NOSTALGIA EPISODE ONE

 AS I HAVE SAID, NOSTALGIA IS MY WORD FOR 2025.

COME ALONG WITH ME ON THIS MAGICAL RIDE

OF THINGS THAT WILL BRING YOU BACK TO ANOTHER

TIME IN YOUR LIFE.

TODAY'S INSPIRATIONS STARTED WITH A READ ON "REDDIT"

SPEAKING OF A SERIES OF BIBLE BOOKS  FROM THE 60'S.

YEST, THESE BLUE BOOKS FOUND IN MOST 

DOCTOR AND DENTIST OFFICES IF YOU ARE A 

CHILD OF THE 60'S/70'S.

I SPENT A LOT OF MY CHILDHOOD IN HOSPITALS AND DOCTORS OFFICES

HAVING HAD CHILDHOOD CANCER.

THE FIRST BOOK OF THIS SERIES WAS IN SO MANY OF THEM

I REMEMBER GETTING REALLY HAPPY WHEN I SAW 

EITHER THIS OR A HIGHLIGHTS MAGAZINE AWAITING ME.

I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A PATIENT WAITER PROBABLY

BECAUSE I SPENT A LOT OF TIME WAITING TO SEE A DOCTOR

BACK IN MY DAY AND I LOVED TO READ.

HAVING THESE BOOKS HAD ME ENTRANCED FROM THE

STORIES BUT MOSTLY BECAUSE OF THE BEAUTIFUL ILLUSTRATIONS.

THIS MORNING I DID A  LITTLE RESEARCH ON THESE BOOKS...

WHY WERE THEY ALWAYS IN A DOCTORS OFFICE...

THIS BOOK WAS ONE OF A TEN PART SERIES

OF HARD COVER BOOKS WRITTEN BY ARTHUR MAXWELL.

THE BIBLE STORY WAS A KING JAMES VERSION OF

THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE.

THEY WERE PUBLISHED FROM 1953 AND 1957.

HE SPENT OVER 7 YEARS WRITING THESE BOOKS.

INTERESTING RIGHT?

BUT WHY WERE THEY IN ALL THE MEDICAL OFFICES IN MY DAY?

BACK THEN I THOUGHT IT WAS MAYBE TO PREPARE THOSE

WHO MAY NOT MAKE IT OUT OF THEIR ILLNESS.

I KNOW, A TAD MORBID BUT THIS MORNING WHEN I 

REMEMBERED THESE BOOKS I ALSO REMEMBERED THAT FEELING

OF HOW BEAUTIFUL HEAVEN WAS AND DYING BECAME 

JUST A LITTLE LESS SCARY.

HOWEVER MR. MAXWELL WAS A SMART MAN.

BACK BEFORE INTERNET AND AMAZON, 

SHOOT EVEN BEFORE BOOK STORES WERE POPULAR

IT WAS HARD TO SELL THINGS.

MR. MAXWELL DECIDED THAT HE WOULD SEND A FREE COPY

TO ANY DOCTOR OF DENTIST OFFICES THAT WOULD ALLOW.

IN THE FRONT AND BACK OF EVERY BOOK WAS 

THE MAIL IN CARD TO TAKE HOME SO YOUR PARENTS

COULD BUY YOU ONE OF THESE BEAUTIFUL BOOKS FOR YOUR 

OWN COFFEE TABLE.

I REMEMBER THE POSTCARDS BECAUSE I REMEMBER TEARING

MORE THAN A FEW TO BRING HOME IN HOPES

THAT MAYBE I, TOO COULD HAVE THE BEAUTIFUL 

ILLUSTRATIONS THAT LOOKED SO MUCH HOW I PICTURED

HEAVEN TO BE.

I GREW UP CATHOLIC AND ALTHOUGH WE HAD A BIBLE IN THE HOME,

WE NEVER READ OUT OF IT.

WE LEARNED OUR BIBLE THROUGH MASS AND BELIEVED

IT WAS TAKEN RIGHT OUT OF THE BIBLE.

FOR ME, THESE STORIES BECAME THE CHILD VERSION OF

WHAT THE BIG BOOK SAID.

NOT ONLY WAS MAXWELL A WONDERFUL AUTHOR 

BUT I PROBABLY LEARNED MANY OF MY BIBLE STORIES 

FROM SITTING IN SO MANY DOCTORS OFFICES.

