Update

My Sisters in Iowa.

"Janna the youngest, Jerri in the middle with the cheesecake, Jenny in the back and me..the oldest...but cutest. HA!
YES....we all have "J" names. Funny huh?
I wish I had a piece of that cheesecake right now.

Oh the joys and sorrows of "Family STRESS!"
Especially when you are 1000 miles from home. Literally.
We try to stay happy and positive though...even in the midst of it all.

Yesterday my sister Jerri was put into the hospital in Omaha Ne. at the same time my Step Father was having his epidural.
She has "pre-eclampsia" a serious complication in her pregnancy. She is at 29 weeks and the baby is probably about 2 pounds now. It's a little boy.
His name will be "Aaron."

Her blood pressure is SKY HIGH.

Jerri called me a moment ago and I just got off the phone wih her. It's 10:45am her time and our time Friday they still can't get it "under control."

Her Doctor's have told her to "prepare" for the baby to have to be delivered as early as TODAY and if not, it will be tomorrow.

My sister has had Rheumatoid Arthritis, since she was 15 years old. They told her that this IS an issue in all of this.
I have Rheumatoid Arthritis as well but just was diagnosed 3 years ago.

We are very concerned for her and are asking everyone to pray for little Aaron and my sister at this time. I know that the King of the earth will do what is right.

I can't leave to go home yet. I have tried flights all morning. They are currently $300.00 one way. I will continue to watch them. I also have to have the drug study infusion on Monday. Then I could leave after that.

My Step Father DID NOT have all the "surgery procedures" done on his heart yesterday.
Long story of course but....HE DID however have the epidural to ease the pain he has been suffering in his hips.

That was an issue....because the "heart people" were concerned about him being in so much pain when they took him in for surgery.

TODAY the Heart Dr. will do one of the procedures to set the path to do the repair/stint in the bigger "aneurysm on his main Aortic vein."
That will be done next week...

When my sister called me her cell phone was about to die so she asked me to call her back.
When she answered the phone she said...."Mel's Tavern"....ugh!!!
I said to her "ARE YOU KIDDING ME!"
She said......."Well we have to keep our humor".....which we are famous for, all of my sisters and I.
To which I responded..."I think your right!"

I have to tell you though. I have a huge headache right now.
And I HATE waiting....I am not one to wait well.
Yet I have no choice but to continue to "wait" until something works out for me to get up there.

My Step Father.......

(My Mom and Step Father two years ago.)

My family back home in Iowa are waiting this morning to hear if my Step Father will be in for a big surgery this morning.

Please be in prayer for my Step Father, Glenn Hightower.

He's been in the hospital in Iowa (where my main family lives) for over a week now.
He has been in terrible, terrible pain and the EMS took him there last Tuesday.

They have ran test after test and Saturday they discovered that he has an "aneurysm on his main Aortic vein in his heart."
Along with some major Arthritis in his hips.

My family back home has been through a journey this week trying to figure out what the various Dr.'s involved were going to do to help him.
Because they weren't doing anything and were not on the same page and no one was informing our family as to what was happening.
Not counting that the hospital wanted him out of there because the Insurance companies won't pay to keep him there for non treatment, blah, blah, blah.

In fact they were to ship him off to a nursing home yesterday.

The Heart surgeon didn't think he could take a surgery...because he's already in so much pain and not well at all.....and the Orthopedic guy wouldn't do anything because of the high risk with the heart issue.

But yesterday my sister Jenny who has basically been handling this whole situation and has been the one to get some answers... finally got the Ortho Dr. to agree to do some sort of epidural for him to relieve the pain for him this coming Friday..then tonight.....the Heart guy told her that ......
"They had decided (the Ortho and the Heart guy finally got on the same page) to do the ENTIRE surgery and more tomorrow if all his blood work came back fine"......
He needs two stints put in because now they have found another "weak artery" and the epidural for the hip pain. They figured they might as well do it "all" once they got him in there.

Which has been my greatest concern more than anything.

Today is his BIRTHDAY and he has turned 82.(This is a photo of him in Hannibal Mo. his hometown a few years ago.)

He is not in good health and hasn't been for many years now .......so this surgery concerns me and my sister very much.

