Tired of Scratching The Bottom Of The Barrel

I am sick and tired of being sick and tired! But what I am most sick of, is always seeming to be scratching the bottom of the barrel. I hate being broke! I hate not being able to work full-time and to take care of my home the way it needs caring for. I regret majorly, not renting prior to purchasing our home and knowing I would not be able to find full-time work.

I understand healing takes awhile and I get that, but my mortgage company doesn't get it. My creditors don't get it and my doctors really don't get it. It is easy to say things will get better (I know they will) when you aren't sitting in my chair.

What really aggravates me is we can't sell our home because it doesn't have central heat. We can't sell a home with 2 fireplaces for heat because the banks won't loan money on it, so we are stuck in a Catch 22.

If we sell, we probably can't purchase another home because our credit stinks! At this point, we probably couldn't even rent a box!

My mom is dying. No matter what anyone says, I can hear it in her lungs and yet...I can't pay for my son and his wife to fly to see her with the new baby. I can't help my oldest son take a bus trip to see her and I don't have the money for us to see her.

I am not asking anyone for anything, I am just stating the facts and feeling frustrated. Thanks for letting me vent!

Win $50 Worth of EPatterns from You Can Make This

Please, sign up by sending me your best Halloween story between now and October 15th. That is all you have to do to be eligible to win a $50 bundle of Halloween downloadable patterns.

The winning story will be chosen by my 3 grandchildren, so send your funniest or most exciting Halloween story.

One winner will be chosen.

**DO NOT GO TO YOU CAN MAKE THIS, to win you must sign up here:

http://quiltingranny.blogspot.com/2009/10/spooktacular-giveaway-come-one-come-all.html

Have You Ever?

I chose this picture as a way to say: 'the lights are on, but no one is there.' Yep, its been that kind of a day.

First of all, I had a meeting in Olympia before my doctor appointment, so after I dropped the grands off at daycare, I came home to shower and get dressed.

All was going well (I have learned where to sit things so I don't have to bend), I had time to relax and take a nice leisurely drive through the Black Hills where the leaves are changing colors.

So, I grab my planner and my coat, walk out the door, lock it behind him and the minute I pulled it shut...I realized, my keys and wallet were still in the house. So, I walked out to where we have secretly hidden a key & you guessed it, it has been moved.

I walked across the street and borrowed my dear neighbors phone and bless his 90+ year old heart, he drove me to hubbies place of employment where lucky for me, he was in a meeting or he would have been 45 miles away. I came home, got my keys and wallet and headed towards Olympia.

I made my meeting on time without speeding. As I was leaving the parking lot, I headed out towards the doctor and realized I was going the wrong way and had to turn around and head back the other way. I made it to the doctor and when I left, my tanks low alarm sounded.

No problem, I can make it to the gas station and before long I realized I had passed the gas station and you guessed it, I had to turn around and drive back. Lucky for me, my van gets great gas mileage.

So, I come home, grab a bite to eat, call the hospital and talk to my mom and to the social services worker and head out the door to pick up the kids and stop by the store for Spaghetti fixings...I get home and I forgot the hamburger meat.

So, I am dropping things at a record rate for anyone...dropped my keys 4 times in a row last week as if I never even had them in my hand, broke one of my good plates, just dropped it and now, I am forgetting things!

So, I want someone to please tell me I am not loosing my mind and that you have had one of these days!

Spooktacular Giveaway, Come One, Come All...

I have once again been blessed and chosen by You Can Make This.com to offer up you (my wonderful blog readers) a chance to win not $10 worth of free Halloween patterns, not $30 worth of free patterns, but a wondefully generous $50 worth of patterns ( 8 in all) to one lucky winner.

You read it right, I have the wonderful opportunity to choose just one lucky reader to win $50 worth of free Epatterns for Halloween and since it is rapidly approaching, this is going to be a very quick and nitty gritty giveaway. I am going to make this as simple as I can...

Rules:

1. This is open to anyone in the world with access to the internet and has the capability of downloading the free patterns.

2. This contest will run from today, Ocotber 6th and end October 15th at 0900 PST. A winner w

3. You must tell me your funniest Halloween story in 100 words or less and it must be funny, because my 3 grandchildren are going to be the deciding judges.

