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Good Morning Everyone! It it certainly cold in Alabama. I do not remember a year when November and early December were this cold. We have awakened almost every morning to frozen windshields and grass ,almost every morning it seems, since some time in October! I do not understand the science behind people predicting colder than normal winters, but it seems they were correct. Speaking of Alabama, ROLL TIDE! My husband graduated from the University of Tennessee so Go Vols! I do not watch football but I still like it when Alabama wins. Especially when they win against Auburn! It is all in good fun. We had a wonderful trip to the great state of Tennessee over the Thanksgiving holidays. My husband was born and raised near Knoxville. His whole family remains there. I will be posting pictures today on my photo blog, God willing. http://cammys-creations.blogspot.com/ Yesterday I went to my family physician. He has been my doctor since 1995. I took him all the records from the other doctors I have been seeing. I just had a feeling I needed to do that. It was a feeling with a little voice that would not leave me alone. I tend to think of that little voice inside as the prompting of God's Holy Spirit. Sometimes it is like a red flag and sometimes it is like a little voice. First of all, it seems I was misdiagnosed with a thyroid problem . When I requested the records from the doctor, it looked to me as if the results were normal. My family doctor concurred. According to him, I do not have thyroid problem. I am so very thankful and grateful to God for this. Blessed is His name! Thankfully, I had stopped taking the medication (synthroid) in September without telling my other Dr. I am not angry at the other Dr. for making a mistake. Doctors are only human. Secondly, I am not at risk for heart disease. According to my test results and to my family Doctor, I have nothing to be concerned about. I have no risk factors. 1) I do not smoke or consume alcohol 2) I am not overweight 3) I am active 4) My cardio profile(cholesterol etc.) is great 5) No family history of heart disease (parents or grandparents) I eat a relatively healthy diet. I am not perfect but I eat reasonably. I intend to start the cardio workouts today! This will help my bone density which is not as good as one would expect for my age. This is probably due to my small frame. The Dr. said to take calcium and to do weight bearing exercise. That is all I need to do! He said he does not need to do anything to me. No tests! No nothing! He said I am very healthy. Bless the Lord! As for my ear, the Dr. said he could see no infection and it looked healthy. He could not see a hole. Although he does not have the sophisticated equipment that my Otolaryngologist (Ear, Nose & Throat Doctor) has, he said he could see some scar tissue. We have high hopes that the hole has closed! Praise God, The Creator of This universe and everything in it, for His Grace, Mercy, healing and abundant provision. So, in a nutshell, I have occasional flareups with fybromyalgia and chronic fatique syndrome. I mean very occasional. This used to be something I battled pretty much everyday, along with swollen painful joints. Now it is only every few months. I have some bone density issues, which I believe can be corrected with supplementation and exercise. The ear problem is something I have dealt with all my life. Thank God He has made it a manageable condition. Thank you God for all your blessings! And for more good news!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!My Baby Bear is coming home in January for six whole weeks!!!!! WHOOPPEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank You Lord! By the way, her thanksgiving dinner turned out to be a smashing hit with her hubby and the other soldiers. I was not surprised as she is a wonderful cook. I see lots of dinner company in her future! Yesterday, Sister Bear modeled in a fashion show at her university . It was for Business attire. It was geared toward teaching students how to dress in the workplace. She did a fabulous job and I was proud of her! I will post pictures later today on my photo blog! Thursday I will go back to the University to watch her do a drama. It is a Mock Trial. They will have a real judge and everything. It sounds like fun! She has been through alot the past year and I am happy to see her having some good clean fun. Next Thursday, I will go to the Civic Center and watch my neice do a concert with her school band. She plays the clarinet. I am excited as this promises to be plenty of fun. At Bible study this Friday night, some friends (husband and wife) will play some hymns for us. I am looking forward to this treat. Thank you all so very much for your prayers for me. I feel blessed everyday. However, today I am even more keenly aware of God's marvelous Goodness. May He be praised Forever and Ever! |
