I HATE CANCER!!!!!

I am angry, sick over this dreaded disease CANCER

I honestly hate giving it recognition as it rears its 

ugly head on the innocents but as 

Children's cancer awareness cancer month comes

to an end, so many new diagnosis are coming

to light. A young boy from my home bayou,

Cancer!!!!

A young mother with a loving husband who

i have watched grow up, with two little 

children to raise,

Cancer!!!!

Then yesterday after the best day with my two

oldest grand girls,

I get word that my first cousin, Faye

is going home on hospice.

Having texted with her sweet and only

daughter, Steph, they are trying to go home

tomorrow but not sure if she will make it

to the weekend when we make it there.

BB says I am always fixated on the negative,

I am not, these things are really happening,

can't change what is and pretending to live

like it does not happen, trying to see your lives

through rose colored glasses does not change the

facts. I choose to try and be comfort to some who

suffer. So back to cousin Faye I am so darn angry.

Her family put my family up and stood by my parents

and family so many days as I battled my own cancer.

Their door always opened and now I have to be there too.

I am so angry because this started with a dry cough 

for a lady who never smoked, was always just a wonderful

woman. I small spot on her lung two years ago,

prognosis was great. She even had the best family 

reunion at her home when she was considered in 

remission. Then a few weeks ago, tumors on brain.

Had brain surgery and now home on hospice.

Yeah, I can hear all this stuff about she is going 

to heaven, will be at peace, but fact is,

I am not ready to let her go and that is so darn selfish.

Saturday, if not sooner, I am going there,

she continues to say she "Sees and talks to Aunt Minta"

My mom.....

Prayers please for all fricking Cancer,

I hate you!!!!

incognito...

I have been so busy with Mumsie's Cottage orders

and helping with the grand girls that I have not had

much  blogging time. Today I complete my Christmas boxes

for this Year! I am now going to start focusing on

other things I can offer you and post those on

Mummies' Cottage blog.

Until then, good news...

THE BIG HOUSE ON THE ISLAND

is almost sold! 

Found a sweet couple who will love this

house and make it a home, something

we never were able to achieve in it.

They are so excited as I am also.

Once this feat is done, I will be focusing much

on the business.

Thanks to all of you who have ordered,

viewed, questioned my business venture.

ONE OF THOSE WEDDINGS

I searched all morning through my over 4,000 pictures to find

a picture of these two cats as kids and I just can find the

ones you see here. It could be because I have hundreds of home

videos and no stills. SO I just a have to go on with the blog of

the day, that I will.

Today is a big day, a day that Baby boy stands beside

his best childhood friend and watches him 

marry the love of his life, the mother of his sweet Natalie.

 Yes, Scott Doucet marries Laurie Terrebonne.

There is so much I can say about these two boys

growing up. When we moved to Tarpon Heights and

their interests grew apart in Jr and High School,

they were not as close but it is safe to say,

they were each others first friends.

Which made Scott one of those boys dear to my heart,

lived as part of our family for many years.

In some ways, feels almost like my own child is

marrying today.

 Way back in the 80's, 85 to be exact, I gave birth

to this little boy above to the right.

At the same time the couple below, Sue and Foe,

received their sweet baby through other ways,

adoption, but he was theirs even before he was born.

We visited them the day Scott came home to them

and there was no doubt, Sue/Foe was in love and

this child was a gift from God to them.

Then when they were three, the boys,

the true friendship began.

I remember the first day, Sue picked up BB

to go eat at Burger King and play for a few hours.

Since that day those boys were inseparable.

Two boys so different but loved each others company.

Our family videos are full of stories of their 

friendship. My favorite story has Scott on his

blankie, yes, he had a blankie, BB had a wobble

and neither were embarrassed of their loves.

We were outside on the porch of one of our many homes

and they are running circles around the blankie

pretending to be an airplane.

Scott says,

"I be a airplane when I grow up"

I correct him, "You will be a pilot, you will drive an

plane."

Forget that, he corrects me,

"NO I am going to be THE AIRPLANE"

and that went on for years.

