The Twelve Days of Dental Work

Some of you know that I recently acted like a big girl - made a dental appointment at a new clinic with a wonderful woman dentist and amazing staff.  As always when I visit the dentist . . . mayhem reigns for about two weeks after  - If you know the song - sing my blog!

Laying awake recently with a throbbing tooth ache, this blog came to me, that in itself is very funny to me.  Maybe I had taken one too many ibuprofens back to back . . .

So - in honor of the holiday season . . . turn up the tune to "On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me . . ." and read or sing along:

On the first trip to the dentist the hygienist gave to me - a bright shiny new toothbrush!

Also on the first trip the dentist gave to me - Two tubes of toothpaste - and a bright shiny new toothbrush!

Before I left that day I was happy to receive - 3 hours of "nitrous" - two tubes of toothpaste and a bright shiny new toothbrush!

Now can't forget the 4th thing - a cleaning was to be done - 3 hours of  "nitrous" - two tubes of toothpaste and a bright shiny new toothbrush.

And one more thing on the first trip - 5 x - er - rays - fourth was a cleaning - 3 hours of "gas" - 2 tubes of tooth paste and a bright shiney new toothbrush.

Went home and got a toothache, developed lots of pain - 6 advil hourly, 5 x - er - rays, 4th was the cleaning, 3 hours of "gas" please - 2 tubes of toothpaste and a bright shiny new toothbrush.

On the 7th day post dentist I was headed back - 6 advil hourly, 5 x-er-rays, don't need another cleaning, 3 hours of "gas" please,  2 tubes of toothpaste and a very pretty temporary crown.

Sadly, still had more pain, my tooth was hurting bad -  8 phone calls to dentist - 7 trips to see her - 6 advil hourly - 5 x-er-rays, still don't need a cleaning, love to have the "gas" please - two ice cold teeth tests - and one very very angry aching tooth!

On the 9th day post my dentist - still fighting through the pain - 9 prayers for healing - 8 phone calls to dentist - 7 trips to see her - 6 advil hourly - more x-er-rays - 4 days leaving early - 3 times impressions - 2 crying moments - and still one very very angry tooth!

Well 10 days is my limit - of messing with the pain - 9 more prayers for healing - 8 bottles of advil - 7 crying moments - 6 advil hourly - now a 3D x-ray - 4 days leaving early - 3 tanks of gas - 2 supportive sisters - and 1 very very angry aching tooth!

11 weeks til Christmas - what am I gonna do - 10 days was my limit - 9 phone calls later - 8 days Clindamycin - 7 sleepless hours - 6 advil hourly - NO CHARGE FOR 3-D  - 4 times calling mom - 3 times telling husband  - 2 supportive kids - and a root canal is scheduled very soon!

12 hours til I go there - can't wait now for some relief - 11 weeks til Christmas - 10 minutes brushing - 9 minutes flossing - 8 dollars worth of mouth wash - 7 sleepless hours - 6 advil hourly - thank God no more x-rays - 4 times calling mom - husband tired of whining - 2 hours post root canal - and I have a very very happy tooth!!


Haha - - - Blessings still in finding a great dentist and clinic full of kind and caring people.  I may have exagerated a few parts - but still a lot of truth in "my version".

Now about that tooth implant . . . maybe next year!

                                    

Thanksgiving with the Konda's

One of my favorite things for 2012 (theme for another blog coming soon) was spending several weekends at our daughter and son-in-laws' home in Topeka. Actually this has been on my favorite things list since 2008 when they were married.  They have a beautiful home, and they make us feel very comfortable when we visit.

This Thanksgiving we arrived on Friday evening to a wonderful meal on the table. A new recipe for pork chops - fantastic - check it out here.  Great pre-Thanksgiving Meal! Kristi our granddaughter joined us.  We spent the evening relaxing and catching up. 

Saturday morning began early for our daughter Casey, as she headed to basketball practice with her high school girls team.  Kristi and I did one of OUR favorite things - headed for a pedicure and a manicure.  We have a quiet little shop not far from the house and very soon we had glamorous holiday red glittering nails!  We hurried home to help Casey finish up the Thanksgiving meal - which was packed full of tradition - turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, crock pot corn, green bean casserole, relishes, rolls, and two pies!  Pumpkin and Coconut Cream! The family was all round the table - Ben, our grandson and his fiance, Angie joining us.   The afternoon was spent at the mall. Who can resist buy 3 get 3 free at Bath and Body Works?  That evening we laughed and laughed at ourselves and each other over a new game for me - Cranium.  It's a must have on the Christmas list for our big family when we have Christmas this year.  Add the other half of the family from Texas - and you will hear the Henningsen's for blocks!

