peonylaneboutique

Best Laid Plans

2010-10-04T15:05:00.002-04:00

Well, it has been well over a year since I last posted anything. So much has happened in the time being. I don't know where to start, so I will just ramble...

First, Ben is in great health. WooHoo! He sees the oncologist here now, instead of us having to travel to Houston to MD Anderson. His scans are all clear, and so he only has to see the oncology doc every 6 months, along with his regular MD. He sees him next week.

Ben still is very active cycling whenever he can. He was involved this past year on the search/transition committee for finding us a new diocesan bishop here in KY. Finally, this past weekend, all the hard work culminated in a great banquet, where Ben emceed, and then the next day with the consecration of our new bishop, Terry White.

Ben is now in the process of building the beginning of a new stone path out to the back garden area. The area being covered takes care of the huge expanse of yard where the former tulip poplar met it's maker. Ben is still working as priest in charge at a mission church downtown, and three days a week at the Episcopal Church Home, as a chaplain. All this in his so called "retirement."

This past year, I was involved with the search committee for finding our church a new rector. I travelled to several cities to visit prospects, and we finally called a new rector , and he was installed in September. A very nice young (31) priest, Jonathan Erdman, along with his lovely wife and two young children. By all reports and feedback, we did a great job, and everyone seems pleased by our choice. Hopefully, Jonathan will remain for many years at Calvary. Ben was priest there for 19 years, and I am so happy to be a part of that congregation again.

I took a watercolor class and art jewelry wire wrapping class this past year. Both were a lot of fun. I am making jewelry now in small quantities, and have sold a few pieces. I have them listed along with the baby items I make, on my Etsy site : www.peonylane.etsy.com. I am in the process of having my things listed on a Louisville based website too, so maybe I can sell a few more things.

I haven't felt like doing much the last few months, as I ended up in the ER, then at the gastroenterologist's with severe stomach pain. After several outpatient scans, they discovered I had three ulcers. Several meds later, I then had several more scans to be sure they were cured, then I had tests for liver and gall bladder . All turned out normal. My stomach still is tender at times, but I can eat an occasional spicy meal without pain.

I started an exercise regime last January, and I go workout with friends about 4 days a week. Lots of had work, but good results. I feel so much better and stronger, and have had less episodes of migraines. Usually, I only get those now when the barometric pressure changes.

Last Christmas, all the boys except John were able to come for Christmas with their families. Had a great time, but it was wild with two young grandchildren and Santa Claus coming!. John couldn't get away, but he is making up for it now. He and his girlfriend Larisa have moved to KY and in with us, while they attend Sullivan University Culinary School. Classes started last week, and they are both working too.

They also brought their dog Caigeann, a coon hound, to join in the mix with our Tillie and Barley labradoodles. Never a dull moment! I am so thrilled to have John and Larisa move back to KY from CA. It is so far away, and we didn't get to see much of them in the past 13 years he has lived out there.

Grandaughter Katie and boyfriend Greg, moved from Atlanta to Cincinnati, and they have visited here, and us there. It's only abut 2 hours from here. So nice to have them close by. Katie's Mom, Anna, moved out to Seattle and is living near her sister Amy. Both are leading very busy lives out there. We hope to get out there to visit soon.

This summer has been unbearably hot, with record temperatures for Louisville. We have had no rain in forever! It has finally dropped to the 60's, but promises to go back up in the 80's the end of the week, with no rain forecast. The grass, or what is left of it crunches when you walk outside. I hate to see our next water bill! I had to water all the plants and the vegetable garden everyday.

Talked with Michael and Jeannine last night, and Greg and Megan the other day. Lots of things happening in their busy lives too. Hope we can all get together over the holidays this year.

Not much else happening at the moment. I will try to be better about posting. Love to all!

Cycling Day

2009-06-13T14:43:00.002-04:00

Hello!

Today, Ben and several of his friends are doing a 100 mile cycling circuit around Jefferson County. They left early this morning from the riverfront downtown, and made it to a friend's home, having cycled 35 miles. Several spouses and friends were there to greet them as they climbed a monster hill to get to the house. We rang the cowbell as they each made it up to the top . We fed them some nourishing goodies, and they refilled their water bottles and took off to do the rest of the trip-another 65 miles to go!

One of the cyclists planned to only do the first part. Luckily for him, that was all, because he is a diabetic, and it was so hot out, that the strain of riding was messing with his blood sugar. Got that fixed, and he and his wife left for home.

I left for home soon thereafter. I don't think Ben will make it home until 4:30 or 5. I know he will be one tired puppy. Unfortunately, he is on call tonight too, and has to go to the Church Home where he is a chaplain, to pick up the beeper. I certainly hope it doesn't go off tonight!

More on the adventures later. I have sewing to catch up on!

Mary

Travel and Rain and Cancerland

2009-06-12T13:49:00.003-04:00

Hello again,

We took a trip last month to Lynchburg,VA to visit my oldest, and his wife. It was Mother's Day weekend, and they took us out for a wonderful brunch after church. The restaurant was in an old turn of the century house, with lots of character. We then went to a concert later in the day. We only had a short visit with them, but we got caught up on all that they have been doing, and saw all the improvements they have made on their home since we last saw it.

I wish all our kids lived closer to us. They are spread all around the country from CA to WA to CO, and to VA. Nice places to visit, but far away!

This past few weeks, it seems that it has done nothing but rain, rain, rain. We did manage to get the garden in, and the rain has helped that a lot. We have had some sunny days, but it got so hot and humid that it was not pleasant to be outside. We have had two absolutely gorgeous days with mild temperatures and no humidity.

Tomorrow is Ben's 100 mile ride around Jefferson County with a group of friends. He is doing the ride for the Lance Armstrong Foundation. He has raised just short of $2000! The money will go towards the foundation's research and educational needs. The foundation has done a wonderful job of providing cancer centers and cancer groups with lots of info regarding the different types of cancer, and how to live a more healthy life. We owe a great deal of gratitude to the foundation and to Gilda's Club for helping us gain strength and support during our latest journey in Cancerland.

After the cyclists in Ben's group go about 35 miles, they are stopping at one of our friend's homes, and we are providing them with some nutritious food, water and a potty break. Some will not go the rest of the way, and do all 100 miles, but will get picked up and taken back to their cars at the starting point. The more avid riders will continue on for several hours before completing the full circuit of Jefferson County.

