An Explanation for a 4 Year Gap

   Would never have imagined I'd putt 4 years away and STILL return to Butterscotch Apron.  I feel like I should at least update it; even if it's just for me.  (and it likely will be)  My family and most friends know what came about towards the end of July 2012.  I became suddenly ill and was taken to the E.R.  I was "out of it" and knew nothing about the serious infection I had.  I can sum it up by just saying it was rather bizarre.  8 days later I was released to come home and continue antibiotic drips twice a day for 3 more weeks.  

   My dear husband earned his Nursing Assistant status from me.  He was amazing.  A man who hates needles and changing bandages and so forth?  Heck, he was an old Pro.  The visiting nurses were impressed with his "exact" way of doing the IV's.  God love him.  I made a good recovery and the scar went away pretty darn good.  

   In the midst of all the goings on at the hospital, they found I had a couple of issues.  A place on my left breast showed up and also blood work indicated possible multiple myeloma.  Days of scheduling tests and going to new doctors here and there finally brought us to the D Day information.  Jan was diagnosed with breast cancer and I had had a bone marrow test, which confirmed the myeloma.  Getting the ball rolling for chemo takes a while.  So, on October 4, 2012 I had my first chemo treatment.  They said I'd be having 6 treatments 3 weeks apart.  After chemo, I would have 1 month off before having my surgery.  There were 2 hospital stays due to side effects of the stinking chemo meds.  I have had some irregular heart rhythm in the past and I was told Afib does not play nice with these drugs.  I can testify to that.

   Ahh, yes, we live by Grace.  The amount of support and prayers provided was simply Amazing.  In no way is this bragging, so I humbly say that I was humbled by the Gathering of prayer warriors, cards, flowers and food that my dear friends and family supplied.  When you're a Doer, it's hard to accept at first.  But, you realize you are unable to DO for yourself & the family UNTIL the storm backs off some.  I was overjoyed to have my twin sister, Jean, and her hubby, come and supply loving moral support.  My sons and their wives were here to give comfort and food too, and their dear children made me feel better.   

   I will wind this up by saying surgery went well in January of 2013 and then my 33 radiation treatments moved along nicely.  I finished the full protocol the end of April, 2013.  

Ringing the BELL at end of radiation treatments!

So, What Else is New

   I'm sure you have experienced some big changes.  Our (my) "advancing" years brings some big changes we don't want to see happen.  Losing loved ones is at the top of the list. Within 18 months we lost our 3 brothers.  My twin, Jean, and I, are the "youngest" of our family.  Our older sister, Barbara, died suddenly in February, 2011.  The passing of our eldest brother, Art, was sudden.  That was in April 14th, 2014. Next was our brother, Bill, June 4, 2015 and then brother John on November 28, 2015.  Big vacant spaces where each resided in our family.  In my heart.  It seems so odd to not have them to "turn to" for a good chat, ask a question about our family years ago, and so forth.

   Cancer made itself an Unwelcome guest in our family.  My brother Bill had head and neck cancer.  He underwent some very in depth surgeries and chemo treatments and radiation.  The depth of his care went deep and God love him; he fought the fight.  My sister-in-law, Sandee, was very strong for both of them.  She assumed caregiver gracefully and with determination.  Oh Lord, we wanted a Miracle for him so badly.  Bill's healing took place on the other side of the grave.  His going home was tender and sweet; being at home with Hospice care.  Well trained folks who were there with him.  Assisted Sandee very well.  Bill had a heart for others and never knew a stranger.  Basically, our family was like that.  We didn't "keep to ourselves" and none of us shy.  I'm very sorry all 3 of our sisters-in-law became widows.  *sigh*  

This is for Breast cancer and any other cancer.  Some cancers are so hidden from showing any signs.  All of us, after a certain age, should see a Dermatologist and have a good going over of your skin.  The earlier the better when finding any type skin cancer.  Especially melanoma.

  

    

Happy Birthday, USA !  

