Who Wears Short Shorts?

My mom wore short shorts. This was taken around 1956 or '57. I think she was adorable. She had really nice legs. Even now, at 77, she has nice looking legs.  No varicose veins, no wrinkling, no sagging of skin.  White enough to make you grab your sun shades, but nice.  I remember one time when she was in her early 50's, she commented that she rarely had to shave her legs anymore. I was shocked.  I was also excited, thinking "well, there should be some rewards to growing older". Trouble is, she didn't bother telling me  those hairs that quit growing on your legs have to find some place to come out. I'd rather have leg hair than chin hair any day of the week!

I was about a year old when the Royal Teens recorded "Who Wears Short Shorts?". Not that I remembered the year, or even the name of the group, but I do remember singing that song with friends when I was a little girl, as we danced around the yard in our short shorts, thinking we were hot stuff.

I love this video. Get a load of the lack of expression on the girl's face, on all their faces for that matter. Not sure if they were that emotionless, or just trying to look super cool.  I'm figuring the latter. Watch it and see if the song doesn't get stuck in your head.  But first, scroll over to the right and pause my music player. Not sure Kiss From a Rose playing simulatneously with Who Wears Short Shorts would make for pretty music.

I  also love this picture of Nikki. She looks so relaxed and happy. She was taking her vacation days, and though she loves her job working with small children, she was enjoying just hanging out with the fam.

She drove down in October and went camping with us. Nikki, my son, John, my mom & her husband, Mr.Studley & I, our Min Pin Leyna, and Nikki's chocolate lab all in our 5th wheel. It sleeps plenty, but that doesn't mean plenty actually sleep!  It was fun, though. One night Nikki, John, and I stayed awake long after the others watching some silly dvd and giggling like 5 year olds. I can't remember the last time we had that much fun together. Even my son's flatulence was giving us the giggles, and trust me, there's nothing really funny about John's flatulence..

The older I get, the more my memory fails me. By staying away from blogging so long, I managed to forget a lot that I'd learned about it. Add to that, there's been changes around here in bloggerville. She's done gone and gussied herself up a bit since I was here last.  I used to run hollering to my friend, Marilyn, at A Mixed Bouquet whenever  I needed help with my blog. She helped me set it up, and installed the design stuff for me, but Marilyn's got her hands full these days, having gone back to college to get her nursing degree.  Don't expect anything fancy schmancy around here, as I'm just not smart enough to pull it off. I am happy for Marilyn, though, and so proud of her!

Nothing earth shattering  going on around here. I've not even been knitting. What a slump I've been in; just can't seem to get started on anything. Last year, Mr.Studley had a hernia operation, which seemed to go fine until the incision area got infected about a month after the surgery. In & out of the ER, a stint in the hospital, and a couple visits per week to the doctor for a few weeks (won't gross you out telling you what took place there with a really big needle), and he's finally back to normal. Well, all except for his belly button, which doesn't look normal at all now.

In other news, my son, John graduated from his Paramedic course (yea!). He still has to take his state test, which I know he'll ace.  Mr.Studley is almost fully retired, and we enjoy our days together. We've fit into a comfortable routine,  only occasionally getting on each others nerves; and really, I can't even remember the last time that happened.  I'm blessed by God, and I know it. He love me, and He loves you, too!

I'm reading  Joyce Meyer's new book, "Living Beyond Your Feelings", which I got for Christmas. I'm not too far into it, but already I've learned things I know will help me in my life. That's my idea of a good book, one that helps me make changes for the good. Who doesn't have room for improvement?

If you're reading this post, you probably had me in your google reader, or whatever reader you use. I want you to know I'm happy you came by. My post is short, but I'm going to try and ease back into blogging. I don't have much to say, but I remember back when I blogged regularly, the excited feeling I got when someone left me a comment.  Isn't that funny, how excited we can get by the comments of  strangers?  Of course, some of you aren't strangers, at least not anymore, as I got to know you back then. I pray your life is going well, and that you find joy in each day.  Be blessed!

Mike, Leyna, Nikki, & Macy at Beavers Bend State Park, Broken Bow, OK



"Words are containers for power, and as such they have a direct effect on our emotions"
~Joyce Meyer, excerpted from "Living Beyond Your Feelings"

A Man has joy in making an apt answer, and a word spoken at the right moment-how good it is!
Proverbs 15:23 Amplified Bible

Issues of the Heart

Baby Moccasins by Whitney Van Nes raveled here
I know it seems I've given up on my blog. I hope I haven't. I don't want to give it up, but I can't seem to make myself sit down and write anymore. Could I have run out of anything to say? I talk to myself all the time, but even I haven't found myself all that interesting lately.

