Thursday, December 24, 2009

Merry Christmas!!!

I just wanted to wish all of you a very

"Merry and Blessed Christmas"!

I hope you are all well, we are doing ok. We were both using my netbook until today and Kevin's new computer came, so now I have mine back and can get back to posting on a regular basis. The last month has been rough for a lot of reasons. I'll talk more about that later.

I hope the font on here gets straightened out, I don't know what is wrong. I may just change the complete background tomorrow.

Love and hugs and many Blessings to you all,

Brenda

Monday, November 16, 2009

Diabetic Roller Coaster

I know now why I've been so tired and thirsty for the last couple of months....my sugar is on the high side. I've had trouble since the 1970's when I had low blood sugar. I had to keep candy or O.J. close at hand. I had readings as low as 60, at 50 you can go into a diabetic coma. I got that straightened out after a few years.

I didn't give a thought to the chance it could be my sugar causing me trouble this time. I checked it every morning and it was pretty well normal for a long time. Lately it has been getting a little higher than it had been, but I just thought it was because I was only sleeping 2 hours at a time and up for about an hour in between. It was 250 one day last week when I checked it. I took the meds the Dr. gave me (6 months ago :<( ) for a couple of days, but it didn't help so I called the Dr., told them what was going on and had an appt. 2 hours later. I now take 2 pills a day and write down every bite that passes my lips. My sugar is down now, closer to where it should be. I go back to the Dr. the day before Thanksgiving, if it's not staying where it should be she is going to add Junuvia, to the Glucophage I'm taking now. I had a real wake up call with this. My dads sister and his uncle both lost both of their legs to diabetes. I don't want that to happen so I will be keeping an eye on things now. I have lost 7#'s over the last few days too..WooHoo!!

I wanted to share this with you just in case anyone of you is getting bad about keeping a check on their sugar like I did. I hope you are smarter than I was ;<).

I have been getting the last of the mending caught up so I can make some clothes and a Christmas present or two. I may have to hold off on the clothes though if I keep losing weight. I'm glad I kept some of the smaller sized clothes I used to wear!

I've got a lot of ideas for projects to make up after the first of the year. I'm thinking seriously about setting up at the local Farmers Market again. We tried it the first year they had one here and no one did very good. It sets up at a new location now and is managed a lot better than that first year. I'm planning on setting up depending on how things go here.

I better end this post before it becomes a book. I hope to be able to get back to posting more here and also more recipes on the cookbook blog too since I'm feeling better.

Hugs and Blessings my friends,

Thursday, October 22, 2009

More Recipes added to the Cookbook!

I just added several more recipes to the cookbook. I hope you enjoy them!!
I will be adding more tomorrow also!!

Hugs and Blessings,

A few Fall Decorations and more!

I finally got some pictures taken between dead batteries in the camera and gloomy days. I hope you enjoy them!

Missy my 17 year old service cat. She gets me through my panic attacks!

Mom's ceramic birds in "their" house and below is pictures of her when she was 4 years old. The flash messed them up sorry!

shelves and mirror by the door


the top of my hutch with birdhouses and vines and the next is the vine crawling across the wall!

broom and vine on the front door

centerpiece of gourds, with artificial vines and flowers.
I hope you enjoyed these I will take more pictures when I find something interesting. There isn't much around here.

Hugs and Blessings,

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Just a quick note.......

I finally got a few pictures taken of some of my fall decorations. I will post them tomorrow. I'm just too tired tonight and in too much pain with my back and legs. I went shopping at Walmart and Krogers today. We are pretty well stocked now! and I'm beat!!

I posted a couple of cookie recipes on the Cookbook Blog. They are both quick and easy and oh so good!!! I hope you enjoy them. I do....it shows too!!!! :(

I'll be back tomorrow with the pictures and more recipes...

Have a good night,

Hugs and Blessings my friends,

New Recipe added to cookbook!!

I just added a couple of cookie recipes to the cookbook. I will add more recipes tomorrow!!

Hugs and Blessings!

Friday, October 16, 2009

Real life....

just keeps interfering with my blogging time!! I hate that! I would rather spend time here with all of you, instead of cleaning, shopping, all that boring, necessary stuff!! lol!!

I have been trying to get the apartment ready for the cold weather and the pantry stocked up on staples. I need to take a few blankets to the laundry (they are too big for my apt. size washer) this week and that should be the end of most of my preparations. I still want to make some "candle heaters" just in case the electric would go out we could have a tiny bit of heat or at least heat a cup of water for tea...

I moved some appliances around on my kitchen counters today so I have more room next to the stove. I have my mixer there now instead of the microwave. I can roll out pie dough or cookies etc. and it also gives me room to sit jars when I take them out of the pressure canner. I like to make up large pots of food and then can most of it for future meals. I don't have to worry about things going bad in the freezer that way.

I've been spending time in the sewing/craft/office room too. I found 3 patterns that I was able to alter so they would fit. I really need something a couple sizes larger but these will work now. I've even gone through my stash of fabric and picked out enough that I can make 22 pieces clothing. I guess when I'm not cooking I'll be sewing during the day. My nights will be on here catching up with all of you. I will also be posting more recipes on the Kitchen blog. I have been been sorting through my stash of recipes and found a bunch more so keep watching over the next few weeks. I want to get as many posted as I can so I can move on to other projects.

