Reflections and Thoughts...

As I am enjoying the quiet of the morning... I began to think of the last 2 weeks. We've both had the flu prior to this past week. Work wise... we've both been busy. DH has had such a busy week this past week that I've tried be quiet and let him sleep as much as possible. I seem to be back on a regular sleep cycle of only needing between 7 and 8 hours of rest.

We've had appointments to keep and extra drive times because of weather. We've also begun to take a hard look at finances and where we can cut back to keep up with the rising costs of everything else. I think we are going to be trying to stretch our food dollars and eat at home much more. It's hard to not want to go out for a meal when I fight fatigue as much as I do... living with the after affects of cancer can be really tough sometimes. Yes... I am cancer free... but the changes a body goes through and the maintenance medications also take it's toll on you, be it in energy to carry on through the day or in a myriad of other ways.

We've decided that we are either going to go back to cleaning the house ourselves or have the cleaning lady only come twice a month. We have projects that we want to do this Spring... but we are wondering if we should do them, given the state of world affairs and how they are affecting each of us directly in the pocket book. We've had some big set-backs in the last 6 months... and we don't have our nest egg anymore. We need to be diligent in saving as much as we can but also be smart in how we spend our money. I know that God does supply our needs... but it's also my responsibility to be wise in my spending habits.

Well.... this has gone in a different direction... but it's out there now. We continue to seek what God would have us to do... and we continue to struggle with being human and having wants and desires. I need to remind myself to be content with what I have... it's more than a lot of people have... and I don't want to worry about having to "keep up with the Jones or the Smiths". We are happy and we love our quiet life... and we take great comfort in knowing that God is a restorative God who loves us.

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

What a Mess!

We have been enjoying  a quiet Sunday. We slept in until almost 9... I walked the dogs and grabbed the paper. We decided on what to do for breakfast... DH cooked some bacon while I made oatmeal along with toast and juice. I read the paper after breakfast and clipped coupons.

Later, I jumped in the shower to get ready to go to the grocery store. I was just going to the local one about a mile or so away. I did my shopping and loaded the groceries into the car. It was a little windy and it's very cold. I got winded and had a hard time catching my breath. I drove home and called DH from the driveway to help me unload the groceries.

He carried it all inside for me and helped me put it away. I was sitting at the small table we have in the kitchen and I had fixed myself a tall cold glass of diet soda because I was soooo very thirsty. DH was still putting things away and I reached for something to hand him... and I knocked my tall, cold glass of diet soda over... spilling it across the table, down the wall, into the heating unit and on to the floor... brown, fizzy soda and ice cubes went everywhere... and I burst into tears in embarrassment and horror of the mess I had just made.

DH calmly comforted me and we both sprung into action. I cleaned what I could and he cleaned the rest. He's my hero... but then anyone who ever read this for long knows that! He works so hard for us... and he loves us all so much... I can't tell you how much he has had to take on lately with this latest health thing... I can't do a whole lot... and he takes up all the slack. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful man. He didn't get mad at me for making such a sticky mess... and yet, he could have. That's such wonderful Sweet Sunday Love!

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

PS... DH said there really wasn't that much soda to clean up... and then he went into the basement, where upon he discovered the rest of my soda had gone through the hole in the floor where the heating pipe goes through to the furnace... and all my soda had landed on the top of the washer and the empty laundry basket that was sitting on it. Ewwww... two messes for him to clean up. (I'm so sorry!)

He Bakes!

I just have to share with you that DH baked gingerbread cookies for me today to take to work tomorrow. We are having a cookie swap... and he knew that I wouldn't have to endurance to roll and cut out cookies. He did it for me... and they turned out perfect and yummy! I sat and frosted and decorated them. And I can't wait to take them in tomorrow!

He's been taking very good care of me... making sure that I don't over do things and being sure that I sit and rest when I feel dizzy and winded. We've had a great weekend, which included taking me to the eye doctor to get my eyes dilated and also pick up my new glasses, we did a little Christmas shopping, and had lunch out. We came home and worked on a few things around here and then went to the little pizza shop down on the highway... it was deserted for a Saturday night, but we had a fabulous pie! And I think I became a fan for life... they sprinkle the entire pie with fresh oregano... and it has such good flavor! Yummmmmmm! I think I gained 2 pounds from all the good food we had this weekend.

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

Tickled Pink!

I am doing something that I have wanted to do since the beginning of Spring... and that is to sit outside at my patio table and blog! DH had bought me a laptop back in February and I have struggled to use it anywhere except sitting in the living room within 6 feet of the router. Today, that is history because we bought a wireless network adapter thingy that gets me online outside!I have 4 times the signal strength in this adapter than I had with my original built-in antenna. I really am thrilled to be sitting outside, in the heat, (really it's only 87... with a strong breeze, rather nice!) and be able to write to the sounds of traffic and lawn mowers! As I sit here... DH has brought me a nice cool drink and has brought his laptop outside to join me. Ahhhhhhhh! Life is Good!

