Friday, April 29, 2011

My Thirty Year Check-Up

I say this, because it has been 30 years since I saw a dentist. I am embarrassed to tell anyone that, but if this post motivates just one person to visit their dentist, it will be worth it.

There wont't be any of my "pretty" pictures to go along with this post. The only pictures I saw today weren't very pretty.

I could make a list of excuses that we have all used from time to time to avoid something as unpleasant as seeing a dentist.  We never had insurance until recently. Our childrens dental health came first. Money or the lack of it. Time or the lack of it. Avoiding the pain or the discomfort involved. Laziness. However, my main excuse was that I have strong, straight and for the most part healthy teeth. I knew they needed to be cleaned and whitened, but with a couple of exceptions I had no pain or problems....I thought

But lurking behind and between teeth and under the gums of those strong teeth was an ugly disease. I have Periodontal Disease and have already lost bone. Eventually I would lose teeth. The description of the treatment and follow up check-ups really gives me chills and it wouldn't have been nearly as bad if they had caught it sooner.  I am a good toothbrusher, but don't floss, but was told I could get this no matter how good I flossed or brushed. Regular check-ups could have prevented this.

I believe that things happen for a reason.  A couple of years ago, Mr. SS had to have extensive work done including expensive crowns and and upper denture. At the time we had no insurance and had to pay for it out of pocket.  Yesterday, he asked me to find out who to call under our policy to have his denture repaired.
When I called the receptionist said, "We have two openings in the morning at 7:00am, can you both come in?"  Well, I didn't have time to think, and said, "Sure".

Now, I have to tell you, there is more work needed than the visit to the hygenist next month. I need a few crowns on cracked teeth...after all these teeth are 64 yrs. old. I need a root canal done on one of the few teeth that had a filing. Ouch! I'm being honest here and telling you, I am not looking forward to that. That will be done in a couple of weeks, and a front tooth needs a new filing and crown.

Honestly, I am so relieved that I finally went and feeling like soon my mouth will be healthy.

Another thing I saw two days ago, probably had something to do with me making that appointment.
Oprah had Bob Greene who has a new book called 20 Years Younger on her show. I'm not a big Oprah fan, but wanted to see her last shows. It involves nutrition, exercise and skin care. I am going to get the book this weekend. I think the skin care would be great, but I have been using Mary Kay Cosmetics for almost 35 years and her skin care program has worked well for me. I plan on really concentrating on the nutrition part. Not only do I need to loose weight, but they talked about it helping chronic pain and I think Mr. SS's arthritis pain could possibly be lightened.
So, I guess that impoving the health and appearance of my teeth just worked into the 20 Years Younger theme too.

Sorry this is so wordy and not a "pretty" post, but I just needed to come clean and hope that if any of you are procrastenating about a trip to the dentist or the the doctor, for that matter, that you will be inspired to pick up that phone.

By the way, I do have regular Doctor check-ups and have ever since my Sixteen Year Check-Up.
(My last son was 16 when I had my first doctor's appointment after his birth)
The doctor walked in and said "I see you are here for your 16 year checkup" Yes, she did!!
I haven't missed a check-up, mammogram, pap or anything else since.
Do you see a pattern here....now broken.



God is Good!!
Life is Good!!

Sunday, April 24, 2011

The Beautiful Flowers of My Secret Garden

Five of my seven flowers granddaughters.
These were all I could get together as the oldest one hadn't arrived yet and the baby was napping.
But I got pictures of them later as you'll see.
   
Lexi
Brooke
Drew
Kobi
Camy
Madi finally made it.
Baby Emmy finding her first egg in the our traditional Easter Egg Hunt.
Can you tell she stuffed every jelly bean in her mouth.

I just realized I didn't get a good picture of my three grandsons. I love them just as much as the girls, but they didn't have pretty dresses to show off.

Oh what a wonderful day it was and 8 of my 10 are having a "sleepover" here in my cozy RV  cottage.
So I am signing out to get some sleep. It won't be long until those 8 will be up and hungry.



