It had been over a month since Brenda and I had our Tuesday Treasure time together!
Texas Thrift had a great Christmas Photo Op as you entered the store and that was our first stop!
A sweet fellow shopper took our picture reminding me how we thrift shoppers look out for and encourage one another.
Love this and it is now in the den covering a place by a chair!
It wasn't there when we first arrived but I discovered in a second run!
I have a good calendar every year and have always wanted a holder.
Now I have one!
We will be using these four Christmas bowls for cereal, salad and one dish meals through the Christmas season.
Brenda and I could not resist the pumpkins with the faux cacti.
One large and one small.
I chose the big one and Brenda took the other one.
Cool pot holders.... brand new!
Loved this and it was a small so I nearly passed it up.
I nearly always wear a medium or large as I do not like close fitting clothes.
However, Brenda said this looked good on me so I bought it!
From Hobby Lobby at a fraction of the price.
I relocated them to the stone fireplace hearth.
It always amazes me at the brand new candles I find.
Books are a very real escape for me and I keep adding more to my 'to read' list.
I bought these on Tuesday and had a pedicure today (Thursday) and that's another way I am taking care of myself.
I burn candles every day......
This one will be burning on the driveway table during our happy hour time.
We still have mosquitoes! In November!
I scored on this gift basket and wine bag.
Perfect for a hostess gift!
Brand new!
I'm continuing the Christmas decorating and meals have been easier since Chandy left us with several meals of her enchiladas. Tomorrow I will serve the last of them with Spanish rice and refried beans, guacamole and tortilla chips.
A perfect dinner for Friday movie night with Ilene.
And maybe Summer!
She will be here this weekend for a visit and I'm looking forward to seeing her.
Last night's supper was a good one with roasted veggies....and burgers.
I'm not the best at grilling and these were overcooked but we ate them anyway!
Keeping life real.....
Yesterday I went out with a bag of trash to put in the can....
and the cans were GONE!!!
I finally found and retrieved them from the other side of the house where Louis Dean had used them to put random tools and debris in.
I wake up every morning and survey the situation here at home.
LD has been experiencing 'sundowning' and I'm still not quite sure what that is but he's up and puttering during the night.
He doesn't take things on purpose but he has a compulsion to fill containers with whatever.
Tubs get loaded with trash.
He fills any and every container he can find with water......from charcoal lighter fluid bottles to baby oil and shampoo, detergent and any and everything that will hold water.
My morning routine - if I get up before he does - is to collect trash in his music room and empty numerous bottles of water. He never notices things disappear but this enables him to have places to continue his collection.
Let me say how grateful I am for all your prayers and encouragement. I could not be doing as well as I am without your support.
This is our reality and I try to stay 'real.'
We still love and live life and laugh and joke and enjoy being with each other.
But it's not always easy as when he realizes he can't do certain things.
As in cutting down dead tree trunks or building a new gate or fixing electrical problems.
I am taking care of Louis Dean and I'm also taking care of myself.
I read and have my quiet time every morning.
I clean and decorate.
I thrift and visit with Brenda.
I try to go to hockey games and spend time with family.
I yearn with all that is within me to visit the beach or the mountains and I am hoping to take Louis Dean to Galveston with me in February.
We'll see if that can happen but it's something I'm looking forward to.
Amber ordered my Christmas cards for me this year as she takes better photos and knows all the ins and outs of editing!
The order went in yesterday and will arrive on the 28th.
I'll do my best to get them all in the mail asap.
Jodi W....if you are reading this, I lost your new address so could you send it to me again?
Tonight starts the Santa 2025 giveaway.....
I painted four canvases.
One for me.
One for my best friend.
One for Amber and one to giveaway.
No canvas prints this year but original paintings.
I'm running late on so many things but the giveaway starts tonight and I will draw the winner's number on December first.
Just leave a comment on the blog or on my Facebook page.
And just so you know.....IF you want a canvas....you can always used the Christmas card and have it made into a canvas print and they offer a variety of sizes.
Merry Christmas!!
You two look so happy in the Christmas photo op! And the leopard skin top is so YOU! I continue to pray for both of you. You seem to have the patience thing down pat! Hoping I win your gorgeous painting! When is the drawing? Or has it even started yet?
ReplyDeleteLinda in Keno, Oregon here. Fingers crossed I win!!! I enjoy reading your posts and love seeing your Santa wall every year.
ReplyDeleteLinda, you have helped me emotionally travel a similar road with my hubby. My husband had 2 strokes three years ago. They did not affect his speech or walking. They hit his short term memory very hard. Things have changed again. He had a heart attack followed by 3 bypasses and an Aortic heart valve replacement nearly 4 weeks ago. His heart is recovering but he still cannot eat, walk, or sit by himself, and doesn't know where he is. He is still in the hospital and I spend each day with him. It's so hard to see the person you have loved, for 53 years, change so drastically. He does remember me and a song we sang many times in church. "The Lord bless thee, and keep thee, the Lord make his face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee, the Lord lift up, His countenance on thee, and give thee peace." I'm walking this road one day at a time and not thinking about the 'what ifs'. It is so amazing how God is walking with me thru this difficult time. Blessings to you and Lois Dean.
ReplyDeleteLinda, I have read your blog for a long time. I admire all your talents from painting to being the mother you are. You seem to be a wonderful human and the world needs more just like you. You have my prayers.
ReplyDeleteJane
Love the photo of you and Brenda. I saw that one on Facebook and thought it was awesome.
ReplyDeleteI imagine it can be a bit scary sometimes with Louis Dean wandering around at night.
Love your painting. You have a great talent for it.
Linda, as challenging as life is now with Louis Dean, it is heartwarming to read of what you are doing for him and yourself. I have always enjoying receiving one of your Christmas cards and they are displayed every holiday season. I would consider myself very fortunate to have a canvas.