It's amazing how something so small can make such a difference in my life...

Oh, yesterday... I was a total Domestic Goddess and got so much accomplished in the house. Together, DH and I tackled almost all of the chores and laundry, I managed to get several bags ready for Good Will (if I'm repeating myself, I apologize) and I fixed an awesome dinner, making some fabulous Lime Rice to go with Hawaiian Meatballs and a crisp green salad. To say that I was wiped out is an understatement... when I finally made it to bed... I conked out!

We are trying to take it a little easy today after doing so much. We did go to Olive Garden for a lunch date today... still more than a little full from that, so supper will be fairly light and much later on! It's been a wonderful weekend with lots accomplished and lots of laughter along the way as well.

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

To Honor My Mother

Today is Mothers Day... I want to wish all those Mothers out there... blessings, and warmth and love for today. I recently lost my mom... and I was asked by my family to write some memories to share. What is written below is what I sent to be shared... my memories of growing up with my Mom.

Memories of Mom…
Some of my earliest memories of Mom… was that she was very, very busy… always.
She would spend hours with Nana and Auntie or her sisters… or she would be involved with something at church… and I would spend my time at Nana’s or Auntie’s. I have fond memories of stories in the front bedroom at Nana’s and lots of laughter coming from that room when Mom and Titi and Carolyn would get together to have girl talk… and the sunlight streaming across the hallway as we sat outside the door.

Our house on Douglas Street, was actually quite small for a family of 6… there was really only one bedroom and 1 bathroom… the girls were in a converted garage and Brian was out in the sunroom and I was tucked into a cove between the kitchen and the sunroom. Mom had an old singer sewing machine with a wood cabinet and flip-top table. She kept it tucked into a closet just outside the bathroom and across from her bedroom. She would let me play on the sewing machine while everyone else was getting ready, to keep me out of the way. (I got carried away one day and ran the needle across my thumbnail, she took very good care of me, but would only let me play on her machine when Dad wasn’t around.) That was also the house where I discovered that little kids cannot climb on nightstands like stairs… I was only 5 when I tried it… and broke the globe on her bedside lamp. I don’t remember my punishment… but I felt bad about that a very long time.

When I was a little kid… we went to Hollywood to the Pantages Theatre to see a matinee of “The Sound of Music”. It was a really big deal… and it was even more special since she bought us the soundtrack… and she would play that for me on the stereo on Sunday afternoons, so I could dance and sing in the living room. I was around 6 because we lived on Panorama Drive by then. Robbie told me that recently Linda and Preston had played that soundtrack for Mom and that even as she was in her own world… she still kept time to the music and enjoyed it so much. We did a lot of Disney movies, when we got to go… and we loved to watch Walt Disney every week after we all got baths… and she made popcorn and lemonade for us. (That was a special treat!)

When we moved to Mt. Shasta, she found life was quite different than living in So. California. Mom always took pride in how she dressed for church. It was hard for her to be in a small town in the 60’s where Ladies were supposed to wear nylons and she found “gals” who wore bobby socks and housecoats to church. She had a favorite dress that is still one of my favorites of hers… it was a black sleeveless sheath dress with a rolled collar. It had beautiful bright flowers in the print… yellows, pinks and red geraniums with green leaves and a few little bright blue flowers for accent. She had the most amazing enameled pin and clip earrings that went with that dress and black patent pumps. I can still see it hanging on the door of her closet at that house.

Living in Mt. Shasta, she was involved with the youth group and would spend weeks planning for all the kids in the “district” to come for a weekend of playing in the snow. She would cook and make casseroles so that everyone would get fed well while they were staying at our church. She even ended up playing nurse when one of the kids was injured and they stayed at our house. She also worked, very hard, for many of the wealthy people in that little town. She worked for doctors, dentists, publishers and mill owners. She did what ever she needed to do; to provide the things she felt were needed to keep her family together. She always worked hard. She sacrificed for her family… always putting us first.

Earlier memories:
The dining room on Douglas Street… how the chairs were curve-backed and round seated with little pleated skirts and brass nail heads. They were perfect for making forts and playing racecars… Mom would let us drag them into the living room and play on them all day and into the evening. I also remember Thanksgiving there with Nana and Papa and the Aunts and Uncles gathered around her table with candles and her cornucopia filled with plastic fruit, we all loved to take the grapes and squeeze them.

She also let us drag the cushions off the sofa and lay them on the floor so we could tumble on them. She would let us disassemble her living room after dinner and she always put it all back after we went to bed. We never woke up to a messy house. There was also a huge bookcase in the foyer between the living room and the kitchen. There was a Worldbook encyclopedia set that we all used… I loved to spend hours going through the Atlas and looking at the maps.