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I am still sick. Yuck! I went to see my ENT Wednesday. As many of you know, I had surgery for some type of tumor in my left ear at the tender age of 14. God performed mighty miracles for me. After discovering that I was not just being stubborn, I really could not hear my mama calling me, I was taken to a different Ear specialist for a second opinion. He discovered a huge scab on my eardrum attempting to cover a rather large hole. I was taken into outpatient surgery to remove it. It was at this time that the thingy was discovered in my ear. My mama and daddy called me into their bedroom after school one afternoon. I was quite apprehensive since this was rather unusual. I knew I was having surgery the next day so I thought they might have more information. They laid their hands on my head and asked God to heal me and I asked God for the same thing. The next morning I went in for surgery. Now, healing can take place in many ways. The Doctor spent many hours taking out this thing. It had wound itself around all the bones in my ear(stirrup hammer etc) and crushed them. It was known as progressive so it had gone through my eardrum as well. It had grown to a point where it was right next to my brain. The surgeon informed my parents that when it moved further toward my brain it would be fatal. He told them that 30 minutes would be a long life for me. Amazingly, I was never afraid. As a parent, I cannot even begin to imagine the anguish my parents were experiencing. But I digress. I had lost the hearing in that ear and had moderate hearing loss in the other ear. After surgery, the Dr. informed my parents that he had spent all that time saving my life and did not know if I would be able to hear. He picked the bones of my ear out piece by piece with a microscope. The Dr. told my parents that it was congenital, meaning I was born with it. Well God did a miracle. A couple of weeks after the surgery the packing was removed from my ear. The Dr. was so happy that I could hear and he gave all the credit to God. It is true that I have severe hearing loss in that ear but the fact that I can hear at all is a testimony to Gods mercy and grace. This past Wednesday, the Dr. informed me that I have a hole in my eardrum. He also said I have a severe infection that is weeping through my eardrum. He spoke of doing surgery to repair the hole should it not close up. He spoke of the dangers of surgery. He also cautioned me to come in at the first sign of flareups for reasons I would rather not elaborate on here. This post is already getting rather lenghthy and I am sure you are all getting weary of my ramblings. He put me on a strong antibiotic, antibiotic eardrops with steroids and claritin to try to dry up the fluid. If any of you feel inclined to pray for a good outcome, please do. The thoughts of surgery on this ear do not make me feel all warm and fuzzy. I want God's will and I sure hope His will is that the infection clears up and the hole closes with no surgery and the thingy does not come back. I am really struggling to do my normal household stuff because I feel so weak and YUCK. I just feel out of it. I have whined enough so I will move on. Now on to the original intent of this post. I am slowly doing laundry and dishes and trying to prepare for a blessed, restful, restorative Sabbath. I pray the same for each of you. May you be blessed in whatever the Lord calls you to do on this sunny, cold winter day. May God Have Mercy On Us All Cheers |
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This is our nephew. We are planning to go uphome next week for Thanksgiving. We are really happy that we will get to see everyone. There have been no visits in either direction since springtime. I guess everyone just stays so busy in this rat race. I am particularly excited about seeing this little guy along with our great neice and nephew who happen to be twins just like Papa Bear and his sister. We miss everyone up there. It is difficult for families to be so far apart. The children change so rapidly that we miss out on so much! I am hoping that I will be so busy that I won't have time to think so much about the fact that my Baby Bear is so far away from me on Thanksgiving. FAT CHANCE! She will be cooking a Thanksgiving dinner for my son-in-love, soldier bear, and for several other soldiers who can't go home to be with their families. Yes, I am extremely proud of her!  |
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Years ago, a farmer owned land along the Atlantic seacoast. Finally, a short, thin man, well past middle age, approached Although puzzled by this answer, the farmer, desperate for help, Enraged by the response, the farmer was tempted to fire him on Nothing could blow away. The farmer then understood what his
A friend of mine sent this to me today,
Graphics by Linda Fitzwater
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Well, I decided to cut some grass yesterday because I was feeling better. I only pushed the mower for about an hour. This morning I woke up sick all over again. My throat HURTS! Enough complaining already :) I have my new sewing machine out and on the table. I am trying to muster the courage to go and thread it. I am usually not faint hearted but I have very frustrating memories related to sewing. When my girls were little I sewed them some dresses and things. There was no one around to teach me as my mother lived out of town . I must admit I got very upset with myself. I want to sew again really badly. This time I would like to have good memories of making lots of neat things for my family and friends. I made a quilt a long time ago and I am ready to pick it up again. My siser is having a baby in March and I want to make some diapers and other things. The picture is of a quilt my great grandmother started at least 25 years ago. I do not have any of the border fabric to match and it is only half completed. I am considering cutting this in half and making a baby quilt for each of my daughters to use with their babies. They are not expecting yet but someday.........Does anyone know the name of the pattern of this quilt? Do any of you quilters think I could actually cut this in half and make two pretty baby quilts? Of course I would put a new border on both of them.
So I am off.....................wish me well! May God Have Mercy On Us All! Cheers!
