"OH, IT SMELLS LIKE HOME"

As the rolls were baking on Thanksgiving Day, I heard these words from my Brother who came and spent Thanksgiving with us. "Oh, It smells like home" To me, there NEVER could have been a better  compliment paid this Thanksgiving.
    While reminiscing over all of our memories, and a few tears. I truly miss 'HOME'. The place I grew up.  So blessed to have had the life we had.
     Such traditional memories. And they seemed to overflow all weekend.
     My Brother has been typing our Dad's letters he wrote and letters Dad recieved while in North Carolina serving a mission for our church. We really never knew our Grandfather, he died at an early age. He brought some of these letters with him to share. So to read his letters to his son was just so touching. I feel Heaven is not so far away. Loved this time with my brother. SO THANKFUL to have had him here with us.
     

The Thanksgiving Menu

This Thanksgiving is going to be quiet.  It is Our Childrens year to spend with the In-laws.  This year will be significant at our house. My Brother, Blair is flying in on TUESDAY. This will be the first time in, I think 17 years I've spent any Thanksgiving with any of my side of the family. The last time we were together it was in the hospital while waiting for Our Father to get out emergency second round bi-pass surgery. Think of the surgeons Thanksgiving as well...
 Our sweet Sister in Law went to Shoney's and loaded up on the Thanksgiving Buffet for us all and we ate it on the patio at the hospital. We were blessed to all be together but a difficult memory!
   This year I CAN'T WAIT TO SPEND IT WITH MY BRO! Some day I hope we can spend it with both brothers and their families.

 So just for fun I thought I'd UP.. the meal. Some new recipes and of course those 'traditional' ones.
   I want to try to make a lot ahead of time??? I don't want to spend the whole time my brother is here BAKING!
 Like: Jello Salads,Stuffing,Sweet Potatoes(bake, refridgerate and stuff and bake them the last minute?) Peel potatoes and put them on ICE in a cooler in the garage? We'll see how it goes? Any suggestions?
   

Here is my Menu Pick:
Turkey / Cranberry
Dressing
Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Bacon Twist? (might serve them with breakfast with Cranberry Muffins and of coarse EGG NOG? Yes, a traditional favorite of my Father's on Thanksgiving Morn)
My Mom's traditional Lemon Jello
Trifle?
Home made Rolls
Veg? Broccoli Mix *my favorite. or Green Beans/maybe Green Bean Casserole? not a fan!
Deserts: Pecan Pie, Cherry Pie, Banana Cream Pie, Pumpkin.
Note: I may serve Pies Thanksgiving Eve and snack on left over Pies later. My Brother requested NOT to get too full! Good Luck with that one Brother! LOL


Have you noticed that every one is talking about Brining their turkey? Hmmmm So I've investigated different way's to 'Brine'. And Mr. Clark wants to deep fry the turkey? So we will see how it all happens!Turkey Ideas-You decide
Here:
Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Pecan and Marshmallow Streusel on the Food Network
Yummy Bacon Twists

Mom's Lemon Salad:
1 pkg. Lemon Jello
Dissolve in 2 Cups Hot Water. Cool  (Reserve 1 TBL Jello) Add 2 Banana's diced, 1 Cup Drained Crushed Pineapple, 1 Cup Miniature Marshmallows. Set in dripper(cake) pan.

Heat 1 C. Pineapple Juice. 1/2 C. Sugar, 3-1/2 tsp Flour. Add 1 Whole Egg, 1 Tbl Lemon Jello. Cool.
Whip 1/2 Cup of Cream and sweeten and add to cooled mixture.

Spread over Jello Mixture and sprinkle diced maraschino cherries and chopped nuts over top.

My Favorite Broccoli Mix:
2 Crowns of Broccoli
1 C. Chicken Broth
1/4 lb Bacon, cut in 1 inch pieces (Browned until slightly Crisp)
2. C. Fresh Mushrooms
1/2 C. Minced Green Onions with tops
1 Can sliced Water Chestnuts
1/4 C. Slivered Almonds
1 Tsp. Salt
Pimento Strips (if Desired) I like to add it because it looks so FESTIVE!