The kitchen on Douglas Street seemed huge to me… and I loved sitting at the bar to eat dinner but was always afraid the partition that separated the 2 sides would come crashing down. Mom always seemed to have a woodstove in every house we lived in… and that little dining area was no exception. It had a little woodstove in the corner and during the wintertime… it was the only heat for my little nook or Brian’s area on the sun porch. She would stoke it up at night and sometimes it would still have embers left in the morning to heat up the kitchen while she made breakfast.

I remember breakfasts at the little bar… plain omelets on toast, French toast and applesauce or everyone’s favorite… French pancakes with melted butter and sugar. We would get up on New Years morning and she would make waffles while we were still in our jammies watching the rose parade on black and white TV. And one of my most favorite dinners sitting at that bar was her homemade tostadas. She’d fry the tortillas and put the meat and refried beans on them and place them in the oven to stay warm. She’d place a large brown grocery bag on the oven rack to help absorb the oils from the tortillas… I can still see the bottle of La Victoria taco sauce sitting on the bar and remember how good it tasted with the fresh lettuce, tomatoes and cheese served on her lazy susan so it would reach all of us.

Mom loved pretty clothes when she was younger… and she always loved shoes. One of my first memories of playtime was the huge dress-up box she had for us. There weren’t just girl clothes in there, but also police uniforms, cowboy outfits, farmer clothes… she had lots of great stuff. She also gave me a pair of high heels that I wish I still had. They were stiletto style with an open toe and brass nail heads on the sides. They also had fabulous rhinestones and sequins in a floral pattern across the top. I loved those shoes… and would wear them constantly. I was also fascinated with horses because of Robbie’s friend, Joyce. I learned that if you took those shoes and placed them inside golashes and ran up and down on the street, it sounded just like horse’s hooves. I also found out that if you did too many times, you would put holes in the heels of the golashes. Mom never got too mad… she usually was too busy to be mad long and if she grounded you… it also meant she couldn’t do anything either.

She was an amazing woman with many talents… she was a good mother and a fabulous grandmother… she had a way with each grandchild that made them each feel so special… and nothing made her happier than getting to fix them their favorite breakfast while sitting at her round oak table with the little red lantern lit in the middle. She loved to watch movies with them on Friday nights with a huge bowl of popcorn… that popcorn tradition is still carried on through the generations even now.

As the youngest… I did have some time as the only one left at home… and Mom and I were left to our own devices… and I discovered that she could be very funny. We would spend time sitting on my bed talking and suddenly, we would be laughing and not be able to stop. We would just look at each other and crack up, and start all over again. Mom liked to sing and I remember singing in Christmas Musicals with her… and she would bring warm lemonade for us to sooth our voices in rehearsals. She loved to sing. She loved music and she loved to dance.


Even in her later years… she was always a worker. I recently shared with (DH) that my first Christmas at Leather Loft, we had a big break in… I got a call at 12:30 in the morning to go and oversee the clean up. She came down to the store at 3:00am to check on me and bring me “Charlie-dog” to protect me as I waited for the glass crew to finish up. She worked tirelessly at the Love-Inc clothing bank… in the cold… taking Dottie-dog with her to keep her company and be her second set of ears to alert her if someone was nearby. She was so upset when Dottie-dog ate rat poison that she didn’t know was being put down… and rushed her to the vet. She saved my little dogs life. But we all know… she was just doing what she always did… taking care of all of us.



She really didn’t like a lot of fuss… she really enjoyed the simple things in life. She loved ice cream on cold nights. She loved chocolate and Mexican food. She enjoyed a good shopping trip to Goodwill or Salvation Army… always happy with her “good finds”. She loved her kids… she adored her Grandkids… and was thrilled with her Great-Grandkids. She wanted nothing more than to be in a simple little log cabin in the woods with a wood stove, her round oak table and her family to make good, wholesome food for… everyone feeling loved and happy.

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne



I love you, Mom... hope you're having a great time up there with Lizzy's Mom, and Sandy's Mom and Julie's Mom too! I miss you... please come visit in my dreams.

M.I.A.--- Yep, That's Been Me!

It's been two weeks since I last posted... I have been missing in action... well, because... I felt like all I had to write about was my knee surgery, physical therapy and how I am feeling. I figured y'all had to have had enough of that!

My knee is finally doing much better and my kick is starting to come back. Physical Therapy is working... and it's a lot of work that kicks my butt! It pretty much can wipe me out for 2 days after, depending on the "Pain and Torture" inflicted upon me. I still have a ways to go as my vmo is still very weak, my hamstrings are super tight...as are my lateral ligaments. That is cause an issue with my knee cap... it's not tracking in the groove as it is suppose to. I spent 48 hours of this week having my knee cap taped down and to the side. It was uncomfortable, to say the least! I will likely have it done twice a week for the next 2 to 3 weeks.

