Are you finding it hard to keep up with your favorite passion of collecting? Have you had to put that passion aside for now? Maybe not...maybe you can just tweak it a little and still enjoy some of those little passions!
We are all cutting back just to be careful so we are sure we can make it OK down the road. Hopefully we won't have to do this too long, but while the times are lean we do what we need to do. Does that mean that you can't indulge yourself a little? I would say sure you can...just do it wisely! Maybe you were buying furniture to decorate your home...so now maybe you switch to accessorizing instead. Maybe your passion was bookends or glassware that costs a lot to ship....shop at local stores for some of that until you can resume your passion online again.
Why not start a new collection? There are really fun things to collect that are not expensive and yet are great fun to own. They could be buttons or stamps, gold or silver, (ok gold and silver might eat at your pocket book a little...but rumor has it those are commodities that are going to keep rising!) Maybe there are toys from your past that you could search for that bring back really fond memories. Polly pockets, toy cars, dollhouse furniture, paper dolls, marbles, Cracker Jack toys...all of these are small and can make really fun displays in a shadow box or on a shelf!
During the depression it is found that people still wanted to enjoy life...they saved up to go to a 25 cent movie, or buy a cotton candy at the fair. How much more do we waste today on fast food and designer coffees? There are many areas that we can cut back on and still spend a little on building memories for ourselves.
I would suggest that we re-think some of our budgets in this challenging time and pay attention to the little things in life.
While things are great to have...remember they can break and will not last forever...so let's balance the "things" in life with the relationships we have as well. Hug the kids...stop and say hello to a stranger...call your mother or Dad... and then get back online and buy them a little treasure too!
Check back for another post of how I learned to be thrifty from a depression survivor!
Monday, March 9, 2009
Friday, March 6, 2009
Friday, February 13, 2009
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The History of APRONS
I don't think our kids know what an apron is.
The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath, because she only had a few, it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and they used less material, but along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.
It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.
From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.
When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids.
And when the weather was cold, grandma wrapped it around her arms.
Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove.
Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.
From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.
In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.
When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.
When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.
It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that 'old-time apron' that served so many purposes.
Send this to those who would know, and love, the story about Grandma's aprons. Or it can be a good history lesson for those that have no idea how the apron played a part in our lives.
REMEMBER:
Grandma used to set her hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool. Her granddaughters set theirs on the window sill to thaw.
They would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron.
I don't think I ever caught anything from an apron ..... but Love !!
.
The History of APRONS
I don't think our kids know what an apron is.
The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath, because she only had a few, it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and they used less material, but along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.
It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.
From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.
When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids.
And when the weather was cold, grandma wrapped it around her arms.
Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove.
Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.
From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.
In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.
When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.
When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.
It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that 'old-time apron' that served so many purposes.
Send this to those who would know, and love, the story about Grandma's aprons. Or it can be a good history lesson for those that have no idea how the apron played a part in our lives.
REMEMBER:
Grandma used to set her hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool. Her granddaughters set theirs on the window sill to thaw.
They would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron.
I don't think I ever caught anything from an apron ..... but Love !!
.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
My Early Happy (Heart) Valentines Day or Update of 3-Ring Circus
Yesterday was the day my heart returned to normal...literally. I have had a rhythm problem with my heart and yesterday I was admitted to the hospital to have an EP (electrophysiology) study done of my heart. They thought I might end up with an implanted defibrillator, but I didn't!! YEA!
I did have 2 ablations done and now my heart feels much calmer. I had PVC's, Premature Ventricular Contractions, so they ambulated 2 places and I seem to be fine. It was along day, but thankfully it is over.
My heart jumps for joy that it has improved. Many people were praying for me and I am so thankful for them. I know the Lord kept me calm and at peace through all of this. I know I must have been somewhat nervous because my blood pressure was up, but I felt fine all week before and the day of. I know my God used this to increase my faith and during the months of many DR visits and concerns before I knew what was wrong until this day...I can see the process led me to needing to rely on Him for what I could not control.
I did have 2 ablations done and now my heart feels much calmer. I had PVC's, Premature Ventricular Contractions, so they ambulated 2 places and I seem to be fine. It was along day, but thankfully it is over.