Cook Broccoli in Chicken Broth. About 8 min. Must still be slightly green. The whole recipe isn't good if it's over cooked.
Drain, reserving liquid.
Fry Bacon Add remaining ingredients *except for pimento
Just before serving, combine broccoli and 1/3 of chicken broth, cooking only until hot. Garnish with pimento.
Can be prepared through and refrigerated, covered up to 3 hours.

My Mom's Rolls

2 Yeast Cakes, dissolved in 1/2 C, Water
2 Cups Milk, Scalded
2 tsp. Salt
1/2 C. Shortening, melted
2/3 C. Sugar
4 Eggs, beaten
7 C. Flour
Soften yeast in water, Scald mild and cool to lukewarm. In a bowl add salt, shortening, sugar and milk. Add beaten Eggs. Blend in flour to make a soft dough. Let rise until double. Roll out and cut or shape rolls as desired. Let rise (approx 40 min until double), Bake 350 degrees- 15-20 min.

SO BLESSED WITH ABUNDANCE THIS YEAR.
TO EVERYONE, GOD BLESS YOU AND HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

I'm M.I A. -- Here's another update.

 

 

 

 

1-We were able to be with Kylie on her Baptism Day! 

 

2- Very exciting to be with Our Son and his Family. An exciting time for all of us.
 

 

 

All of the Kids.  

 

 

 

Jeff and Elyse. Jeff had to rush back to work. So GLAD he came to the most important event! It meant so much to all of us.

 

We were blessed to be with so many relatives. I can't express how important it was to us. Being away from you all makes it even more special to be with you. THANKYOU!

 

To all of those we missed seeing on our weekend. Hopefully we will be back at Christmas. HUGS.

 

As soon as we arrived home--- My favorite time of year happened

(Our church hears from it's Apostles and Prophet. An event that happens every 6 months.)

SO AMAZING

My battery is re-charged!

THEN: 

we started training on Mr. Clark's access... Again. AT HOME. The Nurse has came for the passed 2 weeks.

Yes, I'm doing it!

Clark will try again after it is established.

It's been terrifying.

I'm sure after I get a little experience it won't be so hard.

Blood bath's are not my fav!

ahhhhhhhhhhh 

The adrenaline rush is about wearing me out.

It will get better.

We are still Painting.

Just got the Laundry Room DONE.

 

here is a pic of another 'pinterest' project'

An old file cabinet.  

We have paint for the downstairs bathroom, master bedroom and the garage floor.

Hopefully we will be done for THANKSGIVING

I have invited my Brothers to Kansas.

CAN'T WAIT!

 

 



Update: 2 weeks worth...

It's been a busy few weeks. I think that between dialysis and working and weekend projects in the garage I haven't had a minute to catch up.  So here is the latest.

Pinterest Pallets in the works. yes, this is in the garage! 

First: Mr. Clark is doing well. He has been getting physical therapy  since January and he is making progress and feeling better. He has really kept busy on outside projects.  I've posted some of the projects earlier. The pallets happened last weekend! Now, he is putting plugs in the garage. We've lived here in this house for 5 yrs. So this is just indication that he is so much better.

Not as swollen as the first infiltration but still very bruised. The 2 band aids are where he gets the *nail (fistula needles) driven in. Bottom band aid  for blood going out,  top band aid for blood going back in.

The latest on dialysis: We are STILL trying to use the fistula... Mr. Clark decided to train to do it. (YES all of the Men/Woman in center can access their own arms) So Nurse Barb will help Mr. Clark get the site established and then she will come to the house to train me( as a back up, I hope!) . We tried all summer to get this routine down and the fistula just wouldn't cooperate. He has had 5 surgery's to replace his port catheter (in his shoulder) until we get the access in his arm working. We are praying we continue to buy time with the port. It's complicated!

