Christian Photographers Community

Hi Everyone.  It is another beautiful morning starting out in the high 30's but we should be in the low 60's before the end of the day.  I have had a busy morning and it soon will be time to leave for Sunday School and then come home and pick up Pat for Church.  I will come back in this afternoon to leave some more comments as don't want to be rushed this morning.

Good Sunday morning to all of you!

I forgot when I posted last, but here goes!  Larry, yes, Abby and I decorated five cookies each.  It was fun, and they had it set up so everything was handy with minimum mess, which is important when you have lots of little kids working at it.

The book signing was successful, I felt.  Nine books were sold, and several said they want to buy it later.

Yesterday I went to Bear Creek again and made my first ever gingerbread house.  That was fun, but I worked too hard on it and was wiped out when I got home.  I wanted my roof shingled properly, with the shingles overlapping....that turned into a time consuming job! But the house is cute, and now I can mark "Make a gingerbread house" off my bucket list!   

I'm waiting to hear that Pat is home, so I can mail her book to her, along with a cookie, if the two remaining don't turn to stone before then! 

I called my sister yesterday and was so relieved to hear how good she sounded!  She's determined to give the rehab everything she's got, as she wants to go to Minnesota on Jan. 4th for a grandson's wedding.  That scares me, as her bones are so thin and fragile, but she will surely be covered by lots of prayer!  Her family is going to pick her up and take her to church this morning. They go to church there in North Platte.  She isn't walking yet, is not to put weight on the broken leg, but only stand and pivot, has to be very careful.  So they are using a wheelchair.

I got a huge amount of laundry done yesterday afternoon, not sure why it had piled up so much.

Here's wishing you all the joys of the season and many blessings from our wonderful Father God!

Update on my condition.I went to the hospital by ambulance on Friday night because my heart rate was up to I had a nauseous feeling and upper chest burning type pain. I also have a bad cold settling in my chest. In the ambulance my heart rate went up to 170, the inserted IV"S and med to bring down m,y heart rate and BP up as it was dropping.At the hospital they stopped my heart and restarted it to beat the proper rate. I was also told that my potassium was down and that could have attributed to the Atrial Fibrillation as well as stress. The caregiver stayed here with Keith while I was in hospital.I was released after the Echo gram last night. I still plan to make the trip to California tomorrow providing that I feel up to driving there.That depends on how I feel in the morning.I do have Mitral valve prolapse that I've had for years. But this was the only heart problem I hope it was a one time thing. Slowing down my life now.

Hi Everyone.  It is still a beautiful afternoon.  I led the singing and then did the devotionals for our Sunday School class.  I came home and got Pat and we had a very fine Worship Service.  The music was fantastic as we had a young man who played the violin accompanied by our wonderful pianist.  I believe the man is a member of the Aiken Symphony or the Augusta Symphony.  Our minister said he had experienced a very emotional week as early in the week he thought he was going to have to borrow money from his retirement fund to pay for his very expensive surgery.  However, the next day he was advised his surgery had been approved by his insurance company and then the next day one of our member came to his office and handed him a check for $10,000 to cover his deductible (this was from the secret contributions of the congregation for the purpose).  After the service we went to the Sunshine Grill and split a club sandwich and a serving of potato salad.  When we got home I rested for a couple of hours and am now watching the football game here in my easy chair.

Rebot, thanks for sharing the Christmas Carol "Silent Night".  This was one of the hymns we sang this morning in Sunday School and we used the first version you gave us and am pretty sure none of us could sing it in Manx.

Janet, it does sound like you had a very good book signing.  I bet your gingerbread house is a work of art.  For several years my SIL has made gingerbread pieces and went to the elementary school where her great grandchildren attend.  It is a small school with about 40 children and each one has been able to put together their own house and decorate it.  She had planned to do so again this year but had to give that up as she is dealing with mono and can't be around the children plus the fact she is totally exhausted and physically could not have made them.  It sure doesn't take large for laundry to pile up. 