My heart jumps for joy that it has improved. Many people were praying for me and I am so thankful for them. I know the Lord kept me calm and at peace through all of this. I know I must have been somewhat nervous because my blood pressure was up, but I felt fine all week before and the day of. I know my God used this to increase my faith and during the months of many DR visits and concerns before I knew what was wrong until this day...I can see the process led me to needing to rely on Him for what I could not control.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Tagged - You are it
I was tagged by The Empty Envelope
Here are the rules:
1. Go to the 4th picture folder on your computer.
2. Post the 4th picture in that folder.
3. Explain the picture.
4. Tag 4 more people.
Amazing I love this. My husband made this highchair for our grandchildren. He loves to do woodworking in his spare time...which he doesn't have enough of these days. He had a hard time with the inlay of the bear since it was his first attempt. I think he did a great job!
If you are reading this consider yourself tagged. Please let me know what you post I will enjoy checking it out.
Here are the rules:
1. Go to the 4th picture folder on your computer.
2. Post the 4th picture in that folder.
3. Explain the picture.
4. Tag 4 more people.
Amazing I love this. My husband made this highchair for our grandchildren. He loves to do woodworking in his spare time...which he doesn't have enough of these days. He had a hard time with the inlay of the bear since it was his first attempt. I think he did a great job!
If you are reading this consider yourself tagged. Please let me know what you post I will enjoy checking it out.
Update on 3 Ring Circus
I am feeling more hopeful after my visit with the Cardio-etectrophyiologist yesterday about my heart rythum. They discussed my PVC's and how they happen and how to get rid of them. Depending on all the factors regarding the heart, usually a diffribulator is the answer. In my case they aren't sure so they will perform an EP study to make that determination.
The really good news is that I don't have blockage, which I already new and I don't have congestive heart failure as I thought, but I do have a damaged heart. In my case, which seems to be the least common, they don't know if my heart was damaged from a virus or even the common cold or if I have had PVC's all my life and they caused the damage to the heart. So a study is scheduled for Feb 9th.
This study is the most frightening part, but I will trust that God's hand will lead this proceedure. If you are interested in the study here is a link that explains it better than I. http://www.hrspatients.org/patients/heart_tests/electrophysiology_study.asp
If I need a diffribrulator they will put it in that day too, so hopefully I will leave the hospital with a heart pumping perfectly.
The really good news is that I don't have blockage, which I already new and I don't have congestive heart failure as I thought, but I do have a damaged heart. In my case, which seems to be the least common, they don't know if my heart was damaged from a virus or even the common cold or if I have had PVC's all my life and they caused the damage to the heart. So a study is scheduled for Feb 9th.
This study is the most frightening part, but I will trust that God's hand will lead this proceedure. If you are interested in the study here is a link that explains it better than I. http://www.hrspatients.org/patients/heart_tests/electrophysiology_study.asp
If I need a diffribrulator they will put it in that day too, so hopefully I will leave the hospital with a heart pumping perfectly.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
My Personal 3-Ring Circus
If I didn't believe in God and His infinite mercy I might be crying right now, but I am not. Perhaps I am still in shock over my multiple health problems or maybe I am learning that I don't have any control over these things anyway, so why should I cry.
In Ring one I have the issue of hyperparathyroidism. Last fall while trying to loose weight a doctor noticed my calcium levels were too high and so this saga began...long story short...the way to fix a bad parathyroid is to remove it. You have 4 tiny little parathyroid glands behind the thyroid and after some tests they figure out which is bad and out it goes. I also had a nodule on my thyroid for many years so they were removing that too. In November I had that surgery but I had a heart attack during it, and I ended up in intensive care for a couple days and so now we move to...
Ring #2 is the issues of my heart. Just having surgery the cardiologist didn't want to rush into an angiogram until I had a little time to heal and to make sure my calcium and parathyroid levels were ok. So in December, even thought my hormone levels were still too high, they did the angiogram with raving results!!! No significant blockage...Praise the Lord...I am so happy. They still don't know why I had they heart attack or what caused it, but I am thinking all is well now.
I had complained of heart palpitations so the Dr had me wear a heart monitor for 24 hours. I didn't feel many palpitations while wearing the monitor, so I figured that was a waste of time...why does that happen...symtoms leave when your in the Dr's office? Anyway...I will get back to this story in a minute...lets go over to...
Ring #3 is an old story of my osteoarthritis. I have some pretty bad joints in this 60 year old body and about 2 years ago had one knee replaced and since then, although that when pretty good...I have had some issues to deal with. I woke up from that surgery with a pinched nerve in my back that nothing has relieved much. I also developed a pea size very sore spot on my ankle. One of those that if you touch it or bump it a sharp shooting pain strikes. This little pea has grown into a cherry size lump now.
