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Tuesday, June 24, 2014

GRAPEVINE WITH GREAT FRIENDS

I had heard of a little resturaunt in Donaldsonville, La.
a few times but had never had the privilege to eat 
there. Donaldsonville is only a few towns away from me
so, when two dear friends, Sue and Denise asked
if he could meet there for lunch, I was all for it.
D and Sue are great friends who i met through
my years being a school nurse.
Being an LPN, I had the honor of working under both
of these great RN's.
They were not only my Mentors but have remained
important in my life.
the food, well it was fantastic, I would recommend
you try this place out.
Yet, better than any food, was the two hour visit with
two great friends.
I try very hard to keep in touch with people who
are important to me, Sometimes I think I don't
do enough and other times, I am proud of
the effort I put forth on my friends.
This separation of a marriage has taught me
many things but the best is that it is important
to work on your relationships with real friends.
Having this new life where there are no pressures
to rush home or worry about pets at home,
is one of the better things. I can go for hours,
I can go for days, and either decision is okay.
Thanks Sue and Denise, not only for
taking time out of your days to spend with me,
but for the support you both have given me while we
school nursed together and after, keeping in touch when
some may just put that chapter aside.
I know I am a better person having you both in my life.


Friday, June 20, 2014

I WILL BE WELL

Since Ron and I separated,  so many ask
how I am. Some are sincere, others just want to know
the gossip surrounding the end to a 30 year marriage.
The last things I want is:
1) To bad mouth anyone on social media.
2) To hurt my ex-husband via this media
3) to hurt my children, daughter in law, or  our babies.
But I also know there are things I need to work through
to not only be healthy but to be happy.
Most days, I am just that, Happy.
I refuse to waste any more time than I need to get past this.
I also don't want to pretend that I am "hunky-dory"
and not having pain. I am independent and I am used to
being alone. Have always loved my own company.
These facts make this whole thing easier.
I have had a writers block since this separation,
I know why, because those things I would need to write
will make me sad as well as possibly hurting others.
I know it is not healthy for me to just stay home, all alone,
reading, scrapping, without seeing people.
Yet, it is what i want to do most days.
Since Wednesday, Tedi-girl, my sweet godchild has
been here spending time with us. Yesterday Megan,
my scrap buddy also came and spend whole day.
I was in heaven! Gypsy baby was also here for some of
that time and I realized that I have missed the company 
of, well, company.
this morning, Tedi-girl just left, I am alone, and
I am sad. I know I will have days like this and I have
to be grateful that with time, they are less and less.
today, though I am having to get used to the emptiness of 
this big house, hoping that it sells soon so I can move
on into my own space. 
I will be well, to do so, I have to work through all those
things that make me sad. 
Thanks for reading, thanks for being supportive of
my blog, thanks for all prayers and "reach outs"
you all have given me.
Don't worry, 
I WILL BE WELL.

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

WEll this sounds like me...


This proves it, I am definitely a "creative people".
Yesterday was one of those that needed to be spent
all alone in my scrap room so it's just what I did.
I always feel so good when in there, it's filled
with so many things I love and the older
Bean gets, the more she loves doing 
"arts and crafts" with her Mumsie.
It energizes me to have her there with me
as I think forward to the future knowing she
will always love to create with me.
I have had a writers block lately,
having trouble journaling and I know
why, but it does not help me get over the block.
At least in my beloved scrap room I can
be artistic. Have gotten a few orders also which 
makes me excited because I have always had dreams
of putting my talent out there.
More to come in my future, can't wait to 
be settled into a ME HOME

Saturday, June 14, 2014

HARPER'S ROAR

    Harper's Roar

named Harper. 
I began this morning like most, drinking my coffee
and reading Yahoo news. 
The article on the sweets young family brings
me to the Facebook site called 
HARPERS ROAR
This sweet child was born with a rare condition
called SPINAL MUSCLE ATROPHY
something both her parents were carriers of
and didn't know before planning a family.
If you go on Facebook, you will see the picture
of the most precious baby girl who can
sit up, against what all medical professionals told her
family. Now her family fights for Harpers chance
at a new drug that is in its trial run.
Harper's condition would probably be helped 
by this experimental drug and yet, because of 
her age, she can not be a candidate. Her parent
fight for her right. So would I.
You see, 45 year ago, I was a 5 year old child,
born to a family who did not have much money.
I was the baby of seven and my parents were in their late
40's. They were told I had a type of cancer,
Wilms Tumor, that was incurable.
However, I was transferred to Touro Hospital in New Orleans
where there my parent met a doctor by the name
of Dr. Fisherman. He explained to my parents that
he could not save me, he had tried in the past
with other children who had this disease and
was unsuccessful to save any of them.
He did offer a trial he had been working on
and if my parents allowed him to treat me,
it may help other children who are diagnosed after me.
He also promised if they did this, he would never send 
them a bill, Imagine their fear when they signed their
5 year old child over to a man they did not know.
It was the best thing. I not only was his first patient
who survived the 5 year survival trial but
45 years later, I am still here.
What if this drug is the one that can save Harper's life.
Please go on her Facebook site called HARPER'S ROAR
and sign her petition, she deserves every chance at life
just as I did.
There is also a young girl on the bayou where I am from
who has just been diagnosed with my type of cancer,
Wilms' Tumor. It makes me happy to know that 
because of the things that were tried on me, 
this precious child will have the best chance at a
full life, just like I have had.

