Tribute To A Loving Hubby

Without details, just let me say this medical situation I'm going through with this ol' body is getting me down some days. In the past 2 months I've had 2 "meltdowns." It is not a life threatening problem, just a frustrating condition that I had no clue could happen to a body. A very frustrating problem.

And my hubby is the best in the world, bar none.

One night I was sitting in the family room while he was in his office/computer room. I just silently began to weep out of control. He came in, saw me, and tried to console me, stroking my arm and trying soothing words. I told him I just couldn't talk at the moment. He kept trying to find out what the problem was. I just couldn't and didn't want to talk. (Trust me, I am not pretty when I cry. Some women are darling. Me? I'm pretty darn pathetic looking!) Now, we women know that sometimes we just need to cry/meltdown and let it go. That was one of those nights. But he kept stroking my arms, putting his arms around me and trying his best to figure out what was going on. I just couldn't talk about it. Really. I just needed to cry and get the emotions/frustrations out. I was inconsolable.

Then one night I was sitting in my chair and had my hand over my eyes while reading. I'm an avid reader and do that more than anything right now, just want to be taken out of my world into the world of spies, espionage and thrillers. ;-) He came in and started stroking my arm and asked if I was okay. I believe he thought I was melting down again, but I wasn't. Just had my hand on my forehead while reading. He was very solicitous that night.

Then yesterday I told him I was going to grocery shop alone and would be back. On the way to the store I felt like sobbing and almost started but held back because—heaven forbid—I didn't want my mascara running down my cheeks! I actually held it together better with just a tiny breakdown last night while he was busy doing something else.

So, this morning at breakfast, I explained to him I'm fine and that sometimes I just need to cry to get the frustrations and emotions out. My guy of 52 years is truly my soul mate. He knows me better than any other person on earth. He treats me like a queen. I love him beyond reason and am so glad he's my husband.

Ooooh, I'll get through this and will be fine...I hope. But without him I'd be a wreck most of the time. ;-)
*

Love froufrou!

This room just grabbed me with those outdoor type chairs mixed with that lovely flowered sofa.

Another lovely vignette.

Can you imagine stationery this gorgeous?!

Don't know where it is but looks Bavarian. What beautiful architecture and rowing boats.

Sweetly decorated little hearts to hang anywhere you want.

A miniature pink coat.

These chairs remind me of Coco Chanel suits.

You wouldn't catch me standing outside a lighthouse with all those waves. I'd be cowering—and screaming—inside! WOW!!!

The prettiest cookies I've ever seen.

A sweet dining area with a fantastic view.

A small sachet.

A red, white and blue living room.

Isn't this adorable?

Another "tent" for an intimate occasion, which you could easily do.

*

Tidbit:
Azaleas and rhododendrons contain a toxin that can be fatal to humans. So be careful having them around children.
~*~ 

Linking to SOS WOW 
and
Favorite things 

Children Never Grow Out Of Some Things

I'll remind you again to visit my Pinterest page with over 7,000 photos of gorgeous eye candy. I don't think you'll be disappointed. Just click here.
*

How do I put this? Hmmmm...Well, I guess I could just say hubs has a hard time finding something in the house I've asked him to find. Usually it's a pantry item. He'll look and look and swear it's not there. While I'll know for a certainty it is. So then I go to the pantry in the kitchen or the smaller one in the laundry room or the shelves we have in a spare room to hold extra food items. I'll find it immediately unless we really are out of it, which is unusual because as soon as I'm down to my last 2 cans I'll put them on our shopping list to buy more. So I'm rarely without something I need. This applies to just about anything in this house besides food items.

When our son was here a few weeks ago, he came out of the guest bathroom and into the kitchen and washed his hands. I queried him about why he didn't wash them in the bathroom. He said, "I couldn't find any soap in there." His father and I just looked at each other. There are 2 sinks in there with a bar in a dish at each sink, 10 bars in a pretty dish holder between the sinks and several more bars in a drawer in there. Son is 49 years old and still can't see something right in front of him. Sigh.......He is soooooo like his dad!
*

Some of you who have been followers for a while might remember a book I was reading about the Secret Service, the men who protect our presidents. Here's another story.

A vice-president who espoused family values told his secret service detail to take him to the elegant St. Regis hotel. They took him in the back door and to a room on the fourth floor. He then asked them to come back in 3 hours. They then understood he was having an affair with a woman. They left him there unprotected, a clear dereliction of duty. As agents they were embarrassed because they were facilitating his adultery and felt like pimps. They couldn't look his wife in the eye after that. I never give the names but you can buy the book and read it to find out all the little secrets involving men who lead us.
*

Sweet home on a soothing pond.

Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous rose wreath!!!

Lovely lined laundry basket.

Adorable kitchen.

Beautiful living room.

I love this print fabric!

Sweet old tins.

A lovely old bottle with a stopper that just won't stop! Magnificent!

Now, this is what I'd call a tiny bedroom.

Pretty little sachets wrapped up with roses and bows.

Lovely lace garment.

Pretty jewelry.

A fantastic wreath. I don't think the flowers are real though. I'd love it no matter what. It's beautiful.

Love these fabric roses.

Pretty close-up of a gorgeous pink rose!

*

Tidbit:
A single Formula One racing tire costs about $1,200.

Caroline Speaks

 I really recommend you go to my Pinterest and view almost 7,000 photos I've put on there. I think you'll enjoy viewing the ones I've come up with. Truly!
*

Also, this is my 1300th post. Yippee! I'm nothing if not tenacious. ;-)
*

I wish all of you a very Happy and Prosperous New Year. I never make resolutions or set goals. Never have and don't see that changing in the coming years. I do, however, vow to immerse myself in Scriptures this year. I was most lax this past year. I try to lead a spiritual and Christ-centered life but I am far lacking. I vow to be better.
*

It's 3 AM and I can't sleep, I so came in here to the computer room to blog. Isn't it pathetic when we can't sleep that we turn to blogging?

