CRAZY TIMES POEM

I've been sitting here watching the coronavirus news,

And have to do something so I don't feel so blue.

I start a LIVE video where I am the silly host.

then I read all of my friend's very talented posts.

I watch funny cat and dog videos, and all the coronavirus stats.

And see all my friends' pictures of plates of food, and say "hey, I can make that."

Then I realize my cupboards are free from all the ingredients and more...

So we jump in our cool car and run to the store.

I look for all the spices, veggies and the steak,

And look for some big potatoes that I can bake.

I'm running low on toilet paper, so why don't I get some NOW?

So I wheel the squeaky cart over to that aisle, and say "OH WOW."

All of the paper products are gone from the shelves, except one, you see.

One lonely roll of paper towels is staring right at me

I think that would be so rough on my bum, oh my.

Why is there no toilet paper? oh why? Oh why?

I watch as a sea of people wheel on by.  

Their carts are full with meat, extra canned goods and tons of that 2 ply.

I run over to them and beg for a roll or two.

They insist they need it all and I start to feel blue.

What am I going to wipe my bum with? Oh me, oh my.

Suddenly I see a friend who sees me feel sad and cry

He gives me a package of his limited 2 ply.
I am so grateful for his generosity and my tears are all dry.

My life is back to normal because I got some toilet paper, hip hop horray!!!

The world is gone crazy, but I'm a happy camper today.


By Tanya Carroll
a.k.a. Tanya Kirkendall

Happy?

People have asked me how can I be happy, smile, or laugh when I'm in so much pain.

Well, I have had about 25 years of experiencing chronic, intense pain and I have learned to use tools that are available to me. I have been in a chronic pain management program, been through tons of Counseling, and researched a lot about the pains and disease such as Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Syndrome that I deal with. I have learned what medications work or don't work for me due to trial and error. I have a huge list of meds that I have a bad reaction to. 

Another thing I do is when I'm in intense pain, I tend to keep to myself and try to rest and take care of me. I fought doing that for years but with the pain and symptoms becoming worse, I learned that I am important and I need to take care of me and I need to speak up and be a advocate for me because no one else will do it.

There are days that I'm not smiling but I try to keep my spirit and emotions up by watching funny videos on U-tube, spending time with friends in person, on the phone, or even on Facebook and finding humor in my pain or brain fog I get a lot.

Yet the most important thing I have is my faith in God in whom I lean on for daily strength. Without Him, I would be way worse off then I am now. I can't say it's been easy or the road I've traveled was great. There were times I was mad at God for not healing me but I've learned that He is using all this pain I go through so I can identify and encourage others who are dealing with major health issues, as well. 

First written June 2017

Baaa Baaaa

Jesus talks a lot about believers of the Lord in scripture, as sheep.  He protects the sheep. 

John 10:25-30

"Jesus answered, 'I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.'”

We are the Lord's sheep. Now look at the verses again, but say your name everywhere it says sheep or refers to sheep. Fill in the blanks with your name.

 

"...The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me (Jesus), but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 

My sheep _______ listens to my voice; 

I know them _______, and they _______ follow(s) me. 

I give them _______eternal life, and they _______ shall never perish; no one will snatch them _______ out of my hand.  

My Father, who has given them _______ to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them ______ out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”

Wow, It is awesome when you put your name in there instead of the sheep....because then it seems more personable and God seems so much closer to us.

Written Feb 2018

Another Victory of Pain Addiction...

August 2018

I have a friend named Lisa who wrote this on her Facebook wall about her husband Joe Z who dealt with pain medication addiction. (She gave me permission to share it with you all)

"I absolutely love this picture because it is SO Joe! I am so impressed by this man who 13 yrs ago today said enough and walked into a rehabilitation center for pain medication (addiction). He celebrates the date tomorrow (August 24, 2018), but our 4th anniversary will always be the day for me that changed the course of our lives. He says it wasn’t courage, but that is still what stands out to me...I will forever be grateful for this man’s courage to live. He walked in believing he would just have to endure pain the rest of his life...the lie of narcotics...and walked away with a full life in front of him. I can’t tell this story enough...addiction lies to you. It steals everything and gives back nothing. Very few people who know us now witnessed the devastation of our first few years together...some witnessed the long years of healing. Most who know us struggle to imagine it...but that it the beautiful story, God heals. Every statistic out there said we didn’t have a chance, yet here we are 17 years married, and for him, 13 years clean. And THIS man lives life to the fullest, trusting the God that heals and that came to give us ABUNDANT life."

