Happy Thanksgiving

 

From my home to yours ….

I spent the morning getting myself motivated as mornings or evenings are good for me.  Mornings are ruff getting up and around and evenings I'm exhausted from the day.  Go figure huh?

I went and had lunch at my mother in law house and it was a small, quiet but enjoying way to spend a day of Thank.  DH, his mom, our youngest Son Gabe (his wife went to her family) enjoyed a great meal cooked by wonderful mother in law.  We had the usual Turkey, and being I'm on a special diet she added more vegetables for me but I did splurge and ate some of broc/rice casserole and a slice of cherry cheese cake.  It didn’t take long and I was wore out so home was in order and I spent the rest of my day in bed resting and watching Hallmark.   Gabe and his dad took the afternoon/evening to spend some time together while I was given some needed time to lick my wounds as well. 

This was the first Thanksgiving that when I got home I didn’t get a text message from Momma Rosie where we chatted and ended with I Love You’s.  Instead, I cried some tears and sent my I Love You to her in heaven. 

I was sick most the evening from eating too much at one time.  Not thinking I usually break my food up into small portions at a time but as always on the holiday you eat till your stuffed and miserable.  Well due to health issues, I stay stuffed and this was no different.  I don’t make myself puke unless I truly can’t stand the pain any longer as puking is something I only do if it’s a have to!  I was able to take some med’s and endure it. 

Blessings & Thankful?

The past few days have been very dreary day filled with lots of clouds and looks as if it could snow!  Yes, I said that 4 letter word.  There hasn’t been any Sun for several days and that isn’t good as that means no Sun, No Solar!  No Solar means no electricity unless the generator is used to charge the batteries.  Not only has there been no sun, but it’s been windy & cold and later in the afternoon the rain came and it has even rained today. 

We had the deer hanging in the shed to cool out so no heat could be used, so today was spent going to work on cutting & packing up & put away in the freezer for the winter.  Last year I didn’t get to help with the processing as I was horribly sick so as I was working inside my home on wheels and listening to worship music.  They were talking about blessings and being thankful.  It made me realize I am blessed and thankful that I’m well enough this year to help with putting food away for winter.  Sometimes I think we can take for granted the simple things in our lives and it’s not hard to stress over the negative things that we’d like changed but really is out of our hands.  I’m not sure if it’s because I'm getting older (I'm sure it’s not wiser) but I’m trying to take each day for what it offer and be thankful for what I have and not worry or stress out because of events or things I can not change. 

 

Anyone who has a dry roof, warm home and food on their table is blessed.  There are many in our own country and around the world who are not as blessed to have those luxuries.  In the Bible God says he promises his children to provide for our needs not our wants.    So as I celebrate Thanksgiving tomorrow with my mother in law and possibly our Youngest son Gabe and his wife Kelsey (never know about those 2) I will be thankful for all the great food, that I'm healthy enough to spend time with family and having a warm roof over my head.

2nd Day of Deer Season

It was a windy night and we were all rocked to sleep but we stayed nice and warm and toasty.  I woke up to my happy hunters bringing me home some meat for winter which makes for a very happy Momma! 

Yes, years ago my hunters hunted for that big buck but luckily they’ve all been through that stage of trying to kill a nice trophy size to hang on the wall.  Now as they have matured (well somewhat) they hunt for meat to place on the table for the cold winter that is always around the corner.  My kids have been blessed as they never had to go hungry as a child.  Yes, it’s true it may have not always been what they desired to eat but they always had food to eat.  Growing up poor like I did and being 3rd from the youngest of 13 children in one household couldn’t be said the same. Some call me a hoarder and it’s probably true, but I'm not a hoarder like you see on TV where you can’t walk through my home due to trash.  I believe because I was raised so poor that I am what you call a frugal person?  I’ve been blessed throughout my adult life.  But there is always that place in my brain that has never forgotten what it’s like to not have things you need and so I guess I'm one who doesn’t like my pantry to be empty.  At times if my cabinets start to get so low I begin to panic.  Plus, I believe that living 25 years of my adult life so far out in the country that it also instilled that fear in me.  I can remember winters where we would be snowed in for several days so having little kids I always made sure I had everything I needed and extra’s always in the cabinets for that just in case.  I froze bread, milk you know the everyday things that most just run to the store and pick up when they need them.  We lived on a farm and I hated having to drive 50 miles round trip to the store just to get a few things, so when I went grocery shopping I stocked up for several weeks at a time.  People just don’t seem to do that anymore?  In fact being raised in town we didn’t either, many of times in the cold and snow I can remember the ole lady sending my brother or sister up town with me to get bread, milk or whatever was going to be cooked that day.  Food was in the pantry but most times a trip to the store everyday was normal.  Even living in town I find myself not doing that as I hated it.