ReplyDeleteDear Linda, I pray for you and Louis Dean. You are so amazing the way you care for your family and Louis Dean I have framed five of your past Christmas cards. They look so beautiful on my shelf. I am anxious to put this years in the collection as well. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, Judy from Pennsylvania
ReplyDeletePraying for you and Louis Dean Linda. I know this is a hard season of life and LD is fortunate to have such a loving caregiver.
ReplyDeletePraying for you Linda as you and LD navigate life in these hard times. I’m glad you can get away a few hours each week for me time. My heart aches for you both as I know the heavy load you’re carrying. God is our refuge. RHill, TX
ReplyDeleteLinda
ReplyDeleteYou are amazing to me. You are dealing with a lot with Louis dean but still run circles around people half your age. Your Christmas painting is beautiful. I like Judy’s comment on how she framed your card what a wonderful idea. Thanks Judy blessings Sharon
Wonderful blessings of friends near and far, may prayers of peace, strength and contentment carry us through the seasons of life.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy your blog and your thrift finds .you are great at decorating too!! Keeping you in my prayers a friend that’s been there taking care of my mom and mom n law I know what sundowners are for sure ! It’s a hard journey
ReplyDeleteHi Linda, You are the best cook ever! Glad Chandy helped out with enchiladas as cooking is a continual thing, it seems! I like the reindeer sign too. You have faith in God, patience, much love and family support and this will carry you through the hard times. Please enter me in the giveaway. Beautiful painting!
ReplyDeleteWOW, WOW, WOW...on the thrift store buys, you bought so many useful and pretty things. i don't think we have a store like that here. the picture of you and brenda is beautiful, you are 2 very lucky ladies. and don't get me started on the food, omg...your food always looks so comforting. sundowning sounds a little bit like "nesting", especially with the way ld has always been. true love...for better for worse, you meant it when you said it, not many people do anymore!! hug him for me, tell him i am in his corner routing for him. or just hug him warmly from me!! warm wishes to both of you!!
ReplyDeleteHaving traveled that journey with my husband, my heart goes out to you. It's tough but I can see you are facing the challenges with love and grace. God bless you.
ReplyDeleteLove that you love Christmas as much as I do! Your thrift finds are always amazing. Love your paintings. Blessings . . .
ReplyDeleteMom would walk the hallway every night and talk to family in the mirrors. She rarely slept at night. No way of changing her pattern to day hours. She took collected things but generally we didn't find where she hid most of it.
ReplyDeleteLove those Christmas bowls. As I've said before, you find the best debris as LD would say.
Hugs and prayers for you both
Hi Linda, this is Sharon. I hope I’m on your list for the drawing. I wanted to tell you if nobody else has what sundowning is with some dementia and Alzheimer’s patients the minute it gets dark outside they get very confused. They don’t know where they are sometimes they don’t know who they’re with. They don’t know their surroundings and they get very frightened And then when the daylight comes, they’re back to being sort of normal knowing you knowing their surroundings and everything it’s part of the progression of the disease sadly, I was wondering if you’re in any type of support group or if you just find support through your friends and family glad you’re taking care of yourself because it’s very important to think of yourself first which women never do I love you. I pray for you every night and I pray for LD you take care and I love you.❤️❤️❤️
ReplyDeleteIf I win the painting, I want you to send it to Ginny... from me and you. Please. I am trying to empty this house, so nothing added except food and things that will be used up and replaced. love this santa a lot.. I like the leapord vest. Oh my on the water bottles and the trash cans,
ReplyDeletePraying for you and LD. Glad to hear you are taking care of yourself. Happy Thanksgiving. Jan (Waco)
ReplyDeleteYou are such a wonderful wife and caregiver to your precious Louis Dean. I pray for an added measure of patience and strength to go through your days and what you do for your family.
ReplyDeleteI love the picture of you and Brenda, and your treasures from the Thrift place are quite amazing.
I also love the Christmas cards you send each year. They are treasured and the canvas I won several years ago too.
Wishing you a peaceful weekend.
Sue
Hi Miss Linda! You always find the best stuff thrifting! I LOVE an orange and clove scented candle and brand new too. Your meals always look so yummy and your decorating for every holiday is amazing! Always know that I'm praying for you and LD every day, it's a difficult path to walk for sure but you are doing it with grace! Have a wonderful weekend!
ReplyDeleteYou are doing so well. What a treasure you are to LD, and I know he is to you as well.
ReplyDeleteTeresa Masters from Alabama here. Love reading your blog and would love to be entered in for the Santa painting.
ReplyDeleteWe all want to sit and eat at your table. Your thrift store is the best I've ever heard about. Darlene in TN
ReplyDeleteGod bless you for your goodness to Louis Dean. It can't be easy, but you choose to be kind and thankful, and that is a beautiful thing. We have friends who are dealing with similar issues, so we know very clearly how challenging it is. I love seeing your thrift store hauls, you have some good stores there!
ReplyDeleteWith all you are going through I am amazed that you have time to do all the little extra special thing that you do. I know that is your "therapy", but I just don't know how you have the energy and strength. Only God can do that! You are amazing. I love your new Santa painting. What a gift you have! Thank you for sharing it with us so sweetly. Praying for you and LD. May God continue to give you peace of mind and overflowing love in the midst of all the uncertainty and "issues". God is with you every day. (((HUGS)))
ReplyDeleteHey, Kiddo! I so love seeing a new post of yours. I love your new Santa painting, and would love to win it, so this is my official comment! Seems I can hear the "crunch'" of his footsteps in the snow as I follow him. Wonder whose house is out on that woods? I want you to know how you add to my Christmas when I see your cards. God bless you and Louis Dean, my friend!
ReplyDelete