EMPTY shelves

Day 10 of coronavirus, March 20, 2020

Yesterday my hubby and I needed to do some errands to get essentials. Trump,and now the governor has asked everyone to stay home due to the epidemic of the Coronavirus.

I found myself feeling dazed, while walking through the empty aisles.

Super Wal-Mart was out of meat. I couldn't believe it. It was only 2pm and no meat. Thankfully we had some already. We didn't need more but my brain was just trying to grasp at the thought that there wasn't any meat in the store. I think people panicked and starting buying a lot.  

climbing to the top

I couldn't sleep 

so I got up for a little bit. 

Went back to bed. 

I climb in bed 

that is against the wall, 

in the dark.

With lack of sleep

I climb and climb

to where my pillow is,

Where I thought it was.

I almost fell off the bed. 

Things I were holding 

fell and 

Crashed down

as I mismanaged 

where the basket was

that is beside the bed.

I had to catch

myself 

as I was falling

again 

And my hubby 

Is 

still 

asleep.

The end

By Tanya Carroll

1 Cereal to Eat, 1 Church

People, including myself, at times have wondered why there are so many churches. 

 Think of all the cereals in the aisle of the grocery store. There are so many flavors. So many tastes. 

Some crunchy and soft

Some marshmallowy and some gritty.

Some hard and some chewy.

Chocolate, granola, vanilla or graham?

Made of rice, wheat, corn or who knows what else?

No sugar, low sugar, and sugar galore.

So many cereals to choose from.

Yet We all have one goal to eat.

We all have different tastes, different likes, yet we all should have one goal in the church.

To go to church to worship and to learn about our Lord and Savior.

When we are listening to the sermons it is like we are eating and taking in the word of God.

Helpful Tip During Crisis

During food or paper product shortages, remember you can also barter with your neighbors and friends if they agree. Last week I gave someone some face masks and she gave me hand sanitizer.

Today I might be exchanging toilet paper with my friend in exchange for potatoes.

This is one way to help each other out.

This also can help reduce stress during these crazy times. Stress can make your pain worse so finding ways to help is good.

#TeensyTidbitsForManagingPain

#HelpDuringCoronaVirus

#2020

March 15, 2020

Crazy Times all over the World

We are in some crazy times with the spreading of the coronavirus around the world. They are closing a lot over here in California as precautions to the coronavirus per the request of the govenor.  Schools, churches, events, entertainment, and anything with crowds over 250. Even Disneyland is closed until end of March. Crazy. Some places are closed till end of month, some say in April. My church will do service online only until further notice.

There are cases where the virus is in cities 40 minutes to 1 and half hours away from me. People are panicking all around us .

I think God was watching over my husband and I. I usually have food put away for emergencies, but before I got married in September, I ate the food so I wouldn't have to move it when we got our mobile home. A week before the coronavirus started, I started buying food and water in case we ever have an emergency. I even bought an emergency stash of cat food for my fur baby Rocky. I think I only had a roll of toilet paper in my emergency stash though.

Yesterday I couldn't fall asleep for the life of me. When my husband was getting ready for his medical appt he said why don't I go with him because I couldn't sleep. I usually say no because I don't have energy but This time was different. We ended up going at 7:30 am to grocery store. It was packed. No toilet paper, water, and even certain food was gone. We were trying to figure out if we should use paper towels in place of toilet paper. We got extra paper towels and I found some extra soft napkins. Instead of using them for dinner, we will use them for our potty time. I ended up asking a worker if they had toilet paper in the back. She said she just put a pallet of toilet paper in the front of store. My hubby and I went and got 2 since there was a limit. I grabbed an extra one and told him I'll buy it and he can buy the others. We needed 1 extra because his boss couldn't find any after searching at 6 stores so he needed some for work too. I grabbed another cart so we could do separate check outs.

Within 3 and a half minutes, the toilet paper was all gone. We were there at the right time. Thank God.

We did our regular monthly grocery shopping and we came home. There were so many items sold out and a lot picked through.

 We felt so blessed that God provided food and the resources we need during these uncertain times. 

We will be home more because everything seems to be closing. And the governor said it's good to stay home even though we are not quarantined yet. I have friends who are seniors or have low immune systems so I'm concerned about them. I did stress the other day but with my husband by my side we are doing good.

When my hubby comes home from work, I have him take off his shoes and Lysol them at the front door. He sanitizes his hands then too. And he immediately takes a shower when he comes home. When we go to grocery stores, we sanitize our hands after each visit. We are taking precautions and hoping the virus doesn't come close. 