4. Winner will be announced prior to noon October 15th and the patterns will be sent to you from Courtney over at: You Can Make This, so you must make sure that I have a valid Email address.

No twittering, facebooking, signing up 100 people, no blogging requirements. You can do all this, but you will still only receive one entry. If you feel generous and want to share this with others, you can, but I am not making it mandatory.

The clock is ticking, put on your thinking caps now!

Spooktacular Giveaway, Come One,

News From The Doctor

My mom has the most amazing family physician. He is always willing to call and talk to me and give me the lastest updates. Today, was no exception.

My mom has Sepsis, a serious blood infection caused by an UTI. She was initially admitted to the hospital in Septic shock. As her doctor told me and as I know, it can bring a healthy 25 year old to a screaching halt, but someone with cancer and chemo, it can kill them.

The good news is that after her blood transfusion, she is feeling much better, she told the doctor she isn't willing to give up yet and wants to continue to fight, but she has to be more pro-active in her own care. In other words, if she has to use the bathroom, tell someone, don't wait for hours because she thinks she is a burden.

She needs to get up and move around once in awhile, laying in bed doing nothing in the same spot is causing her skin to break down.

The doctor is discharging her to a nursing home for 1 week to ensure she has her blood tests, etc. but then he is sending her home. I am hoping to be able to get down there in the next week or so and set somethings in place:
-A hospital bed with a pressure mattress to prevent bed sores.
-A home health aide to bathe her
-Meals on Wheels a few days a week giving her husband a break from cooking
-Any other help she needs

This isn't going to be easy, she is already fighting me due to my back surgery and she is so worried about the grandkids seeing her the way she is. They are strong little kids and I truly think for the duration I will be there, they will be a blessing to her.

I am headed for bed, exhausted and have to be in Olympia tomorrow!

Have You Ever...

Unless you are currently in the medical field or have worked in the medical field or been close to someone who is dying, there is an omenous sound towards the end of someones life and it has always been very distinguishable to me as long as I can remember. People who just go to sleep and never wake up, don't have it.

It isn't a wheezing sound like you would get from Asthma or possibly a cold, it is a deep wet sounding rattle or gurgle and while hearing this doesn't tell you when someone is going to die, you can bet that persons life is growing very short.

As many of you know, my mom has cancer and has had trouble off and on with her Chemo treatments. While she breezed through her radiation, the chemo hasn't been as kind. Mom doesn't vomit, but within a day or two she winds up with severe abdominal pain.

She is in the hospital now where she has been for several days. I was told by her husband they keep talking about sending her home and he feels she is getting a bit stronger. I called the hospital and while mom is no longer in ICU, these last round of treatments (blood transfusions, platelets, electrolyte replacement (she had none of her own) and treatment for a UTI, it wasn't what my mom was saying today that I heard, it was what her lungs were telling me long distance over the telephone.

My mom has death rales. I could hear her lungs today crackling and rattling with each word and breath she took. She tells me her husband can no longer care for her so she is going into a nursing home...hell I said! She is worried about my back, but I am worried about the lack of care she would get in an already stretched to the limits nursing home.

I told her I can cook, I can help her with changing dressings, etc. . I am thinking once I get down there, I will look into Hospice for her and I think her husband will accept Hospice if someone is there with him. I have never lost a parent, but I can tell you this, I am not going to loose one in a nursing home.

At this time, things are pretty bleak! Not just for my mom, but for us. Our bills are stacking up, we owe the IRS (less than $600 but it is an owe), I do not know how we will pay for the trip there and right now, I don't care. I just know my mom needs me and I will figure the rest out later!

I cancelled work today and I am waiting to hear from her doctor to let me know what the game plan is. In the meantime, prayers are so needed!

Get Ready For The Next Giveaway

Fall is in the air and with it will be coming a wonderful October giveaway, so make sure you are following my blog and letting others know to follow it.

I have been cleaning out my quilting mess and discovered a few of the books I can honestly say I will not use in this life time. Quilting patterns and one of them is metric, so, I am opening this giveaway to those living in Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom.

So, their may be a book or 2, some fabric in yards or more and a wonderful Christian gift for all those of you who are not ashamed to show your love for Jesus.

