tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11123048859940734002024-03-18T13:43:49.472-07:00Ash Tree CottageLife With Susan and OliverSusan Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04323206599839838089noreply@blogger.comBlogger2089125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112304885994073400.post-28036983273666032772022-02-07T12:48:00.000-08:002022-02-07T12:48:51.389-08:00The Heart Healthy Lifestyle<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjb6Em1WT_GcEKBY2Izp55Klj70IllPUt-hwBNv83ZGKRNsujz68j-6gvcumpknERk4skr_lspinlUWdog8SeKZ2LpLmP2MvVRKYjRaMjOKQ-bKgLVmPJ65fBJLOUOXcCUiazr4Zt408hMYWOnGPHojY3UoEt3aynwS7cBalL7qye-dgk75c4OhMi1B=s3264" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjb6Em1WT_GcEKBY2Izp55Klj70IllPUt-hwBNv83ZGKRNsujz68j-6gvcumpknERk4skr_lspinlUWdog8SeKZ2LpLmP2MvVRKYjRaMjOKQ-bKgLVmPJ65fBJLOUOXcCUiazr4Zt408hMYWOnGPHojY3UoEt3aynwS7cBalL7qye-dgk75c4OhMi1B=w363-h404" width="363" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As most of you already know, I have lived through two tough</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">years with serious health issues. Thank the Lord that I have </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">survived cancer and a stroke. What this has taught me is</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">that despite my prior beliefs, I am NOT invincible. I </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">face life with a different attitude and have adopted changes</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">to help me live a longer and happier life.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In February, our thoughts are turned to the romantic </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">side of our hearts. Love, flowers and candy dominate</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the days leading up to Valentine's Day. We all </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">enjoy every aspect of the holiday, but we should also</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">remember to care for our own hearts. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So, for the remainder of this month I plan to</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">incorporate the tips I have learned on my own path</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">to better heart health. The first tip I want to share</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">is the importance of managing stress. I will admit that</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have not always been successful at doing this. I</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">have been forced to deal with some pretty rough</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">patches in life despite my illnesses. In order to</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">preserve my health and be happier, I have been</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">focusing on changing my perspective and the way I</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">view things to shrug off the negative feelings. The </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">best way I have discovered is to stop everything and</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">breathe. I found a wonderful app that I have added to</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">my iPhone called iBreathe. It's a free app, and you</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">can set it to remind yourself to breathe and how long</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">to hold the breath and how many reps you want to</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">perform. It's easy and it has helped me enormously.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So now, whenever I feel the stress creeping up, I</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">just stop and breathe. It works wonders!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Love,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Susan and Oliver</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Susan Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04323206599839838089noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112304885994073400.post-1215954873902314662022-02-04T10:52:00.000-08:002022-02-04T10:52:10.107-08:00A Basket of Hearts<p><br /> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7G55DkS8CBbJSBc6GNCUVQkOzBJyWQ3yJgQOT4fjmZQEMp-0Dew9Ag58K5swM5VkT5oU8gH_ttebGxFiOOiAWQzY1-ho8TuOZnkX8OTA7d7rZ7w06VkvdnxoUPotXEoq3MlB1qeUwX5MmhCCNzOnlujyHJxiGLkvxpB5N6KQ0UlGxjnlPxDGtCd0G=s3264" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7G55DkS8CBbJSBc6GNCUVQkOzBJyWQ3yJgQOT4fjmZQEMp-0Dew9Ag58K5swM5VkT5oU8gH_ttebGxFiOOiAWQzY1-ho8TuOZnkX8OTA7d7rZ7w06VkvdnxoUPotXEoq3MlB1qeUwX5MmhCCNzOnlujyHJxiGLkvxpB5N6KQ0UlGxjnlPxDGtCd0G=w463-h575" width="463" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A few days ago I was in a thrift shop I had never been to before. I</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">found two baskets I liked, and one of them was this white wicker</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">one. It was in perfect condition and only cost $1, so of course it </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">had to come home with me!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's really cold here, and once again we are about to lose all of</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">our ginger plants just like we did last year. Really makes me</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">sad.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Love,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Susan and Oliver</div><p></p>Susan Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04323206599839838089noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112304885994073400.post-44577564982819066932021-11-11T07:32:00.001-08:002021-11-11T07:32:40.091-08:00Forever Cottage Core<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6gwtyvAVJHg/YY0z9eYbsWI/AAAAAAAAj-8/Qctan9uXKOg8Vwel3Gwo1EUq2duEvIhJQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ACC1AE5E-2ADE-4828-A2DF-9C8C629BB80D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1638" height="687" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6gwtyvAVJHg/YY0z9eYbsWI/AAAAAAAAj-8/Qctan9uXKOg8Vwel3Gwo1EUq2duEvIhJQCNcBGAsYHQ/w552-h687/ACC1AE5E-2ADE-4828-A2DF-9C8C629BB80D.jpeg" width="552" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I was cottage core before it became a lifestyle term. It's no secret that I love the</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">old, well worn and well loved look. In the Fall and all through the Winter</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">months this look just draws me in and keeps me snuggled.</div><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QwCJAKtGwAY/YY01NbdG6HI/AAAAAAAAj_M/taVcqAk2FPUt7uLkStaUyeoTbYlbUsDsgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/02F9E582-1683-4AFD-ABC0-FD1AB8C8CCDE.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="460" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QwCJAKtGwAY/YY01NbdG6HI/AAAAAAAAj_M/taVcqAk2FPUt7uLkStaUyeoTbYlbUsDsgCNcBGAsYHQ/w460-h460/02F9E582-1683-4AFD-ABC0-FD1AB8C8CCDE.jpeg" width="460" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is the sitting room of our main bedroom. This is my favorite</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">spot to sit and read or watch old movies on the weekend when</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">David is immersed in a football game or golf match on the</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">big screen TV in our family room. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ce6CD4CiMKc/YY03MnZizxI/AAAAAAAAj_c/u6bv7tT2p9wEPA0F3qhSfk_T64vESVu-QCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/AD471DB8-9ED7-4935-A03B-B9656600A0C6_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="552" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ce6CD4CiMKc/YY03MnZizxI/AAAAAAAAj_c/u6bv7tT2p9wEPA0F3qhSfk_T64vESVu-QCNcBGAsYHQ/w414-h552/AD471DB8-9ED7-4935-A03B-B9656600A0C6_1_201_a.jpeg" width="414" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It maybe called Cottage Core, but I call it home.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Love,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Susan and Oliver</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>Susan Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04323206599839838089noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112304885994073400.post-45441516833616286942021-10-31T09:27:00.002-07:002021-10-31T09:27:32.407-07:00Thanks for All the Love!