I NEVER DID GET MY PARENTS TO AGREE TO FILL OUT THE POSTCARD

BUT THIS AM, THE MEMORY OF

THESE BEAUTIFUL BOOKS HAS BROUGHT ME BACK TO 

A BURIED MEMORY.

WELL DONE, MR. MAXWELL, WELL DONE!

MUMSIE'S COTTAGE UPDATE

 MUMSIE'S COTTAGE, IE, ME

HAS TAKEN A BREAK.

DUE TO MEDICAL ISSUES,

FAMILY NEEDS, AND LIFE EVENTS,

I HAVE TAKEN A BREAK FROM PAINTING.

HOWEVER, JUST AFTER THE NEW YEAR

I WILL BE BACK FULL FORCE INTO PAINTING,

WHAT I LOVE TO DO.

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL OF YOU 

WHO ARE AWAITING WORK FROM ME

FOR YOU ALL'S PATIENCE AND UNDERSTANDING 

OF THIS MUCH NEEDED BREAK.

TO THOSE OF YOU WHO I HAVE STARTED A PIECE FOR 

BUT HAVE NOT YET COMPLETED, 

I AM IN SOME FORM OF FINISHING YOUR PIECE AND

HOPE THAT ALL THESE PIECES WILL BE FINISHED 

WITHIN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

2025 WILL BE A YEAR OF MUCH PAINTING

BUT I AM ALSO FOCUSING ON FAMILY AND FRIENDS,

MANY 'VEY-YAY' VISITS.

I KNOW MANY OF YOU HAVE HAD YOUR NAME ON MY "LIST"

FOR SOME TIME AND WHILE THERE IS NO OBLIGATION

IF YOU CHANGE YOUR MIND I ALSO 

CAN'T USUALLY GIVE A TIME FRAME ON WHEN I WILL

START OR FINISH.

I AM RETIRED FROM NURSING AND ALTHOUGH

I AM SO  PRIVILAGED AND HONORED TO HAVE 

ALL OF YOU WHO FOLLOW MY WORK,

MY MAIN PRIORITY REMAINS

MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

WITH THAT BEING SAID,

I CAN'T EVEN BEGIN TO EXPLAIN WHAT A GIFT

I HAVE BEEN GIVEN THROUGH MY PAINTINGS.

WHETHER IT BE NEW FRIENDS WHO ARE INVITED

TO SIT AROUND MY DINING TABLE

OR OLD FRIENDS WHO COME BACK INTO MY LIFE BECAUSE OF MY WORK,

I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR IT ALL.

THE GRANDGIRLS ARE GROWING RAPIDLY,

ALL DEVELOPING INTO BEAUTIFUL TEEN AND PRE-TEENAGERS

AND I KNOW MY TIME WITH THEM IS GETTING SHORTER

WITH EVERY DAY,

MY MAIN GOAL IN THEIR LIFE IS ALSO MY WORD OF THE YEAR:

NOSTALGIA...

I WANT THEM, AS ADULTS, WHEN THEY THINK

"MUMSIE'S COTTAGE"

ALL THE MEMORIES AND DISCUSSIONS WE HAVE HAD HERE

GIVES THEM THE NOSTALGIC FEELING OF HOME AND MUMSIE.

 I CONTINUE TO MAKE MEMORIES WITH THEM

AND THEY WILL ALWAYS BE THE PRIORITY.

SO IF A PARTY, A MASS, A SICK DAY, OR JUST

NEEDING SOME MUMSIE TLC COMES ABOUT,

YOU CAN BET I AM GOING TO CANCEL PAINTING THAT DAY.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL.

I LOOK FORWARD TO THIS YEAR OF 2025.

MAY YOU ALL BE BLESSED WITH THE LOVE OF FAMILY 

AND FRIENDS, BECAUSE ISN'T THAT REALLY

WHAT BRINGS US THE MOST JOY.

SAYING GOODBYE TO OUR MOO, HER MOO

I FEEL LILKE I HAVE SAID THIS WAY TOO MANY TIMES

IN THE LAST FEW YEARS...

"MY MOMMA ALWAYS SAID HARDEST PART OF GROWING

OLD WAS HAVING TO WATCH ALL THOSE YOU LOVE DIE"

 I REALLY DIDN'T THINK OF IT MUCH WHILE SHE WAS AGING.