Since it was a windy cold day, a nice size ham (purchased on sale) was placed in the oven to cook for dinner and also help heat up the inside.  The cold is not good on my body so an afternoon of laying in bed cuddled up with the fur balls.  I had planned to watch some Hallmark but my eye lids seemed to close for a nice nap.  A trip to town was also on the list while I closed my eye lids, fuel for the generator and a trip to the house to get the processing items, plus the furnace at the house had to be turned on and set on low to keep things from freezing.  Later some carrots, potatoes, celery & onions was tossed in the oven with the ham juices and a wonderful meal was done for the hungry crew.  The brownies Hailey and I made yesterday were finished off for a tasty desert.

Later in the evening it was time to curl back up in bed and Hallmark Christmas Movies were watched.  It may be cold outside but there is lots of Love and warmth inside my home on wheels. 

Deer Season

It was a fun night last night and making room for places to sleep is always fun esp when Grammy is a packrat and has things stored in every nook and cranny!  We managed and even though no deer was gotten this morning there is still hope for tonight! 

It’s a windy, a bit on the chilly side but we took advantage of the temp being warm enough before the cold truly moves in.  YES, were talking some cold temps moving in and maybe even some rain.  I’m praying no rain as that means mud  

 

 

Hailey took advantage of getting some 4 wheel riding in and yes she is a silly girl in shorts and a t-shirt!  I had my winter house coat wrapped around me!

 

 

 

Lacey is so cold natured and that is where she thinks she belongs, it doesn’t matter what, she likes to be inside whatever I'm wearing and staying warm by sucking my body heat! I truly believe she believes that is her pouch and where she belongs, she is my little kid and I'm her mother Kangaroo!

 

 

Of course Sparky had to have some Hailey time as well as he loves being the center of attention and well let’s just say that whether you want his attention or not you get it .. LOL  As you can see he loves hair and special treats! He doesn’t know he is a goat but I truly believe he thinks he is a dog as that is all he has been raised around and he see’s them do something and he has to try it.  You gotta love him although at times you also want to wring his neck! It didn’t take long for the temps to start cooling down and before we knew it that time had arrived for the hunters to head out and see if they could bring in some meat.  No deer today but hopefully tomorrow there will be meat to put in the freezer for the winter that is fast approaching.  It was a quiet night of Hallmark Christmas movies until the eye lids closed early due to being wore out through out the entire home.  While the wind bustled, we all remained snuggled in our nice warm beds dreaming of ….

Windy Day

It’s a semi-cloud-sun peeking through day but the wind is blowing enough that the home on wheels is doing a bit of rocking.  Although the temps are pleasant and I was even able to open the door when I got up!  Of course I didn’t get up until 10.45 AM!  I had a really ruff night with knees hurting and the problem I have is laying to where my back is not screaming doesn’t fit with my knees!  I’ve put in some semi-miserable nights of sleeping and unfortunately there really isn’t much that can be done which infuriates me!