    Beautiful Thanksgiving Table

From Coach Konda to gracious hostess all in a morning's work . . .

Sunday was a special day - Tracy and Casey had surprised us earlier in the year with tickets to the Chiefs vs. Broncos game!  Perfect weather for the game!  We had a quick breakfast and were off to cheer on the Bronc . . . I mean CHIEFS!!  And Peyton Manning!   It was a good game

 and a lot of fun! 

Chiefs vs. Broncos!!

 Casey, Mom and Dad

The weekend sadly came to an end as we left the game and grabbed supper at a little restaurant called Twisters.  On to Topeka and then back home again.

Couldn't write about the family without mentioning the pets!  Molly is a 5 year old Beagle/Pug mix sweetheart and of course our Dodger.  Not sure what the two of them do when we leave them home alone - - not sure they even like each other - - but Molly is gracious and puts up with Dodger for the most part. 

Our family is such a great blessing to us!  Our son Todd and our daughter Casey and all the new family that they have added to us - we love them every one!

George Burns has a famous quote - It goes like this . . .

“Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city.” 

Obviously, he meant it to be funny, and poke fun - in a George Burns kind of way . . . but George ... I am more than thankful for my loving, caring, close-knit family in several other cities!!

Blessings found in family and holidays together.

Dodger

                                                    

I need to introduce you to the little boy of our family.  Dodger is a 10 year old Boston Terrier.  I have spent a lot of time talking about the big dog of the family, Roy.  Dodger is a house dog as you can tell by his picture and he is very loved and spoiled.  He, however, greets the 110 pound Roy with all of the excitement he can in his less than 20 pound body every day after work.  He jumps on him and paws at his face.  The big dog just waits patiently.  He understands little dog is neurotic that way.

I won't spend time teaching you about Boston Terriers.  You can google the breed if you are interested.   I will share with you the "tails/tales" of Dodger though.   He truly has had 9 lives.

We ended up with Dodger much to the dismay of my husband and daughter.  We had to say goodbye to our family pet, Pepper the Boston Terrier, and within two weeks I had picked out and brought home another to fill the empty spot.  Now as I look back, I know it wasn't fair to the rest of the family who wasn't ready yet, and I was actually just beginning to go through empty nest as our last child was soon to leave home.  So . . . all in all . . . everyone would say it was a great idea I had :)  
Dodger has been the most loving pet.

I hope that somewhere out there a Boston pet owner reads this because they can truly appreciate how "they" are.  Dodger first ate enough of the sofa cushion stuffing to nearly cause him to have open abdominal surgery to remove it . . . fortunately mega-enemas worked the trick by the veterinarian.  Then one night Dodger got skimmish as I was vacuuming and threw himself against the dresser handle and split his side open.  Called for 18 staples under anesthesia.  The little mutt's cork-screw tail grew into his backside causing him great pain - had to be amputated.  He was lost one day for six hours.  We cried.  He came running in the back door thankfully.  Most recently he stopped eating and stopped being "neurotic" that's a bad sign for a Boston . . . off to the vet again . . . IV's, x-rays, more IV's, antibiotics, more x-rays and a week later open abdominal surgery to remove a piece of rubber toy.  Along with a few more minor things like getting his own paw stuck in his collar, being afraid of laundry baskets, and hiding when I raise my voice, his life has been uneventful :) 

We love him because he listens to us and understands our words, he requires fleece blankets to sleep with, he prefers to sleep between us, he can travel to the Rocky Mountains and follow us wherever we go, he snuggles especially with our daughter and our granddaughter, he waits patiently for our empty plates, he is truly devoted to us. 

Everybody should have a Boston.

Gratitude

"But Thanksgiving is more than eating, Chuck. You heard what Linus was saying out there. Those early Pilgrims were thankful for what had happened to them, and we should be thankful, too. We should just be thankful for being together. I think that's what they mean by 'Thanksgiving,'

Charlie Brown."

 



Although in my mind, Halloween officially kicks off the Holiday Season... Thanksgiving certainly is the beginning of that special time of year!  I have learned this Autumn to appreciate it.  IT being Autumn.  Summer is by far my favorite time of year.  Guess it's because it is generally dirt-free - And in a like manner - Spring is my least favorite because it means showers and mud - Winter - well you just have to love it with the holidays, and movies, and hot tea, and good friends, and Christmas music, and cozy blankets.  So Fall just normally went unnoticed by me - just a quick break from Dog Days of Summer to hey let's go Christmas shopping. 