Marilyn, that is frightening and certainly something you didn't need right now (or ever).  Glad you didn't have to stay in the hospital and I hoope the A Fib doesn't return.

Greetings Larry  You will know the history of Silent Night, but for those who don't, in German it is known as Stille Nacht, Heilige Nact.  It was composed about 1818 by Franz Xaver Gruber, with lyrics by Joseph Mohr.  All this took place in a very small town called Oberndorf bei Salzburg, Austria.

The version sung by Bing Crosby is the third best selling single of all time/ 

Greetings Larry  In a few weeks you would be able to sing Silent Night in Manx.     

Hi Everyone. After some rain last evening we have a beautiful clear sky this morning and currently 37 degrees but headed to the mid-50's this afternoon.  I have to pick up another grocery order at Walmart in a little while but also get some brown sugar and Karo white syrup for something Pat is making for tomorrow.  She has decided to go ahead and prepare the ham and will make macaroni in the Instant Pot to make some mac and cheese for our dinner tomorrow.  This dinner keeps growing from something simple to something a little beyond that but we will work on it today or not so much to do tomorrow.  I did hear from my granddaughter this morning that they will be here so we should have 6 at the dinner table. 

Rebot, I knew that Silent Night was composed by Franz Gruber.  The Bing Crosby version is still very popular here in the USA.  I think you were very optimistic in thinking I could learn the words to it in Manx.  I don't have a clue as to how to even pronounce the words.  I will leave that up to you to sing it for me in Manx.

Greetings Larry   You might be right, that I am being optimistic about learning the words in Manx.   Then again, when we holiday to Spain, there are online courses to give me and hubby  the basics to speak some Spanish in a few weeks.  And I learned the same way with the French language.  If you hear the words in Manx daily over about four weeks, it is surprising how quickly you learn how to say them.   It was the same for me, as I had not a clue how to pronounce Manx, but I love to learn.   

Latest update from Pat's daughter.

Hi Judy,  she's feeling a bit better with regards to her leg pain. I think the procedure appears to have fixed the aneurysm. She is however quite depressed because of the news that she will probably be on a puréed food diet for the rest of her life. She isn't allowed to eat anything chunky at all. All meats must be puréed.
As well she's not very mobile yet barely getting out of bed.
There's no plan yet to send her home. She isn't mobile enough to be independent
She could use all the encouragement she could get.

so CP friends if you are able to write a newsy note or send a Christmas/Get well card message me and I will give you the address to send it.

So thankful we made the church Carols by candlelight last night, that too was almost a no go as although we left a good 45 minutes before it was due to start, the journey was a short 10 minutes or so away but when we got there both opposite side of the lane car parks were full, with people turning away or looking for alternative places to park, as this was a lane, we saw one or two cars parking on the road, half on the road, half on the path, so that was where we parked...I asked one man who had parked behind us and was passing by our car if this was ok to park our car as I am disabled, the elderly man smiled and said he was disabled too, so I guessed this was the place for us disabled's to park, I placed my disable blue badge at the window as I noticed other cars had done so too...Well it was almost another turn around and come back home again, if we hadn't found somewhere to park the car, the church was more packed out than the vicar said it was last year...A very enjoyable evening, then a trip across the road to the hall for a cup of tea, a mince pie if we wanted one, and of course my usual first stop off MS bladder emptying...Well at least we got one church in this year, one previously had to be cancelled as Richard had his colonoscopy clear out, so couldn't take the chance...and another church we had to turn back home as the car park was full and the Carol service was due to start, this was due to the time it took for Richard travelling back on the roads with our Toby who he had collected from the dog groomer, it took longer than expected..

I would like to wish everyone on CP a very Merry and Blessed Christmas.

Hi Everyone and Merry Christmas to you all. 

 It is indeed a beautiful Christmas morning here in South Carolina.  However, we got up to find our heat pump frozen up again so obviously they didn't find the problem or something else has gone back.  However, we have the A/C on now and it has thawed out and we will go back on emergency heat so we will remain comfortable today.  This little problem certainly isn't going to spoil our day.  There is still quite a bit to do this morning to get ready for our family and friend get together this afternoon. 