The ride has taken on added meaning, as in the past few weeks, we have lost several of our Gilda's Club family to cancer. Cancer is such an insidious disease, and can be so aggressive at times. It totally disrupts everyone's life that have a connection to the person with cancer. It brings our own mortality into the forefront, and all sorts of feelings that we didn't know we were having, smack us right in the gut, sometimes not at the best of times. That is one reason that Gilda's Club has been such a significant part of many lives. They provide much needed support , through groups for both the one with the cancer, and the friends and families of them too. They also have kid's groups and teen groups too. There, they can sort out their feelings with others that are going through the same thing they are. The cancer may be a different type, and may be in different stages of progression, but cancer is the common denominator of it all.

Next week, Ben is being interviewed by one of the TV anchors about his cancer. Last month was Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Month. The TV station aired a piece about clinical trials, and happened to have Ben's oncologist at MD Anderson talking about the trials there, that Ben participated in! He wrote the TV anchor and told her, and she asked to interview him about his melanoma. They are taping it next week! Enough of cancer talk.

I have been happily fixing up my office/ sewing room. It now just needs a new coat of paint, and it will be a totally different place. I put up new window treatments that let in so much more light. I also made new curtains that swag across the top . The former owners had these horrible dark brown shades that cut out most of the light, and the curtain panels on the sides were very outdated. Not very inspiring to get me into the mood to sew!

Week after next, my youngest (age 31) and his girlfriend are coming from CA to visit. They are going to check out our internationally famous cooking school here, and transfer from the school in CA. I can't wait to see them, and hope and pray they will move back here! My son already has a college degree, but he wants to do something new. CA has gotten so terribly expensive, and their government is in a total mess. It would certainly be much cheaper to live here. John grew up here in KY, so it wouldn't exactly be a new place! Louisville has changed considerably since he last lived here, and it as gotten better!

Not much else is happening in my life right now. I have added some new things in my shop, and I have more in the works!

Later, Mary

Life,Love, and Miracles

2009-05-21T14:16:00.002-04:00

Hello!

Once again, I have been remiss in not writing on here. It has been a little over a month, and I really feel bad about this. I have been busy trying to run on fumes in my life, and I have been totally overwhelmed by trying to be busy, yet not accomplishing a thing. Just spinning my wheels. I have now made a promise to myself that I am going to stop all of the procrastination, and get really busy again. I have gotten some really great ideas for rejump starting my Etsy shop, and I intend to follow through on those.
I think my mind set has now been changed, and for good reason. Ben and I have been back down at MDAnderson Cancer Center in Houston for most of the week. Ben was here for his quarterly scans and blood work as follow up from his clinical vaccine trial for melanoma. He has been off the vaccine for a year now. The results were that the scans were all clear, and blood normal! WooHoo!!!!! This gives us something to really celebrate. The docs here said that we won't have to come back here again except once a year. The rest of the time, Ben can see his oncologist in Louisville every four months. His oncologist here trained with the one in Louisville, so he is confident that Ben will be in good hands. If anything does show up again on subsequent scans, we will be right back here. We are so greatful and excited about this turn of events. It will also be a wonderful help financially since we won't have to pay for flights and hotels now.

We are headed home today, after a long layover in St Louis. I can hardly wait to get jhome to my own bed, and to see the dogs. I know they will be happy to see us. We are fortunate to have a pet sitter that comes to the house several times a day to feed and let them out. I hate putting them in the kennel. They get totally discombobulated when we leave them, and I would rather have them at home in familiar safe surroundings.

Time to go to the airport. Later, Mary

Mixed Reviews!

2009-04-18T11:45:00.002-04:00

Hello again!

Lots has happened this week. We went to Gilda's Club Tuesday night, and had our cancer support group meetings. Our Gilda's has gotten a lot of publicity in the media this week. That is great. So many people don't know that they can get help and support for themselves, children and family and friends when they are dealing with cancer, or have had cancer or know someone that has. It's difficult to explain things that cancer does to you emotionally as well as physically, and only someone that has been there , done that , can know what you are going through, and can help.

Wednesday, was my mother's 88th birthday. She never wants anything since she has no space or need for things. We sent her a big arrangement of spring flowers, that will hopefully last a while.

Wednesday of course, was income tax day. There were still tons of people waiting in line to get them sent in. I know I like to procrastinate, but I don't think I could wait til the last hours to pay Uncle Sam. Knowing my luck, my returns would be lost in the mail.

Thursday, I met a dear friend for coffee at a local Heine Brothers shop. Coffee made right here in town. Great conversation, but much too short a visit.

I came home and started setting up things for a dinner party we were having for a few of our friends on Friday. I like to have the house and things all ready, way ahead of time. Good thing I did, as you will learn later down the page!

Friday morning, we got up and took the dogs to the vets for boarding for the night . They are not the kind of animals you want around at a dinner party. They would love you to death, because they want constant attention. The more people , the better.

Barley was due for his yearly physical anyway, so we got two things out of the way.

I came home and started cooking, while Ben finished mowing the grass. Around 1:00, I was slicing onions on the mandoline, and it slipped, and I sliced my thumb instead! I applied direct pressure, but it kept bleeding. Sooo, we made a trip to the immediate care center, where they got it cleaned up, and numbed so I could get eight stitches. Not pleasant. I had cut a vessel, but not any nerves. The doc said it almost went to the bone. Yikes! That would have been a perfect set up for infection. Anyway, they got me sewn up, and bandaged, and we headed home.

I had to finish cooking, so I had to wear latex gloves over my hand. Of course it was my right thumb, and being right handed, not an easy task. I finally finished cooking, and the medication for numbing was wearing off quickly, so all I felt was throbbing if I didn't keep my hand elevated.

Somehow, the party managed to get put together, and everyone helped out with the serving, and cleanup. We all had a great time. The throbbing lessened with a few glasses of wine too! Got to bed around 1:am. It was so quiet with just the two of us , and no dogs climbing all over our bed. Slept like a rock.

Saturday, we got up, and went to get the dogs. They get so excited when they hear our voices in the waiting room as they are being brought out. I do think you should be able to deduct your animals on your taxes, like child deductions, since they are your 4 legged children. We had to pay an enormous amount for a years supply worth of medicines, for flea and heartworm protection. Wish I had the patent on those.

Got home with the beasts, and I started the laundry for all the dinner linens. Ben got ready for his bike outing to train for his cycling challenge in two weeks. He and a friend were going to go ride some big hills, since the challenge is a three state , three mountain, 100 mile event, and Ben needs to get more strength in his legs for the long duration of ups and ups before the downhill part comes.

