Love deeply. Laugh. Cry. Talk to God. Be realistic about the to-do list. Stay in touch. Hug. Dream. Smile. Break Bread often with Family. Spend Time with your Girlfriends. Shop til you Drop! Extend Grace. Be Quick to Forgive and Slow to Anger. Walk. Breathe. Sing. Dance. Read. Eat Chocolate. Savor a Good Glass of Wine. Wiggle your Toes. Sleep well. Life is Good!

Friday, December 30, 2011

Favorite Things Friday!

It's Favorite Things Friday, Y'all!
Welcome to My Other Palette!
Glad you stopped by!

Appropriately!  A favorite thing!  My Granbaby girl, Keller!
Being the end of another year and resolutions looming for many,
I often simply reflect on the past year and celebrate it with joy and thanksgiving. 
Yes!  The good, the bad and the ugly. 
The struggles, the blessings, the differences and the shortcomings. 
These things ultimately make us who we are. 
Or I should say, how we react to these things makes us who we are. 
Be grateful to everyone and for everything. 
It's all crossed our path for a reason.  For reasons we may ever know.  
One of my favorite things to do is pull out my journal for the year passing and read.  

I often follow that reflection with a "Dear God" letter, pouring out my heart,
asking for his guidance and protection and grace and wisdom during the upcoming year. 
He hasn't failed me yet!  But, oh so many times I have failed Him.  I am a work in progress.
 I'm learning to exercise grace towards myself and be more forgiving of myself.
I am also an anal list maker so it would be un-natural for me not to make a list of some kind
of expectations for 2012!  Keeping it simple!  You'll notice a pattern! 

1.  Make my bed every single day
(self-discipline and good start to the morning)

2.  Take my supplements every single day
(self-discipline and keeps my insides functioning)

3.  Get some form of exercise every single day
(self-discipline and strength for getting thru each day)

Sure, there are tons of other things in my life that should probably be on that list,
but, these are the things I struggle with  daily .... others come naturally.


Click to Join  > Friday~Favorite Things!


While reflecting on past journals, I came across a post I copied from my mom's My Space page a few years back.  Mom passed away in 2009, less than a week after my first grandchild was born.

"I can't , for the life of me, understand myself. Why would I try to understand someone else? As I look back over my life I see so much wasted time. Time I could have used in much more useful ways. Ways that would encourage, enlighten or lift up someone else. Maybe just a word or a "God bless you" or an "I love you" would have helped. Too often (and I am guilty) we spend the majority of our time on trying to satisfy our own self wants. What can I get? What do I need? What would make me happy? And nine times out of ten when we get it, it doesn't change anything. We are still in that rut of misery. Still wanting and still searching. My prayer is "God, help me to see things differently than I have in the past. Help me to be what you want me to be. Material things that we struggle to acquire don't mean that much so why do we worry. You said in Your Word that the flowers do not toil and that you are mindful of our every need . Help me to totally put my faith in you and let the desires of my heart be to be more like you. Help me to encourage those I come in contact with, to pray for each and everyone that I meet, and to say, "I love you and God bless you” to all who cross my path. Let me be a vessel that your love pours from , a shoulder to cry on, or just a good listener for those who need someone to talk to. I may not be able to solve problems but I can point them to the problem solver. I may not be able to lift them, but I can show them one whose hand is always extended and has all the strength we need. One who will never fail you, and who will always be there for you through sickness, health, or financial crisis. One who never leaves your side. One who, if you will just stop, be still and quite, relax, you can feel His arms around you and hear His voice of assurance. I thank You for Your love for me and I ask that You help me to show this same type of love to others. Help me realize the real desires of my heart are not material but are spiritual. Something that I can really build a future on."
 
 
May God bless you in the coming year! 
May you be a blessing in the coming year!

Thursday, December 29, 2011

End of the Season Harvest
from the square foot garden experiment!
Looks like a big stir fry for dinner!


My dear husband helped me get out to the garden today -
not an easy task on crutches!
We harvested everything except the collards!
I cannot wait to get out of this boot and get back in the garden!

I soaked up some Vitamin D on the back porch
while looking thru a couple of seed catalogs.
Only a small window of opportunity to catch the sunshine
on the porch this time of year - about 45 minutes!

I'll be back to no-good in no time!!  Just you wait!

Friday, December 23, 2011


Merry Christmas Eve Eve Y'all!

Keller and her
"Cookie Bread Man House"
What a month!  It takes four times as long to accomplish a task
while using a pair of crutches to keep from hitting the floor!
So goes the last few weeks after breaking my foot.