Rebot, I do well to speak English correctly and to write it correctly as well.  So I will leave the Manx for you.  You must have a good ear for languages. 

Judy, thanks for the update on Pat.  This was certainly not the news I had hoped to hear but we have to accept life as it is dealt to us.  Does she has access to the Internet or do we need to send her mail via snail mail?

Jackie, glad you were able to get to the Carols service and finally find a place to park.   That is a very pretty card you left for Pat as well as your Christmas Greeting card you shared with us. 

John, thanks for the Merry and Blessed Christmas greeting. 

I am hoping I dont forget to sit down and watch our Queens annual televised ten minute Christmas Day speech in 40 minutes time at 3.pm....this is something both myself and my late parents done every year but Richard does not do it...it is not a tradition for him...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkCjddxp1g4   

Hi Everyone.  It is another clear and sunny day and suppose to remain that way all day long.  Our high temperature is suppose to be around 60 degrees.  We had a nice time yesterday but our son was and is sick with a cold so he didn't get to participate with us.  We were both pretty well exhausted when everyone left and I retired at 8 pm for the night, slept well probably for 10 hours, but have no energy today.  I plan on staying home and taking it easy today. 

I got hold of the heat pump tech a little after 8 am this morning and he was here before 9 am and all he can find wrong is that the new control board that was installed a few days ago isn't functioning properly and he has gone back to get another new board.  We stayed nice and warm with the electric heat.

Jackie, I hope you got to see the Queen deliver her Christmas message.  They showed just a snippet of it on the TV news last evening.  That is a very nice video and am listening to it as I write.

Hi Everyone.  The weather forecast tells us to take an umbrella with us when we go out today as rain is moving into our area.  This is my regular coffee day and I sure hope the rain hold off until I get my friend back to the Assisted Living home as he is not steady on his feet. Last week he almost fell backwards in trying to push the car door closed so I plan on getting out and helping him out of the car.  I do this to help him get in as there is quite a reach to get the door closed and I don't want him falling out of the car.  I have nothing else planned for today. 

It appears the heat pump repair man found the problem which was that the control board they put in a few days ago wasn't starting the defrost cycle as it should.  So he went back to his shop and brought out another replacement board.  I sure hope this takes care of the problem.  It is fine this morning.

At this point her access is limited.  If you are on FB I have started a link with all the updates on Pat..https://www.facebook.com/messages/t/1786734204772131
If you can't get access send me a PM and I will add you.

It seems there is something new every day.  Prayer works....

Good Afternoon. My trip to California was such a blessing to me. The drive to and from  going down 101 along the coast nd ocean was beautiful and uneventful since all the small amount of traffic seemed to be going north. very few cars on m,y side of theroad. the time spent with family  was so good for me. Yesterday as I was heading home gdishwasher. 

I still have my cold and now Keith has one too, But we are doing good.
I spent Friday night and all day Saturday in thehospital with Afib. They stopped my heart and started it again in the proper tempo. I feel great so I don't know whsat caused the Afib, I have an appoinment with my regular Dr on Monday morning, Eye Surgeon on Wednesday and eye surgery on Thursday
Judy now that I am back home and have access to my computer please add me back to the group  about Pat.I loeft the group because it keep making my phone  sound like my messages.

Everyone have a wonderful holiday, see if you can get out for a walk, run, bike ride and enjoy the scenery. 

The new year is looming with the typical resolutions.  I personally find resolutions a useless way of making change, instead put into practise a plan that is achievable as you work through it.  John and I have a plan and it is achievable.....

I was speaking to a man at John's last defensive driving course.  He is from the area near the Quebec border. There are no Bible believing churches there.  So he started reading his Bible.  He read it through 5 times in a year.  He was very knowledgeable.  That is a decision our dad made many years ago.  He read his Bible through many times before he passed away.