The weekend Ben will be gone is Derby weekend here in the Bluegrass State. The Kentucky Derby occurs here every year, the first Saturday in May. It is quite a celebration that starts several weeks before, with games, boat races, balloon races, parties, lots of parties, and just about anything you can think of.

Today is Thunder Over Louisville, where there is an air show over the Ohio river, where there are all sorts of hi-tech military planes, stealth bombers, etc. They come in right over the river downtown, flying really low over the interstate. Looks like they are coming right at you. Tonight, is a gigantic fire works display by the waterfront. People are always jam packed downtown, and traffic is a nightmare. People arrive very early to claim their spot. There are all sorts of other things going on, chow wagons, other food, and exhibits. You can imagine what shape some people are in by the time the fireworks start, when they have been drinking beer and standing in the sun all afternoon. The fireworks don't even start til 9:30 at night. Glad I will not be anywhere near that area tonight. We will be at home watching it all unfold on TV.

My son in Colorado just phoned. It has been snowing like crazy, and still coming down. He said there is a four foot drift in their yard. He is sending me pictures that I will try to post. Yesterday, he and my grandson made an igloo in the yard.

Not much more happening. Guess I should try to press all the linen napkins if I can hold the iron securely with this bum thumb. I sure don't need a burn too!

Have great weekend!

Mary

It's About Time !

2009-04-14T13:36:00.004-04:00

Well, here it is a whole month since I last posted anything here. I really don't know where the time went, but I obviously was doing something else, or nothing at all! Since I last wrote, I have made the trip to Nashville to see my neurologist who treats my migraines. According to the migraine diary I always keep, I have really improved in the number and severity of them, since beginning trigger point massage, and injections. I was supposed to have been approved to get botox in my neck and back for my migraines, but the nurse didn't get the message to get it approved with my insurance company. So, that is on hold til the next time I go back. I did get several trigger point injections though. That really relaxes the muscles. It is also expensive, but well worth it not to have excruciating migraines. I checked out the price of the botox injections, and I may just forgo those since that runs into the thousands to get it. I am not sure yet what percentage the insurance will cover, but I know, I don't want to get any huge bills, especially in this day and time.

The day I went down, I stopped by my mother's new room in the nursing home. She has one of the larger rooms, but still quite cramped. The closet isn't handicapped accessible either. Moma uses a scooter, and it won't go through the closet door. She now has to use her walker to get in there to choose her clothes. She was really upset that the aides there, were choosing her clothes for her, and she wanted to do it herself. My mother is not the typical nursing home patient. Her mind is still very sharp for an 88 year old, but her body is failing her, so she needs help getting from place to place.

The staff is not used to people questioning what they are doing, so my mother gets quite upset at them. She has been sick for almost the past three weeks, and is on her second round of antibiotics. She was supposed to be getting breathing treatments 4 times a day, but she hasn't gotten any. Apparently her doctor's orders never were charted in her file, after she came back from seeing him. Hopefully, that will be taken care of today! She gets to see two of her doctors today, and they are going to call the nursing home with the orders again.

Anyway, while I was down there, we all had lunch. My two brothers and nephew came and joined us. After they left. I helped Moma sort out her clothes, and got a big bag to take to Goodwill. I helped her transcribe her old address book into a new one. She remembered peoples addresses from way back, and even some of the telephone numbers. Quite a memory bank. Amazing!

I spent the night at my nephew's house. I took him and his wife out to eat at our favorite Mexican place. Yumm! The margaritas were good too! I got up early the next morning, and they both left for work, and I headed downtown to see my doctor. I got there very early, but I got in right away, and was out of there before it was even time for my appointment! That is most unusual. I got lots of injections in my back for trigger points. I stopped and got lunch afterwards, and headed back up the road for home. I got home exhausted, but no back or headache.

Later in the week, our Dave Ramsey teacher had our class out to her house for dinner, and then we went to see the Passion that was put on at one of the churches here. It was a huge production, complete with real animals, camels, donkeys and such. While the actors were onstage, it was also being shown up above, on three huge IMAX screens.

The next couple of weeks were taken up with our Gilda's Club support group meetings for cancer survivors and their family and friends. We also had more of the Dave Ramsey classes in Financial Peace University. They have been so helpful in keeping us on a budget, and discerning between wants and needs. I am very impulsive! I needed that!

We took pizza and beer to a friend's house for dinner, instead of them coming to ours. They have four little children , and it was easier to take dinner to them, than having the hassle of babysitters.

I took another serger sewing class later in the week, and that night, went to the ordination to the priesthood of one of our friends. She will now be the assistant priest at our church.

I went for a trigger point massage the next day, and the following Sunday, participated in the worldwide "light's out". Monday, we went to another friend's house for dinner. She is the chaplain at the Episcopal Church Home, where my husband and two other retired priests have been hired as part time chaplains. Her son, who was friends with my youngest when they were growing up, was there, and joined us for dinner. He is 30 years old, like my son, and really cute. I hadn't seen him in at least 20 years, and it was quite a shock to see him all grown up!

Later in the week, I went to a computer class to learn more about mine. There is so much it can do that I have yet to find out about! On Palm Sunday, our class all graduated from Financial Peace University! I won the prize for having cut up the most credit cards(11). I got a t- shirt for that, and a copy of Dave Ramsey's newest book.

Easter was a beautiful, sunny day, and for our dinner, my husband and I cooked out and had wild Alaskan salmon for dinner. It was so good!

Yesterday, we went to Lowe's to get some plants to put in the flower beds, and later on, into the vegetable garden. After we planted what we could, it started pouring rain, and it really got dark with lightning and thunder, and HAIL!!!!! Fortunately, it didn't damage anything. We were under a tornado watch, but unlike the week before when there were terrible tornadoes, we didn't get anything that came near here.

Now that I think about it, I really have been busy. No wonder I haven't found time to post anything!

Now I have to go feed the beasts, and get ready for Gilda's tonight.

Talk later! Mary

Where Has The Time Gone?

2009-03-14T19:20:00.002-04:00

Hello again,

As you have probably noticed, I haven't posted in quite some time. I guess I have been totally wrapped up in the day to day requirements, that I have neglected some of the things I enjoy doing. It's not that I have a busy schedule or anything, but I seem to have committed to doing a lot of things this month that I normally wouldn't be doing.

So far this month , I have gone to multiple meetings for various things, scored high school scholarship essays, gone to more Apple classes, gone to Dave Ramsey classes, and to Gilda's Club. On top of all this, I have been trying to get things made for my Etsy shop. (www.peonylane.etsy.com.) That has taken a lot of time. March is only two weeks old, and I feel like I have been going at this pace for months!

