Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Really Worried Now!



I have a problem.  I cannot sign into my blogger account.  I can open up my
Gmail, but I cannot sign into blogger.  As a consequence, I cannot comment
on anyone's blog, nor can I reply to comments on this blog.

Don't know what to do!!!  Any suggestions will be appreciated.

Susan and Bentley

Monday, January 7, 2019

What's In My Closet?


Over the weekend, I wrote a Facebook post about blogs, and whether
or not folks want to read them anymore.  I was prompted to ask this
question after reading a post by my friend Katie, who writes the blog
Let's Add Sprinkles.  Katie mentioned  several bloggers who have 
given up their blogs, or are thinking about doing so.  

The responses I received were mixed.  Some said they stopped
reading blogs and prefer Instagram.  Some said they stopped reading
certain blogs because of either annoying pop up adds, or the
feeling that blogs had become much less personal than they
were in the past.  Too commercial, and readers get the feeling
that it's all about "look at me, make me famous".  

I understand that feeling because there are blogs I have stopped
reading for those very same reasons.  

I want to keep my blog until I am too old and feeble to write it.
Quite honestly, my blog has become an extension of me.  I can't
quite find the time to write a post every day, but that doesn't mean 
I'm not thinking of it.  My husband suggests ideas for posts now
too.  It's too much a part of me and my little family.

I received many personal messages and responses to my
questions on Facebook, asking me not to quit, and offering
suggestions for topics.  One suggestion was that I divulge
more about myself.  So, in response to that topic, here is
a look into my clothes closet.



Our house was designed and built in 1948 by a woman and her
architect.  She quite obviously knew the value of closet and storage
space because it is generous.  In the master bedroom, there are four
closets, two walk-ins and one standard type and a very large linen
closet.  

My husband moved down here about two months before I did.  He
claimed the walk-in closet in the dressing room.  It is a good size space
with built in shoe racks and a built in four drawer dresser.  At first
I was a bit miffed that he took the larger of the two walk-ins, but
as he explained, he doesn't have to disturb me in the morning because
the dressing room is just off the bedroom on the way to the bath.
He was right, and I am now quite happy with the decision.

As you can see from the above photo, I like to store my shoes in
their original boxes.  I wipe them off after I wear them and I even
put the tissue paper back in the toes.  I have always loved shoes.  
I think I already told you the "paper loafer" story, didn't I?



I also love clothes.  Believe it or not, I still have some clothes from
the mid 1980's before I married David.  They still fit too!  I chalk that
up to good genes (both my parents were slim), and the constant talk
about waistlines with both my Mom and my Aunt Susan.  Aunt Susan
was a model in NYC in her younger days and never left that training
behind.  Every time we would have one of our lengthy gab sessions,
she would ask me "what size is your waist now"?   I keep a scale in
my closet because even though my Mom and Aunt Susan are both
gone, I feel like I need to keep up the family tradition.



I am very sentimental too, even about clothes and accessories.  Here
is a cap from my old Alma Mater in Lake Forest, Illinois.  



Here is something else about me .... I love my Jack's, and it's quite obvious.
It's so warm down in South Texas that I have winter sandals and summer ones
too.  As you can see, if you can read the tiny print, I have small feet.  I
wear a 5 1/2.  My Paternal Grandmother has really tiny feet, even smaller
than mine.  Having small feet is both a blessing and a curse.  Shoes look
good, but it's not always easy to find my size.  Jack Roger's always
seems to have them.  Thanks, Jack!



These are my Hunter boots.  Oh so necessary in South Texas because
when it rains it's not often a soft rain, but a gully washer.  Puddles
everywhere.  These keep me dry and stylish too.  By the way, if you
call customer service at Hunter, everyone has the most charming 
British accents!

I'm thinking of adding a fashion look book from time to time, 
so that you can see how I put my looks together from this closet.
See, I am not all about decorating the house, I like to decorate
me too!

Sparkle and Shine and Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

Friday, January 4, 2019

Waking Up From a Five Year Coma


I have experienced a lot of change over the past five years,
some of it wanted, but most of it not.  During this time period
I have done a pretty good job of fooling myself that I am 
better.  As my husband will admit, I do a very good job at
hiding the things that bother me the most.  I will tell him that
I am fine, but he knows me well enough to recognize the
cover up.

I try to fool the outside world too, while keeping up my
personal charade.  There is one thing that I do not have
control over, and that is my physical health.  All this 
hiding and deception eats away at me until I end up
really suffering.  It's been the recurrent theme of my life,
and if I am not careful, it could one day prove to be deadly.



Over the past six months I have experienced my deterioration.
Exhaustion, low grade fevers, sleepless nights.  I have suffered
through these before, but never to this extent.  Yes, I have been
tested, and no, never a definitive answer.  I have been given a
different prognosis every time, but no solution.  The symptoms
always begin with some sort of heartache I seem unable to shake.



The symptoms worsen by the actions of others who seem to take some
sick kind of pleasure in stirring up drama to cause misery.  This evolves 
into a sensation of being kicked in the gut when I am already down.
In the past I have been fairly powerless to control this nasty intrusion in
my life, but things came to a head this past November.  I finally had
enough!  

While the heartache of losing several close family members in a five
year period is not a cakewalk, and takes longer than I would have ever
dreamed, the back stiffening required to eliminate the repeated emotional
assault from others has been accomplished at long last.  I have drawn my
line in the sand and there is no going back.  I have forgiven twice, but
never again.  What angered me this past November tuned out to be a
gift in disguise.  It finally opened my eyes to the fact that it doesn't 
matter one bit who the person, or persons are who are getting a kick
out of pushing my buttons, I don't have to take it, and the final straw
has been pulled and now there is no going back.

I am not totally sure how the change occurred, but one did.  I feel
so much stronger emotionally.  I woke up to the fact that there is
much I want to accomplish in this life and I don't need any road
blocks to keep me from fulfilling my dreams.  The coma I was
living through is a thing of the past.
  


If there is someone or something who has been holding you back,
stand tall and start walking away, even if it is only one step at a time.
Just like me, you too can start stepping over life's roadblocks.

Sparkle and Shine and Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley







Wednesday, January 2, 2019

Intimidated By My 2019 Personal Planner!



Here is is, my new personal planner.  I ordered it back in November and have
been so anxious to start using it.  Now that January has arrived, and it's time
for me to start recording my daily goals and plans and checking off the "To Do"
boxes, I suddenly feel intimidated!  

Isn't that the silliest thing?



Do I use the stickers I ordered?  



After my Christmas coma, I have to really think about what my 
personal goals are for this year.  

What about filling in those squares on each day?  Will my handwriting
be okay?  What if I make a mistake???




Suddenly, something as simple as a personal planner has such power
over me.  I need to step away and think about this for a bit.  Maybe
I should make a cup of tea and calm down, lol!

Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

PS:  Bentley is not troubled by such silliness.  He just stopped
listening to all of my questions and curled up to take a nap.



Monday, December 31, 2018

Christmas All Through The House 2018


Christmas is over, and tonight is New Year's Eve.  We are on the cusp
of entering 2019.  A new year, new adventures and new opportunities.
I have highlighted some of our Christmas photos.  It's been fun, but
I am ready to leave 2018 behind and start a clean late.  

Thank you for visiting me so often these past twelve months.
Please know that your visits are greatly appreciated and that you
are all deeply loved.















May 2019 be filled with all the happy moments you long for, and
may all your wishes and dreams come true.

Much Love,
Susan and Bentley


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