Waiting the New Year

Christmas was different, mother was not there, we decided to eat out. A cozy place turkey and beef buffet, was ok but next year somewhere different. A quick visit as well.  We downsized our gifts as well, we all have so much. I crocheted  some hats for my great niece and I sent out the usual paper cards.  
Heavy winds sent a section of fencing flat so been watching the dog
carefully as my nephew stood it up but not as yet secured.   My sister and I both bought ourselves our first cell phones and disconnected our land lines so extra playing is required.

Also bought a couple of other toys for health and entertainment meaning
paying for them and putting myself on a tighter budget.



Looking forward to the new year, the spring, planting in my new high planters the nephew made.

I enjoy my outting downtown for lunch once a week , now I can sit with the phone, talk,  occasionally sharing words with a  stranger who are looking for a kind word.

I have several friends struggling emotionally and physically with cancer. Hoping and praying they find peace, love,happiness knowing they are loved. Let prayer and the Lord heal them and love them.

Enjoyed making cookies with my great niece, got to use the new mixer. Not able to sync my picture so posted on Google +.

Winter so far has been good in fact double digits for days before Christmas. I am not a fan of wearing heavy coats and boots so weather suits me fine.

My sister after losing husband has been getting out more it is difficult to start over.

Here's hoping next year will be better to everyone, bless all of you

11/11/14

Today is for remembering.

For all the veterans who gave their lives so we could have freedom.

For veterans who fought and came back.

For all the scars that they hold in their memories, all their wounds.

From all the wars and in peace times and guarding our safety.

Recent attack in Ottawa brought Canadians to realize be on guard at all times. A Hamilton Corporal was killed guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Unarmed Nathan Cirillo gave his life.

To all Police, Firemen, EMS, they all serve and protect, thank you.
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If anyone thought it was easy cleaning house after someone dies, it is not. Months of donating, collecting, sorting trash, also deciding what to keep and what can be sold. WOW, The basement was cleared and all  items to sell are being placed there. I moved in after losing my man and brought a roomful. I let my nephew move in and gave him two rooms so I jammed mine and mothers things into spare room and basement.  With sorting most has found it's current location in living dining room area where my bed is, so a narrow path is left for me to reach it. I will spend winter sorting through more of it to make life easier come next summer.
My sister has found herself after losing her husband and slowly doing what has to be done, my blessings to her.
Come spring I will order soil for the raised beds my nephew built from an old fence. I will finally be able to dirty my hands and grow things without much strain.
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Last week I attended a graveside service for the mother of childhood
friends. Raining and cold it set the mood. It has been several years
since we saw one another.
It is only now with a cousin with cancer I am realizing that our time on earth is limited.
We think we will will be young forever. Several Facebook friends recently lost
family, some have cancer, cancer took my friend's husbands voice last year.

RESPECT and LOVE
                                 EACH and EVERYONE

WE HAVE A SHORT TIME TO LEARN, BE HAPPY, TEACH
RESPECT AND LOVE.
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Being one of our last warm sunny days before the cold arrives I went for
a walk, had a haircut, browsed an antique store and bought my lunch at a
local sub shop. It is nice to exist, enjoy, love your life and neighbors.

HE TOOK MY BREATHE          

Two months ago my care giving duties to my mother ended. At 93 the Lord took her to rest

This poem I wrote for her eulogy touched my soul:

On the six o'clock hour He took my breathe, HE took my soul to a place of rest. The Lord placed me in the palms of his hands with caring, love and a place of rest.Do do not fret children of mine, for I am with the Lord, safe and have a place to rest. KMB

Mother grew weaker with age and her Churg Strauss Vasculitis. 

She always was grateful, thanking everyone. Tried to be joyful even when in pain. Caring for her children even till the end.
She could not stand her final months and kept asking me if my back hurts from lifting her.
She knew the end was near, she was ready. The chaplain read her the 23rd psalm and she listened contently.

