A New Year is Coming- Post Not Published in 2017

Hi Everyone!  Hope your 2017 Christmas was a wonderful one. 

I wanted to let everyone know that I just published two posts from 2017 for viewing that I had saved as drafts.
1. Was a post about a table that I bought, and 2 was a post from the Country Living Fair in Atlanta.  I hope that you find something in them that you will enjoy.  We all have good intentions and I meant to post them this fall and got way to busy getting ready for Christmas.  At least that sounds like a good excuse.

Can't wait until 2018 and we have some new interest to posts about.  Wonder what the new year will hold?  I pray it's a great one for you all.  I wish everyone safety, health and wisdom for the upcoming year.  God has blessed us all so immeasurably that it's hard to even want or think of more isn't it?  Lord, help us to be so grateful for what we have and except the things we cannot make better. 

Happy New year in blogland everyone!

Daughters of the American Revolution

Today I'm going to blog about my experience in joining the wonderful ladies of DAR Augustin Clayton Chapter. I joined many years ago (probably around 2002).  I'll have to check to see when the

actual date was and come back to update this post for accuracy since I have a brain fog today.

Anyway, it took about a year to find all my paperwork.  As you all probably know, you must do the research to prove that you are a descendant of an American Revolutionary War Veteran.  My war hero was Captain James Cartledge.  He served in North Carolina but died later died after the Revolunary War in Washington, Georgia.

But I didn't come by this information very easily.  In the beginning, I wanted to research my lineage on my mother's side as she always wanted to become a DAR. Since her passing in 1987 it was a desire for me to complete this as a remembrance of her.  So, I started out with my maternal grandparents, Etsie Harris and Wilson Reames.  I researched it all the way back to the Revolutionary War and used many books and documents to complete my application.  After completion, it was submitted to Washington through my current chapter.  

After about 6-8 weeks our chapter was contacted to say that my lineage could not be proven because there was one book that was incorrect and the National DAR in Washington had received paperwork for other applications from the same area and found this particular book "The History of Harris County" by Elisabeth Barfield stated some incorrect information.  I knew that my part in this book was correct because my Big Mother, Etsie Harris (pictured above on the left in my heading) was interviewed by the author as Mrs. Barfield was in her Sunday School class at our church, Rose Hill Baptist in Columbus, Georgia during the 50's and 60's.  My Aunt, Lois Harris Geiger (also pictured above in the fur coat and hat) had told me this story many times and also told me the history as it was also stated in the book. In fact, Aunt Lois (AKA: Nannie) was present for the interview with my Big Mother.  My mother even had a copy of this book in our home as I was growing up.  Well this information was devastating and I was so assured that the information I had submitted was correct and didn't understand why they had denied my application.  

However, something good did come out of that disappointing phone call.  It seemed that when they denied this application, they wanted to approve another line for me that was already proven in the National DAR records.  The one of my father's line, being my paternal grandmother, Ruby Dean Cartledge.  They already had all the information on file there in Washington and sent my approval on that line.  We just had to resubmit another application stating my lineage to Ruby Dean.  And we did and I was inducted into the DAR.  

However, I always vowed that I would prove the lineage to my mom's heritage.  I never have done that; however, I did do a DNA testing out of Houston to see if there was ever someone out there that had a line I belonged to for my maternal side.  One day maybe

Easter Memories

This week I begin to plan Easter at our house by creating our Easter menu. As I did many memories begin to flood my mind such as the memory of Easter 1957. My momma took these pics of my brother, Ken (tallest with glasses who passed away last July 2016), me (the little one in the front left age 4). The other two children were our neighbors, Susan Guthrie and Wayne Guthrie (Wayne passed away at the age of 16). Our moms made our beautiful dresses that year and we were so proud of them.

The next pic was of my little sister, Katrina on the right and on the left the neighbor's child, Robin Guthrie.

Easter is such a beautiful time of remembrance and renewal of new life though our Savior. I thank God for the beautiful memories of Easter pasts and am so grateful we have these memories with our children and grandchildren today.

Now it's Good Friday and the memories of past celebrations come back also with time spent with family at church and at dinner at home.  I know your also must have pictures of your families that you also cherish.  Especially when you look back after a love one has gone to be with Jesus.  But just as the Lord passed on the cross He gave new life on Sunday!  So I look forward to seeing my loved ones in Heaven one day.

