tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38163764279195507852024-03-13T16:13:05.312-04:00Peanut Butter and HoneyHoneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09097774112366398836noreply@blogger.comBlogger83125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816376427919550785.post-87620215948747356252012-07-30T15:29:00.002-04:002012-07-30T15:29:43.518-04:00Swimming...it's part of who I am...I've never known a life without swimming...my mother was a great swim teacher when I was a kid...I spent my life at the pool and didn't realize not everyone spent allday, everyday during the summer at the pool.<br />
<br />
My kids weren't given an option...my theory, sink or swim! They were all on swimteam and we spent allday, everyday of their summer vacation at the pool. <br />
<br />
I taught swimming when I was a teenager.<br />
I worked at the pool in Auburn when we lived there.<br />
<br />
After we moved to Tennessee in 1986, Hannah, my youngest child started swimming year round. That required daily trips to the University of Tennessee Aquatic Center for many years.<br />
<br />
I had the opportunity to resume my swim teaching at Fort Sanders Health & Fitness Center, and worked my way into the Aquatic Director job. <br />
<br />
This summer has thrown me right back into the swim team world and I forgot how much I've missed it. Of course my positive reaction is mainly due to the fact that it is my Granddaughter that joined a summer swim team. This was her first year and there were many victories!!! She didn't win any races, but she won in a big way...she LOVED it!! She was determined and worked very hard...I'm sure it wasn't easy because we were all trying to coach her....many times I had to catch myself from over coaching...but boy was it fun...to see a child smiling while she's swimming just makes my heart leap! That little stinker just surprised us all.<br />
<br />
Can't wait til next year!!!!<br />
<br />
Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09097774112366398836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816376427919550785.post-31203893256349257932012-04-18T10:52:00.000-04:002012-04-18T10:52:20.430-04:00FriendsTwo weeks ago I had the greatest week....I drove to Atlanta and picked up my friend Candy who flew in from Louisiana. Candy and I have ben friends since 1985, we have been through happy and sad times together but we have always gotten along and had fun together. My childhood friend, Lydia, still lives in Savannah, so off we went to the most romantic city on earth! Candy had never been to Savannah so it was an exciting time for her and it was exciting for me to reconnect with a city I dream of often. My parents got jobs in North Georgia and moved me there when I was 13....I've never really gotten over it and yes, I'm still bitter!<br />
<br />
It was great introducing my friend of 50 years with my BFF . Lydia took a day off work and we had a great day...so much history there...and, so much personal history. I spent as much time as possible there every summer of my teen years....Lydia and I were able to remember things that made us both laugh...each remembering stuff the other didn't...it was a week totally directed by GOD...many private life happenings shared...it was a week that was definitely meant to be.<br />
<br />
I am grateful to have these two women in my life...I love you both!Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09097774112366398836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816376427919550785.post-1017216892184036502012-02-09T10:51:00.000-05:002012-02-09T10:51:21.819-05:00The Family MuleMy best friend lives in Louisiana...we met over 25 years ago and have remained friends through many of life's difficulties. Over the past years she has had breast cancer, a divorce, lost her mother and this past Tuesday morning her dad, Mr. Buck, passed away in her home. Candy had been caring for Mr. Buck for the past two years. She moved him in with her. They were quite a team. I had the priviledge to spend about ten days with them last Spring. It was the first time I really got to spend any time with Mr. Buck...instant love...this man was full of (excuse the expression, but none other will do) piss and vinegar. Because of the pain in his back, he was unable to sleep much...since he went down about 8 every night, by 5 a.m. he was ready for bacon and egss...every morning..they fussed and carried on but I had the priviledge to watch a father and daughter share life together in a way neither of them wanted, but both reconciled to. Candy had to be his nurse, his confidant, his cook, his housekeeper and most importantly his friend. She is my hero...he was so funny, I laughed til I cried at most of his stories. Most of the stories had a tender moment which revolved around Miss Gloria, his beautiful wife who passed a couple of years ago. Just a couple of highlights from his stories, you won't understand, but I have to mention Mingo! unfortunately Mingo would get ahold of Mr. Buck and make him miserable...a few times Mingo has made his way to Tennessee and gotten ahold of me. Then there's the family mule story...he told me one day that every family had a mule...you know, the one that ends up doing what none of the others in the family will do, the one that just jumps in and takes care of things....well, Candy is the mule in her family...Candy told me that just last week she was trying to either lift Mr. Buck or move him and she just couldn't do it...Mr. Buck said, "The mule has dropped the plow!"