Oh my goodness, time is zipping right along

Greetings Friends,

Sorry I've been gone so long. I started this post way back and am just now finishing it up. It is near the end of September now.

 

I got sick in February with a bad cold, it went away then the end of March I started coughing again and ended up going to MD Now and found out I had acute bronchitis. Got an inhaler, an antibiotic and a cough med. It took 4 to 6 weeks for me to be better. It was scary at times, God was with me, prayers were prayed by me and others,  I drank herbal teas, lots of water and electrolytes, meals were provided. I am so thankful to be over that. The older one gets the longer it takes to get over things. A lot of illness has been going around. I also took a horrible tasting herbal syrup, Clear Chest.  I added it to a shot of pineapple juice much easier to take. It does work in clearing things out.

We had some very cold weather here, then some nice cool weather. We had some unusually hot weather for May, 94. We had been in drought conditions for a few months, then have been having some nice rain which has caused so many things to grow and grow. Weeds are hard to keep up with too. :-)

A crew of 14 from my church came here on We Are The Church Sunday in Feb. This was the 11th year where the church goes out to different places and families in the community to be of help. We had around 300 participate this year. My crew took out weeds, replaced  three sections of old falling down fencing, cleared 'stuff' away from the perimeter of the workshop, so that I can get the house and workshop tented for termites. What a blessing these 14 were to me. I broke down in tears a few times, I was so touched.

Another crew of 15 came out June 27th to take down an old small metal shed, emptying the contents (except for antique street lights) into a huge purply/pink dumpster. Along with an old hot tub and pump, other stuff I don't need or want from the barn and property, old plastic flower pots, useless iron, etc. The dumpster was full. We will do this again when it is cooler. Everyone worked hard, young to old, 3 hours. Amazing, lots of laughter, memories were brought up for me, but I am not going to use what went into the dumpster and my dear Mark is not here to use any of it either. :-) Before he left this planet he told me to get rid of the junk. ;-) It does feel good and inspires me to keep on caring for this place as best I can.

I sat with a friend at the end of the driveway when things were winding down and I looked down at the ground that had been heavily trampled and found a prize. This little bear. I could hardly believe it. I used to collect teddy bears and have a nice little collection. This was a very pleasant surprise. 

 

The piece of wood with a heart in it, was my last gift from my dear husband. He came in from his workshop and told me to shut my eyes and hold out my hands. He had been cutting a stick of wood in his workshop and this was a surprise to him, not planned at all. He had given me many hearts throughout our 43 years of marriage, this was the last one.

 

I had my 77th bday the first day of spring.  I still work outside, mowing, weeding, trimming, hauling, doing what I can, and also am 'learning' to ask for help. Not easy, as my dear Mark and I always took care of things around here. I miss him so much. God has provided help from different church family members and others and what a blessing that has been and is.

 

I had a dental issue come up, thought it would be go in and get tooth pulled. Noooo, my BP was higher than it should be. Had to get a primary care dr. Haven't had the need for one, found one, he and staff, kind. BP goes up when you are in pain, not to mention the white coat syndrome. ;-) I could not have the tooth pulled until the BP came down, so he gave me a prescription for a low dosage med. 

 

BP went down, I went back to kind dentist but she does not knock you out to pull teeth, and since I knew I'd have to have all bad teeth pulled and get dentures, she highly recommended an oral surgeon. She got me a consultation appt that same day. The surgeon and all staff very kind. I ended up having the oral surgery 3 weeks ago today. In another three weeks, I can go to dentist to get started on dentures, impressions, then teeth made.

 

A dear friend from church took me to surgery, then to her home for two nights while I recouped. I was a bit wobbly on my feet. Had swelling and bruising, which was all basically gone in a week. I've been on a liquid and soft food diet since, have lost 16 lbs which is a good thing. I've had lots of love, prayers and encouragement from so many for which I am thankful. Plus, another dear friend has paid for the surgery and the dentures. I thank God for her loving generosity. A huge weight off my shoulders.

 

I will be so glad to be able to bite down and chew with new teeth. Plus, right now my lips have sunk in, top lip almost disappearing. :-) Speech isn't the same, neither is my smile.  

I'm looking forward to 🍔🍕🍞🍎 and much more.

 

This morning I felt a hint of fall in the air. It was wonderful. It has been very hot and humid, and after months of drought conditions, we've been having an overload of rain, so much so that the ground is squishy. Now that I'm healed up from surgery I can get out and work in my overgrown, tropical garden spaces again. I am so looking forward to that. 

I am so thankful to Jesus for drawing me closer to Him each and every day, especially since becoming a widow almost 14 years ago. It seems like yesterday and like forever ago since my dear husband was called home. The missing him never goes away.

 

I will close this post with this lovely, encouraging Bible verse. From God's heart to ours as we walk this journey.

 

 

 

 Love & Prayers

FlowerLady