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Well, we are better today. Hubby still had to be out of work but he is better. I am better and seem to have kicked the fever and the congestion, sore throat stuff. The abdominal pain is even gone tonight. Thanks for all the prayers. Thank you to God for making us better! We did not accomplish much today but maybe just getting better was a lofty enough goal in and of itself! I got my new Above Rubies Magazine and read it cover to cover. I have been reading that magazine for years. Although I do not agree with everything in it, it is still very encouraging. I saw gas for 1.99 here today!!! We plan to get back to the normal routine tommorrow before we forget what it is. I am planning on trying out my new sewing machine tommorrow too! We will see how that goes. May God Have Mercy On Us All! Cheers! |
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If I disappear from Cyber Space you will know that my computer has crashed. This morning it refused to boot. After several attempts I said a quick prayer. Then I tried again. Thank God, it booted. I have not turned it off since then but that moment is quickly arriving........ Hubby and I are both sick. Any quick prayers you could say to the Lord on our behalf would be greatly appreciated. As one would expect, due to illness virtually nothing was accomplished today. I struggle with that reality. The one thing that I did accomplish was babysitting my neice and nephew (I know right....but there was no one else to do it besides they are older kids.) My nephew cut some of the grass.I tend to be unhappiest on the days I accomplish nothing. Oh well, I will appreciate it more when I do feel better and strive to accomplish even more. These kind of days give me entirely too much time to think....... May God Have Mercy On Us All Cheers! |
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Today, among other things, I made more laundry detergent. It lasts much longer when I measure every time instead of just pouring it in. I love the fact that I have made it enough times now that I do not have to think about it or consult a recipe. It takes much less time now that I have worked out the kinks. Along those lines, I did many loads of laundry today. I was able to hang a good many outside as we had a warm sunny afternoon. It was a nice recovery considering the freezing temperatures last night.
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In Proverbs 21:1 we read: http://cammys-creations.blogspot.com/ You can see the photos related to this blog here. Earlier this week, I bought a bunch of bales of hay at the feed store. I made my dogs a house out of the intact haybales. I used a tarp for the roof. The house is under the carport and I am going to enclose the carport with more tarps. My dogs should stay cozy. There is more insulation in their doghouse than people houses.This works well for anyone in need of a cheap way to keep dogs warm as toast. We tried a variation of this last year so now I am an expert. LOL On Tuesday, I took pictures of our voting adventure. I wanted a kodak moment so to speak. This was Sister Bear's first time to vote. I took a picture for her Baby Book. We have to keep up with those milestones. :) The most touching thing I saw was a little elderly lady using her walker to move around. She looked so sweet. My heart swelled with unexpected emotion. It was clearly difficult for her to make this effort. I was ashamed for dreading long lines. If you look closely you can see her in the pictures. I finally finished my class today and will be getting my grades in the next couple of weeks for 4 courses. I have to keep up a frenzied pace to finish with my BA by the spring/summer. May God Have Mercy On Us All Cheers!
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I have been asked to share the recipes mentioned in the previous post. So here they are Dusting Spray 6 oz hot water in a spray bottle, add 2 drops of vinegar and 20 drops of essential lemon oil. I do not wet down the furniture with this. I spray the dust cloth. It worked great for me. Fudge Cake 11/3 cup white flour 1 cup whole wheat flour 6Tablespoons cocoa powder 3 eggs 11/3 cup water 11/2 cup sugar 1 cup confectioners sugar 1tsp baking powder 2 tsps baking powder dash of salt 3/4 cup oil Sift together dry ingredients, add water and oil. Mix well. Bake in a greased cake pan for 40 minutes at 350 degrees. Chocolate Buttercream Icing 5 1/3 cups powder sugar 1 cup baking cocoa 3/4 cup butter softened 2/3 cup milk 2 teaspoons vanilla Combine and beat until frosting is smooth |
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I was able to accomplish a good bit today. I worked on my education course. I am learning about "theories in Education". I homeschooled for 13 years so I have a few theories of my own. This has been an interesting course....besides it is required. I did much dusting today. I made a new dusting spray. It worked beautifully and it was so cheap I do not know how to even calculate the cost. I climbed around on my kitchen countertops and vacuumed the tops of my cabinets and then dusted all the doors. Then it was time to do the den. My neice dusted that room while I worked on my bedroom. I cleaned both bathrooms and swept. She vaccumed some and I vaccumed some. Those are a few things I did....... We had baked chicken, mashed potatos, corn on the cob and baked beans. Gotta love those carbs! We finished off the chocolate cake. Yum Yum The recipe is a very old one and I tweaked it a bit to make it a little more healthy. I was quite pleased with the results. I am trying to learn or relearn to recognize and prepare wild edibles (weeds). I ate what I hope was a dandelion. It was bitter but I read that is good for you. If anyone has good pictures or info to share I could sure use the help. Tonight we picked up two of our coop orders. That is always fun as we get to see friends. May God have mercy on us all! Cheers
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May God Have Mercy On Us All!~