....Mr. Buck, I love you...you make me happy, thinking of you makes me smile...I'm so sorry you had to suffer...BUT...I know who is holding the plow now, and you never have worry about HIM dropping it! Rest in Peace Mr. Buck and keep it in the fairway!Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09097774112366398836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816376427919550785.post-87895083304723204752012-01-28T15:59:00.000-05:002012-01-28T15:59:10.618-05:00Freedom!Today Was my 4th "Family Zumba" class with my two granddaughters and their Mommy. It has been years since I've taken any sort of exercise class where a little dancing is involved. What sets this class apart from all adult classes is the freedom I feel...nobody cares in this class if you can master the steps, or keep up..the kids are all doing their thing and the moms and grand moms are doing our thing..it 's so liberating. I know for certain that I am getting way more out of it physically than the little ones, the turns and jumps are almost too much but I just keep shaking it...the best part, we are setting a good example for these little girls and showing them that exercise can be lots of fun.Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09097774112366398836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816376427919550785.post-53394732548926886132012-01-06T10:36:00.003-05:002012-01-06T14:16:51.585-05:00What makes Honey Happy*knowing that GOD loves me<br />
*having a Godly husband<br />
*my kids<br />
*My GRANDKIDS - and yes, they are GRAND<br />
*Football<br />
*Golf (wish I hadn't waited until I was 60 to start playing, I think I would have been awesome!)<br />
*Girlfriends - couldn't imagine my life without them<br />
*Freedom from worry and stress - well, I am sure when this happens it will make me happy!<br />
*the ocean - doesn't matter where, as long as I am with my friends and family<br />
*my church - it is for sure one of my Happy Places<br />
*Sunshine - gotta have it...open those windows and blinds, fresh air and sunshine<br />
*Savannah<br />
*Watching Hannah and Jeff surf - well, pretty much just watching Hannah and Jeff do anything<br />
*My recliner - I often joke that I am going to have "Lazy Boy" tattooed across my backside<br />
*My morning coffee<br />
*My IPad<br />
*Words with Friends<br />
*Pinterest<br />
*Creating - don't feel the need often, but when I do, look out Hobby Lobby!<br />
*newborn baby - can never get over what a miracle they are and I want to hold every baby I see<br />
*Dr. Schrock - love him<br />
*Precept Bible Study - has changed my life, makes me real happy to be in GOD's word discovering truth<br />
*boiled peanuts<br />
*Shrimp<br />
* those bloggers that fascinate me, Edie Wadsworth @lifeingrace, Kelly Stamps <br />
@kellyskorner, Susie Jane @asouthernmothersdaughter, Heather Baird @ Sprinklebakes, Jane Anne Owen @gravityofmotion & owenhome, and many more<br />
*turquoise and coral - such a pretty color combination, really drawn to it lately<br />
****BUT MY GREATEST HAPPINESS COMES FROM KNOWING THAT I HAVE COMPLETE SALVATION****Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09097774112366398836noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816376427919550785.post-70394447751799696542011-08-08T21:25:00.000-04:002011-08-08T21:25:55.308-04:00BittersweetI have been in California for twelve days....tomorrow I head home. I struggled leaving my husband for so long...tomorrow I will struggle with leaving my daughter and her husband. I love it out here...yes, there is more traffic than I have ever seen...the land is brown and dry...on the other hand, the Pacific is breath taking....it is so powerful, rough, deep and exciting. This little town of Oceanside is charming...it has gotten a bad rap in the past, lots of testosterone with all these young Marines walking around in their spare time...but, there is new construction all around, new businesses and the tourist just keep piling in. Surfers are everywhere and I wish that I had had the opportunity to be a surfer in my younger years. The food options are great, lots of really healthy options with all the regular greasy options too. I feel free here...no air conditioned, closed up houses...temps in upper 70's and nice and cool at night....perfect! I can walk to the beach, 1 block, and to the grocery store, many restaurants, the movie theater and coldstone creamery. But most of all, I love the quality time I spend with Hannah...she is and always has been very special...so, I will deal with the bittersweet...it's worth it.Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09097774112366398836noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816376427919550785.post-13250260004314205652011-06-03T09:12:00.000-04:002011-06-03T09:12:11.396-04:00Summer FunJust got back from the beach with the hubby and my son and his wife and daughters...so much fun...yesterday I made a trip with my girlfriend to an Amish farm about an hour away...wow...that was great...got all kinds of fresh veggies, some fruit and some relish, chow-chow and muscadine preserves...across a little path was a truck selling fried pies...the real kind...I bought two peach pies and they were just out of the fryer...man were they good. Today I'm going to sit on the front porch and shell peas...this will take me back about 55 years to a time of sitting on the screened porch with my Grandmother shelling peas...she had a way of including me in every chore.. ahh sweet memories! Have a blessed day and a wonderful weekend...make some memories.Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09097774112366398836noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816376427919550785.post-76767794464774206642011-05-14T12:16:00.000-04:002011-05-14T12:16:26.442-04:00Just for a MinuteWhere did it go...I want it back...not all of it...just a few minutes of when my kids were kids...those little snotty noses, those hugs and kisses, those family get togethers when the kids were all having fun and we were gathered on holidays, ballgames, swim meets, birthday parties, school mornings...gone...poof...now everything is so complicated...I realize I set myself up by not being more demanding and always saying whatever....well, if I had it to do over again I would insist that my kids visit me on all holidays..I would make sure they valued family time right under worship time...there would never be a question of where are we going....it's funny when I look around...I know all families are dysfunctional....but it seems like my kids and our family had a pretty normal past...now I see that the ones that had a crazy messed-up past stick together more than us......makes me sad...I'm happy for my kids...all grown with families of their own and I know it's selfish of me, but I want just the five of us again, just for a minute...Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09097774112366398836noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816376427919550785.post-86903688763335464082011-05-01T15:00:00.000-04:002011-05-01T15:00:02.577-04:00Crazy WeatherThis was a crazy weather week for sure....it was amazing at my house and we feel very blessed to have been spared the really ugly stuff....those all over our state and several neighboring states didn't fare as well....The lightening blew me away....I have never seen lightening strike for so long non stop...it was like a light show from heaven...We have friends that had damage to their homes and automobiles but nothing like those in Ringgold, Georgia or those in Alabama. GOD created the earth....GOD controls the weather...there is no such thing as mother nature...wrong , wrong, wrong...GOD is in control. Pray for the mercy shown and pray for those that are trying to figure out why...pray they will know that GOD has them if they will just trust and obey...for there's no other way....to be happy in JESUS is to trust and obey!Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09097774112366398836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816376427919550785.post-8982263102356191532011-04-17T15:25:00.000-04:002011-04-17T15:25:47.237-04:00EASTERThis is Holy Week....Holy means set-apart.......it is a week that is set-apart from all others...it is the week that had to take place to redeem us...the lost....the veil was torn....now our prayers go up! JESUS died for my sins...I am not worthy....I am grateful.....I trust HIM, I adore HIM, I love HIM...HE died on the cross for us all...do not turn away...you have heard the truth...we are all sinners and fall short...regardless of what you think or others say, there is a place called Hell...if you don't accept JESUS, you will go there when you die...you won't just go there to die...you will live in hell for eternity...forever...Run to HIM as fast as you can...find that peace that is unexplainable...Wishing all of you a Blessed Holy Week!Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09097774112366398836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816376427919550785.post-25468860162999610162011-03-14T13:08:00.000-04:002011-03-14T13:08:22.828-04:00I DID IT!