Forty Love Nana

Last night I was blessed to stay with Jackson while Charlie and Liz went to Lindsey’s rehearsal dinner.  It is hard not to compare children, grandchildren, etc because they all have similarities but differences – having said that Jackson was stacking his Mickey Mouse books last night – when they would fall he would say, “Oh no, Mickey Mouse!”  When Macey was little and would get quite I would say, “Macey, where are you?” and she would say “Stacking books!”  Later I put Jackson to bed and listen to him fuss and call out to Na for about an hour then I finally went upstairs and there he stood in his bed with all his blankets in the floor, no socks on his feet and his pajama shirt neck down around his waste – after fixing all that I held him in my lap to put his socks on and asked him if he wanted to get in his bed “No” so I said lay your head on Nana and go to sleep.  He laid his little head on my chest and when almost asleep he would sit up, after several “do you want to get in your bed” and “no” rounds he finally laid his little head on me and let me rock him to sleep.  There is nothing any dearer to me in my life than my grandchildren.  Their love comes from and open heart that has not yet been tainted by disappointments, failures, hurts and so many other criteria. 

I am working on my book – a collection of my favorite poems, sayings, tid-bits of information, some sketches and my personal thoughts.  Thought it would be good to keep something similar to a journal but not quite, am not yet ready to release all that is bottled up in me to that extent but perhaps through blogging and my book I will learn.

Today and day before yesterday we were finally able to play tennis.  My game was not up to par, we played at Jackie A’s house on her hard court.  Still it was good to get out of the house and to get some much needed movement and motion to get the old heart pumping.  My tennis friends are all awesome.  They are probably the best support group ever.  Yesterday I went to my parent’s house and took my Mom a scrub I had made for her to help with her congestion.  I also got my Dad to let me massage his feet and used the scrub on him – didn’t know he had ticklish feet.  I started a new scrub for our preacher.  I felt the need to seek components that would promote spirituallity, calm and energy.  Was going to deliver it last night at our monthly women’ s meeting but did not go so will deliver it Sunday.  It will not be easy for her to follow instructions for use but she does not like to follow instruction.  Have been watching the Dog Whisperer and studying ways to help my dogs become better pets and more a part of the “pack” in our family.  Still have people obstacles to overcome but with hard work and God’s helping hand all will come out as He intends.  Just need to be careful to listen and not interject my ideas.  My brother-in-law brought me a book case today so I started putting all my music on the shelves.  It will be a tremendous help to have all of it on the shelves so I can easily see and find what I need – the hard part will be putting it up when I am finished.  Neatness is not my long-suit!  Will back on the tennis courts tomorrow, hurrah!!

Wednesday night of this week several of us went to a local nursing home and sang some old hymns.  Our age range was 13 to 82 for singers.  Guitars, bass and mandolin and we really gave from our hearts which always makes the music special.  So many smiles.  We decided to go into each hall to sing so that those who are confined to their rooms would be able to hear, sing along and feel included.  How important to all of us to feel included.  I wonder what facilities such as the one we visited could be called that would be more positive.

Well, it seems that I cannot keep track of what I do and don’t do – go figure.  I forgot about yet another person for whom my concern spurred a rub.  She has suffered with a rather rare condition for several years now, in my mind and heart I saw a need for detoxification.  I used the clearest oils I could find with sugar, lemongrass oil and lemongrass tea that I infused into the oils.  Left specific instructions for use with starting and stopping points and motions for applying scrub, etc.  Haven’t heard the results, if any.  Can only do what is in my heart and leave the rest to the recipient and the Good Lord.  One note, the need for detox must have been on their hearts, as well, because they were going to start a specific detox eating program as of Jan 1.

I forgot one of the scrubs I made for Christmas.  One of my friends is a portrait artists so her hands are of so much importance.  I concocted a scrub for her hands that was meant to rejuvenate and restore.  It contained lemongrass and her favorite earl grey tea.  Something for her hands and her soul.  Aroma is so important to the healing, in my humble opinion.  The oils I use for the base are sweet almond, grapeseed and jojoba.  The scrub is granulated white sugar.  Some oils are absorbed into the skin and improve the health of the skin.  The lemongrass and earl grey were infused into the oil.  The main ingredient in all my scrubs is love for the person I am holding in my heart when I strive to create a healing combination.  This makes me think of another ministry of love and caring – follow this link http://www.thistlefarms.org/becca  see what you think.