John & Nikki, waiting for her flight at DFW, to fly home to England

Thinking back to when I first began writing this blog, I didn't have much to say then, either. In fact, when I read my earlier posts, I cringe with embarrassment at the things I rambled on about. Stupid stuff, really, really dumb stuff, like my dog's favorite toy. Did I seriously think anyone would find that of interest? Not likely, but I think I had to find my voice. It took me awhile, but I was getting there about the time I stopped writing. Now, I'm out of the practice of blogging and it seems I am once again in search of my voice. Don't worry, there'll be no more posts about my dog's favorite toys. Dog pictures are a different story.

Since I last wrote, we've had more than our share of heart issues in our household. Leyna, my beloved little Min Pin contracted heart worms. The reason? I didn't have her on regular heartworm meds. I honestly wasn't aware of how serious the risk was. The vet said she likely got them last fall. It was a rough and painful experience. One week at the vet's, five more weeks of being crated, six weeks of not getting walked or being allowed to play, and $550 in expense kind of rough. Heart worms are a serious threat to your dog's health, and according to my vet, all states now face that threat. I'm happy to say that Leyna seems to be fully recovered, and will now always receive her regular heartworm preventive meds.

The other heart issue was in the form of Mr.Studley's mitral valve needing to be repaired. When he went in for the surgery, we knew there was a chance it would have to be replaced. Being repaired is a much better option for the patient, but not always possible. Fortunately for us, his surgeon has a 95% success rate at being able to repair damaged valves. We know God directed us to him. Mr. S came through the procedure with flying colors. Other than a smallish sideways V scar on his right breast, there's little evidence that he went through such a surgery. And might I just say that the Baylor Heart Hospital in Plano, Texas is AWESOME! Seriously, if a person must have a heart procedure done, then that's the place to do it. The hospital is designed like a hotel, a 5 star hotel at that. Patients are considered guests, and their 'rooms' are 'suites'. Patients go directly from recovery to their suite, where family members are allowed to join them shortly after. No limited visits in an ICU room, like in most hospitals. Their room, or I should say suite is their ICU. The suite includes a comfortable area for family members to be there with them, around the clock if they desire. I could go on for paragraphs about that hospital, it was that impressive.

Mike & Nikki, as we were leaving the hospital
So, as you can see, we've had a bit of out-of-the-ordinary going on around here in the past few months. My daughter, Nikki, did fly home from England for the week of her dad's surgery. We rented a hotel adjacent to the hospital. My son also took off work that week and joined us. We had a lot of fun, and they kept me laughing almost nonstop. I had complete peace about Mr.Studley. I knew He was in God's protective hands.

I'll be back. Really, I will.

Nikki and Leyna, summer 2010

For by the grace (unmerited favor of God) given to me I warn everyone among you not to estimate and think of himself more highly than he ought [not to have an exaggerated opinion of his own importance], but to rate his ability with sober judgment, each according to the degree of faith apportioned by God to him.

~Romans 12:3 Amplified Bible

I Fought the Sloth, and the Sloth Lost

This has been my pace all winter. I can't blame snow or ice for slowing me down, as we had none. AT ALL. I'm still pouting about that. Seriously, though, I have felt like a total slug for months. My energy level was lower than a snake's belly. I felt like my get-up-and-go got-up-and-went. I've wondered if perhaps I've suffered from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder).

This was pretty much me. Well, actually, this is Putty Tat, but I think she was mocking me when this picture was taken.

Then something wonderful happened. The sun broke out, and Linda, the hilarious blogger at 2nd Cup of Coffee, issued this challenge.

Now, I may be lazy, but I am not one to back away from a challenge. She challenged her readers to do one simple thing, GET MOVING! For five days a week, 30 minutes per day, over the course of two weeks, we would commit to get our bodies moving. It could be exercising, walking the dogs, digging in the garden, or chasing the ice-cream truck around the neighborhood, as long as we got moving. There was no "D" word involved, though it was certainly okay to diet if we pleased. I didn't please.
I regularly walk the dogs, but the length of those walks varies. Sometimes I walk them ten minutes, sometimes 30 minutes, and occasionally not at all. In the colder months, I'd fallen into a habit of making the walks short, 'cause even though I've griped all winter about not getting any snow, the truth is, I don't really like to be cold.