<strong><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I did it...my trip was great! I had so much fun even though none of us felt too great the whole time...well, except for Kathryn and she smiled almost all nine days! She smiled so much her dimples got deeper and deeper...that is one happy young woman and it was so much fun being a part of that. As you can see from the picture I scored pretty good at the Spanish Town Mardi Gras parade...it was pouring rain and thundering and lightening pretty much the whole time...I get determined and my competitive side kicks in when those floats start rolling...I have been known to knock folks down and go up to a float and beg for certain beads! I love that part of it but my favorite part was just being there with Candy...I had quiet moments with her dad...moments of memories for him and wonderful life stories of family, sports and cars! I had moments with Candy's children and grandchildren...she shared...I loved it...it's all part of who she is and I wanted to experience it all. I got to experience a very moving Lentin Service with Candy at her church...my first time at an Episcopal church...different for this little southern Baptist girl...but very moving...I've thought about the service several times since that night. Of course I had great food...how could you not when in Louisiana...they for sure know how to eat way better than we do up here in these mountains! I'm counting the days till I can go back...when I'm there I almost feel like I'm home....I love you Candy!</span></em></strong>Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09097774112366398836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816376427919550785.post-73790386230098681532011-03-01T09:07:00.001-05:002011-03-01T09:17:58.162-05:00FRIENDS!Going away tomorrow...going to see my good friend Candy...can't wait...she's my friend...my true friend...she knows what I'm thinking and I know what she's thinking...we have been friends for 26 years...our husbands use to work together, we met on a business trip in Hawaii....we try to see each other at least once a year...sometimes more...we've been through ups and downs together..she's the kind of friend you can just watch t.v. with or sit around the pool with or better yet sit at the beach with and just be silent...of course we really aren't in silent mode too often...there are things we share with each other that we can't share with family...can you tell I'm excited!!! The drive will be a challenge...ten hours alone...but the payoff will be worth it!Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09097774112366398836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816376427919550785.post-80112265480242249972011-02-12T10:07:00.000-05:002011-02-12T10:07:30.552-05:00Oh Happy Day!Today is a great day for the Brown family....as of 5 p.m. yesterday, our family owned business was bought out by a large company here in town. There have been many prayers and tears about this over the pst few years....but GOD in HIS timing worked it all out....I could fill up this page with stories of how this all came about but you would be bored....just know that GOD has protected us from many bad deals and bad business partners....he has saved this exciting opportunity for us...my husband has worked soooooo hard over the recent years and now it is paying off....what does this mean for us...less stress!!! My husband will be freed up from running a business to get out there and doing what he does best...sell, sell, sell! He is chomping at the bit to hit the ground running...pretty good for a 60 year old! I am so happy for us all! Whew....thank you GOD for once again taking care of us...Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09097774112366398836noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816376427919550785.post-50081026035675773742011-01-14T10:33:00.001-05:002011-01-14T10:36:03.199-05:00Canvas PhotosBuying or creating Christmas gifts for grown children can sometimes be challenging...I love crafting for all but this year I have been out of sorts with crafting...we moved in October and this house is just not set up for crafting...I guess I could change that, but the crafting/creating bug just hasn't kicked in. I had been looking at another blog back in the fall and had seen some incredible canvases...so creative....not your normal set-up, posed pictures...unusual, inpromtu, life moments....so, one at a time, I started having them done...after the first one, the diving board, I fell in love with these....I have a whole folder now of our family snapshots titled canvas shots...my plan is to have all these snapshots turned into canvases and whenever I get my own home I am going to cover the walls with these memory makers...the bigger the better....I now look at all snapshots with a canvas making eye...I've even started telling my friends they should have canvases made of the photos they share with me ...sorry Ruth, but your G'kids are so gorgeous and you really should have a huge canvas done of just their eyes!!! I saw on another blog a snapshot of the bloggers children from their knees down...a great canvas shot and I told her so! So here are the canvases I had made...each family got the diving board shot and then the other two I had made for the little girls mom & dad and for me! These are 16" x 20". So get those cameras out and be creative....Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09097774112366398836noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816376427919550785.post-42407212637926505962011-01-02T14:36:00.000-05:002011-01-02T14:36:59.852-05:00Sending Love and PrayersI have been following a blog about a year that inspires and captivates me. The author of the blog just seems so real and has a wonderful way with words. During this past year she and her family moved into a home on the lake...it was with great anticipation that I looked forward to her posts regarding the remodling of this home. It was awesome...what an eye this girl has...I have even written down some of the products she used in her kitchen hoping someday to have my own kitchen just like hers....last week I read her blog...I cried for her....her home burned to the ground...everything gone....a couple of days before Christmas...Praise GOD that she and her family all got out....can you even imagine the complete feeling of helplessness as everything they owned vanished. All the "stuff" can certainly be replaced....but what they all saw happen to their "stuff" will be forever etched in their minds. I don't think she reads my blog....but Edie, I am so sorry this happened....I want you to know how much I care...I will pray for you and your sweet family....what you and yours have, nothing can take away....your love of GOD and of your family and home is so inspiring...thank you for sharing your life with us.Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09097774112366398836noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816376427919550785.post-13023780107347769302010-11-15T17:31:00.000-05:002010-11-15T17:31:21.805-05:00MeChrist Follower<br />
Born Again<br />
Loved Wife<br />
Blessed Mother<br />
Grateful Grandmother<br />
Love Football<br />
Love Swimming<br />
Completely Southern<br />
Pecan Pie (pronounced pea-can not pa-con)<br />
boiled peanuts<br />
fried shrimp<br />
boiled crab<br />
cheese grits<br />
corn dodgers<br />
flat cornbread<br />
boogey boarding<br />
beach walking<br />
finding sanddollars<br />
Allman Brothers<br />
windows open<br />
beach music<br />
shag dancing<br />
playing golf<br />
pecan pralines<br />
caramel cake (ka-ra-mel)<br />
butter beans<br />
fried okra<br />
fried chicken<br />
campground revival<br />
<br />
Amen!Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09097774112366398836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816376427919550785.post-45660463256321598692010-11-06T14:43:00.001-04:002010-11-06T14:45:00.745-04:00The "I Know What You are Thinking Quilt"!Today is Juliana's third birthday....I made her a quilt. <br />
Sometime over the past year, the girls have learned, and teased me about being afraid of frogs....they get the biggest kick out of it. We would be playing or just hanging out and I could see little Juliana's brain working...I could tell she was trying to think of what she was suppossed to say to make me be scared! I'd look at her and say, "I Know What You are Thinking"! and she'd say "What"...I'd say "Ribbet" and she would just laugh and laugh. One day as we were just hanging out...before I said anything....she said, "Honey....you know what I'm thinkin'???" it was so adorable...so...this is the I know what you are thinking quilt!!!Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09097774112366398836noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816376427919550785.post-23681035118355379082010-10-25T14:20:00.003-04:002010-10-25T14:30:31.675-04:00Below is a letter I wrote to an old High School friend who is writing a book title, "How to live YES in a NO World"....for the few of you who actually read this blog, it is old news....but since today is the actually 6th anniversary, my brain is consumed with it and I decided today was the day to share this with Randy...<br />
<br />
Well Randy….today just seems to be the right day to tell you how my family has learned to live Yes in a No world…it is a difficult story to tell in a condensed version because so many wonderful “GOD” things happened over the 52 days…<br />
<br />
Six years ago today I ended up in the hospital in a coma for 14 days….it started as a simple stomach ache on Sunday night. By Tuesday night it had gotten worse….I woke my husband and told him that I thought we should head to the hospital…so I took a shower, fixed my hair, grabbed a huge Tupperware bowl, just in case….we got to the hospital and the last thing I remember is telling my husband to tell them to hurry...<br />
<br />
<br />
I was in a coma….my blood platelets were down to 8,000 (250,000 being normal) – all my organs were shutting down, that’s what was causing the pain…not the chocolate ice cream that I gobbled down on Sunday. God had placed a hospitalists at this particular hospital that correctly diagnosed this wicked disease and called in the hematology team….they then transported me to another hospital<br />
<br />
For 13 days my platelets stayed that low….many transfusions, plasma pharesis and everything they could think of.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, I had recently struggled with not being able to sleep, my feet were in crazy bad shape and hurt all the time. So I have to say that whining about all of this to GOD got an answer…so be careful what you pray for!<br />