Being in a different home and a different town this Autumn season is probably why I took the time to notice the change in the new trees, in the new neighborhood, the city parks, etc.  I have been walking the country roads and also watching the change of seasons.  Learned it is much nicer to walk the dog with it being 70-80 degrees than when it was still 99 degrees at 10 p.m. 

I don't decorate my home for fall - don't own any decorations.  This year I purchased a wreath for the door and a rug for the floor. 

Outside flower pots (one of my favorite things in life) are disposed of, moved to the shed, and ready for winter.  Patio furniture tucked away in a nearby shed.  Autumn has arrived and winter now closely behind.

And now I get reflective - - - it should really be called the Season of Reflection for me - from now until the New Year.  What was good this year?  What was bad this year?  Did I get things done I set out to do?  Is it a year I would like to forget?  Or one of my best? 

As I write this blog I can hear our granddaughter in the basement with a friend "playing restaurant".  I was down there just a bit ago for coffee and an ice cream sandwich, make believe of course.  We have had her with us for what will be 5 days and celebrated her birthday in a big way!   Husband is in the basement watching K State Basketball.  Dogs are resting comfortably in their new homes.  I am planning a menu for Thanksgiving Day.  My father-in-law and his friend and my dad are coming for lunch that day.  A small, quiet group. We are traveling to our daughters for Thanksgiving celebration on the weekend and Chief's football game!    Family is planning to come for Christmas.  Health abounds for the most part for all of my family. 

So you see, I am appreciating the season I tend to forget, knowing that I am blessed many times over.  If you are reading this, I pray for you to have a great Thanksgiving with family and friends.  Find some time for yourself to "reflect" and count your many blessings . . . go ahead . . . name them one by one . . . (right here on my blog if you'd like!)

AND if you would like to join me in carrying on with a thankful heart in 2013 read about one of the projects I am looking forward to in the New Year!!

Project for 2013

The Gratitude Journal came from Pinterest and had a different look but that's the fun of Pinterest, it's all about ideas and creating and re-creating from those ideas!  The original journal was entitled 365 Things I Am Grateful For in 2013.  My sister and her daughter, and I will be keeping similar journals for 2013.  My aim is to record at least a journal entry each day of something I'm thankful for or blessed by each day and then use pictures and words to decorate journal pages with whatever is on my mind for the week.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Roy runs free ...

   

The "Gray Ghost"

“When people visit my farm they often envision their dog, finally off-leash in acres of safely fenced countryside, running like Lassie in a television show, leaping over fallen tree trunks, shiny-eyed with joy at the chance to run free in the country . . . "
(author unknown)

Always looking for a quote that says just what I'm picturing and this one does it beautifully.  As of recently, I have started to let the big dog off his leash out in the country, to see if he would stay close by.  As much as I can say he has learned to "heel" he still occasionally gently pulls on me and it can at times feel like l00 pounds right on my lower back.   So...in a moment of frustration I hurled his leash in the air and I said just go for it Roy!  And surprisingly enough, he didn't stray very far from me. 

The next day I decided to nicely and rationally remove his leash as we got out of town and let him have free roam.  I kept talking to him and hollering for him from time to time but he lumbered up over the ditches and into fields, down the sides of the road, stopping to sniff and smell.  Then he would come running to catch up with me.  He didn't seem to notice cars and trucks that went by.  He certainly didn't try chasing any.  He did proudly bring me the leg of something . . . quite proud he was . . . and it entertained him a while, but then was soon left along the road side as he came running to catch up with me.

  

Soon a two mile walk was over for me and I felt much better knowing that Roy had also had a two mile walk/run and I could tell he came home tired and ready to chill.  No arguing when he got "home" and turned into his own yard. 

For a city girl who never "did" dogs until recently (amazing what happens to you when all of the kids leave home)and to have this big animal besides in my life - still amazes me. 
                      
                                               

 Winter is coming so I fear that our walks won't happen as often and with the time change I know I'll have to take the "gray ghost" out before dark for fear I will lose him completely.  Weims are called that and it's fitting - their striking gray coat can blend totally in with the dusk and they disappear from sight! 

Grateful for a walk in the countryside and what animals bring to our lives.

Timid little pinner ...