IT BECAME REALITY FOR ME AFTER MY SISTER, SIMONE DIED.

WITH THAT BEING SAID, COMES THE BLOG I WISH I WOULD 

NEVER HAVE HAD TO WRITE.

DECEMBER 26TH, 2024 WILL BE ONE THAT WILL FOREVER

BE CHANGED IN MY AND SO MANY OTHERS LIVES.

THE MORNING STARTED OFF LIKE MOST OTHER

MORNINGS, THE BESTIES, LAURIE AND ANN AND I TEXTING.

ANN'S HUBBY MOODY HAD JUST HAD SHOULDER SURGERY 

THE DAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS AND WE WERE CHECKING ON EACH OTHER.

AFTER GETTING THE ALL CLEAR THAT MOO HAD A GOOD NIGHT

WITH LITTLE PAIN, WE BEGAN OUR DAY.

HOURS LATER WE GET THE CALL THAT HAS CHANGED ANN'S LIFE;

MOODY PASSED AWAY ON THATVERY, THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS.

WE, US BESTIES, HAVING BEEN FRIENDS SINCE SECOND GRADE

HAVE BEEN THROUGH A LOT TOGETHER.

MARRIAGES, BABIES, HEART ACHE, DEATH OF PARENTS,

LOSS OF CHILDREN...

BUT NOTHING CAN PREPARE US FOR ONE OF OUR BESTIES

BIGGEST HEART ACHE, THE DEATH OF HER SPOUSE.

MOODY BECAME PART OF OUR WORLD WHEN WE WERE YOUJNG ADULTS.

I HAD JUST BEGAN MY NURSING CAREER, AND RONNIE (EXHUBBY)

WAS JUST DISCHARGED FROM THE ARMY AND HAD

BEGAN WORKING WITH "THIS NAVY GUY FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE"

LAURIE WAS ALREADY MARRIED, RONNIE AND I WERE

LIVING TOGETHER SO IT MADE PERFECT SENSE THAT

THESE TWO SINGLE PEOPLE SHOULD MEET.

FROM THAT VERY FIRST DATE, IT BECAME

'ANN AND MOO"

THELY WERE A SOLID COUPLE AND MARRIED QUICKLY AFTER.

MOO WAS ALWAYS SUCH A HANDSOME FELLOW AND

REMAINED THAT WAY FOREVER.

HE WAS A MAN OF FEW WORDS BUT WHEN HE SPOKE,

YOU CAN BET IT WAS GOING TO MAKE YOU LAUGH.

WE ALL BEGAN RAISING OUR CHILDREN, 

MY RODDIE AND THEIR RUSS BECAME CHILDHOOD FRIENDS

AND IF ONE OF THEIR CHILDREN WERE THERE, YOU CAN BET

MOODY WAS GOING TO BE THERE TOO.

HE LOVED NOT ONLY HIS FAMILY BUT HIS EXTENDED

FAMILY HE FOUND IN ANN'S BIG FAMILY.

HE WAS A MAN OF HONOR, A MAN WHO LOVED OUR BESTIE 

LIKE NO ONE ELSE COULD.

HOW DO YOU COMFORT A FRIEND WHO HAS UNEXPECTEDLY BECOME A WIDOWER?

I AM NOT SURE HOW, BUT WE WILL.

THE THREE OF US, ANN, LAURIE AND MYSELF

HAVE BEEN THROUGH A LOT TOGETHER AND THAT WILL NOT CHANGE.

OUR LIVES GOING FORWARD HAS CHANGED AND

LIKE MY MOMMA TRIED TO TELL US,

THIS IS BY FAR THE HARDEST PART OF GROWING OLDER.

I WILL USE THIS TIME AS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE WORDS OF ADVICE.

MAKE AMENDS... WHETHER YOU ARE RIGHT OR WRONG, MAKE AMENDS.

DON'T LET ANYTHING COME BETWEEN THOSE YOU LOVE.

AS DR. PHIL ALWAYS SAYS,

"DO YOU WANT TO BE RIGHT OR DO YOU WANT TO BE HAPPY?"

CHOOSE HAPPY...

DON'T LET ONE DAY GO BY THAT YOU HAVE AN ENEMY.

