WONDERFUL NEWS-TWICE THE JOY

TWO PRECIOUS LITTLE BLESSINGS CAME INTO THE WORLD ON JUNE 17TH.  BOTH BABIES WEIGHED EXACTLY THE SAME 6 POUNDS 15 OUNCES!!  NEVER HAD ANY OF THE NURSES SEEN SUCH A THING, SO THEY WEIGHED THE BABIES TWICE JUST TO MAKE SURE.
I AM SO HAPPY AND THANKFUL TO HAVE PLAYED A SMALL PART IN GETTING THOSE BABIES TO ALMOST FULL TERM!
THEIR MOMMIE STILL NEEDS A BIT TO GO BEFORE SHE IS UP AND RUNNING AGAIN, BUT IT IS ENTIRELY UNDERSTANDABLE WITH ALL SHE WENT THREW, AND AT THE VERY END, A C-SECTION.
AS HER MOM, I KNOW ONLY TOO WELL HOW HARD ON THE BODY A C-SECTION CAN BE SINCE I HAD THREE OF THEM MYSELF!!
THE MAIN THING IS THAT THEY ALL WILL BE JUST FINE, AND THEY ARE BOTH OVER THE MOON WITH JOY, AS ONLY HOLDING YOUR FIRST BORN CHILD CAN MAKE YOU FEEL.
I AM THRILLED TO BE A GRANDMA ONCE AGAIN, AND I PRAY I CAN HAVE A ROLL IN THEIR SPIRITUAL GROWTH AS WELL AS THEIR PHYSICAL ONE.  HOPE YOU HAVE SOMETHING WONDERFUL TO PRAISE GOD FOR TODAY TOO!  LINDA-OUT

FIVE POUNDERS!!

WHAT A NICE SURPRISE.  THE TWINS ARE STILL INSIDE MOMMIES TUMMY, AND LATEST REPORT ALL IS WELL, AND THEY ARE EACH OVER FIVE POUNDS!
IT'S SO NICE TO GET GOOD NEWS FOR A CHANGE.  IT'S  ALSO SO WONDERFUL TO SEE THE FACE OF THE MOMMY TO BE GO FROM STRESSED AND CONCERNED TO CALM AND RELAXED.
I CAN HARDLY BELIEVE THAT IN ANOTHER SHORT WEEK OR TWO, I WILL HAVE ANOTHER GRAND SON AND ANOTHER GRAND DAUGHTER.  SO VERY EXCITING!
MY OTHER TWO KIDS HAVE BECOME WORLD TRAVELERS.  MY SON AND HIS FAMILY ARE NOW IN HAWAII FOR THEIR ANNIVERSARY, AND MY OTHER DAUGHTER IS TRAVELING TO PARTS UNKNOWN.  I THINK HER TRAVELS WILL BEGIN FROM AUSTRALIA , BUT I'M JUST THE MOM, WHAT DO I KNOW?
I AM SO GRATEFUL THAT I HAVE SUCH A FULL AND HAPPY LIFE.  THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT EVERYTHING IS HOW I WISH IT WERE, OR THAT I HAVE EVERY THING I WANT.  WHAT IT DOES MEAN, IS THAT JEHOVAH HAS GIVEN ME PEACE DESPITE WHATEVER SATAN THROWS MY WAY, AND THE HELP I NEED TO COPE.
I CAN HONESTLY SAY I AM NEVER LONELY, I HAVE A VERY POSITIVE VIEW OF THE FUTURE, AND I HAVE MANY WONDERFUL FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS TOO, WHO ALSO HAVE A POSITIVE VIEW OF THE FUTURE, AND GIVE ME SPIRITUAL, AND MORAL SUPPORT.  SO THANKFUL FOR ALL OF YOU!!
THANKS FOR LETTING ME SHARE-LINDA OUT

NICKNAMES!

I WOKE UP THIS MORNING REMINISCING ABOUT ALL THE CUTE LITTLE NICKNAMES MY HUSBAND MIKE HAD FOR THINGS., AND ME!!
WHEN WE FIRST MET, HE WOULD CALL ME "BROWN EYES".  ALL THE LETTERS AND CARDS HE GAVE ME WOULD BE ADDRESSED TO "MY DARLING BROWN EYES".  THEN, AFTER MANY YEARS OF MARRIAGE, AND ALL MY ACHES AND PAINS, HE CHANGED MY NAME TO "PATCHES", BECAUSE I PUT PATCHES ALL OVER MY BODY WHER EVER I HAD PAIN!
I THINK IT WAS BECAUSE MY BACK WAS ITCHING THIS MORNING THAT CAUSED ME TO GO DOWN MEMORY LANE.  MIKE LOVED ME TO HAVE MY NAILS DONE.  HE CALLED THEM "BACK SCRATCHERS".
HE ALSO HAD A FUNNY NAME FOR MY BRAS.  HE CALLED THEM "HOLDSEMFROMFLOPPING"!
MIKE WOULD TAKE OUR DOGS FOR WALKS TWICE A DAY-EVERY DAY.  WE HAVE TWO ADORABLE CAVALIER KING CHARLES SPANIELS, BUT WHEN EVER PEOPLE WOULD ASK HIM WHAT KIND OF DOGS ARE THOSE, HE WOULD SAY THEY ARE "SHEDDERS".  HE CALLED THEM THAT BECAUSE THEY SHED SO MUCH!!
I WILL FOREVER MISS THAT ADORABLE SENSE OF HUMOR OF HIS.  I SURE HOPE HE STILL HAS IT WHEN HE IS RESURRECTED!!
FOR NOW, LINDA OUT

WE ARE NOW WAGING BETS ON WHEN THE TWINS WILL COME!