I guess it's time for me to end this. Missy , my service cat, came in to help me type. She never seems to hit the right keys though.LOL!!

take care,
Hugs and blessings,

Saturday, October 3, 2009

New Recipes on my Kitchen Blog!!

I thought I would post a couple of recipes on the kitchen blog before I go to bed. I hope you enjoy them!

Today was another long day. Kevin went with me to Walmart and Dollar Tree. He did good though. It is so hard for him to get into the van but he made it and even walked from Walmart to Dollar Tree while I was checking out. It was a mad house in both stores. I only got a few things at each store and said the heck with it, too many people. I do have to go to Krogers in the morning for a couple of things they have on special then I will wait until the 1st of the month crowd slows down so I can shop in peace LOL!!!

I finished up a centerpiece I was working on today. I will take a picture of it and some of the other fall decorations I've put up in here tomorrow. Now if we just had a table to put the centerpiece on that would be great!! LOL We eat or meals & watch TV on the computers etc. at our computer desks. We only have 2 other office chairs in our living room for company, the couple times a year my aunt & uncle visit. I would love to have a nice comfortable couch or chair to sit in. Oh well that's life!! LOL

I stopped at the farmers market or whats left of it, 2 vendors ;). I bought another jar of the best honey I've ever had today. I have about 2 1/2# of honey now. Might get another one next Saturday if I have any money left. Things are going to be very tight this month. I wish I could sell some of the things I've gathered up that I would like to get rid of. The economy is really bad here since DHL pulled out of Wilmington. A lot of the people from here worked there. Times are bad everywhere.

It's getting late and I'm winding down so I think I will say "Good Night" to all of you. I hope you have sweet dreams , see you tomorrow.

Hugs and Blessings,
B

Friday, October 2, 2009

Just stopping by on my way to bed.....

and thought I would say goodnight to you all. It has been a busy day around here today. I did a lot of work on the "kitchen" blog and have finally got all of the categories the way I want them. I have my cookbook here set up the same way and will be adding recipes to the blog and my cookbook at the same time...did some laundry and cleaning too.

I got an email from an old friend that I grew up with today. It was the bright spot in my day...made me feel really good ! ;)It helped me through the afternoon when Kevin was having one of his anger problems. He scares the daylights out of me when he gets like that. I just want to grab my cat and my things and run as far away as I can. The problem is I have no where to go or no friends or family to turn to for help. He has no family either to go to. I know it is caused from the fall he had 3 years ago that broke the femur in his left leg. He can't get out and go like he used to do. It's still hard for him to walk and to get in & out of the van. It would upset me too, but not to the extent it does him. I can't handle the hollering and throwing things that he does. My nerves are on edge all of the time anymore.

Sorry I guess I just needed to vent, thanks for being here for me. I don't know what I would do without you guys, my dear blogging friends. You all mean so much to me. I want to get back to blogging and reading your blogs more often, I think it would do me good. I miss visiting with all of you too!

I'm going to end this for now and will see you all tomorrow....hopefully it will be a better day. I have to go shopping in the morning so I will be gone for a little while.

Good Night,
Hugs and Blessings,
B

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

The Cookbook has a new name and link..

Country Dreams & Creations Kitchen . The new link is:

http://countrydreamsandcreationskitchen.
blogspot.com/

I hope it doesn't cause you too many problems since I changed it.

I'm going to be adding a lot more categories and recipes starting tomorrow. I want to get the cookbook finished up a.s.a.p. so I can go on to a couple other projects I have started too. I guess you could say I'm on a mission to tie up a lot of loose ends.

I have a "lot" of family pictures I want to scan into my computer so I can pass all of the originals onto my cousin to give to her kids. I have no one to pass anything onto so I want to make sure she has the family pictures, recipes and heirlooms, what few of them there is. She has 10 kids so there is plenty of them to share the pictures etc.. I'm not sick or anything just want things taken care of ahead of time so I can sit back and not worry about little things.

It got a little on the chilly side today. It's 43* right now , I just heard the furnace come on. It was getting a little chilly in here.

It's late and I'm tired so I'm going to call it a night.

Hugs and Blessings my friends,

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Candles, Cocoa, and Cappuccino.....

a few of the things that have been taking up my time lately.

We gathered up all of the candles we had around here, which was quite a few more than I thought we had (lol). We sorted out the ones that were new and a few others that weren't too burned down. The rest are being broken up into pieces and being melted down to make new candles. I've already filled 10 containers with our "new" candles and still have a lot of wax left to use up. I may have to visit a thrift shop or 2 for more containers. I seem to be running out of them ;) .

I made a double batch of hot cocoa mix and one of cappuccino on Saturday. It's getting to be the time of year I really enjoy hot chocolate, especially hazelnut hot cocoa....so delicious... I like french vanilla and peppermint hot cocoa too. The cappuccino mix was for Kevin he really likes that. The recipes for both are posted on my cookbook blog under Beverages. I always double the cocoa, since we both drink it . The cappuccino makes a large amount and Kevin has that all to himself.

