My Brother’s Life Journey Chapter 8

Al never did move a way from the family home again. I think Mom had just had enough. Him being so homesick and then the nasty movie he was watching. I felt Mom believed he was better off at home with her watching over him and keeping him in a good church.

By now I was back from Germany and my husband and I and our daughter had rented a small home about a mile or two from my parents. It was out in the country and I loved it, but I loved more that I was close to Mom and Dad.

Life went about the same for several more years. People got sick and healed. There were birthday celebrations and the holidays. Mom used to make Al and me an angel food cake. She would use this frosting recipe called Seven Minute Frosting.

Original recipe makes 2 layer (filling and frosting)

•  

  2
  egg whites

•  

  1 1/2 cups
  white sugar

•  

  1/3 cup
  cold water

•  

  1 1/2 teaspoons
  light corn syrup

•  

  1 teaspoon
  vanilla extract

Directions

1. Put egg
   whites, sugar, water and syrup in top of double boiler. Beat until
   mixed well. Place over rapidly boiling water. Beat constantly with
   electric beater while it cooks for 7 minutes or until it will stand in
   peaks when beater is raised. Remove from heat. Add vanilla. Beat.
   Fills and frosts 2 layer cake, 8 or 9 inch.

We  kids loved this frosting. The first day you ate it, it was so light and fluffy. Mom would tint it blue for Al and pink for me. With the size of an angel food slice and all that heaping frosting it was a kids delight. She also added those candy decorations on top. Remember those? They came on a piece of white paper that you wet the back and then the candies came off. They had letters and flowers and candle holders. When you are a kid biting down on those crunchy candies was so much fun.

Christmas was so much fun. Al got trains for Christmas to help him get over his fear. I got baby dolls. I remember getting a Baby Thumbelina one year and another year I received Chatty Cathy.

Mom and Dad loved buying us gifts at Christmas. Dad got the biggest kick out of watching us open our gifts. He loved to Christmas shop. Our special gifts were always unwrapped under the tree and I can still see Al and I racing to the tree to pick up Santa’s big gift.

One year Al and I opened a home-made marble game. Al was fascinated by it much more than me. He would spend hours and hours dropping the marbles down the maze of zig-zag shaped slots. All the marbles would eventually end up in the bottom in a flat tray. Then he would do it over and over.

We always spent the holiday with all of our family. Then through the year as the family got smaller we started going to Mom and Dad’s on Christmas Eve. By now I had my own family and we always enjoyed her home-made lasagna and home-made candies.

Then when it was all over my family would go home and put our kids to bed. After they were asleep we would finish doing their gifts for the next morning.

Al lived at home so he and Mom and Dad would have their own little Christmas in the early morning. Al never knew what to buy anyone. He would go to our Grandma’s, our mom’s mother and she would write down ideas for him. He still struggled, so one gift per person was written and then he would go buy it. Grandma would always wrap his gifts for him and he would tuck them under the tree.

Life changed for Al quite a bit when Granddad passed a way. There was no one but Grandma who went out of their way to help Al with all the problems he had. Mom worked and so did Dad. Granddad had Al with him all the time, and then suddenly he was gone.

Our whole family changed. Al was more alone and there was so much sadness floating through out the house. Now when Al went to Grandma to talk or get help with a problem for a few years she just was lost without her spouse and we became lost in her world too. Not by choice but she was mourning.

Dad had to start doing more for Grandma plus his own job and I think he became tired. He started jumping on Al’s case easier and it became more often than before. Mom spent her free time with her mom who was still mourning. I didn’t live there any longer, and our

half-sister never got along with Al.

I know for me I was so jealous of our sister. Even though I understand much better now that I am older, I didn’t get it then. She got new clothes from more expensive stores. In fact, she got almost everything she wanted. She went with friends a lot. She seemed to have quite a few over nite parties. While Al and I were much more quiet. But we have to remember that Al and I were ten years older than our new sister. We had been taught to be quiet, while the sister was laughing and much louder.

I think Al never knew what to think of her. As he saw himself getting yelled at for being stupid, he never saw her in trouble. I think in Al’s mind this bothered him and he felt less wanted than he should have. He always felt like he was the bad kid and he was in the way.

My Brother’s LIfe Journey Chapter 4

I remember Christmas the following  year. Al got a train set. It had a soft whistle. I think Mom and Dad were hoping to calm his fear of trains. The track went around the Christmas tree and I can still see Al laying on the floor watching the train go round and round. When Dad made the whistle blow Al did not cry.

Mom and Dad were very smart in this idea. It worked and in time Al became less and less afraid of trains. Our entire extended family spent Christmas together. I still have photos of my two cousins in their new striped bib overhauls. The silver tinsel tree is standing in the background.

The  next year Dad received an inheritance from a family member who passed a way. He and Mom decided it was time to move our family out to the country. I didn’t realize exactly what that entailed. I was excited because I was going to get my own bedroom.

