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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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