A Heart-shaped Medley

Hello, my friends.

I can hardly believe that Valentine's Day is nearly upon us.

It seems that since the beginning of January, time has escaped me...

...but at least the weather is acting appropriately once again.

Remember those 70 and 80 degree temps I mentioned last week?

Well, this is what happened...too much too soon.

But beautiful, to say the least.

It has been cold and rainy ever since.

Oh well...it is February, after all.

That's the way it behaves sometimes around these parts.

~

So I finally received the results of the second biopsy last Friday 

and it looks like I'm in for more of hurry up and wait.

The results came back as INCONCLUSIVE.

I want to pull my hair out.

Of course I'm very thankful that it wasn't positive.

I still want to pull my hair out.

I have an appointment on Valentine's Day with the 

Chief of Oncology Surgery at Duke University Medical Center 

to see what the next step towards a diagnosis will be.

If his skills are as good as his credentials, 

I am in the best hands possible...well, except for God's.

As soon as my appointment is over, 

we are heading for the hills of Tennessee for a long weekend.

Again, your love and prayers mean the world to me!

~

Okay, so let's get to the...

...to see what questions Terri is asking us this week.

Of course you know they're all about Valentine's Day, right? 😉

~

VALENTINE'S DAY

Valentine’s Day began as St. Valentine’s Day, a liturgical celebration of one or more early Christian saints named Valentinus.  February 14th, Valentine’s, Day first became associated with romantic love during the High Middle Ages as the tradition of courtly love was then flourishing.  During 18th century England, this day evolved into an occasion in which lovers expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery and sending Valentine cards.    

HOW TO OBSERVE

Get something special for your Valentine and use #ValentinesDay to post on social media.

HISTORY

Credit is traditionally given to Pope Gelasius for declaring February 14 as Saint Valentine’s Day around the year 496 to separate the church from the Roman celebration of Lupercalia, an ancient pagan fertility festival which occurred on February 15th.

1.  I think St. Valentine's Day is for everyone, whether you have a romantic love interest or not.  I received a Valentine card from my sister (thank you Patti!) - case in point.  It is all about LOVE, not just romantic love.  What are your traditions for celebrating Valentine's Day?

I've always believed that Valentine's Day was a day to celebrate love, in general, not just the romantic kind. The hubby is always the best at giving me flowers...in fact, I already received red roses yesterday since he knew the 14th was already taken up with a doctor appointment and travel plans.



They are usually accompanied by some candy but I already warned him not to get me any or he'd be the one eating it...that's a no-no for me right now. I usually make Jim his favorite cherry cheese cake...but this year he will have to "settle" for the black raspberry pie that I will make for him and Adam when we get to Tennessee. Our boys, be they little or big, always get a special bag of goodies (and the wives too)...of course, the grand kids too. Since we will be visiting the youngest grands this year, I will be able to give them theirs in person. This brings back memories of last year...we had our plan in place to do the same thing. Parker's birthday is on the 17th so we were going to combine the celebrations. Well, Jim got sick and they all did too so we had to cancel our visit. Needless to say, the Valentine chocolate was not quite up to par by the time we were able to get together several months later.

2.  When you were in elementary school, did you decorate a shoe box and deliver those little valentines to all your classmates?   Perhaps in Sunday School?

I have sweet memories of making Valentine bags in elementary school by decorating brown paper lunch sacks with red, pink and white construction paper and those sweet heart-shaped paper doilies. We would parade around the room with our Valentine cards until all of them were distributed and then dig into them as we ate cupcakes, cookies and candy. Do kids still do that these days? I always loved getting the candy conversation hearts. Many of you may have heard on the news that they didn't make or sell them this year due to the company being bought out. They say they'll be back next year. Can you imagine Valentine's Day without those darling little hearts??

3.  Do you enjoy playing Cupid?  Have you ever introduced a couple who really clicked?

Yes...years ago when we lived in Kentucky, we introduced a friend that Jim worked with who was a widower with a young son to a friend of mine that I worked with. She was divorced and had twin boys near the same age as his son. We went on a family camping trip...girls in one tent, guys in one and all the boys were together (including our two). They started dating regularly and not too long after that, wedding bells were chiming. They are still together today. WE DONE GOOD!

