Momma

Dear Friends,

     So sorry to have taken so long to post anything.  We lost my dear momma this past October.  She has been ill for the better part of 5-6 yrs. suffering from breast cancer twice, lung cancer once, 2-stomach surgeries, she fell and broke her leg TWICE (yes, the same leg!) and numerous other minor aches and illnesses.  This past October her sweet little body just couldn't take anymore and she went home to be with her Heavenly Father.

     We are still dealing with her death as well as all the legalities that come when someone passes away and has lots of stuff, including a house.

     Please be patient with me as I'm sure my posts will be few and far between, at least for a little while longer.

     Hoping everyone had a blessed and wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!!  'Talk' with you soon,

God Bless,
Pat, A Remade Life

Mom, my daughter Brittany and grandson Brayden-early 2014

Sunday Morning Quiet Time

     It's VERY early here at my home and even after the last two days of high energy craziness, I find myself awake and blogging to YOU!!  This seems to be happening alot lately (not the blogging part--my bad, I know I need to blog more!) I wake up before my alarm goes off and lay in my bed trying to solve the problems of the world---well, at least those in my own life!

   What thoughts are going through my head at 4:30am in the morning?-----"remember to pay the insurance bill today, it was due yesterday';     'what am I going to feed Brayden (my grandson and best baby in the WORLD) for breakfast this morning, I don't have any eggs';     'I need to sort through all the vintage clothes I just bought on Friday and get them ready to post in my new internet shop---www.mykitschycloset.etsy.com';     'can I stay in my pajama's all morning or will I have to get dressed at some point--I don't want to get dressed or go anywhere today!';  and my all-time favorite----'can I go back to sleep or should I just get up and get on with life?!?'  What---you were expecting me to have REALLY deep, earth-shattering thoughts?  Nah, not at 4:30am in the morning!!!!

   But seriously, I have found myself thinking more and more about my life, past, present and future, and I have been concerned with what I've found.  I think all this is probably brought on because I will be having a "BIG" birthday in a few months----the big 6-0!!!  Just typing it makes me shutter-uugghhh!!   Anyway, I've started to wonder what my life would have been like if I had made 'different' decisions in my younger days.  Maybe not have married so young or started a family so soon.  Perhaps if I had stayed in college and become a graphic designer as I had planned.  Or perhaps me and my best friend at that time, Jackie, would have traveled to foreign lands to absorb all we could of their artist cultures.  Or even have done some missionary work here in the states or overseas--perhaps.  But dwelling on 'what could have been' does no one any good!

     And then I begin to see the faces of my children, I see then as the little ones they once were and remember the precious adults they have become.  I remember all the pain and illness my mom has gone through the past few years and I cherish every moment I still have with her.  I feel the warm breathe of my grandson Brayden as he falls asleep on my shoulder, his sweet body cuddled in my arms, and I realize........I am blessed.

   There is a wonderful scripture in Psalms 90--"Teach us to make the most of our time....and make our efforts successful.  Yes, make our efforts successful!" (NLT)  I believe that's what everyone wants in life, no matter your religion, no matter your nationality, no matter your race, political leanings or life-preferences.  We all just want to matter, to have our efforts in life be successful!!

     And although success can be measured differently by different standards, in my own eyes I am successful!  Was this the life I planned for myself so many years ago--definitely NOT!!  But is this the life, with all it's struggles and hardships and pains, that is making me the person God intended me to be----absolutely!!

     And so this early morning 'thought session' becomes a time to thank my Heavenly Father for all that I have and all that I will become.  I'm not were I need to be but I'm on my way, and that's ok!!  And so I leave you with a few pictures to enjoy and I pray you are blessed as I have been blessed.......

 

Brayden showing me his banana--cheeky fellow!!

 

My son Jonathan and I at the beach

 

Brayden and I visiting my mom at the nursing home

My daughter Brittany (Brayden's mom) and momma

My grandson Tyler age 7 (Jonathan's son) who lives in Michigan--we haven't seen him since he was 3 yrs old

 

 

 

    I hear Brayden stirring and must fix breakfast---God Bless all and any who read this!!

Pat, A Remade Life
 
 

"As the World Turns"

     Some of you may not remember that phase "As The World Turns"!  It was an old soap opera way back in the day, very popular from what I remember.  And very poetic/true.  No matter what may occur in our lifes, the world keeps on 'a-going'!  And so do we.

     Our Christmas holidays were marked with my mom going back into the hospital for breathing troubles on Christmas Day.  She is going back to the hospital more and more often and staying for longer 'visits'.  She just got out this past Monday and went back to the nursing home.  Her little body is holding on but each episode takes more and more away from her mind.  She rarely lives in reality anymore, often forgetting where she is, why she's not at her own home, who's alive and who's not (this one is very hard on her--she keeps believing my dad is still here) and she is always very disoriented.  It's hard to see my mom that way---she has always been so together and snappy.  My older sister is retired and taking care of all the issues that come with an aging parent.  I feel bad for Barbara since she must fight her own battles as well.  Please say a prayer for my mom 'Goldie Marie' and for our Heavenly Father's loving arms to be wrapped around her.

     On a different note, I had foot surgery on my right foot 4-days ago.  I knew it was going soon---I taught water aerobics for over 18 yrs---that's 18yrs of jumping on the side of the pool like a crazy person--something had to give and I guess it's my feet!!  Bone spurs, bunions and a bone that needed to be repositioned are just no fun, but I got it done and I'm at home recovering.  Wish I could say I've been able to work on lots of new projects, but the truth is, the pain drugs have better much kept me 'out of the loop' until today.  I do have some ideas a-brewin' that I'll share as they develop!

   So, that's it for now, foot is starting to complain so guess I better elevate it and make it smile!!

                          Yes, those are frozen veggies on my foot---couldn't find anything else!!


God Bless all and any who read this!
Pat, A Remade Life

Lots of Things a-happen'

     You ever notice how just when you think you can sit down and take a break all sorts of 'hoop-la' starts happening!?  Well, there is hoop-la galore happening around here!!

     Firstly, as I relayed in an earlier post, my mom fell again last month and broke the femur on her right leg---for the second time.  I'm happy to report that she is doing very well, came through the surgery fine and is currently at rehab were she will be for an undetermined amount of time.

     Secondly, things have changed for the better at Winnie Trade Days and they have found us another, smaller shop!  We are very excited about this as we truly love being at the Winnie show and have developed good relations with many wonderful customers.  And the fun part of all this is that our shop is actually a little house!!  It is soooo cute and we have great plans to fix it up--we will be in it by the January show.  More on that as it occurs.

     Thirdly, I have decided to specialize in vintage/retro clothing and will be opening an ecommerce website soon!  I am really, really excited about this adventure since I LOVE vintage/retro clothing and actually already have quite a collection.  I hope to have this website up and running within the next few weeks and will be sure to notify EVERYONE when it is.

     I do have one more adventure in the works, but 'mums' is the word on this one for now.  Just know that this one is like 'slap yo' mamma' exciting and could be the next step to a free-range life!!

     On another note, sure would like to hear from you guys.  A little comment here, a little 'word' there, would be nice.  Let me know what you are thinking, how your life is going and what I can do to help make your life pleasant!
Until next time, God bless all and any who read this,
Pat, A Remade Life

Loving Mom

     This coming Sunday is Mother's Day, a blessing to some and a day of sadness for others.  It is a day when some are able to show their mom how much they are loved and appreciated and it is a day for others to mourn the loss of their parent and review fond memories of her love.  Whatever meaning this day may have for you, my prayer is that you take time to enjoy the moment, to laugh over silly happenings, to cry over hurtful moments and to love with all your heart the wonderful person you call 'mom'.  My mom is 86 years old and is fighting cancer for the third time in her life.  She is doing an awesome job!!  Her tumor has shrunk over 50% and is responding well to chemo.  Mom is frail, unsteady and becoming forgetful, but she is still my momma.  I will not post her picture here because she has lost all her hair, only weighs 98 lbs and I know it would embarass her, so I will describe her to you: 
- she is a small women, reaching only 5ft tall (she use to be 5ft 2in)
- her hair was a snowy white but now she wears a white turban to cover her bald head
- she loved to dress in very nice, fashionable suits when she went to church, but now she wears her robe most times and church is viewed on TV
- she was one of the sharpest people I've ever known.  My sisters and I always accused her of taking a dictionary to the bathroom!  Now, she has trouble remembering words and peoples names
- and, even though I am 56 yrs old and have been on my own for 20 yrs, raised 3-children by myself and purchased a home of my own,  my mom still introduces me as 'her baby'and asks me all the time if I need any money!
     My mom is a strong woman, enduring many hardships in her life---loosing a first husband to an industrial fire, raising 2-young girls by herself for a while and loosing my daddy to cancer over 20 yrs ago. 
She is hard-headed (I get that from her!) stubborn (I also get that from her) and loves my 2-sisters and me with all her heart. It is her strong influence that has helped to make me who I am today.
     I must work on Mother's Day and will not be able to be with her, but I will call her and let her know how much she is loved and appreciated.  Not just for all she's done for me, but also because she is one of the most remarkable women I have ever known and I have the great honor to call her:  MOM
I love you momma,
Pat