Al and I had slept for a year or two in the same bedroom in bunk beds. Now he and I would be separated by a hallway. When the house was finished, it seemed that Al and I parted a little bit.

He stayed in his room a lot and I rode my bike in the summer and went sledding in the winter . Al did eventually learn to ride a bicycle. He was so proud and he would ride up and down the country road. He would have freedom to choose to stop in at Grandma’s house or ride back home.

I should add that our Grandparents sold their city home and bought 80 acres and a home. It was shortly after our parents built a house a quarter of a mile down the road. Another neighbor that happened to live in the same city block that we all did also bought a house on the same road.

I always laugh when I think back to how four neighbors living in the same block and not all related ended up buying or building all within walking distance and remained for years to come.

Al was now 11 and I was 12. This is the year that started the big change for my brother. Our Granddaddy was in seventh heaven having the dream of farming come true. I can remember watching baby calves and piggies being born.

Granddaddy had the patience of a saint. He took Al with him everywhere he went on the farm. He taught him about life. He was silent while Al worked at becoming more vocal. Dad was already showing that he was uncomfortable around Al. I always believed that Dad carried guilt from our birth years and also shame that his one son was not like other sons.

Carrying these feelings caused great stress in our family. Then Granddaddy would come along and swoop Al up and take him to a calmer environment. While he taught Al and me how to pick up baby chicks, he also taught us how the circle of life works with farm animals.

We bottle fed new calves, we gave water to baby chicks. Al even laughed out loud as the baby lamb drank milk from the bottle Al was holding. We were shown how chickens laid eggs and then how chickens ended up on our kitchen tables. We were taught that calves were grown to feed us and to also purchase more farm animals.

Granddaddy taught us that living off the land was the only way to go. I will always treasure these times and Al still talks about Grandma’s big, soft, chewy sugar cookies. They were as round as  grapefruit. If we were real good we could have two at one time. Sometimes Al got three but I understood what Grandma was saying. Al was skinny and needed to eat.

She made the best ever potato salad too. Lots of big pieces of boiled eggs in it. She used mayonnaise in hers and Mom used a vinegar sauce in hers. I preferred the sweeter one and still love my sweets today.

I remember one time when Granddaddy was cleaning out the barn where the cows lived. He was cleaning the manure with his pitch fork. Al wanted to try it and so Granddaddy handed him the pitch fork. Al wasn’t too strong at this point yet and he got a fork full and then fell right in it. He started to cry and Granddaddy laughed him right out of his tears. All three of us got a good laugh over this and Grandma got stuck cleaning Al up.

These farm loving Grandparents were not our blood relation, but I can tell you that they were the best ever, and  when you talk about them to Al today,  his eyes always light up, and for his memories that he still has of them I will be forever grateful.

Since three families lived on one big property there was a great big garden. All summer long canning and freezing was done. Al got the jobs of taking garbage cans of corn cobs to the pigs. He had sort of the gopher job, but yet it was one of the most important jobs. While everyone had their hands in food, Al would go get things that everyone  needed.

Sometimes when we worked real hard our Grandparents would take us to the Dairy Queen. We would get great big ice-cream cones. I will share with you something that will tell you a difference between our parents and our Grandparents.

Grandma worked at home, taking care of family and gardens. Our mom worked full-time. Granddaddy was laid back and enjoyed every minute of breathing. Dad was always afraid Al and I would make mistakes so he was always on edge. When Dad was dating our new mom-to-be it was in the fall and early winter. Dad would bring us two kids along but made us stay in the car. He truly did believe that we would make noise. Grandma would yell at him every single time and tell him to go get those kids out of that cold car.

When our Grandparents took us to the Dairy Queen. We all went in and we made messes because by then Al and I were both big gabby mouths. They would laugh at us and talk to us and with us. When we were finished, we all cleaned up and went home laughing.

When Mom and Dad took us to the Flagpole to get ice-cream Mom was antsy because Dad was always on the edge of yelling. She became embarrassed for Al and me as Dad made us stand outside and eat our ice-cream. He didn’t want any accidents.

I always felt bad for Mom. Although it took me many years to bond with her she was an excellent Mom and she cared about us kids. She did the best she could with what she had considering Dad was always a grouch, but she loved him for a long time.

 

Related articles

• My Brother’s Life Journey Chapter 3 (terry1954.wordpress.com)
• My Brother’s LIfe Journey Chapter 2 (terry1954.wordpress.com)
• My Brother’s LIfe Journey, Chapter 1 (terry1954.wordpress.com)
• Chapter 1, Parkinson’s Disease Journey (terry1954.wordpress.com)

The Burning Image

A troubled life followed the kid into his adulthood. Drugs and too much sex destroyed his

mind and his body. He was filled with guilt and now equally filled with a bad sickness. Lying on his bed filled with other  patients he wanted to die.