Baby boy tired faster than Scott playing airplane,

so as Scott runs circles around blankie, BB

pulls blankie from under his feet and

our little airplane crash landed.

BB first "time out" because of hurting a friend.

I still smile when I remember this day.

 These two parents loved this boy, nothing was good 

enough for him and love abounds.

The grand baby, sweet Natalie he and Laurie gave them

about a year ago is something they had been waiting for

forever. Today they marry this child of theirs to his love,

to the Mother of his child, beautiful Laurie.

Many steps up from his first love,

Jessica Rabbit. Yes, this 4year old child,

was infatuated with he cartoon character,

Jessica Rabbit and it did not matter how much his

Mom and I tried to explain, he could not marry her

as she was a cartoon he did not believe us,

He was going to change her name to 

Jessica Rabbit Doucet.

I can't write this blog without also bragging on 

these parents. They did not just love this child,

they adored him. Being their only child,

they gave all they could to him.

Often, so he could swim, they took BB and Scott

to sleep at the Houma Holidome for their indoor swim pool.

Some of BB best memories surround something he

did with Sue and Foe.

It was nothing for them to decide at 10 pm at night to

take the boys, and yes, gypsy baby, as for years, she

honestly wanted Sue to be her Mommy, spent more

time there than home for a few years.

Back to story.

They would take the kids to the Grand Isle bridge to fish

late at night. MY boy, still loves fishing, second only to

hunting, and I am sure many of his fishing memories 

have these parents in them.

They never missed a game, a school event, anything

Scott was involved in. Not just as a child,

many years ago, when a baseball team was put together

to raise money for Meningitis Awareness for their

deceased close friend, Robert, there we parents all were,

supporting our boys just as like when they were kids.

 ... And now I will share my feelings for this man,

Scott who is almost like a son to me.

Dearest Scott,

I met you the day you came home to your parents

but it was not until you and BB were three 

that you guys became fixtures in each others homes.

It was more Rod and your house especially at night

as you didn't like sleeping away from home.

Yet, many days were spent, watching you boys dancing,

singing, building Lego castles, playing football, basketball,

you were a tad spoiled, being the only child for the Doucet's

but I think you liked my house for the fact that

there you saw what it was like to have

siblings.

I love you my child.

I love you as one of those boys who spent numerous

times at my home, almost as my own.

Be a good husband the the love of your life, Laurie.

Always remember the way you love her today,

because life will get in the way to try and mess that up

for you guys. When you are having trouble finding that feeling,

look into the eyes of that beautiful child, Natalie that

you have made with this woman and know not all

can do such a thing, make a beautiful baby girl such

as Natalie. Now you understand how much

Sue and Foe loved you, why we all did the some things

that seemed crazy at the time, it was all about love.

You are a lucky man, very lucky man.

A woman who adores you, a baby girl who calls

you DA Da. I know you think of your grandparents today,

especially Ma Goose, who was so special to you.

Know that she is with you on this special day as 

she is every day. She may not be sitting near in presence,

but she has the better seat in the house, above,

along with Laurie's Dad. 

I love you, Scott.

Thank you for being part of my history,

a big chapter in my book of life,

See you this evening as you become Husband.

AGAIN......

I LOVE YOU!

WHEN MAMMA SAID IT....

When Mom hit her 80's before the

St.Joseph Manor years,

before we understood just how bad her

dementia had gotten,

she made a statement to us kids one birthday.

"It's not fun to get old, all you friends, family

are dying and you are happy to still be here

but it makes you want to not make friends"

A few years later, I went to visit her at her

little studio apartment, she was in her PJ's and

clearly depressed. This was when we learned she 

would need another living option if we wanted

to keep her with us for longer.

Yet, even when she went to the Manor,

her dementia somewhat protected her from the

loss of friends and family, to the point that unless it was 

immediate fly, we didn't tell her,

She even forgot sometimes that my brother Larry

was dead. Often while at the Manor

she would comment

"i'm not making friends because they just going to die"

All of this leads me to this blog.

Yesterday we lost a cousin who has been fighting cancer.

We also lost a well known hair dresser who everyone

knew on the bayou.

