A Bit of This and That

Girly Comments & Graphics



Yesterday I wrote about my appointment with the eye specialist. My eye pressure in my left eye was high and he was a little concerned. He phoned me Friday afternoon and told me that he would like me to have laser treatment. As I said yesterday, I really don't want to do that because of all the problems I had with my last laser, but he told me that there is a new laser treatment that is much easier on the eye. It doesn't cause the same inflammation and he says it doesn't get as hot.

This is what we agreed to do. I am going to put a sticky note on my bathroom mirror to remind me to put my eyedrops in each night before going to bed. I am going to put them in faithfully for two months and then I'm going to have the pressures checked again. If the left eye still has high pressure, I told him I will seriously consider the laser treatment. So that is the update on my eye situation. I'm would not want to be blind, but see very well and am not worried about it. I just have to be more consistent about using the eye drops.

I was out in the garden today to see what was growing. The tulips are in bud, but are not near blooming yet. It was a beautiful day and I enjoyed taking some time to witness the rebirth of my garden. My poppies are coming up and I am so glad that they are. Last year I was afraid I would lose them. Many of my tulips are not growing nor is my hyacinths. I only have one left and I suspect those little gray squirrels that race across our yard. I suspect they had a tulip and hyacinth buffet during the winter. They know exactly where to cross the yard out of Meeko's reach. He used to try to catch them but now he just ignores them. They are smart and know exactly how far he can go on his leash.

Once some of my flowers bloom I will post photos. The boys are coming over to stay tomorrow night and I'm hoping to put them to work in the garden. It needs to be worked up and all of the dead debris taken out from last year. The boys love gardening, so hopefully they will get a chance to give me a hand. The weatherman was calling for rain for the weekend but the forecast has changed and it's to be nice tomorrow and Sunday. The rain is now scheduled on Wednesday. We shall see.

Hubby came in from the mailbox today with an envelope addressed to me. Inside was the journal that Mama Bear from Bear's in Exile is circulating between a few blog friends. She did the first entries and it was so nice getting to know her better. I have already made a couple of entries of my own. When I've had the journal for two weeks and made enteries in it, I will pass it along to the next person on the list. Once all the people have made their enteries, I believe Mama Bear is planning on circulating the journal again so each one can see what the others have done. Thank you, Mama Bear. I really enjoyed reading all you had journaled and look forward to making my own enteries and passing it along.

Today hubby and I tackled the bathroom. Our bathroom is very small and we have a large vanity where we store our towels. We took everything out of it, sorted the good from the bad and tore old towels up for rags. Then we washed every towel in the house. Once that was done we put everything back and it is nice and organized now. Next we need to wash down the walls and get everything clean as a whistle. The bathroom also needs a fresh coat of paint, but really want to paint and paper the kitchen first. We shall see.

That's about all the news for now. Since blogger would not upload any photos last night, I didn't get a chance to participate in either Show and Tell or Flea Market Fridays. I was quite disappointed but there's always next week.

Have a wonderful Saturday and please remember to take some time for yourself. Today's society requires that we have such a busy lifestyle and we all need some down time. ~Blessings, Mary~

A Little This and That

First of all I want to thank Anni at Hootin' Anni's for creating my beautiful header. Anni made this for me some time ago but I just never got it put up. I love it! I is elegant and looks old fashioned. The graphics she used go great with the name of my blog. Thanks, Anni. You're such a talented lady.

Well, it seems that blogger won't upload my photos. Mmm! My plans for my post just went down the drain because Show and Tell Friday needs photos for the "Show" part of it.

Well, it was a beautiful spring day here - warm and sunny, though the wind was still a bit chilly. Meeko and I went for a walk along the canal. Yesterday the birds were singing and flitting about everywhere. Today we didn't see any birds except sparrows. I was hoping to see the red-winged blackbirds that live there. They are usually plentiful, but they must have been up to other business today. Usually as Meeko and I approach, they scold us for disturbing them. As we advance they fly a little further along the path and continue their scolding. Meeko pays no attention. He just prances along with his tail up and totally ignores them. It is hilarious.