WHETHER THEY ACCEPT IT OR NOT, FORGIVE AND MAKE AMENDS

FOR YOURSELF. I PROMISE YOU WILL FEEL BETTER AND SLEEP EVEN BETTER.

MAKE THE VISITS AND TREAT EACH ON AS IF IT MAY BE YOUR LAST.

US BESTIES GOT TOGETHER AT ANN AND MOODY'S HOME ON 12/23.

WE KNEW MOO WOULD HAVE SURGERY ON CHRISTMAS EVE

AND WE FELT THE NEED TO GET TOGETHER BEFORE CHRISTMAS.

WHILE THERE, WE ATE, PLAYED GAMES, HAD COFFEE, ATE.

(WE EAT A LOT)

THROUGH IT ALL, OUR MOO WAS IN THE BACKGROUND

COMING TO CHECK ON US EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE.

NEVER DID ANY OF US THINK IT WOULD BE OUR LAST TIME

TOGETHER LIKE THAT.

LOVE YOUR FAMILY, LOVE YOUR FRIENDS,

LET 2025 BE THE YEAR FOR REKINDLING FRIENDSHIPS

AND PLEASE, SAY SOME PRAYERS FOR OUR DEAR

BESTIE, ANN AND HER BOYS AND FAMILY.

WE MAY NOT UNDERSTAND THE REASONS WHY THINGS HAPPEN

BUT I  CHOOSE TO BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE BETTER THINGS

FOR US ALL AFTER THIS LIFE.

WE WILL MOURN AND BE SAD BUT WE KNOW,

WHATEVER AWAITS FOR US AFTER THIS LIFE,

MOO WILL BE THERE AWAITING US.

TILL WE MEET AGAIN MY FRIEND,

WATCH OVER US ALL.

CHRISTMAS 2024

 Perhaps you are like me this year,

wondering how we have already come to Christmas.

It is said as you get older, time goes by quicker.

With that being said, I must be getting older as this year

has come and gone in record time.

Although the weather was not up to par yesterday,

It was a great Christmas day.

Jes and Del came spend the night and 

we visited with Roddie, Kd and the grandgirls in the morning.

We were able to visit across the street where my 

dear friend, Nina and her daughter played Christmas music

on their Cello and Violin. 

A Christmas concert to remember.

Jes and Del cooked a most untraditional meal,

Pork steaks, roasted potatoes and green beans.

It was delicious as everything they cook usually is.

In the afternoon we walked over to another friend, Rita's home

to visit with her family.

Her son, Brian and I have also become friends and I was finally able

to meet his wife and son in person even though I feel like

i have known them forever through conversations with Rita and Brian

and the almighty Facebook.

Then I did something I rarely do....

I took a nap.....

Yes, a nap.

It was such a wonderful laid back Christmas.

Goodbye 2024, its been a good one....

BESTIES THROUGH THE YEARS

IF YOU HAVE BESTIES,

YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN A GIFT.

MY BESTIES: LAURIE, ANN AND I HAVE

BEEN THAT SINCE SECOND GRADE.

HERE WE ARE IN 4TH GRADE BEING TAUGHT BY 

MY SWEET AUNT.

ANN, 4TH BOTTOM ROW, LAURIE AND I BY EACH OTHER

RIGHT NEAR AUNT TIM.

OUR FRIENDSHIP HAS GONE THROUGH 

WAXES AND WANES YET NEVER OUT 

EACH OTHERS LIVES.

FROM OUR SENIOR TRIP TO DISNEY AND OUR

MANY GATHERINGS SINCE, THEY HAVE REMAINED

TWO OF THE CONSTANTS IN MY LIFE.

AS THE PHOTOS SHOW, WE ARE ALL GETTING OLDER

BUT OUR FRIENDSHIP IS STRONGER BECAUSE OF IT.

WE THREE HAVE A RELATIONSHIP

THAT WE CAN BE HONEST WITH EACH OTHER

AND EVEN THOUGH WE DON'T ALWAYS AGREE

WE KNOW ALL OUR WORDS ARE COMING FROM A PLACE OF LOVE.

FOR THAT REASON WE CAN DO THE 

WHOLE TOUGH LOVE THING WHEN ITS NEEDED

AND STILL BE BESTIES IN THE END.