4.  Which traditional Valentine's Day gift would you rather receive:  Chocolate, flowers, or a card with a personal message?

As I've already said, I get my fair share of flowers (more than I deserve) and I always enjoy having fresh bouquets on my table. Candy is something I'd rather do without...but a card with a personal message always goes straight to the heart.

5.  What is the best movie to watch on Valentine's Day?

I really am not much a movie watcher but occasionally there is one that comes out and we make a special effort to go to the movie theater. I never have actually associated Valentine's Day with watching a movie at all. 

6.  Tell us something random about your week!

Not getting any definitive answers to what's going on inside me has kind of taken the wind out of may sails this week. The not knowing has got to be worse than the knowing...well, kinda...but I'm trying real hard to remember this....

In the meantime, I plan to leave my worries behind me, enjoy my precious family, breathe in some fresh mountain air and bask in the glory of God's magnificent creation! 

♥♥♥ Have a very Happy Valentine's Day!♥♥♥

Getting to the ♥ of the Hodgepodge

♥Happy Valentine's Day!♥



No snow here this year...dang it!
In fact, we were in the 70's over the weekend...quite balmy, actually.
This time of year, especially, you never know what you will get.
But I do know one thing about today...
...it's not only a day to celebrate love, it's also the day we join in for Joyce's Hodgepodge.

That's right...she asks the questions and we answer them on our blogs.
So let's do this!

1. When's the last time you had a heart to heart talk with someone? A change of heart? Experienced figurative 'heart failure?'

Joyce, have you been hiding in my closet or something? C'mon now, fess up! I mean seriously...it just so happened that a certain husband and I had a long overdue heart to heart last Friday before he went off to work for the weekend. We are both guilty of using the "broom technique" when it come to dealing with issues at times...you know...the one where you kinda sweep things under the rug...and they stay there until that rug gets kicked up somehow and then you see where all of "it" went. Sometimes that stuff stays hidden for a very l-o-n-g time. Anyway, it was actually a good thing...a "come to Jesus" moment if you will. And there was a change of heart...on both sides...and that is always good. Heart failure? Life is filled with ups and downs and the heart is always involved. I can't seem to place the last heart-stopping moment in my life, although there have certainly been quite a few. I guess it's a good thing that I can't actually recall it. 

2. Champagne, chocolates, flowers...what's your Valentine pleasure? Any special plans for the day?

No doubt about it, flowers win every time. No special plans since V-Day falls mid-week and work schedules are involved. Our road trip to Tennessee on Friday will be the highlight of the week for both of us!

3. Are you a hopeless romantic or do you fall more in the category of practical and pragmatic? What's a gesture you find romantic?

I am not a hopeless romantic but there was probably a day when I did look at love like that. I am a pretty practical gal and the last time I remember drifting through life on the "love cloud" I was probably in high school...and it wasn't with my husband. Seriously, Jim and I both fall into the latter...practical and sensible...like a good, comfortable pair of loafers...maybe even bordering on the edge of boring? Not really, boring.......well, maybe so! In my mind, the most romantic gesture (which is way more than just a gesture) is to fulfill the role of the spiritual leader of the home...and that encompasses many things.

4. Do you ask a lot of questions in life or are you pretty content with what you already know?

As long as I can remember, I have been as curious as a cat. Still am in some ways. Inquiring minds want to know...you know? Saying that, I think I can also say that the older that I have gotten, the more lessons I have learned and one of them is "What you don't know won't hurt you"....IF you can hold yourself back to keep yourself from finding certain things out. There have been too many times when I have found out more information than I ever really wanted to know and the thing is, you can't ever un-find it out...just like you can't un-see something you've seen.

5. Your favorite power ballad?

If I ever had one, it could possibly be something by the Righteous Brothers..."Unchained Melody" on the good side of love and "You've Lost That Loving Feeling" on the other end of the spectrum.  Click on the link and enjoy listening to the latter (if you like) while you read my random thought.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Can I get an amen?