He blamed everyone for where he was today. He didn’t like his parents rules so he ran a way from home. It didn’t take him long to learn that he had made a mistake but his pride kept him from going back, so he learned to let the streets suck him in.

Having nowhere to go after his friend’s parents kicked him out he stayed at different homes eventually sleeping in cars. For a couple of weeks he found an abandoned garage and he curled up in some old blankets each night. Then he got busted and almost had the cops called on him but he ran faster and escaped.

During his travels he experienced what it was like to be used and dumped. He slept with whom ever offered him a bed as the nights turned colder. It wasn’t important to him who he stayed the night with. It was more about staying warm and free from snowy weather.

He found a small town bar and he began a routine of hanging out and playing pool. He used his wit to lure people into trusting him into their lives, even if for a short time. He not only let others use him, he traded sex for theft of money or valuables on his way out the door early in the mornings.

He used the money and sold his finds on the street. This fed and clothed him. The vicious circle consumed him and he began to drink so much he didn’t even remember who he had been with the night before.

Had he even had sex or had he passed out before? Did he sleep with her or him or were there several? He didn’t know and he didn’t care anymore. This was his life as he knew it and there was no going back.

One night as he was doing his trickery of getting into a safe warm haven he got the tables turned. Instead of him doing the joke the joke was on him. It was a Saturday night and he was in his favorite bar.

Drinks were flowing and lies were being spoken. Eyes were concentrating on what could be taken. The time was coming near for the closed sign to be placed. A group of both sexes got together and invited this poor kid to their place for a continuing party.

He didn’t hesitate at all. He grabbed his coat and hat and took off with them. As soon as they got inside more drinks were poured. Lights were dimmed and music began to mesmerize the mind.

One drug was taken out and the table cleared. Later more types of drugs were used. Needles were exchanged from one person to the next. The minutes turned into hours and although he knew he was being passed from one person to the next, his mouth could not open to stop it.

He felt rough hungry hands feeding his body parts lifting him to heights he had never experienced before. Pain seared his body but in some mysterious way brought him even more pleasure.

Darkness turned to dawn and when his eyes opened pain was piercing his entire body. When he tried to sit up he fell back to the spot he had secured for the night. He looked around him and saw people sprawled around him.

He had to get out of here. He couldn’t do this anymore. He had enough. He laid there and his body hurt so bad that he began to weep. He wept for what he had done last night but did not remember. He wept for his life that he refused to change because of his pride. He wanted to die.

People started stirring and he forced himself to sit up. People were looking in empty bottles to see if there may be one more drop. Some were eating left over foods that had set out all night.

Without saying a word he stood up and walked past the zombies and out the front door. No one said goodbye, no one cared. He walked down to the bus stop. Hopping on and taking the first empty seat he was dropped off at the city park.

Snow was falling gently and it was a few days before Christmas. He found a cold bench and sat down. Looking out through hazy eyes he spotted the sparkly lights from the biggest Christmas tree he had ever seen. The star resting on top seemed to be speaking to him as the lights bounced off of the snowflakes.

His eyes were locked on the glistening picture and he felt a strange heat coming over him. It made him afraid as it felt like something strange was entering his body. He continued to sit and watch the magic until his body became so cold he had to move on.

He walked without knowing where and his body followed his footsteps. He was now standing in front of a big church and he saw shelter. He made his way up the steps and snuggled up as close to the wall to keep the winds from blowing on him. He didn’t sleep and he didn’t rest but the nagging feeling that someone was following him could not be shaken.

Startled by the music he stepped a way from his spot and walked around to the front of the church. There on the virgin snow was a live manger. People were gathered around it in a circle with lit candles singing songs.

He stood just out of sight and listened. Words of love piercing his ears entering his soul and touching his heart. Your sins have been forgiven, Jesus loves you, I surrender all. Come to me and I will give you rest.

He slowly moved closer to get a better look at this group that was singing. Then he collapsed. The next thing he saw was two children leaning over him.

Mom, he’s awake. Come look Mom. His eyes are open.

Through the next few days he remained at this family’s home. He was nursed with good hot food and a warm soft bed. He was sick though and fevers came and went. He eventually had to be admitted to the hospital.

. When a diagnosis came in he was moved to a special floor that held many patients with the same sickness as him.

He remained here for some time. He continued to feel as if someone was close to him but seeing no one he tried his best to ignore it. One morning he awoke to a burning temperature. He dreamed in and out of reality. One time he saw a man with a gentle smile. This man burned into his mind. He heard a soft whisper and a hand reaching out to him.