They tell me I have 3 problems going on within my knees and therefore it’s hard to treat, I have OA & Rheumatoid Arthritis and Nerve damage due to spinal injury/MS. Due to years of taking steroids for my back/MS issues my body has grown allergic to steroids and I’ve had a problem with anything Aspirin since I was a young kid just like Latex!  So that really limits my options and a side affect to treatments I received over the past few years for that dreaded word. Another complication I now have inflammation of the gastric and intestines areas that are causing weight gain, severe bloating, pain and incontinence issues and working to find a diet has been almost impossible as I'm finding more and more foods are not tolerable.  The worst part is because it’s a bacterial infection no type of injections are possible to help with the knee pain as becoming Septic is a huge risk the doctors are just not willing to take.  So the option is to try to treat the pain as best as possible and the worst part is learning to live with it!  I’ve been told this so much of my life that those words go through me like fire and my blood starts boiling instantly!  Because I took treatment for one health issue I have to suffer with another at time life sure can stink!  I have tried multiple diet alternatives and special herbs and all that is out there. 

I believe for me worse than the pain and trust me it’s horrific! Is that my independence is slowly slipping away from me.  I’m dependent on either a person or electric wheels at this point in my life and I will be honest it’s hard at times to realize and accept!!  There are some days I just don’t even want to get out of bed but I know I must and I think the fact that winter is close to approaching makes it worse because let’s face it being where it’s cold I do not have a choice but to spend most of it in bed as that is the only way I can keep the pain tolerable.  Sitting, standing, bending and many others make my symptoms worse.  Weight gain, severe bloating, fullness, swelling, pain, just pure misery.  Anyway, enough of me.

The day turned out to be beautiful even though the wind continued to blow.  Tomorrow is the first day of shotgun deer season and the youngest son stopped by to get things ready for the big weekend.  Deer season has always been a major holiday in the Walters household since well before I joined the family. 

What is fun about deer season is the family gathering and spending time together without all the hustle bustle of every day life as during this time nothing else in the world matters.  It’s our own little world at the time.  I’m even gonna get some Grammy time in with my precious jewel Princess Hailey!

Another beautiful Fall Day

I have been truly blessed enjoying these beautiful Fall days in my home on wheels!  The nights are cool and crisp & cool and the mornings are Nippy but the afternoon’s and sunset’s are absolutely stunning!

 

In the morning’s I wake up to nippy well let’s be honest, anything below 60 is freezing to me so cold mornings but with a few button hits of turning up the furnace it kicks on and warms up nicely.  I sit and enjoy looking out the window at the dew/frost on the ground while the sun is shining in and helping to warm up the inside all the while sipping on my morning coffee.  I enjoy my morning coffee while surfing Facebook to see what family & friends have been up to.  I have to be honest I sometimes spend more time than I should on Facebook and it’s a habit I'm trying to break. 

I need to spend more time doing my morning worship and bible study as I sometimes (more times than not) let Facebook take up too much of my time and before I know it too much time has slipped away and it’s time for therapy and once I get done with that I'm hurting and wore out and ready for rest and a nap.  If the weather is warm enough and the sun is shining I spend several hours in the late afternoon outside on my deck enjoying mother nature and watching the fur balls enjoy playing. 

Sparky is a total pain in the butt at times but then there are times I don’t know what I'd do without him.  He is very protective and always there when I need help.  He has learned to stand between my legs when I go to transfer as I’m having horrible pain and buckling of my knees and legs holding me up so he is there to catch me when it happens. 

Some nights I even get to sit outside and enjoy looking at the stars & moon if the wind isn’t blowing or it’s not too cold for my body.  I’ve spent many beautiful nights sitting on my deck and just enjoying the stars.  I sit and remember how on hot nights we’d take a blanket outside to sleep and my sister and I would lay and look at the stars and we’d pick a star and make a wish upon a certain star.  Then we’d try to guess what each other wished for. Usually my night is getting my bath & tucked into bed as the pain from the day has done me in and it’s TV time or web surfing.  I think most of all even though I deal with life’s stress and health issues I need to remind myself that no matter if it’s a good or bad day taking the time to be grateful for God’s blessings is the mot important in life.  No matter what life throws my way, I am still blessed and appreciating life’s precious moments is what’s about. 