We are putting our plans for the 4th together slowly but surely. Won't be too different from years past.  I'll grab some 4th decorations tomorrow and jazz it up a little bit outside.  Hopefully, we'll miss any thunderstorms in the afternoon or evening.  Foods will be about the same too.  Can't think of the 4th and not think HOT DOGS.  Today I was thinking about those people who line up and compete each 4th of July in a Hot Dog eating contest. Nathan's Hot Dogs too!  I like those kind.  Do these guys look familiar?

Oh, Gag!  It looks so sickening.  Some of them duck the bun in water and get it all smoochy and just 'gork' it down.  George Hajagagoogoo almost always wins.  heh heh  Ok, he has a different name.  I refuse to go google it.  

This looks more appealing. Picture it on a bun and then DOCTOR up that bun and ENJOY.  Don't get so busy on the 4th that you can't really SIT DOWN and enjoy your All-American Meal. Oh, reminds me!  We'll need at least ONE Apple Pie.  I have the ice cream already.  And, I hope we have some Watermelon.  I love how my grandchildren LOVE fruit. I hardly ate fruit as a kid; except for our Daily dose of Applesauce.  Always had that. Every night it seemed.  Sometimes canned peaches or pears. With cottage cheese @ times.  

Let's look at some foodie ideas. Woo Hoo

Fruit kabobs - American style

Rice Krispies Treat - Red-White-Blue

Another variation of a Kabob

LIKE !  Let Freedom Ring

Strawberry Sundae

Watermelon STARS

Gum Balls

Licorice - Your edible Firecrackers! 

Fireworks

Fireworks

Fireworks

The lakefront around us LIGHTS UP at 0-Dark-Thirty !

~ Now, Random Facts ~

*** WARNING ***

IF you are allowing children to play with Sparklers?

We saw this idea on Pinterest.  Stick the sparkler through

a Solo cup and the child or adult can hold onto the cool end and protect their hand from sparks in the meantime.

* Over 150 million hot dogs will be eaten today.

64 of them will be eaten by the Winner of the Nathan's Hot Dog Contest.

* Over $600 million will be spent on fireworks, only $37 million of them are made 

in the USA.

* 81 million people will have a cookout.

* Favorite Sweets:  Watermelon, Apple Pie and Home-made ice cream.

* 80% of American flags are made in China. Target carries flags made in the USA.

* More Beer is sold on the 4th of July than any other Holiday of the year.

* July 4th is the most dangerous holiday due to alcohol mixed with driving.

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY TO ALL OF YOU. 

 MAY GOD BLESS AMERICA !

LAND OF THE FREE

HOME OF THE BRAVE

JAN

What was One of the First Lessons Your Parents taught YOU?

Sure, we were told to clean our plates.

We were told to say please and thank you.

We also were taught to say, "Yes, Sir" and "Yes, Mam".

And things like, "No, thank you."

In other words, there were some Manners being taught; the same manners my folks had grown up with.  Maybe Dad learned some manner lessons from Mom?  And vice versa?

Okay, THIS is not a type of Manner. Instead, I'm talking about one of those 10 BIG Commandments.  It is?  A biggie.  Anyone thinking right now you have the ANSWER?

I'm waiting.  Too much silence.

It is?   THOU SHALT NOT STEAL.

Yessiree.  I'm thrilled to pieces we've all kept our butts out of jail due to following that Commandment. (by that I mean my family-at-large)  It wasn't just that we had 2 parents in the home either. It was "monkey see - monkey do".  If a child sees a parent STEAL, they are more than likely going to see it as ALRIGHT.

Our neighborhood has been experiencing some examples of such behavior.  There's been break-ins in broad daylight. There's been cars broken into.  This area of town has never had a high rate of crime - UNTIL NOW.  Each neighborhood around this part of town is being repeatedly HIT.  Saturday night our neighbor was once again touched by THEFT.  Two months ago they were broken into.  It was deemed a probable case of young people pulling that theft.  Last night the 2 men are seen on security video; opening the man's truck door.  It is one dark skin man and one light skin man. They thought enough to keep their faces covered with a TOWEL.  They show they have little to no sense and the 5% sense they MAY have?  They used it to get away with their CRIME.