We all miss her immensely, I hear her call me from her chair from adjoining room. My brain trained to listen for her call to help her. 
She was the last of her siblings, most friends were also gone, one school time friend however blessed us with a visitation. 

WE WILL LOVE HER FOREVER

 EASTER
Well I finished my great nieces quilt for Easter. She should enjoy the pink, bright colours.
We will soon gather for Easter, families have their own traditions. It is always nice to eat and share and make memories. 
Our family have lost many family members, our memories keep them alive and treasured.
Some of us need more time to establish a meaningful routine, the loss and loneliness can be overwhelming and long term.
Getting together is helpful and mostly happy but in grief can be emotional.
We believe, we pray, the Lord will help and let us live a fulfilling, rewarding  life with LOVE,give LOVE, HE is LOVE

Remember help when you are able. 

Soon is time to get out to clean and enjoy the yard.

Next week I must make a card for my sister, HAPPY BIRTHDAY
also to my niece, have a great day both of you.

SPRING



Warming, green bulbs rise from the ground as well the odd grass.
The birds are chirping, the cats are sunning, the air is refreshing.

Mother is restless, being inside all winter soon will be time to take her out.
Her sugar is high causing various skin eruptions. The one on her ankle looks like
a lesion caused by her Churg Strauss Vasculitis.
She started a therapy program but I forgot myself and raised her leg beyond her ability and caused a sore back and her inability to stand from a chair so lifting her from her commode has been the order for past month.
We have been juggling her insulin to reach a lower level and may call for a different type.

I am nearly finished my second quilt, for my great niece, for Easter. A new hobby that I am enjoying,  creating.

 I have been given twenty hours a month for caregiver relief, it is refreshing and recharges one's being.

Usually consists of lunch, banking, and shopping.

The dog had her spring haircut. She loves it, prancing and feeling her body and losing three inches of hair.

http://www.hopkinsvasculitis.org/types-vasculitis/churgstrauss-syndrome-css   I enjoy downloading images, one of my favourite sites is:http://thegraphicsfairy.com/   Will post again when the quilt is finished till then y'all take care

FIRST QUILT

For the past month I made my first quilt. Scissors cut, uneven, not ironed, but all of that it turned out well. Made from cotton shirts we no longer used, the colours match quite well. 

 

 the dog must help

 a light lining

 a cotton sheet backing extended to create a border

 measuring 591/2"x 61"
it includes pockets, buttons


It keeps mother quite warm

 I have shopped and purchased more material to start another quilt...
happy blogging...and patterns to make great niece some dresses which she loves

DARK DAYS
Winter we deal with the lack of sun, we must keep busy and think of the finer, happier moments of life.

 Enjoy a great cup of tea or coffee.

 Sit with a favorite craft. Keep those hands and mind busy.
Learn a new hobby.
Hug your pet.
Hug your family.
xoxoxo

 Call a friend and share a good time.

 Read a book
Listen to your favorite
music.
Dance a jig.

 

 LIFE IS SHORT

     ENJOY EVERYDAY!

over the freeze
    now above freezing, the grass is showing, we escaped the worst. Just miles away they had ice an inch thick and no hydro for a week. We've had snow but far less than most. My sister was hit with snow a week ago that left drifts that we had an inch.  The storms left the snow and ice from Texas and stretched even to United Kingdom.
       Christmas and New Years were both kind to us.

A piece of my sisters
tree decorated the veranda.

Some nice gifts useful,
entertaining and gags.

Good coffee maker, enjoy
 a good cup?

We cannot forget our
pets.

With staying in, snow and the cold my quilt is nearing completion.
 With the backing being added now and needed border.

Mother hardly complains, she lost another
friend this week, very few are left.

We stay home a lot as wheelchairs don't
travel well in snow. She listens to the
television and radio. She still enjoys her food though I am not a good cook. Time on the computer when I should be
chopping the meals.

A daily rest helps regenerate and helps
with the pain in my hands, now to my coffee.

I have already shopped for more material and planning on more quilts, just simple to start, will share later....stay warm....