We haven't told our other family members (like my Mom) but this isn't rocket science either and I am sure they feel this way as well..

All of this news came on top of my other sister Jerri just being diagnosed with
"Pre-Eclampsia".......she is about 5 months pregnant with her first child at 38 year old.
She lives with my parents and drives for them because my parents do not drive.

My Mother is to have a surgery next month as well. She isn't in the best of health either.

Ever since the news came to me on Saturday I have been wrestling with wether I should go home to help.
And I really want to go.
It's just "distance and the timing" of it all this that is the hinderance.
I've been praying about this and pricing flights (which are way over priced of course)....and now with the bad weather up there it's not even thinkable right at this moment for me.

Many of you know that I am also myself in a "Drug Study" currently for "R.A." and I have got to do that med infusion on Monday or risk being removed from the study. So that holds me here as well for now.

PLEASE pray with me that Glenn comes through this surgery alright and recovers.
And if it is the Lord's will indeed that I can get up there before too long.
I had planned on going up there for two weeks in mid February. And IF I have to go sooner I will but I don't want to go home for a funeral.

My heart is breaking because I am so far away from my family at a time like this.

I knew when I moved away that this would all happen one day.
Just as it did for Don when both of his parents became ill and passed away.
And now "that day" has come for my side of the family......


It will take me two days to drive home and I don't have anyone to come with me in the dead of winter. And it's brutal up that way right now.
IF I fly.....it's over $500.00 for a plane ticket right now and there are still travel issues in that realm as well.

So I am torn regarding the trip to Iowa.
And I want and need to go home to be there for my Mother and my family.
But God knows all this......

Please pray for my Step Father's soul to be at peace with his Heavenly Father.
That part torments me worse than the "how's and when's" of traveling back home issue.
I need comforted in that area.
Regardless of what happens...whether I make it up in time or not.
I need to know that my Step Father is going to be "okay in his heart"..and not due to the surgery.
Believe me I have learned that there that there IS a GREATER "Surgeon" already at work. And I am thankful for that.

Thank you for your prayers...

For Bernideen........and Jennifer

I'm only doing this because "Bernideen" in Colorado tagged me asking me to do so.

AND because my sister Jenny in Iowa asked me last night to "PLEASE change out that photo of the dead Rosemary because I'm getting sick of looking at it."
Humpf!
I think it's just because she was jealous because it was 71 degrees here.
And probably about 2 above there.

Here is my photo number #6 well, it's number #5 actually because my number #6 was super blurry and you wouldn't have wanted to see it.

This is a copper teapot I bought at a Flea Market in an area where we used to live further south in Louisiana.

I took it to a local florist in our town to have her make it into a "centerpiece" and she came up with this....

It sits atop my little "Tea Shelf" that my husband made for me several years back.
And I love it. The shelf and the centerpiece. HA!

I'm terrible at these "meme" things.....but I try to oblige, when I am able to do so.


***Here are the rules to the "6th Picture Meme:"

1. Go to your Picture Folder on your computer or wherever you store your pictures.
2. Go the 6th Folder, then pick the 6th picture in that folder.
3. Post that picture on your blog and the story that goes along with the picture.
4. Tag 6 other people that you know or don't know to do the same thing and leave a comment on their blog or an e-mail letting them know you chose them.


I'm not going to personally invited anyone to do this via e-mail....if you see this on here and want to do it.
PLEASE "be my guest."

No pressure that way for anyone. It's all pure fun.

Tis' A FINE Friday........

71 degrees outside here.....so far.
(My Rosemary Topiary Wreath isn't looking too good is it? Blah!)

I went out and sat on the patio and soaked in some of the fresh air and sunshine.
There is NO humidity today.
Absoluty a fine day.

I'm going to have to work on that Rosemary.

I was able to get my panises planted last night.....yes, I was working in the dark!

Because I was out way to late while enjoying my day visiting at lunch with the
"Pool Ladies" and then I was off to the library to pick up some good, new books to read.

Then to top it all off I went to pick up some more of my favorite "Lady Londonderry" tea that I just ran out of, from my good friend Marsha.
So of course I had to stay and "visit and sip some tea with her."