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1MIfq_yqQ6Y/YX7B3HbrVCI/AAAAAAAAj94/P58XjVp5nX8cJsHg6MIE-TiiQGRramv-QCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6CF4E30B-6F9B-4126-BE0B-F5301F10B946_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1496" height="780" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1MIfq_yqQ6Y/YX7B3HbrVCI/AAAAAAAAj94/P58XjVp5nX8cJsHg6MIE-TiiQGRramv-QCNcBGAsYHQ/w572-h780/6CF4E30B-6F9B-4126-BE0B-F5301F10B946_1_201_a.jpeg" width="572" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am overwhelmed by your thoughtful and compassionate comments regarding</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">my recent stroke. It has been a scary experience, but I am so very thankful to</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">have survived without any permanent damage. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Your kind words of encouragement are better than any medicine my</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">doctors can prescribe.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Love,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Susan and Oliver</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Susan Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04323206599839838089noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112304885994073400.post-82593850267050363342021-10-28T09:32:00.006-07:002021-10-28T09:36:32.777-07:00After the Stroke<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gZIOG3PrcYI/YXrI8lnJYWI/AAAAAAAAj9k/LdeKtcD3tuw-1A-h3I9JphVaugaH6VyhACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/B9BDB617-EBBC-4218-9317-161CD6CA824A_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="643" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gZIOG3PrcYI/YXrI8lnJYWI/AAAAAAAAj9k/LdeKtcD3tuw-1A-h3I9JphVaugaH6VyhACNcBGAsYHQ/w482-h643/B9BDB617-EBBC-4218-9317-161CD6CA824A_1_201_a.jpeg" width="482" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After a very long absence from this blog, I am back. Life has been filled</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">with ups and downs for me in the past two years. I had a life threatening</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">illness, followed by cancer and all of the treatment that arises from that</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">dreadful disease. During my cancer, my weight went down to 78 pounds.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">People often talk about the difficulty of losing weight, but for those who</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">become so frightfully thin, the struggle to gain weight lost is very real.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The doctors advised me to eat, eat everything, and so I did. No one was</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">concerned about the type of food I was consuming, just that I consume</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">lots of it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In hindsight, I wish I would have more carefully monitored my diet,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">but I did not. In fact, it was unusual for me to eat a diet so rich in</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">calorie laden, fat filled foods, but alas, I did it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Also during the height of my cancer battle, the Covid pandemic hit,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and because my husband was employed in the oil and gas industry,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">when the price of oil dropped to $0 per barrel, he was laid off from</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">his job. This was very stressful for me. We were facing an unknown</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">future on all fronts, so it seemed. The co-pays for my cancer</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">infusions were staggering. My beloved little Yorkie Bentley had died</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">at age 14. In my mind, things could not get any worse. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In typical fashion, I covered up my heartache. I did my best to be upbeat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I didn't fully convey the heartache and anger I felt about the cards I</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">had been dealt. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On October 5th, just three weeks ago, I learned that there didn't </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">appear to be any hope of my husband returning to his former job.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I was devastated. We had given up everything back in Idaho to</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">move down to Texas expressly for this job. Now it was over and</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">we are stuck in a small city with few good job opportunities. I was</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">angry and afraid. I started to sob. The kind of heart wrenching </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">sobs one gets when it appears that all hope is gone. I went to </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">sit down in a chair in our bedroom. That's when it hit me, a </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">stroke that left me paralyzed on my left side. I went to the </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">emergency room by ambulance. I was given the clot buster</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">drug, and then air lifted to Houston for treatment at the University</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">of Texas Medical Hospital's stroke unit. I recovered and could </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">return home. I'm on meds and a very heart healthy diet. I was</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">one of the lucky ones. Now I have choices to make. Where does</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">life lead me now? Having faced death twice within two years,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">it is a very important decision to make </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Love,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Susan and Oliver</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><br /> <p></p>Susan Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04323206599839838089noreply@blogger.com46tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112304885994073400.post-71855491792857833672021-03-23T11:10:00.001-07:002021-03-23T11:10:27.989-07:00New Additions<p><br /> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CLnz3_MIg7c/YFosYWBp_OI/AAAAAAAAjgQ/kiEF8pdNhts0yvyTHYe2PIfO7VK77DsoACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/9F7A76A4-9071-49E9-A17D-F24711D6E7FE_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="690" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CLnz3_MIg7c/YFosYWBp_OI/AAAAAAAAjgQ/kiEF8pdNhts0yvyTHYe2PIfO7VK77DsoACNcBGAsYHQ/w518-h690/9F7A76A4-9071-49E9-A17D-F24711D6E7FE_1_201_a.jpeg" width="518" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have a lot of garden clean up to do, but I thought I would just stop</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">by and share some photos of the new additions to my</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">breakfast room. This area has been decorated and redecorated</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">more than once, but I was tired of how it looked, so I</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">added a couple of pretty plates and a copper mold. Ya'll</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">know how much I love copper!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Nd7mvpCbfE/YFosllcSGxI/AAAAAAAAjgU/WB_c-fKcNDQjbE00ZPCp-IFajoVnPl5jACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/21E5502E-AA2E-4A62-9F9F-AC0063A9CAE2_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="672" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Nd7mvpCbfE/YFosllcSGxI/AAAAAAAAjgU/WB_c-fKcNDQjbE00ZPCp-IFajoVnPl5jACNcBGAsYHQ/w504-h672/21E5502E-AA2E-4A62-9F9F-AC0063A9CAE2_1_201_a.jpeg" width="504" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So now I am really loving this spot.