 

Related articles

• What I Left Behind (mahoganybc.wordpress.com)
• The Wilde Weekly: The Thirty-Three Sages of the Plum Red Robes (zen-haven.com)
• Who Will Be My Brother? (darcydowning.wordpress.com)
• Our Father Weeps (robinclaire.wordpress.com)
• My Name is JR and I live in the Attic (mylifeasanadventure.com)
• Like Night and Day (mjoycehoughton.wordpress.com)
• It would be a lot easier to fill the void, if I knew what the void was (lifebefore40.wordpress.com)
• The Night I Didn’t Get Raped (makemeasammich.org)

My Birthday Dream

I had a dream last night. It wasn’t scary for a change. It was wonderful and you were all involved. In my dream I was puttering around my house when the door bell rang. It was a friend of mine that I don’t see too often.

I let her in and she glanced around and made the comment how my house always looked like I was expecting company. We both laughed over this as I am a neat and tidy gal. She looked at my clothing I was wearing and said, “This isn’t going to do. You need to go change.”

“Why, I am not going anywhere. I am not going to see Al until tomorrow?”

“Well today is a special day. Today is your birthday isn’t it?”

“No silly, you know my birthday is not until April 21st.”

“Well, too late now. For today we are going to pretend that today is your birthday. It is only a couple of weeks early.”

She and I laughed and agreed we were just getting senile in our old age. She pushed me towards my bedroom and we picked out a cute little pair of pants and shirt. She did my hair and I added a touch of make-up.

I felt like I was Cinderella getting ready to go to the ball. After I was presentable in her eyes she led me by the hand and took me outside. When I looked out over my yard I was so shocked I about passed out.

Every one of my friends from here at WP were hooting and hollering  Happy Birthday Terry. Oh my gosh. I didn’t know what to say. I had been dreading my birthday. I hadn’t spoken to anyone in real life about it coming up soon.

Birthdays were always a thing that I couldn’t wait to happen. My parents would have the extended family over for a small party. Mom made me a cake. When times were extra good she would order me a cake. Those were good days. I don’t remember getting a cake since Mom died in 2000.

Mom and Dad gave the best presents of all. Birthdays and Christmas Day were one day that they would always splurge on for us kids. Ideas that we had brought up through the year and talked about often were usually unwrapped in bright-colored papers and bows.The biggest gift I ever remember getting just off the top of my head was my piano.

Of course that couldn’t be wrapped. I will never forget one Christmas morning  during gift opening my Dad asked me to go feed the dog. I didn’t want to do that right now and voiced my thoughts to him. He told me to go ahead and they would wait for us.

I went out in to the family room and fed the dog and came back in and sat in my spot. I can remember my parents looking at each other not knowing what to do next. Dad sent me to the family room one more time to get something for him.

This time when I came back in I am sure my eyes were popping out of my head. This time I noticed the piano. I was thrilled, so excited, jumping and screaming with joy. I took lessons for seven years and played that piano every day until the house fire happened and destroyed the piano.

Anyways, back to the moment of my dream. There were tables lined up and the food choices were to die for. There was every type of fruit variety you could imagine. Cheese and cracker spread throughout.

There was a crystal punch bowl with pink liquid in it. Did someone spike this punch? I taste something different. Everyone laughed as they saluted my birthday. In the middle of the table sat the most beautiful cake. It was a two layered cake. It was virgin white with pastel colors of thick flowers surrounding all the edges.

They gathered around the cake and one of my friends sliced it and I got a too big of piece. I didn’t complain though. I tossed out my diet for this one day. I ate the flower first.

After we ate until we were bursting at the seams we moved down to the huge gift pile. I was floating on air from this entire event. No one knew about me getting older. No one realized that I was now 59 years old, but yet here in my own backyard, everyone knew it was my big day.

There were gifts of pretty stationary, new pens and pencils so I could write down new ideas that floated in my head. There were two packages of printer paper so I could continue to print off my new books.

I had made a comment at one time about my computer being five years old. Together everyone had chipped in and bought me a new computer. I went to each and every friend. I didn’t care if you were male or female. I hugged and kissed you on the cheeks.

It was the best dream I have had in months. All of you mean so much to me. You all know this. Not only in bad, sad and good times but even in my dreams.

Related articles

• Cream puffs……and Mama Attitude…haha…or not (yeehawranchmamasheri.wordpress.com)
• My Birthday Comeback Story (kimandjason.com)
• words from the birthday gal (ourmode.ca)
• Celebrations on my birthday… (simpletangles.wordpress.com)
• Happy birthday, my son (summersolsticemusings.wordpress.com)
• Birthday Edition (shelovestorant.com)
• Thoughts on Birthdays (amaliavida.wordpress.com)
• Robert Pattinson’s Romantic Birthday Gift For Kristen Stewart Revealed (hollywoodlife.com)
• Planning the Princess Birthday, the Perfect Project for a Glitter Mama (stjohnstudios.wordpress.com)
• Birthday Parties with My Gang (Poll Included) (janinehuldie.com)

Kiss My ___!

I have seen it all

Over Facebook pages

Funny sayings about

Our Mother Nature

But as I sit here

Looking outside

Seeing huge snowflakes

Falling gently down

I have to admit to myself

I too, am sick of winter

It is beautiful this I know

But for heaven’s sake it’s Spring

We should have had this

Back in December

When our Christmas Day

Was green with grass

So now my white stuff listen to me

Get out of here and kiss my ___!