Friday, June 13, 2014

COURAGE TO CHANGE...

It's the name of one of my daily reading books,
One of my alanon favorites,
COURAGE TO CHANGE
I am finding that courage day by day.
Yesterday my neighbor friend, Linda and I 
took an adventure from the Plaquemine ferry to
the other end of Baton Rouge, very interesting
and learned how to save lots of time to get 
to the outlet mall. As good as this was,
her company, her friendship was the much
needed better part of the day.
We ate at PF Chang's and she listened while
i talked of this new life I am trying to build.
Today, I found myself energized by the prospect
of a new home, one I can call mine and only mine.
All these ideas I have always wanted to pursue and
never did because the support was not there from
Ronnie. He liked things to stay neat, tidy, clean,
never moving. I abided by that because it was what was
best for us. Now I only have myself to answer to 
and it has pro's that I am just beginning to realize
that are now open to me.
The world is mine, no one to answer to.
So Last night, I decide it is time for a meeting of Alanon
and, just as it happens often, something is read
that hits home for the exact things I was thinking
and sharing with Linda today.
…CREATIVITY IS A POWERFUL WAY
TO CELEBRATE WHO WE ARE.
IT IS A SPIRITUAL ENERGY THAT 
NOURISHES OUR VITALITY. IT IS A WAY
TO REPLACE NEGATIVE THINKING WITH 
POSITIVE ACTION…
CREATIVE ENERGY IS WITHIN US AND ALL
AROUND US ALL…
WHEN WE CREATE, WE PLANT
OURSELVES FIRMLY IN THE MOMENT
WE TEACH OURSELVES THAT WHAT
WE DO MATTERS.
TODAY, I WILL MAKE USE OF THE
PRECIOUS GIFTS OF IMAGINATION.
THUS I WILL TURN AWAY FROM
NEGATIVITY, SELF-DOUBT, AND FEAR,
AND CELEBRATE LIFE INSTEAD.
A great meeting and when I got home, instead
of going to bed and read, I entered my most
awesome scrapbook room and created.
Created something I can be proud of,
something that Bean and I will complete today
for her Fathers day gift for her daddy.
My mind is full of ideas of selling this home
to get another that is for me, of classes
I want to teach to children, art lessons, scrapbook
lessons, cooking classes, etiquette classes.
Not to mention, selling my talents that I so enjoy
to make. Just this Fathers Day I have made 
close to one hundred dollars selling my crafts, 
my talents. I have these grand ideas of sharing
my talents with others, birthday parties where scrapbooking
can take place. I am a survivor, always have been,
looking at this new life with only positive eyes 
on the prize. It is going to be a good life,
I will remember this when days are not all as good 
as yesterday. Thanks for visiting this site
as I prepare to transform into the best 
50 year old Mumsie I can be.



Monday, June 9, 2014

A POST WORTH SHARING

My pal, Lindsey finds the most wonderful
quotes and posts them on Facebook.
She posts this one a few days ago 
and it tells my story. Perfection in words.
And if you know me, you know I love me some words.
"I love my PJ"S" 
may just be my favorite!
When I worked at TES and a bad weather alert
would be brought to my attention, I would be
teased by many of my friends that it was time
to buy a new PJ as they all knew the minute the
first rain cloud was seen, I was putting on my PJ's.
I am 50, so of course, this old body has been through
a lot, more than the average 50 year old.
Yet, I would not trade me for anyone else in this
world we live in.
I have earned each scar and for the fat part,
well working on that, not because I need to be thin
but I do need to be healthy.
Being a single woman now, I have an even deeper
appreciation for becoming healthy as the last thing
I ever want to be is a burden to my babies.
Happy Monday!
going see a home today, maybe this one will be "it"
Prayers would be appreciated that this one sells soon.