Anyway, got an email from granddaughter saying that Caroline is hurt because Santa forgot to bring her the Talking Mushroom. Well, that got everyone on her Facebook page looking for a "taking mushroom"! We think it's a book. Even her Poppop, my hubby, googled it to see what it could be. We think now it's a book that perhaps was read to her in her daycare class. This kid doesn't forget a thing!

Caroline was "sweeping" the kitchen with her tiny broom the other day saying, "forward" and "backward." She looked at her mother and said, "I can speak English and Spanish, mummy."  We don't know if forward or backward is the English or the Spanish! ;-)

Then a few days later she told her mummy that she could speak English, Spanish and Magic. I'd like to learn that Magic language myself. :-) Her daddy does speak Spanish, as do her other grandparents, even though he's losing the ability since he's lived in this country before he was a teenager but I don't think she knows much of it. (He is now a citizen and lost his diplomatic immunity when he had to give up his Guatemalan passport. So now he has to watch his speeding. Before, he'd just show them his diplomat passport from his mother working at the embassy. Now, he suffers like the rest of us! LOL) I think she just speaks the language of love to them and they understand because her paternal grandmother can't speak English. But it's so cute to watch them together.
*

I love making these mosaics for blogs. I don't do real mosaics, however, but eye candy is always on my posts.

An unusual combination of colors done beautifully.

I love this upholstery.

Pretty pillows serving as a vignette are always welcome around this house.

You can see yourself here, right?! ;-)

I remember when those chairs were NEW; now they're vintage.

Bathrooms that don't require a door or curtain on the shower always intrigue me.

Now, these are some cowgirl boots!

And pretty little petit point purses? Uh-huh!

Gorgeous place to be.

Edible eye candy. :-)

Absolutely stunning colors in bedding from Horchow.

Another quaint street.

Tropical leisure.

And lovely dishes.

*

Tidbit:
Legendary Notre Dame football coach Knute Rockne had his team's locker room painted an angry red and the visitors' locker room a soothing blue.
~*~
Linking up with NMH Open House and Katherine's Corner.

My Perspective On Some Things

I was reading recently on the internet, the only place we can get news since we don't have or want a television. I rarely if ever have the radio on either, even in the car. I usually listen to my CDs of old music from the 60s, 70s and 80s. I try to live a quiet life centered around God. Trust me, I need a lot of work! But I live in the world and try not to be of the world. But this article just floored me.

A "civilized" European country is seeking euthanasia for minors and Alzheimers patients. This is what they are seeking: the law to be extended to minors if they are capable of discernment or affected by an incurable illness or suffering that we cannot alleviate. What child could make this decision?! Have we sunk this low that we would kill our children and older citizens? I'm astounded. I know of a professor at a leading university that advocates killing of children who are Downs even after they're born and have reached a certain age. What a sad commentary. I also shouldn't want to be standing near him when our Savior comes. I'll sometimes find myself weeping for what goes on in the world. That's why I try to not read much about it, keeping my life centered on good instead of evil.
*

One of the little girls killed in Connecticut recently was a member of our Church. Her bishop in her ward is the son of a member of my ward. He—our ward member— called my hubby, a leader in our ward, to say he couldn't help with putting together our yearly widows and single ladies Christmas baskets because the little girl's family wants her buried in Utah and their bishop to travel with them to conduct the service. So the bishop called his dad (our ward member) and asked him to come help him get through the service. I imagine it's going to be a very tough day for everyone. Life is so fragile sometimes and we've cried over the tragedy but we have an eternal perspective that we'll all be reunited once again. Sometimes, that's all that can keep some of us going. Me? I'll just let the Lord decide when it's my time to leave this world. I wouldn't have it any other way.

I've heard people ask the eternal question: How come there's so much evil in the world? Well, we believe the Lord allows it to test us. How would we know what was good if we don't know evil? They're complete opposites! Now, don't get me wrong; I hate evil. But it's what we do in life that defines us, not the clothes, the cars, the big homes or celebrity. It's how we live our lives and the good we do. Again, don't get me wrong; I have a lot of repenting and work to do, but I'm trying my best to be a merciful, good person. It's my daily trial in life Trust. me. ;-)
*

This is a hotel. Wouldn't you love to stay there?

Sweet and cozy kitchen.

A lovely large bedroom with old wood floors and the most gorgeous lace spread I've ever seen.

I have enough lamps in this house but if I could have one more, it would be like this one. Maybe I'll redo a shade on one. Hmmmm......

This has given me an idea. You can make little crowns with lace by using decoupage and paint and fit them to your kids' heads or add a piece of elastic at the back. I think I'll do one for Caroline and Juliette.

How would you like to have an exquisite bedroom such as this one? Fantastic!

Another quaint cottage with a turret.

This hydrangea is one hundred years old. My hubby saw this and said, "WOW!!"

Cute container for when clipping your roses.

Gorgeous decorated bottles with their very own holder.

Beautiful rose soaps.

Beautiful way to store your laces. I wish I had saved my old spools from laces now.

Talk about isolated! Your own house on your own teensy, tiny island. Going out for a loaf of bread or quart of milk takes on a whole new meaning. ;-)

These have the look of MacKenzie-Childs. I doubt they are as there are so many duplications being made now of their items, but these are still gorgeous.

A Mary Francis designer handbag. It's my favorite one and I'd buy it if it didn't cost almost $300. I think it's absolutely, gorgeously stunning!!!

 *

Tidbit:
Washington's Mount Rainier was named for a British soldier who fought against the Americans in the Revolutionary War.
~*~