The next giveaway begins on October 15th, so make sure you check back on that day for what the items will be, how you can earn extra points and share the news with others.

Even if you have been a winner in the past, you can still sign up for my monthly giveaways!

With the nip of chill in the air, the colorful fabrics that God gives us in the way of nature and the very possibility of snow coming (okay, I am pushing that a bit), I am in a generous mood to share my wonderful finds with my readers!

Not All CEO's Are Bad Eggs...

About two weeks ago, our local newspaper made the stunning announcement that our local community hospital CEO will be leaving at the end of the year. For those of you that live in small communities, having a wonderful hospital as we do is live saving for us.

In the past 2 years that we have been here, I have had wonderful experiences at our local hospital. From leaving at 0200 with the much needed medication dosage for my grands ear infection so they can be dosed and started to heal before the pharmacies open in the mornings. You see, we do not have a 24 hour pharmacy(s) like many larger towns do, so it is important to be on those meds as soon as possible. The CEO brought this about.

When another grand was screaming with tummy pain and we thought she had Appendicitis, the nurses and auxilary personnel, came in and talked to her about how brave she was, they talked to her when explaining procedures, NOT me, they treated her as if she were an adult and to me that meant so much. They gave her a kite when she left and hugs. When she recognized one of her class mates fathers, he took time out of his schedule to come in and sit and talk with her.

When I was the patient, they did everything they could to stabilize my situation before sending me home and it was the physician on duty that brought me a snack knowing I would not be able to eat shortly after leaving the hospital enroute to a larger one.

What is important about this is when we first moved here, so many of the locals had nothing but negative things to say about our local hospital and each time I heard that, I told them how wrong they were, asked when was the last time they were up there and over the last 2 years, the negativity has changed to amazement.

I felt it was important to acknowledge the wonderful changes our CEO at Grays Harbor Community Hospital, John Mitchell has not only done to the hospital and our community, but how his family touched our life. I wrote the following letter to our newspaper:

It has taken me about a week to write this as I didn’t want my emotions to be involved, but I think once you know John Mitchell and his family, saying good-bye is emotional.

Our family moved up here in 2006/2007 and John’s wife and daughter were the first people our grandchildren came to know and love. They fell in love with all of them — dogs included.

Matter of fact, it wasn’t until months later I realized John was the CEO, of Grays Harbor Community Hospital and it wasn’t any of his family who told me.

When we first moved here, so many people had so much negative to tell us about Grays Harbor Community Hospital and with each trip to the emergency room or auxiliary services, I found only smiling, caring and compassionate people.

I was amazed when we left the hospital with medication to get my granddaughter through the night until the local pharmacies opened and realized just how special our hospital is.

Everyone, I have met, who tells me Grays Harbor Community Hospital is bad, I let them know I have never once experienced it and have only had positive experiences.

I believe when John leaves in December I will be able to continue to say that because I believe he will leave a legacy of caring behind him.

When December comes, I know that our family will have to wrap up a bit tighter because the Mitchells will take some of the warmth we feel from their friendship with them.

It is my fervent hope that while the next CEO cannot fill John’s shoes, that he/she continue on in the tradition that John brought and that can only make Grays Harbor Community Hospital shine brighter in the lives of those who remain in Grays Harbor.

When was the last time you had an amazing experience with a business whether it be local, distant, over the telephone or in person and you took the time to sit down, find out where that CEO could be located and wrote them a letter saying thank you?

John's wife Paula would walk their dogs and began stopping by with bubblegum for the kids, she even left some on our front porch table and a note when she went on vacation, she sent them post cards and brought them small stuffed animals which they cherish. We understand that Paula has been extremely busy with family in Colorado and we haven't seen much of her lately, but the kids are always on the look out for her and the dogs.

Friday, we dropped off a card for the Mitchell family and a huge bag of bubblegum not for us, but for the new neighbors they come to know in Colorado and we know that while a hole may be left in our hearts, the Mitchell's will bring love and warmth to their new neighbors.

Reach out today and tell someone what a great job they are doing. Perhaps your local Target store, Macys, grocery store, hospital, nursing home...so many people are trashing everyone, lets do what God wants us to do and bring cheer to people and not disappointment.