Saturday, June 7, 2014

THE FAULT IN OUR STARS

If a movie is coming out soon and there
is a book about it, you can bet I have the book.
such is the case with the movie
THE FAULT IN OUR STARS
Bought it the minute I saw the previews.
However, the real story behind this movie/book
is not the fiction one that Green tells
but based on a story by a little unknown girl
by the name of Esther Earl.
A few months ago I was looking at Wally world 
for a book to read and came across a autobiography
named 
THIS STAR WON'T GO OUT 
BY ESTHER EARL.
the author of FIOS
says he based his main character on this
young woman who lost her battle to cancer.
She was a red headed firecracker who died
well before her light was out.
Her book is the better story.
She looses her battle but the things she leaves
behind for her family and us,
is far beyond what most of us can comprehend.
Read both books but read
Esther's first.

Friday, June 6, 2014

A FATHERS LOVE

Fathers day is around the corner, just
a few days away. 
Yesterday I was approached to make a fathers day
frame for a friend of Kd's mom.
Kd asks if I can make it similar to one I had made for
Baby Boy on his first fathers Day.
It is what I will work on today.
Kd sends me a picture of the one
I had made for BB as I can't remember
and there, on that frame is this most beautiful poem
I had forgotten about:
A FATHERS LOVE
BEFORE YOU WERE CONCEIVED
I WANTED YOU.
BEFORE YOU WERE BORN,
I LOVED YOU.
BEFORE YOU WERE HERE AN HOUR
I WOULD DIE FOR YOU.
THIS IS THE MIRACLE OF LIFE.
This is the way a Mother feels also.
Yes, both my babies are adults,
I am reminded of that often lately.
Yet, when I look at them, it is
not the adults I see but the same babies
I rocked to sleep, nurtured to be
who they are today. It makes me sad
to think that not all children are loved like this,
the way it should be.
I would give my life for either of these two who
call me Momma.

Thursday, June 5, 2014

AS THE WORLD ROCKS

Could say "As the world turns"
as my life is truly been more like a soap opera
than the life I projected to have as a 50 year old woman.
Some days are "easy Peasy" and others, not so much.
Today was a "not so much day"
So, I search for something that will give me comfort,
release from the sadness, and I read this in my Alanon book:
IF I CAN SEE MYSELF CLEARLY AND HONESTLY
IN RELATION TO MY PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES,
I WILL NOT BECOME THE VICTIM OF 
SELF-PITY OR RESENTMENT.
IF I DO WHAT I SHOULD, I WILL BE AT 
PEACE WITH MYSELF.
IT IS ONLY WHEN I COMPARE MY LIST IN LIFE
WITH THAT OF OTHERS THAT THE 
DESTRUCTIVE EMOTIONS OF SELF-PITY
IS ALLOWED TO ENGULF ME.
IT IS ONLY BY TAKING OFFENSE AT
WHAT OTHERS DO THAT I WILL BE AFFLICTED
WITH RESENTMENT. IF I FEEL 
THAT WHAT I AM DOING IS RIGHT, I WILL 
NOT BE DEPENDENT ON THE 
ADMIRATION OR APPLAUSE OF OTHERS.
IT IS GRATIFYING, BUT NOT ESSENTIAL TO MY 
CONTENTMENT. I WILL LEARN TO JUDGE
MY OWN MOTIVES, TO EVALUATE M OWN 
ACTIONS, SO THAT, LITTLE BY LITTLE,
I CAN BRING THEM INTO LINE WITH MY
STANDARDS AND IDEALS.
nothing has the power to hurt my feelings and
stir up unwholesome emotions in my unless
i allow it. i will do what is given me to do.
I will do it as well as I can. That will
be my inner security against which all outside battering
will be powerless.
… and with that, just those few paragraphs, I am
back on tract, sad for the decisions others have made
that affect those I love the most and yet,
I know I will be okay because it is what I do.
I mourn, I grieve and then I become happy once 
again. I share with others so that comfort can be given to
someone else who may be suffering. 
I lay my head down tonight in peace knowing that
better days are ahead and I will be better than ever.


Wednesday, June 4, 2014

LOVE FROM A HANDMADE GIFT

THE PENDULUM IS SWINGING BACK
TO WHERE PEOPLE APPRECIATE SOMETHING
OBVIOUSLY HANDMADE.

Never was there a better time to have this statement
be true. I, as a married woman,
was always able to give good hear felt gifts
along with a handmade one for those I love.
Although, financially I will be fine,
the days of being able to spend lots of money on
my loved ones will have to change.
Budget constraints will have me putting lots of love
on the best handmade gifts ever.
Love putting my heart and soul on a gift made
in my scrap room or stitched with love on
every cross stitch I make.
It is one of the most significant changes in my life,
and I know everyone who loves me will say,
"We don't need those gifts"
"don't worry about getting us gifts"
"We love you for who you are not what you give us"
Still, inside of me, I will miss hunting for the 
very best gifts for those I love.
so yep, get ready because this Aunt Mumsie,
Auntie LIl, Mumsie, Mommy will be 
putting lots of love on everything I create
and I am excited to find those things to make
personal to those I love.


