Happy 1st Blogiversary, 1000 Blessings Friday & Friday's Feast!

Wow! I cannot believe it has been a whole year since I learned what a blog was and decided to do my own. Where did that time go? Let's take a quick peek into the past, shall we?

A year ago I was in a tremendous amount of pain. So bad that I became bedridden for six months. A year later my pain is reduced by half! And in September that pain will diminish for hopefully a very long time!

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.

A year ago my father was also bedridden and unable to speak, eat or drink. But he was alive.
Five months later he passed away. Now he can walk and talk. And he is living with our Heavenly Father!

Philippians 3: 20, 21 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

A year ago I had a lot of friends. I still do, don't get me wrong!
A year later I have even more friends that have helped me get through a difficult year. What an encouragement you have all been to me.

Romans 15:5-6 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

A year ago I faced many trials. Life wasn't hopeless, but I was experiencing the toughest time ever in my life. I wasn't my usual happy self. I couldn't understand why God was allowing such sorrow into my life.
A year later my eyes have been opened. While I don't have the complete picture yet of why certain events had to take place this past year, I know that His plan is best.

Romans 5:3-5 We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.



Carrie is the creator of 1000 Blessing's Friday. It's never to late to join in and share. In fact, it may be just what you need to get you out of the dumps!

This weeks blessing are:

31. Visits from dear friends. How nice to sit around the kitchen table and laugh and catch up on all the latest news. Not gossip though!

32. Finding bargains. I love the thrill of a good deal. I actually get goose bumps!

33. Blue. I just love the color so much. We have a Mustang in our shop that just got painted the prettiest blue I have ever seen. Oh how I would love to be the one driving. But then again I would probably wreck because I wouldn't be able to keep my eyes off the car!

34. The sense of smell. I was thinking about my dad this week and remembering how he always had to have the oxygen tubes up his nose. And not being able to eat or drink he never got to smell anything different. One day I took over all kinds of things like chapstick, a candle, perfume, glue, a rose, etc. and held it up for him to smell. He was happy I did and then we laughed about the things I could have brought for him to smell that would not be too pleasant!

35. Instead of taking my pain medication every four hours I have been able to increase it to every six hours! My prayer is that soon I will be off vicodin and prednisone and down to only tylenol.

36. Blessed with a husband who works hard all day and phones often to check in on me and see if I am okay and if I need anything!

37. Received a "personal" birthday card from Donny Osmond this week! Hey! Don't rain on my parade. If I want to live in my own little world, than so be it!

38. My dear friends at church provided meals again this week! Today will be our last meal, but we have been blessed with an abundance of good food and a nice break for my family from doing all the cooking.

39. I was able to schedule my next hip replacement for September 10th. That's just one month people! Yikes! But I will be happy to have it done and over with and now I'm sure I will be off crutches and walking on my own by Christmas...maybe even Thanksgiving!! :o)

40. Just being happy and content. Sure I have lots of issues I need to deal with. I'm not perfect. Close though...lol! But right now I am just really happy and knowing how truly blessed I am.

Appetizer

What is your favorite kind of pie?

Oh, why does it have to be a food question this morning when I am so hungry?! And it is hard to choose a favorite. My friend makes a delicious minced meat pie. Never in a million years would I have thought I could eat that, but hers totally rocks. My daughter makes a 4H grand prize winning pineapple pie. I know! Sounds different, huh? And who could resist a chocolate or banana cream pie? I know I couldn't. But if I have to choose I would say pecan pie is my favorite. And heated up is even better!

Soup

Name something that made you smile this week.

Well, if you knew me at all I tend to always have a goofy smile on my face. It doesn't take much to make me grin. Some things that me me smile this week have been funny cards I got for my birthday, my bulldog sleeping (she has to stick her tongue out when she sleeps), and my husband brought me home 4 cans of NOS last night!

Salad

What do you do to cool off when the weather is hot and humid?

I have my kids fan me and feed me frozen grapes while I sip on a mint julep. Doesn't everybody?

Main Course

You receive $1,000 in the mail with a letter that says you can only use the money to redecorate one room in your home. Which room do you pick, and what do you buy to spruce it up?

I am going to be selfish and pick our bedroom even though the whole house needs a makeover. I would replace the carpet, paint the walls, get two new lamps that don't look like they are from the 70's, and get a new bed! We used to have a water bed but it got to difficult for me to get in and out of so we bought a California King mattress to fit the frame. Only trouble is the wooden frame hurt my hips and knees getting in and out of bed so I asked my husband to saw it off on my side. It works, but it looks hideous. Any chance we could raise it from $1000 to say, maybe $5000? I know I've already gone over the limit and I didn't even get to add all new pillows!

Dessert

Fill in the blank: My _________ says __________, but I __________.

My body says it's old, but I say I'm still young at heart!
My husband says he loves me more than our dog, but I know better than that!
My son says he wants to join the army, but I hope he becomes a physical therapist.
My friend says I make her laugh more than anyone else, but I think it's only because I'm the biggest dork she knows!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!