WE OR SHOULD I SAY SHE IS NOW IN HER 33 WEEK OF HER PREGNANCY, AND STILL HOLDING HER OWN.
SHE HAS BEEN IN BED NOW SINCE WEEK 27 WHEN IT LOOKED LIKE OUR LITTLE ONES FIRST WANTED OUT!!
IT IS SO HARD TO BELIEVE THAT A TUMMY CAN STRETCH SO MUCH, BUT AS THE SCRIPTURES SAY, "WE ARE WONDERFULLY MADE".

GOOD NEW AND BETTER NEWS!!

MY BEAUTIFUL GRANDDAUGHTER HAD HER SECOND LITTLE DOLL BABY, AND DID NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS THIS TIME.  SEEMS LIKE HAVING HER BABY AT HOME WAS A GOOD IDEA AFTER ALL!
MY DAUGHTER HAS BEEN BED RIDDEN NOW FOR THREE WEEKS BUT THAT HAS ALSO PROVEN TO BE FOR THE BEST.  THE TWINS CONTINUE TO GROW IN THE SAFE WARM  ENVIRONMENT OF THEIR MOMMIE'S TUMMY.
WE'VE HAD A FEW SCARES LIKE THE POSSIBILITY OF PREECLAMPSIA, BUT THANKFULLY IT LOOKS LIKE THAT WAS A FALSE ALARM.
IF WE CAN KEEP THOSE BABIES INSIDE THEIR MOMMY A FEW MORE WEEKS, THEY WILL HAVE THEIR LUNGS DEVELOPED, AND BE MUCH STRONGER.  THAT'S DEFINITELY THE GOAL!!  
LIFE HAS BEEN A LITTLE DIFFERENT FOR ME TOO. AS OF LATE.  SINCE MY DAUGHTER NEEDS CARE 24/7  THAT MEANS HER HUSBAND MYSELF, AND SOMETIMES MY SISTER ARE REGULARS AT HER HOUSE.
I'M LEARNING THAT IF I AM SUPER CAREFUL I CAN DRIVE AT NIGHT,  AND UNDER DIRE NECESSITY, I CAN EVEN DRIVE IN THE RAIN.
THERE IS NOT MUCH A MOTHER WILL NOT DO FOR HER CHILDREN.  LINDA-OUT

TRUE. LOVE

JUST MET MY LITTLE GREAT GRAND DAUGHTER LOCKLYN YESTERDAY.  WHAT A LITTLE LIVING DOLL!!
NOT ONLY IS SHE AN ABSOLUTE BEAUTY, BUT SHE HAS AN AMAZING BIG SISTER MINKA.  WE NATURALLY HAD SOME CONCERNS THAT MINKA MIGHT BE A LITTLE JEALOUS, AS SHE IS SUPER CLOSE TO HER MOMMY AND DADDY, PLUS THE FACT THAT SHE IS STILL IS PRETTY MUCH A BABY HERSELF AT BARELY TWO !!  BUT NO.  SURPRISINGLY SHE SHOWS SUCH A TENDER SIDE BY SOFTLY RUBBING HER SISTERS LITTLE HEAD WHILE HER MOMMY FEEDS LOCKLYN.
BOTH THE MOMMY AND DADDY ARE WONDERFUL PARENTS.  I AM SO PROUD OF EACH OF THEM.
STILL WAITING ON THE BIRTH OF THE TWINS MY YOUNGEST DAUGHTER IS HAVING, BUT I AM SURE BOTH MY DAUGHTER AND HER HUBBY WILL ALSO BE AMAZING PARENTS.  THE HAVE BEEN WAITING SO LONG TO BE PARENTS, AND EVEN THOUGH THIS PREGNANCY HAS BROUGHT MUCH ANXIETY, AND UPS AND DOWNS, IT HAS ONLY SERVED TO INCREASE THIER LOVE FOE EACH OTHER, AND FOR THEIR SOON TO BE BORN TWINS (ONE OF EACH)!! WE. ARE ALL SO HAPPY AND BLESSED!!  LINDA-OUT

ONE DOWN, TWO TO GO!

YESTERDAY A TINY MIRACLE OCCURRED.  MY GRANDDAUGHTER GAVE BIRTH AT HOME TO A BEAUTIFUL LITTLE BABY GIRL!
THIS IS MY SECOND GREAT GRAND BABY, WHICH SEEMS AMAZING FOR ME TO FATHAM.  WHO WOULD HAVE EVER GUESSED THAT I WOULD LIVE LONG ENOUGH TO SEE AND THOROUGHLY ENJOY SUCH WONDERS?
THEN, AS IF THAT WERE NOT ENOUGH JOY FOR A LIFETIME, I HAVE A DAUGHTER WHO IS ABOUT TO GIVE BIRTH TO TWINS!!
EVERY DAY THERE SEEMS TO BE MORE AND MORE REASONS FOR ME TO BE JOYFUL. NO, I AM NOT BLIND AS TO ALL THE HORRIBLE SADNESS GOING ON IN THE WORLD.  THERE SURE IS NO SHORTAGE OF THAT.  HOWEVER THE BIBLE DOES SAY THAT WHEN YOU START TO SEE THESE THINGS OCCUR, LIFT UP YOUR HEADS AS YOUR  DELIVERANCE IS NEAR.  SO, THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT I AM DOING.  I THINK MOST PEOPLE WHO READ THE BIBLE KNOW WE MUST BE LIVING IN THE LAST DAYS OF THIS OLE SYSTEM OF THINGS UNDER SATANS CONTROL.  THAT IS THE BEST POSSIBLE REASON TO BE JOYFUL AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED.  SOON NO MORE SICKNESS, WAR, OLD AGE, OR DEATH, HOW CAN THAT NOT MAKE ANYONE JOYFUL?  HOPE YOU ARE JOYFUL TOO!  LINDA-OUT

HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN?