The sewing bug is hitting me big time and I see new clothes is my future...
I have been sorting through my patterns and have found a couple that I can adjust the size to fit me. ..pants, tops, jackets, t-shirts, nightshirts and maybe even a dress or 2 or 3... I made a pattern for t-shirts for Kevin so he will be getting some new clothes too.

I sorted out all of my embroidery supplies and have them all in one place now too, so I will be working on those projects in the evenings.

I have been working hard to finish up all of the loose end projects that had to be done around the apartment, now I feel like I can do the things I want to do without feeling guilty.

It's getting late so I'm going to call it a night.
See you all soon,

Hugs and Blessings my friends,

Another Year Older........

Yep, today was my birthday., just another day, another year... It was a good day though, although kind of bittersweet for me. Today is also my great-grandmothers death anniversary, 35 years ago today she left us. She had always made her home with us, so she was like a second mother. I learned to bake, preserve and a lot of the old ways of doing things from her. Rest in Peace "Mom",(as she was know to everyone).

My aunt & uncle (daddy's sister & husband) came down from Dayton today for a visit. It was good to see them, it's been awhile. It is always nice to see family. I wish I lived closer to what little family I have. Maybe someday.....

Blessings and hugs,

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Pictures !!! finally !

Well, I finally got the camera program working on this computer!! I know, I know it's about time, since I've never posted any pictures on the blog. I hope that will all change now if I can find enough things to take pictures of LOL.

These are miniature Sunflowers. I bought them at the Farmers Market about a month ago and they are doing good. They only get about 18"-24" tall. Cute little things!

This is a picture of my Live Forever(Sedum). It got huge this year. I will take another picture as soon as it is in full bloom.

Last but not least is a picture of our porch and the Petunia's I got from Walmart for $5 each. I wish they still looked this good!

Well that's a little peak into my world. Look out know that I know how to do this!!

I better go back and check the weather we have storms all around us!
Take care, see you tomorrow!

Hugs and Blessings,

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Busy couple of days!!

The last couple of days it seems like I have been going non-stop. I went to Krogers yesterday to get a "few" LOL!! more groceries. I come out of there an hour later with the cart so full you couldn't squeeze a feather on it.!!! lol. I had the pleasure then of unloading everything into the van and then of course unloading it all at home!!
You all know the drill !!! ;) The freezer had to be quickly re-arranged to make room for things , which I had to go back through it again today to see what all I had bought.

Today I went to the local farmers market with the intention of only getting a few tomatoes haha!! I came home with 5 bags full of produce!! I sliced up the green tomatoes and the slices are in the freezer now on a cookie sheet to be put into bags for later use.
I got a dz. ears of corn to cook & cut off the cob to freeze, green peppers to cut up & freeze. The green beans I will cook with potatoes and they will be canned the next day. The cucumbers will become freezer pickles, the 4 eggplants will be fried and then packaged and frozen for future use.

We will eat part of the watermelon and the rest will be frozen for another day. The tomatoes will be eaten or cooked into some of the dishes I want to make up and then can later in the week.
I want to make up some of the one dish meals I make(I usually double or triple the recipe) then can the leftovers. I don't have to worry about anything going bad if I can it, in case the electric would go off or anything else.

I have so many things I want to do I wish I was triplets so I could get everything accomplished. I think I'm trying to keep myself busy so I don't have to think about the problems we're having. My nerves are about stressed to the limit and I don't know what to do, time will tell.

It's getting late and I'm getting tired and tomorrow will be a busy day. I'll try to stop in tomorrow night but I'm not going to make any promises.

take care,
Hugs and Blessings,

Thursday, August 13, 2009

A down & crying day :(

Did you ever have one of those days when you just feel really down and feel like crying? I'm having one of those days today. I don't feel good, my back and leg pain has been really bad lately. I've got pain pills to take which I have taken 1 a day for the last 3 days. I can take up to 4 a day but then I'm not able to remember anything! I have a very low tolerance for any kind of meds. & have allergic reactions to most!! I only take 1 pill when it gets unbearable and I know I have things I have to get done. It takes about an hour before it starts working , then I have about 4 hours to get everything done...then the pain starts in again with a vengeance.

I'm sorry, I don't mean to cry on your shoulders,I just needed someone to talk to and I think of all of you as friends I can turn to. Thank you for being here!

On a lighter note ;)
I think I have finally finished sorting out things I no longer want or need. I sold a bunch of things a couple of months ago. I sold a few more of the better things yesterday, to someone local who bought the vintage items I had a couple of months ago. I still have some things in the garage that I listed to sell locally for anyone who needs things for a yard sale $40.00 takes all including a computer!

I do still have one big sort to do and that is my craft and fabric supplies. I will have a lot of lace and trims etc. and fabric (some new) to sell . I have several projects in mind that I want to focus on and what I don't need or can't use will be for sale.