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Hoping your Valentine's Day is filled with lots of 

♥LOVE♥

Six More Weeks of...Hodgepodge?

So ol' Phil saw his shadow and you know what that means...
...six more weeks of winter.
But many of you already knew that you'd have six more weeks of winter anyway,
depending on where you're at on the map.
Of course, here in NC, it could go either way...it's a coin flip to say the least!
The calendar says it's still winter until March 21st or around there,
so we might as well just let it happen.
So settle in by the fire or wherever (it's warm and rainy here today)...
...and let's get ready for another edition of Joyce's Hodgepodge.

She asks the questions and we answer them on our blogs...
...so why not come on over and join the fun?
Gee, I sure hope we're in for more than six more weeks of the Hodgepodge!

1. February can be a little bit tricky given the weather and the winter and the whatnot. I read a list (here) of things you can do to make your February brighter which included-start planning your next trip, take more baths, make your own chocolate covered strawberries, and exercise in preparation for swimsuit season. Anything on the list you might try? Which suggestion on the list appeals to you most? Tell us something not on the list that helps make your February brighter.

This is an easy one. We are planning a trip to TN in a little over a week. Even though it is a trip we make pretty often, it's still a trip and there are always things to do to prepare for it. We will be able to watch Parker wrestle in a tournament, get a first time live look at our RV and hopefully meet with our builder to discuss plans for the creek bridge, which is the next step before anything else can happen. Although I haven't actually planned this, part of your question reminded me that I have chocolate dipping sauce AND strawberries in my fridge as we speak. Hmmm...I am thinking I see some chocolate dipped strawberries in my very near future.

UPDATE: Actually, they are in my past now...and in my tummy. Thanks for the reminder Joyce! And this may seem a little strange to some but I always look forward to February since it is the month when we normally have the most snow....yeah, you heard me right. If you'd like, you can click on the link to reminisce with me about My Snowy Valentine from a few years ago. Oh...and just so you know, I could try until either the cows come home or Jesus comes back and my body would never be swimsuit ready.

2. Tell us about something you've seen or done recently that you'd say was 'super'?

The fact that I have finally been able to lose the five pounds I gained over the holidays. Hey, slow progress is better than no progress, right? Still doesn't do much for swimsuit issue though.

3. Best thing you ate in a 'bowl' last week?

It would have to be the yummy salad that I made for myself one day for lunch last week...crispy romaine, sliced chicken breast, strawberries, feta cheese, a few crunchy pecans with balsamic vinaigrette dressing. I wish I would have taken a photo...I must be slipping...the colors were so pretty.

4. Something you're 'cheering' for right now?

Maybe the fact that I was able to put a small dent in my office/craft room...room #1...over the weekend. Just getting started was a major reason to cheer....HIP, HIP, HOORAY! I just had to get a picture of the first box I packed...

...but as you can see below, believe me when I said it was a small dent.😉

5. The Winter Olympics begin Friday, February 9th in Pyeong Chang, South Korea. On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being all in and 1 being no interest whatsoever) how interested are you in the games? Which event do you most want to see (you'll find a list here).

I will probably watch some of the events but I will not be glued to the TV....my interest level may fall somewhere around a 3 or 4. And whether I watch or not will also depend on Jim being at home...when he's there, it's quite likely going to be on so I will no doubt be watching more than I normally would. I could possibly even tune in on my own to watch some figure skating or ice dancing. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.

As I was ready to walk out of the house for work yesterday morning, keys in hand, I turned to leave and caught the golden morning sunlight peaking through the blinds, creating this bright spot on the dining room table. I put down my keys and whipped out my phone to try to capture the moment. 

Of course this picture doesn't do it one bit of justice (it looked way better on my phone). I love it when God shows off like that. 😊

Happy Hump Day!

New "Under-standing" and Happy Valentine's Day

Many times at the beginning of a new year,

we find ourselves saying this..."out with the old and in with the new".

Our home was built in 1985 and the original carpet was still underfoot...
...if you do the math, that's 32 years, y'all!

