Friday, July 15, 2016

Blue Emu cream, a heart, a date

Good morning Folks ~ It’s been almost a month since I posted a ‘real’ post. Thank you all for kind comments, encouraging words and prayers. They’ve all helped lift me out of a ‘slump’.

One thing that has really had me down is dealing with the pain in my feet from Plantar fasciitis. I’m taking herbs & vitamins, doing excercises and even broke down and went to my massage lady for a full body, deep tissue massage. That was absolutely wonderful. I’ve NOT been going barefoot, which is a real bummer for this girl I can tell you that.  I hate wearing shoes of any kind inside.

Last week at church one of the men and I were talking and he asked me how I was doing.  I told him about dealing with PF and he told me about this great cream that someone had told him about and it had done wonders for different pain, arthritic and other for him. It is the “Original Blue Emu Super Strength” cream. He told me he bought it at Walmart, and on the way home from church, I stopped at Walmart and bought a jar, $12.48 for 4 oz. (I since have seen that I can get it at SAM’s club 12 oz. for $24.88, which is a better deal.) It is a light blue in color, non-greasy, has a slight, pleasant scent (to me), non-staining, goes right into your skin, does not burn or feel hot or cold. I massaged it into my feet, especially the right one Sunday and Monday. Tues., Wed., Thurs., pain is almost non-existent. It has great reviews online, which I read after buying. I am totally amazed and oh so thankful. Some of the ingredients are Glucosamine and MSM with Aloe Vera and Emu Oil. MSM reduces pain and inflammation. Glucosamine is said to ease joint pain. Emu Oil is an anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic agent. We all know that aloe vera is good for our bodies and skin. Anyway, check out this cream for yourself. I am not getting anything for this, this is my honest review from personal use.

Having my feet feeling so much better, I feel energized about doing things again. Plus today started the ‘8th Annual ‘Where Bloggers Create’ series, and that has inspired me. This link takes you to Karen’s own creative space, she is the hostess, and at the bottom of this post links are starting to appear as bloggers post links to their own creative spaces.  I look forward to seeing this event every year. It is fun and there are ideas galore to inspire anyone who is creative.

About my Etsy shop, a lady friend from church talked with me about getting licenses, etc. for my shop and I think I’m going to go for it. I’ll let you know when my shop is open again.

Last Sunday I was asked to pray for a little girl who just turned six. Her mom is in jail, she did not have a birthday celebration and my heart was touched. Since then I kept thinking about making her a heart, and yesterday was the day. Her name is Summer and I ask that you pray for her and her Mom also. I do not know the situation, just asked to pray for Summer.

This was a joy to make. Seed beads, sequins, a glass flower bead, a metal heart charm, a Swaroski crystal beed in the center of the star, sequins, French knots and stem stitches. It is 4 1/2” wide by 4 1/4” high.

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Now, as to my ‘date’.  It was with ‘myself’. Smile  I went to see ‘The Legend of Tarzan’. Tarzan was a character that my dear husband really liked as a kid. He did NOT like to read as a boy, and his Mom gave him her childhood Tarzan books by Edgar Rice Burroughs and ever since then he was an avid reader of all kinds of subjects. As a newlywed, I also read those same books and loved the stories and adventures. Well, I decided to go Wednesday morning to the 10 a.m. showing which is only $5.75. There were only 5 of us in the audience. I sat in the middle high enough so that I was viewing the center of the screen, perfect and I will do that again when I go. The movie was fantastic, if you are a Tarzan fan. Beautiful scenery, huge gorillas, good overcame evil and it was a wonderful love story between Tarzan and his lovely Jane. I left the theater with a huge smile on my face and joy in my heart. As an aside, dear husband as a boy, visited his aunt and uncle who had a farm in PA during 2-3 summers, and he would swing from a rope in the barn and do the Tarzan yell.

We need rain down here, I’m having to hand water potted plants daily, can use sprinklers three days a week at certain times and do when I am here. Rain keeps being predicted but stays all around, just teasing us.

Thought you might like to see this unusual flowering vine.  It is the Dutchman’s Pipe vine, a host plant for swallowtail butterflies.  This is growing in a friends butterfly garden. I hope to get some seeds from her, and she’s going to give me some cuttings of other plants also. She has degrees in horticulte and is a lepidopterist. She works at Butterfly World south of me.

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Here are some photos taken around here lately.

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The other morning I awoke from dreaming about my dear husband digging holes to plant climbing red roses. I do not have any at this time, but the dream made me want at least one, now I’m on the hunt for the right one. Want it to have a good rose scent. What a sweet dream! One I woke up from with a smile on my face.