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5cKAsVCx_Qs/YFotD58gTXI/AAAAAAAAjgk/bVO0cmwResg00MJr0000SAQbbd5rwlE1gCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/AEE67C60-C3CD-4E61-9ABF-BF0E96F185A6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="497" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5cKAsVCx_Qs/YFotD58gTXI/AAAAAAAAjgk/bVO0cmwResg00MJr0000SAQbbd5rwlE1gCNcBGAsYHQ/w497-h497/AEE67C60-C3CD-4E61-9ABF-BF0E96F185A6.jpeg" width="497" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I also changed out the milk glass pitcher for a red</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">transferware one. I'm loving this one too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Well, off to the garden. I am hoping that the live oaks </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">will stop dropping their leaves soon. I will be bagging</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">more leaves from beds today. My azaleas are blooming, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">but nothing like their usual splendor. The freezing temps</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">were tough on them. I lost my Mexican Heather and looks</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">like my Carolina Jasmine too. So sad. More later ....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Love,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Susan and Oliver</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>Susan Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04323206599839838089noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112304885994073400.post-4537183476509224522021-03-12T11:41:00.000-08:002021-03-12T11:41:09.306-08:00In the Kitchen With Susan and Oliver<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_0NqnJoxmW0/YEu_otkW1wI/AAAAAAAAjeA/7KUSQbzv4ns02w4b7ux8ATjGGrKlHezDACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/88771ACB-3D11-4CCF-850C-23CC5AD95DB8_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="703" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_0NqnJoxmW0/YEu_otkW1wI/AAAAAAAAjeA/7KUSQbzv4ns02w4b7ux8ATjGGrKlHezDACNcBGAsYHQ/w527-h703/88771ACB-3D11-4CCF-850C-23CC5AD95DB8_1_201_a.jpeg" width="527" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W0d1Iwt8kjk/YEvBEM9vmuI/AAAAAAAAjeM/mGZdgSbRH0s_j4tL130yc9AndrzFOmzSQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/85C18B1F-7E13-4FAF-AD53-74EB6D577D39_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1483" height="630" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W0d1Iwt8kjk/YEvBEM9vmuI/AAAAAAAAjeM/mGZdgSbRH0s_j4tL130yc9AndrzFOmzSQCNcBGAsYHQ/w456-h630/85C18B1F-7E13-4FAF-AD53-74EB6D577D39_1_201_a.jpeg" width="456" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RtiTKeScmwI/YEvBkaJnBmI/AAAAAAAAjeU/nBPcNLUP61o0wcjM2GAio_sxAaUANdZYgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5C90DA9F-4439-402A-B70D-32423E20CF6D_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="558" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RtiTKeScmwI/YEvBkaJnBmI/AAAAAAAAjeU/nBPcNLUP61o0wcjM2GAio_sxAaUANdZYgCNcBGAsYHQ/w418-h558/5C90DA9F-4439-402A-B70D-32423E20CF6D_1_201_a.jpeg" width="418" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jZZMlJFGreY/YEvC1H9k2sI/AAAAAAAAjec/pa3XTrVhJLsgWaQtZrRf2ULPz1G8ciT3gCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5E37F50F-65C5-4253-B36D-4F17BBD56428_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1535" height="563" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jZZMlJFGreY/YEvC1H9k2sI/AAAAAAAAjec/pa3XTrVhJLsgWaQtZrRf2ULPz1G8ciT3gCNcBGAsYHQ/w422-h563/5E37F50F-65C5-4253-B36D-4F17BBD56428_1_201_a.jpeg" width="422" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y35HogW-vPw/YEvDSFCa-PI/AAAAAAAAjek/Gx7z7YG_zpYSincQdm2okoNeUBsAAGKaQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5380F78C-68EE-444A-810D-B73FCC4FF44C_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="562" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y35HogW-vPw/YEvDSFCa-PI/AAAAAAAAjek/Gx7z7YG_zpYSincQdm2okoNeUBsAAGKaQCNcBGAsYHQ/w422-h562/5380F78C-68EE-444A-810D-B73FCC4FF44C_1_201_a.jpeg" width="422" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In our house, the kitchen is always an active place. Lots of meal prep,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">sitting at the breakfast bar drinking coffee and doing crosswords,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oliver always nearby. Since we spend so much time in here, I have</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">decorated the kitchen with things I love. Lots of copper, lots of</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">baskets, pretty plates. It's not sleek and utilitarian, rather cozy and</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">well loved.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As in other parts of the house, I love setting up vignettes. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy little spots displaying things I love.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Have a wonderful weekend. Enjoy the favorite niches of</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">your own home! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Love,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Susan and Oliver</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Susan Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04323206599839838089noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112304885994073400.post-71932239647952011982021-03-09T11:53:00.001-08:002021-03-09T11:53:52.792-08:00My Health Update<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HtEsRZ5utwo/YEfN0kcnFoI/AAAAAAAAjdU/VxJB2KY_cdE9gIRil2Fdky_-6rsRXwPywCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/0873D8EE-513C-4C40-A9B4-08B76C0479B1_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HtEsRZ5utwo/YEfN0kcnFoI/AAAAAAAAjdU/VxJB2KY_cdE9gIRil2Fdky_-6rsRXwPywCNcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/0873D8EE-513C-4C40-A9B4-08B76C0479B1_1_201_a.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">For those of you who are curious about the state of my health ....</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0irDnlJUrrA/YEfN5efibTI/AAAAAAAAjdY/f6M_qhBlBqE7NCrptAwHLh7VZfPU8UcSwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/A259F998-E83B-4319-A455-34F894E91180_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1502" height="641" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0irDnlJUrrA/YEfN5efibTI/AAAAAAAAjdY/f6M_qhBlBqE7NCrptAwHLh7VZfPU8UcSwCNcBGAsYHQ/w473-h641/A259F998-E83B-4319-A455-34F894E91180_1_201_a.jpeg" width="473" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am happy to report that I am feeling great!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am working out with weights three times per week, and I am</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">back to walking 10,000 steps per day. I have gained all my</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">weight back and am sleeping well. I have learned not to get</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">too stressed out about things, and to just focus on the positive</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">as best I can. I will admit that the pandemic was a bit of a</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">struggle as I was still receiving immunology treatments and had</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">lab work and treatments at the hospital every two weeks. Now I</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">am in remission and God willing, I will remain that way.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The prayers and support that I have received from all of you</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">have been such a blessing and I do believe that they have all</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">contributed to my current good health. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So while my posting has been spotty, my plan is to resume</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">chatting with you all more frequently. Thank you for all of </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the well wishes and prayers. I have been touched by your</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">kindness. I also want you to know that although I have been</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">able to read your comments, I have been unable to reply for</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">some unknown reason. I am working on resolving this glitch.