God is Good!!
Life is Good!!

Happy Easter



Thursday, April 21, 2011

Done at Last!

About 10 days ago, I started the 1st of 7 dresses for my darling granddaughters who range from 1 yr. to 14 yrs. Today at 4:00PM, I finished the last one. By 5:00 I was on my way to Tehachapi (about an hrs. drive) to deliver the one for Madi who is 14. Oh My! It fit and she loved it.
So all 7  dresses and a flower to match for their hair have been delivered.  I can't wait to take picture on Easter of them all. Yesterday, I slipped the smallest one on Rosie and even though it was cloudy and windy, got some pictures to show you.
Six of the seven dresses are made like  this only with different fabrics.
Madi chose something different...being 14 she picked a little more "grown-up" dress.
I love these big flower pins that I put on each one. Each girl also has a smaller version of the same flower for her hair.
The back with 2(or 3)  large covered buttons.
Now, you'll have to wait until my Easter Day post to see all  the girls decked out in their
Sunday best.

Wishing you all a blessed Easter Sunday and may we all remember the reason we celebrate this special day.


God is Good!
Life is Good!

Monday, April 18, 2011

Maybe It's Not the Camera!

I have a confession. I have been blaming my lousy pictures on my camera since I started my blog. I have a Kodak Easy Share and it is my first and only digital camera. I dream of having a Nikon or Cannon Rebel like so many of you bloggers have, so I always feel I need to apologize.

While doing some things to get ready for next weekend's family Easter Day here at my son's home (and our new place), Drew my 11 yr. old granddaughter, saw a ripe strawberry in my flower bed and said she could lay down on the ground and get a good close-up picture (she obviously knows my love of good pictures for my blog). While I went off to get the camera, Jewel, the strawberry thief dog, ate the ripe strawberry that was right between the two green ones below...really.  I had been warned about her.
Because this one turned out so good, Drew asked if she could take pictures of flowers in my garden.









I still crave a new Nikon or Cannon, but you be the judge. Is it the camera or possibly the person behind that Kodak...thanks Drew for the beatiful pictures of my flowers.

One of the chores some of the kids and I did was to get the herbs I had bought several weeks ago planted. They were so small when I got them, but were almost too big for the buckets we planted them in.   I rescued some old buckets that I had collected from my garage sale, thinking they would work for planting herbs. So that's what we used.
Drew and Jack planting their buckets.
The herbs smelled so good as we planted them. We talked about each one and what foods they might be good in.
Camy posing by smelling the herbs in the bucket she planted.

We have Rosemary, Thyme, Oregano, Chives, Basil, Cilantro, Parsley, Sage and something else.
Did you know bay leaves grow on trees. I didn't until yesterday. My son was trimming a tree close by and told me it was a bay leaf tree. I told him he was throwing out the makings of a lot of good soups. I always get teased about putting leaves in my soups and beans.  I guess I just have to step out my door to get the makings for some "leaf" soup.
Back to our herb garden.

Mr. SS and I rehabed a table and chairs  too, but honestly, I had so much trouble with this post and getting the pictures posted right, that I need a break and will post more in a couple of days.

We are back in Chino as of last night and I have more sewing today, so for now...


God is Good!!
Life is Good!!


Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Walmart and Me and Beyond


We found out on Saturday that Mr. SS would be working down south again next week. I found a campground in Chino which is located near where he will be.  Rather than get up at 3:00am Monday, we decided to leave about 9:00 Sunday night and would look for a rest stop near his job to spend the night.
About midnight, as we neared our destination we realized we would have to pull over somewhere.

It is kind of a joke among RV'ers that if all else fails you can always pull into a Walmart parking lot. Haven't you ever noticed all the RV's usually out by the Garden Center?  Driving down Imperial Highway, we spotted ...yes a Walmart. Why not? There were several rigs there, we would just quietly pull over and sleep.  We found the spot farthest away we could, and slept. The Campground was still a ways away and I don't drive the motor home, so it was decided I would stay there and Mr. SS would go to work and at 2:30 when he got off, we would go on to the campground.