Bring us green once again.

Terry Shepherd

03/25/2013

Related articles

• Turn about (breezesatdawn.wordpress.com)
• Friday Haiku Madness! Winter Blows! (thecheekydiva.com)
• Make beautiful, speckled eggs just like Mother Nature (muffymiller.wordpress.com)
• The Life Of A Snowflake (julitawozny.com)
• Funny Spring Poem – Wish You Were Here (sarahdtowne.com)
• What is Mother Nature Up To??? (ashpauls.wordpress.com)

On and On and On

English: Modern wheelchair (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Another story I am going to write about. I hope you are not getting tired of hearing about my brother.

I received a call today from an office lady. We have been having issues with Al understanding that he can’t take much money when he goes to outings. This is another similar situation. He was going out and wanted to place a car on lay-a-way at Wal-Mart. He needed more money than what I allow him.

She called to  see if I would approve it and I said no. Now don’t think I am being mean and rude. I just put up two long shelves in his bedroom. I filled them with his cars. I have filled every table and dresser I can and two bookshelves with his things. I can not afford any longer to place cars, coca-cola and other odds and ends on his floor because of his instability.

The rest that I had no safe place to put I bagged and placed in his closet. The facility also does not like him having these cars in his room because of theft. So I said no. I was planning on going to see him so went a few minutes early to talk to him.

I explained why he can’t have the car and he went into his adult temper tantrum. He accused me of not caring about him. He even went so far as to say that I thought he was a retard. Wow, that one threw me for a loop.

I won and he was upset. I dissected his issues and think that  part of him was wanting to throw his fit because he wasn’t getting his way. Another part of him really didn’t comprehend why he couldn’t have more cars. Lastly he doesn’t understand why he doesn’t have his money now. He thinks the facility stole it from him.

I have to admit I think they charge huge amounts of dollars but beside the point I guess. I told Al that he and I have to pay for him to be there. We would save the bigger cars for Birthdays and Christmas.

Finally he settled enough to eat and then his ride appeared to take him. I took her aside and asked her to please quit taking him to Wal-Mart so often. It stirs things up inside his head. That I would prefer if he went to the day program more often than not. I added that stopping to get a diet coke was not a bad idea either. Just keep him out of toy sections and antique stores. He doesn’t need to visit them every single week. She said alright.

I was getting ready to leave and I saw one of the therapist on my way out. She used to come to the house to do Al’s therapy. I stopped and chatted for a few. I asked her how Al was doing in his wheel chair therapy. She said, “We are almost done. He is refusing to do anymore work on it. I am not wasting my time on someone who refuses to do the work.  He claims it hurts to bad. As far as the transfer from chair to wheelchair, this isn’t going bad at all.”

I said,”What else are you trying to get him to do?”

She came back with “We are trying to keep him walking”.

I explained,”I have been over this many times with you and have had a recent meeting about not trying to fix the broken parts. I don’t want you to work on the walking. Not that I don’t want him to try but it is getting very difficult for him. I would much rather have you work on the wheelchair training. This is what he is going to need worse as you have stated he can barely walk anymore”.

She looked at me and said, “Oh I would think you would want him to keep walking.”

“I sure would like that a lot, if he could. He still walks but just tiny distances. It seems to me the wheelchair is going to play a large part in his life from now on”.

She turned away and went back to what she was doing and I turned and left the front doors. I was thinking,here we go again. Another day of I can’t get my point across. Another day of others thinking they can fix the broken pieces.

Can’t anyone hear me? I would give Al my legs if he would walk again. But the Parkinson’s Disease is bigger than Al and me put together. I have to accept that he is walking less and less and depending on the wheelchair. So let’s just work on that and leave it at that, please????

Related articles

• Watch a Disabled Baby Pig Walk with a Wheelchair Made out of K’Nex (Video) (complex.com)
• Quick-thinking teenager pulls man in wheelchair from river (lfpress.com)
• (PHOTOS) Lady Gaga Spins Around In 24 Carat Gold Wheel Chair After Hip Surgery (magnusentblog.wordpress.com)
• Man in wheelchair, woman struck by car in midtown (khou.com)

Daily Prompt; Fantasy / The Daily Post

OsterhaseNikolaus (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

http://dailypost.wordpress.com

DP, Daily Prompt, Daily Post

The Tooth Fairy (or Easter Bunny, or Santa Claus . . .) : a fun and harmless fiction, or a pointless justification for lying to children?

Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny or Santa Claus. Nice choices but for me it will be Santa. The reason I chose this is because the Tooth Fairy happens while I am asleep. Aside from me waking up in the morning to discover fifty cents,(back in my day) life moved along as normal.