I had some face masks that I exchanged for some hand sanitizer from my friend so we are good to go. During these uncertain times it is easy to fear. Yet we are doing our best to cling on to God and focus on him.

I pray for anyone who has the coronavirus that your immune system will fight it and that God will be with you during this difficult time. I pray this virus stops in its tracks and ends soon.  May anyone who lost a loved one due to the virus be comforted and feel the presence of God.  May God be with us all and give us peace and heal our land.

NOTE: Everyone please do you part. Keep your hands clean, try not to touch your face, refrain from large crowds, hugs or handshakes. I know it's easier said then done. Sneeze or cough in bend of elbow or tissue. Keep an eye out for the sick and elderly. Make sure they are okay.

For those who are elderly, have low immune system, Diabetes, COPD, or any other lung problems, please be extra careful during these times. 

March 14, 2020

An Amazing Present

Merry Christmas everyone. Actually I just spent  the day with my dear friend Peggy who I've known for 15 years. Her son Darrel, was the guy who was like a brother to me, who passed away last month. Since he died a few weeks before Christmas last year, Peggy and I exchanged presents today. It was more special to learn that before Darrel passed, that he helped pick out a blanket for me. On it was a big picture of a kitten who was the same color of my cat Gracie who recently died. They never got to see Gracie because he was sick the last 2 years so they had no idea what color she was. It's amazing that he picked out a blanket that would comfort my heart in the future because of losing him and Gracie.  He had no idea but I bet God had his hand in this.

It is interesting how things happen in life. I am doing better than I was from all the losses. Yet I know I have gained 4 more loved ones in Heaven, one of whom is very furry...oh and my dear Buttons greeted them all..he was another furry one in Heaven...he got to show my Gracie and more loved ones, the golden streets and the amazing vivid green grass. One day we will all be united. Until then, I'm living my life and enjoying being with loved ones still on earth.

January 2019

Are you Addicted to Pain Pills?

I have a friend who deals with pain and she, along with many others have been (or are) addicted to pain pills especially opioids. It is an epidemic that is in our country and world right now. Are you or someone you know addicted to pain pills?

This is Brenda Radovich Slone's story.
"I started taking opiates (Norco and Percocet) for back pain years ago. Well my body started getting used to them and I started taking more and more. I became addicted to them and started using them for numbing my emotions. It really affected every area of my life in a negative way. It changed me into a person I didn't even recognize. Unfortunately this is commonplace among people struggling with addiction or alcohol. It is baffling, cunning brain disease. I went to a detox facility last year 3 times! Finally after the last time, I started going to PA (Pills Anonymous) meetings. Connecting with other people who could relate was powerful. I also finally surrendered to help and to God. So I will have my one year sobriety on September 1, 2018. I have been asked to speak and share my story at the detox center too for the inpatients there. Its was an amazing feeling! I now try to help others on other Facebook support groups and a Sober app. I also created a Facebook support group for women affected by addiction. I really have a heart and passion for helping others any way I can. I think this is part of my purpose in life, honestly. It was HELL going through this, but I am not ashamed of my story. I am just proud of my recovery. So I want people to know about my story. to maybe help others in some way...and also to help shatter the stigma..."

She has a Facebook support group called "Pheonix Woman: Rising from Addiction".  You can join her support group on Facebook. Click on the link below....If you are addicted to pain pills or you don't think you are but loved ones are telling you that you are, please seek help... You are worth it...

https://www.facebook.com/groups/phoenixwoman

Phoenix Woman - Rising from Addiction

Stop and Listen to God

God has been telling me to get up early to pray the last couple of days. Sometimes I don't know what to pray...and He says: "that is okay....because I want you to stop and listen...Listen to me...Listen to the birds chirping. Yes I made those birds....Watch the sunrise....Yes I made that sunrise....Look at the grass and the trees....Yes I made those too. Do you see the humans driving by?... I made the human race... Do you hear the noise?...I created noise...and yes, I created you to hear because I created the ear...and if you ever think, well some people might be deaf, and not hear...Well, I gave them other things that are extra special...You would have to be deaf, to get to know what that is."

 

There are many gods out there but has any of them ever made the sunrise?  No they haven't...because I am the true God. They can try to reproduce what I make but some things are just impossible.