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Love,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Susan and Oliver</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Susan Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04323206599839838089noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112304885994073400.post-8471216721959363812021-03-07T11:41:00.005-08:002021-03-07T11:41:44.222-08:00Cozy Quilts<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-enYOzBLFuoU/YEUrZ5msieI/AAAAAAAAjc0/rJQB9bIkzKwcapxVqqdgevDGYiBzOsjtgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/12D79394-68EE-456B-920B-AE9E2C878A6B_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="580" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-enYOzBLFuoU/YEUrZ5msieI/AAAAAAAAjc0/rJQB9bIkzKwcapxVqqdgevDGYiBzOsjtgCNcBGAsYHQ/w435-h580/12D79394-68EE-456B-920B-AE9E2C878A6B_1_201_a.jpeg" width="435" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have loved quilts for a very long time. I never tire of them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I admire the time and the love that goes into the creation</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">of each one.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-US-ZCV_qV3Y/YEUrny2rtJI/AAAAAAAAjc4/FXxFFEo6cIwNcHgJhFDx3UZxtXN8pVm8wCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/1C520844-99C2-4497-96CE-57C086BB7C48_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="570" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-US-ZCV_qV3Y/YEUrny2rtJI/AAAAAAAAjc4/FXxFFEo6cIwNcHgJhFDx3UZxtXN8pVm8wCNcBGAsYHQ/w428-h570/1C520844-99C2-4497-96CE-57C086BB7C48_1_201_a.jpeg" width="428" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">As a consequence, I have them all over the house!</p><p style="text-align: center;">I hope y'all are having a cozy Sunday.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Love,</p><p style="text-align: center;">Susan and Oliver</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Susan Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04323206599839838089noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112304885994073400.post-85036852745377616452021-03-02T15:51:00.002-08:002021-03-02T15:51:40.301-08:00<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ussWsGYHVQM/YD7OrJIpl5I/AAAAAAAAjbw/n4qUoo-WxPoVYJtbWGqqwDtyX54i8N5jgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/C5B60C8B-6D5B-4D08-80B6-3C72FEC924EB_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1501" height="435" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ussWsGYHVQM/YD7OrJIpl5I/AAAAAAAAjbw/n4qUoo-WxPoVYJtbWGqqwDtyX54i8N5jgCNcBGAsYHQ/w334-h435/C5B60C8B-6D5B-4D08-80B6-3C72FEC924EB_1_201_a.jpeg" width="334" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Today is Oliver's first Birthday!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's hard to believe that my baby boy is one year old </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">already. He has grown into such a good little dog and</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">we are so very proud of him. He will be having a </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">hamburger with a candle in it for dinner. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We love you our little one.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Susan and Oliver</div><br /> <p></p>Susan Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04323206599839838089noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112304885994073400.post-56289915461176618342020-12-11T15:53:00.001-08:002020-12-11T15:53:05.461-08:00Too Warm for Hot Chocolate<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O9WSS-cEKiA/WE23vuWpcOI/AAAAAAAAcoc/Db0__qjmBkMK33hSmhDrptrw6O3GzR0NACPcBGAYYCw/s2048/christmas2016bedchair2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1703" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O9WSS-cEKiA/WE23vuWpcOI/AAAAAAAAcoc/Db0__qjmBkMK33hSmhDrptrw6O3GzR0NACPcBGAYYCw/w532-h640/christmas2016bedchair2.jpg" width="532" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It really doesn't feel like hot chocolate weather, but then it</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">rarely does in South Texas. I love the idea of it though.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Christmas is one time of the year when I am not willing</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">to part with tradition. Are you? Or do you like to</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">shake things us and take a modern perspective?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We put the lights on our Christmas tree last night, and </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I spent most of the afternoon decorating it. I'm not</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">finished yet. I was initially thinking that I would keep</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">everything simple, but I have tossed out that idea.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hopefully, tonight I will be finished and then I </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">can just sit back and enjoy the scene.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lots of Love,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Susan and Oliver</div><br /> <p></p>Susan Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04323206599839838089noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112304885994073400.post-89133711186159573612020-12-09T09:24:00.002-08:002020-12-09T09:24:40.241-08:00I Miss My Grandmother<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JiwCzBqkwVw/X9EGf-zlO6I/AAAAAAAAjSM/ikMTDgaLm50gIE5EzxujVey5HFsuIMFEgCPcBGAsYHg/s1280/grammyandme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1013" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JiwCzBqkwVw/X9EGf-zlO6I/AAAAAAAAjSM/ikMTDgaLm50gIE5EzxujVey5HFsuIMFEgCPcBGAsYHg/w506-h640/grammyandme.jpg" width="506" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> Throughout the year I get along okay. I miss my parents, my grandparents,</div><div style="text-align: center;">my aunts and uncles on a regular basis. The holidays are tough ones for me.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I never had brothers and sisters, and I have never had children, so my parents, </div><div style="text-align: center;">grandparents and my aunts were the only family I had. Sometimes I really</div><div style="text-align: center;">want to talk to them. I miss their laughter and wise advise as I navigate</div><div style="text-align: center;">through this world alone. I love my husband, and we have a good </div><div style="text-align: center;">marriage, but I still feel lonely during the holidays.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Love,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Susan and Oliver</div><p></p>Susan Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04323206599839838089noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112304885994073400.post-45013557813626392812020-12-05T12:50:00.004-08:002020-12-05T12:58:38.497-08:00Holiday Decor Promises I Have Made<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-udCN8blQqc0/X8vvt2HImqI/AAAAAAAAjRA/jvInPymyhTwCtchWJC_Lp8d9K0Cc_iaygCPcBGAsYHg/s1280/xmasdecor19a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-udCN8blQqc0/X8vvt2HImqI/AAAAAAAAjRA/jvInPymyhTwCtchWJC_Lp8d9K0Cc_iaygCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/xmasdecor19a.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Every year I promise myself not to go over the top with the</p><p style="text-align: center;">Christmas decor. Well I have done it again. What can I say,</p><p style="text-align: center;">I am weak!