AS WE AGE, WE ARE FACED WITH DIFFERENT CHALLENGES.

MEDICAL FOR OURSELVES, DECLINING HEALTH WITH 

SPOUSES, CARING FOR OUR ADULT CHILDREN,

RELATIONSHIP ISSUES WITH OUR GRANDS AND GREATS...

GOOD TIMES AND BAD WE ARE

AND ALWAYS WILL BE THERE FOR EACH OTHER.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND THE BEST OF NEW YEARS

TO YOU TWO.

MAY 2025 HAVE US SPENDING MUCH MORE TIME TOGETHER.

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ALLI!

 TODAY IS MY DEAR FRIEND, ALLI'S BIRTHDAY.

Sixty years ago, the gem of a friend was born 

and what an honor it has been to call her my friend.

We have known each other for most of our lives,

but really became friends over 35 years ago as young 

adults learning what "grown up" meant.

If you can call Alli friend,

it means that forever she will be there for you.

Not a Christmas or my Birthday passes that Alli does not 

only remember but celebrates.

Yet, it is not this that makes her so special to many,

it is her undying faith that if she calls you friend,

she will be there for you..... ALWAYS.

What Alli does for her aging friends is by far

one of her very best traits.

Every week, she not only visits an elderly couple 

in their home but helps one of them shower,

something he had not done in over a year before

Alli began helping them. He was just so afraid to fall

that he had succumbed to being washed up.

I could go into detail as to how she got him to trust her

but it was not just putting him in the shower but a series

of visits to show him how he could do it before the water

was ever turned on.

Her finest gift she has given to the world was her son, Rick.

As a single parent who sometimes worked three jobs

to give him the things he needed he now gives back

to our Country in the form of being a Navy man.

His dedication to his group is just as solid as his Mom's.

I was privileged to travel to Virginia with her and Bryan

to watch my godson, her Rick come home from 11 months of deployment

and to hear those who deployed with him honor him

lets me know he is so much like his Mom, a giver.

Alli had many rough years but I can't remember her ever complaining.

Then she met Bryan and her life changed as he has given

her a life she has always deserved. He has given her security 

financially and in ways that she has deserved for many years.

She just never stops giving.

Whether it be from traveling with her sister-in-laws as they battle 

health issues to cooking for her sweet Bryan she is always thinking of others.

She recently lost her brother who was only 11 months older than her.

Not only did she cook to make sure he always had food

but she managed to get him a safe place to live. Ever since he had

brain surgery many years ago, she had been his caregiver always with him

in his hospital stays and was there when he took his last breath.

It has been a loss for her that has shook her world.

However, even in his death she found ways to give to others 

in honor of his life.

To call Alli a friend is an honor to me.

I know that no matter what the circumstance, if I need her, she will be there.

Happy Birthday my dear friend!

 You deserve the very best in this World.

WORD OF THE YEAR

 It's that time once again

where I choose a word to be my word for the year.

I have been thinking a lot about the best word for 2025

and have decided on:

NOSTALGIA/NOSTALGIC

Webster's gives the definition:

thinking fondly of a past time or condition.

I came to this word a week ago when 

watching a short video of my Momma singing to Jilly

when she was a baby.

If I could tell my younger self something it would be

to listen to the stories of your elders, document them.

I was 20 when my Daddy died and there is so much

I don't remember. Mom lived to be 92 and 

although I have great memories, I still wish I had 

taken more photos, more videos.

Therefore my goal of this year is not only to document

 things of my past but to also put into words parts of

myself so that my children and grand girls will have 

a place to go for memories once I am gone.

It is a big reason why I have restarted my blog.

Although I journal a lot and always have,

in the world of technology my grandgirls will likely

come to the internet after I am gone to read my words.

OTHER THINGS I AM FOCUSING ON THIS YEAR:

MORE SLEEP

MORE MUSIC

MORE VISITS

MORE BOOKS

MORE CREATING

MORE WALKS

MORE ORGANIZATION

MORE LAUGHTER

MORE HUGS

MORE DREAMING

MORE FUN

MORE LOVE...

Thanks for joining me on this year adventure

where I rediscover the past and document for the future.

Many years ago, 2005 to be exact

I found myself in a school meeting to discuss

allowing a 3 year old physically challenged child into PreK.

