word I).... shut down the app and rolled over where thoughts of my toilet paper was hanging over or under and I couldn't remember which way I had hung it so I had to get up and take a look... It was over... lol....
 Honestly I never care. Just get the damn thing on the roll so I can use it. These studies to me are a big waste of tax dollars. How do people get funding for this kind of thing? Does it really matter how you hang the toilet paper, or eat your food? or walk? Well I guess so!

 So back to my dominant traits again I am going to talk about me and my family. Karyn had to work today but developed a bad migraine and went home around 1:00 today.
She texted me around 6:00 tonight to tell me that the migraine was bad and that so far she couldn't keep anything down and I worry about her when she has these kind of migraines because it usually requires a trip to her clinic for a shot and fluids. We will see how she is feeling in the morning. If she is still not better then Jonathan will take her to the clinic.
 She said that the light is really bad so she has the tv off and the room dark. Her dad used to get really bad ones. I could always tell when he was going to have a migraine by the way that his eyes would look. He has gorgeous deep brown eyes. Right before he would get a migraine they would turn a light murky brown with no shimmer to them. A couple of hours later he would be reaching for the pain reliever. I have seen him in so much pain that the slightest noise or light would have him in agony.  Karyn is like her father, he did not want anyone to touch him, Just shut off the lights and close the door and leave him be,
 With Karyn it is harder to do that because she cannot keep anything down. I knew on Thursday that she was headed for one. I am just surprised that it took this long to happen. She kept putting her hands up over her eyes or wearing her sunglasses. When I asked she said that she had a headache but chalked it up to stress.

 Nathan bought Jonathan and I dinner tonight. He went over to In and Out Burger and yes I inhaled that burger. I didn't chew and savor each bite... Ooop's and the only time that I used my napkin was to make sure that it caught the drippings from the burger and since it was so juicy it required more than one napkin!
 Cisco got some of my fries. I don't like them when they get really cold. I heated them up in the microwave and had some, then I gave the rest, a little over half of them to Cisco baby. He enjoyed his treat. He would have preferred a burger I am sure but I had already given him dinner and I had cut up a bit of roast that I had and put in with his dinner so he was good. Plus he had 2 milk bones from Pogo so he is content, stretched out in bed and sleeping.

 We finally got some cold air. Really cold air. I have to say that for me I am enjoying it. I spent some time out on the patio wrapped in my fluffy robe and I had the brilliant idea of sweeping the patio. I seen some dirt here and there so off I went and got my broom, dust pan and the trash bin. I swept and picked up and put the leaves and dirt in the trash, put everything away and made a cup of coffee and out I went. I was a happy camper and then....... A huge large and hard and long gust of wind came pushing thru and the leaves of my crepe myrtle came raining down! It was so pretty to watch, but it blew a whole new fresh batch of leaves back onto the patio. Well at least the old bunch was taken care of hee hee...

 And what else did we do today? Not really anything. I worked on a page but it wasn't coming together the way that I wanted it to. It was going to be a challenge page and had to have an eye peeking out somewhere on the page. I know I have the image that I wanted to use but for some reason I couldn't find it. So after a while I just gave up and looked at some of the other challenges and I didn't find anything that appealed to me. So I turned off the computer and read a little on my book and then caught up on some emails, checked out a couple of blogs and decided that I was going to have an early night. But it is almost 1:00 in the morning and I am still up so I thought that I would just work on my blog.

 Ohhh and I colored today. I am working on my Christmas cards.  I try to get them out the first week or so of December. We have been trying to decide what to have for Thanksgiving. Mac and Cheese is the only request that I have gotten so far. The boys like my mac and cheese. Of course they want some pinto beans to. That is a given really. We are not having a big feast this year. I will get with Karyn later on and find out what she wants to do. She was thinking of a roast with carrots, potatoes and onions. That would go well with the mac and cheese and be more than plenty.

 So I am finally getting sleepy. I think that I will join Cisco and curl up under the covers and go to sleep. Talk to you all soon. Have a happy Sunday! BB