The last delay(back in July) - when he had an  *infiltration - this is when the vein leaks or our term (explodes) and could not be used. It delayed it for 8 weeks. He had to have yet another surgery to put coils in his arm because the infraction had caused the vein to branch out.
On  Sept. Tuesday- *first day of training for the fistula again. He had another infraction. Not as severe apparently because on Thursday they tried again to access the site. Yes, it happened successfully.
Update: We are still not out of the woods. It keeps infiltrating. As of Sept. 18 it happened again. On Thursday the Sept. 20 they will use smaller needles. Grrrrrrrr this is SOoooooooooooooo Frustrating.
  
 We are finding out what is normal for a dialysis patient. Thank goodness they didn't warn us how upsetting *normal can be...

It is OK.

Here is an update on the yard/our neighborhood:

We've had this bird house for probably 10 yrs. and finally got it planted!

I thought we had bought a wild rose bush. So I have been so excited to see the HUGE beautiful Roses blooming. I have never had a real rose do well!

The back yard is thriving!

The construction company planted every one's yards. So our street looks like this. As you can see our new grass is doing GREAT!

MORE NEWS:

Maddie Cake went from  Hospital/Home to first Day of Kindergarten in 5 day's. She's doing GREAT

Miss Ky is going from BIG 8th B-day to *surgery on her adenoids and tubes in her ears. Prayers sent her way.

Can you believe what their family has been through the last 3 weeks.

THE BEST NEWS OF ALL?????

 We are going to travel to CELEBRATE Ky's special 8th b- day in just 2 weeks.  We are so excited! It has been 1 yr. since we've been home to see family. It will be great!

Grandchildren aren't suppose to get sick...

Phoey another bad week....


Our grandchildren have been sick the passed 2 weeks. Our Kylie has struggled with ear pain and discovered that it stems from her sinus's so on Sept. 20 just 4 days after her 8th Birthday and 9 day's before her Baptism she will be having tubes put in her ears and her adnoids out. Then the flu set in.

Lil' Daxton has been sick also. Fever, flu too

So when our lil' Maddie Cake wasn't feeling well with the same symptons no one would have guessed it was anything but what her siblings suffered with. The flu...

SHE SURPRISED EVERYONE when they discovered she had appendicitis. And by the time she was admitted to the hospital they had ruptured. TEARS AND MORE TEARS...

Our Maddie Cake

She is the BRAVEST lil girl I've ever seen. She will go through out her life now with all of us knowing she will TRY HER HARDEST with what ever is asked of her no matter the pain.

She is one sick little girl.

Please keep prayers going her way. She cannot have a temperature for 24 hours before she can get out of the hospital. It hasn't happened in 4 days.

THANKYOU all of those that have served their family this week. It has brought us all to tears to see their lawned mowed, meals brought to the family by strangers. Maddies kindergarten teacher encouraging the children to make "get well cards" ect. B.T.W Madison missed her very first day of school.
Thankyou Especially to  family dropping every thing including work. Elyse was the life saver when Laura called her to tell her about Maddie. She didn't even say hello just, "I'm on my way" TEARS. Niece staying the night and her daughter tending during the day. Extended family taking Kylie on the holiday weekend with them etc. WE ARE SO BLESSED WITH AWESOME FAMILY!

PRAYERS AND GET WELL WISHES TO OUR MADDIE CAKE

The best thing that happened this week!

Our daughter drove her 2 children out to stay with us. It was GREAT FUN!

Pappa Clark had a T party with Pony and Reese!

Pappa Clark and Hagan took a train ride in the Salt Mines

Grammy Sharon took the kids to the ZOO

Leesie and her Dad had quality time!

 

 

Life must be celebrated...

Sheesh, It's been 2 weeks of heartache. I didn't feel I could focus on anything. The good news is we are fine. The bad news is there are families close to us who have experience heartache.
A lot has happened. Couldn't post it. It would seem impossible to see such sadness in the lives of dear, dear friends. We will celebrate LIFE.
With that-- I will say, HOLD ON TO THOSE CLOSE TO YOU. Those of you who have experienced loss know what I'm talking about.
View Here: A new song by David Archeleta- "Every Body Hurts" 
These experiences have put life to the test. They make our struggles see so minimal.