I SPENT EIGHT YEARS CARING FOR A DEAR SWEET MAN WITH ALZHEIMER'S, NO, NOT MY DEAR HUSBAND MIKE.  THAT CAME LATER.  SADLY MY FIRST PATIENT WITH THAT DREADFUL DISEASE PASSED AWAY JUST BEFORE MY HUSBAND WAS DIAGNOSED WITH IT.
AFTER MIKE PASSED,  I WAS A LITTLE LOST AT FIRST, NOT REALLY SURE WHAT I WAS GOING TO DO WITH MYSELF.  I KNEW I WOULD NEED TO EARN SOME MONEY, AS NOT MANY PEOPLE I KNOW OF CAN LIVE ON SOCIAL SECURITY ALONE.
BEFORE I BECAME A CARE GIVER, I HAD BEEN A CORPORATE TRAVEL AGENT FOR TWELVE YEARS, SO I CALLED UP AN OLE CONTACT OF MINE, AND SHE WAS HAPPY TO HIRE ME ON AS AN OUTSIDE SALES REP..
THEN MY DEAR NEIGHBOR FELL, AND BROKE HER HIP.  KNOWING THAT I WAS A CNA, AND HAD TAKEN CARE OF MIKE AT HOME FOR SO LONG, SHE ASKED IF I COULD CARE FOR HER A COUPLE DAYS A WEEK.
SHE HAS SINCE BROKEN ANOTHER HIP, A BONE IN HER BACK, HAD TWO BACK SURGERIES, AND SO I AM STILL TAKING CARE OF HER ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK, AND TRYING TO BUILD UP MY TRAVEL BUSINESS AT THE SAME TIME.
NOW, MY YOUNGEST DAUGHTER IS PREGNANT WITH TWINS, AND HAS BEEN TOLD SHE NEEDS TOTAL BED REST.  CAN YOU GUESS WHAT I AM DOING RIGHT NOW? YELP, CARE GIVING!!  I REALLY DO ENJOY THAT KIND OF WORK, AND TRULY IT DOES NOT EVEN FEEL LIKE WORK ESPECIALLY WHEN IT IS FOR MY CHILD.  STILL, NO MATTER WHAT ELSE I TRY, I AM ALWAYS BACK TO CARE GIVING IT SEEMS!!  TIME TO FEED MY PATIENT, SO TILL LATER, LINDA-OUT

HOW I BECAME SO PATIENT PART 2

THANKFULLY, THE TRUCK DRIVER HAD HIS WINDOWS ROLLED DOWN, SO HE WAS ABLE TO HEAR THE GAS STATION ATTENDANTS SCREAMS AND PULLED OVER.  I STILL CAN NOT BARE TO THINK OF HOW THIS STORY WOULD HAVE ENDED IF NOT FOR THAT.
ONCE MY SON WAS SAFELY BACK IN MY CAR, I WAS SHAKING SO BADLY I COULDN'T EVEN START THE CAR FOR ABOUT TEN MINUTES.
THAT'S WHEN ALL THE "PLEASE MOMMIES" STARTED.  PLEASE MOMMY, CAN WE STILL GO SEE "GEORGE"??  AT FIRST I SAID NO, I JUST WANT TO GO BACK HOME.  BUT LIKE SO MANY OTHER MOMMIES I CAVED UNDER THE PRESSURE OF TWO ANGELIC FACES PLEADING WITH ME, SO I SAID YES.
DON'T THINK THAT IS THE END OF ONE OF MY WORST DAYS EVER, , BECAUSE IT WAS NOT!!
ONCE WE GOT INTO THE MOVIE, AND I HAD A SHORT TIME TO COOL DOWN, I BEGIN TO SMELL SOMETHING AWEFUL!!  AT FIRST I THOUGHT SOMEONE HAD CUT THE CHEESE (DON'T KNOW HOW TO SAY FARTED NICELY).  BUT NO, MY NIGHTMARE OF A DAY HAD NOT ENDED JUST YET.  AS IT TURNS OUT, MY SON HAD ALSO BEEN FRIGHTENED BY HIS NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE, AND NOW HE WAS POOPING ALL OVER HIMSELF, THE THEATER CHAIR, AND THE RUG, AS I TOOK HIM, AND HIS SISTER DOWN THE ISLE, AND BACK TO THE CAR.  YES, WE WENT HOME AFTER THAT, AND THAT EXPERIENCE CURED ME FROM EVER LOSING MY COOL, OR PATIENCE AGAIN!
STILL ADORE THAT BOY!!  LINDA-OUT