Thank Heaven for Christmas Elves!
If it weren't for them, there would have been no Christmas Tree,
no cookies, no presents, and likely no clean clothes or dishes!

I must admit although the last few weeks have been tough
(not just my foot, but ... well, read the previous post),
my heart is full of grace towards myself for not
accomplishing that mile-long Christmas to-do list.
Many, many ideas were scratched, giving way to fewer,
less stressful endeavors, ideas and dreams. 
Less stress at Christmas.
What a novel idea!

What's on your Wish List this year?
Mine includes:

another fire extinguisher for the house
(precautionary - my neighbors' home burned down this week)

my kitchen knives being sharpened
(I do plan to return to cooking soon!)

a bottle of cod liver oil for my stocking.
(Vitamin D has bottomed out).

My family home for Christmas.
Joy - Laughter - Blessings!

Life is Good.

Be Blessed! and,
Be a Blessing to someone else!



Sunday, December 18, 2011

My God's Grace is Sufficient for Me!
II Corinthians 12:9 


Sorry I've been away.

Broke my foot two weeks ago.
(Several complications with that)

One of my dad's passed away Friday.
(My biological father)

My dear friend/neighbor's house burned
to the ground this morning.
Thank God she's okay.

Another neighbor lost their 20 y/o son.

A long time friend was diagnosed with leukemia.

And a couple of things I'm not privy to share.

The holiday is bearing down on us
with more than enough grace to share!

More later!  I'm still here.




Friday, December 9, 2011


Praise Report!
\o/
()
][

Good News from the orthopaedic doctor!
No surgery right now!
6-8 weeks - no weight bearing on foot.
Weekly x-rays to monitor progress of lisfranc/charcot
 ligament tear  and fractures on top of foot and
5th metatarsal fracture, as well.

Indeed, God's Favor.



Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Semi-Wordless Wednesday


Everyone has a lot on the to-do list during the holiday season!
I've had to push about 80% of mine aside and just go with the flow.
The top of my list is to get well and not further injure my foot.
Tomorrow, we find out what direction the orthopaedic doctor wants to go in.


Thank Heaven for the Christmas Elves who put up my Christmas trees!
Now, I just need Baking Elves, Cooking Elves, Wrapping Elves and Gardening Elves!
My dear husband has the Cleaning Elf and Chauffeur Elf covered!


I've gone from being Caregiver to being cared for. 
It takes a lot of grace towards myself to let go and accept the help.
I have to let go of the attitude "If it is to be, it is up to me" for now.
I know it will all be fine.  This too will pass.  My God's got this one!

While you're browsing, check out the post with our Advent Calendar !
Yep! I got the idea from Pinterest and put my own twist on it!
My daughter rolled it up and took it home so Keller could enjoy it there!

So much for SEMI-Wordless!


Tuesday, December 6, 2011

This too will pass.  I keep telling myself that.  Hobbling around on my gimpy foot.  Had myself a pity party this morning over something as simple as wanting a cup of coffee.  It passed as well.  I managed to make it to the coffee pot.  Pumpkin Spice coffee is brewing.  Getting back to the chair with a cup is yet to be seen!  I retrieved an insulated Starbucks coffee cup from the cabinet.  If the lid proves to be spill proof and the weight of carrying it my pocket doesn't pull my pants down around my ankles and trip me up on these crutches, I will have conquered the return of another "normalcy" in my life.  Ugh.  And today only marks one week.

 

I'm missing my granbaby girl, but I know the situation warranted her going to daycare now.  Jen has kept me posted with pics and phone calls.  I felt a little bit of that "failure" thing this morning (along with the coffee subject).  Wishing I had done more crafty things with her.  Wishing I had taken her to the park or other off-site activities.  That's an issue when you keep a child at home.  That darned to-do list (not to mention the frustrating orthopaedic and fatigue issues).  I quickly snapped out of it when I felt that Jiminy Cricket on my shoulder (yeah I know it wasn't a cricket!) reminding me that she started daycare knowing and recognizing her ABC's and basic colors.  We gardened.  We built Lego towers.  We blew bubbles.  We chased shadows outside.  We went for lunch at The Diner.  We had picnics on the living room floor.  We watched movies.  We learned songs.  We read books.  We colored.  We counted oranges and apples and sorted big and little.  We snuggled.  We bonded. 


I miss the little phrases I heard everyday.  "Gramma, let's build color towers",  "Gramma, put my hula on", "Gramma, let's watch Gullah Gullah Island", "Gramma, I missed you so much", and all the other cute things she says!   But, I know she's in good hands.  We're fortunate there was a position open just when we needed it.  Once the frankenfoot has healed, we can spend some more fun time together again .... soon I hope!

