~CORRAL POST MANTEL, bad news and my funny family~

Twelve years ago yesterday was the day Patrick was struck down by a massive stroke caused by lung cancer. The 15th is the day I lost him. My tree is loaded with memories of Patrick.

They just found out from my brain scan that I have had a mini stroke. Thus the dizziness. At least I know what is causing it. I like knowing.
So on to whatever I must do next. I feel good. I am happy and I will do everything the doctors tell me to do. Things could be worse..but how can I be sad when Christmas is just around the corner... Yes, I am happy...and so...here are some pictures... :)
Nothing special to anyone but me, really. It's one of those evenings...
Don't you just hate it when you get phone calls that bring you down? I think I may still be in a bit of shock. It's a hard thing to hear..but then, I'm getting up there and things are bound to start happening I suppose.
2010 is going to be a good year. A very good year! :) I can feel it. God is good.


Our mantel is an old corral post. Frank and I went up to the ranch of a friend and cut the barbed wire from it, hauled it home, cut off the burned ends, sanded and sanded and sanded. Then added a bit of stain and rubbed it to a gloss. The top is full of beautiful Woodpecker holes..I love this mantel as it was made by my second husband and I and it is very precious to me. I brought it with me after his death. It will always be with me. Just one of those things... I was so lucky to have had him in my life..even for such a short time.



My steeple clock is another cherished item. A part of my past with lots of memories attached to it.
















This little CooCoo clock ornament came from Miss Tiggywinkles here in Riverside. The tiny red tea pot nestled beside it, was on my first Christmas tree and is about 73 years old or so. My very first ornament.

It's a wonderful world. Even when difficult things happen to us..God somehow gives us the strength to weather the storms.

I have a cute story to tell you.. I KNOW how it can be difficult to read through stuff on all of the blogs..but now and then I get the urge to write..and write.
I just have to share this with you.

I called my daughter in Georgia when I got the bad new yesterday. I wanted my eldest daughter and I wanted her with me. Of course she couldn't be..but another reason is that she manages the office of five doctors and helps me understand some of the things that are happening to me.
So..I tell her, we chat, we cry, and I tell her to please keep this to herself as many of the family have a lot of their plates right now. She agrees. Christmas is coming and the economy is stressing out some of my family and a wedding is upcoming just after Christmas..another bit of stress along with the joy. We need to concentrate on HAPPY right now. Anyway, Daughter #1 agrees and we hang up. About ten minutes later I hear pounding on the front door and in bursts Daughter number #3! I say "what on earth are you doing here..what's wrong..are you alright? But, in seconds I realize what is happening...and she looks me dead in the eye and says "Mom, WE DON'T DO THAT IN THIS FAMILY! We don't do this!" and reaches for me, hugs me tight and says, "you are going to fine...just fine! We make a pot of tea, and finish decorating the tree. We visit, we cry and we laugh.

Later that night emails begin to come in from Daughter #2. Calm, "I am here" type emails..which say "if you don't want anyone to know in this family you must not tell ANYONE!" She is right..of course and she ends with..."Do you want me to bring you a milkshake tomorrow??" (I am having some teeth pulled..) BUT.. the best is yet to come.

Tonight as I am posting this the phone rings and it is Adam, Grandson #1. His sister in law, who is in Australia and is marrying his first cousin, eldest son of Daughter #3, calls and tells him "Your Grandma is in a bit of trouble. I think she is in the hospital! YOU didn't know? Well..you should call her!" Or some such thing as that! Adam has no idea but as you can tell..the story is...getting around and it isn't getting any better. Remember, my immediate family (children, their spouses and grandchildren and their spouses, number nearly 30. Aw well. :)
Since I am fine...I can laugh and it really, REALLY, feels good!! As I said, God is good and I am home clacking away on this computer!
I love you guys!
Hugs,
Mona