Heaven is celebrating Telaai (10 days old) and Liesa (classmate) along with family member that have lost relatives and friends.

Hugs to all those we hold dear. Life is precious. XO

3X's is the charm?

The First time the construction company placed Our mail box.

#2  We dug it up and cemented it in...
Then the post office thru this flag...

#3  We chose not to argue  and moved it! bah....
HOPEFULLY 3 X's is the charm!!!

Thankful Tuesday: Desire and Determination

I've spent the last week devouring the Olympics. Every one is so inspiring. So many emotions every moment! We all have our stories and to those who push the limits and obtain victories just is amazing.  It just is a testament to the human body and soul.   I love last night seeing so much 'team effort' in the women's gymnastics and men's swimming. To see all of their desire and determination inspires me.
Love watching all of these athletes talents and abilities.   My Fav. - Peter Vidmar- 1984 Gold Medalist advice for excellence here:  "just give a little extra everyday"
For me, let it  just be a push to try little harder and do a little better!

And this is the latest push for 'to do' projects at our house:

You could say it took a lot of desire/determination/sweat/tears and hospital stays  for Mr. C. to accomplish these tasks



This is a work in progress!

New Grass!

Fabulous Friday...

Well I've missed a whole week of Thankful posts. It's been a  L-O-N-G  busy week.
The whole update is just depressing so I will focus on the *positive!

 1- TOMATO HEAVEN- I positively and thankfully made 6 quarts of Spaghetti Sauce. Canning is so exhausting and messy and SO REWARDING.

2- Salsa- oh my, Gotta love fresh Salsa. Is there any thing better then GARDEN FRESH TOMATO'S? So blessed to reap the rewards of a dear friends beautiful garden!

3- Apples, Apples, Apples-- Who can turn down apples? Made a homemade Apple pie and bottling Apple Pie filling when my clear jel comes in the mail! Got the recipe here:Skip to my Lou: Apple Pie filling Of course I've been PINNING! :)
4- Planted some rose bushes,  peonies, a butterfly bush and --   and grass, lots and lots of new grass. It's so fun to see them flourish in the Kansas heat/drought. Not looking forward to my water bill...
5- Miniature Golfing with my friends daughter while they were out of town.
6- Watched a few movies
7- Read a book
8- Got a new phone! Yes I'm learning to play angry birds. A good distraction during dialysis access  training this week. (shhhhh we are not talking about it )  Then My son and his wife sent me adorable covers for the new phone! A nice surprise!
AND I didn't even mention the drama.... It was enough to send me over the edge... But I caught a limb and got myself right back up. ALL IS WELL!

HANGIN' ON TO THE LAST FEW MOMENTS OF SUMMER.

Meetings start for school and August is almost here. Our daughter is coming out to see us soon. Besides the horror of going back to work, can't wait until September. We'll be kissing on our Kids/Grand kids then!

Glad it's fabulous Friday. SHEW! HAPPY WEEKEND!

P.S I lost 20 lbs. and honestly you can't even tell. Other then I can breath a little easier w/o my stomach resting on my air way!  Maybe the next 10 you'll be more recognizable?

Take Comfort in "His Hands"

Thankful Tuesday: To error is human...

This is a look of remorse...

SERIOUSLY.... That was my exact sentiments!!! 

What started out to be a great Monday ended with yet another scare. We had dinner with the Missionaries from our church and began to get ready for dialysis. When I asked Mr. Clark the routine question. "What was your blood sugar? Did you shoot insulin for your meal?" Then he matter factually blurted out I shot 50 units. I immediately gasped. "What would you shoot 50 units for???" It wasn't until then he realized he had made a serious error. Then he said,"we better get to the E.R"
On Sunday, his insulin pump broke and we were awaiting a new one to be delivered. So he reverted back to shooting insulin manually. Habit took over as normally he programs carbs not units. This is where the mistake was made. It should have been 5 units for 50 carbs. He has never shot over 12 units.
So off to the emergency room we went.  When the Doctor came in and asked, "What's going on tonight?" and Mr. Clark's response was-- get ready...(he sometimes doesn't word his statements properly!) He said, "I overdosed" The Doctors eyes got huge and then asked, " on what?" We managed to convince the doctor it was * just, "insulin". (He already had to convince the nurse he didn't have suicidal thoughts, a typical question asked I guess...)
   Four bags of sugar water IV's later. And an overnight stay at the hospital. Boooooo. We are exhausted but all is well. Of course off to work he went.  Bet he never does that again. Scary, Scary. YES THANKFUL THIS ERROR IS OVER WITH.....Thankful  the insulin pump arrived, we are blessed to have it. And Thankful it wasn't my fault!!! Shew, just sayin' --you know what Gramps was thinking. Yep! It would be something I would do. Seriously it was surprising.  Mr. Clark has never been the type to make this kind of error.  Stuff happens. We are just Thankful he is ok.