Easter Bunny just doesn’t cut it for me any longer. Not only because I haven’t received an Easter basket for God knows how many years, it is too contradicting against what Easter represents. I don’t ever remember hearing or seeing pictures of Jesus carrying a basket of candy.

Santa the only choice left involves more than the over-stated and commercialized symbol of the Lord’s birth. It also involves the whole ball of wax. The kiddies are excited. I can imagine that for some kids this is the one time of the year where attention is sprinkled on them.

Smiles erupt like active volcanoes. Good spirits and anticipation for living are heightened taller than the Sears Tower. For the homeless it is a chance to have maybe more than that one meal each day. It probably makes their mouth water just thinking about turkey or ham and mashed potatoes along with dinner rolls. Dessert must be added to this fine meal.

This can give some much more hope for this  short season. Twinkles are brought to their eyes. Stopping to take time to spruce up themselves is done without nudging. Food banks, bell ringers, Adopt-A-Trees and Angel Missions are brought to life to the point of seams busting. Monies and wrapped gifts find their way to children who may have not had a Christmas other wise. Food in abundance rests upon plastic holiday scenery table cloths.

Milk over water will fill little tummies. Families come together during this time of year. Maybe they have not seen each other since the last holiday. Laughter fills the spaces within the home. Everyone forgets about the daily problems in their lives and also the world.

For others who never forget that the reason of Christmas is to celebrate Jesus birthday it is a double reason to smile. Extra activities being performed at local churches. Kiddies involved in plays. Families driving through cities to see Christmas Lights. Families coming together for the noon meal.

As I sit here typing I can go back in time very easily and hear the echos of joy. I can remember faces that were once again introduced and hear comments of my how much I have grown since last year.

I cherish the memories of families holding hands while Dad or Grandpa said grace giving thanks to our heavenly Father for all we have been blessed with. The preparations for this holiday and changing of hearts last for maybe a month or longer.

Then it is over. Poof, like a wand being drizzled over our heads. The trees go down, all brightly decorated pretties are placed in the boxes saving them for the next year. Kids go back to school. Parents go back to work. Or maybe the homeless go back to the cold and weary lives of lost hope.

I have chosen Santa because he is the one fantasy that can bring hope, faith, love, smiles, laughter, filled bellies,  presents, singing, churches  and families together longer than any other holiday. Easter is a close second to me but without the Easter Bunny and the excitement may only last a day up to a week.

For my brother’s sake I did get him a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup four-inch tall chocolate bunny. I have it sitting here waiting for the day to arrive. I can’t be mean or rude. My personal feelings about this blessed event are mine alone. For Al who is more child-like he will enjoy the fantasy part about receiving candy and so I will place this special bunny in his hands and watch him smile.

Related articles

• The Easter Bunny and Other Life Characters (arayofsun.wordpress.com)
• Why would I lie to my kids? (fairyspell.wordpress.com)
• Easter Bunnies are Aliens! (thewritingculturist.wordpress.com)
• The Daily Prompt: Fantasy (ponderingspawned.com)
• Daily Prompt: Fantasy (movingnotion.wordpress.com)
• My Childhood Was Net Better (neverstationary.wordpress.com)
• Daily prompt: Fantasy. (lifewithcal.wordpress.com)
• Fantasy or Reality, Childhood Tales (thelissachronicles.wordpress.com)
• Daily Prompt: Fantasy (marilyndavies.wordpress.com)
• Daily Prompt: Fantasy (smileyface80.wordpress.com)

Liebster Award

 

I met through Blog of the Year Award a very nice blogger named Valentina. She holds so much talent with Interior Design, I couldn’t help but follow her and dream as I read her posts and look at her photos.

 

Thank-you so much my friend over at;

 

http://valentinadesigns.wordpress.com/

 

In her words she says;

 

I am Valentina, interior designer by trade, fashion designer by dream, lover of food, in love with life and everything that gets my creative juices flowing. I publish one time a week.
It’s the good life!

 

 

As with most awards there are rules, yes just like when we were in school and at our work.

 

We are to thank and link to the one who was gracious enough to nominate us.

 

Nominate 11 others and let them know of what you have done for them.

 

Answer these questions. Most of you know everything there is practically except my clothing size. LOL. But there are newer friends that barely know me. So will you try not to tap your foot and pick your nose while I go through this process again of ask and tell?

 

Questions;

 

What first inspired you to start writing a blog?

 

I was ignorant of blogging. I had a friend who passed through my life for a very short time, and he introduced me to blogging. I have been addicted ever since. This was in March of 2012

 

What is the biggest challenge you have had to face when writing a blog?

 

Hoping that people understand what I am trying to express. It is difficult to talk to others who don’t know me. I do not use big words. I am so plain and simple. I just ask God for his help and then start typing. If I can’t understand what I write, how can I expect you to understand a stranger’s words?

 

If you traveled through time, what time would you want to arrive at and why?