Looking out my window I could see this:
Here I am parked in the far back corner.
If you know me, I always have to have a little green and flowers around me.
Yep outside my window.
We talked later and we both felt a little guilty about staying here.
What's a girl to do all day?  I can't sew unless I turn on the generator. (No, don't want to bring attention to the fact I am "living" in a Walmart parking lot.)
Well, this girl went shopping. Not once, but twice. Two baskets full.
Do you think I was feeling maybe what I bought kinda "Paid the rent"?  No way! I'm just a girl who likes to shop. It really was a nice Walmart...as Walmart's go.

Mr. SS arrived right on time from work and we arrived shortly here.
We set up, had dinner and took a walk.
Sure glad I took my camera.
Right across from our spot, we watched the sun go down.
The next morning when I opened the curtains, this is what I see all around me. Lot of green grass and trees.
Not too many campers until the weekend, so, it is so quiet and peaceful.
It was warm enough at 8:00am to sit and do my devotions (reading my Bible in a year)



Lots of green and trees, but no flowers.
But not to worry...I will be surrounded by flowers all day as I cut out dresses for 7 granddaughters.
(actually 6, as one is done already, but I folded it to put with the other "flowers" for the picture.)



Life really is Sew Sweet and we have so much to be thankful for.
Whether it is a Walmart parking lot, or a beautiful campground, God takes care of us.


I am reminded more and  more often that
God is Good!!
Life is Good!!

Friday, April 8, 2011

Strawberry Cake for Mommy

Last year, my friend Gail @ Victorian at Heart posted about a Strawberry Cake that was so good and so
                                                         easy that I made it last Easter.
                Last week my sweet DIL, Olivia asked if I would help her girls make it for her birthday.
See, Olivia loves everything Strawberry. Her kitchen and dining room are decorated with them. They are one of her favorite foods. Starting when she was dating my baby boy in High School, I knew of this obsession of hers and have always picked up Strawberry things for her.

Today is her birthday and
I jumped at the chance to bake with 4 of my granddaughters.
This recipe is so easy, I could let them do the whole thing by themselves.

Drew and Brooke put one White Cake Mix, a small box of Strawberry Jello and 1 cup of Oil in mixing bowl.
and started mixing

while Lexi beat up and added 4 eggs
and Cami mashed 3/4 cup fresh strawberries
and added them to the bowl.
Mmm...looks good
and smells good too, huh Brooke.
Maybe the best part though, is licking the beaters
and scrapping the bowl.
We made 3 layers (more room for frosting)
We had the batter divided into my 3 cake pans and as I was putting them in my tiny RV cottage oven,  I realized only 2 would fit, so Drew ran one up to the main house to bake one of them.
Frosting the cake was fun, but crazy as the layers were slipping and sliding on the frosting. I totally forgot to get pictures of that part of the fun.
I let the girls do almost everything, including the frosting which was 1 cup butter, 2 lbs. Powdered Sugar and 1/2 cup strawberries. This is a double recipe and probably why the layers were sliding.
Doesn't it look yummy. They were so proud to present it finished to Mommy.
Looks like we all liked it too.
You can go visit Robin @All things Heart and Home for the complete recipe.

Not only can these girls paint picket fences, but they are good bakers too.

The last couple of days have been cold and rainy here. Hoping for sunshine tomorrow so I can work in my Secret Garden.
Wednesday we ate outdoors at the main house and after dinner no one knew where Lexi was. Later when I finally found her, I ask where she had been. She said she was sitting on the bench under the tree in my garden drawing pictures.
"It's so quiet and pretty there and no one can see me."
Guess that's why I call it the "Secret Garden". When you are one of six siblings, it is good to have a quiet place sometimes.


I have been wanting to join Beverly @ How Sweet the Sound for Pink Saturday for a long time.
I finally have something pink to post about.
Please pop over here and see all of he other Pinkies and their pink posts and tell Beverly...Beverly sent you LOL!


God is Good!!
Life is Good!!