Thankful Thursday- I am Thankful for:

Woah it's Wednesday: Our latest Battle

I hate to even post this... The past few weeks Mr. C has done EXCEPTIONAL. Wow, he has felt so good. He has had energy, he 'was' getting his strength back. I have posted the extra accomplishments we've made around our yard etc. Well, it has come back to bite him, not in the butt... in the knee.

a little swollen...

You would think the  knee with the big wound would have issues?

We hired a boy to finish the work because one of his knees got skinned up from kneeling. Well he now has staff infection in the other knee. It is crazy.  Grrrrrrrrrrrr. Right now we are fighting it with oral anti biotic. It's not improving. He hasn't been able to get around well and he has been in a lot of pain. :( He has weakened in just 4 day's and fevering.Back to using his cane and still working. When he has any infection being listed for a kidney transplant is put on hold. Please keep him in your prayers.

Update: We made a trip to E.R. He is going on a I.V antibiotic. Because of his kidney condition he can only have the antibiotic 1 time in 24 hours so We get to do it as outpatient.  Grateful that it's going to get under control. My shoulders feel lighter tonight. It's a worry to make sure we do the right thing for his health.  Shew!

Thankful Tuesday: The Dust is Settling...

We have lived in this neighborhood for 5yrs. now. We are happy to see the dust is finally settling and our street now looks like this!

TODAY! 

IT IS BEAUTIFUL ALREADY!

They will come back and plant every one's grass in the fall.

We won't love the extra payment for it on our property taxes, raised our house payment almost $200 month. They call this 'specials' in Kansas.  But we will LOVE to be done with the dirt.

 My next door neighbor and I were discussing how many times in a day we have to dust. We will definitely celebrate less dust  in the house/vehicles.  YAY!

FOR THIS WE ARE THANKFUL!!!!!!

See You in Heaven

We watched 20/20 last night. Where is Heaven?
Here is the brief mormon segment: From the News HERE
 I KNOW There is so much more that they didnt' include.
For the whole 2 hr segment. I agree with so much that was said. All religions have bits of truth, but there is SO MUCH MORE...  So here is my version of HEAVEN.
I know Heaven is REAL. Our purpose does not end here. I am one of those that have had my own near death experiences. It is my own. I am grateful for it. Like the woman that shared her experience on 20/20 said, "It changes you. You are never the same." I think you see what you need personally in your life.  It helped me understand that our time in this life is a time to prepare to meet God. It also helped me to understand the incredible love and peace our loved ones feel when they pass on. It was so comforting to know they are ok and I will see them again someday.
I also believe you can also feel a little Heaven on Earth. You can feel that same Strength, Peace and Love in this life? 

How I get STRENGTH BEYOND MY OWN HERE:

Thomas S. Monson said, "How far is heaven? I testify that in the holy temples it is not far at all—for it is in these sacred places that heaven and earth meet and our Heavenly Father gives His children His greatest blessings. As we touch the temple and love the temple, our lives will reflect our faith. As we go to the holy house, as we remember the covenants we make therein, we will be able to bear every trial and overcome each temptation."

I liked this conclusion of the interview Elder Walker had with Barbara Walters:

"When it was time for Walters to leave, a cab pulled up to the temple to pick her up. A light rain had started to fall and Elder Walker instinctively grabbed a coat that he held above Walters like a makeshift umbrella. Then he escorted her to the car.