It seems like each week we are loosing someone we

love or one of us siblings knew well.

Younger and younger, our family, our friends are passing away.

I now understand what Mom meant when she felt like it

was easier just to be a loner.

I could never be a loner, I like people and talking too much.

I aslo am a believer in my Big Man and the world

he promises for after this temporary life.

However, loosing people you knew,

who made parts of your past, who you love,

is hard. 

RIP Laura Lee, my cousin.

RIP "Crazy Eddie" one who all below intracoastal knew

and loved.                                                                     

Another brag post..

When I moved to the cottage in May, 

one of the first things I wanted to do was

run A/C ducts to an addition that had been 

added but never connected to the central unit.

I will not name the the businesses who came

out and said, "Can't be done, that roof too low"

"We won't take the job, "

"The ducts will have to be run on the outside of these

two rooms"

"Window unit in the bath is the only way."

Then, I had a clogged A/C drain in my attic

and although Baby boy came out and fixed

the problem he thought it was best to have

it checked with an A/C company.

This began my "love affair"

 with

ROBERTSON'S AIR AND HEATING

225-659-7110

Owned by Chad Robertson

but his emlpoyees,

Lauren, Stephen, and Smokey,

the ones I know, well he should be proud

to have these people work under the name of his

company.

Stephen came out that day I called about me blocked pipe.

Although the problem had been fixed by BB,

I still wanted him to check as well as discuss the

duct work I thought was impossible.

Stephen, he thinks like me,

"There is no such thing as can't be done"

We discussed, looked in the attic, 

looked at the addition roof and the little

room there was to get in there

and said,

"I think we can do this"

Music to my ears!

He explained he had to discuss it with Chad,

he had to get their smaller employee, Smokey to

crawl in that space, but he had a feeling it 

could and would be done.

It was their busiest season, putting in generators

before hurricane season.

fixing a/c and replacing them during the 

hottest part of the year.

I was in no hurry just needed to know about how

much the endeavor would cost.

This is how I became to know Lauren,

their secretary, never met her in person,

but her and I had many conversations of my home.

She reassured me that Chad would come out there

but Stephen said it could be done and she

had no doubt he knew what he was talking about.

I called probably weekly to find out when my ducts

could be done, again I was in no hurry but I didn't

want them to forget me.

Lauren, the secretary and I spent many

weeks talking. She is exceptional and

always friendly to the point where I called

her so much that when she was able to get me a price

for the duct work I sent her flowers for being awesome.

So last week, I call Robertsons and Lauren answers:

"Good morning Ms. Lilly"

Yep, she knows my number by heart.lol

but really my name comes up on their phone...

the answer on this day was different,

"You know what? Chad is in school this week

but I think the other guys might be able to do it today

and that they did, they came that day,

Stephen and my new pal, Smokey.

Smokey is the smallest who will be 

the crawler into the small space to cut these ducts.

They promise to come back the next morning

with the things they need.

They joke that they expect breakfast,

I promise they will have breakfast and that they had.

Smokey was so hesitant, said he is not usually the one

to do this part, afraid he may go through my older ceiling.

I assure him,

"Listen Smokey, I have confidence you can do it,

Stephen has been waiting for you because you

are the smallest one who can get up there 

and he has confidence in you"

They eat breakfast and they begin.

Just as planned, when Stephen told me months

before, "There is no such thing as 'Can't"

I have air.

But more than air, I have what I feel are new friends,

The were professional, they did this job

without Chad having come look at the job

as he was out of town for school.

I made them all do the happy dance

and I have central air throughout my home!

Kudo's to Stephen, Smokey, Lauren

and Chad who owns the company.

Chad, I never met you but you have an

exceptional group of people working for you,

a group that you can trust to keep your business

running on those times you are so busy

or out at school to better your business.

These guys will forever be my generator, A/C people!

NOTTAWAY PLANTATION MURDER MYESTERY SUPPER..

Last night Tiffy and I attended Nottaway Plantation

for a Murder Mystery Dinner theater.

If you have never been to one, you must go,

if you have not been to one at Nottaway,

make that your first! 

