* RECUPERATING FROM EYE SURGERY *

Have I mentioned anything about needing eye surgery?? I don't think I did...

I have had double-vision for SEVEN MONTHS. I was given every test imaginable, had 3 MRI's, and tons of blood tests. After seeing all kinds of specialists, and wearing my prescription glasses with special "prisms", it was determined that I needed eye surgery to correct the problem. 

This photo shows what the "prisms" look like on glasses. It amazed me that looking through these lines gave me correct vision, although it wasn't perfect. They are made out of soft plastic and just "stick" to the lens...only one lens. 

After going through 3 different kinds in a short period of time, that's when it was decided I needed surgery. I am healing well and haven't been in any pain, although I look awful! 

I'd never seen any other kind of "prism" other than the pyramid shaped ones we had in school...

~~~~~~

AND the ones in the movie "Pollyanna" 

with Hayley Mills!

I LOVE that movie and as a child I never could figure out why all the grown ups didn't like her cheerfulness! I'm also a Pollyanna and proud of it! 💗

"If you look for the bad in people you're sure to find it, so look for the good in them instead." - Pollyanna

ENJOYING OUR SCREENED-IN PORCH

Charlie finally believed me when I said he'd see much better from the love seat than standing on the floor.

If this works, you'll see part of the porch, my feet, a cup of coffee and the beautiful chirping of birds. 

We just love it here. 

So relaxing, beautiful, great neighbors.

Exciting News!

Three French Hens 

Wildwood, Missouri 

 

"This would be a great Mother’s Day gift."

"We all end up with chin hairs." 

"Sold exclusively at Three French Hens."

-- Jeanie Hood, owner

https://www.facebook.com/ThreeFrenchHensAntiques/

Recently I reached out to the owner, Jeanie Hood, about selling my memoir on consignment at her beautiful store. 

She said "yes!"

I dropped off some books yesterday in hopes of sales for Mother's Day gifts. 

She loves the title and will read it as soon as possible so she can talk to her customers about it. 

I'm doing happy dances because in addition to the opportunity for more book sales, I know I have met a new friend, a kindred spirit, and that means more than any dollar amount...

Please click on the link above to their Facebook page and learn more about Jeanie and her store!  

snapdragons - one of my favorites 

And to all the Moms out there...Happy Mother's Day!

WHERE HAVE I BEEN?

You know you're having a great day when your new electric bill arrives and it's $100 less than last month's! 

Renovations, insulation, meditations, irritations, frustrations, recommendations, and celebrations: 

Purchased and refurbishing a _ _ _ _ home, lake side. What a beautiful place to retire! 💗

I'll post some before and after photos sometime soon. 


I never imagined that my Dream Home would be a double-wide mobile home!! 

* HAPPY NEW YEAR *

Wishing everyone a wonderful 2019. 

I looked back at my posts for this year...and there were only 16! 

SIXTEEN for the entire year!

I thought that must've been a mistake...😲

~~~~

I'll try to do better next year!

* NINE DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS?! *

Yes, Virginia there IS a Santa Claus....and yes, Becky is still alive and kicking! 😉

My 5 talks at the assisted living centers became only 3; I missed one because of illness, and the other was cancelled due to a large snowstorm we had.

I was a bit rusty in talking, but it seemed to go well. People laughed and smiled at the proper times.

I brought door prizes, print-outs of helpful online sites for writers, and lots of books to sell.

I sold Five Books 😞

Oh well... it was a great experience and I met some wonderful people. That's a gift in itself. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Have I mentioned that Ron and I are moving again?? In August, we bought a used double-wide mobile home in a lake community and hope to actually move in next month! It was a mess and we're totally rehabbing it and it will be like a brand new home. If I'd never seen some of those make-over shows on HGTV, I would've never agreed to buy it. It was that bad! I'll share some before and after photos after we've moved in!

I'm not sending snail mail Christmas cards this year...first time in over half my life, but I just couldn't find the time or energy to do them. So, please don't think I've forgotten you, I wish all of you a

Very Merry Christmas!

May 2019 be a year of good health
 & happiness for us all!

* AN EXCITING WEEK AHEAD *

Hello Everyone! 

   On September 3rd, I wrote the following: 

I've been very busy with the most unusual tasks....I will share all of them with you soon!

I didn't want to post anything until I was positive things were going to fall into place, which they have. I've been asked to speak about my writing, to a group of people at five different assisted living facilities in the St. Louis area! 

The first one is THIS Thursday, November 1st and I've been very busy getting my notes together, printing hand-outs, preparing gift baskets for door prizes, etc. 

It's been quite a while since I did any speaking, but I'm pretty sure I'll fall right back into being a gabby gal. 😃 (I hope!)

Kind of a long story as to how this came about, and I'll share more of that after my first "gig"! 

Wish me luck!

Just a small portion of the notes I jotted down

 before and during my memoir. 

I have a lot more...envelopes full of them!

Definitely helpful for the sequel, which I'm 

diligently, really working on, writing.

The following quote is SO ME!! 

"This morning I took out a comma and this afternoon I put it back again." -- Oscar Wilde

* Black & White Memories *

This is one of my favorite photos among all the boxes of old prints!

It's my brother Mike and me, standing on our front porch steps. 

I think it might have been after he got home from his first day at school. 

Whether the first day or not, he's holding his red barn lunch bucket

 and his satchel and I'm hugging him. Awww...
(this photo was included in my memoir, too)

I thought I'd post it tonight because I've been searching for the actual print, 

which I haven't been able to find...but was able to print

 one from a digital one on my laptop. 

Thank goodness I took a photo of a photo!

I also decided to post it because Mike's birthday was September 29th. 

He was "X" years old, which is only 15 months older than me!

How time flies. I find myself thinking of old, happy memories more and more. 

I'm sure glad it's the happy ones I remember the most. And when sad ones pop 

into my head, I immediately "change the subject" of my mind!

&

Lastly, a new favorite poem that suits me well. 

Have a fabulous rest of the week!