I took a few pictures of some of my flowers outside the other day. I am going to try to upload them to this netbook in a little while and see if it works. I've haven't tried my camera program on this thing yet. I'm still trying to get used to the tiny keyboard LOL!!!

Recipes!!! I will post some recipes to the cookbook this afternoon.

I'm planning on this being a take it easy day since I have an 8 AM appointment tomorrow and then it's off to the grocery! UGH!!!

Thanks for letting me cry on your shoulders and talk with you. I feel a lot better now!

I'll be back soon,

love, hugs and Blessings to you all my friends,

Thursday, August 6, 2009

We're back online !!

We got online service connected last Friday morning with TWC. The wireless that comes with the apartment only wanted to work when it was in the mood, not when we needed it. We really can't afford the extra $$$$ , but we'll manage somehow. I have to be able to keep in touch with you all here. I don't have any living family here and no close friends to talk to.....just neighbors that are only seen in passing once in a while.

We have been busy the last few days with the usual 1st of the month stuff...paying bills, groceries etc., although I haven't gotten much in the way of food yet. I have to defrost my big chest freezer in the garage today, so that means shifting things around so I can empty it for a few hours. I've used down most of what was in it so it won't be too bad ( I hope) ...except for the 24 qt. bags of zucchini I have frozen that will have to squeeze into the freezer in the fridge.

I'm still gathering things I no longer want, that I want to try to sell. I'd like to do a major downsizing. I've just got too much stuff!! lol I think they call people like me a pack rat!! LOL

Well, I'd love to stay and visit with you all longer, but I can't get done what has to be done if I stay on here.

I'm going to be posting a lot more recipes on the cookbook in the next few days, and will be doing that daily for quite a while. I have a lot of recipes to put in the cookbook. Soooo keep checking back!

Take care, I will be back tomorrow.

love, hugs, and blessings to you all!!

Brenda

Sunday, July 26, 2009

New Recipes Posted........

on my Cookbook blog!!

I have added several new recipes over the last few days. I've been sorting through my recipe box and mom's trying to organize them into one cookbook. I will be putting all of them on the blog as well as a cookbook on my hard drive and a hard copy to keep in my kitchen.
It's going to be a big project but one that will be well worth the time and effort.

I want to share all of the recipes with all of you since I have no family to pass them on to. I hope maybe some of them will become your family's favorites too! :)

It's been a long day, both physically and mentally, and I'm getting tired. I've had a lot of leg and back pain the last couple of days and the weather isn't helping with all the rain.

Take care and I will visit with you again tomorrow,

Hugs and Blessings!!

Good Night!

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Another cool, rainy day!

It sure doesn't seem like July here in Ohio right now. The temps have been in the 60's and low 70's with rain steady for the last few days. We do need the rain in our area though, it has been really dry.

I got my 1st zucchini yesterday, I fried it for supper tonight, along with Italian sausage and buttered rice. We had Peach cobbler that I made yesterday and ice cream for dessert. I posted the recipe for the peach cobbler yesterday in the cookbook.

I spent some more time with my sewing machine today. I've been trying to catch up on some of Kevin's things. I finished up a pair of flannel pajama bottoms for him yesterday and today I sewed the hem in a pair of shorts and 2 new pair of slacks he got recently. I still have 3 long sleeved shirts that he wants me to open down the front so he can wear them like a jacket over shirts in the apartment
this winter. I will have all of his things caught up then.

I want to make some sun dresses dresses for myself and some night shirts. I think my clothes are all shrinking while they hang in the closet. I've got a few pair of slacks that I want to turn into shorts too, they will be my project for tomorrow.

I hope you all had a good day too.

I'll visit with you all tomorrow.

Hugs and Blessings,

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

New Recipe added to cookbook!!

I added a new recipe for a Peach Cobbler to the cookbook!
It is quick and easy and delicious.

I hope you enjoy it,

Hugs and Blessings,
Brenda

I'm back, with a new computer :) .........

my other computer bit the dust or so we thought. I now have a 10" Acer Aspire One Netbook. It sure is a big change from a full size computer with a 15 1/2" monitor! The small keyboard is taking some getting used too also. I can at least visit with you all again. We scrounged up every extra?? penny we had between us to get it. We had the money in mind for a new chair for Kevin so he wouldn't have to sit in his wheel chair all the time. We are now saving toward the chair again.

I hope you are all doing ok. I need to visit all of your blogs and get caught up. It seems like there is always so much to do in the summer. I have 6 tomato plants in pots with 8 little tomatoes between them. I got them started late. I also have 3 zucchini plants and the 1st zucchini will be ready to eat tomorrow. I think there are 4 or 5 more on the plants but it will be a few days before they will be ready.

We have a small Farmers Market here in town and I have bought enough zucchini to shred and fill 24 bags with 2 cups per bag, they are in the freezer for future use. I bought 3 miniature Sunflower plants , they only get about 18" tall and all 3 have buds. I will post pictures as soon as they are in full bloom...I can't wait!!

I was able to get a few fresh green beans and new potatoes...they tasted so good. I still have a few potatoes left they may become potato salad, mmmm sounds good to me!