In other happenings... we are finishing up a nice 4 day weekend. I was quite busy trying to "procure" all the fixings for "The Big Dinner"... but when it came to pulling it all off... I couldn't quite do it and had to have help from DH to get it all going and on the table. He did very well at fixing dinner for us. (I seem to be having symptoms of Congestive Heart Failure again... but haven't reached the drowning stage yet!) I have been tiring very easily, and it feels like all the trips up and down the stairs never seem to end for me lately, with all the trips to the store, walking the dogs, having the roofing guys come last week on Tuesday... and just keeping up with everything.

I think I mentioned on an earlier post, that DH was going out of town for week... that was about 2 weeks ago, so I was literally stretched to my limits by Friday when he came home. I survived, but it did take a toll on me.

Nolli and Punky are doing well... we just did a "debred" session on Nolli's tummy tonight. He still has a wound that won't heal and if we don't keep it clean, it can stink and smell awful! We finished with antiseptic cleaner with a pain reliever in it and then his tye-die t-shirt to keep it dry and clean. Of course that's followed by a "big" favorite treat.

Punky is still working on house training... she does good for the most part. Mostly it's me not getting the "right" idea that she needs out instead of wanting up. (She would rather be up on the bed with me or in my arms than any other thing in life.) We still keep her crated at night, mainly because we are afraid we might hurt her in our sleep if she was on the bed with us. She is also gaining weight and her coat is coming in nicely. She's gotten very round and cute and when she does go out with me... she gets lots of attention because of her charm and cuteness.

So... there you have it... that is what life around here has been about. I also did have a birthday during the weekend, and DH baked me a cake (while I was taking a nap) and took me to see the movie "The Blind Side." We loved it! He also took me to dinner the next evening as well... he did his best to spoil me over the weekend.

I did have a tough day on Thursday... I discovered that my sisters were NOT going to get my Mom for their gathering. I understand that she is becoming fragile and that she is becoming more and more "withdrawn" but, I breaks my heart to know that no one went to see her or had her join them... I have said many times in the past that I wished I could have her with me so that I could take care of her. (I know that it's not even feasible for me to do that now... but still I wish I could.) Needless to say, I was in tears often through out the day.

Ok... I need to sign off for now... and get things done for DH...he's got a long day tomorrow working down in Philly. ... sigh....

Thanks for reading... be blessed... I hope that your Thanksgiving Weekend was wonderful!
~Suzanne

About a Year Ago...

I wrote about going to the Amish Farm Market... and even took a few pics of what we bought! DH and I have been back there a few times this past spring and summer. Today, we decided that I was in need of a little diversion from always going to the doctor or physical therapy and we set off to find some adventure. (Unfortunately we forgot the camera.)

We have a church dinner coming up in a couple of weeks... and we were not familiar with where the event site was... so we set off through the valley to find it. We did... it only took us a few minutes to figure out where the place was... so we were left with the rest of the afternoon... and off to the Poconos we went! We took all state highways, because it's more fun that way. We got to the Market and found lots of good stuff. We bought potatoes, radishes, (DH's favorite) butter, homemade breakfast bread, and some of the best sweet onions ever! Oh... and some whoppie pies, too! It was so good to get some of the last of the season's good stuff. They are only going to be there one more week and then they are done until April. Last year they were open until Christmas, but they said they're done for this year!

We also went to another Flea Market in Blakeslee... but it was a little depressing and quite run down. We just didn't like the 'vibe' around there. I was also getting tired. So... we decided to head to get some grub to eat and we ended up at Dunkin Donuts across the street! We ate lunch in the car and then headed up Rt. 940 east and then cut north. We ended up going across state park lands, passing an army depot along the way. We ended up so high up in elevation, that we were in thick, heavy fog for many miles. It was actually a fun drive. We ended up about 20 miles north of Scranton before hitting an Interstate Freeway to come home. We ended up driving around 120 miles today... munching on donut munch-kins and having a good time looking at the lay of the land as we drove.

Tonite... we are safely home... we've had a good dinner of spaghetti and garlic bread. Everyone is comfy and warm. DH is getting most of his gear together to travel this next week for work. He's headed to New York... and I'm facing my first week alone at home. I'm more than a little nervous that I won't be able to keep up with everything... but I know that if I pace myself and just stick to the basics and keep the dogs happy... I will survive without DH. I only have 2 appointments for the week... so that's a good thing. I just have to remember to get the trash out to the curb on Wednesday and space the dog walking so that I don't get too worn out.

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

The Big Date!

I saw the Orthopaedic surgeon this morning... I really liked him and his nurse Wendy. He looked at my chart... hung up my x-rays... talked about maybe doing some steroid injections... OR... doing total knee replacement. Then, he asked me how soon I wanted to do it... I answered, "soon" and he asked me what I was doing on Wednesday!!!!!

