Boy does time fly!

I cannot believe it is almost the end of August already - we have been busy trying to simplify our lives. Had a yard sale and sold and gave away lots of stuff! My goal was to earn enough dollars to buy a new mattress for our bed, but alas, it was not to be. We had to spend most of it to repair the fridge, but that is okay - I know there is a new bed in my future.

My dear friend Julian is retiring and returning to Great Britian to care for his elderly mother. He has been a wonderful friend and mentor to me through the years and work will not be the same without him. He will be spending his energies taking his Mum on vacation to Cornwall and fixing her home up while spending his free time writing another book. I wish him well...

My Dex is doing great, working too hard, but I cannot stop him. He is going to wring every moment of life while he is here on this earth. I am thankful to GOD for answering all the prayers of family and friends to spare his life. It is wonderful to see him pretty much back to his old self.

I have lots of people on my prayer list - their are lots of needs out there and I am trusting God to bless and provide, heal and give hope to all those I pray for. Although I cannot understand all HE does, I know HE has good reason as he sees and knows all, and I continue to look through the glass darkly until we meet face to face, so in the meantime, I will trust him. He knows best...

Thank you daughter

I love it the new look to my blog! Thank you so much Mishka for all the things you do for me. I appreciate you and I am so happy you are only a hop, skip and a jump away although I know you would rather be elsewhere. I am very excited about taking a little time off to spend with you and your sister and William - I cannot wait to see the "Hobbit House" either! I love my family! They are exciting and interesting, wonderful, generous and intelligent!

My Dad Sept 1, 1911-March 6, 2011 - Elmer Byrd

He is gone now and there is such a void when you walk into my mother's house now. You do not realize how much space we occupy, until someone leaves this earth. It is not the same as when someone goes on a trip, or to the store, it is the eternal gone that makes its mark. I was privileged to witness my Dad's passing on into heaven. He really battled between staying with us and going on. When we told him to go, that we were all going to be okay, he left. I could feel his spirit leave. I know he is no longer in pain, seeing family that have passed before him - he leaves one sister behind and all of the daughters, son-in-laws, grandchildren. I am really going to miss him, but I have great joy knowing I will see him again!

It has been a long time

I have not written for a long time and much has happened since then. There has been much learning going on and I hope I am sending up Sparks of Holiness as that is one of the things I have been learning. My husband is fighting cancer, my dad is fighting dementia and just plain old, old age - he is 99. I am dealing with knowing the end on this earth will be coming for me someday. Growing old gracefully is a fantasy that sounded good to someone and they put it out there. Nothing graceful about it. You have many aches and pains, burdens to bear - they were just a lot easier to do when you were younger - yet the trade off is the stuff you thought was so damned important is not really - and you really stop sweating the small stuff. I feel an urgency to get my act cleaned up, living simply, giving away stuff, giving away some important stuff to the kids now and getting wills and what finances we have in order. There is much comfort in that and then you feel like you can coast a bit, and smell a bit more of the roses. I am working on that, I do not want my kids to have to deal with it. I am trying to be healthy, I am a happy and I truly appreciate every moment here and more importantly, I am not afraid of my next adventure in my coming life - I have Faith and Trust In God.

Things change so quickly

Well this year has been interesting so far. Time is going by faster and faster and in Winter I am always glad - It has been very mild so far and I see this every few years. I still cannot wait until spring arrives though. My birdies will be back and life renews, it is a cycle that never ceases to amaze me. GOD has been good to me and I thank him everyday for my dear family, for keeping them all safe and healthy.
Speaking of health - I have contracted Diabetes. I found it during my annual check-up. So important to have those check-ups. I am lucky and can control it with diet. I am still trying to find my bearings on that. Much of it is managing carbohydrates and portion control, which most Americans need to do. I did find out that if you have family members who have been diabetic that it ups the ante along with certain ethnic groups. Since I am part American Indian along with my English Heritage, I am predisposed. I am not a sweets hound, but I am a carb hound. I have been doing well testing my blood, but I feel like I am always hungry. If I can just get used to that...I will be okay.

It has been awhile

I haven't written much lately - all work all the time, but that is going to change. I have found if I just do a few little things for me - I feel so much better. I am eating better and less, reading, singing and of course playing with my pup. I am hooked on Mahjong and try a play a game or two on my breaks at work and a night when I get home - it really relaxes me and is good for the brain too! My goal is to get financially where I do not have to work full time and I have a 50 hour work week with my commute and it is wear and tear on my body, mind and spirit. Sooo...I keep plugging away at my goals and I know that I will accomplish them soon!

Thanksgiving Thoughts

My favorite holiday is fast approaching. I love this holiday as it is for me, a time of reflection. The changing of the seasons, time with family and friends, reconnection to those who love us, catch-up and feasting together is this season's great gift. This may also be the last Thanksgiving with my step-dad, so I want it to be extra special. My daughter and son-in-law living far away, will be on my mind - they always are, but at this time of year I really miss having them near. My daughter and son-in-law who live near, will be down for the holiday this year together. William will bring his video camera and take some video of Grandpa. That will be very important to us all in the future.

I am extremely grateful for the wonderful family God has surrounded me with. I am thankful I am still employed. I am thankful that I live in the United States of America. She has many things to atone for, but I still love her and am grateful for the opportunites she has provided for me.

I am prayerful for those who do not have the things I do. A warm bed and clothes, family, food or a job. I am prayerful for those who are ill and fighting for their lives. I am prayerful that I will never take for granted all the wonderful things God has provided me with.

I love you my family and my God and my country!

Happy Thanksgiving!