</p><p style="text-align: center;">Loads of Love,</p><p style="text-align: center;">Susan and Oliver</p><p style="text-align: center;">PS: Spam comments or nasty ones will be removed at my</p><p style="text-align: center;">discretion. </p><p></p>Susan Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04323206599839838089noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112304885994073400.post-39483693236897025772020-12-04T13:05:00.002-08:002020-12-04T13:05:55.806-08:00Another Day of Happiness<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CwyL87Wy8qM/X8qjFlDbiII/AAAAAAAAjQs/i1V5vhB2K1kAgwB4zZ7HNrL5fuN-zJIbgCPcBGAsYHg/s1280/xmasdecor48a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CwyL87Wy8qM/X8qjFlDbiII/AAAAAAAAjQs/i1V5vhB2K1kAgwB4zZ7HNrL5fuN-zJIbgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/xmasdecor48a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">First of all, let me say that this is an old Christmas photo of mine that you</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">may or may not recall from years ago on this blog. I brought it back </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">because I liked it. Pure and simple as that! This is part of my </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Be Happy" program. It's a totally self imposed program to just be</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">happy without pressure. It's one where I choose to ignore the craziness</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">of our current society and just escape to my own little world of</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">good cheer. So far it's working out really well!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Loads of Love,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Susan and Oliver</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Susan Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04323206599839838089noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112304885994073400.post-33509940137005190712020-12-02T08:25:00.000-08:002020-12-02T08:25:34.848-08:00<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-huzmz28brHo/X8e9kOCgL-I/AAAAAAAAjP4/SScz3PPsiVMfwnylscfpwkY-h61VNwlwwCPcBGAsYHg/s3264/Cozy%2BCocoa3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1840" data-original-width="3264" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-huzmz28brHo/X8e9kOCgL-I/AAAAAAAAjP4/SScz3PPsiVMfwnylscfpwkY-h61VNwlwwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h360/Cozy%2BCocoa3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have been away far too long. The thought of blogging has seemed</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">daunting to me. Since my illness, and now my recovery, I have</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">looked at life in a very different way. Instead of trying to keep up with </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the standards that other bloggers have set, and my own previous</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">standards, I have decided to treat this platform as a daily diary.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A stream of consciousness if you will. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What I have learned from facing death is to only be concerned </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">about two things ... treating others kindly and to be true to </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">myself. No pretenses. No efforts to follow trends, or compete</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">with others. You will come to know me as I am. Life is meant to</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">be enjoyed and shared with others, even in this age of Covid.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I hope that you will come to visit. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Love,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Susan and Oliver</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Susan Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04323206599839838089noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112304885994073400.post-59535554306964596762020-11-11T09:13:00.007-08:002020-11-11T09:16:31.936-08:00Oh Happy Day!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QhjjTXHBA7E/X6wafqDwgTI/AAAAAAAAjM0/LfCwNJo31HQ029o8WpOJ7ppW_UzhtAFFgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/fullsizeoutput_18ac.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="456" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QhjjTXHBA7E/X6wafqDwgTI/AAAAAAAAjM0/LfCwNJo31HQ029o8WpOJ7ppW_UzhtAFFgCNcBGAsYHQ/w388-h456/fullsizeoutput_18ac.jpeg" width="388" /></a></div><p><br /></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">I am so very happy to tell you that the bandages on my right leg have been removed <span style="text-align: justify;"> </span></blockquote><p></p><p> and I am now on my way to a complete recovery!</p><p><br /></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;">Big Texas Hugs,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Susan and Oliver</div> <p></p>Susan Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04323206599839838089noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112304885994073400.post-43395447317345170572020-09-03T10:44:00.001-07:002020-09-03T10:44:16.157-07:00Susan and Oliver Down the Rabbit Hole<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I just want to escape from all the mania in our country today! I wish that Oliver and</div>
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I could shrink ourselves down for the day and play in the land of miniatures!</div>
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I feel like we are headed into a full scale abyss, so I may as well grab Oliver and</div>
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go down the rabbit hole. </div>
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The world above this rabbit hole is one filled with contradiction. Do this, but I don't</div>
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have to do it. Do as I say, not as I do!</div>
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Tear down all the statues and deface every monument, every grave stone</div>
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in sight! </div>
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Destroy property, and allow citizens to be terrorized in their own cities.</div>
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Wear a mask, now don't wear a mask ... but wait, put that mask back on!</div>
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Candidates who can barely string two words together. Don't worry about</div>
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the fact that they don't know where they are. </div>
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Don't visit your elderly parents in assisted living, not even if they</div>
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are on their death beds.</div>
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Hide! Hide in your homes! Hide in your basement!</div>
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Don't notice that China is amassing an enormous naval operation.</div>
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Don't look at that ~ look over here!</div>
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What happened to all those missing children on the milk cartons?</div>
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Were they all sent to a private island visited by the rich and</div>
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famous???</div>
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For heavens sake, don't get a haircut, or work out in a gym or</div>
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go visit a favorite restaurant, or spend time with family and</div>
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friends! </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--vdYOf5HquM/X1EmlpnRzUI/AAAAAAAAjD4/TPNlO7IhPt4YCFmQH2SDsGAG46kLYP4awCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/fullsizeoutput_16fb.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--vdYOf5HquM/X1EmlpnRzUI/AAAAAAAAjD4/TPNlO7IhPt4YCFmQH2SDsGAG46kLYP4awCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/fullsizeoutput_16fb.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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How could life down the rabbit hole possibly be any worse than</div>
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the one we have been living right here above ground? Lewis Carrol was</div>
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a very intuitive man. </div>
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Take care my dear friends. Be safe and be happy any way you can</div>
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because it's a crazy world out there.</div>
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Big Texas Hugs and Lots of Love,</div>
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Susan and Oliver</div>
