justbenme

Tuesday, November 26, 2024

A brief encounter

that turned into a fun ongoing adventure...

so to speak

The winds that hit the Northwest were wild. Many homes and cars were smashed, power out for thousands and two lives were taken.

News travels... I got a phone call from our cousin in Colorado. But she had no idea, she just wanted a recipe

The worst "damage" to our place was leaves and more leaves
The grand boys take care of that
and then
walk across the street to move even more leaves

With power and smiles we were able to host some friends and family for three days. It is fun to make a special breakfast for company.

Second morning....

( even though it looked silly, it still tasted like a Dutch babies should )

We played some games....well,
practiced a new one... they each won one, I did not

After three days, all our family had power, headed home, and we miss them.... but we are all so thankful for electricity.

May we always be thankful for those everyday "good things, necessities, expectations"

I live an exciting life

A brief encounter

But, hopefully it is just the beginning..

The home across the street needs a new family. Today we walked through with Johnny. He is relocating from Taiwan, ahead of the rest of his family. He asked questions, took some photos, was very polite and in his conversation, and respectful. I think I heard him softly say thank God.

The tour took less than half an hour and we politely said goodbye. I was last to leave the house, turning off lights, etc. Johnny was still in his car and rolled down the passengers side window.

"Thank you again",
he said and a little pause
I said "Are you a Christian?"
He said no, he and his family did not practice any faith but
his 13 year old son has started to read the Bible.
He said "We are fine with that. It started a while ago and he is still reading."

Now I am saying to my self "thank you Lord"
for boldness to ask and
for young Nathan reading his Bible

Only the Lord knows if the family will be moving in, but I can pray today for the salvation of a young man, on his own, reading the Bible

I am smiling

I live an exciting life

Friday, November 1, 2024

October 31, 2024

Always interesting, but this year....gotta say, VERY interesting

Starting from the beginning... I make up little bags of treats and tuck in a little gospel story ( it's called a tract ). Last year we had 166 visitors, so this year I went for 175. With the forecast of rain, I was pretty sure that would work.

When the little people ( and sometimes bigger people ) come to the door, I take their picture and later I print them out and have them ready to post for viewing the next year ( years )

And I am ready !

The past few years I have worn my friend Judy's old bride's maid dress. It is yellow and makes me look like Belle ...at least to the smaller visitors.

The first door bell ring was at 5:30 and the last was at 8:30

But... wait until the end

First, just a glimpse .. ( only here, not on Facebook or Instagram)

Not the first visitors, and never a visit from the President !

These cuties live across the street. They came without a bag for candy, just wanted me to see their wonderful costumes.

No Comment ,,, just smiles

Many with this headgear, but I have no clue...

Just as cute from behind....

It is alive... she has 7 more at home

Another favorite... reminds me of the Milk carton Darrell made for one of the kids... a school project that turned into a costume for many years. Love those creative and no cost ideas

Yes, it rained... but all smiles and umbrellas. Only one visitor did not want a photo...

Two reason why these are a favorite... the little lady said I looked beautiful. The little fellow agreed to a cup of hot cider. He asked if it had alcohol, first, and then said thank you.

Oh, his outfit was a blow up chicken, that lost it's "air"

The night would not be complete without a visit from our two ( the third is hiding ) young neighbor/friends, down the street.

But that reminds me of Robin, who came every year, but this year she is in college in Idaho. I miss Robin

One of these fun groups had a Daddy in the background, and he said yes to a cup of Apple Cider.

By 7:50 all 175 bags were gone. I was ready to turn the light out and a few more kids came and I just dumped a large bag of minis into a basket and said "help yourself". I am pretty sure at least 25 more came.

Wrapping things up, a couple Moms came about 8:20 to take pictures of the pictures. Their kids had told them about the display and they wanted to see and take pictures too.
Then the final visitor at 8:30, by herself,

But wait... at 11:00 the doorbell rang. What? The porch light was out, but we have lots of lights around the roof.
Two guys... one holding back, the other at the door. " Trick or Treat"
I said " You gotta be kidding"... held out the basket, told him to help himself, did not take his photo... and that is my longest Halloween ever. Oh, next year I will NOT open the door at 11:00

And... here is the favorite from 11 years ago... it will always make me happy

I live an exciting life

Tuesday, October 22, 2024

not likely to forget, ever

But, definitely worth writing about... a few details to keep in mind...