I am making plans already for a busy holiday season - but will enjoy every minute of it!  I am hosting my office crew at my house on December 11 at 6 p.m. for a sit down meal with gift exchange.  I will be posting my ideas for table scape - party favors - and the food!  So I am commiting to four pins!Sure have found some wonderful ideas on Pinterest!   Meanwhile if anyone wants to throw out a good Christmas activity as entertainment - let me know! 

Happy Pinning!!

No sew Pin It Do It project!

October Pin-It-Do-It Challenge . . . finishing up in November maybe??  I did have some delay in getting my second challenge finished up - but reporting in now that I am done!

For my second project in the October Pin-It Do-It Challenge started by Trish @ Love, Laughter, and a Touch of Insanity  I am doing a more Teri-friendly project - and even though I did enjoy my trial at the sewing machine - these tied fleece blankets are a special craft for me!

My granddaughter was my first recipient of a tied fleece blanket 10 years ago!  And as noted in this picture below from a recent trip we took with her - she still carries the "pink blankie"  Her dad, my son Todd, picked out the material and I gave it a whirl.  I loved it so much and felt like such a "seamstress" that I made everyone I knew one - yes - that year I made 35 blankets.  This included one for each of the 5 family dogs too!

Recently, when Elaine was at my house, she found two pieces of fleece in my sewing drawer and said "Grandma I want a new blanket".  I have made her 3 already in these ten years - but I thought - why not another?  So . . . that will be my project this time!

I am trying a new method though.

I found it at http://anewchelseamorning.blogspot.com/2007/08/anyone-can-do-this.html and it involves a new way to tie the ends!   I will include pictures when I finish up!

Off to "no sew"!

Pink blankie is piled on top of the suitcase, back pack, and purse.  Has made many many trips!

Material for the next "blankie"  Hot pink flowers and peace signs!

Original pin looked like this:

And this picture shows the new twist or should I say tie for creating the above look.  Very good job of demonstrating this on her website!

Finished Product!

Elaine's new blanket - just in time for her birthday!

Mitchell Scott ...

Mitch is my nephew (Tami from Just One More Thing)'s son.  Mitch and his sisters Amy and Amanda, my sister Deb's four children (Wade, Ali, Ashton, Lane) plus our own two Todd and Casey make up the "grand kids" and cousins on this side of the family.  I have special stories I love to tell about each one and so in honor of Mitch's birthday which is TODAY . . . I am going to reminisce . . .

The first 10 years of Mitch's life he lived a ways from me . . . but not so far that I didn't see him several times a year and it became a yearly ritual for me to take my kids and go visit over "spring break" at school.  I know my kids sure enjoyed it and I think we all did! 

Then there was the morning when I got the call from my sister Tami - "Mitch(first grade at the time?) was on his bike and he was hit by a truck" - - - well... I'm sure she didn't say it JUST like that - but that is what I heard - and I remember I was instantly panicked and equally relieved to hear that his bike was the only thing hurt . . . I cried with relief.

Then Mitch and his family moved within 12 miles of our home. . . so the next couple of years were great fun - going to orchestra concerts, watching Boy Scout projects - special events at school and one very fun almost daily event - coffee with my sister . . . oh no wait . . . that wasn't what Mitch will remember - - - it was this:

                                                      

Todd's Polaris that stayed in the garage.  As an employee of Bos Motor Sports my son Todd, in college at Fort Hays State University, quickly grabbed on to one of these "toys" and while he was away at college - the rest of us had fun riding it!!  Especially Mitch.  He would come over with his mom and his little sister, Amanda, almost every night after school and shyly ask if he could ride the 4-wheeler.  And we always responded  - sure  - take it slow.  We had an empty lot attached to our property - made for a great race track!! (take it slow - - RIGGGGHHT). 

Mitch lived further from us for the rest of his school days but I still enjoyed watching him grow up - having fun with his cousins - learning to do just about anything his dad could do - which is just about everything - and attending his graduation bash - which was a great time!

Now he joins the family line of Tigers!!  Fort Hays is one of the colleges that many of our family members have attended and he is making us all proud as a firefighter, nurse, concrete plant worker and employee of the eye retrieval bank which does amazing work in organ donation!  Guess you can tell I'm a proud aunt! 