<br />
My daughter flies in from California not knowing what to expect because the outlook was not good. My Sunday School class rallied like you wouldn’t believe…my husband told me the ICU waiting area looked like a tailgate party everyday there was so much food…he still talks about how great all the food was. He had friends that were standing next to him every morning when he woke, with breakfast and always a prayer….I totally missed the party….GOD’s sense of humor was at it again because HE knows how I love a party!<br />
<br />
On day 13, the kidney doctor told my husband and son that I wouldn’t make it til morning…<br />
I have to jump back about 6 months because this is one of the GOD moments in this story that I must tell…it is definitely a “YES” moment….we go to a very large church and in SS one Sunday my husband asked if anyone remembered what the bleeding verse was…we had both heard it at a small church once but couldn’t remember where it was….fast forward back to night 13…late that night, after being told I was probably not going to make it until morning….my husband, children and a handful of friends were in the waiting room…a lady, a stranger, walked over to my husband and said. “GOD told me to tell you Ezekiel 16:6”….my husband knew immediately it was the bleeding verse….sent straight from GOD through a stranger( maybe an angel)! GOD is so good…so they all went into ICU, circled the bed, held hands and my wonderful praying husband prayed the house down with this verse! They turned around to walk out and the kidney Doc said she wouldn’t argue with our faith but I probably wouldn’t make it until morning….WRONG! our GOD is an awesome GOD…HE is the GREAT PHYSICIAN….The next morning for the first time in 14 days my platelets jumped from 8,000 to 24,000….I was on the mend…<br />
<br />
<br />
It was a very long 52 days…many more GOD moments occurred and still are….GOD shut me up and got me out of the way and used this as a big fat “YES HE CAN” lesson for all of us. Only through JESUS CHRIST can we conquer the “No’s” of this world…..GOD wrapped HIS most loving arms around me and my family ….it is an unexplainable feeling…<br />
<br />
<br />
So today is day one of bonus year 7! Praise to GOD!Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09097774112366398836noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816376427919550785.post-7590578508247503132010-10-25T14:18:00.000-04:002010-10-25T14:18:37.741-04:00Sixth Annivery....Day one of Bonus Year #7Well Randy….today just seems to be the right day to tell you how my family has learned to live Yes in a No world…it is a difficult story to tell in a condensed version because so many wonderful “GOD” things happened over the 52 days…<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Six years ago today I ended up in the hospital in a coma for 14 days….it started as a simple stomach ache on Sunday night. By Tuesday night it had gotten worse….I woke my husband and told him that I thought we should head to the hospital…so I took a shower, fixed my hair, grabbed a huge Tupperware bowl, just in case….we got to the hospital and the last thing I remember is telling my husband to tell them to hurry..<br />
<br />
I was in a coma….my blood platelets were down to 8,000 (250,000 being normal) – all my organs were shutting down, that’s what was causing the pain…not the chocolate ice cream that I gobbled down on Sunday. God had placed a hospitalists at this particular hospital that correctly diagnosed this wicked disease and called in the hematology team….they then transported me to another hospital.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
For 13 days my platelets stayed that low….many transfusions, plasma pharesis and everything they could think of.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, I had recently struggled with not being able to sleep, my feet were in crazy bad shape and hurt all the time. So I have to say that whining about all of this to GOD got an answer…so be careful what you pray for!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
My daughter flies in from California not knowing what to expect because the outlook was not good. My Sunday School class rallied like you wouldn’t believe…my husband told me the ICU waiting area looked like a tailgate party everyday there was so much food…he still talks about how great all the food was. He had friends that were standing next to him every morning when he woke, with breakfast and always a prayer….I totally missed the party….GOD’s sense of humor was at it again because HE knows how I love a party!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
On day 13, the kidney doctor told my husband and son that I wouldn’t make it til morning…<br />