Below is a little walk I took, going to a friends’ home in a gated community, where a group of ladies were meeting. Not enough parking in her complex for all of us, so we park in a shopping center parking lot and walk about a block or so. It felt like being on ‘vacation’ as it was a new place for me. It was ‘quiet’, the shaded area and cricket or catydid noises, just felt different and comforting somehow. I was out of my comfort zone ~ am doing that a lot lately,

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This was taken on the way back. I love those trees.

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Well, I better get up from this chair and get going for today.

Let us remember to pray for not just America, but the whole world. There is so much tragedy all over.

And, let us all be thankful for our many blessings big and small.

FlowerLady

38 comments:

Deb J. in Utah said...

I will have to try to cream on my arthritic knees. I am glad to hear that you found relief for your pain in your feet! My husband also got started on reading with Edgar Rice Burroughs. He started reading John Carter of Mars and was hooked. Before that, he didn't like to read, and now he is an avid reader and has been since that first John Carter book he read when he was in Junior High School. Good luck with your Easy shop. That is a beautiful heart that you made for Summer and it is so kind of you to make it! Have a good week end.

Terry said...

Hi Lorraine!

Thank you for stopping by my blog. I sort of dropped out of the blogging world for a while. I am well, and everything if fine, I just had a lot on my plate and something had to give. I missed my blogging friends and community, so when I saw Karen's annual Where Bloggers Create party I decided to jump back in. Thank you for your kind welcome back words.

I will certainly pray for Summer. I always loved that name for a little girl, but would you believe I married someone with the last name of Lummer? Summer Lummer just wouldn't work. We did name our first cat Summer though. I am sure Summer will love the beautiful little pillow you made for her.

I am glad your feet are better. I was a runner and damaged my feet running. I am going to go to Walmart and get some of that cream.

Your flowers are always so gorgeous! Here in North Jersey the deer, rabbits, and chipmunks are devouring everything. The chipmunks and squirrels are even climbing into my flower boxes.

I look forward to keeping in touch with you via our blogs.

With gratitude,
Terry

Jean Campbell said...

Glad you found something to help your feet, Rainey. The heart for the child is lovely, something she'll always remember: that someone cared.

Good to see pipevine that has flowers that show up. We have only the wild version that has tiny, tiny white flowers that you cannot recognize as pipes but we do have abundant Pipevine Swallowtails with that splash of brilliant blue on their hindwings.

Rebecca said...

Now THIS is a happy post - at so many levels!
Of course, I always love seeing the "hard scape" around your place....
REALLY happy you're getting relief from the P.F. I remember my own pain with it and can empathize a bit.
I've heard a lot of good about Blue Emu Oil - have not used it.
Good to hear there IS life out of one's comfort zone. It's good to stretch ourselves a bit, isn't it?

NanaDiana said...

What a rich post...full of life's details. Thank you for the nod to that cream. I am writing it down. I have an ankle that gives me fits off and on and I do not want to go back on anti-inflammatories.

That is a beautiful place you visited and the walk was wonderful to get there. Good luck finding the red climbing rose of your dream.

My hubby loves Tarzan, too. Blessings- xo Diana

Chris Flynn said...

Hi Rainey... so happy to meet you today! What a beautiful person you are! Inside and out. Thank you for asking for prayers for that young lady. Wish she were close by, my girlfriend makes amazing birthday cakes for disadvantaged children...as her culinary outreach.

So glad you've found some relief. Oh, plus, I love the greenery! Thank you for sharing your garden spaces too. Love your spaces! And I'll be back soon!
Sweet blessings, Chris

Chris Flynn said...

One more thing.... Thank you for your suggestion Living for God After Losing Your Husband' by Carol Cornish

I volunteer at Hospice Grief Support, and seem to be working with mostly widows over 70. I'll be leading a group called 'New Horizons' starting this fall. I'm looking forward to being inspired by your suggestion.

Thank you so much for sharing with us.
Many blessings,
Chris

Sallysmom said...

Dearest Lorraine, it is wonderful to hear from you. Your dear husband would be so very proud of you for doing the things that are out of your comfort zone. Please continue to do them. :)

Terra said...

I am glad to see you back in blogland, and with a good cream for your PF situation. I take a glucosamine chondroitin tablet every day, I see that is an ingredient in the emu cream. People allergic to shellfish can NOT take those tablets, by the way. What a darling heart for Summer, you are a sweetie.

Lemon Verbena Lady said...

Dear FL, So glad your feet are feeling better. I have always said that feet and tooth pain are the worse to get through. I am thankful that you are on the planet to cheer us up with your words and photos! A big hug and kiss from The Herbal Husband and me, LVL!