Prayer_sermon notes

Wow I just listened to a sermon from my church and it is amazing. I have never really heard a sermon quite like this one about the Lord's prayer. I know a lot of people and churches quote "The Lord's Prayer yet God uses it more as a guide or template to teach us how to prayer.

""This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
 Give us today our daily bread.
 And forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
 And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from the evil one.’""Matthew 6:9-11

1) It says "Our Father in heaven..."
We need to have a relationship with God. He is our Father, our Dad, our Abba (Daddy), We need to spend time with him, so we can get to know him like he knows us. When we pray we should be excited about praying, but not feel like it is an obligation. This is a time that we get to hang out with our father, our Abba.
We need to seek the face of God AND THEN we will see the hand of God move.
Cry out to God, pour your heart out to him.  (Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7)

2) We read that it says "Hallowed be your name."
Great is God's name. We need to remember and ponder on how great our God is. I think sometimes we forget about how magnificent he is. He made the earth, other planets, the galaxy, the bright sun, the twinkling stars, our human body, etc...and we belong to him.

We don't belong to the chaos and dysfunction around us; we belong to God.


3) The Bible also says: "your kingdom come, your will be done..." 
Lay down your agenda. Do God's agenda and His will. We might think we know what is best for us, but God always sees the bigger picture. We might have a vision, but God has a bigger vision; seek what he wants in our lives.  Breathe in his oxygen, his will, for you.
Ask God what is the next step for your life. Seek Him: His agenda, and His will.

Lean on God as our great Father, seek his face, do his will, his way, breath in his oxygen.

The actual sermon is very well spoken. Please listen to it by clicking on the link below:
https://youtu.be/tL-v6lp0KhM



(reference to Pastor Chris Norman's sermon, Citizen's church, on January 7, 2018)

all scripture quoted in this blog is from Biblegateway.com, the NIV translation.

Glutino Table Crackers- gluten free

I used to eat Saltine Crackers all the time with my soup or chicken broth. But since I have gone gluten-free, I eat the Glutino Gluten Free Table Crackers.
To me, they taste like the crust of the pre-made pot pies in the frozen aisle at the grocery store.

I have bought them at Clarks Nutritional Store and Walmart Neighborhood Market. You can also buy them at Amazon.com.  A seven ounce box usually is about $2.50 to $3.50.

1) Glutino table crackers at Wal-mart

#Wal-Mart  www.walmart.com
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Glutino-Gluten-Free-Table-Crackers-7-oz-12-pk/33318159


2) Glutino table crackers at Amazon.com

#Amazon  www.Amazon.com
https://www.amazon.com/Glutino-Crackers-Original-4-4-oz/dp/B001OW1SJ0/ref=sr_1_8_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1501636446&sr=8-8&keywords=glutino+table+crackers

Rice Dream Rice Milk

I am one of those who can't drink milk due to being lactose intolerant so I have had to find other alternatives. There is almond, coconut and rice milk (or drinks) which I cook with or put in my hot or cold foods like rice grits.

One of the products I use is the Original Organic Rice Dream (Rice Drink). I usually buy it at the Wal-mart Neighborhood Market or the local grocery store like Stater Brothers. The one thing I like about this product is that it doesn't need refrigeration until it is opened. So I can stock up on these and they don't go bad for a couple of years.

They come in vanilla, regular, or unsweetened. Sometimes I forget to look on the package of which flavor it is and accidentally buy the unsweetened which is not what I like. I just add a little bit of agave syrup to it and I am good to go. They come in a couple of different sizes.

I can get a carton of Rice drink for about $2.50 to $3.70. I do try to look for the sales where they have 2 for $5.00. 

Rice Dream at Target

Rice Dream (Rice Drink) at Wal-mart

1) Wal-mart 

https://www.walmart.com/search/?query=rice+dream+original&&adid=22222222224318211288&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=b&wl1=o&wl2=c&wl3=10390962244&wl4=kwd-64008595146&wl12={ProductId}&wl14=Original%20Organic%20Rice%20Dream%20(Rice%20Drink).&veh=sem

2) Target   

https://www.target.com/p/rice-dream-enriched-vanilla-rice-drink-64oz/-/A-13438976?lnk=rec|adaptpdpexsrch|related_prods_vv|adaptpdpexsrch|13438976|0  

Gluten Free Granola bars

It can become so frustrating as to what foods to eat, if you are like me, who has tremendous amounts of sensitivities to food products. I become sick when I eat dairy and I have sensitivities to foods with gluten, soy, and corn which cause digestion problems. So I either have to limit the food items or avoid them whenever possible. There is a lot of other foods that I can't eat due to the symptoms they cause. Through the last couple of years of searching, I have found some food items that I can actually eat which doesn't cause health problems in my sensitive system.