Fall is in the Air

It seems Fall has officially arrived when it comes to cool weather and turning of the leaves.  I’m still at my home on wheels and so seeing the trees turn colors has been far and in between as I just don’t leave to go anywhere unless I have to and well let’s face it, I am surrounded by acres of open land!

I love the feeling the of being back in my home on wheels, don’t get me wrong I have enjoyed living at my dad’s house as I feel close to him even though he has left this earth.  I spend many hours chatting with him.  The feeling of knowing I'm in his home gives me comfort when things are going so rough in my life. 

I’m going to be honest it’s been a very long, hard struggle these past few years and being restricted to living in one place has taught me that deep in my heart I have a need or urge to roam free.  I guess it’ like a wild animal that someone has taken in and caged as a pet.  I often wonder is this what they are feeling?  Yes, they are loved, being well cared for and all their basic needs are met but one?  To roam free? 

I’m thankful for all the blessings I have received by being restricted to one place.  I have gotten to spend time with family and friends I wouldn’t have traveling on the journey to no where.  I made and kept a promise to a mother who loved me and I her as if she gave birth to me.  I got to be here for my grandkids while they were still at the age that Grammy was all there was.  I got to enjoy having flowers and tending them with TLC.  The list goes on .. but now that Fall is in the air there is this need/urge in my heart that wants to load up the home on wheels and hit the road to no where again.  Is it wrong of me?  With health issues and other things I won’t mention to want to just run away from it all? 

Since I was a little girl, for me the answer for things when they got bad was to run from them, to leave them behind me and not look back and as an adult that same need or urge or what ever it is called is still there.  I’m ready to leave life’s struggles behind me, my desire is to hit the road running from it all! 

My kids are adults and it’s time they learn to depend on themselves, my grandkids are getting older and it’s time for them to learn that life lesson’s are blessings to learn from but what do I do about health issues?  Do I stay and get treatment or do I say NO more and do what soul is screaming for?  I have prayed to God but either he isn’t ready to answer or I’m not listening because I haven’t seemed to receive any answers.  I do know this, it’s getting colder and soon a choice will have to be made and moving back to the stick home will be a must if the decision is to stay for the winter. 

I wonder if being in the Home on Wheels is because it was home for so many years that it’s my comfort zone or is it because it’s my way to escape the world around me?  Although the stick home I hibernate and only leave it for needed appointments and spend my days/nights in bed trying to survive the pain and misery the cold brings me.  Yes, even in the home one wheels there are those bad days but it seems I can move it to warmer climate where those bad days are not so many unlike hibernating. 

There is a huge issue that I have that at this time I can’t speak of that prevents me from making the choice my soul urges for and so for now I will just say Fall has arrived and so has the urge of my heart and soul. 

Blogging vs Facebook

It’s funny when I think back to when Facebook first came out and I refused to use it. But, being on the road and so many family & friends were using it I found it was a great way to get photo’s and to keep up with everyone. Plus it became another way for me to keep everyone up to date with what was happening in my life as I was moving home where ever it was parked. I still preferred blogging and to be honest I still do as I can sit down and type what has been happening that day and save it and go back later and finish up and just hit publish or save at the end of the night. Depending on if I had internet service at the time.
I miss blogging and when I had to stop moving my stick home I stopped blogging as my blog was suppose to be about moving my home on wheels around the country. But here lately I realized blogging is more than just keeping those I love updated and informed or those who enjoyed following my adventures in life. It was also a journal that I enjoyed looking back on to see I did and I realized that these past few years of not doing it I don’t have that. Even though many of the days I didn’t blog have been some rough and bad days I miss that I didn’t journal or blog about them. Blogging I have found is also a therapy for me. It’s not just for loved ones but also for myself. So I plan to start doing more of it, I may not blog everyday but I plan to blog more than not. So I hope that you will enjoy following along my adventures of everyday life and though some days may not be so good, while others are, that you join me again. My goal is to do less and less of Facebook as more blogging. Facebook seems to have more drama than I need in my life at this time as I truly have more drama than I need and my doctors kept telling me less stress, more upbeat and unfortunately winter is just around the corner.