The teachers were hesitant, she needed so much

 medical intervention that would be required daily.

We had not met this child yet and only knew 

of her through her Mother and Grandmother.

When it became my turn to speak I shared that had

someone not let me into school because of my childhood diagnosis

I would not be in the nursing position I am today.

It was agreed that she would begin school.

Oh what an impact Bailey Breaux and I had on each other.

this beautiful child entered our school and my heart on the very same day.

Twenty years later we are still close and important to each other.

Bailey was the recipient of a small bowel/liver transplant before the age of one.

Her life expectancy was unknown at that time and we 

bonded over the fact that my life was not promised either when I was a child.

Every day as I helped her with her medical needs I also shared

tidbits of my childhood with her. At Christmas I taught her songs

that she still sings to this day.

Now my Bailey is an adult and our relationship has changed to one of friendship.

At the age of 23, she is a para in a school helping other children.

She never forgets the young child whose parents gave her the gift of life.

Bailey has become an adult I admire for all she is and does.

I could go on and on forever about our relationship as it is that special.

However, It is the relationship she is sharing with her boyfriend that I want

to end this blog with.

Love has come into my B's life...

in the form of a young red headed man who is just as sweet as Bailey.

Although it is not her first relationship, it is the one that 

I believe, will last forever.

Kyle has shown Bailey what trust and love in a relationship looks like.

To see them together warms my heart to believing true love does exist.

Kyle not only tells Bailey how much he loves her in words,

but in his actions. Soon they are going to take the next step

in their relationship, having found an apartment for them to share.

Just like growing up was not a guarantee for her,

love was not either. Yet no one deserves this type of love more than Bailey.

As I watch their future plan out I am in awe of them both.

Makes me so very proud to be part of their lives, 

to see them together is to believe in true love again.

To my Bailey:

Go out into this big world and continue to move mountains

with Kyle by your side. Continue to shine bright as you always have

knowing I am here for you forever.

Kyle, thank you for loving Bailey in a way she deserves,

showering her with all the attention.

I have no doubt you two are going far! 

Love you both!

 

STAY HOME AND MAKE SOMETHING

I remember my Momma saying,

"In my day" and "when I was young"

I am sure I did what most children of today would do hearing

those words..... roll their eyes.

I never thought I would become "one of those"

and yet here I am comparing my childhood with those 

of my children and Grandgirls

Each year I host a party for the grand girls and their friends at the Cottage.

Some things do not change.

I read the Cajun Night Before Christmas

in my best Cajun voice, bingo, and a game to exchange gifts.

What does change every year is the craft we work on.

One year it was painting, another scrapbooking

and last year, being in our 'TSWIFT' era,

we made friendship bracelets.

This year I wanted to bring back something from my childhood.

Something that they have never seen before and with curiosity,

much like when they see a rotary phone, 

will have no clue what it is.

My heart went all the way back to the 70's when 

potholders were made at recreation to be gifted to our homes.

Yes, an old fashioned, loom potholder.

This year, 12 little girls will put away their electronic devices,

sit in the library and learn to make a potholder.

Each will go home with their own kit and share

with their families the stories us "elders" 

will tell them as we teach the skill of making potholders...

and yet again a piece of my generation will be taught to another

in hopes that one day, with their own little children,

they will 

STAY HOME AND MAKE SOMETHING.

A TIME FOR REFLECTION

YESTERDAY I BEGAN PREPARING FOR MY LAST

COFFEE GATHERING OF THE YEAR,

WHICH HAS BEEN LOVING LINKED TO THE CAJUN PHRASE:

"LET'S MAKE THE 'VEY-YAY"

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DON'T KNOW THE SLANG,

IT PRETTY MUCH MEANS SIT AROUND 

AND BULLSHIT.

I BEGAN HAVING GATHERINGS AROUND MY DINING TABLE

ABOUT 9 YEARS AGO, RIGHT ABOUT THE TIME

I MOVED INTO THE COTTAGE.

SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD MANY OLD AND NEW FRIENDS.

SOMETHING HAPPENS IN YOUR SOUL 

WHEN PREPARING TO GATHER IN YOUR HOME.

AS I STRAIGHTENED UP, I BEGAN 

TO SEE THE COTTAGE THROUGH VISITORS EYES.