I had an appointment with the eye specialist this morning and I'm not too happy with the result. It was to get my pressures checked as I have glaucoma. Well, the pressure in my left eye was 21 while in my right eye it was only 14. The left eye is the one that got infected when I had my laser treatment for glaucoma a few years ago. The pressure tends to stay higher in that eye, but usually only about 17. I have to be very careful because I also have diabetes, which can cause blindness. So I have a double whammy to deal with here. If there's one thing I do not want to do, it's to go blind. Right now my eyesight is pretty good and my periphial vision is good. I want it to stay that way. So please pray that my pressures will return to the lower reading. The doctor is now reviewing my file. I'm hoping he doesn't come up with any brilliant ideas like laser treatment again. I had such a difficult time with that and said I would never have it again. As it stands now, I still feel the same way.

Not much else for news. It's to be 23 C tomorrow and I'm hoping to get out in the garden and get things cleaned up a bit. Enjoy the nice weather and have a wonderful Friday.

Pay It Forward Winner

It's been a beautiful day here today. The wind is still a bit chilly, but the sun was shining and the birds were flitting about. Spring is finally here, though we could have a cold snap at anytime. According to the weatherman, it is to be warmer later in the week, but rain all weekend. Of course we need the rain to make all of the beautiful flowers bloom, but water levels are still very high here, so it would be better if it didn't rain continuously the entire weekend.

And without further ado, the winner of the Pay It Forward book giveaway is...

Betty of Country Charm

Congratulations, Betty. Please go to my profile and send me an email with your name and mailing address and I will get your book out to you as soon as possible. I will also let you know when the book is mailed.

Just want to let you all know that I've been having problems with my email. If you have written to me and have not received a reply, please resend your message. I finally got my ISP to get to the bottom of the problem...at least they say they have and I seem to be getting my emails now. If you send an email and do not get a reply, please let me know in the comments section.

Thanks to all who entered to win the book. I have a lot of books lying around the house and I will be giving more away in the next few weeks. They are all in good shape and it's a shame that someone isn't enjoying them. ~Blessings, Mary~

Sad News from the Farm

Both boys came along to the farm today, but when we arrived there was sad news. Remember Rosie, the ewe? She was pregnant and about to give birth any day.

Above, she is helping herself to some hay. Well, Rosie went into labor on the weekend and it seems that one of her lambs were lodged up near her spine. The baby damaged the nerves along her spine and the message that she was giving birth did not get through to her brain. She was in a lot of pain when they found her. Rosie and both of the lambs died before the vet could arrive. If she had been found earlier, a cesarian section may have saved her, the lambs or both. Then again, maybe not. Life on a farm is fragile and these things happen. Both of the boys took the news well. I was quite proud of them. They are learning the lessons of the circle of life.

Little Matthew, above, was Rosie's baby from last year. He is so cute and growing every day. However, he misses his Mama and was blatting incessantly while we were there. Some believe animals have no feelings, but that is not what I believe. Having grown up on a farm, I know better.
The baby goat is the only one that is left. Her name is Crystal. Everyone calls her Chrissy. The boys enjoyed fetching some grain for Crystal and Matthew and they learned how to spread grain along in the feed trough. Crystal and Matthew were happy to eat what they provided.

According to Katie, who is the daughter of the owners, her father is going to an auction this Friday. He hopes to buy a female lamb about Matthew's age so he can breed them when they are old enough. This will be a welcome addition for the boys. She also told us that they are hoping to buy a few goats and some rabbits so they can have a petting pen for visitors this summer. That will be a lot of fun for all the kids.

The photos that I've posted today and ones that I've had for a while. I forgot to take the camera along. I don't have new batteries yet, but did get the camera to upload yesterday. I'm hoping that next week when we go to the farm there will be a new lamb to take photos of.

Not much other news from here. It was a beautiful spring day and the boys and I saw several pair of doves on the way to the farm. They both enjoy watching birds.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Wednesday and that the weather is nice wherever you are. I'm enjoying the lovely spring weather we're having right now. Have a great day and remember to give thanks for all you have. ~Blessings, Mary~

If you would like to have your name entered for a Christian fiction book, please go to my Pay It Forward Post and leave a comment stating that you'd like to participate. The contest ends at 12:01 my time on April 17th and the winner will be announced when I post on Thursday evening.