HOW I BECAME SO PATIENT

PEOPLE ARE ALWAYS ASKING ME HOW I BECAME SUCH A PATIENT PERSON.  I HAVE GIVEN THAT A LOT OF THOUGHT, AND FINALLY FIGURED OUT THE ANSWER.  MY CHILDREN TAUGHT ME.
I HAVE THREE GROWN CHILDREN NOW WITH CHILDREN OF THEIR OWN.  I SEE WHAT PATIENT WONDERFUL PARENTS THEY TURNED OUT TO BE, AND I THINK IT IS MAINLY BECAUSE NO MATTER WHAT THE SITUATION WAS, MY CHILDREN NEVER SAW ME LOSE MY COOL-THAT IS AFTER THIS ONE TIME.  I THINK AFTER THIS ONE THING HAPPENED, I FIGURED NOTHING COULD EVER TOP THAT, SO FROM THAT POINT FORWARD I ALWAYS REMAINED COMPOSED AND CALM.
I'M SURE YOU ARE CURIOUS AS TO WHAT WAS ABLE TO RATTLE EVERY NERVE IN MY ENTIRE BODY, SO FORGIVE ME SON, BUT HERE IT IS.
MY TWO OLDEST CHILDREN WANTED TO GO SEE THE MOVIE "GEORGE" ABOUT A ST. BERNARD DOG, AND SO SINCE THEY HAD BEEN SO GOOD, I DECIDED TO REWARD THEM, AND TAKE THEM TO THE MOVIES.
ON THE WAY, I NEEDED TO STOP  FOR GAS.  I ASKED MY DAUGHTER (THE OLDER OF THE TWO-6 AT THE TME) TO WATCH HER 3 YEAR OLD BROTHER WHILE I WENT INSIDE TO PAY.  WHEN I GOT BACK TO THE CAR, MY 3 YEAR OLD SON WAS MISSING.  I ASKED MY DAUGHTER WHERE HER BROTHER WAS, AND SHE JUST SHRUGGED HER SHOULDERS.  NEXT I SAW THE GAS STATION ATTENDANT IN THE MIDDLE  OF HWY 1792 WAVING HIS ARMS FRANTICALLY AND SCREAMING LOUDLY.  AS IT TURNS OUT, IN THE TWO MINUTES IT TOOK ME TO PAY FOR MY GAS, A TRUCK WITH A HORSE TRAILER PULLED UP NEXT TO MY CAR.  MY SON WHO LOVES HORSES GOT OUT OF MY CAR AND CLIMBED UP ONTO THE HOURSE TRAILER TO GET A BETTER LOOK AT THE HORSE.  THEN THE DRIVER OF THE TRUCK PULLED OUT ON TO THE HIGHWAY TOTALLY UNAWARE OF HIS NEW PASSENGER!!  THIS IS NOT THE END OF THE STORY, BUT SINCE IT IS SO MUCH LONGER THAN MY OTHER BLOGS, I WILL FINISH TELLING YOU THE REST OF THE STORY TOMORROW-BE PATIENT !!  HAVE A HAPPY DAY.  LINDA-OUT

TWO YEARS HAVE NOW PASSED

IT HAS BEEN TWO WHOLE YEARS NOW SINCE MY DEAR HUSBAND MIKE PASSED.  TWO VERY LONG YEARS WITH MANY CHANGES AND UPS AND DOWNS!
THERE HAS BEEN ONE CONSTANT IN MY LIFE THAT HAS SEEN ME THROUGH THE DARKEST OF DAYS.  MY FAITH IN GOD, AND HIS PROMISE OF THE RESURRECTION.
NO MATTER HOW SAD I MAY BE FEELING, I TURN MY MIND TO WHEN I WILL SEE MIKE AGAIN, HOLD AND KISS HIM ONCE MORE.  I CAN BE SURE THAT THIS WILL TAKE PLACE, BECAUSE EVERY THING GOD HAS EVER SAID HAS OR IS COMING TRUE RIGHT NOW, AND ALSO BECAUSE THE BIBLE ASSURES US THAT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR GOD TO LIE!
IT HELPS A LOT. ALSO, TO STAY AS BUSY AS POSSIBLE, WHICH I HAVE BEEN DOING.  I HAVE BEEN WORKING AGAIN AS A TRAVEL AGENT, AS WELL AS DOING A LITTLE CARE GIVING FOR A NEIGHBOR.
I'VE TAKEN UP LINE DANCING AND GONE BACK TO SCHOOL FOR A WRITING CLASS.
SOON I WILL BE VERY BUSY WITH BOTH NEW GRAND BABIES (TWINS!) AND A. NEW GREAT GRAND BABY. SO AS YOU CAN SEE I AM VERY BLESSED.
I FIND THAT LIFE CAN STILL BE JOYFUL AND A LOT DEPENDS ON YOUR ATTITUDE.  I HOPE YOU TOO WILL FIND JOY IN THIS DAY.  LINDA-OUT

caregiversofallages: I SLIPPED BACK A LITTLE YESTERDAY

caregiversofallages: I SLIPPED BACK A LITTLE YESTERDAY: I'VE BEEN DOING FINE, FOR A WHILE NOW, SINCE MY HUSBAND MIKE PASSED.  I'VE TRIED TO BE STRONG IN FRONT OF MY CHILDREN AS I KNOW HOW ...

I SLIPPED BACK A LITTLE YESTERDAY

I'VE BEEN DOING FINE, FOR A WHILE NOW, SINCE MY HUSBAND MIKE PASSED.  I'VE TRIED TO BE STRONG IN FRONT OF MY CHILDREN AS I KNOW HOW VERY MUCH THEY ARE HURTING, AND MISS THEIR DAD.  THE PROBLEM IS, THAT THIS TIME OF YEAR (WE CALL THE MEMORIAL SEASON) WHICH ALSO HAPPENS TO BE THE SAME TIME OF YEAR THAT MY DEAR HUSBAND MIKE PASSED.  THE MEMORIAL OF CHRIST DEATH WAS ON THE 5TH OF APRIL IN 2012 THE YEAR MIKE PASSED, AND HE PASSED THE VERY NEXT DAY, ON THE 6TH..  I GUESS THAT IS WHY I GET A BIT SAD  AT THIS TIME EACH YEAR.
ON ANOTHER NOTE, I NOW HAVE A NEW ROOM MATE!  YES, A DIFFERENT ONE.  IF I TOLD YOU HOW THE LAST ONE LEFT, YOU WOULD MOST LIKLY THINK I WAS MAKING IT UP!!  NO MATTER, I THINK MY NEW ROOM MATE WILL BE JUST FINE.  SHE IS A HAPPY PERSON, AND THAT IS THE KIND OF PEOPLE I LIKE TO BE AROUND.  I HATE DRAMA OF ANY KIND, AND FRANKLY, I JUST DON'T HAVE TIME FOR IT IN MY BUSY LIFE.
I AM WORKING AGAIN AS A TRAVEL AGENT, AND WISH TO THANK THOSE WHO HAVE BOOKED THEIR TRIPS WITH ME.  LIVING ON SOCIAL SECURITY IS REALLY A JOKE.  AT BEST, ONE CAN MAYBE EXIST ON IT, BUT WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY!!
WELL, WE (MY SISTER VICKIE AND I ) HAVE BEEN WORKING HARD ALL READY TO RAISE FUNDS FOR ALZHEIMER'S.  WE HAD OUR FIRST FUND RAISER GARAGE SALE, AND MADE ABOUT $500. FOR THEM.  HERE IS OUR TEAM SITE, IF YOU HAVE ANY THING YOU WANT TO DONATE, OR JUST JOIN US IN THE WALK THIS YEAR, WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU!!  Http://act.alz.org/goto/Bonelli-Hayes.  THANKS SO MUCH, AND HAVE A FRUITFUL DAY.  LINDA-OUT

NEW DAY-NEW ATTITUDE!!