Nancy J said...

Your gift for Summer, from your heart. Beautiful view of your garden gate, and the street. And walking outside what is a comfort zone, I immediately thought of the lyrics " You'll never walk alone" and know that for you this is so true. Hugs from a wintery NZ.

Debbie Harris said...

Hi Lorraine~ what a joy to come for a visit and see all that you have been busy with. I'm happy to hear that you are keeping busy with things, and how wonderful that you went to the movies on a date with yourself. :)
Your heart for Summer is beautiful and I am sure that she will cherish it with a thankful heart.
I love seeing your beauty created in those hearts.

Have a beautiful weekend~~

L. D. said...

I have a neighbor who really likes blue emu. I have a jar for a one time painful situation. I am glad it is helping you. Your photos are all so good to see. Iowa and Florida are so contrasting in climate and I like seeing other states like yours.

Ruth Hiebert said...

I am so glad that the pain has lessened.Any kind of pain can wear a person down.Hope you will have a good weekend.We have had so much rain that we have water standing in the fields,so it would be nice if I could share some with you.

Maryann said...

I'm glad you are felling better. My husband has been dealing with PF for the last few months as well, I know it can be so painful, glad the cream is helping. Thank you for always sharing the photos of your garden spaces, I love to see other peoples gardens. Hope its a good weekend for you

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

Nice to hear you're feeling better and may get your shop going again soon.
Those blooms are amazing. Wow. Your tropical climate I'm sure. Thanks for sharing your beautiful bead work and flowers with us.

Valda Mason said...

just started following you and I can understand your foot problems, my husband had this and it took ages to come good. You are so kind to think of that lonely little girl Summer, she will cherish your heart. Your garden looks so lovely and green and was wondering if you had thought about getting a "Mr Lincoln" rose a beautiful red and the most wonderful perfume just love it.that all from australia

Celestina Marie said...

Love this post Lorraine. Thank you for sharing about the cream. So glad it is working for you. I will try this as I have a painful right elbow from all the painting I do. I hope you find that red climbing rose from your dream. How special it will be. Glad you enjoyed the movie, it sounds like it is a good one.
The trail you walked to visit the friend looks so inviting. It reminds me of a trail near my son's home.
Lovely flower~~ I have never seen that one. Hope you get the rain you need. We had a huge shower yesterday and was so thankful. It's as hot as can be here.
Wishing you a great weekend. Blessings xo

Val said...

What sweet dream, and what a lovely place to walk! I'm glad you found relief for your feet. That heart is lovely too.

Yesteryear Embroideries said...

Hello, such a sweet dream. I always love to stop by here and visually walk through your garden! Hope that your feet feel much better.

Dewena said...

I pray that the lovely heart you made for Summer will help her to know that a stranger cared enough about her to craft this gem just for her during a sad time in her life.

We have used Blue Emu for years! Now we order it 3 at a time on Amazon. My husband's tried everything and says this is the best. I'm so glad you found some release from foot pain so that you can do the things you like to in the garden.

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

SO GLAD to hear that amazing cream gave you some relief! And what a wonderful and precious thing to do for little Summer! :) That vine is new to me; I enjoyed seeing it and your lovely walk and other photos. I hope you get the rain that you need. I would have loved to share some with you ( we got a crazy downpour yesterday out of the blue...needed but too much at once! :)

Sheri - Creative Spaces Landscaping said...

I just love hearing how happy you are in this post Lorraine! Time flies by and so many moments go with it, what matters in those moments are how you spend them and with who...you shared so many amazing years with your wonderful husband & now time is transitioning for you to experience some new moments! So get out there, with water bottle in hand cause its super hot lol, and enjoy yourself! Oh yes, btw I just found out this Monday that the lump on the bottom of my foot is plantar fasciitis, talk about moments happening, now I know what to get tomorrow, lol. Thanks for your post as it lifted my spirits after a super crappy week.
Happy gardening & best wishes,
Sheri

Cathy @ My 1929 Charmer said...

I had PF and it was soooooo painful. I got it from playing tennis. I'll try out the cream for my knees and thanks for letting us know. Sounds like you enjoyed the date with yourself. I'm also happy your spirit seems a bit lighter and that's a good thing. I'm confused since I have a Dutchman's vine and I don't' remember it ever blooming? I used it to cover a trellis...but just read that it blooms on new wood so I'll prune it in fall. I love the large heart shaped leaves and now want some flowers!

Kit said...

So many wonderful things in your post! I am definitely going to buy the Emu rub for both my family and my daughters. Loved your story about the heart and you going to the movie. Made me smile! Love, Kit

Melanie said...