Autism Facts

As many of you know, April is Autism Awareness Month. Educating people about autism is one of my goals. The more we learn about it, the more the people suffering with autism will be accepted in today's society. Here are a few facts about autism that you may or may not know.

* Autism affects 1 in 150 children.
* Autism is a life-long disability that is 4 to 5 times more prevelent in boys. One in 94 boys is on the autism spectrum.
* There is no cure for autism but treatment is available.
* Those affected by autism have a normal life span.
*Research has proven that people who have autism learn best in a structured environment.
* Autism affects those in all walks of life and in every country in the world.
* Autism is not caused by the way a child is raised. It is often present at birth or within the first 30 months of a child's life.
* Early intervention is the key for helping those on the autism spectrum.
* Autism affects 400,000 people in the US alone.
* Autism is the 3rd most common developmental disability.
* Autism research receives only 5% of that of other diseases and disorders.
* Effective treatment for autism includes vitamin and mineral supplements, special diet and medical intervention, though all of these things are experimental.
* It is believe that Omega 3 oils help those affected by autism.
* Autism treatment is often excluded by insurance companies.
* 67 children are diagnosed with autism every day.
* New cases of autism are diagnosed at the rate of approximately one every 20 minutes.
* Autism costs the US over $90 billion annually.
* The rate of autism that is diagnosed increases every year.
* More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with Aids, cancer and diabetes combined.

These are just a few facts about autism that might interested you. Please take note that when we put Brandon on Cod Liver Oil and Flaxseed Oil, we noticed an improvement in his behavior within six weeks. We cannot prove that this had any specific bearing on his Asperger's, but we believe that it did.

I went out into the garden today and my snowdrops are still blooming, my hyacinths are in bud, though I think the squirrels feasted on most of the bulbs this past winter because I can only find two and I had dozens. Grrr! My tulips are about 4 inches high and my poppies are growing their greenery. I saw several robins today and the red-winged blackbirds are gathering around the canal. Marshes areas and wetlands are their natural habitat. I'm so glad that signs of spring are popping up in our area. I enjoyed some outdoor time today and was alert to the sights and sounds of spring.

I wish all of my friends and readers a great day. Enjoy the harbingers of spring. It's been a long winter. ~Blessings, Mary~

If you would like to enter my Pay It Forward Drawing for a Christian fiction novel, please see the post below. Thanks!

A Pay it Forward

Let's have a bit of fun. I've just finished reading the book, Where Willows Grow, and it was a terrific read. Because I enjoyed it so much, I'm going to offer it as a Pay it Forward. All you have to do to enter to win this book is commit to Paying it Forward when you are finished reading it.

This book is Christian fiction and is one that I enjoyed thoroughly. I had never read Kim Vogel Sawyer before, but she does a great job with this book.

Harley and his wife, Anna Mae, live on a farm near Spencer, Kansas in 1936. Like all families during the Great Depression, the couple are having trouble making ends meet. Harley and Anna Mae have two young daughters to provide for. When Anna Mae tells Harley she is expecting another child, he doesn't take it well.

Anna Mae firmly believes that the Lord will provide all of their needs. Harley is not a believer. Their relationship becomes strained due to their financial problems. For two years Kansas has experienced a drought and the farm that Anna Mae's father left to the couple is just not producing, so Harley sells the team of mules and informs his wife that he is leaving for Lindsborg to apply for the Works Progress Administration. He's heard they're building a castle and are looking for men to take part in its construction. This causes a huge argument between the two and Harley leaves before they come to terms with it.

Anna Mae is left to look after her children and work the farm. A neighbor who had at one time wished to wed Anna Mae offers to lend a helping hand. Feeling she has little choice, Anna Mae accepts his offer. She feels this man is an old friend and that she can trust him. Little does she know that he is up to no good.

Anna Mae writes to Harley on a regular basis and waits for the checks he promised to send to arrive in the mail. When nothing comes, Anna Mae feels that Harley has deserted his wife and children. In the meantime, Harley becomes deeply depressed because he hasn't heard from Anna Mae.

Anna Mae becomes frantic when the taxes come due and no checks have arrived. She knows she will lose the farm and wonders what she and the girls will do then. However, she continues to keep the faith.

Where did Anna Mae's and Harley's letters go? Will Anna Mae lose the farm or will God intervene? Will Harley come home? All these questions are answered in the book.