TODAY IS FILLED WITH HAPPY THOUGHTS, AND HAPPY LONG OVER DUE REUNIONS!  MY JAPANESE SON IS IN TOWN AND IS TAKING ME OUT TO LUNCH.  I CALL HIM MY SON, BECAUSE I WAS NOT ONLY HIS HOST MOTHER, BUT I PLANNED HIS WEDDING, HIS HONEYMOON, AND THEN HELPED TEACH HIS LOVELY WIFE WHO ALSO STAYED WITH ME, HOW TO SPEAK ENGLISH.
REMEMBER I WAS A HOST MOM FOR 11 YEARS, BEFORE MY HUSBAND MIKE GOT SICK WITH ALZHEIMER'S, AND THEN I BECAME A FULL TIME CAREGIVER.
MY DEAR SISTER ALSO HAD TO BECOME A FULL TIME CARE GIVER WHEN HER HUSBAND ALSO DEVELOPED ALZHEIMER'S.  THAT IS WHY WE NOT ONLY DO THE ALZHEIMER'S WALK EVERY YEAR, BUT DO OUR BEST ALL YEAR LONG. TO RAISE FUNDS AND AWARENESS ABOUT THIS TERRIBLE DISEASE.  LAST YEAR WE CAME IN FIRST PLACE IN RAISING MORE FUNDS THEN ANY OTHER TEAM IN CENTRAL FLORIDA, AND HAD 63 PEOPLE JOIN US AND OUR FAMILY ON THE WALK.  BTW, THAT WAS ALSO MORE PEOPLE WALKING ON OUR TEAM (BONELLI-HAYES) THAN ANY OTHER TEAM!!
EVERYDAY IS SUCH A GIFT.  I WISH MORE PEOPLE COULD SEE THE GLASS HALF FULL.  WHILE WE HAVE LIFE, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE IF YOU BELIEVE.  WHY WASTE A MOMENT BEING SAD OR DEPRESSED?  CONCENTRATE ON YOUR MANY BLESSING, AND SMILE.  YOU WILL FEEL BETTER, AND SO WILL ALL THOSE YOU MEET.  HAVE A VERY BLESSED DAY!  LINDA-OUT

MY LIFE-STRANGER THAN FICTION!!

YESTERDAY BROUGHT UNEXPECTED JOY, AS A NEW ROOMMATE CAME OVER AND GAVE A DEPOSIT ON MY ROOM, PLANNING TO MOVE IN ON APRIL FIRST.  BOY DID I SLEEP GOOD LAST NIGHT.  THINKING I ONCE AGAIN HAD THINGS UNDER CONTROL.  NOT!!  HONESTLY, WHEN HAVE I EVER HAD THINGS TOTALLY UNDER CONTROL?  I'LL TELL YOU WHEN-NEVER-THAT'S WHEN!!
ANY HOW, FIRST THING THIS AM I GOT  THE DREADED  CALL.  IT SEEMS HER FIANCÉ  THOUGHT IT WAS A PACKAGE DEAL WHICH INCLUDED HIS OVER NIGHT STAYS WHEN HE WAS IN TOWN.  NOT HAPPENING!!  SOOOO, I AM NOW ONCE AGAIN LOOKING FOR A ROOMMATE.  SURE WISH I COULD FIND A NORMAL ONE, I REALLY DON'T THINK I AM ASKING TOO MUCH.  THE GOOD LORD KNOWS MY EXPECTATIONS ARE NOT ALL THAT HIGH!!
OK, ENOUGH OF MY WOES FOR ONE POST.  I AM SO SURE AT LEAST HALF OF THOSE READING THIS ARE GOING THROUGH MUCH WORSE THAN ME.
LIFE IS PRETTY GOOD IN TRUTH.  I HAVE MANY WONDERFUL FRIENDS, GOOD KIDS, A ROOF OVER MY HEAD, AND THE TWO CUTEST MOST LOVABLE DOGIES ON THE PLANET!
I AM ABOUT TO BECOME A GRAND MOTHER AGAIN TO TWINS, AND A GREAT GRANDMOTHER AGAIN TO ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL LITTLE GIRL.
LISTENING TO THE OLDIES RIGHT NOW AND  REMINISCING.  WHERE HAS ALL THE TIME GONE?
HOPING YOUR DAY IS HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS!!  BLESSINGS,   LINDA OUT    

BIG SURPRISES THIS WEEK!!