I also tried a couple of new breads....Pineapple-Banana Nut Bread and Lemon Tea Bread, both were delicious. I found a couple of recipes for them on the internet, as soon as I try them and see if they are like the ones I bought I will share them with you.

I hope you all have a great day and I will visit with you again soon.

Hugs and Blessings,
Brenda

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

WOW !! 2 Months

since I've posted!!! It seems like forever since I've visited with all of you. The time seems to have flown by though so much has been going on.

I know I posted that we got a newer van, I just love it and so far it has been doing good. Kevin is able to get into the front seat of this van and has gone out with me several times. We were able to get a new mattress set ( king size) yea!! for the bed. We needed a new bed really bad ours was quite old and falling apart. We were also able to replace several other things that were worn out too. I am so thankful to have found the insurance policies mom had in with some other papers. I almost threw them out because they were dated 1960 and I figured they weren't any good. I am so glad I called to check before tossing them in the trash. God was surely watching out for us as was mom.

I have been having some health problems too during all of this. My arthritis and fibromyalgia have been getting really bad and I've had a rough time trying to get things taken care of. I went to the Doctor Monday and she put me on an anti-inflamatory to try again. I used to take Naproxen but it caused me a lot of stomach problems and I had to stop taking it, It has been several years so I am going to give it a try again. She also prescribed Lyrica for the fibro-myalgia but I haven't heard from my insurance yet if they will cover it. I hope to know by tomorrow.

I have more to tell but will save that for tomorrow. It is getting late and I'm getting tired. My aunt and uncle from Dayton are coming down tomorrow for a visit so it will be later tomorrow before I will be able to visit with you all again.

I plan on being here everyday from now on. It really helps me having all of you to share things with.

take care, God Bless,
Brenda

I have closed Country Dreams & Creations Store

I have decided to close my store blog. I sold most of the things I had locally. The opportunity presented itself so..... considering the economy I thought I better take advantage of the chance to sell the items. I will have items off and on and will post them here for sale. I want to thank all of you who visited the store.

I do still have 4 white damask and linen tablecloths that are for sale they are about 50+ years old and are in gently used condition. I will post more info here if anyone is interested.

I want to devote my time to this blog and the cookbook. It was just too much trying to do 3 and keep things going at home, there has been a lot going on here the last 2 months and I will tell about that in a separate post.

Blessings,
Brenda

Saturday, April 11, 2009


To all of my dear blogging friends.

I hope you all have a Blessed Easter. I am so thankful to have found such dear friends.

Hugs and Blessings,

Brenda

Thursday, April 9, 2009

A New Van !!!!!!!!!


We finally got a newer van today!!! We have been looking the last few days since we finally got part of mom's estate settlement and decided on a 2001 Chevy Venture Van.
It's all white and seems to be in good condition. It is so nice to drive something that feels like it will make it from point A to point B and back! I will try to take a picture tomorrow, if it isn't raining. Thunderstorms are predicted for tomorrow.

I think Kevin and I have both finally gotten over the flu/pneumonia. I'm still trying to get my strength back but I know I will get it back sooner or later. I have been going non-stop since I started feeling better. I have to make up for the time I was sick....... So much to do ...so little time ...LOL

I just had to share with all of my dear friends here. Thanks for sticking with me. I feel like things are back on the upswing now and I will be here a lot more!

Hugs and Blessings my friends,
Brenda

Monday, March 23, 2009

Good Monday Afternoon !


We have been having trouble with our wireless internet the last few days. It only stays on for a short time when it feels like it. I hope it straightens itself out soon. I can't really complain too much though..... it was a "free for 5 years" incentive when we rented the apartment!

Kevin and I are both doing ok, still fighting the last few remnants of the flu. I will try and post more tomorrow if the wireless is in a good mood! LOL

Blessings and Hugs,
Brenda

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Beautiful Day and I'm Feeling Better!!!!


Today and yesterday were both beautiful days. The first we've seen in a while around here. It was a little warmer yesterday but it was still nice to get out of the apartment for a while today , even if it was just to go to the store for a few things. We had some rain last night and it seems to have helped things green up a little. Elaine, my cousin in KY, has been telling me for days now how green it is and how long the grass is getting. They will be mowing (and raking) as soon as they get the mower fixed.

Elaine has been trying to find a few acres where we could both move to. Elaine and David(her DH) and Kevin(my DH) and I would share the property and each have a home of our own. Elaine and I have plans for chickens, goats and a Jersey milk cow for starters. They raise Registered Black Angus but we want a cow for milking and to make cheese and butter. Elaine and I are so much alike it's scary. We both have the traits of our grandmother as far as living off the land and being self-sufficient and very frugal. We both have a lot of old-fashioned ways of doing things LOL!

Kevin and I were going to move in to an apartment there until we found some property but that would mean moving twice for us, so we are just going to stay here until she finds something. I am starting to sort through things and packing up what we want to take with us that we don't need to use right now. The rest I plan to sell hopefully.

I will be listing a lot of the things I have to sell on my store blog as soon as I can get some pictures taken. The vintage things I just want to go to homes where they will be loved, I'm not trying to make a lot of money from them.