Where Willows Grow is a great read that focuses on the history of the Great Depression - how families struggled to survive and the hardships they faced.

Please leave a comment if you would like your name entered into the Pay it Forward draw. Enteries will be taken until Wednesday at 12:01 AM my time. The name of the winner will be announced Thursday. Thanks for participating and be sure to let your friends know.


A very special gentleman in blogland has honored me by presenting me with an award. Mike from Rambling Stuff has presented me with the Wings Beneath My Wings Award. Here, in part, is what Mike had to say about the award: Phyllis over at Scrappy and Happy has the wind Beneath My wings for any one that wants to thank someone for helping you here in blogland.

Mike, I would be happy to give you a hand anytime I can, and thank you so much for this beautiful award. You made my day.


Now there's been some people who have helped me in blogland as well and I'm going to pass this beautiful Wings Beneath My Wings Award on to them:

Anni at Hootin' Anni's - Thank you for helping me with things you are knowledgeable about whenever I ask.

Pea at Pea's Corner - Thank you for lending me a hand with HTML whenever I'm stumped.

Deena at Can I Be Pretty in Pink - Deena has also helped out when I had questions.

Diane at Diane's Place - Diane helped me when I first began blogging here in the fall of 2007.

Denise at Samaritan Women - Denise thanks for all the help you've given me when I had questions.

Mary at Isabella's Closet - Mary has made me many headers for my blog, including the present one. She made it from a card that my grandmother gave to me when I was a child.

If I have forgotten anyone who has helped me with anything, I apologize. Feel free to take a copy of the award. Thanks to all of you who have helped me. Please accept this award in the spirit in which it is given.

And to Mike, who is a giving and generous person and who made my day by giving me this beautiful award. Mike... I present you with the Blogger with a Heart Award. Enjoy and thanks for just being yourself.

Please remember to do a random act of kindness for someone. It could be a smile or lending a helping hand. We all need to know we are appreciated. ~Blessings, Mary~

Message in a Bottle Meme

If you are here looking for my Green Thumb Sunday post, my apologies. My camera batteries gave out on me totally and for some reason will not recharge. I guess they are just plain old. I probably need to replace them. Hopefully I will have photos for next week.

Mimi, Queen of Memes, has tagged me for the Message in a Bottle Meme. Now I have never met Mimi before, but since this looks like a lot of fun, I will participate. Here are the rules, as posted on Mimi's site:

You are about to send a virtual Message In a Bottle across the Blog Ocean. Leave a message in the sand or on the bottle. Write anything you wish. Be a pirate or a poet. Serious or silly. Anonymous or not.
What message would you like to send out to the universe?
Message In A Bottle Meme

1. Compose a message to place in your virtual bottle

2. Right click and Save the graphic below

3. Use a graphics program of your choice to place the message on the picture

4. Post the meme and these rules on your blog

5. Return your "Message In a Bottle" to me via email ~ mimiwrites2005 at yahoo.com, sign the Mr. Linky below and leave a comment HERE telling me you've finished. IF YOU WANT YOUR MESSAGE TO BE ANONYMOUS PLEASE SAY SO.

6. Tag a minimum of five people - or your entire blogroll - to do the same. Notify them of the tag.

My message in a bottle is as follows:I do not like tagging people, so I am not going to. If you'd like to participate, please follow the rules, create your message in a bottle and then let Mimi know that you have done so. I will probably get thrown in Mimi's dungeon for not tagging, but I'm not sure how many have already done this. I do know there are at least 226 of these bottles floating in the blog ocean. So if you haven't taken part, please feel free to do so. I would love to know who participates, as I enjoy reading the messages of this meme. I've seen several of them on my friend's blogs and the messages vary from serious to hilarious. It is a lot of fun.

If you are one of my regular readers and don't know how to add your text to the button, just email me with your message and I would be glad to add the message for you.

There's not much other news from up this way. We've been getting lots of rain. It's pretty much rained steadily since about 1 am Friday morning. We are to have warmer temperatures next week, to which I'm looking forward.

Have a wonderful Sunday and please spend some quality time with your children or grandchildren. It's always nice to make memories together and take some time to bond. ~Blessings, Mary~