Leyna looked up at me with that sweet little face, and asked, "please, Mommy, walk us 30 minutes each night". Well, what's a girl to do? I can't resist a face like that...unless she's begging for my last bite of popcorn. Oh, who am I kidding. It works on me then, too.

So I picked up Linda's gauntlet, strapped on the leashes, and hit the open road, or at least our neighborhood. Mr.Studley and Pepper came along, too, of course. With the exception of one particularly cold night this week, I managed to keep my commitment to do the 30 minute walk every day for two weeks, even on the weekends. For my gallant efforts, I've received the following award (me, and every other reader of Linda's who completed the course).

A very positive thing has happened to me in the course of these two weeks. I no longer feel like a slug. I'm not moving like a turtle. I no longer get mistaken for our fat cat. I have been energetic. I've accomplished some major spring cleaning, along with mucho decluttering. I'm enthused about keeping house again (did I just say that?).
I don't know if it was the regular exercising (and our dog walks are fast paced!), if I was indeed suffering from SAD which went away when spring arrived, or if it was a combination of the two. I just know, in the words of James Brown, I feel good!
Speaking of James, I only wish I could move like him. Check out his footwork in this video. Oh, and you can thank me later for getting this song stuck in your head.

****************************I LOVE You fervently and devotedly, O Lord, my Strength.
The Lord is my Rock, my Fortress, and my Deliverer; my God, my keen and firm Strength in Whom I will trust and take refuge, my Shield, and the Horn of my salvation, my High Tower.~Psalm 18:1-2 Amplified Bible

I Dot a Toad

Worn out pup~taken the night we got home from our camping trip

Leyda looks in this picture about how I feel, bidus a Rudolf red dose and tissue hanging from her dose. She looks much cuter than I do, so you're seeing her and dot me. I'm dot doing much at all this week but blowing, snorting, coughing, and hacking. I'm reading a blog here and there when I spend a brief few moments at by desk. Mostly I'm living on cold meds, Campbell's Chicken Doodle soup, and Sam's (Wal-Mart) version of Diet 7-Up.

I haven't even felt like ditting, though I bight opt to dit a dose bitten for my ruby red dose. I'll be back when I can sit at the computer without sneezing sn*t all over the screen. For some reason, Mr.Studley has an aversion to a sn*t covered moditor. Go figure.

I left the vowel out of sn*t in hopes that you of sensitive stomachs would be less offended by the word and the image it creates than if I had spelled it out in all it's glory. If it offends you, just think of it as snit, as in I have a snitty dose. I'll be back when I feel dorbal and my dose isn't snitty.

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

~Hebrews 13:15 KJV

In Flew Enza!

I had a little bird,
It's name was Enza.
I opened the window,
And in-flu-enza.

A children's playground song in 1918.

Back in the 80's, I watched a movie on VHS titled "1918". Matthew Broderick was one of the cast. This was back before he was thrust to fame in Ferris Bueller's Day Off. 1918 was pretty much a sleeper. I'm not even sure if it was released in the theaters. It wasn't a blockbuster sort of movie by any means, but it was good, especially if you like period films. It gives the viewer a sense of what life was like for our ancestors in the year 1918. WWI, also known as "the Great War", was coming to a close. It was declared by a character in the movie to be "the war to end all wars".

More people were killed by the influenza pandemic of 1918-1919 than in all of WWI. It was known as "Spanish Flu" or "La Grippe", and infected one-fifth of the world's population. Unlike most flu strains, it was young people who were predominantly infected, the average age being 20-40 year olds. Death would sometimes happen within hours of the onslaught of symptoms. As you can imagine, the consequences to society were devastating!

Aunt Leona & Toby

This is my husband's Aunt Leona. She turned 90 this year. She's a pretty good looking broad for a 90 year old, wouldn't you say? She's been visiting for the past couple of weeks, taking turns staying at the homes of Mr.Studley's two sisters. We've had ample opportunities to spend time with her. She's amazing. Not only is her mind sharp and clear, but she loves the Lord, and loves to talk about Him. Her depth of knowledge and understanding of spiritual things, and God's Word, is astounding.

Aunt Leona, or as some of the relatives here in Texas pronounce it, Ain't Leona, was born in the year of 1918. My late mother-in-law was three years old, and her baby sister, Leona, was six months old, when their mother's life was snuffed out by the horrid influenza. Word was sent to the dead young mother's sister and mother that she had perished, and that the baby would be buried with her in the casket. They were told there was no milk to feed the baby who'd not eaten since midnight; and besides, they were certain it was only a matter of time before the babe fell ill as well. My understanding of this story is that this word was sent by the local midwife, who I assume had tended to the sick mother. I'm not sure where the father was in this picture. This little motherless baby, with no one to nurse it, and no one to tend to it (there were several other children in the home), was going to be buried alive!