SO I didn't get home until dark......

And the pansies just couldn't wait any longer so I had to plant them.
With the help of our "outside" yard lights of course.

All went well and now they are now currently "adjusting" to their new home.

CUTE, cute, cute!

(One of Susie's signs she custom makes.)

One of the "Local Girls" in my area, who I've become good blog friends with is having a "CUTE, Custom, Homemade, Handmade, Sign Giveaway."

Check out Suzie's blogsite and put your name in for her free give away.

She's name her site fittingly for a South Louisiana girl.

It's called.....
"Bienvenue"
Which all of us living down here know translates into......"Welcome" in French.

Many towns in Southern Louisiana have big signs when you enter the city that say "Bienvenue" on them.....thus giving you a big ol' WELCOME in French into their city!

We lived in an area here in Louisiana for many years that did that as well.
And one other area near us also had all their city "Stop" signs and other city signs in French too.
That's one sure way to learn a bit of the language that so many of the people speak here.
HA!

I just ordered a smaller "M" sign to put in our house!
(Susie's small initial signs)
I can't wait to get it from her!

History Of The "King Cake"..............part #1

Several people have asked me about the traditions and history behind the "King Cakes" that we in Louisiana, and else where, divulge ourselves in eating this time of year.
I'm going to break this into two posts so as not to "bore" anyone so please stay tuned for "part deux."

King Cakes not only have a rich and wonderful taste to them, but they have fascinating stories behind their existence.

It's the classic tale of "paganism, religion, greed, murder, and mystery, glorious food, celebrations, holidays, babies, rich Rulers, Kings and Queens and power, revivaly, foolishness, masks..........

Oh GOODNESS!
My mistake.
I started to tell you about "King Cakes" and went off into "Louisiana Politics" instead.
HA!
Terrible of me. I know.

Well, moving along....let's just say that all those things mentioned previously are involved in the story of the "King Cake" as well.

In fact. It's very complicated and if you read and study you will find tons of information. Most of which you will never need in life. HA!

So let me just "condense" the vast history on this one sweet pastry for all of us.

And then I will give you some of my own thoughts and experiences as well along the way.

"Cake" somehow gets thrown into the MIX of "Twelfth Night" which if you know nothing about..... let me give you this much to go off of.

"Twelfth Night" is the day in which the event of the coming of the "Wise men bearing special gifts to the Christ Child" is celebrated.

This celebration is ALSO called "Epiphany, Little
Christmas, or the Twelfth Night." One of the most popular customs in this celebration of giving gifts is the
baking of a special cake in honor of the three kings.
Hence...."The King's Cake."Makes sense to me so far. Sort of.

Inside of the cake somewhere is a plastic baby. The tiny plastic baby is supposed to represent the Christ Child.
The person receiving it is to have "good luck" and blah, blah, blah, but MOST importantly....they are to "buy the next King Cake" which sort of represents.....one of the Kings bearing a gift. It's odd but that's what is is supposed to mean.......but HONESTLY.....I have NEVER known that person getting the baby to buy the next King Cake. Hummmm........
What's wrong this that tradition because it's not working??

In fact.....just the other day in my very own house. Just moments after writing my first post regarding the King Cake we had gotten......ONE of my precious children got the "Baby" in a piece they must have taken to eat..... and didn't even acknowledge that they had gotten it.

I just so happened to "stumble upon" the baby all dirty with cake stuff on it just "thrown" in the BOX still.
Ummm.....when I went to get another piece. UGH!
(sorry for the blur....)
I still don't know who got it but I'd like them to "fess up" and get that next King Cake here because we are out of it now....and need another.
Dirty rats!!(Fuzzy little baby Jesus replica)
(This is a better example of the "baby.")
Anyhow.......in Louisiana, Twelfth Night also signifies the beginning of the carnival season which ends with Mardi Gras Day.

The New Orleans connection/tradition, which begun in the 1870s, is very, strongly ingrained with European customs.
As part of the celebration of Mardi Gras, it is traditional to bake an oval cake in honor of the three kings - thus your "King Cake."

The shape of a King Cake symbolizes the "unity of faiths." Which is interesting because not ALL "faiths" participate in all these customs or even know what they stand for.
However,many DO eat the cake.
Like us. HA!