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I have to jump back about 6 months because this is one of the GOD moments in this story that I must tell…it is definitely a “YES” moment….we go to a very large church and in SS one Sunday my husband asked if anyone remembered what the bleeding verse was…we had both heard it at a small church once but couldn’t remember where it was….fast forward back to night 13…late that night, after being told I was probably not going to make it until morning….my husband, children and a handful of friends were in the waiting room…a lady, a stranger, walked over to my husband and said. “GOD told me to tell you Ezekiel 16:6”….my husband knew immediately it was the bleeding verse….sent straight from GOD through a stranger( maybe an angel)! GOD is so good…so they all went into ICU, circled the bed, held hands and my wonderful praying husband prayed the house down with this verse! They turned around to walk out and the kidney Doc said she wouldn’t argue with our faith but I probably wouldn’t make it until morning….WRONG! our GOD is an awesome GOD…HE is the GREAT PHYSICIAN….The next morning for the first time in 14 days my platelets jumped from 8,000 to 24,000….I was on the mend…<br />
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It was a very long 52 days…many more GOD moments occurred and still are….GOD shut me up and got me out of the way and used this as a big fat “YES HE CAN” lesson for all of us. Only through JESUS CHRIST can we conquer the “No’s” of this world…..GOD wrapped HIS most loving arms around me and my family ….it is an unexplainable feeling…<br />
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So today is day one of bonus year 7! Praise to GOD!<br />
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Patti BrownHoneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09097774112366398836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816376427919550785.post-10558804982931048332010-10-19T12:33:00.000-04:002010-10-19T12:33:36.279-04:00this is just how we do things....In two weeks this is how it all happened....<br />
Monday evening...."Honey, we need to sign our lease here for another year by the end of the month"...hubby, "find us another place, I want out of here"...Me, "o.k."...thirty minutes later, early evening, storming outside, I google homes for lease in our area and it sends me to craig"s list...<br />
Me, "I found a place that looks kind of interesting"...hubby, "let's go look at it"...me, "it's gated, we can't get in"...hubby, "sure we can, I can talk my way in"....so we head over to see what the house really looks like , both in our pajamas!!! We talked our way through the gate and the house is adorable....<br />
Tuesday morning we set up a time to meet with the real estate agent that is managing the home...we loved it...we told her we wanted it...<br />
Thursday we left for Baton Rouge to watch Tennessee almost beat L.S.U. but really we went to see CAndy.<br />
Drove home on Sunday...we got a call from agent saying it was a go, we got the house...spent all that week packing up....Friday, the movers come and take all of our belongings to the office warehouse to store because this place we rented is furnished...which is kind of weird but I'm getting over it...Saturday morning we left for Athens to once again watch our team get beat...we stayed in Sky Valley Georgia...we played golf on Sunday and then drove home through the mountains on Sunday....Monday we moved in! Whew...makes me tired reliving it....my body is still exhausted, getting too old for all of this...but glad to be in such an adorable little home ....I can see sunrise and sunset...I can sit on the upstairs balcony and hear that ping of golf balls being hit...three minutes to the interstate, 35 minutes to the stadium...it was a very positive move!Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09097774112366398836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816376427919550785.post-37619181689634334472010-09-20T10:11:00.000-04:002010-09-20T10:11:48.677-04:00ON THE FIELD!<strong><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Those of you that know me, know how much I love football...all football...but especially University of Tennessee Football...so it's no surprise that getting the opportunity to be on the field during haltime of the U.T. vs. Florida game was a once in a lifetime opportunity and made me very happy. I've dreamed of being down there, but in most of my dreams I was running it in for a touchdown! I was so nervous, but once I got down there I felt very like it was meant to be....how did I get down there you ask...well, it all started a couple of years ago when the opportunity arose to get our tickets upgraded to a new section that was under construction in the stadium. CB surprised me with the seats last year...I love them so much...it makes going to the games so much easier and so much more fun for me. CB still misses all the tailgating...not me...we did that for so many years and it got expensive and boring. These tickets will be passed down to our kids and their kids. It was especially important to me that we share the occassion with Hub & Christy and the girls since they are a part of all of this. Juliana wasn't there because the noise hurts her little ear tube ears. Addi was there and I loved sharing that with her....I hope she remembers it forever....I tried to help her understand all that was going on and share my excitement with her....doesn't she just look like she belongs there...I was able to relax a little after we got back to our seats and even though we got the blankity blank beat out of us, it was a U.T./Fla. game I'll never forget.