Aunt Leona's aunt and grandmother immediately sent back word that they were not to bury the baby, but to hold off until they could arrive, that they'd take the baby home with them. Word was returned that it would be foolish to come there and expose themselves. They went anyway, and the baby was handed to them through a window, to keep them from having to enter the house. The baby had already been dressed in burial clothes.

It's hard in our modern day thinking to imagine such a horrific thought as buring a baby alive (though thousands are killed each day in the wombs), but we haven't a clue what life must have been like in that time period, and in those circumstances. People were dying right and left. Doctors and nurses were dying along with the patients. Entire families were wiped out from the influenza. It's such a testimony of the power of God that Leona's life was spared. The aunt and grandmother raised her on their farm in Kentucky. She shared some wonderful memories with us of her childhood there.

I'm not sure at what age, but Aunt Leona was later introduced to Jesus as her Savior by her older sister, Mr.S' mom. She shared with Mr.S and I last night how she and her sister (his mom) loved to sit and talk about the Lord together. She remembers one night while visiting her sister when they were adults, that they spent the entire night lying in bed, sharing with each other the goodness of God.

My late mother-in-law died a few years ago, at the age of 90. Numerous people approached us at the family visitation night in the funeral home and told us how it was Miz T---that first introduced them to the Lord. I can only hope to leave behind the legacy such as these two sisters have, one now with Jesus, and one still living here for Him; to be known as someone who was passionate in my love for Christ, and always bold to share it with others.

*I gathered my smattering of facts about the influenza pandemic of 1918 at this site.
If you'd like to learn more, click on the link. I only scratched the surface of the shared facts.

For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.

~Jeremiah 29:11 Amplified Bible

Update on Rich

Just a quick note:Rich's blood pressure is still running high, but the nurse assured Mandi that it's "acceptable" and is high due to his medications, some of which are only temporary following transplant surgery. Thank you so much for the prayers you have prayed!

*******************

A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
~Proverbs 11:25 NIV

Update on Rich (kidney transplant)

Battle of Pea Ridge~Pea Ridge Military Park, AR

Just a quick post to update on my niece's fiancee', Rich, who underwent kidney transplant surgery last week. I received a short e-mail from Mandi, last night. It read "we're home!". Praise God, he was recovered enough to be released from the hospital! I truly appreciate your continued prayers, as do Mandi & Rich.

If you keep My commandments [if you continue to obey My instructions], you will abide in My love and live on in it, just as I have obeyed My Father's commandments and live on in His love.

~John 15:10 Amplified Bible

Update on Transplant Patient

Thank you so much to those of you who prayed for my niece's fiancee, Rich, today. Both boys came through the surgery well, though Rich (kidney recipient) is still very out of it.

Mandi asked me to keep praying, as the next few days are actually more critical for Rich than was the surgery itself. I told her I had friends praying with me, and to have faith in God.

***********************

But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole.
~Isaiah 53:5 Amplified Bible

Guess What's Up

My mother and my brother have both required blood pressure meds for much of their adult lives, whereas, I have not. I've always found this fact surprising, considering they are each naturally slender people, and I am fat not. Secretly, to me, it was a small sliver of justice. They've gone through life thin, and with perfect eyesight. I've gone through life fat struggling with my weight, and Mr.Magoo eyes (I wear contacts). My biological dad died in his early 40's. I'm not sure if he had to take blood pressure medicine or not. I do know he wore glasses, though they were not of the Mr.Magoo sort.

Reality came and bit me in the keister this week. I was in Wal-Mart pharmacy the other night and decided, on a whim, to check my blood pressure. First try equalled shocking (to me) results. Second try, numbers came down only slightly. Third try, no difference. My top number put me in the stage 2 hypertension category, and my bottom number put me in stage 1 hypertension.

So much for justice!

I have not gone to the doctor. Not having medical insurance, I don't tend to go there often. The first thing I did was to quit eating Doritoes Chipotle Ranch flavored chips. I knew better, but they are just so good. All the watermelon, tomatoes, and canteloupe that I've been eating doused with salt? Screeching halt! No, I've not given up those goodies, but I did give up the salt shaker. Really, I knew better. They're so incredibly tasty, it's not like I even needed the salt to enjoy them. Another treat I've all but eliminated from my diet is roasted peanuts in the shell. We keep them on hand and snack on them nightly. I only ever eat a small handful at a time, but they are loaded in salt.