My mother finally got moved into her nursing home portion of the facility where she has lived for years. Her stay in assisted living didn't last as long as we/she had hoped. This was due to the fact that she couldn't make it down the hall on her walker during fire drills. She is very slow. The fire marshal regulations don't allow her to use her scooter to get down there, so she had to move. Her move however, was delayed for two weeks because both assisted living and the nursing home building were under quarantine, due to a horrible stomach virus that was rampantly going through the facility. She finally got moved in, but her first night there was a horror. The aide was supposed to help her to the bathroom, but didn't listen when my mother told her she had to hold onto her, as she walked. She was very rude to my mother too. Instead, my mother fell! She fell on her bad leg, and it started bleeding. It was only a small area, but her skin is so friable, that any pressure makes it bleed. You would not believe the hoopla my mother described happening the next day. All of the management and administrators came in to check on her, because they were really afraid she would sue them for negligence. She wouldn't have done that of course, because she needs this place to live. The aide has been instructed to not go near my mother, at my mother's request. Never a dull moment!

The weather here has been on and off sunny then rainy, with warm temperatures, then cold. Good for making you sick! The flowers are poking out of the ground and the trees are budding. Spring must be close by! I sure hope so. I need warmth and light badly!

Tomorrow, I am leaving early to go to Nashville. I will visit my mother and siblings while there. I will be spending the night at my nephew's house. I have a very early doctor's appointment on Monday morning, so I want to get there early. Hopefully, I will be seen quickly, and I can get back on the road to home.

That's about it for now.

Hope you all are doing well.

Hugs, Mary

HOME AT LAST!

2009-02-21T18:38:00.002-05:00

Hey there,

We FINALLY made it home Wednesday just before midnight. We left the hotel at 2, and got to the airport with plenty of time to spare. It was almost boarding time when they announced that our plane had a leaky window, and the plane would have to be replaced.

This delay was going to make us miss our connection in St. Louis, so we got rerouted to Chicago again. It was snowing there, so that delayed things further while we lined up for landing. After getting there, we went to the gate for our flight to Louisville. Next, they changed gates, so we all wandered down the hall. We called the dog sitter and asked her to make another stop at our house. After another hour, they finally got us boarded, and took off for home!

Arriving so late was horrible, but the poor dogs were so glad to see us, that it made it all worthwhile. Getting smothered with love is always good.

The wonderful news is that after all the scans and blood work at MD Anderson, Ben's scans are clear. This is now 6 months out, from the end of his clinical trial. We don't have to go back til May! YEA!!!!!

The next morning, after arriving home, Ben had to go pick up his car which had been in the shop for 3 weeks. They got parts in, and were able to fix an engine problem. Several thousand dollars poorer, Ben arrived back home.

Later, Thursday night, we went to our Gilda's Club for a couples dinner. There were 15 couples, and we each had our own room for dining. Our meal was served by the staff. They were all dressed up in black pants, white shirt and red bowtie. The meal was to die for. It was catered by some of the chefs that teach at Sullivan College Culinary School. After the meal, we all gathered together to talk together with a nurse practitioner that counsels cancer couples. It was very good. We then returned to our private rooms, and had dessert. All during this time, music was playing. It was a combination of all the songs the couples had said was "their" song. Quite romantic! We all got a goodie bag, with a CD of the music, along with lots of other things. We then went back to meet together, and we all got to choose a door prize bag. Each one was unique, and had been donated. We won tickets to Actor's Theatre. That is wonderful!

Today, Saturday, it has been cold and snowy. It started to stick, but it finally stopped. I am really tired of all this snow and cold weather. I need to have the sun and warmth.

Spring can't come any too soon.

Hugs, Mary

DEEP IN THE HEART OF HOUSTON

2009-02-17T10:52:00.002-05:00

Well, we finally made it here yesterday afternoon, after a long, long day in airports, and in the air. We had to travel a round about way to Houston from Louisville, by way of Chicago. Had a long layover there. Finally made it here just in time for rush hour. Fortunately we had a driver that got us to the hotel in good time.
We were both exhausted. Houston is on CST (God's time) I always say, so we had to wait to get dinner since we were an hour ahead of the time here. Our stomachs didn't know that though! As soon as we could, we went down to the lobby Starbucks so I could get my chai tea. They were out of the concentrate!!! That happened the last time we were here too.. We waited, and finally the restaurant opened , and we got a table. We ate a huge meal, choosing the buffet instead of ordering off the very expensive menu. A glass of wine helped calm the nerves, and the meal was great. We then walked across to the hospital via the walkway, and got some coffee for Ben, and my chai latte that I desperately needed for my caffeine fix. We came back to our fifth floor room, way down at the very end of the hallway. We are getting a lot of walking in, which is good, since we tend to eat alot more here than normal.
We watched a bit of TV, before we fell into a deep sleep. It was so unusual to not have to fight for a place in the bed, since the two dogs weren't here to take over our space.
Ben got up at the crack of dawn, and went over to get coffee, and me another chai-bless his heart, he is so sweet to me. We brought cereal and fruit with us, so we ate in the room, and read the morning paper that they provide here for free, right outside your door. Ben got ready, and left to begin his long day of getting blood work and xrays and MRI and CT scans. He isn't allowed to eat 3 hours before his CT prep, so he is going to be starving when he gets back around four, and not a very happy camper either!
I can't stand being cooped up in the room, so I headed down to the computer room to catch up on all the emails and Facebook, and Etsy correspondence.
The lobby is huge and looks right out at the beautiful grounds with flowers and palm trees, and much warmer weather than what we left in Louisville. It's very overcast though, and thunderstorms are predicted later today. Tomorrow is supposed to be near 80, but of course we have to be inside with all the doctors tomorrow, and then we have to get to the airport for the flight home. We go back via St Louis this time, thank goodness! I know things will go well with all the tests, thanks to all the prayers and good thoughts from friends and loved ones, and strangers too that have become our friends here, at Gilda's Club, and through the internet. Love and gratitude to all of you.
Mary

I Spoke Too Soon!

2009-02-13T15:44:00.002-05:00

Hello again!

Well, I know it's weird, but we lost power AGAIN this past Tuesday night. It finally came back on this morning. Fortunately it was warmer outside than the last time, so it was tolerable. Friday the 13th turned out to be lucky!