THE OLD PHOTOS ON THE WALL 

THAT HAVE ONLY BECAME FAMILY TO ME

SINCE I PICKED THEM UP ANTIQUE STORES

AND CALLED THEM MINE.

I AM REMINDED OF EVERYTHING IN HERE

THAT HAS BEEN LOVINGLY PLACED IN AN AREA

TO GIVE COMFORT AND PEACE.

CHALK BOARDS THAT ARE WRITTEN ON,

CHINA THAT IS NOT ONLY FOR SHOW BUT TO BE USED.

IT REMINDED ME OF JUST HOW FORTUNATE I AM

TO HAVE SUCH A BEAUTIFUL COTTAGE

THAT I HOPE BRINGS WARMTH AND HAPPINESS TO OTHERS

AS IT DOES TO ME AND MY FAMILY.

AS YOU PREPARE ON THE LAST DAYS OF

THIS YEAR OF 2024 LOOK AROUND YOU.

SEE NOT ONLY THE TANGIBLE THINGS THAT SURROUND 

YOU DAILY  BUT THE TALKS, TEXTS, VISITS YOU

HAVE FROM THOSE YOU LOVE.

TELL THEM TODAY....

TELL THEM WHAT THEY MEAN TO YOU.

AS THE BIG BOOK OF AA STATES:

"MAKE AMENDS WHENEVER POSSIBLE UNLESS TO

DO SO WOULD INJURE THEM OR OTHERS"

OH, AND EAT THE CAKE.....

ALWAYS EAT THE CAKE!

ITS THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR

IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR...

Yet for so many, it just isn't.

This became so prominent to me a few days ago

at the post office...

yes, the post office.

Its one of those things that I have to do a lot

due to my business, yet I complain about having to go.

I love my post masters, they are kind and helpful 

but its just one of those things that takes minutes

yet I kind of dread it.

Well, I did until last week.

I am waiting to mail a few packages to friends

and clients and in front of me is an elderly lady.

She is needing some help from the cute postmaster so I patiently wait.

She is dressed in mens jeans, a western type shirt,

sporting a cane. Her hair is long and grey 

put up in a bun style. 

I watch her as she moves about after being served

and I can see she is struggling.

It is now my turn to be helped.

I am quick at my task at hand and this 

little lady is still just at the door of the post office,

holding on to a railing slowly making her way.

I ask "Can I help you?"

She looks up at me with the most beautiful blue eyes.

"Oh, would you please?"

I take her arm and we slowly make our way 

to her car, an old Lincoln Continental in disarray.

On our slow trek, I learn its her knees.

They cause her a lot of pain and if it were not

that she had to get these bills in the mail 

she would still be at home.

I learn that she has children who live out of state:

"They want me to move there but I don't want to"

She assures me that once she get into her car

she will be fine.

"Are you sure, do you need me to bring you anywhere?"

She gives me the run down on what she will do.

"No, I am going to the drive thru at McDonald's 

to get lunch and then home, I will be fine."

I help her into her disheveled vehicle and she is 

so thankful for my help.

I watch her drive off slowly in the direction of McD"s

and I feel like I may cry.

I am almost tempted to follow her, see where she lives,

make sure she makes it home safely but I don't.

 She has a way of making me understand

the independence she still has is important to her.

I have thought of her just about every day since that trip.

It is this encounter that has me restarting my blog again.

One day I may be that little woman at the post office.

I pray that someone helps me if I need it but also

sees the independence I still need in my life.

It has made me hypersensitive to all those out there

this holiday season who has lost their spouse, a child,

The holidays are a wonderful time for many.

However there are still those out there that are struggling

and it is up to us to see and help when we can.

Merry Christmas to you all!

the inspirational JEMMA KATE

 MY NEIGHBOR DIED...

The grand girls didn't know him well but

they knew him and they knew he was my friend.

Last night I had the pleasure of having Jemma on a school night.

She had softball practice and her sister had a game.

She had a great practice and as we pulled in to my driveway

I shared that I missed Jeffery's company and music.

As I entered the Cottage I realized she was not right behind me.

I looked out to see her with hands out stretched to Jeffery's house.

She explained, " I was doing Father, Son, Holy Spirit"

which means she was praying for me dear friend.

That is our Jemma Kate...

Yet the story does not finish there,

like her Mumsie, there is always more to a story 

that what you see at first.