As she ducked into the back of the cab, Walters turned to him and said:

 "See you in heaven."

Why write?

Why keep a grateful journal? "As you start to write, you could ask yourself, 'How did God bless me today?' If you do that long enough and with faith, you will find yourself remembering blessings. And sometimes, you will have gifts brought to your mind which you failed to notice during the day, but which you will then know were a touch of God’s hand in your life.” –Henry B. Eyring

 Oh I needed this today: Listen here

To Remember, Remember....................

Thankful Thursday: GRATITUDE

Today it is RAINING in the West. Recognized answered to many Prayers.
THANKYOU LORD, AMEN

God Bless America

Thankful Tuesday: Mayberry and Andy

Today among so many I am saddened by Andy Griffins death. I cried a tear or two.  He was 86, just 2 years older then my own Father. So today I reflected on the era of my parents. Memories flood of  Growing up with Mayberry and the goodness that that series offered all of us. The news said, "Andy was as much American as Apple Pie". It was the place he created: a small town where all foibles are forgiven and friendships are forever, full of characters who felt like family.  Isn't that so true. We grew up with Opie! and  Aunt Bee reminded me so much of my Grandmothers. I hope Mayberry's lesson's never get old and generations will continue to enjoy  a little bit of Mayberry in all of our lives. Takes me back to my childhood!  Andy Griffin you are forever legendary. Your voice, your smile, your life.  May you Rest in Peace. 

Andy's top-ten moments in mayberry!


SO THANKFUL I LIVED IN A TOWN LIKE MAYBERRY! HAD PEOPLE IN OUR LIVES LIKE   ANDY GRIFFIN. SO BLESSED TO HAVE LIVED IN THIS GENERATION.

Thankful Tuesday: Under Constuction

Along with putting in new curb and gutter and getting ready to pave our street. We decided to go UNDER CONSTRUCTON ourselves while the construction company is pouring cement and is offering a pkg. deal. Oh, What started out just saving the grass in the new side of the driveway has ended up being a major project. Especially when Mr. Clark isn't physically able to do the work. Here is the progress:

Mr. Clark, Eddie and Brian getting ready to cut the saud. Note: Eddie (the short guy!) has been Mr.C's right hand man. One of our many HERO'S

Brian, Eddie and Tim, Getting trenches dug for the extended sprinkling system

Loading the saud to store until ready to lay. This is Eddie, Brian and Tim
(Mr. Clark calls them 'work horses')

The Construstion Company getting ready to form the side driveway

Surveying and digging

Side cement drilled to put in rebar

Mr. Teter helping Mr. C replace the sprinkling system. He is an amazing guy. Just the most caring, hard working man you'll ever meet. We appreciate him. We are just so fortunate to know him and his amazing wife and family.

At 5:30 this morning (I didn't have my camera out) We had a  HUGE team of workers from where Mr. C. works helping us in so many ways. From digging, hauling, land scaping, and laying the saud we saved from the side of the house. Amazing what you can accomplish in an hour! THESE MEN ARE SO AWESOME!
HUGE PROJECT

Oh I wish I would have taken pics of all the men that helped. This was heavy, heavy and muddy.

After the Construction team left today. Ohhhhh Progress!

THANKS JUST ISN'T ENOUGH TO SAY TO OUR WORK FAMILY THAT HELPED US. YOU CAN SEE IT HAS BEEN NO EASY TASK.
Gary, Eddie, Teter, Brian, Waylon, Tim, Mike, Jerry, and Nick
YOU ARE AWESOME!

WE FEEL SO SO BLESSED.

FOR THIS WE ARE MORE THAN

THANKFUL!
&

IT'S DONE!!

A delivery, 2 day's ahead of schedule. YIPPEE

TA-DAaaaaaaaa!

Clark laid the 6 stones and we had help doing the rock and boarder.

We planted a new tree :)

OOOOOOOOOoooooopsie, Construction crew did this one. Looks like some repair work to the newly planted  back breaking, pain staking saud. TEARS