What do you people, who don’t have a blog to write, do when you wake up at 3:30 in the morning and can’t go back to sleep?

I even have time for my morning meditation first, which helps to calm my brain. I said, helps.

I was thinking about everyone’s comments on yesterday’s blog when I realized how far ahead of her time Mom was. She became one of the first to create her own knock-offs.

Mom became adept at turning her Walmart sneakers into Nike’s, top of the line, walking shoes. All she needed was a variety of colorful markers. She said people commented on them all the time.

Remember when women first started highlighting their hair. Actually, we first called it, frosting. Mom told the stylist to dye her roots, but not to dye every hair on her head the same color. She got a confused look from the hairdresser on that one. She further explained her brainstorm by saying not to saturate her hair with dye, but to lightly run it through the rest of the hair with her fingers. She said it made her color look more natural. “No one’s hair is all the same color,” she said.

Mom was also in on the early attempts at photoshopping. When her neck began to sag a little, and she could see it in a picture, she drew turtlenecks on herself. If her arms showed age spots, she simply covered them by drawing on some long sleeves.

She actually got pretty good at it, though I “drew the line” when she tried to whiten my teeth. I’m only kidding. As far as I know she never photoshopped me.

I’m sure she saved a lot of money through the years. Back then, it wasn’t cool to go to garage sales. She loved them, but she told me she only went where the rich people lived.

She looked inside her wallet. It was empty.

She couldn’t remember where she put that twenty.

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Is it in the cookie jar?

No, that’s where the cookies are.

Is it hidden in the mattress?

Or in the hatbox that is hatless?

Did she lend it to a friend?

No, she wouldn’t do that again.

She looked everywhere.

It wasn’t here, it wasn’t there.

She couldn’t look a minute more.

What was she looking for?

Off to work…she had to scurry.

Out the door…she had to hurry.

She reached down into her pocket

For the key so she could lock it.

No, she didn’t find the money there.

She couldn’t help but feel despair.

To have a happy ending

She must stop all the spending.

Today would have been really hard.

Thank God she has a credit card.

I didn’t write this poem for me.

Oh, look! I found a twenty.

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I found this in the courtyard when I was raking leaves. I don’t have any money in my purse.

But I want fish and chips, my love.

The picture below is of my uncles (Jeff and Wayne) having coffee. Uncle Wayne is the one who looks like he would rather be someplace else.

When I was growing up, Jeff Sanderson and his family lived next to Grandpa and Grandma on the north side, and Uncle Wayne Sanderson and his family lived next to them on the south side.

My guess is they were at Murdo’s 1981 Diamond Jubilee (75 years).

Jeff: Here we are Wayne, having coffee. It’s the day of the Jubilee. Folks will be here from all over. It’ll be a good time you will see.

Wayne: I’ve got chores I should have done, Jeff. If it rains, I’m up a creek. The road I’m building will be all muddy and stay that way clear through next week.

Jeff: I think you need to take today off. You work too hard for a man your age. Dad retired when he was younger. He couldn’t wait to turn the page.

Wayne: He would have made a fortune fishing… if he’d been paid an hourly wage.

Jeff: Well, I can’t just sit here any longer. My day is really getting full. Come to the Jubilee Parade. I’ll be on a horse. I’m the Grand Marshal.

Wayne: I’ll be sure to be there, Jeff… I’ve taken what you’ve said to heart. There is one thing I won’t be missing. What time does tonight’s dance start? (He was a great dancer.)

The above photographs were in the July 2, 1981 Murdo Coyote Newspaper. It was given to Mom and Gus by Lynn Brost Miles.

Over 1700 people attended the Diamond Jubilee Celebration. The parade theme was memories, fun, and the future. Everyone was entertained by a rodeo, an air show, sky divers, two dances, a picnic, class get-togethers, and more. A good time was had by all.

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Wayne Sanderson built roads. I remember his huge heavy equipment. He and Aunt Emily retired (sort of) and had a beautiful place on the White River. I think he grew corn for Mom to steal.

Jeff Sanderson owned Sanderson’s Store for years, and later worked for West Central Electric. He did so much for the community, such as start and run the boys baseball program, that Murdo had a Jeff Sanderson Day to show their appreciation.

It was good to remember them, today. I’m glad I ran across the picture.

Queen E: Have you seen my pom poms? I’m in the parade.

There are still a few readers who haven’t heard my good news. The pathology report from last week’s surgery came back clear of cancer. I’m very grateful the poison is gone from my body. I’m grateful for a lot of things.

While I waited to hear the good news, I stayed close to home. I have a doctor’s appointment tomorrow. Hopefully, I will have healed sufficiently and can start getting back to normal. (Whatever that is.)

As I look back on the last nine months, a few things occur to me. The three things most obvious are these…

1) I was never really afraid. I attribute that to my faith. I have some pretty wonderful friends who reminded me each day with a card, visit, or phone call, that I am not the one in control and no matter what the next challenge might be, I can accept the circumstances and know that I do not have to walk through anything alone.

2) I learned that patience really is a virtue and the lack of it is a character defect of mine. I’m not good at waiting. Wait for test results. Wait for the phone calls. Wait for the next surgery. Wait to heal. Wait to make plans.

3) I learned to appreciate all the giving, caring, and thoughtful people in my life. There have been many, but my husband, Kip, has helped me every step of the way. Sometimes, I forget how much this has disrupted his life. Plus, he’s had to be there while I learn patience.