She came by last week to show me her nap mat!

The coffee is done!  I'm gonna hobble in there and see how this works out!  I can do this!  Later!

Monday, December 5, 2011

Advent Season Project

 Advent Season

I created an Advent Calendar for my Granbaby Girl, Keller.  We always had one (a good bit smaller) for our girls as they were growing up.  Sharing bits and pieces of the Christmas Story, along with stories and joys from Christmases past, is a grand way to share the joy of Christmas with a child. 

 I've done similar for shut-ins, although instead of an advent calendar we shared The Twelve Days of Christmas.  Although, in my Southern ignorance, I always thought that was the twelve days before Christmas, not the twelve days after.  And since my first child was born twelve days before, it just seemed appropriate.  Anywho!  For twelve days before Christmas, there was a small package for each day to open up to the big day!  Such joy it brought to our elderly friends and family. 

Moving on ...
 
Clear Shoe Bag turned Advent Calendar!

Each Numbered Pocket Holds a Surprise!
These photos were taken last week in anticipation of greeting each day with a visit to the Advent Calendar.  After I had an opportunity to hang it, Keller would stand looking and tell everyone 'put your hands behind your back and don't touch' only to be caught fingering the ribbons!  She'd then emphatically say 'I just wanted to touch the ribbon, granmom'.  Oh, how I miss that little darlin! 

We had to roll the calendar up and send it home with her.  She'll be attending preschool now instead of knocking on my door every morning.  Odd silence after two and half years of seeing her nearly everyday.  Sad silence if I think about it.  I'm trying not to.  Trying to remain 'joyfully' yeah right occupied.  Me and my Frankenfoot.  I'm determined to focus on the joy of the season and this situation!

I have to share a somewhat blurred photo of the team of Elves that put up the most beautiful Christmas tree in my home!  I returned from the orthopaedic clinic Tuesday evening to such a sweet, unexpected sight of towering twinkling lights and giggling.  A pure Christmas blessing!  Thank you!  Thank you!



Saturday, December 3, 2011


It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!!

Well, the entire year is wonderful if you ask me!
How can it not be when you're surrounded by family and friends?!
Sure, there are hiccups and heartbreaks.  They don't stop in December, folks!

But, the Christmas Season is special, indeed.
Bright, beautiful, colorful, twinkly, sparkly and red!
Those are but a few of the outward signs.
Others would include giving, blessing, loving.

We all get sucked into the vacuum of consumerism ... to some extent.
We all have a giving spirit to help those less fortunate ... to some extent.
This should hopefully be a year round thing - the giving part, that is.
We should share the Spirit of Christmas year round.

Unlike Santa, Christ doesn't arrive for His birthday celebration
and then exit for the next eleven months. 
Likewise, He also isn't "available" only on Sunday,
but every day, every hour, every minute, every second.

Always Present. Always Faithful.  Always Comforting.




Blessings Y'all!
Terri

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Technical Difficulties

Currently AWOL but will return to full-blogging mode in a day or two.  I'm having technical difficulties! Orthopaedic issues to be exact.  Borrowing my daughter's laptop to drop a line to y'all with the short story!

Following some pretty bad pain in my foot for a couple of weeks, I heard a loud "pop" on Tuesday which sent me to the orthopaedic doctor. Stress fracture!  But he also found another, more serious issue.  I have a Charco fracture caused by long term compression neuropathy.  I am not diabetic.  The neuropathy is a result of nerve damage when I lost my grip while moving furniture out of our home following the Katrina flood in 2005. 

I had a CT scan yesterday and will follow up with my doctor again next week after he has a chance to consult with several others about which direction to take.  Needless to say, I was a little freaked out by the diagnosis.  Today we will know what needs to be done to prevent further damage, i.e. bones sliding, causing a total collapse of my foot, resulting in having to use a wheelchair for the rest of my life. Sounds gloomy, huh?

The worse part is that my 2-1/2 year old granbaby girl now has to go to daycare.  That broke my heart.  I've kept her during the day while her parents work .... since she was six weeks old.   Over the last couple of years she came up on the daycare list several times (which is normally a 6-8 month wait).  I always responded 'not yet' because I have been so blessed to be able to spend each day with her, watching her change and learn.  Currently, she wasn't even on the list and, miraculously, when my daughter inquired, there is an opening!
I do know this.....My God is in control!

Blog Archive