I hope to be able to start adding a few recipes here and there to my Cookbook blog too so keep an eye on that too.

I've got my mind made up to get back to blogging like when I first started. Writing was really helping me and I have missed it so now I am back!!!

I've missed you all and I hope to visit with you all on your blogs soon too...I have a lot of catching up to do!

See you tomorrow,
Hugs and Blessings,
Brenda

Monday, March 16, 2009

Just when I thought I was getting better.......

The flu came back as pneumonia last Sunday. The past week has really been hard on me. I am so sore from coughing and my lungs are so congested. I have been getting rid of a some of the congestion thankfully. I usually get this at least once a year but this has been the worst in a long time. I have been taking a decongestant and trying to take it easy, that's hard for me to do.

I have been getting all of the paper work together to file mom's life insurance claims and unclaimed cash claims that I recently found. It is all done now and in the mail. I still can't believe the insurance papers I found while going through moms things (again) recently were still active. She took the policies out in 1960. I'm glad I called Prudential to check before I just threw them out! I even found a policy my parents had taken out on me that year. I am surrendering that policy for the cash amount. Prudential told me to check unclaimed funds in Ohio to see if there might be any dividends that weren't collected and sure enough there were. I filed for those too. Mom is still looking out for me.. thank you Momma! The money we get will give us enough for a down payment for a newer vehicle to drive. Our van is a 1993 Ford :(. It gets me around town to the stores and for that I am thankful.

Hugs and Blessings,
Brenda

Friday, February 27, 2009

Arthritis and Fibromyalgia

These are the 2 things that are causing me a great deal of problems in my life...and things are getting worse. I guess, in reality, they have been this bad for a while, I have just been in denial of what has been going on. The truth hit me hard today though.

I have been having a lot more pain and stiffness than usual but have just been blaming the weather, moving the wrong way, or something else for the pain instead of facing the facts. Today I tried to stand at my work table to do the alterations on Kevin's pants and I wasn't able to do it. The pains from just standing there and trying to go through the needed movements were more than I could take. I have a high thresh-hold for pain usually. My days for working on large projects are over. I'm okay if I can sit and do the work, I just can't stand and do it. I kind of had a total meltdown for a little while as reality settled in today.

Kevin has been trying to tell me for sometime now that I was getting worse but I just wouldn't accept the facts. I think I knew deep down he was right but I just couldn't admit it until today. I have fought this battle so long and hard and have refused to believe what was happening to me but I guess I lost this battle. I will not just give up though. I will just have to adjust my way of doing things.

I have pain pills that I can take that do help the pain BUT!! they mess up my mind. I thought I was following in moms footsteps of having Alzheimers until I discovered it was the darn pills. I quit them cold turkey, and after a week or so my mind was clear again. I have a very low tolerance for medication and I'm allergic to a lot of meds. so I will have to deal with this the best way I can.

I know there are many, many of you going through this same thing. I would love to hear from you and hear how you deal with it. Maybe we can support each other through this.

I'm a fighter and I don't give up easy, just ask Kevin LOL he'll tell you how stubborn I am about everything!! LOL I keep a bar stool in my kitchen to sit on when I need a break when cooking or baking. It's not easy to sit on a bar stool and work in the kitchen, especially at the stove!

I think I'm starting to ramble, I'm getting tired.
Talk to you all tomorrow my friends,

Blessings and Hugs,
Brenda

To My Followers....

I just wanted to say thank you for staying with me. I know I haven't been posting and visiting with you all like I would love to be able to do, real life sometimes gets in the way. :>( I hate that. I would much rather spend my days visiting with you.

I wanted you all to know how much I love and appreciate each of you.

Thanks for being a part of my life.....

Hugs and blessings,
Brenda

Time Flies & Good News!

It seems like it was just a couple of days ago that I posted and it has been a week already! Time is just going by way to fast. I just can't seem to get back into the groove of things since I was sick. Kevin and I still aren't feeling that good...just can't seem to get that flu bug out of the apartment. I think our energy went out the door instead of the flu!! LOL

I do have some surprisingly GOOD NEWS! I had found an old insurance policy in moms things that was from 1960. I didn't think it was worth anything but have been holding on to it anyway. I called the insurance company the other day just out of curiosity and couldn't believe what they told me. The policy is still on file and there are actually 2 policies and I can claim them both!!! WooHoo!! The face value is $1000.00 each but it will take them a couple of weeks to figure out the dividends since the polices are so old. I was also told that they had turned a cash compensation over to unclaimed funds for over $1700.00. I still can't believe it.

I started wondering if I had an old policy from that company and I do. I just need to update all my info and then I can surrender the policy for almost $900.00 and I have unclaimed funds for around $600.00 too. I figured as it stands now without knowing the dividend amount it is all worth over $5100.00. It will take about a month to get the money from the insurance company and 3-4 months from unclaimed funds.