Please Join This Apron Swap For A Cure

Shawnee is having a wonderful apron swap over http://sassyflirtyapronswap.blogspot.com/. You make one apron for the swap and a second apron to sell and raise money for the cure for breast cancer or take one of these suggestions from Shawnee:

donate your apron to a local clinic to be given to a woman who needs a smile -or-

• wrap it around a casserole and deliver your apron to someone you know is going through treatment -or-

• auction it off on your website to raise funds to donate toward research -or-

• make it in memory of someone and give it to her family as a cherished keepsake;

There is a registration fee for this one, but it is going to the Susan G. Komen foundation, so have a blast, make an apron or just donate!

Wow! Has It Really Been 28 Years?

Last night (yesterday), Jerry and I celebrated our 28th wedding anniversary. Wow! I loved the card our oldest granddaughter made for us:


'28 years together, who knew you could do it? I did!' It was adorable and a bit funny when you think she is only 8 years old.


But so many people my husband worked with and knew didn't believe we would last 2 weeks and that it would definitely be over within 6 months.

Sometimes, I wonder where these people are and if they are still together with their wives or husbands. How are their lives doing? We are a bit gray now, we have wrinkles, but we have lasted 28 years through all of our ups and downs.


There really isn't any secret to a long marriage, love each other, be kind to each other and have a great friend whose shoulder you can cry on, who will kick you in the behind when you need it and no matter what always be in your corner, right or wrong and try to stick to those wedding vows (for better or worse, in sickness and in health).



When we got up yesterday morning, the 3 grands were up before six and yelling: 'Happy Anniversary!' How wonderful and sweet was that? Our best friend John had sent us an anniversary card and our son and daughter-in-law called.


At our age (that sounds so funny sometimes) and where we live, what do we do? We used to go out to eat and then go dancing and drinking...those days are gone. I can't dance right now and hubby hasn't drank in many years.



A couple we have come close to from church took the kids for several hours and we went to eat at a place called the Rusty Tractor in our area. Let me tell you, the food was amazing, there was plenty to eat and prices were perfect. We are taking the kids back sometime for their Strawberry Shortcake (Strawberry Cow Pie) because we hear it is simply the best!

When we picked the kids up, they had made us cupcakes for our anniversary cake and I think that is just the sweetest thing ever!

When I was getting ready last night, Jerry stated, ' you are wearing the pearls?' Of course I am! In 1985, we were living in navy housing, he was on the U.S.S. Prairie and we were broker than broke but how the kids loved to visit their dad on the ship.


One evening,I went to visit while he had duty and he yells at me across the room (about the size of a gymnasium), 'I need you to hold this for me, it is a very expensive tool and costs around $10,000, don't drop it' and throws this box across the floor at me. Of course I caught it while at the same time wondering if this is such a delicate and expensive tool, why is he throwing it at me?'



Then he told me to open it. Inside was a string of pearls and matching earrings. The box still exists, a bit battered, but those pearls have been worn to every job interview, childs graduation, funerals, anniversaries and been packed to every NASCAR race, camping trip, etc. we have gone to. If I had one thing of our marriage I was told I had to rescue during a fire (I am talking material possessions), I would take my pearls!


You see, even during the darkest times, I could sit and look at these or hold them and remember there were better times in the past and there will be better times in the future.

And yes, hubby in this picture is looking at my chest...now, I can't beat that after 28 years when so many men go looking for surgical boobs and younger women!

September Giveaway Winners...

For all of you who signed up for the giveaway, blogged about it, twittered and facebooked it and are following me, thank you all!

I think I like the shorter giveaways better, so about 15 days for sign ups and then the drawing, so...keep a look out for Octobers giveaway that will begin on October 15th and end October 30th.

Those winners for September are:

1- Spamgirl is the lucky recipient of the lighted needle threader.

2-SewCalGal is the winner of the fall fabric scraps

3- Val, over at Yarni Gras won the flannel fabric squares.

Congratulations to all of you and you should be receiving an Email shortly.

For those who really liked the idea of the lighted needle threader...I will give you a hint for this months, it will also have a light...so keep watching, keep leaving me comments and thank each and everyone of you for being so great!