This outage was a result of a big windstorm that finished off the hanging branches from the trees that were damaged in the ice storm two weeks ago. The first night, our neighbors on the street behind us got their power back soon, then it went out, and the neighbors across the street got theirs, and it stayed on. Our side of the street of course did not!

I don't know how people cope . I know we are all spoiled, and we take for granted the fact that we have electricity and warmth, when so many people in the world have nothing.

I am so thankful that we have been blessed to have so much in the way of conveniences, but I also feel so sorry for the people who don't. There are still many people in the western part of KY and in rural areas that still don't have power from the original ice storm. They are saying that these folks might not get power on til March! Unimaginable!

We are still waiting for tree guys to come and take down the trees that have been destroyed. The curbs in all the neighborhoods are filled with big piles of brush, waiting for the city removal departments to get around to all of it. It took months for the piles to be removed when Hurricane Ike came through here in September. There will be lots of mulch available though!

Speaking of mulch, we have been inundated with flower and seed catalogues. I know that Spring is coming when that happens, and we can plan our garden this year. Hooray!

Hope all is well with all of you.

Later, Hugs, Mary

Finally-POWER

2009-02-06T20:16:00.003-05:00

Hello Again!

In case you haven't been watching the news lately, much of our area and beyond was struck by a huge snow and ice storm , that crippled the state. Thousands of people lost power Tuesday night a week ago, and many still remain without power now. The western part of the state was especially hard hit.

We lost power when the ice literally caused branches to shear off the big pine in our backyard. The branches unfortunately hit the power lines, and ripped the electric service to our house off the wall. We called our electrician in the middle of the night, and he came out the next day to put that part of the service backup. The power company then had to come and inspect the work, before they could reconnect the power lines from the house to the pole.

It was freezing in the house, as the temperatures outside plummeted to 10*. We had planned to go to Nashville on Saturday for a funeral, but we left Friday instead. We loaded up our dogs, and took off to stay with my brother and sister in law. What a lifesaver that was.

Our neighbors called us Sunday to tell us the power had been restored. We came home on Monday, to a very cold house, but we flipped the switch, and the furnace came back to life. It took a long time for the house to get comfortable, but it was wonderful to see things coming back together.

Our cable and internet service was not restored until Thursday, so I have been catching up on emails, Facebook, and my Etsy shop. I wasn't able to make things for my shop with no electricity, so I am way behind there.

Today was almost 60* outside, so Ben cleaned up some of the branches after I took photos for the insurance company. It's supposed to be nice this weekend too, so maybe more ice will melt.

I CAN'T WAIT FOR SPRING!!!!!!!

Have a great weekend. Talk to you later. Mary

Fun Sunday

2009-01-25T18:01:00.003-05:00

This was a fun day. Ben got to go with me to church since this is the fifth Sunday of the month, and he is off from his regular church services. We actually got to see other people and have refreshments during coffee hour.

We went to our Dave Ramsey Financial Peace class after eating, and went over our budgets. Scary! We are not in as bad a shape as some others, but our budget could use some tweeking, especially on the impulse buying expenses. This lesson was supposed to be the hardest to get through. I believe it. Lots of figures and percentages of what part of income goes towards what expense. A real eye opener.

Ben is a big cycling enthusiast, so this afternoon he is watching the Tour Down Under. The dogs are doing their best to get his attention, and he isn't buying it. They never give up though!

Off to fix something for dinner. Don't have a plan. Maybe a big salad will have to suffice.

We are supposed to be getting 4-6 inches of snow over the next few days. Not so bad, but people here don't know how to drive in snow, so it is very dangerous to get on the roads when they are out and about.

Have a great rest of the weekend.

Mary

What a Wonderful Day!

2009-01-22T13:11:00.003-05:00

Today has been great. I woke up early and posted more items on my Etsy shop page,

www.peonylane.etsy.com My shop is being critiqued and advertised on a blogger's site

http://women-preneurgalore.blogspot.com The blogger, Nathalie, lives in Quebec. I found her on Etsy, and she does this advertising/critique for periods of two weeks. I read her interview with me and her comments. She was so nice and complimentary. Please check it out. There is a giveaway prize, and a discount from my shop.

Today, I went and had my long awaited massage. Wow! I feel so much better, and my muscles are all loosey-goosey. Amber works on trigger point massage, and it was great.

Going to do it again in two weeks.

Ben has a meeting tonight, so I am going to go start cooking for an early dinner.

Enjoy your day! Hugs, Mary

Sunshine On My Shoulder!

2009-01-21T21:29:00.002-05:00

Hello again,

Finally, the sun has made an appearance. It's not all that warm, but it feels so good to have light. Almost all of the snow has melted, just a few icy patches left.

I went to my Women's Club meeting today. It is an organization that I joined years ago when we lived here before. It was right down the street from our house then, but we now live about 10 minutes away. After having moved out of town 9 years ago, and moved back, I decided to join back up. It is a small group of women who do charitable work, and raise money for scholarships for students at our local high schools. We always have outings, and a huge craft fair in October as fund raising. We also have lunch together. Today, we had the most wonderful bread pudding with bourbon sauce- Maker's Mark even! Yumm! Brought leftovers home to Ben since that is his favorite.

Tomorrow is a big day for me. I finally get to have my long overdue massage. I can't wait. It is also the day that my Etsy shop is being advertised on another Etsy member's blog. She critiques shops, then they solo for two weeks of free advertising.

Her payment is one of my shop items. Good deal.

I am off to bed to get some rest. I want to be nice and relaxed, so that I can be massaged to an even greater state of relaxation tomorrow.

Have a great evening.

Mary

OWWWWW! My Aching Head!

2009-01-17T20:09:00.002-05:00

Hello again,

This has not been a good day or last night for that matter. I have been fighting a freaking migraine on and off for two days. I usually get a big one when the barometric pressure changes, and that's exactly what happened. It's bad enough that we have to put up with these frigid temperatures, but today it was also very windy. Not good.

I have tried to stay busy and ignore the pain. My medication helps, but just makes me feel like I am muddling through the day. My neck is stiff, and I know that is from the headache too. Fortunately, I am having a massage this coming week, and I can't wait.

Woo Hoo!

I made several new things to post in my Etsy shop. www.peonylane.etsy .com. I got them all photographed and posted some last night. Take a look. I would love to have feedback.

I am off to get into bed and huddle under the covers to keep warm.

Talk to you soon. Mary

BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE!!!!

2009-01-13T13:22:00.003-05:00

It seems that the weather is increasingly becoming colder. No sun!!!! It messes with my mind, and my body. I think I must have SAD.