I am also cutting back on red meat. Eating it as often as we now do is a habit we've gotten into in recent years, since a wonderful little meat market opened up near our house. Again, I knew better.

I've also upped my walking. I walk two dogs a day, mine and a shut-in neighbor's. I'd recently shortened those walks due to the heat and humidity. I hate getting all sweaty and icky feeling. Now I just shower more frequently. My water bill may go up, but hopefully my blood pressure is coming down some.

I'll go back to Wal-Mart in a few days, one week after the disastrous readings. If it's still in the danger zone, I'll consider a doctor's visit. I know I need to lose weight. Not to sound cliche', but that is so much easier said than done. I am open to suggsestions of natural means of lowering my bp.

Meanwhile, I hear spending time with pets is supposed to lower your bp, so I'll spend some time cuddling this...

*****Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.
~III John 1:2 NIV

The Waiting Game

Hubby had a medical test done at the local hospital yesterday. It was nothing serious, just preventative maintenence. I'm blessed to have a husband who's genuinely concerned with his health and doing what he can to keep it good. He exercises regularly, eats right, and keeps his weight down. I wish I could say the same for myself. I'm working on it, though.

Meanwhile, I had a few hours to kill in the waiting room yesterday. I wasn't in the mood to knit on any of my (too) many WIP's ('works in progress' for my non-knitterly readers). Since waiting rooms can tend to be noisy places, often with tv's droning on in the background, I opted for a mindless mini-project not requiring much concentration. I found this Bundle of Joy baby Hat at Knitting Pattern Central.

I had a skein of purple Lion Brand Microspun in my stash. It's a 100% micro-fiber acrylic yarn, and it feels like buttuh! I'm not kidding. It's incredibly soft. It feels like a lusciously soft cotton. It's great for knitting for babies.

Since I have no newborn to use as a model, I scrounged around in my daughter's closet and came up with this doll who's head is about the right size. I took the picture outside (obviously) and we're having a very overcast day. The yarn appears royal blue here, but it is indeed a very deep purple.

I'm not wild about the i-cord topknot. The instructions said to make the i-cord 4", then tie in an overhand knot. I think it's too long. Next time, I may omit the i-cord altogether. This was such a simple, no-brainer of a pattern, I have a hunch I'll be knitting alot of baby hats from it in the future.

Speaking of baby hats, have you seen Coveted Yarn's contest? Each newborn hat you donate and send in (crocheted or knit) gains you one entry into a drawing for a $50 gift certificate to be used at their yarn store. Hats must be received by March 31st. Not to fret if that's not enough time for you, though, as I understand they hold the drawing quarterly. They donate the hats to a local hospital. You can get all pertinent info for entering and where to send your hats at their blogsite.

Isn't this little praying doll sweet. It shows alot of wear, so I guess it must've been one of my daughter's favorites for a time.

And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children.

Isaiah 54:13

Freed From the Bondage of Bulimia

My good friend, Vicki is currently featured in an article at LivingStonesNews.com, titled "Freed from the bondage of bulimia". If you or anyone dear to you suffers from any type of eating disorder, please do take a minute to read the article. Vicki is a walking testimony of the life-changing power of God when we submit ourselves to Him. She offers an eye-opening look at the nightmare that is the life of those who suffer from bulimia. I won't say more, just go read the article!

I Feel Good...dadadadadada dah

I'll let James express my feelings this morning.




I genuinely appreciate all the comments and prayers over the past couple of weeks. Truthfully, I don't feel as good as James...yet, but I realized as I went around the house doing normal morning routine chores that I wasn't miserable; hacking and sputtering and blowing, yes, but not miserable! I'd almost forgot what it felt to not feel miserable. Praise God, I am on the mend!

Would you check out the footwork on that guy? And I thought Michael Jackson invented those moves!

Still sick

I thought I was better. I did feel better for a day or two. Now I have a bad sinus infection. I am sick and tired of being sick and tired. I'm not posting to complain (tho it sure sounds like it, doesn't it?), and I'm not posting for sympathy. I'm just posting to let you know why I'm not posting. I'm taking my tissues and nasal spray and heading back to bed now. I hope to be back soon, right as rain.

Life Renewed

After a week and a half of being sick with influenza, I am once again beginning to feel human. Next year, I will get my flu shot.