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<br />Susan Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04323206599839838089noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112304885994073400.post-2558384516291904092020-09-02T13:21:00.000-07:002020-09-02T13:21:39.664-07:00Life With Oliver<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n_suiqv_zhA/X0_7WnWXZkI/AAAAAAAAjCM/W_HpIwvT4cI774eWB-9Dao_R3sq27kdagCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/fullsizeoutput_165e.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n_suiqv_zhA/X0_7WnWXZkI/AAAAAAAAjCM/W_HpIwvT4cI774eWB-9Dao_R3sq27kdagCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/fullsizeoutput_165e.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This little guy has totally changed our lives for the better. We were</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">so very sad after Bentley passed away. Then came Covid, and then</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">my husband was laid off from his job. David works in the oil business</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and oil went down to $ 0 per barrel. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--J6yIkXw4K8/X0_7l6bNyrI/AAAAAAAAjCQ/r3v3dD6y15gN8jAodDA_c84plgMBNTRNACNcBGAsYHQ/s554/savingPNG.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="554" data-original-width="495" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--J6yIkXw4K8/X0_7l6bNyrI/AAAAAAAAjCQ/r3v3dD6y15gN8jAodDA_c84plgMBNTRNACNcBGAsYHQ/s0/savingPNG.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then Oliver came into our lives. From the moment we brought him </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">home, our hearts were filled with happiness.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ftGaDnloQ_M/X0_72q3PyqI/AAAAAAAAjCc/OyzfzPQ2kuguJk6F-vj1-wrVpQKZ-v_uACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/fullsizeoutput_14c3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1775" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ftGaDnloQ_M/X0_72q3PyqI/AAAAAAAAjCc/OyzfzPQ2kuguJk6F-vj1-wrVpQKZ-v_uACNcBGAsYHQ/s640/fullsizeoutput_14c3.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This tiny little peanut with the big personality changed everything!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eO7Gq_6B310/X0_8A7MKJjI/AAAAAAAAjCg/02bNylTXO3MnMqS32z136DArOs9LNNyAwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eO7Gq_6B310/X0_8A7MKJjI/AAAAAAAAjCg/02bNylTXO3MnMqS32z136DArOs9LNNyAwCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_4676.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He's been growing and he is now 6 months old. He had his first haircut, and</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">his last Parvo vaccine from the Vet. He now weighs 3 lbs, 4 oz! Trust me,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">that is 3lbs, 4 oz of energy and fun.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-evcU0WdVwQQ/X0_9hZHcwkI/AAAAAAAAjCw/TALTewMWrHI5cNmjrQIGulZ3gESxrFfzACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/fullsizeoutput_16f5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1461" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-evcU0WdVwQQ/X0_9hZHcwkI/AAAAAAAAjCw/TALTewMWrHI5cNmjrQIGulZ3gESxrFfzACNcBGAsYHQ/s640/fullsizeoutput_16f5.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He's still teething, so he is busy chewing on toys, and sometimes</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">our hands. We forgive him though because he's just so darn cute!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JhzCgdEWw9c/X0_9ybnKf9I/AAAAAAAAjC4/U7-aJg_vCzI8tnuQGwRKCsSNiZVZY6oXgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/fullsizeoutput_168c.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JhzCgdEWw9c/X0_9ybnKf9I/AAAAAAAAjC4/U7-aJg_vCzI8tnuQGwRKCsSNiZVZY6oXgCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/fullsizeoutput_168c.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He's my baby!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0zfyykJCDpw/X0_95hvgOBI/AAAAAAAAjC8/b4yDlgQRJTYsUXENFaiqzRVqpVHZGt81QCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/fullsizeoutput_16f7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0zfyykJCDpw/X0_95hvgOBI/AAAAAAAAjC8/b4yDlgQRJTYsUXENFaiqzRVqpVHZGt81QCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/fullsizeoutput_16f7.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thanks for stopping by to see us. If you were here in person,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oliver would give you a big kiss!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Love,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Susan and Oliver</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Susan Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04323206599839838089noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112304885994073400.post-10436221415739066202020-07-31T10:13:00.000-07:002020-07-31T10:13:36.687-07:00Ahh ~ There's No Place Like Home for Real Comfort<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MhADCM2zK48/XyRNAHU7J6I/AAAAAAAAi9A/7_oSU5CyF9I0P7FXT3yef9Mu0UxeWmrLACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/fullsizeoutput_1672.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MhADCM2zK48/XyRNAHU7J6I/AAAAAAAAi9A/7_oSU5CyF9I0P7FXT3yef9Mu0UxeWmrLACNcBGAsYHQ/s640/fullsizeoutput_1672.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So sorry to be gone for so long. I have been so busy healing and</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">going to and from the hospital for treatments. The good news is that</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am in REMISSION! My treatments have been cut back to a</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">maintenance dose and I am feeling stronger day by day. I am so</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">happy to be given a greater chance to enjoy life that I do not mind</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">sheltering at home. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bKEJrnhtNMs/XyRN8bnSdYI/AAAAAAAAi9I/JI41N-eUG3IJAh5DhqYOQx_uDtJ5jAkjgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/fullsizeoutput_1674.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bKEJrnhtNMs/XyRN8bnSdYI/AAAAAAAAi9I/JI41N-eUG3IJAh5DhqYOQx_uDtJ5jAkjgCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/fullsizeoutput_1674.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Little Oliver has been such a comfort and a blessing. All of his</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">adorable little antics have brought such joy into our home once</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">again. He will be five months old on August 2nd. He's still teacup</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">sized ~ about 2 1/2 pounds, but full of boundless energy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LEbIty3yfSU/XyRO1mxEPGI/AAAAAAAAi9Q/QKFrsj_-SQU9XhzWUvwQcLe4W5gxaI_HQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/savingPNG.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LEbIty3yfSU/XyRO1mxEPGI/AAAAAAAAi9Q/QKFrsj_-SQU9XhzWUvwQcLe4W5gxaI_HQCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/savingPNG.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have been enjoying fluffing the cottage once again. It's amazing how</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">one misses everyday chores and the daily activities of living. I </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">really appreciate the simplest of things now. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AP15Zu11J6o/XyRQCmkDHLI/AAAAAAAAi9c/srVHVmn1wxwO1EfSphN01Mj4I7KWZISKQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/fullsizeoutput_1578.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1563" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AP15Zu11J6o/XyRQCmkDHLI/AAAAAAAAi9c/srVHVmn1wxwO1EfSphN01Mj4I7KWZISKQCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/fullsizeoutput_1578.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have gained some weight which has made my doctors and nurses</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">very happy. I am up to 95 pounds now. I am happy with that weight</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">because it is my "normal" and so much better than the 78 pounds I was</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">just a few short months ago. Now I won't blow away in a strong wind!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am glad to be back. I'll be filling you in on little Oliver's </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">cute pics and stories soon. Until next time,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Big Texas Hugs,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Susan and Oliver </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Susan Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04323206599839838089noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112304885994073400.post-72590564272153606352020-06-17T13:13:00.002-07:002020-06-17T13:13:44.612-07:00How Perfectionism Prevents Creativity From Flourishing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Both of my parents were perfectionists. It was a bit difficult for them to accept</div>