Spring can not come any too soon. It's one of my favorite times of the year . I love to see the new growth and the greening up of everything. The sweet smell of flowers, and the earth being reborn. It gives me a renewed sense of hope for everything, and I just know that things can only get better.

I love to peruse the new seed and flower catalogues, that seem to multiply in the mailbox. I can dream of what our garden will look like in the warm days of summer. I can taste the first warm tomato on the vine, and the heady scent of the lavender blooms.

Do you do the same? Or am I the only one that loves to get my hands in the dirt and plant for future growth?

We are off again to Gilda's Club Louisville tonight. One of our dear friends and original group member of our Gilda's Club in Nashville, died last Saturday, after a long and valiant battle with a brain tumor. This is very sad for his family, as well as all the many friends he made during his lifetime. He will be greatly missed.

On a more happy note, I spent the morning making peanut butter flavored dog biscuits for Tillie and Barley. They just love them. Ben and I also completed our first assignment for the Dave Ramsey course we are taking to find Financial Peace. We had to complete a brief outline of our budget. It was very informative to see where most of our money is going out on various necessities, as well as where we need to tighten up on our impulse buys. Doesn't everyone!!! It will be interesting to find out how well we are progressing at the end of the course.

More work to get done before leaving tonight. Have a great rest of the week. Mary

Freezing!!!!

2009-01-08T15:28:00.003-05:00

It is another day now, and the temperature has dropped dramatically. The sun was actually out for a brief time, but now it is freezing cold outside! Even the dogs don't like it.

Ben has been painting the upstairs wall trim, before he gets to the walls. It will be so much brighter when it is all finished. Next, we tackle the bedrooms, and my office/studio.

I made another item today, photographed it, and posted it in my Etsy shop. www.peonylane.etsy.com Check it out!

I have a lot more items that I am working on for the shop.

Hope all of you are having a great day.

Back to work!!!!

Mary

ANOTHER RAINY DAY

2009-01-06T16:10:00.003-05:00

Hello again,

Well, today is another rainy one. It was also sleeting this morning. I had to go out at the crack of dawn in my pjs because poor Barley was sick to his stomach. It was cold!

Barley tended to his business, and came back in soaking wet. After I dried him off, he moped around. I could tell he was not feeling well because he ignored his breakfast. Usually, he devours it all in seconds. Later, he decided he was hungry, and finally ate.

The phone has been ringing off the hook, and it is driving me crazy. It gets me totally off track with what I am doing. I have been cutting and pinning and sewing most of the day, trying to get more things ready to post online in my Etsy shop, peonylane.etsy.com.

In a few minutes, Ben and I will be heading downtown to our Gilda's Club for our weekly meetings for wellness, and friends and family of those living with cancer, or those whose lives are affected by it.

Barley is now curled up under the computer desk, snoring loudly. He and Tillie have been roughhousing, so they must be tired, because she is asleep too.

I need to go get ready.

Talk to soon.

Mary

Where did the weekend go?

2009-01-04T16:56:00.004-05:00

Hello again!

I haven't been able to write anything for the last few days, as we have had too many things on our plate. We have been running around in circles with the dogs that want out, then turn around and want back in. Of course they are out just long enough to get muddy feet that they track all over, before we can grab them to off their feet.

It keeps raining, and I shouldn't complain because we really need it, but I hate it when it is dark and gloomy and I don't see the sun out for days.

When these weather fronts come through, I usually get a migraine when the barometric pressure changes. I can usually predict that it's likely to be raining soon, because I start getting achy, and then the little migraine signals start. If I'm lucky, I can catch it before it gets bad, and I can medicate, but not when I wake up with one. Those are horrible!!! If any of you are fellow migraineurs, you know what I am talking about. I am so fortunate to have a wonderful neurologist that has been able to get me to where my number of migraines has been cut in half, and not as painful. I can live with that. Enough about my head!

This has also been a wonderful, busy weekend. My eldest son, and his wife came Friday from Lynchburg,VA to visit. They were planning on staying here til Monday, but they decided to go see my mother in Nashville, who recently fell. So, this morning they went first to the Catholic Cathedral (she's Catholic), then to the Episcopal church where my husband served as Rector for 19 years, and where my son grew up worshipping. They had to leave right after church, to head to Nashville. They only plan on visiting Nana there for the afternoon, then heading to Knoxville to get part of the long trip home out of the way. Then tomorrow they can head on back to VA. Too short a visit, but jobs call, and they have to get back to work.

I stayed after church because there is another class forming to take Dave Ramsey's course on gaining financial peace. They had the course last year, and it was a great success, so it's being offered again. If anybody needs help, we do . We always end up, as Dave says in the orientation video, having too much month left at the end of the money! We really need to change our buying habits and get a real budget going. It will be hard to do, but we are willing to try. Have any of you taken this class before?

Well, I need to go find something to fix for dinner tonight. I hope you all have a great rest of today a wonderful start to the new week ahead. I will be praying for sun!!!!!

Happy New Year!!!!

2009-01-01T18:11:00.005-05:00

Hello, and welcome to the New Year. Let's hope that things get off to a great start, and this country can climb out from under.

The day has been a long, busy one. We got up early, and it was freezing out. It never got above 30* all day! Brrr!

It seems like this was not my day to start out in a good mood. I was in the middle of sewing things for my Etsy shop www.peonylane.etsy.com, when my sewing machine beeped, and said "safety device activated"! This means it doesn't work. Of course the repair shop was closed today, so I am way behind!

My brother Tom, in Nashville e-mailed me that my mother had fallen sometime during the night at her assisted living facility. He didn't know details yet, so I called her. She fell in the middle of the night and landed on her "bad leg" (of course), and on her arm , which she said is very bruised. Nothing broken though, fortunately. Not easy for an 88 year old. She has someone staying with her tonight and tomorrow until she can walk on her own again safely. Not a good way to start out the year for her either.

My eldest son is coming with his wife tomorrow, so I have been cleaning up things. The dogs seem to be able to make a total mess of things right after I clean though. Why do I bother?

Lots of football on today, but Ben decided to do his New Years Day thing, and he took off on his bike in the 30*weather! I don't know how he does it.

I am off to fix dinner, and to figure out the menus for the weekend, since my son and his wife are vegetarians. Ben and I are basically all fruit and veggie eaters, but we love seafood, and the occasional meat has been known to pass our lips.

Hope the week gets better as it progresses, and I wish you all Happy New Year!!!!