 

I would travel backwards and arrived five years ago on heaven’s doors. I would grab both of my parents and tell them how much I love them and have missed them while hugging them so tight.

 

However if I were to just pick one time in the past..

 

December 24th, 1999; this was the last time my family had Christmas with my parents and siblings.

 

Do you prefer to eat chocolate, sweets or neither?

 

I crave sweets like no other. The reason being is because the doctor diagnosed me with Diabetes. Of course I am still a child in my heart. I want what I can not have. So although I do cheat, shame on me, I would rather see no sweets at all.

 

Do you prefer to read or write?

 

If I have a book in my hand that the topic is dear to my heart, I can read it in two nights. Other wise I prefer to write to my heart’s content.

 

What is your favorite non-fiction topic to read about and why?

 

Anything that has to do with slavery. I love to read about how the slaves beat the whites and learned to read and write and free themselves to build their own lives with their children. I also love to read about anything to do with plantations of the south, slavery grounds, the Victorian era, and anything dealing with antiques

 

If you could buy one book that would help you solve a problem in your life, what would it be and why?

 

A Bible that has every problem that could ever happen and the verses right beside it that match the topic

 

Do you prefer to write at night or during the day?

 

I love to write so much and talk to my blogging friends that this is on my mind as a priority first thing in the morning. I actually write throughout the day and evening.

 

If you could be any character from a book, who would you be and why?

 

Cinderella. I still haven’t found a glass slipper that will fit my fat feet. I haven’t found a pumpkin I can squeeze myself into. I am too afraid of mice so when I see them I  high-tail it to another room screaming, and last but not least, I haven’t found my prince as of yet.

 

Do you prefer to read a printed book or an e-Book?

 

Definitely read a printed book. I don’t own a Kindle, can you believe this? I like the book in my hand with my over-head light on. The television on but turned down so I can tune in if I hear an interesting word. My two fluffy pillows holding my back in place and deep under my covers.

 

For my nominations of the beautiful, pink award I would like to pick, eenie meenie minee moe, I pick;

 

bluebutterfliesandme
bluebutterfliesandme.wordpress.com

 

FacetsofLucy
facetsoflucy.wordpress.com

 

Beyond Back Creek
backcreekdesign.com

 

The Laughing Housewife
thelaughinghousewife.wordpress.com x

 

Sheila Morris
redsrantsandraves.wordpress.com

 

playingthehandiwasdealt
playingthehandiwasdealt.wordpress.com

 

Alastair
kattermonran.wordpress.com

 

Ermilia
ermiliablog.wordpress.com

 

Books & Art – Spirit & Soul – Lesley Fletcher
inspirationimport.wordpress.com x
lesley@lesleyfletcher.com

 

TammyeHoney
TammyeHoney.wordpress.com

 

Maxim Sense
maxim061156.wordpress.com

 

becky6259
becky6259.wordpress.com

 

 

 

Related articles

• Liebster Award (popalx.wordpress.com)
• A Liebster Blog award nomination and a timely chance to redeem my ‘likes’. The secret Club of WordPress opens her doors………… (paulamariemills.wordpress.com)
• The Liebster Award – New Nominees (beyondbeautytips.wordpress.com)
• Liebster Blog Award (charlieray45.wordpress.com)
• My nomination for the “Liebster Award” (zestnzen.wordpress.com)
• The Liebster Award (heartsongsblog.wordpress.com)
• An Interview and a Liebster Award? (alyssablanton.wordpress.com)
• 3-2-13 Liebster Award stuffs. (108fate.wordpress.com)
• Liebster Award (smarksthespots.wordpress.com)
• Liebster Award: Thank You For This Nomination (awesomeelo.wordpress.com)

 

Daily Prompt; Cliche / The Daily Post

http://dailypost.wordpress.com

Clichés become clichés for a reason. Tell us about the last time a bird in the hand was worth two in the bush for you.

When is the last time I felt like my bird in the hand was worth two in the bush? I really don’t know. Lately, I have not felt like I was the smartest pea in the pod. I have been dealing with massive amounts of paper work for my brother. Trying to understand the hidden meanings of government words.

Trying to abide by all requests and then discovering even more was wanted or needed. You know life seems so easy until you start looking at blank pages. You get out your dictionary and look up uncommon words. You try to make whole sentences down to one simple thought.

I guess the bird in the hand for me is the medical background. I may be in the dark room filling out paperwork by candle light, but when it comes to how patients should be treated my little bird tells me that certain things are not acceptable.

There are times when families come together and discover they have met the end of the road. All that is seen in the future is big boulders placed in the path. All uneven, no way of knowing how to get around them. The end result; placing Grandma or Grandpa in a skilled facility.

Oh the guilt that pops up  is horrendous. A smack in the face when we realize we are no longer going to our families homes for dinners or Easter egg hunts. No more family Christmas‘s like there used to be. Did we do enough? Are we making the right decisions? It happens to a lot of us until we work through it.