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the fact that they had given birth to a free spirit who did not feel harnessed by</div>
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that perfectionistic behavior. Perhaps I rebelled against it because I </div>
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understood the tension it created, or perhaps I was just wired differently.</div>
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I am not sure.</div>
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My Daddy was less concerned by the perfect than my Mama. She had to</div>
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make sure that everything she started must be finished without mistake.</div>
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I never understood her attitude completely until she told me that her</div>
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own father once criticized her for using an eraser to alter a word on</div>
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her homework. He asked, "Why must you use an eraser? Why don't</div>
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you think carefully before you print out your homework assignment?"</div>
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She told me she never forgot those words, and from that moment on</div>
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she was very careful. It's my belief now that she carried that sense of</div>
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caution throughout her life. </div>
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She never realized our fully embraced her talents, of which there were</div>
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many. She always had beautiful flower gardens. She always decorated</div>
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our home to perfection. She was an excellent baker and she could</div>
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decorate a cake as well as any professional. She sewed many darling</div>
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dresses for my dolls, and her Christmas wrappings were always so </div>
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original and beautiful that we hardly wanted to open our gifts.</div>
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One of her pursuits was taking a china painting class. This was</div>
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her first creation. I didn't see it for the longest time because</div>
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she didn't think it was very good. She compared herself to others</div>
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in the class and envied their talent. In my mind, it is a beautiful</div>
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plate and it shows to me that she indeed had the soul of an artist.</div>
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It's charming in it's simplicity and conveys a sense of joy to</div>
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the eye. I only wish that she recognized this talent she possessed,</div>
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and that she would have enjoyed it more fully.</div>
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Big Texas Hugs,</div>
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Susan and Oliver</div>
<br />Susan Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04323206599839838089noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112304885994073400.post-46960009285091837392020-06-08T12:20:00.001-07:002020-06-08T12:20:20.429-07:00Where I Create<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is my little corner of the world. It's a part of my office,</div>
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and for me, it's where dreams are hatched, and creativity can</div>
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flourish</div>
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My inner child comes to play here, and there are no</div>
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boundaries to where my imagination can take me.</div>
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Everyone needs a little spot where they can dream big dreams,</div>
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and to continue to be in awe of the wonders of the world.</div>
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You can create your own special place, even if it's just on a shelf.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dv7BsGEYu1w/Xt6N5bzCMII/AAAAAAAAizg/J_wf6haGO-0U1kVqErIDuYQNqR-xV5duQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/fullsizeoutput_15d1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dv7BsGEYu1w/Xt6N5bzCMII/AAAAAAAAizg/J_wf6haGO-0U1kVqErIDuYQNqR-xV5duQCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/fullsizeoutput_15d1.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Thank you for visiting my special place!</div>
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Big Texas Hugs,</div>
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Susan and Oliver</div>
<br />Susan Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04323206599839838089noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112304885994073400.post-32828744524615417652020-06-04T14:15:00.003-07:002020-06-04T14:15:54.073-07:00What Should I Make For Dinner Tonight?<br />
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Recently, my mind has been swimming with ideas for dinner.</div>
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Today, I have hit the wall. No ideas at all. I have been so </div>
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preoccupied with doctor's appointments that I haven't given</div>
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cooking a thought. Well, I had my last appointment this afternoon, </div>
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and I won't have to go back for another three weeks. Time to focus</div>
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on cooking again ... but what? </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z0tvoqT_i9Y/XtlfnjmXXOI/AAAAAAAAiyA/FsjRI32YnKktCoKThd0mBD22GxGeG3ZIwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/savingPNG.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z0tvoqT_i9Y/XtlfnjmXXOI/AAAAAAAAiyA/FsjRI32YnKktCoKThd0mBD22GxGeG3ZIwCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/savingPNG.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>
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The pantry is a bit bare, and I need to order groceries again. </div>
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Now is a good time to pull out some recipes so that I can make</div>
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a list of what I need. I wish Paula Deen would move next door</div>
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so that I get some help. I watch her YouTube channel all the time,</div>
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not just for her recipes, but for entertainment too. She always</div>
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has a big smile on her face and her cheerfulness is so contagious!</div>
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Maybe I'll make some sautéed chicken, country green beans, garlic mashed </div>
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potatoes and buttermilk biscuits for dinner. I think that Paula just jumped</div>
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into my head and gave me that inspiration! Thank you Paula!!</div>
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Big Texas Hugs,</div>
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Susan and Oliver</div>