Mary

Mid Week Happenings

2008-12-31T13:07:00.003-05:00

Hi there!

Happy New Year's Eve!

Are you all planning on partying, or just taking it easy? I think we will be in bed long before the midnight hour.

I finally got a good night's sleep, and so I am playing catch up on all I intended to do yesterday.

I made Tillie and Barley some peanut butter dog cookies, while Ben went to the grocery. He then took off again to go do his priestly duties, and to visit some parishioners. Ben in his "retirement," has taken on a small congregation that needed a consistent priest every Sunday, rather than different one substituting each week. He only works Wednesdays and Sundays, so he has the rest of the week to do his thing, which usually includes cycling as often as he can. If it's too cold out, he rides his trainer in the basement.

Tomorrow , he intends to follow his tradition of riding New Years Day, regardless of the temperature outside. More power too him. It's his therapy, so it's great for him to get outside an fly like the wind.

My eldest son and his wife are coming for a brief visit over the weekend, so I have to clear out all of my shop things out of their room. I have just been stashing things in there, so as to keep the clutter out of my studio/sewing room. It consists of two large tables, a computer desk and chair and two bookshelves, all kinda crammed in, so that there is barely enough room to turn around. It functions though.

I am ready to get a quick bite to eat, then back to sewing some more things for my

shop. Please drop by my shop after the first of the year. I will hopefully have lots of new and different things posted. www.peonylane.etsy.com

Thanks for dropping by. Hugs, Mary

Tuesday's Musings

2008-12-31T12:45:00.004-05:00

Hello again!

Today was a real drag-it was me dragging my body, and trying to stay awake. I couldn't get to sleep the night before until 2 am. My brain just wouldn't shut down. I ended up having to take a Lunesta, and finally got to sleep. When I woke up, and finally attempted to get things done, I was in a fog. It finally lifted about two in the afternoon, after several cups of tea.

Last night, Ben and I went to our local Gilda's Club. If you are not familiar with Gilda's, it is an organization founded by Gilda Radnor's husband Gene Wilder, after Gilda succumbed to ovarian cancer and died. It is a place where cancer patients and their friends and families can come and be together and talk , eat, play, or participate in support groups. It's not counseling, it is just a group of people that are going through their own cancer journeys, and everyone can relate, because we all understand where they are or have been.

We are very fortunate to have had a Gilda's Club in Nashville, and then to have one in Louisville too. Ben is a two time cancer survivor. First with prostate cancer 7 years ago, then two years ago with metastatic melanoma of unknown origin. We spent all of last year traveling back and forth to MD Anderson Cancer in Houston. Ben qualified for a clinical vaccine trial there. He spent the year going to Houston every three weeks for his vaccines and scans. The trial ended in August, and so far, so good. He remains in remission, and we pray he stays there. We go back quarterly for now, the next trip being in February. Thank goodness for Southwest Airlines. We have become best friends with them because of all our trips to Houston.

When we came home from Gilda's, I got in bed, and finally got sleepy, after looking through several seed catalogues that had come in the mail.. Already thinking about what to plant in this years garden!

Oh! I almost forgot-how sleepy of me! It was not the Broncos, but the Colts, that beat the socks off the Titans on Sunday! I guess I was so upset at their loss, I wasn't thinking straight. I must have had horses on my mind, and one of my son's lives in CO, and is a Broncos fan. Didn't make a difference in the end results though!

More tomorrow.

Hugs, Mary

Monday, Monday!

2008-12-29T18:25:00.002-05:00

Hey Ya'll,

What a day this has been. I had to get up early to go have my yearly mammogram/ torture survival test. Everything is fine though, so I guess it is worth being sqwushed- if that's a word!

I left the diagnostic center and headed to Office Depot to stock up on sale items, then to Starbucks for my Venti, nonfat, extra hot chai. Mmmmm! I next headed to Kroger for milk, then headed back home. Once home, I had to package up things to mail off to the kids from my mother. The lines at the post office were longer than they had been before Christmas!

I finally got things sent off, then headed to Michael's to get more supplies for my Etsy shop. I must have spent an hour and a half just wandering around, checking out all the sales, and figuring out what I really just couldn't live without. $75 dollars poorer, I headed back home-EXHAUSTED!

I got myself some more tea, and sat down at the computer to catch up on all of my web sites. Two emails, a blog, Facebook, and my shop. Lots of going back and forth.

It was relatively warm here again today, up to 52*. It was even warm enough for husband Ben to go out and cut the grass. Strange to be doing that in December, but it needed it, and he got the last of the leaves ground up to help fertilize the lawn.

Ben is an avid cyclist, so he plans to go ride tomorrow morning. It is supposed to be 55* tomorrow. Almost feels tropical, compared to the low teens expected next week. Ben even cleaned out the last remains of our vegetable garden. We had a good crop of kale this year. I usually don't care for it that much, but it is good for you. I found a great , simple recipe for it though, and I love it. Here it is:

Kale Chips

Wash and thoroughly dry the kale, then slice off the large, tough middle veins. Cut the kale into bite size pieces, not too small. Preheat oven to 350* Line a cookie sheet with

parchment paper. Toss the kale with some olive oil , just enough to lightly coat the leaves, and sprinkle with some kosher or sea salt. Bake 10 to 15 minutes or just til the leaves begin to curl and brown. They end up being nice and crispy, and very tasty- Not yucky like you anti- greens people might think! Try it out, you will like it!

Well, it's time to get back to work. Hope to hear from you soon. Mary

Slow Sunday

2008-12-28T18:52:00.004-05:00

Hello again!

Well today started off very slowly. After yesterday's warm temperatures in the 70's, today was back to the 40's. Knew it wouldn't last, but one can always hope. Anyway, it was so warm and cuddly under the blankets, that I must have fallen back asleep, because I didn't getup til almost 10.

I had so many things planned to do today, but I never got around to doing them all.. I have been working on new items for my Etsy shop www.peonylane.etsy.com. I have a sale on my holiday items going on now until the first of the year, then I will add all new things, and more variety. I am so excited.

I have spent a great deal of time today on the computer catching up on my emails that I have neglected over the holidays. Finally got caught up. Now, I have to write thank you notes for gifts I received. Momma raised me right!

I made some wonderful soup for dinner from a gift I received. It was so good and hit the spot. Warmed me up considerably.

I plan on adding some more of my favorite recipes on my blog. I hope you will try them out and comment on them.

Watched the Titans get demolished by the Broncos this afternoon. That did not sit

well with this Titans fan. I am from Nashville, their hometown. They had played so well this year, but this was a disaster for them.