First, let me rate the atmosphere,

because of the small cold front, it was with

less humidity as we walked the beautiful plantation

grounds of Nottoway, having already been on the tour,

I knew of the families that have lived here before

and it takes you back to that era.

We then made our way to Randolph's room

where the supper would be held,

Food? Grand! I was starving, made sure of that 

so I could enjoy the meal.

Started with a glass of Champagne and cheese

and crackers, three of my favorites.

As Tiffy and I chose our table,

others began to come in.

Our first seated guests was the sweetest young

couple on their second anniversary.

We found that our table would work as a team

to figure out the murder so from then on

us four, looked for others for our team.

We were joined by two other married couples

and we were set. One of the best parts of the night

was meeting, laughing and sharing our lives

with each other. 

(picture of our group with the cast)

AS the meal was served, the mystery began

to take place around us, you must pay close

attention to the happenings.

I have been to a few of these murder mystery suppers

but this was one of the best, done different from all

others.

Scene one happened, I won't give away any of the story,

plot or answers as that will give away the fun

for others.

After each scene, a new course.

Crab Cake and Crawfish cake was our appetizer,

Oh my! I think it was my fave!

Rich, well seasoned with a wonderful sauce,

Cleaned that out quickly, told ya, I was HUNGRY!

Scene two takes place all around this beautiful room

made to look like the year of 1857.

Acting was grand, so was the salad, served 

after scene two:

Spinach salad with a vinaigrette made there

on the plantation, I think Feta cheese,

yes, I ate all of that too and I am not a big

salad eater so, yes, it was great!

Another scene, the plot thickens and because

our table is a team, we begin discussing scenarios...

Third course, fish and beef tips with grilled squash

and potatoes, carrots, okay now I am STUFFED,

but next is dessert... my fave,

Murder mystery continues and our table was so much

fun, we hit it off right away and everyone 

participated with the mystery as well 

as sharing our lives. 

Then dessert and coffee....

Tuxedo chocolate cake....

to die for, and the coffee, which I love was a good cup

of Java. Oh and I forgot the wine also served with 

the entree'. Finally is was time to put in your thoughts

for who, what, why did the murder take place,

kind of like clue,

"Colonel Mustard, in the study with the candlestick"

Our table did not win but we had a good story 

we contrived.

Look at Nottoways' Facebook page as well as their website.

Treat yourself to a fun filled night!

i still think the meeting of new friends were the 

best part of night.New Facebook friends!

MY PURPLE COW LOVE AFFAIR

These tis this place not far from me,

a mere 15 miles called 

THE PURPLE COW...

What in the world is the PURPLE COW, YOU ASK?

It is a thrift store that I feel like part of the family there.

The first time I walked in, I knew it would become

one of my favorite places.

A thrift store whose main goal is to feed the hungry,

get the poor off the street, sober those addicted to 

drugs, a thrift store with a purpose. Yet they don't 

just give away money, they give these people a purpose,

 a reason to go on, they work in the store 

and earn their keep. The whole concept is the bomb.

Now on to my love affair, it started with these rugs

I walked in on one of my first visits with my pal, Cat

and these were on the floor, the sweet girls behind

the counter explained to me that they were huge, in

great shape and donated by someone who just did not want

them anymore, be still my heart....

Of course, I could not afford them,

they showed me the appraisal from the oriental rug store.

One, 9 foot by 12 foot was appraised at $4,500

the second,  a little bigger, 10 by 14 feet,  $5,500.

Way too much for my budget especially since I 

yet had a home to put them in.

Oh but you know me, I was in love, there had to 

be more to these beauties.

My Purple Cow girls explain that their prices

are not those of the appraiser, both were $!,500.

Still out my budget. I had been scrapping a lot

and the most I could spend was $1,000.

OH, we forgot to tell you about our sale Saturday,

30% off of furniture and rugs!

They would give them to me that day if

I wanted them.

So both rugs without a home were mine for $800

dollars. These rugs are investments, not just a floor covering.

MY dear neighbors, Linda and LIonelle,

rode with me to pick them up the next day and in

my garage they sat until I bought the cottage.