This Wednesday... I am having my left knee replaced. I am scared... but excited to have it done so soon. (His Uncle was going to have a TKR, but his aunt became very ill, so his uncle canceled on him this morning.) So... I get to take Uncle Sonny's place! I will be having a titanium prosthesis implanted, made in France... and it has a 30 year life expectancy or better! He says it's the best thing out there... wow... do I feel lucky. It's also a good thing to get it done quickly... because the next open day was Oct. 21st... and I would fret and stew until then.

So... I am off... to do some grocery shopping and get some stuff done up ahead for DH. I'm going to first start with making ahead a couple weeks worth of sandwiches for his lunch... and figure out what I can throw in the freezer for his dinner that won't kill me to make ahead. I also have to have enough dog food and dog treats on hand as well. I need to have DH stow a bunch of stuff on the porch and we need to clear out all the extra stuff in the bedroom to make it easier for when I come home. I will be in a rehab facility for at least 10 days before I come home though. (That's gonna drive both Nolli and Punky nuts!)

Well... I off in slow cloud to get some stuff done... Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

Sweet Sunday Love

I had a very rough night last night... I went to bed feeling ill... and was up and down during the night. When I finally woke up this morning after getting some sleep, DH had come into the bedroom and told me that I was not going to church this morning. He was very right... I wasn't moving all that well. My legs were hurting and my knees (left) were screaming.

DH did make me breakfast... yummy french toast, pepper bacon and fried eggs. It was so good. And I did share with Nolli-dog. (I cannot not share bacon with him! I did give some to Pumpkin as well.) We went back to bed for a while as I elevated and iced my knee. I brought Pumpkin with us... she's learning how to chill... (just a little, lol!) and we worked on a couple of cross word puzzles. Once we finished, I got showered, and we decided to take a drive.

We went down the country road that I wanted to explore with DH... showed him where I had found one fishing hole... and we made our way home. We drove 60 miles of back roads and made a huge loop around Sugarloaf Mountain. It was so fun... and we discovered a great park as well... one that we will probably go and visit again before the end of Fall... don't think we will hit it before end of Summer.

We stopped and picked up some bread and cheese and salami... and had a great little picnic. It was divine! We enjoyed the sunshine and each other's company... it's all about the simple things to us!

We are now home... and doing a few chores. DH is such a help when it comes to some of the things I use to do alone... he flipped the mattress for me... and vacuumed under and behind the bed. He's going to start a load of laundry for me as well. (He told me that he understands that I cannot do it by myself anymore. That I do need help with some basic chores these days.) I am growing concerned as I had great hopes for this injection series... and it's helped my right knee... but my left knee is still in so much pain and is so stiff that I have trouble walking if it's not braced. The doctor told me that I don't need the brace... but I do so much better with it.

That's pretty much what our day has been... just enjoying the simple things... helping each other, and being a family. That's Sweet Sunday Love!

Thanks for reading.. be blessed!
~Suzanne

Changing Plans

We are having a lazy Sunday morning... we decided to skip church today because it's going to be raining all day. We do have a few things to get done today. We started with getting a few flowers and herbs repotted. I figured it was better to play in the dirt first and then take a shower!

We need to take a trip to Lowes and also a trip to Walmart. Then all we want to do is be lazy! I do have a few things I need to do... like fix my swimsuit for therapy tomorrow. It is one of those styles that has formed bra cups... I hate those. So, I have taken a simple tube bra and replaced it so that it fits more like a maillott suit. Much better! I just need to get it zig-zagged in.

I have a couple of baskets of laundry to put away... and maybe just one load to wash... it seems like it never goes away! I need to straighten up the porch and get some chairs moved up and down from garage to the patio and the porch. I may set up some shelves on the porch to act as a pantry until DH gets the pantry built. DH just came over and informed me that he's going to go to second service this morning... hmmm... I don't think I have enough time to get it together to go... and I was staying home to avoid all the stairs at church. (My left knee and my back are killing me today after all the stuff we did yesterday.) I guess I am going to church...

Thanks for reading...be blessed!
~Suzanne

Sweet Sunday Love

I remembered to take my Ambien last night... I slept so good... 8 1/2 hours! We went to bed early, so I woke up early. I puttered and read and let DH sleep. I got cold and went back to bed... and DH said he was hungry and was going to go have a bowl of cereal. I feel back to sleep... and 30 minutes later, he woke me up to pankcakes! Yummmm! That is Sweet Sunday Love!

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

Sweet Sunday Love...

It's so good to be home! (Can't say that enough!) What a see-saw I've been on... one minute I feel fine and then all of a sudden... outta nowhere, I feel yucky and tired, my back will hurt and I get dizzy. I see the doctor tomorrow to go over my results and see how I am going to manage this new phase of my life.