I WAS UNDER THE MISCONCEPTION THAT THIS WOULD BE AN UNEVENTFUL BORING WEEK, BUT NOT SO!!
OUT OF THE CLEAR BLUE SKY, TWO, YES, TWO OF MY FORMER FOREIGN EXCHANGE STUDENTS E-MAILED THAT THEY WOULD BE IN TOWN THIS WEEK AND WANTED TO TAKE ME OUT TO EAT.
THESE JUST HAPPENED TO BE TWO OF MY FAVORITE STUDENTS.  THEY WERE BOTH WITH US FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME.
ONE IS FROM JAPAN, AND THE OTHER FROM S. AMERICA.  HOW BLESSED AM I, THAT THEY STILL REMEMBER ME, AND CARE ENOUGH TO COME SEE ME?  I'll TELL YOU-VERY!!
YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BELIEVE THIS ONE, CAUSE IT HAPPENED TO ME, AND EVEN I DON'T BELIEVE IT!!  MY NEW ROOMMATE MOVE OUT YESTERDAY WITH OUT EVEN A WORD!!  JUST LEFT HER KEYS ON THE TABLE, PACKED HER THINGS, AND LEFT!  I DIDN't KNOW WHAT WAS HAPPENING UNTIL I WENT INTO HER ROOM, AND FOUND IT EMPTY!!  UNREAL!!  I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANY THING LIKE THAT IN MY WHOLE LIFE.  SHE MUST OF HAD SOMETHING MENTALLY WRONG WITH HER, AS SHE WAS YOUNG, BUT ON DISABILITY.  SOOOO, GUESS I'M BACK TO SQUARE ONE AGAIN SEARCHING FOR ANOTHER ROOMMATE!!
HOPE YOUR LIFE IS HAPPY AND LESS COMPLICATED THAN MINE! BLESSINGS GALORE-LINDA OUT.  

GOOD ROOM MATES ARE HARD TO FIND!!

I HATE TO COMPLAIN, BUT THERE HAVE BEEN SOM STRANGE PEOPLE WANTING TO RENT A ROOM FROM ME.
SADLY, SINCE MIKE PASSED, I HAVE BEEN IN A POSITION WHERE I NEED A ROOM MATE (or rather the financial help) TO MAKE ENDS MEET.
I AM BLESSED WITH THE BEST KIDS IN THE WORLD (not just my opinion either) WHO SEEM HAPPY TO PAY FOR MY RENT, BUT AS I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN SO INDEPENDENT, I WANT TO DO ALL I CAN TO SUPPORT MYSELF.  HENCE A ROOM MATE.
ANY HOW, IN OTHER AREAS OF MY LIFE THINGS ARE GOING WELL.  I WAS AT MY ONCOLOGIST YESTERDAY FOR MY REGULAR CHECK UP, AND HE WAS VERY HAPPY WITH MY BLOOD REPORT.  HIS WORDS WERE "YOUR BOOD WORK IS AWESOME TODAY !!" .  I OF COURSE WAS VERY HAPPY TO HEAR THAT, AS MY LAST BLOOD WORK WAS NOT SO GREAT.
I AM SO HAPPY TO REPORT MY YOUNGEST DAUGHTER IS PREGNANT WITH TWINS, AND EVERYTHING IS LOOKING GOOD.  SHE HAS BEEN THROUGH A LOT, BUT IS FINALLY GOING TO BE A MOM!!
I WAS IN CA. FOR A FEW DAYS LAST MONTH, AND IT WAS ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL TO SPEND TIME WITH MY SON AND HIS TERRIFIC FAMILY.  THEY ARE SUCH GREAT HOST, EVEN THE LITTLE GIRLS (my Sweet grand babies) MADE ME FEEL SO LOVED AND WELCOME.  THEY SURE ARE DOING A GREAT JOB WITH THOSE GIRLS!!
ONE OF MY OLDEST AND DEAREST FRIENDS (the guy who got Mike & I together)  HAS HAD A STROKE.  HIS WIFE HAS BEEN KEEPING ME POSTED, AND HAS BEEN RUNNING HERSELF RAGGID TAKING SUCH GOOD CARE OF HIM.  HE IS DOING MUCH BETTER, AND I SPOKE WITH HIM A FEW DAYS AGO, AND HE REMEMBERED ME, AND WANT TO SEE ME ONCE HE GETS BACK HOME.  I WOULD LIKE THAT TOO.
WELL, THAT'S ABOUT ALL I HAVE FOR NOW, WISHING YOU ALL MANY BLESSINGS THIS DAY.  LINDA

NOT SUCH A GREAT START

SO FAR THIS HAS NOT BEEN A GOOD START TO 2014!!  I HAVE SPENT MUCH OF JANUARY SICK WITH A COLD, OR FLU, AND AN UPPER RESPIRATORY INFECTION .  NOT FUN!!  SO FAR I HAVE MISSED OUT ON AT LEAST ONE PARTY, ONE INVITE TO A HOME COOKED MEAL WITH SOME FRIENDS, AND A FEW MEETINGS.  I HAVE BEEN WELL TAKEN CARE OF BY MANY FRIENDS AND FAMILY, FOR WHICH I AM TRULY GRATEFUL.
SINCE I WILL BE GOING TO SAN DIEGO IN A FEW WEEKS, I AM HOPING AND PRAYING THAT ALL THIS SICKNESS IS BEHIND ME!!
I DON'T KNOW WHAT MY YOUNGEST GRAND DAUGHTER HAS DONE THIS TIME, BUT IT MUST HAVE BEEN A DOOZIE, AS SHE NOW HAS A TOTALLY EMPTY ROOM, AND MUST EARN EACH ITEM BACK BY GOOD BEHAVIOR.  YES, EVEN HER CLOTHES!!
SHE HAS DONE SOME REALLY  EXASPERATING STUFF BEFORE, BUT THIS TIME SHE MUST HAVE MESSED UP GOOD!?  SHE IS ONLY FOUR YEARS YOUNG, AND TOO CUTE FOR WORDS.  BIG DIMPLES AND A SMILE THAT COULD MELT AN IGLU, AND SHE KNOWS WHEN AND HOW TO USE THEM.  I THINK KIDS ARE JUST BORN SMART THESE DAYS!!
MY POOR NEIGHBOR MARTHA WAS IN THE HOSPITAL AGAIN.  SHE FRACTURED A DISK IN HER BACK, BUT IS BACK HOME NOW-THANKFULLY.
I HAVE MUCH TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN FEB. SO I WILL DO MY BEST TO GET, AND STAY HEALTHY FOR THAT.
WELL, WE HAVE STARTED GEARING UP AGAIN FOR THE 2014 WALK TO END ALZHEIMER'S, SO I HOPE YOU WILL JOIN OUR TEAM THIS YEAR, (Bonelli-Hayes) SO WE CAN MAKE THIS THE BEST YEAR EVER!!  HAVE A PROSPEROUS DAY!  