But I have to go back a few years - specifically 22 years ago to the day that this is posting - - - The day Mitch is born . . . like I say many fond memories that surround Mitch!  Of course  - what do you do when a new baby is born into the family - you pack up the car and visit, right??  That's just what we did - that afternoon we loaded up our kids and headed up to St. Paul, Nebraska to see Mitchell Scott.   Now on this short two hour journey, we were enjoying the thrill of already having children - fighting in the car!!!  "Mom he is touching me . . . Mom she's on my side . . . Mom he's looking at me . . . Mom!!! . . ."  Well we lost our patience as you can imagine - and as usually happened - stopped to spank the guilty child . . . and usually it was the big brother . . . Todd.  My husband got out and was headed around to have a "stern" talk with the son - and as he opened the door and still not sure how he noticed - but being the good husband/father - he noted that there was a pile of something under the car - fuel leaking - - - what could it be??  So . . . the story goes that instead of Todd getting swatted a few times - we realized what was really important and headed back to the nearby town to see what could be done!  After 2-3 hours sitting in a small countryside town at a gas station - - - we had a new fuel pump and we were off to see Mitch! 

Happy Birthday Mitch!  Looking forward to many more great memories!

Every family has a story that it tells itself, that it passes on to the children and grandchildren. The story grows over the years, mutates, some parts are sharpened, others dropped, and there is often debate about what really happened. But even with these different sides of the same story, there is still agreement that this is the family story. And in the absence of other narratives, it becomes the flagpole that

 the family hangs its identity from. 

 A. M. Homes

Girls night out ...

Nearly 54 and 76 years old and a new first!  My husband had a "stag" supper to go to last night and so I invited my mom to go to supper with me.  She came to Beloit about 6 p.m. and we went out to a very fancy meal at the local Dairy Queen!  We sat and talked and I said "would you like to come over and watch a Hallmark movie?"  And to my much surprise - she said sure!

Now some would think so what is the big deal - but for me it was an extra special night.  My mom has always lived within a half an hour from me - but still yet - we had never had a movie night just her and I.  Mom isn't big on TV - nor movies - so I was so excited!

Thankful every day - that I have my parents and they enjoy good health.  It's one of the biggest blessings - possibly #1 - that I have been given.

Praise The Lord for this and for Hallmark Holiday Movies!

So we broke out the decaf coffee and shared a Nutri-System dessert bar and enjoyed ...

Hallmark Movie Channel's  -  "Growing the Big One"

All I Want for Christmas is my missing right molar ...

Who would have EVER thought I'd be writing to promote dental health??  Life is sure full of surprises!

The Burden of Oral Disease

Oral health is often taken for granted, but it is an essential part of our everyday lives. Good oral health enhances our ability to speak, smile, smell, taste, touch, chew, swallow, and convey our feelings and emotions through facial expressions. However, oral diseases, which range from cavities to oral cancer, cause pain and disability for millions of Americans each year. For example,

• Tooth decay (cavities) is a common, preventable problem for people of all ages. For children, untreated cavities can cause pain, dysfunction, school absences, difficulty concentrating, and poor appearance—problems that greatly affect a child's quality of life and ability to succeed. Children from lower-income families often do not receive timely treatment for tooth decay, and they are more likely to suffer from these problems.
  Tooth decay is also a problem for many adults, and adults and children of some racial and ethnic groups experience more untreated decay.
• Periodontal (gum) disease is an infection caused by bacteria that gets under the gum tissue and begins to destroy the gums and bone. Teeth become loose, chewing becomes difficult, and teeth may have to be extracted. Gum disease also may be connected to damage elsewhere in the body; recent studies link oral infections with diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and premature, low-weight births. Further research is under way to examine these connections.  

(Above article from the CDC web site.)

My story began back as a child at the age of 4 mom took me to the dentist and I had 13 cavities.  Mom said I breezed through getting those fixed.  I don't remember it thankfully.  I had a sickening fear every six months when it was time to go - and it wasn't helped by an old-time gruff dentist who popped me in the mouth and told me "you are making a mountain out of a molehill".  Being the 1960's no one argued with a doctor - funny - I can picture me if that had happened to one of my kids - I think I might have swung back.  Pulled teeth, braces, etc. and I vowed when I left home - no more dentists for me.  That didn't work well for me.  Have only been to dentists now for toothaches that four advil every four hours (an overdose by the way) won't handle.   3 dry sockets.  More rude dentists.

I kept hearing more about sedation dentistry.  I am very embarrassed about a missing tooth I have that shows when I really laugh.  I began to fear that I was going to lose all my teeth.  So - when on a recent trip to Texas and yet another tooth broke apart - I immediately got on the ipad and looked up a female dentist I had heard of in a nearby town.  She was also a girl from my home town originally and had played basketball with my daughter from time to time - so I was drawn to her to perhaps be the answer for me!  The next day before I landed back in Kansas the office called me - was kind on the phone and set me up with an appt. fully understanding my fears and needs.