We got up after the phone rang early this morning and I made breakfast, cleaned the kitchen, took a shower and got ready for church. I was worn out before we left, but I went anyway. It was good to go and hear a good sermon and have great music and see new friends. When we got home, I ate a simple lunch and then went to sleep.... sleeping 3 hours this afternoon. DH is doing his laundry and now we are watching the Andy Griffith Show. I am contemplating what we are having for dinner... there is so much that I want and can't have, being on a fairly restrictive diet. It takes a lot of the fun out of cooking when you can't have all the good and salty things that you like to use, like bbq sauce, Worcestershire sauce, cheese, anything that is canned... you get the idea. How do you make a marinade without using soy sauce?

So... it's been a fairly quiet day here... I did go outside and visit my neighbors... and yes, I was in my nightgown and a cardigan! (If you drove by... so sorry!) Nolli has been stuck by my side like glue, and had to be coaxed to go outside for a potty break. I wished DH a Happy Fathers Day... and he got 2 nice, dreamy knit shirts to wear to church. There have been phone calls to his Dad and from his brother. Tomorrow is also DH's birthday, we shall see what kind of celebration it will be... last year we were in the middle of moving and I had to leave the morning of his birthday, so there was no special dinner and no cake. Not this year... this year, there will be a dinner and a cake... even if I have to order take-out and go to the bakery!

Thanks for reading... Thanks for your prayers and concern for my absence!
Be Blessed!
~Suzanne

A Lovely Sunday!

We are having a wonderful Sunday, here at Sugarloaf Cottage. We slept in until 9 this morning! We were able to have a quick breakfast and get to church by 10:30. (Church is just less than a mile away.) Our service this morning was nice.. we had good music, there was communion and the sermon was very good.

We came home and had a simple lunch of grilled cheese and bread and butter pickles and chips. We both changed into shorts and t-shirts... and we have been in and out all afternoon. The sun has been out for the last hour or so... and we have been sitting outside under the trees with Nolli, enjoying the breezes that are blowing. There is also an Andy Griffith marathon on, and being that we are huge fans... we did stop to watch one or two episodes that we had never seen before.

DH is chatting on the house phone with his younger brother... always an interesting conversation. They are discussing boats and fishing, their jobs and general guy stuff.

We did rent a couple of movies last night... we watched Momma Mia and we loved it! And we also rented "He's Just Not That Into You"... which is Baltimore based... and we loved that as well. It was fun to see different areas of the city that they filmed in, but even better realizing that we don't miss seeing things like the Domino Sugar sign or the Inner Harbor! We are enjoying this weekend... and that for the most part, it's been easy and relaxing... and never long enough!

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

Domestic Bliss...

Yesterday, we took a drive to Briar Creek State Park... it's located out in the middle of nowhere, where most state parks are located! We were told that it was near the "Old Stone Church"... but we missed the sign the first time as it was covered up by a pine tree! It turns out that the park is a man-made lake with an earthen dam at one end. It has several picnic spots, covered pavillions, a great play area at the end, a ball field... and several swinging benches with a fabulous views of the water. We sat on the one in the very center and rocked and talked for over an hour. It was fun to watch the fish jumping and see the ducks swimming and watch the few people fishing from the banks. It was relatively empty for such a nice day.

Today... we went to church this morning... it was nice to go to "an old church building" but have it be so full of spirit and good music. We felt as tho we have found a "low-key version" of our old church. It was good to visit the house of the Lord today.

We are working on fixing the gutters on both sides of the house. The gutter on the southside had completly come apart in one section. DH got up there and nailed it all in and added some screws to hold it. He went back later and adding silcone caulk as well. I did some basic yard work and got things watered. My left knee is killing me... it started hurting on one of my many trips up and down stairs today... by the time I was done... it was swelled and I was yelping as I tried to walk on it. I guess my Hyalgan shot just gave up! Time to baby it and ask for another injection series.

Tomorrow... we are celebrating our first anniversary. DH took the day off... I don't think that we will do much of anything... maybe go back to the lake with picnic if the weather holds!

Thanks for reading... be blessed!
~Suzanne

Home Improvement

We are in the midst of fixing the wall behind the stove... the wall that used to have a huge, ancient stove with a double oven. It was hiding some pretty ghastly wall board and some equally bad paneling. All pieced... and some paint on one side. Not pretty. So... today is the day that DH is fixing it. I can't wait until he is done. We are doing it in stages... just getting the new bead board and trim up today. We are going to add a shelf and some under cabinet lighting... I am looking forward to having the extra lighting. We are also going to be adding a pantry cabinet out on the porch... I am very happy about the plans for that. It will be very helpful to finally have enough room for me to organize supplies... and not lose things because I have to have DH put things away for me and I forget where I stash stuff!

We had torrential rains last night... with big thunder and lightening. DH pulled all my plants in just as the rains hit... so we didn't have any real storm damage. Today... we walked along the stream and looked at the high water marks... it was really high last night and this morning. Our yard guys came today and cut the grass again. They do okay... but could be a little neater and take some care to get the edges better!