Here are some of our most recent years at the Cross of my son-in-law and daughter's church. I love how they celebrate at their church every year with this cross that is full of fresh flowers.  The minister also gives everyone in attendance something that represents his sermon to make the service more meaningful. Items such as peacock feathers, old keys, Jesus sandal charms, etc.  I still have some of these small trivial items that help me remember these sermons.

I think the boys were 1 and 3 here.

Our boys were only 2 and four. 

Boys were 4 and 6

They may have been 3 and 5 here.

It's great to see how our children have grown since we began attending when Harris was a very tiny baby.  Memories of Easter's past, what a great thing!

May each of you have a wonderful Easter filled with memories that will last forever.  And keep making many more every year!

The Good, Bad & Ugly of Bunion Foot Surgery

The Good, Bad, and Ugly Bunion Surgery

I just wanted to give all a small tutorial on how my Big Toe Bunion Fusion surgery went. I know this is going to be a long post, so if you aren’t having bunion surgery in your future you may not want to stay with me for this post.  I’m writing it mostly so I won’t forget everything I have gone thru to get to this point, but also for those of you out there that need the information.  It would have been so nice to find this post on the web before I went to surgery. At the bottom of the post I will list some things that you may want to consider purchasing or arranging before you go to surgery.  It will make your life so much easier I promise! It was wrapped in a hard bandage so it couldn’t be bumped and was told to not unwrap it and return to the doctor in 3 days.

PROCEDURE

I had surgery on Wednesday, November 18, 2015.  The orthopedist found that my main joint had a ton of arthritis on it and was really deformed. So instead of just shaving the bunion off, she had to put in a steel plate with 4 screws and a staple.  I knew beforehand that I would need the plate and screws but did not know about the arthritis. 

 Before the  surgery the anesthesiologist told me he was putting a pain block at the surgery site so when I got home to start taking my pain pills before it wore off and that’s exactly what I did every 4 hours.  My husband would set the alarm on my phone and write down when I took a pill.  I also had two antibiotics (for 2 weeks) to help me heal quickly as I am a type 2 diabetic.  I took  the pain pills for 4 days and I promise you I did not have any pain.  God has been so good to me during this time for I don’t do well with pain

RECOVERY

Below is a picture the day after my surgery with a cool air compress on that kept it from swelling.  Not mandatory, but my BFF had this machine so thought it would be a good idea to take advantage of it so she loaned it to me.  Also, another tidbit, until you put your foot on the ground 7  weeks later, it has to be elevated above your heart.  I did this on the sofa, bed, and especially while sleeping at night,  everywhere I was and I promise it makes a huge difference in recovery. 

AFTER 3 DAYS

After 3 days I received a hard cast and since it was the week of Thanksgiving my husband thought that I needed a Christmas cast.  The cast stayed on for 4 weeks.  That was the hardest part of it all. 

We live in a two story home so the first two weeks I didn’t even try to go downstairs.  After staying in bed for a week I utilized the upstairs study/den in the recliner.  After the second week I was feeling better and wanted to venture downstairs.  So you know what that means, bump, bump, bump on my back end.  Also that meant that someone had to take my scooter down the steps.  Eventually after my cast was removed I learned to take it down in front of me and drag it up behind me.  It would have been nice to have someone there to do it but someone had to go to work if you know what I mean! I also couldn’t shower without help because that cast was hard to get in and out of the shower with.

AFTER 4 WEEKS

December 17^th,  I went back to the Ortho and she removed the cast, which was wonderful because that cast was so very heavy.   Here they are cutting it off my left foot.  A shame you can’t see a picture of my face as it was beaming!  Another baby step!!! 

She replaced the cast with a boot but no putting it on the ground.  I wore the boot for 3 weeks, but could take it off to bath the foot and finally could get in and out of the shower by myself still using the shower stool.

AFTER 7 WEEKS

January 7^th, she said I could do some limited walking with my heel on the ground and return in 6 weeks, February 18^th . Also I didn’t have to sleep with the boot anymore.  The first time I put my foot on the floor pain shot up from my heel and I was not able to walk on it for about 4 days.  I massaged my heel every chance I got and put heat on it.  On the following Monday I was able to begin walking a lot more.  Now I see that the circulation and muscles are returning and it feels so much better. 