Kevin and I are desperately in need of a newer van that is lower to the ground so he is able to ride in it. Our van is a 1993 Ford Aerostar that is high off the ground. Kevin is unable to climb into the van since his fall a couple of years ago and is pretty much housebound and going stir crazy in here. The initial money from the insurance company will give us enough for a down payment on another van. I guess God heard our prayers and led me in the right direction to find this help we so desperately needed. Thank you God for hearing our prayers! I have started the mountain of paperwork that will be involved in all of this!!

I spent the day today trying to work on a couple of pairs of pants that Kevin found on sale in a catalog. He had to get a larger size than he needed to get the sale price, they were out of his size, so I am taking these down a size. The reality of how bad my arthritis and fibromyalgia are getting really hit me hard today, more about that in another post.

I hope you all have a good evening and I will be checking back in and hopefully will be able to sit and catch up on all of your blogs.

Hugs and blessings,
Brenda

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Vintage/Antique Cloth Advice Needed Please

I have some vintage/antique tablecloths and handkies. I know for a fact that they are at least 50 years old because they belonged to my great-grandmother and my great-aunt.

The tablecloths have some light stains on them... looks like maybe coffee or tea. The stains are faded probably from washing over the years. My question is "how" or "if" I should try to remove the stains they are few and far between. The tablecloths are mostly linen and damask and are white. I have 1 tablecloth that is all lace in a dark champagne color,it has no stains but a couple of nickle size holes in the lace. It is beautiful and so soft! I plan on putting these on my store site in hopes of selling them.

The handkies have some dark stains like age and from being folded. Do I try to wash the ones that aren't too bad? The others I will probably just toss out or maybe sell very cheap for use as cutter pieces for projects.

I would appreciate any suggestions you have. I have no use for these items and would love to find good homes for them so they would be lovingly cared for.I have enjoyed looking at them for many years and it is now time to share them.

Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions you may have. I will post pictures on the store site when I figure out how to care for these and how to price them.

Blessings and hugs,
Brenda

I'm back and feeling better!

WOW !!!! the last month has been rough for both of us. We just couldn't seem to get the flu out of the apartment. We were taking turns feeling bad LOL!! Things seems to be on the upswing now. Thank you Connie and everyone else who was concerned about us and praying for us. It really helped!!! I can't believe it's been almost a month since I posted last!

I am so far behind on reading everyone's blogs I have a lot of catching up to do. I just didn't even feel like getting on here much. I tried to peak in once in a while to check on things and read a little here and there though!!

The last couple of weeks I have been trying to catch up things around the apartment. I hope today I can finish up the rest of that.

I made a huge stockpot of vegetable barley soup a couple of weeks ago and I was able to can 8 pints of that to use for future meals. Tuesday I made a huge pot of an Italian Sausage & Rice dish that I invented and canned 8 pints of that yesterday too. We now have 28 pints of future meals ready to eat counting the 12 pints of chili I made in January. I love seeing the shelves with canned food like that on them. I'm so glad I was finally able to get the parts I needed for my canner so I could get back to canning. It's been way too long since I did any canning but look out now. I will be canning up everything I can find!!!!!

It is really cold out today the temps keep dropping, it's down to 17º now with a 0º wind chill brrrrr. It's been snowing and blowing off and on too. The winds are so strong not much snow is staying on the ground though!!

I just wanted to stop in and let you all know we are ok and I will be back here daily now, God willing.

Take care everyone, I've missed you all so much!!

Hugs and Blessings,
Brenda

Saturday, January 24, 2009

I've got the flu or something!

I'm sorry I haven't been around much lately. I've got the flu, Kevin has it too, and it's hitting us both really hard. I haven't even left the apartment since Jan.5th, it's that bad. Kevin and I haven't had the strength to do much of anything around here, including eating right. We just don't have any appetite, but we are trying to eat just to keep our strength up.

I will be back to catch up my blogs as soon as I feel better!

Miss you all!!

Hugs and Blessings,
Brenda

Monday, January 19, 2009

Another Award!



Karen at has given me the Lemonade Award. Thank you so much, Karen!

This award is passed to bloggers for showing great Attitude and/or Gratitude.

The rules of this award:

1. Put the logo on your blog or post.

2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude!

3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.

4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.

5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award.

And now I get to pass the award on to:

1. Gina-- http://catnapinnprimitives.blogspot.com
2. Lea-- http://farmhouseblessings.blogspot.com
3. Beth-- http://myprimcottage.blogspot.com
4. Sharon-- http://primthymesblog.blogspot.com
5. Tam-- http://yakiddyyakyak.blogspot.com
6. Cora-- http://hiddenrichessecretplaces.blogspot.com
7. Tipper-- http://www.blindpigandtheacorn.com/
8. Ginger-- http://primitivesbythelightofthemoon.blogspot.com
9. Sue-- http://countrypleasures.blogspot.com
10.Susan-- http://foodiefarmgirl.blogspot.com

Saturday, January 17, 2009

12 Pints of Chili !!!!

I was hoping I would at least get 8 pints but had enough for 12 and some left over for supper! I was soooo happy. I haven't canned anything since about 1997 just before mom started taking a turn for the worse. Mom and I canned 50# of potatoes and froze 20dz. ears of corn plus other veggies that we canned then too! Mom wasn't able to do much of anything the next year and I had to keep a close eye on her, darned Alzheimers.