DH also got a new phone this weekend. He is so excited about having this phone... it's the one he wanted last year that was sold out. He got the Boulder in Orange... and I love this phone too. I didn't upgrade my device as I can't decide what I want... do I want a Voyager, or a Blackberry... and do I really need to do email from my phone? If I ever do go back to work... I would! Oh... I haven't heard anything back from my interview from last Sunday... but then I didn't think I would, because I am too qualified and money would be the deal breaker. If it's meant to be... than it will happen is how we both feel about it!

My good friend, Rose, added me to her facebook... and asked me to call her! I just got off the phone with her! It was soooo good to catch up with an old friend from church. And she was able to fill me in on things going on... like the fact that my old roommate is actually on boyfriend #8 and is engaged to be married! That's 2 guys in less than a year! And a total of 8 guys in 2 years! (I know, I'm being snarky! "Yay for Shay, he dodged a bullet and didn't know it!") We also got to play in the yard this afternoon with Nolli... he's so good! Our neighbor was walking across our lower backyard with her greyhound... and Nolli started to run after them... but as soon as I commanded him with "no... stop!" ... he did as he was told! I am so pleased that he is such a good listener!

Thanks for reading... be blessed!

~Suzanne

Clean Up Weekend...

It's been a very busy weekend here... we worked on cleaning out the garage yesterday. We did not finish, but did make great headway. Today we worked inside, cleaning out DH's closet. We made it to the end of getting everything out and gone through. It still needs to be repacked and either sent to the basement or put back in the closet.

I have things to switch out from Winter to Spring and Summer. I also need to go through my 40-50 pairs of shoes and decide what needs to stay and what needs to go. Handbags are also on the list to be weeded out. It's always hard to let go of any handbags!

We are also getting things ready for our friends to visit over Memorial Day Weekend. It's always a process for me... I am a perfectionist and want to have everything done just so... even though I know they aren't coming to just see my house, they are coming to see us! I just need to take the pressure off of myself and just let it be... what gets done will be fine... I know and they know that I only have so much energy with all I have been through this past few weeks.

I also had a job interview today... Yes, on Sunday... at 7pm, on Mothers Day! It was for a management position with a fast food restaurant. We shall see if I get offered anything... I've been saying all along that I am so overqualified for most anything that I can't get hired at "XXXX-XXXX" and that might be the case! (It will come down to money, I am certain!)

DH has worked so hard this weekend... and last week was pretty tough on both of us! I made him a great dinner... and he is going to clean up for me! =)

Thanks for reading... be blessed!

~Suzanne

Whirlwind Busy!

We had a very busy day yesterday... I think I spent a good part of my day in the kitchen, preparing things for dinner and for today and the week ahead. I did make some homemade breakfast sausage that is very good and very lean. I may end up making this for us on a regular basis based on how good and easy it is to do!

Today... we started the day with homemade biscuits to go with that homemade sausage. Once I cleaned the kitchen up from breakfast, I made some pico de gallo for dinner tonight. That went along with homemade chips and guacamole and tacos with my homemade refried beans. DH had his with cheese and sour cream... I just had it with the pico and guac... and didn't miss the sour cream or cheese! Yummmmy good!

We also spent time with our neighbors, visiting their friends from England. And we did laundry... and DH cleaned out the back of his truck after a busy week of throwing stuff in and hitting the road from job to job. I went and sat outside in the sun while he straightened things up... it was a delightful time, with Nolli-dog sitting there too!

Tonight after dinner... we are having some family play time... Nolli has decided to take out all of his toys from his toy basket... he hasn't done that in years! So... I'm off to play tug of war with Nolli and his favorite stuff baby named Ruby! It's so dear... and it's sweet Sunday Love!

Thanks for reading... be blessed.

~Suzanne

Sweet Sunday Love

I've written about how DH and I met once before... but a dear reader has asked to know how we met... It's very simple and sweet. We met at church. My good friend and yardsale buddy, Mary had decided to take on a boarder to help make ends meet. She had done it in the past and with electric rates in Maryland taking another 86% jump, she felt that she needed a cushion.

She put the word out with her friends from a few other churches in the area... she was looking for a male boarder. It took about 3 weeks for her to get someone. John had called her and set up a meeting, but didn't make it. He called her again, and rescheduled, but again didn't make it. The third time, she just about turned him down cold, but he explained that he had gotten called out to work both times and didn't have her number with him when it happened. He asked her if he could come over directly then to see the room and talk with her. She told him, ok... come now!

He went to her house, saw the room, and sat and talked with Mary and her husband, Rob... telling them about his job, and how he needed to find a place quickly. He moved in that night. He even had a good deal of his things in his work truck. That was on January 9th. On January 13th, he came to church with her. She introduced us at greeting time... he had a nice smile. I looked like a wreck, I had been crying... my Dad had died the day before and I was grief-stricken.