Today in my search for the chinese proverb “If I keep a green bough in my heart . . .” I discovered Oriah, who is a writer and has her own blog, The Green Bough.  Her thoughts were based on procrastination which perfectly discribes how I have been about blogging.  Who knows why, perhaps fear of others know too much about me or perhaps fear that no one will be interested to know about me.  I love to create whether it be art, craft, music and used to write a lot but years have passed since I really wrote more than just a thought here and there.  I do have a good many of those saved, perhaps that would be good material for my blog.  Visit The Green Bough, http://oriahsinvitation.blogspot.com/ 

I have recently renewed my interest in essential oils.  Primarily with regard to healing and the use of essential oils in massage and bath to promote healing.  So, I have started studying again.  As you can see I have also started my blog again.  Perhaps this will be the beginning of great things for my blog and my need to help others.  Any of you who have good combinations of oils for scrubs, etc are welcome to contribute your suggestions.  My primary focus, at this point, is for external healing, such as dry skin, cracked hands, winter’s itch, etc.  I have made several scrubs for some of my dear friends based on the condition of their skin, what they do every  day that takes a toll on their skin and how to help them get relief.  So far I have made and given scrubs, primarily for hand issues, to 4 dear friends.  I started the gifting on Christmas eve eve.  As with most gifts that we give from our hearts I am sure the benefits will be too many to express but I will share right here.  My first gift went to a friend who has cracking on her hands.  As I delivered on Christmas eve eve I am met at her door with her leaving to go to her mother.  On the Monday after Christmas her mother left this earth.  In the one conversation we have had during this time she sayed her srub is doing great things and is wonderful.  I hope it is giving soothing to her heart as well as her skin.  The second gift, delivered on Christmas eve, was for my sister-in-law, who works for a dentist and is constantly washing her hands.  Years of doing this have taken a toll on her tiny hands so I put her in my heart and studied and listened for a scrub that would meet her needs.  She used it immediately on that night and seemed to be so grateful and really loved it.  My third gift went to one of my dear friends who is always there for me.  She loves working in her garden and uses her hands for so many createful projects.  Once again, the individual was of primary focus for the scrub.  She left me a message yesterday saying how great it was to use and that her hands were healing and not cracking.  She also tried the scrub in the shower and found that her itching stopped (I am guessing winter’s itch, dry skin) but I did not know of that issue.  The fourth gift was to a male friend who is outside a lot and does great and wonderful carpentry.  I have not had feed back from him at this time.  How it blesses my heart to be able to give what I feel is something not just from me but from within me to others.  Thanks be to God and all praise and honor to him, the great physician.

Okay, I am determined to blog!!!!  Big Bad (aka John aka Poppie) has the walking pneumonia thing and was up last night until after 2 – so, guess what, me too!!  Jackson (grandson) arrived this morning at 7:45 or so and from there the day was up and down and not really super wonderful.  I did get to put in some time on the tennis court but my game was about like the rest of my day – up and down!

I need to stop complaining and remember all I have and express my praise and gratitude – so, here goes

I have so many comforts in this life, a lovely home, air conditioning, plenty of food, two fun pets (Doodle and Buster) – these are my comfort that God has allowed me to have and I thank Him and praise Him!

I have a partner in life who provides for me and takes care of me.  Today he is not feeling well and actually, he is having some heart problems so this cold thing is taking a toll.  I pray God will touch John with his healing hand and give him the peace of His presence.  Thank you, Lord.

I am blessed to have two wonderful children, Kelly, my daughter and Charlie, my son.  In turn each of them has found a life partner who they love and who loves them.  To make all this even better I now have 3 beautiful grandchildren.  Two granddaughters, Macey and Mariana, and one grandson, Jackson.

My parents are in fairly good shape for their age and live near by.

I can still play tennis and play with my grands and enjoy Wii tennis, golf, Mariokart, etc.  I love puzzles and card games, too.

I have many friends.

This list is not long enough but at least some of my blessings are listed and I know that God has provided all these gifts, Praises to you , Lord.  May your kingdom be glorified here on this earth and may we stand solid to keep your name in our everyday lives and in the lives of our children and grandchildren!

Thanks for listening!

For a long time I have pretty much kept all of my thoughts to myself.  As of today I am making myself a promise to reveal more of me and to open myself  to others through this blog.  I am not much of a blogger but I am going to work toward becoming one.  So be looking for my daily updates, which will pretty much be of a personal nature, and if you are willing share your thoughts, too.

Today I am looking for song lyrics with guitar chords and in my search discover that Luke Bryan, from Leesburg, Ga., has song lyrics listed at cowboy lyrics. I believe he is seeking votes on CMT for top new male vocalist – so thought this might be good for some of you interested in seeing this young man prosper. The link for Luke’s web site is www.lukebryan.com – Check it out!!