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<br />Susan Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04323206599839838089noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112304885994073400.post-6446424785936732402020-05-28T11:13:00.001-07:002020-05-28T11:13:16.342-07:00The Garden Around Sweet Tea Cottage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vel2oQyZPUo/Xs_7krhlIuI/AAAAAAAAiwY/GYCByBg8Ho8EjX2r0snAoOGcozqt6rNFQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/fullsizeoutput_15ab.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vel2oQyZPUo/Xs_7krhlIuI/AAAAAAAAiwY/GYCByBg8Ho8EjX2r0snAoOGcozqt6rNFQCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/fullsizeoutput_15ab.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Aside from the work I am doing inside the cottage ~ wallpaper and </div>
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paint, I am slowly tending the garden around the cottage too.</div>
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I bought more pea gravel to fill in spots that seem a bit too sparse.</div>
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I am refreshing my annuals too. Most of my vinca survived the</div>
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winter because it was a mild one here. I have added a few more</div>
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plants as well.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GrpbQrjoeis/Xs_73aXuBrI/AAAAAAAAiwk/ucrlqMU37xcx0Wn_qLDdlaFCMWWkeRYoACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/fullsizeoutput_15a9.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1159" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GrpbQrjoeis/Xs_73aXuBrI/AAAAAAAAiwk/ucrlqMU37xcx0Wn_qLDdlaFCMWWkeRYoACNcBGAsYHQ/s640/fullsizeoutput_15a9.jpeg" width="462" /></a></div>
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Back in Idaho, my potting shed was covered in English ivy. I love</div>
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that look and I am encouraging the ivy growth here as well.</div>
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The creeping Jenny in the window boxes survived the winter and is</div>
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starting lots of new growth. On the left is jasmine which has already</div>
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bloomed. It was so fragrant. I miss that lovely scent now.</div>
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I bought some basil and some mint too. Trying to keep the mint contained</div>
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because I know how it loves to spread. There is some chamomile in that</div>
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little tea cup. It will probably get too big for that cup, but I think it looks</div>
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sweet in there for now.</div>
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Little by little there are more changes. I enjoy this little cottage so</div>
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much and I am in the process of creating a series of cozy mysteries</div>
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based on a cottage such as this one. Stay tuned!</div>
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Love,</div>
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Susan and Oliver</div>
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<br />Susan Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04323206599839838089noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112304885994073400.post-28016053802320343552020-05-25T09:52:00.001-07:002020-05-25T09:52:46.987-07:00Honoring Our Troops Past and Present<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LominUK9sdY/Xsv1ncZ70UI/AAAAAAAAivw/7ilYCR4tLAU5BbcwPusUDafsIjJi5VunACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/fullsizeoutput_1574.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LominUK9sdY/Xsv1ncZ70UI/AAAAAAAAivw/7ilYCR4tLAU5BbcwPusUDafsIjJi5VunACNcBGAsYHQ/s640/fullsizeoutput_1574.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>
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I just finished reading the Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larson.</div>
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Excellent read, and I highly recommend it to any lover of history</div>
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and Winston Churchill. I am an admitted Anglophile, and a </div>
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great lover of our country as well. This book is about the </div>
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horrors endured by the British citizens, and Winston</div>
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Churchill's steadfast defense of his nation. It is also about the</div>
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bond between our two nations and how our continued pursuit</div>
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for freedom is shared. Without the strength and courage of our</div>
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US troops, we would all be living in a very different world. A</div>
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world we would not like, devoid of the freedoms and </div>
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opportunities we all enjoy.</div>
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Today we thank and honor all the courageous service men and</div>
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women both past and present who devote themselves to </div>
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preserving our rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of</div>
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happiness.</div>
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THANK YOU!</div>
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Love,</div>
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Susan and Oliver</div>
<br />Susan Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04323206599839838089noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112304885994073400.post-9992714373092489972020-05-24T12:17:00.002-07:002020-05-24T12:17:47.235-07:00In The Kitchen With Me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_y9c8axf6B0/XsrGlIW7eEI/AAAAAAAAivI/9-b0TotMSEMSYQ8F6z3H5DSq24n51WYMACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/fullsizeoutput_156c.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_y9c8axf6B0/XsrGlIW7eEI/AAAAAAAAivI/9-b0TotMSEMSYQ8F6z3H5DSq24n51WYMACNcBGAsYHQ/s640/fullsizeoutput_156c.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>
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I have spent some time recently looking through old</div>
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cookbooks for tried and true recipes. Since I have been</div>
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feeling better I have a renewed interest in cooking and have</div>
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really been enjoying my time in the kitchen once again. </div>
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I started baking, and I am loving it. Now I am making sure I have</div>
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necessary ingredients on hand for baking and cooking. This is </div>
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my newly organized jelly cabinet that I am filling with staples.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-phNbE7_3NR8/XsrG1SYbEmI/AAAAAAAAivU/0fYb1KBf33w_1HfOr-J2vEnMTj4y2bMHACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/fullsizeoutput_1573.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-phNbE7_3NR8/XsrG1SYbEmI/AAAAAAAAivU/0fYb1KBf33w_1HfOr-J2vEnMTj4y2bMHACNcBGAsYHQ/s640/fullsizeoutput_1573.jpeg" width="478" /></a></div>
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Aprons and oven mitts are at the ready.</div>
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Baking essentials too.</div>
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I hope you are having a fun holiday weekend and that you</div>
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are spending time doing things you love to do!</div>
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Love,</div>
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Susan and Oliver</div>
<span id="goog_466629696"></span><span id="goog_466629697"></span><br />Susan Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04323206599839838089noreply@blogger.com8