A friend related a stout and song to me recently. A memory from the past. I thought of all the memories that our Mother told us and how we should have recorded them.  I believe we are doing a disservice our children and grand children by not recording how things were done when we were young.  Just something to think about.

I am rambling.  Good night have a great day tomorrow!

This has been a very weird feeling day!  It rained yesterday off and on all day, predictions were for snow.  The snow started in the wee hours, electricity went off around midnight, came on until five, then went off again and stayed off until 11:30.  Isn't it funny how we flip the switch when walking into a dark room, when we know the power is off?     

I tried to make myself study my Basic Framing book, as I have forgotten some things I need to know.  But I think the problem is that I really don't want to start up my framing business again!  I don't have the energy for it; I don't want to invest what is needed for supplies again; I guess my heart just really isn't in it anymore.

We got about seven inches of snow!  I didn't leave the house today, AT ALL.    And I wish I didn't have to tomorrow, either!

Larry, do be careful while helping your elderly friend.
You certainly do not need to fall either!

Marilyn, glad your trip North was good and that you are feeling so much better.  Good luck with the upcoming eye surgery!

Judy, I have read the Bible through quite a few times, read it through every year for a long time, and think I'll do that again in 2019.  The past couple of years I have read randomly, using devotions on my phone, but I'm wanting to do something more in-depth this time again. I always think about resolutions, sometimes I write them down, usually I haven't kept them for more than three months or so.  It's kind of fun to ask people about them, though. 

I feel terrible that Pat is suffering so much.  Prayers for her healing go up every day from me.  Such a precious lady, I don't understand why this is happening, and has been going on for so long! 

I don't think I have ever felt more like hibernating than I do right now!  I need something to pull me out of this funk.  Right now, I guess I need to go back to bed! I was there, just lying awake for over two hours, so thought I'd come talk to you nice people!  G'night!

Hi Everyone.  It is a cloudy morning but very warm as it is already 67 and headed up to 70 degrees.  The chance of rain this morning is 20% but this afternoon it goes up to as high as 90%. I have no plans on leaving the house today so will stay in.  The housekeeper will be here this morning.  Yesterday we got this big box of fruit from our good friends up in Maryland.  There are 6 oranges, 6 pears (two different types) and 6 apples.  They need to ripen up a little.  I was looking at the coding above the similes and hovered over the next to the last one and it said Maximize.  I click it and it made the posting box go clear across the screen.  To return it to the smaller box and where the Post box is just click on it again.  I guess I need to explore a little more. 

Judy, thanks for the link and the information.  I have a Facebook account so should be able to find the page you reference and if not I will send you a PM or email.  Like you I don't make resolutions.  It is shocking that the area near the Quebec border has no Bible believing Churches. 

Marilyn, I am glad to see you back home safe and sound (or mostly sound except for your Cold).  It sounds like you had a very pleasant drive down and back.  Sorry to read that Keith now has a cold.  I guess it is just that time of the year. It sounds like you have a busy medical week. 

Janet, I wondered about you having a lot of snow as the weather report last evening indicated Kansas was in the path.  If you don't want to start up your framing business is there any reason you should.  Maybe it is time for you to retire and do the things you do want to do.  I often flip the switch when there is a power outage.  I think it is something we just do without really thinking about it.  I noticed the time you posted so I hope you were able to go back to sleep.

How about a cheery red color today?    Yes, Larry, I got a few hours's sleep this morning. But I'm feeling the need for a nap now!

No, there is no reason for me to start framing again except the lack of a framer here or in Hugoton.  It's not about the money, I just wanted to be of service.  But I really don't think I can do it, as I run out of energy so much quicker these days.  I think I prefer to stay retired.     Besides that, I was looking at the new catalog I got, and frame prices have risen sharply in the few years that I haven't been doing it.  So, in order to re-supply the materials I need, it would mean quite an investment for me, and .....well, why?  As you told me, "NO" is a complete sentence, and I really don't owe anyone an explanation!  Right?  I talked to Darrel about it and he agrees.  He lets me do whatever I want, but I always ask his advice.  If I do a job, I want to do my very best, and I'm just feeling I'm not up to it anymore.  (And here I am explaining!  Stop it, Janet!)   