The cake is decorated in the traditional Mardi Gras colors which you will see EVERYWHERE you go in Louisiana right now....
These colors are said to stand for: purple represents justice, green represents faith and gold represents power.
And don't forget...again most important...each cake has a small plastic baby, symbolizing the baby Jesus, inside of it.

Some bakery's leave the baby out of the cake but included inside of the cake box for you to put in the cake at your discretion. People don't want "sued" over someone "swallowing the baby" or damaging your teeth.
The place we buy our cakes at......puts the baby right in the cake so look out.
I will however write more on "King Cakes" and what they taste like and costs and flavors and such and possibly touch a tiny, tiny, bit on this "Mardi Gras" thing if I am in a good mood next time.
Cheers!
Joyce

"It's King Cake Time"

"Why Oh Why Must I Live In The State With the 'REALLY Good Food?'"

It's "King Cake" season here in Louisiana.

Just when you think you can "eat healthy" and loose a few pounds.......then these things come along. Like a "PLAGUE".

Frankly, I wouldn't have bought it.
But Miss Priss did it and explained to me...."Mom I was at Ralph's and they got their good King Cakes in and you know how hard they are to keep in stock so I got us one!...........ugh.

Ummmm........want to see my breakfast today??

She just brought it home yesterday afternoon and already that thing is half eaten.


MERCY!
"Why must we have all the really good food where I live???"

I think I want to move to Greece next.
It's beautiful, warm, and they have the most FABULOUS and HEALTHY food all at the same time.

No one has gotten the baby yet.
Maybe it will be me.
Maybe I should go get another piece of it just to see if it's in there.

~~Note~~
We don't personally celebrate Mardi Gras but we DO eat the cake.
It's sort of like...."When in Rome......EAT as the Romans."But that's as far as it goes for us.

Warm Thoughts and the "Soup de Jour".......

It's cold here.
Not deathly cold like where many of you live....but here in Louisiana....when it's cold it's a "bone chilling" cold because we are so damp down this way.

I'm having some tea....(and eating a piece of fudge, don't TELL!)...
And I'm thinking "warm thoughts" about many of you.

Last week was rough and emotional week.....and we had a very busy weekend as well.

Due to my friend's death we needed to travel to her home town of "Crowley, Louisiana" for her funeral some two hours away.
We were so glad we were able to be there.

While we were down and over that way......we traveled from "Crowley" to the little town where we used to live for several years in the heart of "Cajun Country" called "Abbeville"...population 11 thousand.

Can you just imagine? HA!
Baton Rouge is about 800 thousand people and nutty and not Cajun at all....even though every town in Louisiana likes to claim that for tourism reasons.

This area where we lived for 7 years....IS the "real deal".....believe me. And it's "45 minutes from the end of the earth" as I always used to say.
Namely...the town of Abbeville is 45 minutes from the very bottom of the United States coastline.....via Louisisana.

While in our former town, my husband and I ate some of the BEST seafood in the entire state of Louisiana. It's always FUN to visit the "old haunts" when you go into an area where you lived before.

The next day Saturday...we visited with many old friends...then went on to "Cow Island" which is near Kaplan La. to stay with a little family that used to go to our church.

My husband went goose hunting with that husband and their oldest son while I stayed behind and hung out and chatted with the wife.

It was so good to see old friends.

We love people.

Recently we have been "re-connecting" with many old and dear friends....and it has been a BLAST.

I have loved it and it's always so good to hear and to SEE people you love and miss.

Today I went to lunch with two dear friends......last week I met two friends one I haven't seen in FOREVER....I mean years...and one that I see quite often. We met for coffee/tea at a local coffee house.
Next week......I'm meeting my "Pool Ladies" for lunch.

Good heavens....my "Social Calender" has been very full lately.

But it is ALL good and I am thankful and glad for friends......and for my kids and for my husband who helps to keep me warm!

Most of you know.....I'm not a huge fan of cooking....but I do it. Not always well I admit.
But I do make a mean "Crawfish and Corn Soup".....thanks to one of my friends who taught me how to make it. Many wonderful people have coached me on how to cook Louisiana "cuisine" through the years that we have lived here.