I found that a nearby Walmart Grocery store has gluten free products. One of the things I like to buy and snack on  is "Gluten Free Granola bars" by Great Value. Their flavors are dark chocolate, trail mix, fruit mix,and peanut butter, etc... For a box of 5, it costs about $2.48. They are chewy which is good for me who can't handle hard, crunchy granola bars due to my jaw problems.

I personally love the dark chocolate one because it seems to melt in my mouth and tastes like a candy bar. I can't eat the peanut butter or the fruit mix granola bars because they have peanuts in them which is another thing I am sensitive too. I lean towards the trail mix flavor due to it having no peanuts and I do love the taste.

#GreatValueGlutenFreeGranolabars
#GreatValue
#SnackBars
#GranolaBars
#Walmart

If you want more info on the product, click on the link below to see the nutritional value, etc...
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Great-Value-Gluten-Free-Trail-Mix-Granola-Bars-1-oz-5-ct/37587883


www.walmart.com

One Memorable Day

You would have laughed at my adventure. Last Saturday we were in the middle of a heatwave and it was already 102 degrees, at noon, where I live. My boyfriend and I took a trip up to the mountains where it would be cooler at 86 degrees. When I arrived, I immediately felt relaxed, and enjoyed breathing in the fresh air. The weather was so wonderful compared to the 114 degrees we felt a day earlier. We took out our cameras and took shots of the beautiful trees and relaxing lake. We were having a wonderful, peaceful time together.

We continued to take pictures of the lake as it started to drizzle and yet we were laughing at all the people who had left in a hurry because of the little drizzle. To us, it was so refreshing to be away from the heat and it felt so easier to breathe with the cool moisture in the air.

We walked back to our picnic area because I needed a drink of water from my water bottle which I left on the picnic table. Since we walked back we decided to eat lunch. We chatted and enjoyed each other's company in the breathtaking scenery yet our yummy picnic food was starting to get wet because it started to rain.Thankfully we were near a tree where we could wait under until the rain stopped.  We still chatted and enjoyed the fresh air and laughed at the situation and how only a few people were in sight. 

Then all of a sudden, my boyfriend looked toward the lake, and noticed that their was a storm. It was down pouring on the lake and would soon be coming toward us. I grabbed my camera and made sure it was protected yet quickly and gently placed in the camera bag. I kept it with me so it wouldn't get ruined. (This is the day I learned that my camera bag is water proof. Thank God for that!!!) 

Suddenly all of our items: various food, travel bag, etc... was soaked. I was going to put it all under the table but I noticed there were ants underneath and I didn't want to deal with that mess.  We had nowhere to go but be sheltered from the storm under the tree we were under. Thank God for the trees. I seriously thought of hunkering down and taking shelter underneath the picnic table but I did enjoy the atmosphere and the adventure I was having with my love. I just laughed at my bag of chips which I probably should have grabbed and put under the tree with me...It was soaked. Later I looked in my travel bag and the half roll of toilet paper I brought, in case there were not any in the bathrooms, was soaked, as well...So glad I didn't need it. lol 

I am grateful that I did have to get my water bottle before the storm hit. If I didn't need a drink of water, we would have been soaked on the path by the lake; and I would not have been able to protect my nice camera. There is quite a difference from being wet by the rain than being soaked by the storm. We stayed under that beautiful tree for about 20 minutes as the temperature dropped 20 degrees in about an hour to around 69 degrees. It was a bit cold since we were wet.  

When the rain let up we decided we better hurry to the car.  As we got to the parking lot, there were some little rivers due to the downpour and I noticed one poor guy who had just finished putting his boat in his truck. He was completely soaked. 

Like I said, we were not too wet, but just enough to make me shiver a little from the cooler rain. Well I was wearing shorts and not wearing a coat or sweater when I left my apartment because it was 102 degrees.When I sat in the car, I grabbed a blanket to wrap around me to keep me warm. It was a blanket that I had in a pillow case which was soaked yet somehow the blanket was only a little wet.. 

We were laughing at our hilarious adventure as we returned to our city which was now at 109 degrees. It was such a drastic difference from the coolness up in the mountains. I didn't bother to worry about the back seat in the car that was wet from the storm because anything can dry fast, in a 109 degrees.  