BABIES GALORE

WOW!!  DON'T KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON, BUT THERE IS GOING TO BE A BUMPER CROP OF LITTLE ONES THIS YEAR!!
I'M NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT IN MY FAMILY EITHER, WHICH BTW WILL HAVE FOUR   NEW ADDITIONS BY THE START OF SUMMER!   THERE ARE AT LEAST FOUR MORE BABIES JOINING THE N.E. CONGREGATION THIS YEAR AS WELL!!  LIKE I SAID, A BUMPER CROP!!
I USE TO HAVE A T-SHIRT THAT SAID "I'D RATHER BE FORTY THAN PREGNANT", AND IT WAS AS TRUE BACK THEN AS IT IS NOW IN MY SIXTIES!!
PLEASE  DON'T GET ME WRONG, I LOVE BABIES AS MUCH, MAYBE EVEN MORE THAN THE NEXT GUY, BUT TIME, AND IT'TS BUDDY ARTHRITIS HAS DONE A NUMBER ON ME, SO ALL I CAN DO NOW IS SHORT TERM BABY CARE.  I LEAVE THE 24HOUR CARE FOR THE YOUNG!
I AM HOWEVER VERY EXCITED TO BE BOTH A GRANDMOTHER AGAIN AS WELL AS A GREAT GRANDMOTHER AGAIN!  WHO KNEW AT 67 I WOULD BE SO BLESSED AND YES, HAPPY.
I TRY HARD NOT TO THINK ABOUT HOW HAPPY MIKE WOULD BE WITH ALL THIS BABY NEWS, BUT OF COURSE THE MIND GOES WHERE IT PLEASES-AT LEAST FOR A WHILE.
I AM SO GRATEFUL THAT ALL MY KIDS SEEM TO BE HAPPY WITH THEIR LIVES AT PRESENT.  AS A PARENT, EVEN NOW, THE WORRYING  NEVER STOPS.  NO ONE EVER TELLS YOU THAT BEFORE YOU HAVE CHILDREN.  PERHAPS IF THEY DID, FEWER BABIES WOULD BE BORN, AND MORE PEOPLE WOULD HAVE PETS!!
OK, THAT IS MY OBSERVATIONS FOR TODAY.  STILL RECOVERING FROM MY FIRST LINE DANCING CLASS OF THE NEW YEAR-WHAT A WORKOUT!!
TILL TOMORROW MY FRIENDS.

DARN THOSE HIPS & KNEES-FULL SPEED AHEAD!

THIS IS MY FIRST DAY BACK TO LINE DANCING SINCE THE NEW YEAR BEGAN.  I HAVE PUT PATCHES (MIKE'S NICK NAME FOR ME) ALL OVER MY BODY!!  MIKE USE TO CALL ME "BROWN EYES", BUT SINCE I STARTED WITH FIBROMYALGIA PAINS AND OF COURSE ARTHRITIS EVERY WHERE, HE CHANGED IT TO PATCHES SINCE I USE THOSE PATCHES THAT HEAT UP AND BRING AT LEAST A LITTLE RELIEF.
MY NEIGHBOR MARTHA NOW HAS PNEUMONIA  AND IS SICK AS A DOG.  WE ALL WORRY ABOUT HER, MOSTLY BECAUSE OF HER AGE, ALSO SHE HAS BECOME INCREASING FRAIL.  AFTER ALL, SHE IS IN HER 80'S NOW.  WE (MY SISTER VICKIE) AND I, CHECK ON HER EVERY DAY AT LEAST ONCE OR TWICE.
IT LOOKS LIKE WE ARE GOING TO BE GETTING SOME MORE COLD WEATHER TODAY AND THE REST OF THE WEEK.  IT IS NOTHING COMPARED WITH WHAT EVERYONE UP NORTH HAS BEEN DEALING WITH, SO I WILL REFUSE TO VOICE A COMPLAINT!
I HAD A GREAT DAY YESTERDAY.  HAD VISITS FROM BOTH DAUGHTERS,  AS WELL AS MY VERY HANDSOME SON IN LAW, MY GRAND DAUGHTER, AND CUTE AS CAN BE
GREAT GRAND BABY MINKA.  I ALSO MADE A BOOKING FOR A TRIP TO CANCUN!  ALL IN ALL A REALLY GOOD DAY!
I'M VERY GRATEFUL THAT I AM STARTING TO GET SOME TRAVEL BUSINESS.  I AM HOPING TO ONE DAY BE DOING WELL ENOUGH TO BE SELF SUPPORTING.
WELL, NO MORE NEWS FROM ME RIGHT NOW, BUT STAY TUNED FOR THE NEXT INSTALLMENT OF "HOW TO SURVIVE AS A WIDOWED SENIOR AND STAY SANE"!