With all the heart and hormone stuff going on these issues were definitely on the back burner, but since I thought things were settling down I had the MRI and Nerve test done on the ankle. I just saw my Rheumitologist yesterday and he said it looks like a tumor on the nerve and wants me to see a Orthopedic-oncologist, at the City of Hope! Oh my gosh...what are you saying? He assures me that he doesn't think it is cancer...just that these Drs are specialists and they know how to handle this the best.
Jumping back to ring #2 and the heart monitor story...apparently the monitor did record some significant readings of PVC's. And the cardiologist wants me to see another specialist that deals with the electrical part of the heart. From what I have read the PVCs, Premature Ventricle Contractions, are a big problem if you have a damaged heart, which the heart attack caused. As I glazed over listening to the Dr. I recall hearing "sudden death" and defibrillator come out of his mouth...oh my...what does this all mean? Today I have an appointment with the specialist and then I will know more about this adventure!
For those of you who pray....please pray for me. I look forward to the healing that will take place in this body. I do know that God's word says that he knows all about me and even knows the number of hairs on my head...He is Omnipotent and knows the very day my body will be done here on earth...I personally want to be here for years to come...I want to see all the grandchildren grow up. I also want to do it with a healthy body.
TO sumerize: Ring one still holds hyperparathyroidism...the doctors are waiting until mid Feb to recheck them again. Ring #2 Heart PVC's and Ring #3 Arthritis and tumor.
In Ring one I have the issue of hyperparathyroidism. Last fall while trying to loose weight a doctor noticed my calcium levels were too high and so this saga began...long story short...the way to fix a bad parathyroid is to remove it. You have 4 tiny little parathyroid glands behind the thyroid and after some tests they figure out which is bad and out it goes. I also had a nodule on my thyroid for many years so they were removing that too. In November I had that surgery but I had a heart attack during it, and I ended up in intensive care for a couple days and so now we move to...
Ring #2 is the issues of my heart. Just having surgery the cardiologist didn't want to rush into an angiogram until I had a little time to heal and to make sure my calcium and parathyroid levels were ok. So in December, even thought my hormone levels were still too high, they did the angiogram with raving results!!! No significant blockage...Praise the Lord...I am so happy. They still don't know why I had they heart attack or what caused it, but I am thinking all is well now.
I had complained of heart palpitations so the Dr had me wear a heart monitor for 24 hours. I didn't feel many palpitations while wearing the monitor, so I figured that was a waste of time...why does that happen...symtoms leave when your in the Dr's office? Anyway...I will get back to this story in a minute...lets go over to...
Ring #3 is an old story of my osteoarthritis. I have some pretty bad joints in this 60 year old body and about 2 years ago had one knee replaced and since then, although that when pretty good...I have had some issues to deal with. I woke up from that surgery with a pinched nerve in my back that nothing has relieved much. I also developed a pea size very sore spot on my ankle. One of those that if you touch it or bump it a sharp shooting pain strikes. This little pea has grown into a cherry size lump now.
With all the heart and hormone stuff going on these issues were definitely on the back burner, but since I thought things were settling down I had the MRI and Nerve test done on the ankle. I just saw my Rheumitologist yesterday and he said it looks like a tumor on the nerve and wants me to see a Orthopedic-oncologist, at the City of Hope! Oh my gosh...what are you saying? He assures me that he doesn't think it is cancer...just that these Drs are specialists and they know how to handle this the best.
Jumping back to ring #2 and the heart monitor story...apparently the monitor did record some significant readings of PVC's. And the cardiologist wants me to see another specialist that deals with the electrical part of the heart. From what I have read the PVCs, Premature Ventricle Contractions, are a big problem if you have a damaged heart, which the heart attack caused. As I glazed over listening to the Dr. I recall hearing "sudden death" and defibrillator come out of his mouth...oh my...what does this all mean? Today I have an appointment with the specialist and then I will know more about this adventure!
For those of you who pray....please pray for me. I look forward to the healing that will take place in this body. I do know that God's word says that he knows all about me and even knows the number of hairs on my head...He is Omnipotent and knows the very day my body will be done here on earth...I personally want to be here for years to come...I want to see all the grandchildren grow up. I also want to do it with a healthy body.
TO sumerize: Ring one still holds hyperparathyroidism...the doctors are waiting until mid Feb to recheck them again. Ring #2 Heart PVC's and Ring #3 Arthritis and tumor.
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