Two visits now and I have had one crown, 5 fillings, multiple xrays, and a teeth cleaning.  Have been introduced to sedation dentistry and love it.  Most of all - people who are kind and caring.  The absence of fear I think might be a huge pain killer itself!!!  But I'll keep the "laughing gas" too!

Blessings in finding a new dentist.  I can have a pretty smile and a healthier lifestyle.

Not advertising for anyone special - just the things I have picked for my new healthier routine.

Sisterathon

The title probably makes you wonder huh??  Hours of sisters getting together?? hours of sisters fighting??? No - it was a five hour readathon - shared with me by my sister Tami.  If you follow our blogs you have heard of the Dewey 24 hour Readathon and the upcoming T & T Autumn Readathon but today was just a special spur of the moment idea we had.   Here is how it worked:

Up at 7 a.m. and coffee on.

Post on Facebook messenger to Tami that the Hallmark Channel is playing Christmas movies all day long and at 7 a.m. was Debbie Macomber's Call Me Mrs. Miracle.  Since our Dec. T & T selection is the new Debbie Macomber Christmas Book - An Angel at the Table - we decided to read via our e-readers for the first hour on this new book.  Tami uses a Nook and I use a Kindle on my Ipad. 

With a Readathon you have challenges on the hour or fun activities to give you a break from reading and to keep you awake and alert.

8 a.m. - we answered the question from the book - What do you hope for the New Year?  Not surprising that our hopes and prayers are for family!  Tami put out a challenge for the next hour to pin to Pinterest a favorite childhood book or two onto our Childhood Memories board.  What fun!

9 a.m. - Books are posted to Pinterest and included - Bobbsey Twins and Key to the Treasure as well The Wednesday Witch and Harriet the Spy!

10 a.m. - Tami asked "where is your favorite reading spot?"  Take a picture and post it! 
We both sent pictures of a comfy chair with an ottoman stacked with books, coffee and jammies!

11 a.m. - I shared a great You Tube video of Mannheim Steamroller's Deck the Halls!!  Tami and I hope to be front and center at the Mannheim Christmas Concert Dec. 18th in Salina!!

And for the last hour Tami asked for a list of favorite Christmas books and favorite Christmas movies.  These are the favs:  Skipping Christmas by John Grisham, Mrs. Miracle by Debbie Macomber, Shepherd's Abiding by Jan Karon, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson, and a little Golden Book called The Animals Christmas Eve!  Movies included some great ones:  Home Alone, White Christmas, It's a Wonderful Life, Disney Christmas Carol, Polar Express, Jingle all the Way, A Christmas Visitor and Angel in the Family. 

Noon came way to quick for me - I had such a fun morning.  We asked each other - what is the best thing about a readathon and we both admitted it is just so nice to have a legitimate reason for sitting and reading!!!   But as you can see - it is much more than just reading - it is sharing yourself with others you care about.  Many new friends can be made.  And Tami and I always have fun discussing anything books and anything Christmas!

But wait - there is still more - PRIZES!!!   I presented 3 and Tami presented 3 - and the benefit of having only two participating - you win all the prizes!  I have included pictures below!

Blessings in a morning spent reading and sharing - Blessings in a sister.

Tami's prizes!

    A favorite Christmas Movie!                                

                                                                                      Home crafted potholders by Tami!    

  Mini-card holder and tissue holder by Tami!

Teri's prizes!

Watching Airplanes ...

Moritz Memorial Airport - Beloit, Kansas

BDW tonight (big dog walk) took the one mile route out by our local airport. It has been a bit of a family joke - I want a TOUR of the Moritz Memorial Airport. It is a beautiful night - and it's already November 1 - so snow could be flying but instead we enjoyed a 70 degree day!

The BD was very annoying to me and I ended up throwing his leash in the air and saying "go for it" but that is another story . . .

A co-worker's husband works at the airport and does quite a bit of airplane repair and refueling. The airport is much busier than you would ever dream. It is just a block or so away - on the edge of the city - so many times I have been in the backyard and seen an airplane swoosh down over the road next to me. There is at least one spray plane and several private planes. It is also used for emergency health care units to fly in and out of Beloit.  Physicians from surrounding hospitals have flown in and out of our airport as well.

Blessings found tonight in a quiet walk with a good (canine) friend.

And often when I walk - - - I hear music in my head - - - tonight it was: