Coffee Table ReStyle

Hi Friends, a few weeks ago I needed to finally put away all my "Spring" rabbits, bunnies, and whatever... I'd been putting it off cause I hadn't felt so great, but when everyone started talking "Summer" it was obvious that my sweet little Bunny Man Basket needed to be tucked away for next year.

Vintage Blooming Prints and the Consult

I don't have a lot of "blooms" around here yet. I've been putting off planting containers outside until I felt more like taking care of them. Some days I don't get much accomplished except laundry and putting something easy together for dinner. I'm really missing the color of my spring containers full of Geraniums, Million Bells and Lantana. So for now, I'm enjoying these old prints on the console in the Entry. Hopefully, I can get some plants out in a few weeks. It looks sort of bleak and forlorn around here.

The Next Step

Hi Friends, I just wanted to check in with you and let you know that I have an appointment with the Cardiologist here in town that does the CTO Procedure. The Chronic Total Occlusion Procedure is done to open up arteries that have been occluded and are nonfunctioning. It's something relatively new on the horizon of Cardiac Intervention and Care. I had tests earlier in the month to see if my heart was functioning well enough to attempt the semi-sort-of-surgical procedure. It's been a long month, people. I'm trying to stay positive, and really I can't do otherwise. God won't let me get too down or have too big of a pity-party. 

Pinterest

The alternative to trusting God over this doesn't work for me. I can gripe and complain, but then He lifts me back up and out of the dark place it's so easy to go. A few of you in the comments from my last post said they felt guilty for complaining about lesser problems and illnesses. But let me tell you...it's all relevant. every. single. trial we go through matters and if they're in your life and causing you worry, grief, and pain they each are known by The Father. He sees us and loves us and will deliver us. I could quote a whole boat load of scripture here, but I'm going to tell you that that is the TRUTH. I have Faith that God STILL has a good plan for my life and I'm believing that He will get me through this.

I'm a CNN Junkie, and I have to tell you I've been so grieved over the death of Prince. Not because I'm a huge fan,(although some of his music was captivating and brilliant) but because it grieves me to see men and women in their 50's and 60's that have so many hopes, dreams, and plans still to be fulfilled, die so suddenly. He was just a few years younger than me. He was a genius, and thought by many people to have been anointed by God as a child. He gave in to all the "showbusiness" junk when he was young, but had had a "come to Jesus meeting" and evidently had changed his life. I don't know what caused his death; some hint at a prescription drug problem brought on by chronic pain. (I totally understand Chronic Pain, it can eat you up and ruin your life) But friends, our bodies and our lives are so very fragile. Life can be over in a moment. Please ask yourself if you would be ready for that day if it were today. 

If you have questions about the CTO procedure, just type in CTO Heart Surgery and you'll get tons of info to check out. I appreciate your thoughts and prayers more than you can know. I'll let you know what I find out after the consultation. 

Love you all...

Debra

Hall Bathroom Shelf and an Update

Hi Everyone, things have been pretty quiet around here the last few weeks, but I wanted to say "Hello" to all of you and check in. One thing that I've finally managed to get accomplished is to put a few things up in the Hall Bath. 

I've been in Blogging Rehab...

It's been about 6 weeks since I've written a post, here. It was the week before Christmas when I said I needed a break. So, I've been on a journey this last 6 weeks, and it was a necessary decision that was a long time coming.

Last Minute Christmas and a Blogging Break

Hi Everyone,

I've been somewhat MIA this last week before Christmas.

I had plans to share with you

 a few of my last minute projects and decorating

but this week got away from me a little.

Knowing the Truth...

...about the real cause of Heart Disease.

I'm going to be honest from the get-go. This is not a post about crafting a beautiful floral heart, but it's something that I'm very familiar with, and something that I personally, have to take very seriously. And so should each of you. I wanted to post a pretty picture, so you would know where my intentions are coming from. I'm posting this because I care about you all, and it's important information that you should all be aware of. Not for yourself only, but for your husbands, parents, children and grandchildren.

souce unknown

found on Pinterest

This is me...

oh yeah, someone's a little lazy this weekend.
that would be me...
I have good news and bad news.
The good news is that I don't have to have surgery...
The bad news is that I won't be having surgery...at least not now.

The main thing I'd been praying for was an accurate confirmed diagnosis from my new doctors, and that we would have communication about what needed to be done. I had the heart cath and angiogram on Wednesday, and learned even more about my health situation. That the aneurysm was still small, that the part of my heart that is dead (non functioning) isn't causing any major risks right now, that I have two main arteries that are not functioning optimally, and another artery has been completely blocked from blood flow because of a previous stent placement. Now I have a picture and a reason for all my chest pain. Poor blood flow to major areas of my chest. One doctor labeled my heart mess as "complicated", the other as "tricky"...

great...

Short and sweet...just not bad enough to risk an open heart surgery, again. Only problem is that I'm still left with the daily pain of angina. I have to admit, when the cardiovascular surgeon realized my problems were not posing any immediate threats, (thank you, Lord) and he felt like the benefit at this time would not justify the risk, I was disappointed. I had hoped that surgery would solve my problems, but the doctor doing the heart cath explained that basically our bodies can only handle two of those major surgeries, and that right now would not be the time.

So I'm back to square one...

How to minimize the pain, and get some strength and stamina back. First thing is trying to find some meds that will accomplish this. There are lot's of heart medications out there, so the new cardiologist is trying to put together a plan that will better open up those vessels and give me the ability back to be more active and productive. Hard to have a life when you're in constant pain. It seems that I have small arteries and that added to the poor condition of them, make for problems.

I'm on a new to me drug that seems to be helping and I'm hoping that it will prove to be a way to take care of some of this without all the trauma of open heart surgery. And trying to be optimistic, I'm going to start cardiac rehab that will work on trying to get some strength back, which also helps regrow smaller arteries and veins for circulation.

So now you know more than you ever wanted to know about me and my wacky heart problems...

And I'm relieved that I don't have to spend the summer recuperating from major surgery. Now, to get the house sold so we're out from under that element of stress.

I feel like I've lost a year of my life because my previous cardiologist didn't have the time or desire to sit down long enough and listen to what I was saying. When doctors don't listen, neglect to tell you what's going on or what they have done, or be willing to look at options, we as patients can find ourselves in a boatload of confusion and poor health. Things could have been radically different if he had just taken the time to "think outside the box" and prescribe some different meds. I'm thankful that I've found a woman cardiologist who puts her patient's well being and future before a beeper and a busy schedule.

'nuff said.

I'm hoping that this is the last of the "woe is me" updates.

Here's to getting my life back...

love you guys, thanks so much for all your prayers and love.

Daisy Botanical in the Entry

Just checking in to say Hello, as this may possibly be my last post for awhile. We leave early next week for my appointment with my new cardiologist. After all this waiting, I'm starting to feel a little anxious about it all. I've spent all week checking to make sure all my records have been transferred from three different sources, and it doesn't help the situation for calm when one of them keeps giving me the run around and putting me off... not surprised, it's their usual.

Getting the house listed and all the little details have about done me in. We've been trying to finish up, but now that Summer is here the garage has turned into an oven. My poor hubby tries to do things after work, but it's still too hot. Honestly, we're too old for this...word to the wise, downsize and get your junk dealt with before you are too sick or tired to mess with it. You AND your kids will be thankful. Do I sound tired and grumpy?

Time for a change in the Entry this week. I had a couple of raw canvases that I'd brought home with me from the other house. I love their natural oatmeal-y linen look with tattered edges and nails. I thought a botanical of daisies looked perfect attached to the front. 

Speaking of daisies, I had planted Becky Shasta Daisies and Black Eyed Susans several years ago and have babied and babied them, but they've been slow to get growing...until now. Now there is a profusion of them, just getting ready to bloom. Hope I can enjoy them just a little.

Google Images

We've had quite a few house lookers, so hope good news will be soon.

We're ready to move on to the next chapter in life.

Feels like we've been stuck in this one for a little too long.

My little heart topiary needs to be trimmed up,

 but I'm enjoying the wild look.

Little birdie is back on his bookstack.

 Yep, definitely needs a trim.

That's some good ol natural patina there on this clay pot.

just can't replicate that.

I'll try to check back in next week and let you all know what's going on. This has been a hard week, as I'm having some fun new heart related symptoms that have kept me in bed most of the week. I know this is just a "season" that God is allowing me to walk through, but it's hard nonetheless. I've missed the last year of my life feeling like doggy doo, (see...I still have a sense of humor) and I'm ready for whatever it takes to get well and get this behind me. 

Thank God for a husband that is my best friend.

He has a lot on his plate right now.

Almost forgot...this week is my 5 year blogging anniversary.

Here's my first post.

Keep up the good thoughts and prayers, I wish I could get back with each of you individually, and give you a big hug and squeeze. You all mean so much to me, and I'm super grateful for you all being there. I've been trying to keep up with your blogs, even though I haven't left comments...I've still been there. OK, this is sounding pretty pitiful, so I'll say...love you guys, talk soon.

A Closer Look... at Life

I haven't shared much that's been going on with the move in detail, because, number one, it has been such a major ordeal, and number two, I'm trying let go of the old house and some of my ways of thinking. It goes way beyond "downsizing", but I haven't been able to share all that with you until now. My health is what has precipitated this move, (most of you know that I have had heart issues stemming from an hereditary problem) as the house and property are more than my hubby and I want to deal with now. We need a fresh direction in life.

This move has been one of the toughest things I've had to do in years. I think it's because I have still been having problems with my heart which I haven't discussed much since last Fall, (I'll fill you in later in the post) and because of that, I can't do what I want to do. So much frustration when you can't do the things you used to do, and now have to have someone else do them for you.

God has been at work through all this, giving me the ability to get the house packed and arranging for things to be sold. I knew I couldn't do it on my own, so He has sent people my way to make it easier. This last week, on short notice, He sent my sister and her hubby, my mom, and then a dear friend that is in the junk biz to organize the garage sale, and then haul off all the leftovers. My husband wanted me to forego a sale and just donate it all, but it's been therapeutic in many ways and part of the process of me letting go... and moving forward.

It's not that I'm having a problem with selling the old house, because I'm really looking forward to a new home. We've been talking about what we want and need, and I'm confident that it will be wonderful, and that we'll have a "place" for all that we've stored away. It's just that this has been so long and drawn out; a painful process, in many ways. We know this is a year of transition for us, and transition isn't always easy or "pretty".

I just feel like now is the time I need to be a little more transparent about what's been going on with me personally, healthwise, without being a big bummer for you all. I have an appointment with a new cardiologist in St. Louis that I'll be seeing next month. I cannot tell you how long overdue this is. My current cardiologist, is not a specialist in the area that right now I'm desperately needing counsel in. Because he isn't a specialist, he doesn't see the importance in guiding me to get the help that I need.

I don't like drama and innuendo; leaving people guessing, so I'll get graphic for a moment to explain what all this is about. Last August I knew something was very wrong, I started feeling horrible and had pain that I hadn't had before. After a heart catheterization, a large blood clot was removed that was blocking my stent and we realized I'd actually had another heart attack, and because of the prolonged situation, I had had an aneurysm that had burst and bled out into the surrounding heart tissue. Also that the tip (apex) of my heart is now dead. non functioning. A left ventricular aneurysm is tricky at best, and most people die from this immediately. I had God's hand on me and and He saved my life once again, but now I have a condition that is controversial. 90% of cardiologists know it's a necessity to have reconstructive surgery, or heart "remodeling" where they take out the dead tissue. Otherwise you're a ticking time bomb for having a rupture of the dead tissue pulling away from the living viable tissue. The mortality rate is high, but some doctors prefer to just leave it alone. Problem is that most people that have this are elderly and are in congestive heart failure. I'm not either of these, and I desperately want to have my life back.

So I'm going to see a specialist at Barnes in St. Louis where they have a team of doctors who all they do is aneurysm repair. I'm not worried and I'm confident that they have answers for me, one way or another. I'm looking for an honest assessment of my situation and hope that surgery can put right most of the problems I've had this last year. (Blood clots and a lot of debilitating pain) It will be worth going through open heart surgery again, to be feeling better, and more on track with life in general.

As for these pics of thread... I have had an old sewing machine cabinet of my paternal grandmother's that I knew was time to sell. I have had it over 40 years, and it's traveled all over the US, but now was when it needed to go. I went through the drawers and found a stash of my grandmother's threads and needles, and pulled them out to keep. I also found this wonderful old Meakin Ironstone bowl that I had buried in one of my garage tubs. I love handling the old wooden spools that my grandmother used, and feel a dear connection in them.

Miss Jenkins always has to be close by,

 and if she can be in the photo, then all the better.

The thought of my grandmother using them, their age,

 and subtle mellowed shades, bring tranquility, peace, and calm. 

I'll share more with you in the next weeks as we finish up the house and get it on the market. I know that God's timing is perfect, and I know He is in control of my life and health. He has the buyer for our home, and is planning our new one, too. There are many factors that will have to come together to see His plan come to fruition, but I'm confident that it will. He's never let me down before, so we take each day, knowing He is leading and guiding us.

God has been requiring me to take a closer look at life...

at my life.

To get it all in focus, and to appreciate the smallest thought and gesture;

and to be grateful for all the people he uses to help and walk with us.

I've learned over the years, that if I follow His lead, He not only takes care of all the details, but blesses many people through the "process". And I'm learning that no experience should be wasted or discounted. Life is indeed a process, and I'm believing that there will be answers and justification coming.

As for blogging, I'll be putting the link parties on hiatus, I hadn't meant to stop so soon, but I know now is the time, This week will be the last "Be Inspired" for a while. Anyone that hosts a party knows that it's a lot of responsibility and takes several hours at least to do it right each week. I'll still be blogging, but it will be when I have something to share that's an inspiration to all of you, and then I'll be letting you know how things are going. There have been days where I'm in bed with a boatload of medications...I just can't keep up any longer, especially with this last push on the house business.  I'll keep you filled in. Please know that I hold all of you closely, and enjoy your posts and find the inspiration a daily infusion of joy. I can sit at my computer and get lost in another place. It's important to do this for as long as I can.

I just felt that it was time to share what's going on. I don't like keeping things hidden, and because all of you are considered as friends, I knew now was the time to share all this. You know how much I need your prayers and good thoughts coming. I'll still be here, I'm not closing things down, just knowing now's the time to make some changes. See you Thursday morning...love you all, 

joining in at Savvy Southern Style

                                                           

Checking in...

Just wanted to let you know that I'm back home...

image via

and that I'm so glad to be here.

... but, I can safely say that the last few days rank pretty low in the "Fun Ways to Spend Your Week" category.  The heart catheterization and angiogram should be considered successful, in that we found that I did have two major artery blockages that were 99% occluded, and that the only way I was still here was the fact that I had been taking nitroglycerin every few hours since last week just to keep the arteries in my heart dilated. While I'm going through something I never want to talk about how bad it is, but now that it's in the rear view mirror I can look back and say "Holy C_ _p!, that was a close one." (please pardon my French) 

Then on top of the physical trauma of having yet one more stent put in and another artery being "roto-rooted", (too small for a stent) being pumped full of 3 times the normal amount of drugs for the test, pain killers, and every other piece of junk drug they can throw at you, I was sick all day yesterday retching, my body naturally trying to get it all out.

Right now I'm just trying to find my footing in all of this. I've been sitting here this morning at my computer going back through my photo files of the last few years. That always helps me see where I've been and know where I want to be going. Do you know what I mean..? I'm not just talking decorating photos or projects, but where my head and heart are, what I love to be doing, and seeing the priorities in my life. I know it won't take me long until I'm "back". I'm already itching for September when I can safely put out my pumpkins and bittersweet. So I know that "the real me" is still here underneath this "event" that has just happened to me.

I know that so many of us, by the time we reach middle age, have had life altering events, illnesses or tragedies, broken marriages, or family relationship problems. Not many of us are exempt from "life". I know it's all in how we approach it and our mental, emotional and spiritual strength. I know that if it weren't for God's hand of intervention 11 years ago I would have been dead then, so I thank Him every day for the extra time I've been given.

OK, now that I have all that out, I want to say thank you so much for all the love and prayers that came to me from you all. I had tears in my eyes through each sweet and supportive comment. you all are the best. thanks for being there and for your honest care and concern. This may sound superficial and silly in light of all that I've been through, but I never celebrated my 4th blog anniversary and I've had a really wonderful give away planned for quite awhile, so hopefully I can celebrate with you all...hopefully this next week. That might be a good way to get back in the swing of things...a little celebration. I think I can use one about now.

lots of love to you all,

World War III

Take a look at these two cuties.

yes, there are two of them.

They are 6 year old sisters from the same litter.

Good buds...

until a few weeks ago.

Then World War III broke out.

They are very territorial and jealous.

What can I say...

I'm just irresistible.

anyhoo, lately they have been fighting,

And I don't just mean "fighting"

but all out war.

Growling, hissing, chasing. 

Now envision

the cartoon version of two

Tasmanian devils going at it...

in the house...

on the bed...

in my lap...

OK, so I took one of the little sweethearts to the vet...

no illness,

just bad attitudes all around.

The Vet says this happens in the Spring,

among female house cats.

So a bottle of kitty anti-anxiety pills,

and a diffuser full of of happy pheromones,

which has now replaced my

Bath and Body Works verbena variety.

Then to top it off, a "good behavior" collar for each.

All joking aside,

if you have more than one cat and there are problems

such as fighting or "inappropriate potty places"

then you might check into this.

The vet said that usually stress is the result

of urinary tract infections in cats and kittens.

Glad that hadn't started yet...

Now I'm off to see if I can find a collar that might fit me...

and back to the original programming...

Everything but the Kitchen Sink: Give Aways, Awards and My Surprise News

First of all My Surprise News, which while may not seem like a lot to some of you, is actually a pretty wonderful and exciting "Big Deal" for little ol' me. Since last February when I had to pretty much "cease and desist" from the scene of antique store spaces and flea market booths due to health reasons, I have felt a void in my life. Yes, I needed to cut back drastically and slow way down, but I still missed the junkin' life. I have had a small "closet" booth at Spring Creek Tea Room and Antiques, and it was good for me to have, but because of the size (5x7) I was really limited in my display fun and amount of merchandise that I could bring in.

Spring Creek Tea Room

Ozark, Missouri

(photo taken last fall)

This place is always packed, Tuesday thru Saturday.

With the best lunch in the area.

And as you sit here savoring
your wonderful chicken salad

and drooling into your Milky Way Cake,

you will be able to see my
 new booth space.

 

This is my "little closet"...

 

That I have right now.

And this is where I will be headed as of March 15.

Twice the size, and in a wonderful location.

Now keep in mind
 this is not my "stuff",

but the space itself.

It is directly across from the tea room

and highly visible. Yeah!!

I have tried doing a close up of these chippy doors

which I will get to keep,

but my computer will not cooperate.

So these are the "befores" of the space.

Keep a good thought for me as I get to redecorate

this spot and bring in lots of fun things...

all things vintage, shabby, cottage, farmhouse, girlie,

garden, and just a touch of "ooh la la"!

And now for the Give Aways!

Dawn of the Feathered Nest,

"World's Sweetest Blogger"

is having a celebration giveaway

for her 3rd. Blogiversary.

And the super talented Rebecca from

Rebecca for Vintage Living,

is having a give away

of the most gorgeous necklace,

to celebrate her 200th follower.

And thank you sweet Debbie from Talking Trash

and the vivacious Robelyn of Red Neck Chic, 

for awarding me with the 

Not a Stepford Blog Award. 

Love You!

Thanks for hanging in there with me

for this multi-faceted news program!

Hope you're off to a great Monday!

Debra