AFTER 13 WEEKS

My next appointment is February 18^th, 6 more weeks and then she says I should be able to wear a tennis shoe for a while.  How long I’m not sure but at least I am now walking a little.  I hope by the time I return I’ll be walking everywhere.  Baby steps, I have to keep remembering.  But she did say I should be able to return to some exercising in March so for that I’m excited. 

PREPARATION

Days Before Surgery

1.       Rent a Scooter with basket or use a tote bag that will hang from handle bars.

2.       Rent or purchase a Shower stool.

3.       Put all your bathing/hair  products within arms-reach so you can get them while seated.

4.       Buy a plastic cover for showering (or use a trash bag).

5.       Borrow if you can a cool air machine for swelling (not a definite need but nice).

6.       Purchase soft bandages and paper tape for when you wear your boot. (at least 2 packages of bandages).

7.       Select pants that have wide legs such as jogging pants and long or short T-shirts (at least 4 sets).

8.       Also pull out your undergarments, large socks (I used my hubby’s tennis socks) and gowns/pajamas..

9.       Take the clothing and put them in a place to easy access.

10.   Pull your one shoe out of the closet for easy access.

11.   Pull together a basket that can hold your cell phone, snacks, magazines, IPad, note pad, pens/pencils, medicine billfold with credit and debit cards, bills for bill paying, thank you note cards, stamps, books for reading, lots of bottled water, and anything  else that you may want to use during recovery and boredom.

12.   Wherever you end up, bed, sofa, or chair you will need pillows to elevate your foot. 

13.   A small cooler for if you have to have someone leave you lunch and snacks for the day (when my hubby returned to work).

I know this sounds like an extensive list but it would have saved my husband countless steps in the recovery process.  It’s hard enough for that person to prepare the food, food shopping, do the wash, etc. and take care of you. Especially during Christmas and Thanksgiving holidays. 

THANK YOUS

During this recovery I will say I had many wonderful friends and co-workers stop by and visit, bring coloring books, crayons, magazines, flowers, snacks.  I think we had food for two – three weeks for dinner every evening.  What would you do without friendship.  I know my husband really appreciated all those blessings as well as myself.

Also, I must tell you I don’t know how I would have gotten through all of this if it had not been for my wonderful husband.  It was a long haul and still not over but up until last week I could only fix myself a sandwich and only if I had to.  So most of all you will need someone who is willing to stay with you.  

PS
I wrote this about 8 weeks ago in May.  Since then I am doing much better and can wear my shoes, or some of them.  No high heels ever.  But at least I'm styling better now.  The doctor has sent me a stimulator that I use nightly for 30 minutes which helps stimulate the tissues in my foot and has attributed to healing my foot.  It is really working!  

My Updated Blog

Hey guys, thanks for stopping by.  Thanks to the sweet Brenda over at My Cozy House, we were able to make the blog easier to read.  She took out some of the background color on the blog and helped me organize it a little more.  Plan to spend some time with her the first of the year to get some more things done.

Just wanted to shout out to Brenda for all the work she did with me yesterday to make it more user friendly. Hope you like the new changes.  Keep reading for more updates to come.

Friendships

As many of you, I have several groups of friends.  They come from different social groups that I hang with such as dinner club, garden club, book clubs, social clubs, bunko, and old school friends.  And...as you know you never are short for conversation when you get together.  It's like yesterday when you finally are able to share your thoughts with one another and catch up.  I cherish those times together.

But, as I get older I have come to realize that we are all friends for a reason.  God has put each one of us in each other's lives for a purpose!  My mother, whose picture is in my heading in the white dress,  always taught me that you should have three (3) sets of friends. The first set of friends should be older than you, so they can mentor you as you grow in the Lord. They help you temper your life to His liking and assist in His plan for you.  And, they have great recipes!

The second set of friends are your age and share in your life as you both go along the way.  You usually have children the same ages and have so many wonderful memories of childhood stories of when you were raising your children.  You also encourage, help, and love one another as you grow together, and travel along life's paths.

Finally, the third set of friends are those that you are mentoring, as they are younger than you. Sharing what God has done for you and will do for them if they are faithful.  As you cherish all three groups, these younger ones are the friends you love to watch grow as hopefully you have grown through the eyes of the older generation that mentored you.