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Last night we had Bible Study again. My husband taught and led the services. I really do enjoy his teaching. We are enjoying the fellowship and dancing so much. Last night we really enjoyed the children. The adults and teens did our dances. I had brought glory hoops(banner type thingys) and tamborines. The children marched in their own circle , waved the hoops and played the tamborines. They did this all on their own. I just know that God delighted in that so much. It made our worship time really special. Mrs. Anderson made the Challah. It was beautiful and delicious. It is so good to be worshiping with this precious couple after all these years. And the food....well.....Sabbath is a feast ....right? It was a feast fit for a king! We are blessed by God as He continues to provide a large building for us at no charge for our Assembly meetings. I will be posting pictures on my photo blog. Give me a few minutes though. http://cammys-creations.blogspot.com/
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It has been a relatively quiet week. Yesterday, I did a touch up on the grandcat's manicures. Their softpaws are now up to date. Vader, rather enjoys his manicure as he thinks he deserves it. He walks around and shows his fake nails off to everyone in the house. After this, he trots around on the tile in the kitchin just so he can hear them tap on the floor. Dido, however, is quite a different story. She behaves as if someone is attempting to put her in a some kind of torture device. I always win and she gets her manicure but it is quite difficult for both of us. I have to do hers slowly, allowing her to calm down in between each one. After they are done, I have to run the vacuum to distract her so that she does not bite them off before the glue dries. I am working real hard on my college classes. Boy, I will be glad when I am finished with that. This week I have been eating lettuce, carrots, radish and onions from my garden. Yum, Yum. I must close now so I can go make bread and get ready for Bible study tonight as we are having a potluck. I am planning to make chicken, mashed potatos and peach cobbler. I always look forward to sampling everyone elses food but I take basic things that I know my husband will like. Have a great week end. Cheers |
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We awoke to frost this morning! Tonight there is a freeze warning. I am not fond of cold weather but my husband likes it so I am happy for him. I have posted photos of this mornings frost as well as this past weeks Bible Study at http://cammys-creations.blogspot.com/ It is certainly time to do any last minute winter prep chores we may have been putting off. We did not turn on our heat and it was about 34 degrees here last night. I am trying to see how cold we can stand it before turning on the heat. Last night was fine. I did not even know it would get that cold here as I do not watch TV much. I noticed it was just a little chilly when I woke up and went to check the thermostat. I walked outside and boy was I in for a surprise! Have a great day! Cheers
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You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift. Boetcker |
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I am trying really hard to get back to my routine. All I can say about the trip to the Airport the other day is that it broke my heart. Everytime she leaves I feel as if my heart is being ripped out and going to Texas. It hurt even more this time and I am not sure why. There are no words to describe the empty place in my heart that will not be filled until she is here again. I enjoyed Alex soooo much. Everyone really seemed to just relax and enjoy each other. He let me hear him play his guitar and sing. He is very talented. As soon as I figure out how, I am going to post a video of him singing and playing. I am very proud of this young man, my son-in-love. It was so hard to say good-bye. The reality of his deployment is beginning to set in and it hurts. I know he is doing a very noble thing and my hat is off to him but it still hurts.There are so many things going through my heart and mind that I cannot seem to find words to describe them. I am so filled with love and admiration for My daughter and her husband. They are doing such a wonderful job at being reponsible adults. I am happy they have a great life. I just miss them...........that is all. |
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Yes, it is the blessed Sabbath once again. I look forward to this day all week. It is a peaceful day. The Sabbath is a gift from God to mankind. It is set aside for us to be free to spend time with our Awesome Creator. On this day, we have a special appointment with The Creator of the Universe. Think of it as a weekly island of time. It is separate from the rest of the week, just as we are called to be separate. On this day, we do not work, shop or even cook. It is such a special, wonderful, delightful time. Sometimes we have good fellowship with others and sometimes we just stay home. I have heard that some think this is a burden or that it is bondage. If the Torah is bondage then may I never be set free. I love the Torah(instructions) of God. It is a priceless gift. I am walking in the Master's footsteps as Jesus/Yeshua taught us how to walk in the holy beautiful Law of God. He kept it perfectly. May you all have a blessed, peaceful day with The Lord. Exo 20:8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Exo 20:9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: Exo 20:10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: Exo 20:11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
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As promised the pictures of the free birds are now posted on my photo blog. You can visit by clicking here http://cammys-creations.blogspot.com/
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