Did any of us know that life was really going to change this drastically as our age progresses? I don’t think we make it a priority to sit and ponder on it. We get wrapped up in our own lives, not because we are cold to anyone, but it is what it is. Paying bills, getting our kids through school, working our fingers to the bones to put food on the table. Trying to get our 401K’s big enough to take care of us when we hit the golden years.

Then the bomb drops. We get a medical problem that wasn’t on the schedule. A brother or sister or Grandma or Grandpa gets really sick. We go in with blinders to the nursing facilities. We go in with confidence because we know our loved one so well.

Without our approval we are thrown papers and stacks of blank pages wanting our signatures. All of a sudden the tornado is spinning as we are slowly but not entirely giving the care of our loved ones into strangers hands.

We find many times we are talking among ourselves about decisions that have been made. What do you think Auntie would think about this if she could speak for herself? I know that Grandma is used to taking her showers on Saturday mornings first thing after breakfast. Do you think she will mind having to wait until Saturday night right before bedtime. Hey we all know how much Grandpa hates mixed vegetables. Did you see that big helping they gave him for dinner last night?

Many new doors are opened and suddenly we realize so much that we took for granted; information that we have known for years, no one else is aware of.

I am thankful for the years of experience I have gained. I have taken care of dying patients, family and Hospice. I have taken care of disabled and the geriatrics. I have come face to face with hitting, spitting and plain old-fashioned confusion.

I didn’t realize at the moment that I was building a huge book of etiquette for the human soul. Kindness and respect along with dignity are I believe more important at this point than ever before.

Don’t put your loved ones in a new home setting thinking you can leave and everything will be alright. You can pay your weekly visits and leave thinking what a nice visit. Remember back to when you had your own children, or maybe back to a younger time when you babysat for money. What was the adults highest regard while you were caring for that child? What was your biggest concern in raising your own children?

We need to go back to those times and remember them. Write them down, stick them in your memory box, tie a string around your finger. I am so grateful for my experience. Now I can quickly see when things are not right. There is a huge difference in making sure someone is taking their medications and eating and then mixing in compassion and love for a human soul who has the right to dignity to the last breath.

Related articles

• Daily Prompt: Cliché (daddysnaughtylittlegirl.wordpress.com)
• A Bird in the Hand (rainbowofthought.wordpress.com)
• Daily Prompt: Cliché (smileyface80.wordpress.com)
• A Bird in the Hand is Worth Two in the Bush (lornasvoice.com)
• Daily Prompt: Cliché (gorpthetrail.wordpress.com)
• Those Precious Things (thetemenosjournal.wordpress.com)
• #3: how do I get the accent over my e (thinkboxer.wordpress.com)
• Daily Prompt: Birds, Hands and Bushes (teepee12.com)
• Cliché Touché (thisismycorn.wordpress.com)
• 11 Horror Cliches I’m Getting Real Tired Of (mmmovieandfilmreviews.wordpress.com)

I Need Answers and I Know You Have Them

I have never run into a problem like the one I have now. Yes, I can google it and I can get all sorts of bad cookies following me. I would rather look towards trustworthy people for my answers this time.

I have seldom been on my own and the short time I was I ate at patients homes rather than mine. Now with Al gone I sort of cook the same way I did when someone was here and find myself in a left-over situation.

I was able to ask a friend about some soup I had made but here is the part I think I forgot to tell her about.

I made vegetable soup on Monday. I made it with chicken I had cooked Sunday night in the crock pot. Today is Friday and I have just eaten a bowl of the soup. I still have about two more bowls left. I know I can freeze it but I don’t have much space in my freezer. Some of my questions are;

How long will the soup be alright after I make it?

Can you drink milk if it smells good after the expiration date?

Can you still used a boxed product if it is past the best used by date?

How long can I leave turkey and ham in the freezer? It is left from Christmas Day?

Does cake or cookies stay fresher longer left out covered, or in the refrigerator?

I have shelled nuts left over from Christmas. Will they get rotten?

I know that I am a middle-age woman who should know these answers. But having a family of three children and a big eater like my brother Al, I have never had this problem before. So please feel  pity and help me out please?

Thanks,

Terry

Related articles

• Low Cal Creamy Baked Potato Soup with All the Flavor (lowfat.answers.com)
• Crock Pot Soup Recipes (foodiefriendsfridaydailydish.com)
• Slow-Cooked Soups: Crock Pot Soup Recipes (southernfood.answers.com)
• Nourishing Tortilla Soup (omamas.com)
• February 4 is National Homemade Soup Day (wqad.com)
• National homemade soup day (eatocracy.cnn.com)
• Meatball Alphabet Soup (spoonful.com)
• Soup That Fills You Up without Filling You Out (lowfat.answers.com)
• Mom’s Chicken Noodle Soup (ireport.cnn.com)
• Mama’s quick veggie soup (gicrockpot.wordpress.com)