I am so far behind on laundry and housework, I don't even know where to start. Since we can barely squeeze the doors open on either side of our master bathroom, I'm thinking I'd better bring in a wheelbarrow to haul the dirty laundry from there to the laundry room. Now, if only I had a wheelbarrow.

There are things growing in our refrigerator. Back in our homeschooling days, I could've dubbed them "experiments". I have no such excuse now. I have to call it what it is...garbage. I guess I could give it a fancy French pronunciation and call it "gar baj"; but while a rose by any other name may smell as sweet, garbage with a fancy pronunciation still stinks.

I have two charity knitalong commitments which need to be met first and foremost, as my time of possession of said items has met the deadline. What a shame. All this housework to be done, and I have to sit and knit. Tsk, tsk.

Actually, I have a pretty good excuse to do nothing but knit today. We're leaving after lunch to drive to the DFW airport to pick up my son. He's been visiting his little sis in Minneapolis this past week. That's four solid hours of driving time (Hubby driving, me knitting). I should be able to knock out alot of my knitting.

I'm still coughing, but aside from that, I feel pretty good. It feels so good to feel good again, like my life has been renewed!

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

~Corinthians 5:17

Still sick

I can't remember when I've had a more miserable week, physically. It started out Sunday with what felt like the flu. It ran the gammut of symptoms from body aches, fever, chills, head congestion (tho mild), heavy chest congestion, and that oh so fun one, diarrhea. Is that TMI? I'm still new at this blogging thing; I'm not yet sure just how forthright to be here.

By evening yesterday, I was beginning to think I saw a light at the end of the tunnel. The chills and chest congestion were still severe, but the body aches had subsided. Then about bedtime, it was as if a full blown cold attacked me. I've gone through a kazillion tissues in the past 24 hours. My nose is raw. I feel like I'm in a fog. My head hurts, and I can't breathe.

Remember that scene in "You've Got Mail" where Tom Hanks character surprises Meg Ryan's character by dropping by her apartment with a bouquet of daisies? Her character in that scene is me right now, only not as cute, and not nearly as thin as Meg; but I thought she pulled off the "cold" symptoms pretty well.

I guess my cold could have something to do with me running around in the wet snow at midnight the other night to take pictures. I knew that by the time I felt like going outside again, the snow would all be gone, and I was right. It was a big price to pay, though.

These pictures have nothing to do with me being sick. I just like them. The setting is so serene, and yet a mighty and bloody battle took place in that very spot. They were taken at Pea Ridge Military Park . Hubby and I toured it, along with his youngest son and his family when we were visiting them in Missouri last fall. The park is actually in Arkansas. I found it somewhat interesting when I located a link for it just now, to read that the epic battle that took place there in 1862 was on March 7th & 8th, this same exact time of year.

Hubby and I are civil war buffs. We like to visit civil war battlegrounds and historical sites when we vacation and travel with our 5th wheel.

I'd tell you more about the park, but my nose is running, so I'd best go and catch it.

Woe is me

I started feeling bad last night, and have been sick all day with the icky crud. I think I'll blame Michelle from my knitting group. She was hacking and sputtering Thursday night. I made the cross sign and kept my distance from her; but in retrospect, I did pay cash for some yarn from her (she has a craft shop downtown), and she did hand me back my change. I'm guessing her sick cooties were on that money, and me without my Purell.

I feel like I'm drowning in drainage, and the coughing is like fire in the wall of my chest. There's nowhere I don't ache, and I have a bad case of the chillls. I had planned to spend at least a few hours today knitting on the Second Oddball Charity blanket. That didn't happen.

My husband, God bless him, is a saint in many ways, but when I get sick he tends to avoid me like the plague. He'll do anything I ask him, but he keeps his distance.

I grew up with a mother who lavished me with TLC whenever I was sick. I, in turn, did the same with my kids. I don't think Hubby had that kind of attention as a child. In fact, I know he didn't. :-( His mother loved him, but having grown up without a mother herself, she didn't really know how to show affection. He has taught himself to be affectionate, but it isn't instinctive in him to pat a sick one's arm, or to stroke or caress their forehead. He thinks in terms of practicality, what 'thing' he can bring you, then hastily makes his exit from the room.

In other words, no real TLC going on here. In other, other words.........

I WANT MY MOMMY!

To his credit, he did come in the room a few minutes ago and layed hands on me and prayed for me, and the man does know how to pray. I know God hears our prayers, and I fully expect to feel better by tomorrow. Maybe then there will be knitting and pictures.