I was a little nervous at first but it all came back to me like I had been canning all along. I was definitely doing the "Happy Dance" . Kevin looked at me like I had lost my mind or something because I was so happy about canning again. I will be able to can up most of our left overs now instead of freezing them. It will help a bunch because I like to make extra so we have meals ready if we need something in a hurry.

We finally got temps above zero again. I know we haven't had it nearly as bad as a lot of you, but these old bones just don't like the cold the way they used to! LOL. I hope you all have been able to keep warm through this cold spell. I'm thankful our electric didn't go out or it would have been really bad here. These apts. heat with electric heat pumps and we have no back up heat. We aren't allowed to have kerosene heaters here....so it would have been candles and oil lamps for light and heat, but we would have made it with Gods help!

I have been trying to read some of your blogs to catch up on what you all have been doing. I hope tomorrow I can just take the day to play on here so I can read and respond to the many things I saw while skimming through messages. I'm so glad to have made so many new friends on here, you all have such interesting lives. I just love you all.

I had better get off here now and get some supper started. Tonight is "movie and popcorn" night!! We both love the older movies!

Have a great evening and see you all tomorrow!

Hugs and Blessings,

Thursday, January 15, 2009

A Good Day to Can Chili !!

Sorry I haven't been around for a few days. I've got that cold/flu bug that everyone else has and it's really been getting me down. Kevin has it too and hasn't felt a bit good either. I know it's bad when I don't even feel like getting on the computer much!

I made a huge pot of chili yesterday...good comfort food! I made plenty extra and I'm going to can that today. I know I will have at least 4 pints and I'm hoping maybe there is enough to make 8 pints, we'll see. I'll let you know later how it went. It's been a while since I have canned anything. I got the parts I needed for my pressure canner a few days ago and put it together yesterday and tried it out and it seems to be working good. I was so happy, I've really missed being able to can up leftovers! I will take pictures if I can find some batteries that have enough charge left in them for the camera!

It is so cold but the good thing is we didn't get as much snow as they predicted. I heard the snow plow last night around 11PM clearing out the streets of the apartment complex. It is done by a private contractor. I wish we had a wood burning stove I so miss that good warm heat. We are all electric here and have a heat pump which does not put out much heat when it is cold. We have to keep 2 electric heaters going 24/7 to make up for what the heat pump doesn't do. I hate to see what the electric bill will be next month!

I'm hoping after I'm finished canning the chili I can get back on here for a while so I can visit all of your blogs and catch up on what you all have been up to. I've missed sharing the good and bad times with you, my friends.

I had better go for now and get ready to mess up the kitchen for a while.
Take care,

Blessings and Hugs,
Brenda

Friday, January 9, 2009

A Sweet Award from a Sweet Friend



I received this award from Tam at Yakiddy Yak Yak

Thank you so much Tam ! You've been such a sweet and supportive friend!

Hugs and Blessings,
Brenda

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Notice for Blog Updates!!

I have added a new section in the right hand column------>>>>>>> over there called:

Updates for Store & Cookbook Blogs.

I will post a little note there whenever I add something new to either of the sites in that section. I have a couple of notes there now .

I hope this helps in letting you know when I've updated something on the other 2 blogs!!

Blessings,
Brenda

Back to Normal ?? ...I hope!!!

I hope things are finally getting back to normal around here! LOL

The tree and decorations are all down and put away for another year.!!
The first of the month bills are all paid!
Groceries for the month are all bought and stored away!!

Now maybe I can get back here and get things caught up. I've tried to check in when I could but it just seemed like I never had much time to post here or anywhere else, I hate that!! I've missed all of you!!!

I hope you all had a nice Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year. We were asleep long before the New Year arrived!! Real party animals here !! LOL There was a time many years ago I had that life style..... but I'm older & wiser now... well at least older!! ;<{

I plan on giving the apartment a good cleaning in the morning, it's not that big so it doesn't really take long and then I hope to do some sewing in the afternoon. I've been going through my patterns and fabric and have gotten all kinds of ideas floating through my mind. I just hope I don't for get what all I have thought about. I've been trying to make a list of things as I think of them so I don't forget!...Now where did I put that list.....???

Oh, just in case you haven't noticed I write like I'm talking directly to you. I hope I don't get you all too confused. I never claimed to be a writer!! I just write things as they come into my mind, boy can that be confusing,,, just ask Kevin, my husband!!

I'm going to try to catch up a few more things here and there on my blogs before finishing up supper...chicken is in the crockpot and I'm going to throw some rice in the rice cooker and it a should all be ready around 5PM if I'm lucky!!

I hope you all have a good evening and I will be around a lot more now I promise!

Hugs and Blessings,
Brenda

Friday, January 2, 2009

Sale Items..CRAFT BOOKS.....

Have been listed on the store blog..
I have listed a bunch of craft books today and will have some cookbooks to list later for sale too.
Take a look if you get a chance, great prices!!
Thanks for looking ,

Hugs,
Brenda

Blog Archive