We had this soup for our supper tonight and I thought I would share the recipe with you all as well....it's easy...and it's SO GOOOOOD. Believe me.....IF I can make it....YOU can make it. HA!

The person who gave me this recipe has the last name of "Guitreau."

You pronounce it....."GO TRO."
That my friends....is Cajun.

****Here is the recipe:*****

Crawfish and Corn Soup

Ingredients:
1 Onion chopped
1 Cup chopped Green Onions
1 stick Butter
1 LB Crawfish tails....or you can use Shrimp or you can use BOTH!
2 cans of Potato Soup
1 can of Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 Large can Yellow Corn
1 Large can White Corn (I use 2 cans of yellow if I don't have the white)
8 oz Cream Cheese
1 pint Half and Half
Tony Chachere's Seasonings to taste and or Red Pepper to taste

1. Saute Onion and Green Onions in melted Butter
2. Add Crawfish/Shrimp tails and cook 5 minutes
3. Add remaining ingredients and cook on low until Cream Cheese has melted.
4 Serve VERY warm.....not hot.
~~Enjoy~~

Moving Onward

Coming into 2009 has been good.
Although, we have already heard of and have dealt with heartaches and tragedy.
It's only 7 days into the New Year.

I knew it would happen though.
There is no "avoiding" the process of life.
And of death.

Time waits for no man"...just like the quote says.
So we must stop for IT sometimes.
Last night we stopped what we were doing.......and then we ran.

We had gotten a call from my friend Denise's daughter that the Hospice people thought she had about "2 hours left."
My husband and I changed our clothes (because we were both in our PJ's) and we ran out of our house.

Denise was diagnosed with two malignant brain tumors right before Thanksgiving and went into the hospital to have a biopsy which not only confirmed that fact......plus she always suffered a stroke during the process of the biopsy.

She was 49 years old.

**Now let me back up a few years...........**

My husband and I had not seen my friend Denise in years.

Her and her husband were friends of ours a long time ago.

But some things had changed in our lives and we moved......
and some things were changing in their lives while we were gone and they started down a sad path which eventually ended in divorce and much heartache.

Somewhere along the way.....I had received a phone call with some news about a situation that had happened and I wrote Denise and begged her to rethink some things in her life. I warned her.

And through time she became bitter.
Not only towards others.....but also against me.
That's just how it works. She wasn't an evil person...she was a damaged and hurt person.

I had only seen her once since moving back to Baton Rouge and we ran into each other by accident. Which was no accident. If you know what I mean.

She had fallen by the wayside.

A few weeks ago.....we received a call from a mutual friend of ours telling us that Denise had received this double brain tumor report.

He had her phone number and I knew I had to call her. I hadn't spoken to her in nearly 4 years again. And not for any reason other than we had "lost" her once more somehow.
She had "fallen off the planet" as I call it.... and I didn't know how to find her.

So I when I was given her phone number I called her.

Of course I was scared..and worried that she might hang up on me or be mean and lash out at me....especially since I knew she had just been handed this horrible news.
But I did it anyway.

One of the very FIRST things she told me on the phone was.....
"You know I've held a GRUDGE against you."
To which I replied......."I know it. And I am so sorry, but I think it's time to let it go and let's move on, none of it really matters any more does it?"
And she agreed and she did just that....she letting those things that bothered her GO.

From that point....we pressed on.
Because NONE of it did matter any longer. In light of life, in light of eternity.
"That thing" that had offended her.....became nothing.

In situations like this one......one can stay "bitter or you can become BETTER."

And Denise choose better. In MORE WAYS than just one.
And I am so glad.
Because we have been able to be by her side during this very hard process.
She needed us and we needed to be there for her.

Through this short period we've been able to be open and honest and to talk candid with each other.
There wasn't time for anything less.

Especially sad was the fact that Denise lost all means of communicating pretty much while she was still in the hospital.

Though she tried and tried to speak...we usually could never make out what she was saying and it was so frustrating.
Eventually...once she was moved to the Hospice Unit....all she could do would be open her eyes or to blink. On occasion she could slightly nod her head. She was so frail and weak.