On the day the cottage key became mine, 

Baby boy brought the first things in the new home,

my rugs..... meant to be, the biggest fit perfect in my living room

and the second, perfect in my dining room.

I am in love with them both,

so is every one who sees them.

The best part of the purchase, was the friends I met there.

Not only have I brought many friends there but I cannot go

to that part of Baton Rouge without stopping by.

So here is my next story. It's my nephew, Lil Miki's fault...lol

I had to bring a prom dress to  his truck for Cammi girl

so while I was there, going to pick up a few books from 

my PC, Purple Cow, I walk in and OMG!!!

Not only an old piano stood there but it had been

redone in my favorite color, red and antiqued.

the price, $450. Too much but I loved it!

I didn't even care if it played. I know how

heavy piano's are, having owned one before and 

moving it to my nephew's house took 4 big men.

I talk to my girls and they say because I have

bought so much there I would get a hundred dollars off.

Okay, this is looking better, I had that much from

scrapping every day.

But I explained my main problem was still getting it to my home.

and where in the world, in the cottage would I put it....

"We have a delivery service for $50  but I don't think

they deliver to Plaquemine."

Great, that will get it out my system,

but just like PC employees, 

do, "LET ME CALL OUR MANAGER AND FIND OUT

WHAT WE CAN DO"

I leave with a few books which was my original idea

but only the 1920's piano is on my mind,

"Momma was born in 1920"

"I wonder what price it costs now"

"Where in the world would I put it"

I text my pal David Paul, he loves antiques like I do

but he thinks I have a wild hair this time.

I took no picture to show him so I can't show him

the deal I speak of. I tell him I am going to sleep on it.

I sleep little. Why???

Because I find out that they will deliver this huge

beautiful piano, to Plaquemine for a mere $50!!!!

I count my scrap money. There is enough in that envelope.

The next morning I buy it.

Yesterday, the PC sent over three of the nicest, most professional 

employees in  the PC van with my piano in the back.

It is a day with rain forecasted but at the time, it is not

raining, just drizzling and none of these men

look intimidated by the move,

I, on the other hand, am nervous.

I have found a place for it,

in my dining room, right between my built-in cupboards.

They struggle to get it in, but in they do.

They place it where I want it and I could cry.

I have had a few rough days lately for 

many reasons and this beautiful thing just makes me

want to cry. I don't even know if it plays

(and yes, in case you are asking yourself, I play,

not well, but i play)

because I would have bought it whether it played or not.

These men, Don , John and Garnette (Sp?)

got hugs and lunch on me, they were so great,

I had to call their manager to brag on them.

Then I am left with this most beautiful piece of 

furniture I think I have ever owned for a mere 350 dollars!

I lovingly clean it, it plays! some keys are slow

coming up but will have a tuner come and let

me know what he thinks once the big house sale is complete.

The wood work is exceptional, the red color is my love.

I can't believe someone not only let this beautiful piece go but

they donated it! Here it will be loved. Right away,

I had the urge to play, yes, some keys stick, and the 

sound is off a tad, but I played it. Not well, because I

am just not good, but talk about a stress reliever.

So this is how my love affair with PC and its people 

began and I know will continue for a long time to come.

Thanks for your time for such a long blog!

KIM DAVIS IS NO HERO...

My blog so I am able to use this as my opinion

on most things I choose to speak of.

Today I want to share my viewpoint on 

Kim Davis, from Kentucky.

Everyone pretty much knows the name by now.

She is a public appointed employee that not only

is refusing to sign same sex marriage 

certificates but also forbidding those who work

under her to sign as well.

Of course, having a gay child this is close

to my heart but even if it were not,

 I still would have a strong opinion on this issue.

Kim Davis is not a vigilante, she is not 

the "Rosa Parks of this century".

What in my opinion would make her

that hero many are calling her?

If she quit the paying job the people elected her to

fill and then tell us it was against her faith

to carry out the job the courts have deemed

constitutional and now law.

Same sex marriage is the law in Kentucky.

Her religion deems her unable to adhere to the law,

then leave the job and make less of the salary

that others are paying you.