Mary invited me back to her house after church... she cooks a great breakfast on Sunday morning... we always went to the early service. So... I went to breakfast. We had pancakes and bacon and eggs... she makes great buttermilk pancakes! And we sat across from each other and started to talk. We talked for 3 hours, in between eating, doing dishes, and figuring out what to make for dinner that night. I finally went home... did some stuff around the house and got ready for the week ahead. I do remember that Mary had mentioned coffee house at church the next Saturday... I asked John if would like to go and he said, "Yeah... that sounds like fun." So I made arrangements with him to pick him up on my way.

Mary had given John my phone number... but he misplaced it. So... I asked if I could have his number... she said she'd ask him, and he said it was fine. He had gone out of town for work... and was staying at a hotel somewhere up in PA. I called him on Wednesday night to ask him if he still wanted to go to the coffee house... he was excited about that. So... on Saturday, I stopped at Mary's to pick him up... and we went to the coffee house to enjoy the music. We had a great time, we even danced in the Conga Line! After, we went to the Double T diner for a snack. We talked for a few more hours and realized that we needed to get home to sleep so we could go to church in the morning. I made it to early service... and he was there. I sat next to him... and then went to Mary's for breakfast again. We got "grilled" about coffee house and how the evening went. It was fine... we had a nice time.

Later... over the phone... I learned that John loves theatre... and there was a small theatre company in Annapolis that had a production under way... while I was on the phone with him... I went and booked tickets... We had our first official date scheduled for January 20th! It was no big deal that I did the booking... and we went out to dinner first. John was still feeling uncertain, because he didn't have a lot of money at that point... I told him, "Look, if this is going to work, You're going to have to relax and enjoy the evening... I asked you out... and I have no problem paying... there will be other nights that you can pay for... if this works out."

He relaxed, and enjoyed the evening... which was really a huge interview! We discussed so much over dinner... and while waiting for the play to begin. And it was a magical night... we ended up having the best seats in the house, we had a great dinner, and I brought him back to the house for a quick introduction to Nolli... who barked at him at first and then settled right down. We also had our first kiss that night... and we knew that something special was about to happen... that God was doing a great work. In the days ahead, we would each seek and receive confirmation that we were each whom God had intended for the other.

That's Sweet Sunday Love.... in it's truest sense!

Thanks for reading... be blessed!

~Suzanne

Nolli Update!

It's been a very tiring few days here at the cottage... After the race to the vets office on Friday, we were off to Wilkes-Barre to find a new raised feeding dish. I figured out that Nolli had slid his feeding dish off the mat and hit the corner of the small dresser piece that we use for a microwave stand. It has a very sharp corner on it. It's the only thing low enough to have caused that kind of injury. It's since been padded to protect him by DH.

We did find the perfect dish... at the very last stop on our fast trip... and it was on clearance! It has no square corners, his dishes fit inside... and he loves it!

On Friday night... after getting his drops in for the last time that day... he was still uncomfortable. He has a way of chortling and snortaling to communicate. He could not settle down to go to sleep. So... I took him first on to the sofa with me and gave him 1/2 a baby aspirin. He still wasn't happy there. So... we went out for a walk and then I brought him into the guest room. There, I held him, propped up on pillows and rocked him, blew on his face softly and rubbed his belly. He finally settled down to sleep around 2 am. Later, we moved back to our respective beds, but not before more hugs and kisses and head rubs to settle him down.

I was back up at 6:30 with a charlie horse in my leg... owwwww! That was a rough 45 minutes of walking up and down the hall to help stretch it out with DH helping me and working out the knot in my calf muscle. Once I could relax again... I zonked out for another 2 hours.
We have been working with Nolli together on the eye drops... it's tough on him, cuz he knows it's coming. But he's a trooper and always gets a reward for being so good. This morning... the swelling has gone down considerably, and the redness is still there, but in a smaller area. He slept all of last night and didn't stir out of his bed until 10 this morning. (I love it when he decides to sleep in!) DH walked him and we did eye drops before breakfast and now he's laying in the dark bedroom resting his eyes next to his Ruby toy. We are on the road to healing... Thank you for your continued prayers... those are truly Sweet Sunday Love to us!

Thanks for reading... be blessed!

~Suzanne

Holy Heck!

Why do backaches make me so cranky? I am so not a nice person this morning... everything is getting on my very last nerve! I think I shall go back to bed... try and get warm, and maybe sleep in hopes of waking up to being more myself! Check back with y'all later! Let's hope I'm still married at that point... Ham, the hovering husband is truly a saint!

**** Okay... I'm back! My back is still a little tweaked, but I am upright and a little more sane than I was this morning. Lots of Tylenol and heat on the back have helped. I'm not sure what is going on with my back these days... but I think it's just plain old arthritis that is getting me. I've known that I have it in my spine for many years.. and sometimes if I over do it... it just takes revenge on me! My wonderful DH, Ham, is very patient with me and he was able to help me with some massage for pain management. I am glad that he hovers... even when I protest! So, on that note... I am blessed with a great husband... Ah... Sweet Sunday Love!