Do you have a favorite blog or Etsy shop. If you do, please let me know, and I will check them out. It is always fun to see other peoples' creations. There is a whole new world of ideas out there.

Hope the coming week will be good to you and that the economy gets some help.

Later, Mary

Feels Like Spring!

2008-12-27T14:08:00.000-05:00

Hi There!

I know it's only wishful thinking, but it feels like Spring outside. It is 67* outside right now. Last week, we were in the 20's! The wind is blowing hard,and it is really balmy out. I know all of this is being caused by a new front coming through, but it sure feels good. It will be cold again soon.

The dogs really love the warm weather too. The backyard looks like a muddy race track, where the dogs have been running in circles, nipping at each others ears. I did poop patrol earlier this morning, and I nearly slipped on the"race track" the dogs have created. Better mud than poop though! Are you dog lovers?

With all the wind blowing, lots of loose limbs are falling off the trees. Hurricane Ike came through here earlier in the year, with 75mph winds. Yes, here in KY! It did major damage to all of Louisville with all the falling trees and limbs pulling down power lines. We were without electricity for NINE days. Thank goodness for having a gas water heater and a gas stove. We were able to have hot showers and we cooked the food as it started thawing in the freezer. Nights by lantern and candlelight were really fun too.

Without power, all the neighbors came out, and we did a lot of socializing, and a lot of neighborhood walking. I should still be doing the walking after all the food I have consumed in the last several days. I hopped on the scales this morning-MAJOR MISTAKE! I know what I will be making for a New Years resolution.

I feel really relieved now that the holiday stress is gone. I am a procrastinator, and I always find myself doing things at the last minute. I manage to get things done though, and I actually do a better job when I work that way. I guess I just thrive under stress.

How about you? Are you a last minute doer, or one of those that has everything bought and packaged by the end of summer? I try to buy things throughout the year as Christmas gifts, but I seem to forget about them when I am writing out my gift list in December.

This year, I designated the guest room as a storage place for all my pre-bought gifts, and that really helped. We just moved back to Louisville this past May, so the house is still disorganized. Having a designated room was a good move on my part.

Having moved, we are still repainting room by room. It is slow going since we are doing it ourselves. The downstairs is now finished, so at least we can entertain now. I really love to have friends over for a meal and relaxation. This summer and fall, we, and several of our neighborhood friends got together on debate nights, for pot luck dinners and political hoopla. It was great fun, especially since everyone there was of the same political persuasion. We wanted fun, not argument as the evening agenda.

What are you doing for New Years? Are you partying? Have any really special resolutions to make?

Please share them.

Speaking of sharing, I thought I would share one of the reasons I put on the pounds this holiday season-Glazed nuts! I fix them and give them as gifts. It's so easy, but they are so sinfully delicious that you can't eat just one! Try them out. I just hope you have better self control than I do!

Glazed Nuts

I usually double this recipe, since I buy the pecans in a 2lb bag at Costco

1 egg white

1/2c sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

1/4 tsp. ground cloves

1 lb unsalted pecans, walnuts or cashews

In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients except the nuts. Mix well, and add the nuts. Toss well til nuts are covered. Spread them out in a single layer on a greased cookie sheet, and bake at 250* for one hour. Cool, and break apart any clumped ones,and store in airtight containers.

Enjoy!

Have a great Saturday!

Mary

After Christmas Doings

2008-12-26T14:16:00.000-05:00

This is my first attempt at blogging, so please let me introduce myself. My name is Mary. My wonderful husband Ben and I live in Louisville, KY. He is an Episcopal priest, and I am an RN. I haven't done any nursing in several years though.

I have recently set out to start a new online business on Etsy .com, selling handmade items at peonylane .etsy.com. I named my shop peonylane because, I love peonies.

We used to live in a very old house here in KY. The grounds were wonderful, and one of the former owners had been a fantastic gardener. She had planted a huge path, about 150 yards long, that was lined on both sides with all different specimens of peonies. In the summer when they bloomed, their fragrance was intoxicating. I loved to make daily cuttings, and bring them inside, where I placed them all around the house. If you are familiar with peonies, you know that ants are quite attracted to them also. I usually had a running battle trying to keep them from populating the house too.

Right now, I am finishing up a Christmas sale on my items, then I will populate my shop with more spring like things. A lot of my items are geared towards babies and children, but I plan to build a lot more of an eclectic shop as I get things made.

Between the two of us, my husband and I have three sons, two daughters, a grandson, and two granddaughters. The youngest granddaughter is just 7 months old, so that is why my focus started out with baby things. All of the kids are spread out far distances from here. CA,WA,CO, GA, and VA. We don't get to see them as often as we would like, as they all have busy lives of their own. We did manage to see them all this year though, just not during the holidays.

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas Holiday. Mine was quite hectic. My husband and I took a rapid trip from home, here in Louisville, to my hometown in Nashville, TN. We had Christmas morning brunch at my brother's home, a beautiful log cabin set in the woods, yet quite near civilization. All my Nashville relatives were there, and after exchanging gifts and pigging out on cheese grits, Tennessee smoked pork sausage, and a breakfast egg and mushroom strata, we had to turn around and head back home.

We had left our two dogs, Tillie a four year old labradoodle, and Barley our new rescue dog, he too a labradoodle, but only two years old. We had left Barley in his crate, only to return home to find that the dog sitter we had hired, had not come, and Barley out of boredom, had chewed up his bedding. Fortunately, neither had done anything worse, and the house was still standing. We took them outside, and then we hurried to get cleaned up and dressed and took off again to go have Christmas dinner with friend's down the street.

We had a lovely dinner, and of course pigged out some more. All of our friend's kids and grandkids were there, so it was quite festive and busy. We returned home quite full, but happy. During the time we were away at dinner, the dog sitter obviously showed up, and I suppose did all the things that were to have occurred during the middle of the day. The house still in one piece, and since it was Christmas Day, I didn't get bent out of shape. There will definitely be better communication before the next time we leave the dogs though.

I had intended on going out and doing some after Christmas sale shopping, but decided instead to stay home and relax, curl up with a cup of chai tea, and read a good book that a friend had sent me for Christmas. "The Christmas Pearl" by Dorothea Benton Frank. I love her books, and this one promises to be good too-truly Southern, just like me!!!

I hope you will check out my shop, visit often to see new items, and give me any feedback or suggestions you might have-good or bad.

More later, and thanks. Have a wonderful and happy, healthy, New Year.

Hugs, Mary