I'm glad you're feeling better again (physically and mentally) - and good for you for pushing yourself out of your comfort zone! That's hard to do, but sometimes it turns out to be a positive thing. I love that you went and saw the Tarzan movie by yourself and the wonderful memories it brought of your dear husband. Also wonderful to hear that the emu cream is helping you. I am going to buy some tomorrow when I go to Walmart for my back. I've been plagued with lower back pain again and nothing is bringing me relief. I hope this cream will help! The flowering vine you showed is amazing - have never seen anything like it.

Cheryl said...

I am glad that you got some relief with the emu cream! Who'd have guessed? (Taking note of this remedy...)

I love your gift of kindness to the young girl. Things like that mean so much to someone!

June said...

What a joy it was to read this post! First I have to say that I wish I was there to see Summer's sweet face when she is presented this beautiful heart made just for her. Can you even imagine how wonderful it will make her feel? Like she is someone important, like she is someone who is loved, like she is someone who matters in this great big, sometimes not so nice world! This just melts my heart sweet friend!
I'm glad that you had a date with yourself and the movie does sound great. I'm not much of a movie goer because I'm such a homebody so I always wait for them to come out on DVD. I'll have to see this.
I am so glad you got something to ease your foot pain and I will definitely be picking up some of this cream for an aching elbow I've been having problems with.
sending big hugs your way...

Leslie Kimel said...

I am so glad you are feeling better! And thank you for the tip about the emu cream. I am definitely going to try that! I'm so, so happy you are posting again. I really missed hearing from you. I think of your blog as a blessing in my life.

Pam's English Garden said...

Thanks for the info about the cream, Lorraine. My husband has PF so I'm going to buy some for him. Love your blooms especially the Dutchman's pipe! P. x

The Charm of Home said...

You have a beautiful garden! I love FL. Such a cute stitching project too!

GretchenJoanna said...

I know from the last year that it's hard to get excited about gardening or doing your housework or taking walks - anything! - when you have PF as I have had all this time, and though it is much improved, it still slows me down some days and that is definitely depressing. So I will get some Blue Emu myself - if it even helps a little it will be worth it.

Kim said...

I have a always been a Tarzan fan, too. I was wondering about that movie, thanks for the info! Feel good!! :)

M.K. said...

Hi, FL. Welcome back :) Your heart for little miss Summer is just precious -- I love the red French knots, so tiny and delicate. She will love it, and it will make her feel loved every time she holds it, knowing you made it all by hand just for her!

You have some crazy plants, lady! But your bower is such a unique, beautiful spot. I know the gated community is quiet and very controlled and has its own peaceful feel, but I much prefer the place YOU and your husband have made. I know it's tons of work, but it is YOU, your own space. It's so unique.

The foot troubles are so severe -- that foot condition is quite debilitating. Glad you are getting relief from the pain! I will have to find some of that Emu cream too. Love you, and so glad you are back to blogging!

Junkchiccottage said...

Hi Lorraine,
I am putting your blog on my blog roll so I do not miss your posts. Loved reading this today. Praying for Summer how sad she did not have a birthday and sad her mom is in jail for whatever reason. So sweet of you to make the heart. You are an angel.
Hugs,
Kris

Judy at GoldCountryCottage said...

Hi Lorraine. That cream sounds wonderful. I have told my foot problem before and because of the loss of the toes, I tend to walk on the side of my foot and have formed a callus or it is scar tissue, I don't know, but it hurts like heck at the end of the day, burning and etc. I think I will try it out when I get around a Walmart. We don't have one in our general area so have to drive a ways. Sweet little heart. Any little girl would love it..Happy Wednesday..Judy

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

Hi Lorraine, I am so happy to hear that this cream has worked for you. I will try this, as I have a really bad shoulder that makes me suffer for days on end. Your beautiful heart for poor little Summer will be so treasured. I love that name....my son almost married a girl named Summer. We loved her so, but it was not meant to be. Your gardens are so pretty - those flowers by the gate and your bird bath are wonderful. I am glad that you are getting back into Etsy and that you have someone to help you navigate. The Dutchman's pipe is amazing. I hope you have some relief from the heat soon. Hugs xo Karen

Darcie said...

I'm so glad to see a couple updates from you!! So sorry for the pain you are enduring with the PF...I've heard it can be so painful. What a beautiful and thoughtful heart you made for sweet Summer...love that name too. This summer heat has been one for the record books for sure, and I can only imagine FL. Hopefully you will have little reprieves here and there. Been thinking of you, and once again...so glad to see a couple posts. Much love my friend!