Suffer for you God by stepping down from 

your job. She has been married 4 times,

divorced three. Since then, I understand she

has changed her views and has been saved.

Okay, I agree with that but what if

her first divorce was refused because

that judge decided his religion did not

allow him to permit divorce.

What if this same judge forbade others

to also allow her to divorce.

i feel she is receiving too much notoriety

standing behind her beliefs in God

and forbidding those when work under

hand to possibly not be able to follow their beliefs.

Step down Madamme.

I will tell you on one I think of as a hero in

an aspect that is very similar.

I will keep her anonymous because

unlike Kim Davis she wanted no one

to know. 

A few years ago, a nurse friend of mine

was working under a very stressful situation.

She was running a nursing institution

and although the pay was good the job

had her working long long hours

and being on call constantly.

She loved her job but was becoming "burned out"

she applied and was given the chance at a position

at the local health unit. The pay was a little less

but the stress was going to be so much less,

giving her more time at home with her family.

My friend is a faithful catholic

and was pumped that this job was going

to have her working with new mothers and

their babies. There was one big problem for her.

This health unit gave out birth control and

"the morning after pill".

She was not gong to be responsible for giving

the morning after pill, she may have had to

be involved in giving birth control options.

Did she take the job and then refuse to 

follow through her job while she got paid?

Did she ask someone else to do the parts of the job

she didn't feel her God was allowed?

No she did not take the job after much prayer.

This friend is a follower of her God,

she will not ever spend a day in jail saying

it is because of her right to follow her religion.

No one will ever know her job.

She will never have political people stand behind her

calling her the "ROSA Parks of our time"

If Kim Davis wants to truly follow her God,

her beliefs, I feel she will step down quietly

and allow someone else, who believes

in equal rights for all, who follows the 

Constitution that make our Country 

the one most want to live.

The people of Kentucky deserve to have her

leave office, find her another job where she 

can carry out her beliefs

and be a real hero.

A REMINDER...

SEPTEMBER IS

CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH.

I sometimes talk of being a survivor of the

once incurable Wilms Tumor, childhood kidney cancer.

In 1968, when I was diagnosed it was incurable.

I was given lots of radiation, lots of chemo.

and it saved my life as well as having a part in

proudly being able to say, because of my treatment,

Wilms is one of the most curable childhood cancers

out there. This does not mean children still do not die

from it and other childhood cancers.

Every day, many children die of this dreaded big C.

Once you are a survivor of it, you are forever linked

to those others who have fought the battle and won.

Such is the case with my sweet Kelly GRanier.

She too, now a big girl, a beautiful woman,

a teacher soon to be a wife and still when we

see each other we hug tightly and smile,

laugh and then sometimes we cry.

this was how we were at our dear Stephen's funeral.

She and my "Katie the neighbor"

have been the best of friends for a while.

 As we hugged in church we both knew what the

other was thinking, 

"Why us, why are we still here and our Steve-O is not.

I hug her tightly and whisper in her ear,

I know what you are thinking and we don't have the

answer, I only know we have to continue to live

and make a difference for Stephen as well as

all those who die of the childhood disease of Cancer.

Cancer is a family disease,

it changes the dynamics of each person in a family.

I, being the baby of 7, having siblings 24 years

older than me up to only 2 years older than me,

my cancer changed us all. Many don't understand

our relationships even now as adults.

We, like most in this world, have some crazy in each of us.

Yet, we are forever bonded by the relationships that

were formed way back in the 1960's.

Just random thoughts this morning before I pack to

spend the weekend with our Bean and

my dear Nephew, Miki and his family.

It is because of beating cancer that I have 

these relationships, two children I had against

what every doctor told us growing up.

Now having three little grand girls and hopefully

more to follow from gypsy baby in her time.

I am blessed, I am a survivor, and I hope in knowing

me, you have found something in me and my family

that makes you, also grateful that I beat it.

Forever grateful, never bitter,

I AM A SURVIVOR OF CHILDHOOD CANCER

SEPTEMBER 2015 MARKS

MY 47TH YEAR OF SURVIVAL.