I will see you all later!  Going to see what I can find for lunch!

Greetings Jackie  Listening to Her Majesty The Queen giving her Christmas message is part of what makes the United Kingdom what it is.  Both hubby and I watch it each year.

Greetings Larry  I did not mean to say that you should learn Manx.  Only to say, that learning the basics of the Manx languages, can be learned in about 3-4 weeks.  Have I am ear for languages, no.

I look at hubby and see how he tries to do exercise when it pains him.  His take on life is, if we put our mind to doing anything, then nothing is out of our reach.   

Hi Everyone.  We have a much brighter morning than yesterday with only a very small chance of rain today.  We got plenty of rain yesterday and it was dark and dreary all day long. This morning I need to pick up some prescriptions at Walmart and I also plan on attending my Saturday meeting.  Then this afternoon and evening the top college football games will be played to determine the two teams that will play for the national championship.

Janet, it sounds like you are well on your way to making the right decision for you in regard to your framing business.  You are right that "no" is a complete sentence.  It isn't your responsibility to fill the gap if it is not what you want to do.  Besides you would have more time to do your loved painting. 

Rebot, I knew you didn't mean that I should learn Manx.  I took one semester of French in college to prove to myself I could do it and I did succeed in the class but one semester was enough.

I am feeling pretty good this morning after a great night of sleep. I am breathing much better too. So I hope that my eye surgery will  stay on schedule. The Nsaids were to be stopped 10 days prior however, in the ambulance they gave me 4 baby aspirins,.when I got home from CA. I took two Aleve because my back was hurting, then yesterday without even thinking about it I took a baby aspirin. I will have to tell the Dr about that. I have a follow up appointment with my regular Dr Monday because she wants to check me out after the A fib episode last Friday.

Keith is doing much better as long as he remembers to pick up his wound vac and carry it with him. The wound is getting smaller every time I see it. It is healing  wonderfully.

Good morning!  It's a nice balmy FIVE degrees here again this morning, with the high to hit 28 by four this afternoon before plunging into the deep freeze again!  So far as I know right now, I don't have to leave the house today!  YIPPEE!!

Larry, I'll bet you didn't know you are my counselor. You told me that NO is a complete sentence some time ago, and I've thought about that so many times when debating whether or not to do something.  After more thought about the framing, talking to Darrel and much prayer, I do believe I am making the right decision for me.  I went upstairs to the room where I have my mat cutter and ready-made frames yesterday, and realize I have so many of those on hand.  Most are better for oil paintings, which not many around here still do, but they will work for other kinds, too.  I chose one for the print I need to do right away; so today I will go cut the mat and the glass and get it ready to go.  I want to frame a few of my small things while I'm at it, as I have lots of smaller frames I have picked up here and there, and can make work by cutting mats to the right sizes.    Isn't this all fascinating?

My sister Doris sounded good when I called her yesterday.  She got to go home for four hours on Christmas (well, be out of the facility for four hours.)  She will go back to Omaha for recheck on the repaired leg and first appointment with oncologist on the 31st.  They still aren't positive what kind of cancer she has.  I'm praying it has disappeared--God is still in the miracle business!

Our road is really a mess!  Some big trucks had been down it yesterday, churned up the mud underneath the snow and left huge ruts, now those are frozen solid.  My car would bottom out!  Darrel took me in the big pickup yesterday, and I was so thankful!

Have a blessed day!

Marilyn, I came back to give you good wishes on your eye surgery.  Remember, it would be better to wait a few days than to have problems, for sure!  I know when we have things like that scheduled, we are anxious to get them done and over with, but caution pays good dividends.  I have been trying to not take pain relievers every day, but most days I hurt so bad I want the relief they bring!  And I know they aren't good for us!  (But neither is pain!)