As I see these groups that I hang with, I noticed that we all are there for each other, as in a marriage, through sickness and in health, in bad times and good; having fun; enjoying fellowship with one another; and learning and leaning from and on each other.

I thank God for all my friends and pray that they will continue to love me as I love and cherish each and every friendship that comes my way.  I always want to be a good friend, trusted and true, and pray that God will help me as I strive to continue doing just that.  I know my friends are just that to me also.

So call your friends today and meet them for lunch and cherish the time together!

My Sweet Grandson!

Harrison, my oldest grandson who just turned 7 last month, drew a pic that I wanted to post.  I thought it was very ingenious of him to label it the way he did.  I think it's simply adorable and wanted to share! As you can see it says:
Name: Harrison
Harrison (Spider-man)
Alex: Venom
From: Harrison
To: Alex
I thought this was so cute since he added all the punctuation
 

Are you wondering what Etsie and Me is all about?

As I was praying about what I wanted to call my NEW EMBROIDERY BUSINESS, it came to me that I should call it "Etsie and Me".  Some have asked why Etsie and not Etsy, and more importantly, who is Etsie?  Well Etsie was my Big Momma and the teacher of "all things fabric" in my childhood.  She is the elderly lady at the top of the blog!  Etsie Harris Reames

I was her little granddaughter that thought she could do no wrong.  She was so very special to me as a child, even though she died when I was eight years old.  I remember her as if it was yesterday and the memories are yet so very strong.  She was my teacher in so many ways and she gave me my first look into the world of fabric, sewing and crafting.  But most importantly she led by example in her Christian faith in the Lord Jesus! What a scholar I might have been had I had her longer.  Funny, she would have insisted on me memorizing more scripture than any eight year old could fathom. 

At an early age, I remember her sitting me up on a chest on the back lattice walled porch where she kept all her sewing items.  She gave me a jar full of buttons where I played what seemed like endless hours arranging them, lining them up and holding them up to the sun just to see how pretty they all were.  There were all kinds, large and small, dressy and plain, and all colors for she used these in her sewing for others as she took in sewing on the side to help with the household income.

Another memory I have of her was how she introduced me into the world of crafting, if that's what it was called when I was six or so.  I just remember it was something to keep a little girl busy on a cold winter afternoon.  My great aunt, Dovie Harris Kennon, a so-called DAR member and who was married to Dr. Kennon, a dentist, was visiting from Little Rock, Arkansas. (I later found out that Dovie's children would not share her DAR paper work because she really wasn't a DAR, but that's another story.) Anyway, as sisters that hadn’t seen each other in a while chatted, I crafted under their direction.

Big Momma gave me a Sears Roebuck catalog, a pair of scissors and some cardboard.  I set on the floor in front of the fireplace while she stirred a pot of homemade vegetable soup and hoe cakes (however, my momma said she was not a good cook) and she showed me how to cut out paper dolls.  I cut out the women with pretty dresses, the men with suits on, and even a few little children.  We made glue out of flour and water and I applied it to the cardboard and put the cutouts on it.  After it dried I would cut around the paper doll and I would then have a sturdy paper doll to play with.  She was always making do, or as my friend says "repurposing".  I love that friend too.

During the 1930's my mother told me she would take her, as a teenager, downtown and have her pick out a dress in the dress shop window and then come home and make it for her to wear.  In fact the dress my mother graduated from high school in was made by my Big Momma and I still have that precious dress that is now 76 years old, thanks to my precious niece, Tiffany Holland Clark that thought I needed it.   

Since there were two of us, my sister, Katrina and myself, my aunt "Nanny" would make my clothes and my dolls alike while Big Momma would make my sisters.  My mother was a good seamstress too, however since we were the only granddaughters that lived in Columbus, Georgia we were the ones that got the pretty clothes made by Nanny and Big Momma.  So as you can see we thought everything had to "match".  I was even told that my sister and I had winter coats every year that were made by their fingers.

So you can see why my memories are so precious, as I am sure you readers have precious memories too.  But, I would love to just spend one more day with my Big Momma in front of that big old fireplace!   Oh the questions I would ask and what she would teach me.  I bet the veggie soup and hoe cakes would even be better than my mother remembered.   Maybe one day when I see her again!  I love you Big Momma and I always will!