We awaken this morning to the most beautiful sunrise.

Jemma asks for my phone so she can take photos

of the beautiful sunrise.

From every angle of the Cottage, my girl took pics 

of the beautiful sunrise.

Then she does the thing that makes her so special to me

She gives credit...

"Mumsie, I think Mr. Jeffery heard my prayer and he sent

that sunrise to tell us he is good, it's beautiful!"

OH YES, my dear, lets go with that...

YOU NEVER CEASE TO AMAZE ME!

FEARLESS (Lilly's version)

Each year for the past 15 or so, I pick my word for the year. 

The word that will be my focus, something I want to work on.

This year, My word is

FEARLESS

Yes, just like the rest of the World, I am obsessed with not

only the girl we know as Taylor Swift 

but her love life, with Travis Kelce.

Having just started a new relationship at about the same time

as the Swift/Kelce began it has made it more interesting to me.

I go into this year wanting to be fearless.

At 60 years old there should be little I do fear.

I am content and happy, have the best little family,

the best friends, best job as an artist.

Yet I become intimidated by things in my life.

For instance, in my art, I am always becoming intimidated

by something new I want to do.

I have so much commission work doing what I love 

but become fearful when it comes to doing something new

or allowing myself to just be free with my art.

I hesitate wondering if it will be liked by others.

I then tend to stick to what I know people like and will pay for.

This year, I want to change that. I have been inspired to reach

out of my comfort zone and try doing new things.

If I don't like it, it can be just for me.

If I like it and become brave enough to put it out there

for others to see, that would make me fearless.

Another area in my life I have been fearful in the past is dating.

Well, not really dating but the relationship part.

I have often jokingly said,

"I love dating, it's the relationship part I don't like"

and in my 10 years of being single, it has held true.

I have met so many wonderful friends through dating,

some I have lost last year.

However, the long term relationship part always has me afraid.

Afraid to have to change my life, afraid to get hurt,

afraid of putting the work in,

afraid that with age comes sickness....

Lots of fears especially because I am so very content now.

However, I have met someone who I want to date.

I find myself wanting to take it slow but also wanting

to know everything about him.

I want to be fearless with this relationship.

I don't want to overthink or rush anything, just want to enjoy the ride

and know that whatever happens, I will be a better

person for just having known him.

When you are almost 60 and you meet someone who

makes you feel beautiful, showers you with attention 

and appreciates your work, your family, the life you lead,

Well, you can't just let that go.

So this year, I focus on being 

FEARLESS, Lilly's version.

A Christmas Miracle

In my line of work, I am blessed with many 

wonderful events and stories that I am able to hear and bring to clients.

This one is worth sharing in the spirit of Christmas.

Around Thanksgiving my friend, Teri asked if I could paint her

two Cardinals on slate for a friend of hers who had lost two of her three sons

and was having a really hard time.

As usual, I told her I would put it on my list.

However, this order I just could not stop thinking about.

What it would be like for me had I lost both my children in a matter of months.

It stayed with me days and kept me up nights.

Finally I texted Teri and asked a few questions, explained I just had to get it done

as it would not leave my heart.

As she filled me in on this family, these boys Mother,

the sketch came to my mind, two beautiful male cardinals hovering together.

Teri sent photos of the boys and their brother and Momma.

I knew I had made the right decision to get this piece done before Christmas.

We continued to text and I asked if she wanted music or not.

Teri's reply was " Artist choice"

I replied back, " I am sure the boys will lead me".

I then sat on the floor of my studio where I keep thousands 

of music sheets and hymn books.

I picked up the first hymn book and just opened it...

I was in awe, surprised at the hymn that was in my hand!

TAKE THIS MESSAGE TO MOTHER

Yes the boys had led me and I tearfully knew now why 

this piece would not leave me.

Their Momma needed to know they were okay.

 

I finished the piece that same night.

I heard from their Mother via text after she received the gift.

From Cynthia:

"... you do not know what this means to me.

what a beautiful message my sons sent me through you.

I am having a difficult time during the holidays.

When i opened it and read your letter- I cried of course.

Finally a calm came over me and I feel so much better..."

How lucky I am to have found my calling once again

and to be able to bring peace to others in my work.

{Thanks you Teri and Cynthia for allowing me to share this story}