(my newest favorite gift. baby names for walls)

Monday, June 2, 2014

INTERRUPTED BY GOD

Is that what you call it?
That moment when you are having a 
not so great day and you pick up
something to read and it seems as though it is
written just for you, like it could say 
DEAR LILLY,
Such is the case today and in my book from
Father Greg I read:
WHO IS READY? WE HAVE OUR PLANS,
THINGS WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO,
LIFE GOING ON AT ITS SOMETIMES UNPLEASANT
BUT NONETHELESS PREDICTABLE PACE.
THEN SOMETHING HAPPENS- LIKE AN ACCIDENT,
OR A DEATH, OR AN ILLNESS AND IT CHANGES
EVERYTHING, FORCES US TO REAPPRAISE
OUR PRIORITIES AND, OFTEN RESET OUR LIVES.
PEOPLE WHO HAVE COME CLOSE TO DISASTER
AND BEEN ABLE TO WHEEL FREE HAVE SHOWN
A RENEWED APPRECIATION FOR THE SIMPLE
PLEASURES OF LIFE, FOR THE GIFT
OF EACH DAY, AND A RESOLVE NOT TO
PUT OFF PLEASURES OR ACTS OF KINDNESS
UNTIL "ANOTHER DAY" BECAUSE
"ANOTHER DAY" MAY NOT COME.
WE WHO HAVE LOST LOVED ONES HAVE
ALSO LEARNED THE VALUE OF SIMPLE GIFTS,
OF NOT PUTTING OFF KIND WORDS OR
ACTIONS, BECAUSE WE NEVER KNOW WHEN
EVENTS WILL CHANGE OUR WORLD,
THE EXPECTED DEVELOPMENTS OF OUR LIVES,
AND THE INTENDED RECIPIENTS OF
OUR KIND WORDS AND ACTIONS
MAY BE GONE.
the preciousness of this day is its own gift.
Today had the makings of being one that had me down.
Worries of things I never had to worry about before,
and yet, this reading interrupted my "stinking thinking"
No use of worrying of things that have not yet happened.
It has turned out being a good one.
If God is the reason, then I am glad he
interrupted.


Sunday, June 1, 2014

THE CALM AND CONTENT J.BELLE, making of a sister...

 Our sweet Bean, has been so excited to be a big
sister since the minute word was out that a new Riera
was on its way. We all knew she would be excited and
good with J.Belle but we also figured there would be some
adjustments, some jealousy.
I mean even before she was a sister, she had a problem sharing
her daddy with anyone. Would get angry at me if I told her he 
was my baby boy and hugged "her daddy"
and Lord, if her Mommy hugs up on her daddy,
well that could cause a major meltdown.
So, her parents prepared for a few days after J.belle's birth
when Bean not only realized what "forever" truly meant and
that there would be times when she had to wait for what she needed,
that there would be a few jealous meltdowns….

We were all wrong, wrong because she as of yet, almost two weeks
into the big sister role, she has no jealousy towards J.Belle.
She proudly wants to do everything for her.
"Can I hold her?"
"Can I give her a bottle?"
"Can I change her diaper?"
It never ends. Her wanting to do for her.
I have have tried to watch how I word things not to make
Bean jealous or worried, but when you hug up on this
calm J.Belle, you just cannot help but whisper words of love
to her. 
One one of these days, I rocked and kissed on J.Belle
as Bean and BB played with Lego's on the floor.
"Oh Jolee' I love you so much!"
Bean hears me, she looks at me holding her sister,
she looks at her daddy, building with her and she says,
"Mumsie, that is surely very nice to say that to my sister"
Is it possible, is it possible that I can love that big sister 
even more than ever.
 In this little family's home right now is the sweetest place ever.
There are long days with nothing pressing when you are there.
There is a sweet big sister who is out of school for the summer
and A Mommy recovering from the birth of her second sweet baby.
There is a Daddy there who is fortunate to be home for 6 weeks
while his little family all gently get used to not only their new
home but their new addition.

 She, our little J.Belle is so calm, a good sleeper and
as her daddy says,
"She only cries to eat or be cleaned"
Second babies, oh how wonderful they come to 
experienced parents.
 My Kd, yeah she loves her family and creeps up on them
to get pictures like this one, below, to just make us
all feel warm and fuzzy inside.
I hope they never forget these moments,
I, for one, will do my best to remind them.
Hence, the blog
lilbit of my world goes on and on.
I mean one day I won't be here to nag them,
ya know?