Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes.....

I have to say.... I love HGTV. I really do. I love shows like "For Rent" even though the host (Jodi) has been pregnant forever, "Property Virgins" (altho I like the host Sandra that they used to have), "House Hunters" and "Love it or List it" and that show with the two good looking brothers. Those type shows.  Heather and I used to go on walks and look in peoples windows. Not like peeping toms!  But just glance by when we walked and talked about what we saw etc. Not too weird.  I miss those days.  What bugs me about these shows is it seems that they don't listen to the person much. The person will say "I have to have a garage!" And they show them a house without one?  That always frustrated me. I should have been an architect. I loved drawing homes. Like here is a nice home...

Lauren's dream house

My dream house!

Lately I have been doing a lot of self examination. With help from others. lol! The conclusion has really been something.  I have always known I love to be needed. I really do. I raised kids. Lots of them.  Five of them.  I loved every moment I had with them, the job I had to do, the plans we made and trips we took, doctor appointments, sporting events, school conferences, helping at schools, all the mom stuff. They grew up and grabbed on to their independence and got married, pregnant, jobs and a life that I didn't need to help with anymore. Weird feeling to take care of kids over 20 years but didn't have too much time to worry about it. Next I had a little girl to take care of for a few years and then Andrew came along!  I worked part time all these years but fortunately I had time to help Amanda with Andrew when she went to work.  After Dylan was born I watched him while Karla went to school and then work.  Along came Heather's boys for a short time until she moved to Eastern Washington.  Next was the "twins" Lauren and Maddie. They were 4 months apart so it was like taking care of twins when it came to changing diapers, bottles, meal time, nap time, etc.... But I loved every moment I had with my grandkids and was so blessed the kids allowed me the memories.  After them I had that little one Makoa.  Between all this I used to help out with my senior ladies.... Virginia Mason, Mary Davison, Ernestine Kain, and my mama. But my ladies are all gone.  Of course, then I was blessed at teaching my preschoolers I loved so much!  That was awesome and fulfilled a need in my heart.  Then it was like NOW what? Mom's passing did not help my loneliness at all. No one was there to help me with it. I miss her which I don't need to say. I've said it a million times. So I have been in limbo.  After talking to Kevon and him pointing it all out to me.....I saw I had to do something with my life.

The plan?  What have I always wanted to do?  One thing I always wish I could do was to play the piano.  I love the piano.  I've wanted to play since I was a little girl and Mrs. Priddy used to play and sing. I especially remember "Silver Bells". I loved that song!  So, since I got a keyboard over a year ago for Christmas, I should be ready to go.  I have been reading up on keys and chords etc.... and am asking God to help me.  I am spending an hour a day on the piano to start out with.  Second thing on my bucket list?  I want to write a children's book.  I would love to be an author. I love to write. I love children.  So it makes sense, right?  Of course, people want to help me with it. I've gotten suggestions from Lauren, Kevon and Papa what I should write about.  Andrew is going to illustrate and edit. Lauren wants to edit too. So I seem to have a lot of help! lol!  I have been reading on the internet about writing for children.  I think I need to start this prepared as I can be.  I have always told my grandkids stories I make up about them....then I started doing it with the kids in my school. They loved it. They would rather have me do it than read to them. So.....that is my plan.

Then went to our doctors appointments. hmmmm..... was a bit worried about it. I have gained weight since I saw Dr. Annie last.  We addressed it. haha!  There are some health issues that should clear up if I lose weight.  She is giving me until May 17th to lose 10 pounds at least!!! Sorry about the change here....
If I do she won't be adding a blood pressure med to my list. If I exercise and lose weight I will also get rid of alot of my other problems: I should get more energy, my mood should improve and my stress levels should lower, I will sleep better, my blood pressure and sugar levels should go down. I have arthritis in my back which is painful for me to stand upright for more than 5 minutes. It hurts to shower, walk, stand in line, work, almost anything. She said taking off the weight won't get rid of my pain but it may help a bit. So I guess I really don't have a choice. My goal is to get OFF meds...not add more! Encouragement and prayer appreciated. ♥ Papa has to lose 10 pounds by then too. I joined him and his doctor in a discussion with his health. If he loses the weight he won't have to add another med for diabetes. It should help his breathing, diabetes, high blood pressure. He still has to go get an eye exam for a floater in his eye the size of Texas, he has to get a colonoscopy because there was some blood and there is cancer in family. He also needs to get a fluoro esophagram because he's had issues swallowing, plus needs an EKG and possible treadmill test again. But he can help himself with most of it. Prayers for him too please!


What a relaxing Sunday.  Cleaned up some after Lauren went home. Got to spend some fun time with her this weekend!  We really had a good time.  Papa wants to make taco's for dinner.

Prayer requests..... Lauren F. had her surgery for breast cancer and is doing ok. here is a link:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Raising-HOPE-for-Lauren/147074318786513

Also there is a little boy I have been praying for. I've never met him but his story was shared from a friend in Georgia and really touched my heart. He was playing in the play yard at his day care when a freak accident happened and a branch dropped on his head and crushed his skull 10-29-12. His name is Tripp Halstead.
https://www.facebook.com/TrippHalsteadUpdates


Pray for Papa and I as we begin our new journey in health!

Thanks for taking time to stop by!

 some added tips in closing.....