It has certainly served it's purpose and then some but it was time to say buh-bye...

...W-A-Y past time!

~
It is a little surreal when I look around but I am thrilled with them...what a difference!
And somehow, it has increased the square footage...it looks so much bigger inside.
My fur babies were totally disoriented at first but they seem to be getting used to the change.
As I write this, Jim has yet to see the new flooring since this was his weekend to work...
...yes, I planned it that way.
It's always best to remove as many humans (and dogs) as possible at times such as this.
This is where Oscar and Tasha spent the better part of Friday.

Friday it barely made it out of the 40's but by sharing each other's body heat,

they seemed to stay toasty on the front porch in their crate covered in a thick quilt.
So I took today off to finish getting the place back together and still have much to do.
Here's a peek of what's been happening in my world.





Amidst all of the chaos, there was actually a moment when I felt kind of homeless.
I was stuck in a corner with no real place to go except outside but it was so windy and cold.
I tried to imagine what really being homeless might be like.
Of course I knew that this upheaval was only a temporary situation but still, it made me think.
Maybe it was just a fluke when I made my way to the kitchen sink for some water...



...and saw this beautiful dove perched atop the feeder.
Peace, be still...
Fluke? I choose to think not :)

Oscar, checking things out.

So...that was my weekend!
Tomorrow is Valentine's Day already...can you believe it?
And as I was going through closets preparing for the new floors,
I came across this at a most appropriate time...

...my Adam made this for me in ceramics class many years ago.

It used to play "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" but the electronic music box doesn't work anymore.
That's alright, it's still adorable, don't you think?

And one last thing...

Someone posted this on my Facebook page which I thought was so cute.

Of course it would have better if the wiener had been a brown one :)

♥Happy Valentine's Day!♥

Sharing at...

Mosaic Monday

♥Happy Valentine's Day♥ (courtesy of Walmart)

I rushed out on Friday to get bread and milk before it's all gone!

Around here, you'd better get it while you can...
...before that 1/4 inch of snow or whatever that we're expecting hits the pavement!
(actually, I didn't even buy milk or bread)

~♥♥♥♥♥~

So while I was out at Wally World getting what I needed,

I was bombarded by lovely Valentine's gifts the moment I walked through the doors.
I don't necessarily even need to receive anything to enjoy it...I just like looking!



Trusty little camera in hand, I took these photos just for you, my friends!

Can you believe that as I was lurking around all of these lovely items with my camera,
the employees were already moving the V-Day stuff into the clearance section?
I mean come on...IT'S TWO DAYS BEFORE VALENTINE'S DAY, PEOPLE!



It was all I could do to act as though I was shopping...they were in my way!
Do you know how hard it is to be inconspicuously taking photos with all that going on??

It wasn't easy.

I did see a few people looking at me out of the corner of their eye...
...and then they'd suddenly look down when I caught them....tee-hee...
"Why is that weirdo lady taking pictures of candy and flowers?"

Let me tell you, they had some bee-yoo-tee-full flowers!



And I wouldn't have minded if one of my sweet grandsons would have gotten me this...

or this.



I just wonder what they do with all of the leftovers.

There's no doubt there has to be tons of them!
And I have never seen so many ways to package so much candy...



...but here's my favorite...

Cute, huh??

Oh, and we can't forget about these...

there were plenty of these as well :)

~♥♥♥♥♥~

But you know, all kidding aside...

Valentine's Day is about so much more than hearts, flowers and candy, isn't it?

I was reminded about that this week by a sweet young woman that many of us know and love.

Kelly-Anne who blogs at Beautiful Girlhood wrote this post which truly touched my heart.

As I read it with tears in my eyes, I realized that even at my age, 

I still have such a long way to go on my daily love walk. 

If you haven't read her post, it is quite powerful...and the girl is only 18 years old!

 I printed out Kelly-Anne's post and stuck it in my Bible.

~♥♥♥♥♥~

 So with that being said, let me take this opportunity to ask you all to...

and to have a very...

 

♥♥♥ Much love to all!! ♥♥♥

 
Sharing at:
Mosaic Monday