Starting on this beautiful morning at our friends home in Indialantic

We had a wonderful breakfast on the patio

Our hostess asked us if we would like to walk around her garden.
I turned to hubby and asked him if he wanted to come too.

He did not respond. I asked again, and watched as he was not moving and just a blank stare.
Anna and I both called out to him. Roman came out immediately and shuck Darrell and called his name and told Anna to call 911.
It looked to us like he was having a heart attack.

He was sitting in an armed chair. ( don't like to think what could have happened in a chair without that feature )
While on the phone, the lady said help was on the way. She said to make Darrell as comfortable as possible. He responded slightly and Roman helped him to the sofa right next to him. Very soon the aid unit came with 4 tall dark and handsome men.

some people take photos...just because

They asked questions and found out that since Darrell had been in bed the prior day, with a headache, and not had more than a cup of water/juice and a small sandwich in the evening, he could be dehydrated. ( who knew you need to drink fluids AND each food to keep hydrated, now we know )

An IV was started and off they went to the local hospital. They do not allow anyone in the ER with the patient, so I stayed back. For three hours. Little Sophia entertained me with acrobatics and such. I finally called Darrell.
He was dehydrated.
But, not anymore.

Roman took me to the hospital and soon Darrell was disconnected from all things, and we headed back to our host and hostess's home.

Time for supper, ice cream and a walk along the Atlantic ocean

water, sky, sand, water, sky, waves,
endless Wonder

She knows the way home

What a journey

I live an exciting life

Saturday, October 19, 2024

All in a day.... so to speak

ok, the preparation started 3 days ago.
Keep away from fiber, red meat, raw vegies and fruit
Final day, all liquid

you guessed it... Colonoscopy

Most friends my age have had 3 or 4 of them, but not me. I took the easy way out and that preliminary test came back positive, this year. No worries, just precautionary. But from all the stories I had heard, I was not looking forward to it. In fact, I only mentioned it to a handful of friends and my kids, because comments had started to get "unkind"

As I wrote about earlier, the lady with her comforting hand on my arm, saying " you are not alone, You will get through this"... those words are what I kept reflecting on.

So here we are on the day of the procedure...
I am freezing, that happens when you have not had enough to eat
( learned that later in the morning)
Hubby had a nightmare and fell out of bed and hit his head

Onward.... the hardest part of the procedure is over
Just a short drive to the office
We check in with an " all business" lady receptionist
( that is ok at the airport, but really, at the doctor's office a smile is appreciated )

Well, most of the information was exchanged and then I spotted her sparkling wedding band.

Suddenly, a grin appeared and a detailed story about this 35th anniversary ring. ( and yes, that is another story )

I say goodbye to hubby and into the event I go. Rhonda is very pleasant and smiley and takes care of the preliminary stuff and into the "dressing room" I go.

I step out the door and following directions I wait for Rhonda
" Help me Rhonda" I say and she almost laughs out loud, and we are back in the exam room
Then Laura, and Amy and Tamara ( she will put me out ) and Kristina and...Dr. Reese-Lui.

Into the operating room and before you know it, I am back in the exam room, Darrell comes, I get dressed and Dr. Reese-Lui comes to say, " Everything looks good" A little of this and a little of that, but nothing called cancer. She takes a look at hubby's face and says, no worries

So off we go into the wild blue, for breakfast/ lunch.

It is a beautiful day in the neighborhood and 12 Avenue Cafe is just around the corner

Swedish pancakes as good as Aunt Florence's with lingonberry syrup, bacon and fruit. Hubby gets the eggs

And now it is back home we go.

Rest... I follow those instructions
do not drive today... ok with that
Hubby goes to Bible study and comes home with

I'll just say, worth every calorie
Thank you Mary ♥

But the day is not over... it is already dinner time
I am still in my slippers, so why not head to the Burg
We can stay in the car and enjoy a huge mushroom & swiss cheese burger