WET AND YUCKY OUTSIDE

IT'S KINDA HARD TO BE UP BEAT AND POSITIVE WITH WEATHER LIKE THIS, BUT I AM GOING TO DO MY BEST!
JUST HAD MY HAIR CUT YESTERDAY, AND NOW THIS MORNING I AM HAVING SECOND THOUGHTS.  OH WAIT.  TOO LATE, IT'S ALREADY CUT, AND SHORTER THAN I WANTED OR EXPECTED.  THE GOOD NEWS IS, THAT MY HAIR GROWS LIKE WEEDS, AND WILL BE TOO LONG FOR MY LIKING AGAIN IN NO TIME.
MORE GOOD NEWS.  THIS SAT. I HAVE BEEN INVITED TO A FRIENDS HOME FOR A LITTLE GATHERING OF A FEW FRIENDS.  THEN I WILL BE GOING TO SEE A NEIL SADAKA SHOW IN FEB. WITH TWO OF MY BEST FRIENDS!!  LIFE IS GOOD!!
TODAY DESPITE THE WEATHER I WILL BE GOING OUT IN SERVICE WITH MY FRIEND JUDI.  SHE IS THE ONE THAT WENT TO THE BAHAMAS WITH ME.
MY POOR ROOMMATE HAD A MAJOR PROBLEM THIS AM.  SHE WENT TO A TANNING SALON YESTERDAY, AND FORGOT TO COVER HER BOTTOM.  NOW TODAY, SHE HAD TO TAKE SOMETHING TO SIT ON AT WORK AS IT HURTS SO MUCH JUST TO SIT DOWN!!
WELL, I MUST START GETTING READY FOR MY DAY, SO TILL TOMORROW (JAH. WILLING).  KNOW THAT OTHERS CARE ABOUT YOU!!  HAVE A BLESSED DAY.

caregiversofallages: ASK AND YE SHALL BE GIVEN!

caregiversofallages: ASK AND YE SHALL BE GIVEN!: WELL, THAT'S WHAT I DID, AND LOW AND BEHOLD I HAD SOMEONE REQUEST SOME FLIGHT AND SOME CRUISE INFO. FROM ME YESTERDAY!!  HOWEVER THAT IS...

ASK AND YE SHALL BE GIVEN!

WELL, THAT'S WHAT I DID, AND LOW AND BEHOLD I HAD SOMEONE REQUEST SOME FLIGHT AND SOME CRUISE INFO. FROM ME YESTERDAY!!  HOWEVER THAT IS NOT MY REALLY GOOD NEWS THAT I MENTIONED IN YESTERDAY'S POST.  
BABIES, LOTS OF BABIES WILL BE BORN THIS YEAR GIVING ME TWO MORE GRAND CHILDREN AND ONE MORE GREAT GRAND CHILD!!  ISN'T IT WONDERFUL HOW GOD SUPPLIES JUST WHAT WE NEED AT THE RIGHT TIME TO BRING US SO MUCH JOY .  
SOMETIMES AFTER  THE LOSS OF A MATE YOU MIGHT THINK LIFE IS OVER FOR YOU AS WELL.  HOWEVER IF WE DO OUR PART AND HANG IN THERE, THE SUN WILL COME UP AGAIN, AND JOY WILL FIND IT'S WAY BACK INTO YOUR HEART.
THERE ARE SO MANY DIFFERENT WAYS TO DEAL WITH GRIEF, BUT FOR ME, I HAVE FOUND THAT STAYING BUSY, DOING STUFF FOR OTHERS, AND TAKING CARE OF MYSELF, HAS BEEN THE KEY.
SHARING OUR SUCCESSES ON HOW WE ARE ABLE TO COPE, CAN ALSO BE A BLESSING TO US, AS WELL AS FOR THOSE WHO ARE JUST STARTING ON THIS JOURNEY.
THEN THERE ARE FRIENDS THAT STICK CLOSE TO US, AND KEEP US FOCUSED.  WHAT EVER WOULD WE DO WITHOUT FRIENDS AND FAMILY TO CHEER US ON, AND ENCOURAGE US??
EVERY DAY IS SUCH A BLESSING.  WE NEED TO COMPLAIN LESS AND GIVE THANKS MORE!
HOPE YOUR DAY WILL BE JOYFUL, TILL TOMORROW.

                 2014 CAN YOU BELIEVE IT???

I AM SO HAPPY TO BE ALIVE AND WELL AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS NEW YEAR!  HOPE THE SAME IS TRUE OF ALL OF YOU.

LOTS HAS HAPPENED SINCE I LAST POSTED, SOME GOOD AND OF COURSE SOME NOT SO GOOD.

I AM STILL WORKING AT BUILDING UP MY TRAVEL BUSINESS, BUT AFTER BEING OUT OF THE BUSINESS FOR SO LONG WHILE I WAS TAKING CARE OF MIKE, IT IS NOT EASY.

MIKE IS STILL ON MY MIND A GREAT DEAL OF THE TIME, BUT I AM TOLD THAT THIS IS NORMAL.  IT HAS NOT EVEN BEEN TWO YEARS SINCE HE PASSED, SO I GUESS I JUST NEED MORE TIME TO HEAL.

I HAVE TAKEN UP A NEW HOBBY, WHICH GIVES ME MUCH NEEDED EXERCISE, PLUS IT IS LOADS OF FUN.  IT'S LINE DANCING!!  I GO ONCE A WEEK TO THE SENIOR CENTER WITH MY SISTER VICKIE.  BY THE TIME WE LEAVE THERE WE ARE BOTH LIKE WET NOODLES, BUT ALWAYS GLAD WE WENT.

I HAVE PLANS TO GO TO CA. IN FEB. TO VISIT MY SON, AND HIS FAMILY.  SOMETIMES SKYPE IS JUST NOT GOOD ENOUGH-SOMETIMES YOU NEED REAL HUGS AND KISSES FROM YOUR KIDS AND GRAND KIDS!!

I HAVE MORE GOOD NEWS TO SHARE, BUT IT WILL HAVE TO WAIT FOR MY NEXT POST.  HOPE MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY ARE STILL FOLLOWING!  LOVE TO YOU ALL, AND MAY THIS YEAR BRING YOU MANY BLESSINGS!!