"I am Loved" Bracelet

I meant to post this eons ago. But, life has a funny way of messing with your plans. And, I had many plans. They were just postponed. I've been gone for quite some time without feeling like doing much of anything.

Anyway, I found these pictures about the "I am Love" bracelet and just had to post.



Way back in January, Dan received this via mail. It was for a free pearl bracelet from Helzberg Diamonds as a Valentine's Day promotion – no purchase necessary. I told Dan we have to go check it out. I figured it'd be an el cheapo bracelet. But, who cared! It was a free! And, I must confess that I'm a freebie addict.

So, we went to the store the following Sunday (Jan 31st) to check it out. This was the same day that I received a text from my brother saying Mom fell and was in the hospital. This was the beginning of putting my plans on hold for this blog. I ended up going home to Mother's several days after I received word about her. Talk about a mixed bag of memories.

Anyway...



This bracelet turned out to be rather nice! I was amazed and pleased with it. The pearls not perfectly round, which I like. And, guess how much this bracelet was selling for?



Can't you see it? It's that first number circled -- $50.00. That was an absolute shocker! And, we managed to get it for free! I was absolutely thrilled.

I know "I am Loved" – loved by God... And, by my Dan... a very nice thing to have, to wear, and to remind me of that fact from time to time.

I iz on ur 'puter limitin ur access

Gracie.

She was a very demanding critter today wanting attention. And, very sneaky. She came up while I was plugging away. I thought she wanted on my lap as usual. Instead, she quickly got on the laptop and laid down before I could protest. I had to laugh, grab my rinky dinky Kodak EasyShare camera that was nearby and take a picture.

My Surprise Easter Basket

When I arrived home last night from a long extended stay at Mother's, there was this cutest Easter Basket full of loot waiting for me on the kitchen island. I was pleasantly surprised! Wasn't this sweet of my Dan to think of me?

This is not the original way he organized the basket. I tried to recreate it the way he had it, which looked so lovely. However, I did not succeed. I don't know how he managed to fit it all in a pleasing manner.



The loot! He got me some of my favorite candy and snack mixes, sharpies, replacement blades for my mini utility knife, a cheap movie I have been wanting to see for a long time, and two bamboo trivets.

In case you do not know. I'm an office supply junkie. So the sharpies were wonderful. And, I've been needing some replacement blades (but, I didn't know where to get them). I'm also a lover of anything bamboo. So, receiving the bamboo trivets made my day.

Take a good look at the basket again... The basket has a removable hat – too cute! This will be good to wear when I'm out and about doing yard work. And, purple is my favorite color.

Another Update (Mother)

It’s been a really strange and uplifting week. First, on Sunday, Mother looked at Dan and said “I’m going to get out of here”. That was a shocker because she hadn’t said anything like that in a very long time.

Second, she started to look better Monday morning. Her last dosage of antibiotics was on Sunday. So, it could be that her antibiotics were making her feel ill also. She continued to act more like herself and look healthier throughout the week.

I was all worried and stressed out because I didn’t know how she would handle my slow withdrawal. Surprisingly, she hasn’t said much about my “disappearances” until Wednesday. At first, I showed up early like always because she’s been sick. But, I sighed with relief on Tuesday upon seeing her doing wonderfully. So, I started showing up later in the morning and leaving just before noon. I went shopping Monday and Tuesday while she had therapy.

When I figured that Mom would be fine, I decided to come home (to her house) on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday for lunch and to do stuff around the house. I started scanning in slides once again. I also washed her quilt and some of her towels on Thursday. I cleaned out her van on Friday.

My Mother started getting needy Wednesday night and was very much so on Thursday. That worried me. I prayed that she wasn’t getting sick again or something else. She wanted me to stay with her the night. I cannot stay with her and she knows that. And on Friday, she was very much impatient with herself. She said that “she’s never going to get out of here” and “I’m going to die in here”. I had to reassure her and that she must be patient with herself and continue to do well in physical therapy.

My brother is getting the reports from the physical therapists. He’s not much of a communicator (typical man); but, he sent me messages almost every day saying that the therapists were pleased and / or she did well. On Wednesday, he texted me that therapy is going to be extended next week. Yay! We are so pleased and happy.

I’ve been thinking about what could have caused her turnaround in attitude as she now desires to get out of that place once again. It could be that she’s finally feeling better and more like herself. It could be because she knows that I will not be there after Sunday. It could be due to receiving some blessed news – her youngest granddaughter, who is also my niece AND goddaughter, is expecting her first baby. I can hardly wait!

Who knows what the reason is. All that matters is that she’s made a 100% about face and is doing awesome.

In the meantime, I’m getting ready to go home tomorrow (Sunday). I’m both excited and scared. I’m excited to return home with Dan. I’m wondering if my cats will remember me. I miss them so much. But, at the same time, I’m worried about Mother. However, she has my brother and his family nearby. If she would just swallow her pride and call him whenever she needs to, she’ll be fine. I pray that she remains healthy. I pray that she continues to do well in therapy.

I do plan on returning home in two weeks. I will return home sooner than that if I’m needed. In the meantime, I’ll take it one day at a time, one week at a time.

Book Review: Bookends

Author: Liz Curtis Higgs
Publisher: Multnomah Books (May 4, 2005), paperback, ISBN: 978-1590524374
Date Published: October 1, 1991
Category: Christian, fiction, romance

Synopsis

Opposites attract? Maybe not.

Emilie Getz and Jonas Fielding are as different as two people—of the same age, with the same faith, living in the same charming Pennsylvania town—could be.

She loves history; he loves new ideas. She sticks to the rules; he likes to break them. She’s into saving relics; he’s into saving souls. The one trait they share is a penchant for controlling every aspect of their lives, including their stubborn hearts.

When Emilie’s search for an archaeological treasure leads her to the one piece of land she can’t have (thanks to Jonas), they choose opposing sides in an engaging battle of wits. Emilie, a no-nonsense sort of woman, is determined to have her way. But Jonas is on a mission as well: He wants to hear Emilie laugh. Often.

I picked up this book at a nearby Mardel on clearance. In fact, I picked up a total of five books (really nine books because two were trilogies) for a total of $8.00.

Bookends is a nice clean read, which is what I like most of the time. Both characters are older than your typical romance novel characters, which is great considering I’m older than your average romance reader. Their issues and struggles are realistic and the courtship is unusual. The storyline has humor throughout. Emilie’s reaffirmation of her relationship with Christ may also appeal to many readers.

My personal rating: 4 out of 5 stars