</span></em></strong>Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09097774112366398836noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816376427919550785.post-13390139502688541582010-09-04T09:35:00.001-04:002010-09-04T10:03:14.681-04:00FallThere's a touch of Fall in the air today....and how appropriate....today is the first home football game. I can't wait to get out in the middle of all the tailgating and excitement, not to mention the games on t.v. before we head to the stadium. I have the doors open and the air conditioner turned off ...what is it about having the windows and doors open that makes me so happy...I feel free....part of life....not couped up....I guess that's why I love visitng Hannah & Jeff in California...they don't need air condition and the breeze and the sounds of life just float through their condo...I love it, I sleep better and feel better....so here's to fresh Fall air and Football!Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09097774112366398836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816376427919550785.post-46680388700244698252010-08-21T09:57:00.000-04:002010-08-21T09:57:31.457-04:00School Days....Here's another interesting fact about getting older....the anticipation of the kids going back to school is gone....the excitement of a new routine, new clothes, new friends, new deadlines....all vanished. HOWEVER, the anticipation of FOOTBALL is still here and I'm still excited...two weeks from today...I do love me some football.Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09097774112366398836noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816376427919550785.post-90998819279033579862010-07-26T10:01:00.000-04:002010-07-26T10:01:37.816-04:00Tonsil QuiltToday is tonsil removal day for Addi Grace. They said she will have to just lay around for about a week or two to make sure there is no bleeding....so, being the worrier that I am, (yes, I know what the bible says about worrying) I started thinking of ways to make her more comfortable in the coming days....MAKE HER A QUILT...so three weeks ago I drug out all my scrap material and starting cutting squares. I knew I needed to make much bigger squares than I made for Hannah's quilt because of the limited time ....so I cut the squares and stitched them together using my sewing machine....I then stretched the quilt top, batting and bottom on my frame and quilted around each square. As I was quilting I wondered how it would look to quilt the design on the pink fabric with black dots....so I did one and thought it looked great...then I wondered about the purple & green flowers....those also looked cute quilted.. Well as usual, I got carried away and ended up hand quilting a design or pattern inside of every single square. I worked two or three hours every night for at least 9 days and then last Friday I stitched for 12 hours...yes twelve hours!!! My goal was to finish up on Saturday. I was adding some decorate machine stitches on the border and ran out of pink thread on the last row at 6:30 Saturday night. Oh gosh, what to do....so I drove to WalMart at 6:40 p.m....no luck....got back in the car and drove to Hobby Lobby which is 22 miles from home...got the pink thread and finished up yesterday afternoon. Delivered the Tonsil Quilt to Addi last night....sure hope it brings her great comfort and that my love for her will be felt every time she snuggles with her quilt.Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09097774112366398836noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816376427919550785.post-43516333016125204362010-06-28T08:49:00.000-04:002010-06-28T08:49:13.630-04:00Never Too Old To Learn...Years ago I decided I wanted to learn to play golf....so my sweet Hubby bought me a set of clubs...I was all set...THEN....life interruped that idea....so, five and a half years later, feeling better and ready to be active, I am pursuing that goal...well guess what....I LOVE IT! We are trying to work on changing our lifestyle and golf is helping. We have golfed every weekend at least once for the last month....I have never made it for 18 holes in one outing, but I am getting better....I can drive pretty good....my husband says it's controlled violence and I agree...I've got lots to learn, but we aren't sitting in the recliner and watching golf, now we're giving it a shot. I look forward to going to the driving range after the sun gets a little lower every afternoon and hitting a bucket of balls....it is quality time together as a couple and we each try to out putt the other...it's so much fun. Thanks to GOD for giving me this precious time.Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09097774112366398836noreply@blogger.com2