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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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)

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.

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?