During this time there was no reason to cover up things and act as if......"I'm fine."

I'm so grateful that all the "masks" were removed.

Denise died last night and my husband and I were at her bedside when she took her last breath.

It was both an honor and a privilege to be included at such an intimate time in ones life.

And it was precious.
Don't misunderstand me when I say that because death certainly is NOT pretty, nor glamorous.
It is what it is.
An ending and a new beginning....
And it was bittersweet....because we were sad she was going yet, we were thrilled that she was going and all her earthly pain and sorrow was going to be over once and for all.

I'm so happy I was there. I'm so glad that SHE gave us that opportunity.

Life truly IS "just a vapor."
And it is more fragile than we realize.

Please don't hold grudges or hold unforgiveness in your heart against someone.

Don't let anyone make you so bitter that you can't have a great life.

You see, I knew she felt that way but I couldn't change it so I moved on in life. And she was still holding all that. It didn't effect me. But it affected her.

That is how those things work. The person your upset with.....doesn't even know it half the time. All the while...you are hurting inside and that bitterness or grudge is seething.

Move past things quickly if you can.
Mend fences.
Even if you didn't do anything wrong.
Sometimes....we must suck it up for the sake of the other person.
Be bigger.
And let it go.

Believe me....I've had to do these things in my life too.
I've had to go back to someone and forgive them and let things go.
We ALL get wounded in life.
I've been wounded.
AND sadly....I've wounded others.

Sometimes you let go of things...and the other person/persons don't.
Just do what you can. God knows.

In the long run....YOU will be BETTER because of it and when you leave this earth, you won't have any regrets.

I told Denise goodbye over a week ago. Even though I continued to go see her.
She fought a really good fight....right to the end.

I was so proud of her.
Not for just dying valiantly....

But for having made decisions weeks ago to "let all those things in the past go" and being able to leave the earth with out any baggage in her heart or her hands.

In the end.....I am so relieved that her "journey" on this earth is over....and I am so glad I "made that call."

A New Year.. .New Directions For Many

With every New Year comes an opportunity to head into "New Directions"....have you pondered what yours may be this year?

I have. I always do.
But it doesn't mean that just because I laid out some "thoughts and plans" like well ridden train tracks......that I will go there. That I will accomplish what I want to accomplish.
Where ever "there" is and so on and so forth.

We all have dreams and visions.......thoughts and plans.
I for one am a dreamer and a visionary......I plan and I think things out.
I don't "make it happen"....instead I "wait" for it.

I could and WOULD get myself into so much trouble if I did it the other way because my nature WANTS to "make it happen"......believe me.
I know "me."

Sometimes these things come, and even "on time" and I rejoice.
But sometimes they don't come on time....and they don't come at all.

So I continue to "wait" and not give up on those other things...while I throw myself into whatever DOES come my way.

And I've also learned not to get myself so worked up about those things that fail or fall apart like I used to when I was younger.

Some things that we "thought" were "meant to be" ....possibly just aren't "meant to be."

We don't always have choices in what "life" hands to us.
Sometimes we do.

We DO however have "destinies."

I'm not talking "Pre-destination" in a theological sense.......

What I am saying is that many of us have a "make up" inside of us.

"Desires, dislikes, burdens, availability, etc."
Those are just a few things that help determine what we are destined for..."life wise."

We ourselves can determine many things in our lives....many goals.......many visions.
We also can embrace these things or.....we can run from them.

I've done all of the above at one point or another in my life.

But for the most part.......
I contend.
I'm a "contender"....
I don't know why forsure.
I might know why.
But this I do know......it's not always easy and it can get you into a a lot of trouble and bring heartache even.
It even brings with it.....isolation and such.

But for me.....that's the best I can do.
" I have to do what I have been formed to do."


Another few valuable things to remember in life is that it's always a good thing to be "open and flexible"..........

That part becomes harder and harder once one starts getting older.

Do what you can now, while you still can do it.
Bodies fail and fall apart.....money fades, disappointments come....life can become a struggle for many due to circumstances.

Take chances now.
(Within reason of course...HA!)
None of us knows what "tomorrow" may bring.

Just some random thoughts on this SECOND day of the New Year...
Cheers!

2009