We are hoping they trip up (literally and figuratively) and will be FOUND OUT very soon.  Maybe there's a Theft Ring these hoodlums belong to?  We know the Community is working to RAISE AWARENESS to the neighborhoods.  IF YOU SEE anything suspicious, call and report it.  Better off being wrong than sorry you didn't TRY to assist in the apprehension of the THIEVES.  Just don't try to be a HERO and confront them.  Who knows what they might be carrying to defend themselves?!

This was my A.P.B. for the locals. You know which area I'm talking about.  Keep your Eyes and Ears Alert !  The UPS drivers; Papa John delivery persons; and many other work trucks access the area from an early hour till 6 p.m.  We MUST be aware of any cars that are not recognized to be from the area. After hours folks like the Papa John dude know "how" to reach the customers.  

Ok. Be SAFE.  

*Personal note*  I PRAY for these people; whomever they are; to TURN THEIR LIVES AROUND. Jesus would have US do that. For sure.  

Art Angel Antiques and Market

I've been back and once again took a lot of pictures of WHAT all they have in this cute shop. They have so many talented vendors in the shop.  They have an "eye" for setting up their own shops to be Very appealing to the eye.  I find it so fun to walk among all the items that "remind" me of some days past.  Mostly, I just like "vintage" things.  I have a silver oil lamp I must tell my sister-in-law about. I bet she and Bill already have a silver one, but it won't hurt to tell them.  I apologize in advance that my pictures are not as sharp this go round.  I used my phone before too.  What looked alright on my phone is actually blurred somewhat.  I will go ahead and share.  At the end of this post, I'll remind you (again) of the location of the Shop.  And now, grab a beverage and see IF you spot anything you want to have a personal look at........

Loved these dishes !  Good condition

close-up of the dessert plates

Didn't open this book, but I bed it's fun to look at.  

very nice chafing dish

see how nice they pulled this together with that fabric?

nice scale - I'm going to get my baby scale back 

closer look of photo # 4

one of my blurry photos

real cute IF you serve wine

iron bird hangars for wall

classic sign in the front of store !!

heavy lights and the chimneys on top are classics

lots of reds in this booth

real pretty jewelry - mostly new

So, that's a taste of what I was looking at. I'm going to present

the next bunch of photos now.

side table is so cute; has a stencil of birds on it

there are 2 lights like this - beautiful

here's the silver oil lamp - so pretty

another shot of it

a candle goes in this lamp - from Restoration Hardware

large dragonfly anybody?

Anita would like at least One of the red cardinals.

quirky but cute

Is this inexpensive entertainment or what?  I did purchase 2 things.

Don't ya know I didn't take a picture of them?  I will.

handmade bottlecap magnets

very large spool and Heavy base

this little girl (Snow Baby) is Precious. She is holding

2 dresses. Can't decide, I bet, what to wear.

And here's 3 little friends on a nice sofa.

real sweet picture

2 chairs in chartreus and white polk-a-dots

forgot!  I was going to get those letters that spell out l o v e.

I can see some lady receiving her breakfast in bed with this nice bed tray.

I hit on a "guy" section here & 2 above.

back to shabby chic looks here - like

Liked this lamp; real cute.

handmade pillow with fabric flowers

boy, yes, I liked the enamel white pitcher

jars of buttons; clever idea

do you remember a hairdryer similar to this? I do...

nice dresser set and lamps were nice too

Raise your hand IF you remember Ginny dolls !

My hand is up.

Isn't the gingham check just precious?  I did not look

to see what her name was. (tag)

And dark hair Ginny has on a real cute sun suit. Hat to match

Not to mention her classy glasses  : )

I'll call it finished here.  My shopping visit to Art Angels was fun.

I hadn't been out much lately; other than going to the grocery store.

I felt a lot better yesterday.  Woke with a new sore throat - again.

I went ONLY here today; decided the other places could wait.

Shop address:  5515 S. Orange Ave. Orlando, Fl 32809

Meanwhile, I put dinner on to cook and it's approaching READY.

I hope you have a good weekend; All of you. Thanks for

stopping by.  Till next time ~