I could go on forever talking about the things I have learned about myself and others, but I won’t do that now. Besides…I’m still learning. I know I want to step it up in some areas of my life.

I hope that I can be there when someone needs me. I hope I can be as unselfish and thoughtful as I’ve seen others be. Not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because I know how important, helpful, and reassuring it is to the one in need.

These pics don’t begin to include everyone who was there for me and other reminders of thoughtfulness.

Mostly, I hope I never forget how it made me feel to know others were praying for us. I was given a beautiful prayer blanket before my first surgery. I remember seeing people gathered around it to say a prayer as they tied a knot. I covered myself in those warm feelings before and after all three surgeries. I had something both tangible and spiritual with me and did it ever feel good.

Thanks to all of you, my family and friends. You were all given to me by the One my human mind can’t fully comprehend. I see Him in your faces and as my favorite song goes, All is well with my soul.

Jubilation 5

If you have facebook, this link will take you to a beautiful gift I received from some very talented friends.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10156296909620186&id=593740185

(By the way…Kip and I are still accepting gifts of food. You can’t just cut us off like that. It’s very un- Methodist of you.)

I thought it was time to check in on Queen E and her latest crown hats.

Hellooo…long time, no see. Philip thinks I look cute in Pink. He calls me his little Pink E.

Queen E’s horse comes out of gate at Derby race and takes a knee. What are the odds?

Come on, waitress!!! Hit me again! Just bring the whole teapot over here.

This hat doubles as a casserole cover. Microwave safe after removing head.

We gave our bodyguards the day off. Don’t worry, Philip. I’ve got this.

Don’t rip my head off, Philip. I thought you liked me in pink.

Off to see Star Wars…

The cat in the hat…

I got this ensemble at a bow-tique

I’ve always said that each time I’m getting ready to go on vacation or get my picture taken, I somehow manage to gain ten pounds and get a bad haircut.

I tried to keep my hair low maintenance and I naturally lost some weight through all the surgeries. I managed to get over the weight loss rather quickly. It’s pretty impossible for the pounds not to creep back on when you have friends who bring you, (among other things), chocolate malts, apple dumplings, banana pudding, chocolate dipped strawberries, and homemade soup with cornbread.

Here come the 5th grade bangs.

Can you believe I was fifteen in this picture?

If I worried about such things, I would have been afraid to get a haircut right before we had our pictures taken for the church directory. They bring a professional in, which is great, but last time, Kip and I never made it back for the yearly picture. We used the same one in the directory for a decade.

I was surprised when we got the pictures back a couple of days ago. The photographer had miraculously made my bangs grow out a little. I didn’t look like a 5th grader.

This morning, I jumped on the scale and the news wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. That’s a good thing because past experience tells me it’s difficult to wean myself off of all the delicious treats. I have to gently forge ahead. In fact, there’s one more serving of that homemade chocolate malt calling me from the freezer.

I’m usually early…never late. The hardest thing to do is wait. Is it now or is it never? For a short time or forever? I must ask you, “Holy cow! Why is it never, ever, now?”

In the future not the past. Never first. Always last. Things I want to know so badly, won’t be known on my time, sadly. When I’m sure it’s here, almost. Someone moves the goal and post.

Please don’t say, “Time will tell.” Words like that my nerves won’t quell. “What? Bless my soul? I’m not the one whose in control?” Remember what Mom said to me. “We shall see what we shall see.”

Ahhh…

Relax in everlasting arms.

There’s no need to sound alarms.

In a quiet place I’ll find

All I need to still my mind.

Peace and comfort fill my cup,

When I remember to look up.

P.S. I’m fine…just describing some of the emotions I’ve experienced…

This amazing and delightful Boogie Woogie performed by the amazing and delightful Valerie Halla is brought to you in honor of her BIG and I mean BIG birthday.

You are amazing dear cuz. I love you very much!!! We all do!!

It’s 3:00 a.m. and we’re off to Dallas where I’m scheduled to have surgery at 7:00. It will be my 3rd this year. I’ ve been waiting four months for this one.

Just to recap…in December, my doctor talked me into having a colonoscopy. It was several years overdue. Now, I’m a semi-colon. (My doctor’s joke.)

Next, I had a mammogram. The result being, I’ll never have to have another one.

Today, I’m going to have more tissue taken from the left chest area. The pathology report didn’t show an area clearly and the doctor wants to re-test it.

If that does not reveal cancer cells, they will finish up the reconstruction part. Fortunately, insurance pays for it. Unfortunately, it’s not the Angelina Jolie kind of reconstruction.

I am blessed that both the colon and the breast cancers were caught early. It hasn’t been fun, but it could have been so much worse.

With the prayers and support from family and a wonderful family of friends, I’ve been able to walk through the experience with very few fearful moments.

If everything goes well today, other than CT scans and bloodwork every three months and a colonoscopy once a year, (at least for a while), I’ll be able to put this behind me.

Please don’t put off having the tests available to you. They are the reason cancer is no longer the death sentence it used to be… yet people are still dying or going through surgeries and treatments they might not have to.

Oh…and while you’re at it, have your eyes checked and your teeth cleaned.

I’ll keep you posted on today’s outcome.

Kip is inside getting one of Quicktrip’s good cinnamon rolls.