I am still laughing about the adventure we had. It was so much fun...It's an adventure I will always remember.  
This adventure does remind me, though, that God shelters us from the storm just like the tree did for my boyfriend and I.

"Search Party: Lost and Found" - Sermon Notes

Here are notes from the sermon my pastor, Chris Norman, preached on April 23, 2017

In church we need to stop focusing on what we can get from the church like potlucks and certain activities and start focusing on lost and hurting people. We need to do a search party and look for lost and hurting souls.
Jesus didn't focus on money and food throughout his ministry, he focused on finding lost souls and disciplining them. Teaching them.

-Get to the heart of Jesus.
*What am I known for? 

*How am I carrying the name of Jesus in my daily life?

-The Church is home. When people come home, their lives start changing.
-The Church is a changing agent.  God uses the church to change people's lives.

“Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. And I will bring you to the land I swore with uplifted hand to give to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession. I am the Lord.’”        Exodus 6:6-8(NIV)

1) I (the Lord) will bring you out of Egypt, bondage, and slavery.

2) I (the Lord) will deliver you out of bondage. He will take the bondage of Egypt out of you. {If you are always in bondage, you need to learn how to live without being in bondage}.

3) I (the Lord) will redeem you to bring you back to who you are intended to be.

4) I (the Lord) will take you as my people.

-Know God

-Grow in community and in Him (God).

-Discover your purpose. God put something in you that He intends to fulfill in you to give to the body of Christ. 

Do what God called you to do!!!

 Live out what Jesus called us to do that we would be a search party.

Search and see lives changed.

Click below to listen to Pastor Chris' sermon
Pastor Chris "Search Party: Lost and Found"
https://youtu.be/14MdrxXEgT4

CHRISTMAS IS*

CHRISTMAS IS

Christmas is
            to chat, to laugh, to eat, to have fun
            and spend time with new friends or loved ones

Christmas is
            a time to view the Christmas tree and decor
            and enjoy the festive spirit galore

Christmas is
            not just the turkey and trimmings on the table
            but the baby in the manger in the stable

Christmas is
            more than the presents which are nice
            but about the Christ who paid the price

Christmas is
            a day to celebrate our Savior and King
            to give recognition to our Heavenly being

Christmas is
            a time to think of how much God loves you
            and I'm saying this because I know it's true

Merry Christmas

Changes in my Pet World

This year I have had several changes in my life in the pet world..

Last November 17, my fur baby Buttons had to be put down because of his declining health.  I grieved but I needed a pet companion so I adopted a cat late last year from the animal shelter who I didn't know was so sick. She had ringworm and sarcoptic mange which she gave me both. At the beginning of the year I had to clean my whole house from top to bottom, twice, due to those incidents. ...which also means cleaning every single clothing and linen in my entire house. I was so exhausted.

Then my health was being compromised due to the cat so I gave her to a friend who wanted to keep her in spite of (and help her with) all her health issues.  I ended up with another beautiful and very talented cat but he missed his owners so much that he cried loudly which increased my headaches to migraines. So I sadly had to return him.

Then I was given a cat in April who I now call my fur baby. Little Gracie is such a delight and her silly antics keep me laughing.  I've had her for 7 months now and she finds ways to get my attention.  She has given me a love bite in the buttox (lol) to opening my cabinet doors just to get my attention if she wants to eat or for me to pet her. I have woken up to her laying soundly asleep on my tummy and sometimes I wake up to her outstretched on my hip when I'm on my side. She has licked my arm with her sandpaper tongue and pulls at my hair with her tiny teeth.

She also has a way of communicating as she is very  vocal but her cute, yet quite voice brings laughter to my ears and heart. Don't let her cuteness get you though,  she tends to put her teeth softly around my wrist as to tell me when she's done needing petted or she just wants to be left alone.  My former cat, Buttons, didn't have any teeth so I forgot what love bites and warnings felt like.  Lol

It has now been a year that Buttons has been gone and I sure miss that little toothless, 20 year old Fur Baby (or should I call him Grandpaw. He was around 96 years old in feline years). Yet if I didn't let him go, I would have never had a chance to meet my little 3 1/2 year old Gracie who we share the same birthday.... (oh by the way,  before I changed Gracie's name, it was Ethel and her sister's name is Lucy which is funny because sometimes I feel like Lucy and Ethel when I get in my silly moods). Gracie is such a delight and I'm grateful that she is my pet companion after all I had to go through with the pet changes.

Signing off,
The mother of Ethel Magillicutty a.k.a Gracie