Wednesday, February 27, 2019

And The Project For Today Is ....


In my living room, over the sofa, are a pair of sconces that my Daddy
purchased at an estate sale in Rome back in the 1960's.  They are an
antiqued brass, and yes, they do need to be polished.  Daddy traveled 
internationally extensively for his job, and whenever he did, he always
looked for something special to bring home for Mama and for me.



These sconces really are lovely and I have wanted to find candles for
them for some time.  Mama did have candles for them once, but they
are long gone.  Tapered candles are not as popular as they once were,
and the options for sizes are more limited.  I found six candles that I think
will work, but the diameter of their bases is too wide.

By the way, the wall is really a pale yellow, but is not showing up
that way in the photo.  It looks more beige than cheery.




So the project for today is to whittle down the bases of these candles to
fit the sconces.  I also have some sticky wax to help secure them in 
place.  It's another gray and rainy day here, so this is a good time to get
this done.  Once the weather clears up, it's on to outdoor projects and
especially work on the She Shed.

Thank you for all your kind words about my illness.  I have really
started to feel better and I am truly relieved.

Sparkle and Shine and Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

Monday, February 25, 2019

Me? Asthma?


I shared with my Facebook friends how I have been struggling
physically for the last several months.  My allergies have become
much worse.  The sneezing has increased dramatically.  The stuffy
head has been with me all of the time.  I don't sleep well at night.




Then my bronchial tubes started to tighten, especially in the evening
after 5 PM.  It was hard for me to utter more than a few words out loud
before the coughing would begin.  

I've never run a fever, just overwhelming allergy symptoms.



I really felt like I was at the end of my rope and about to give in and
head for the doctor when I began to turn a corner this weekend.  For
two straight nights I have been able to breathe easily and to carry on a
conversation without coughing.  Today I have more energy than I have
had for weeks.  I feel so relieved.  I am getting my old life back.  

The old adage is true ~ if you don't have your health, you don't have
anything!

Sparkle and Shine and Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley


Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Family Feuds


I suppose it has happened in every family.  I know that I have experienced
it too.  Family grudges carried on for years.  It's such a waste of precious
moments.  Hurtful words that can never be taken back.  The older we
become, the fewer opportunities we have to mend fences.

I am always saddened to hear of someone's family blow up.  I think to
myself, was this really necessary?  Why turn what is to supposed to
be a joyous occasion into one where family members are brought to
tears?

None of us want to regret the things we say.  

Just a thought for today.

Sparkle and Shine and Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley



Tuesday, February 19, 2019

Falling Leaves and Signs of Spring?


No, this is not Autumn, it's early Spring in South Texas.  The live oak
trees begin shedding their leaves, quickly to be replaced by new ones.  In
the meantime, it's raining leaves.  Y'all know what I will be doing for the
next week or so.



Last Fall I cut back my potted Hibiscus.  A couple of weeks ago I noticed
tiny buds of green showing.  Those buds are quickly becoming large leaves.
Spring is on it's way!

Thank you for all of your kind moments about Bentley's senior moments.
He is back to his usual self, following me around, cuddling whenever he
can get me to sit still for a minute, and enjoying life.  When Bentley is
happy, his mama is happy too.

Sparkle and Shine and Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

Friday, February 15, 2019

Bentley and His Senior Moments


First of all, I want to wish y'all a belated Happy Valentine's Day.  I have
come to know and love each of you who visit me, and I want you to
know how very dear your friendship has become.

I had planned a Valentine's Day post for yesterday, but didn't have the
time to post because I was busy with Bentley.  He is just about a couple
of months beyond age 13 now, and his age is beginning to show.  Most of
the time he is fine and manages with his blindness.  He eats well, and
loves his walks.  He doesn't seem to have any arthritic issues and is
generally quite healthy.  That being said, he has his occasional days
where he seems a bit confused and hyperactive.  He gets restless and
can't seems to sit still.  Yesterday was one of those days.  We spent
quite a bit of time outside in the yard because the weather was so
mild.  That seems to help him work off some excess energy.  He
spent time exploring and barking when he could hear the squirrels
running up and down the trees.  

I try to spend as much time with him as I can on these days.
I reassure him that I am close and he is safe and fine.  This does
seem to help.  He settled down in the late afternoon and took
a nap.  He seemed more like himself when his Daddy came home,
and they had their usual long greeting session together.

Today he seems fine.  In the past, the days when he is restless
are followed by many normal days.  Y'all know how very much 
I love this little peanut, and that he always comes first.   

I hope each of you had a special day with the ones you love.
I did with mine.

Sparkle and Shine and Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

Monday, February 11, 2019

Protecting My Heart Against Disease


This Valentine's Day week, I am reminded to take care of
my heart.  Some families suffer from cancer, mine suffers
from heart disease from both sides.  My maternal grandmother
died in her 60's from a heart attack.  My paternal grandfather
suffered from congestive heart failure for years until he
died from a heart attack at age 75.  My own Daddy had a
massive heart attack at age 51.  My Aunt had faulty heart
valves which required open heart surgery in her 80's.
My Mom suffered from congestive heart failure in her later
years.  

None of these family members looked or acted like heart
attack candidates.  All were thin, and all were quite 
physically active.  No couch potatoes here.  None of them
were heavy drinkers.  Both my Mom and my Aunt were
mindful of what they ate.  My paternal grandfather and my
Daddy ate way too many sweets.  Neither had high blood
sugar, but I don't think that anyone realized how dangerous
sugar really is, even if it does not show up as diabetes in
blood testing.  


I have reached a stage in my life where I need to be
careful and not eat anything I want, not because of 
vanity, but for underlying reasons.  I'm very tiny.  I
weigh 95 pounds and eat pretty much what I want on
a daily basis.  That's both a blessing and a curse.  

So, to keep my heart beating away for years to come,
I am treating it with love.  More fish and less beef.  My
dear hubby will either have to learn to like fish or, eat
something else on the nights I eat it.  I am cutting way
back on coffee.  I typically drink two big mugs per day
with lots of cream.  I won't go quite cold turkey, but
will ease back to one mug and no cream.  Essentially
I will be eating my oatmeal, berries, fish and veggies.
Cheese burgers will be a once every so often treat.

I am good about working out, but I tend to run on 
nervous energy and need to slow way down.  Therefore,
I will be adding a few minutes of yoga per day.

There are lots of things I want to do, and the last thing
I want is to have my life cut short.  Let's all remember to
take good care of the heart that beats daily for each of us.

Sparkle and Shine and Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

Wednesday, February 6, 2019

Happy Chinese New Year!


Actually, it was yesterday, but we did celebrate at home.  This is the 
year of the Pig.





We celebrated with Thai food for dinner.   What can I say, this is a small
town ;-)

Sparkle and Shine and Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

Monday, February 4, 2019

Wow ~ What a Mess!


I thought I needed more aluminum foil until I went to clean out the deep
drawer in the kitchen where all the baggies, foil and parchment paper live.
I was inspired to do this by fellow Instagrammer, Tikka.  She straightened
her's out last night and reminded me to go do mine too.

Not only do I not need aluminum foil, but I don't need parchment paper
or baggies either.  When I pulled everything out of that messy drawer,
I completely amazed myself.


This is a really big storage bag.  I have a roll of them from my sister-in-law
who has a friend who gives them out every year.  Great message!

I have to get back to work now.  See y'all soon!

Sparkle and Shine and Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley


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