GOOD NEWS ~~ BAD NEWS

Well, I'm still alive!  That is the good news.

The "bad" news is that I'm not out of the woods yet.

My spring diagnosis was pretty dire.  I was told I had until summer.  Well, summer has come and gone and I am still here to tell about it.

I had three rounds of chemo, which rendered me very sick indeed.  That didn't go over well with me, so I chose to stop and seek "alternative" routes.  Did they work?  Only time will tell.  In the meantime, I have stumbled upon sound therapy and have been on this new regime for about a week.  I'm very optimistic.  The little video I saw actually "exploded" the little live cancer cells exposed to the 444 Hz tone.  Snake oil?  Perhaps, but people like me don't have much too lose trying different techniques.  Whatever works, is good enough for me!

I'm still "collecting" miniatures, though I've had very little energy to actually go to the workshop and dabble about with my toys.

I'm ever hopeful that my energy level will increase and that I'll actually be back out in the workshop playing before too much more time elapses!!!

I'll post some photos to give you a glimpse into my world.

In the meantime, I send my best regards to one and all.

: )

EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE

Rain falls upon our heads unexpectedly.

For the past couple of years, I have not felt well, and followed the leads in an attempt to get to the bottom of things.

Well, lo and behold I have now been diagnosed with cancer, which would explain the feelings of malaise.

It has been a rough road to get here, but at least I now know WHAT is at the root cause.

Surgeons are now scrambling.  I sit quietly on the sidelines wondering if it is really me they are talking about?

Whatever the outcome, life will never be quite the same again.

Trying to keep a positive attitude in this tunnel of despair.

What a sadness.

HAPPY NEW YEAR...2017

Clown & "Balloon Man" ring in the New Year for me!

We made it!  2016 is gone forever.  What a year that was!  

I am now totally "bionic" thanks to a pacemaker.

It is a little scary knowing that my entire life depends upon this little battery pack 

that the doctors inserted into my chest.  

That was an experience!  

I now have 3 little lead wires and three screws that are attached to my ailing heart.  

Thank you technology!

I have one more "adjustment" to go, 

and I will then be left to embark upon the rest of my life's journey.

Miniatures are going to be part of my therapy!

They make me happy.

They inspire me.

They bring so much pleasure and joy into a very chaotic life.

I'm glad 2016 is behind me.  It was a very trying year!

My mother is now 92 and in the latter stages of dementia, while my 27 year old daughter who was born with Down Syndrome, requires 24/7 supervision.  To say my life is full, is an understatement of the facts.

I've really missed the years that I have lost to illness, moves and care-taking.

I've promised myself that 2017 will be my year to reclaim my passion for miniatures.

I've been waiting for the holidays to be put behind me; 

and now I l@@k forward to the many hours of enjoyment that lie ahead of me.

Miniatures, miniatures, and more miniatures will consume 

my waking hours and invade my night dreams.

How glorious a thought is that?

Marvelous!

Extraordinary!

Phenomenal!

I am so stoked with the anticipation of this year!

I'm ready to plunge in with both feet.

The excitement is so energizing.

Only one thing left to do before I can begin.  My contractor has to install the cabinets in my workshop.  

Our weather has been bitterly cold.  Single digits.  Brrrr. 

Once that task is completed, it will be just a matter of ferrying my miniatures over from storage, and voila...miniatures, miniatures, miniatures for the balance of the year! 

Whoopee!!!!   

There are so many new things to share with you.  Though I've been away from the Blog for aeons, I have never stopped collecting.  I've amassed some exceptional pieces and some little people, too.

2017 is here!!!

Now it is time to make hay while my sun still shines.

: )

HAPPY OCTOBER!!!

 This is "Wanda" my favorite witch!!!

2016 has flown by!

Here we are approaching Halloween and it seems that I just did this not long ago.

The year has been filled with medical issues for me.  Two weeks ago they finally concluded I needed a pacemaker.  Second week in November I go back in for an oblation of the heart and I will be 100% bionic!!!

Needless to say, I haven't gotten much done in the miniature department with the exception of continuing to add wonderful creations to my growing collection.

Suffice it to say, 2016 has been a lost year.  How sad. I'm keeping optimistic.   I've been assured that once my pacemaker is fully engaged that I will have more energy.  I sure hope so!

: )

TWO MONTHS OF 2016 GONE!!!

I cannot keep up with Life.

It seems like I just got through the holidays, and here it is pushing March already!!

I'm a year older!

I'm still dragging things from the old house to the new.  The winter was very cold, so not a lot got done.  Spring is approaching fast and I'm ever so grateful for the temperatures in the 40s and 50s.

My workshop is ready.  All I need to do is unpack boxes and organize everything.  I've been chomping at the bit waiting patiently to get back to miniatures.  It has been far too long.

This past week I paid a visit to my cardiologist and I got the impression that my old ticker is trying desperately to "right" itself!!!  He took me off some med that was not agreeing with me.  Perhaps Life is in charge again.  : )  I sure hope so.

In the meantime, I've still been collecting.  I've got some really terrific pieces!  Once I get my little photo studio up and running, I'll bring these in and photograph them to share with you.  My head is awash with ideas, wish I had the time!!!

Each day that goes by I get closer to the day that I can actually begin again with my favorite past-time...miniatures!!

Sending everyone lots of love.

IT'S ALMOST CHRISTMAS

Tomorrow my contractor is supposed to come to install the cabinets for the "workshop" and some shelving around the interior of our new home.

This house is going to work for us!  I'm excited.

Our first "party" is going to be Christmas Eve when perhaps 20 of us will gather for our annual sit-down dinner.  I'm not really prepared this year, but the show must go on!  I'll be taking the easy way out this year.  The menu will consist of a giant roast, flavorful roasted potatoes, a scalloped corn casserole, string beans, a cherry/cranberry jello salad, and an assortment of pies with fresh whipped cream or French vanilla ice cream.  That should hold back the tide until next year's event when I will have more preparation time.  : )

For fun, we have a white elephant gift-exchange.  Everyone brings the WORST thing they can put their hands on and then we fight, steal, laugh and barter our way through the opening of all the absurdity.  Everyone has a great time as we make new memories.

Soon, I will find my camera and will begin taking photos of the many unfinished projects.

The other night I moved ALL of the egg cartons and drink carriers over from the old house.  I've been collecting for quite a while.  They will become the "stones" for my cowboy house.  I can't wait to get started!!!  I will be sitting in front of the television and cutting the out.  The house is large, so I will need a sizable pile.  I've been dreaming of this project for years.  Finally, space to spread out and actually accomplish it.

Our weather has been cold and snowy and I've been out in it all moving my houses, room boxes, vignettes, dolls, furnishings, tools, etc.  Can't let other move these precious items.  I ended up with what was probably pneumonia, which I successfully fought off with the use of mega doses of Emergen-C and vitamin C.  It was miserable there for a while.  Glad I'm on this side of it.

In the intervening months, I have continued to add things to my collection.  Shortly, I'll be able to share those with you.  So much to do, and so little time!!  Yikes.

Well, may your Christmas season bring you great joy and contentment!  See you soon.

Blessings to one and all!

 

MOVING AGAIN

This move has come up rather suddenly!

The day before Thanksgiving my brother "suggested" that I take a house that became available only days before.  I jumped at the chance!!

Immediately, I began packing and shuttling belongings to the new home. 

Today, I booked the movers.  They will be coming on the 9th of December to get the BIG items that I am incapable of moving on my own.

Perhaps this will be the last move I will ever have to make.  It is truly a hardship to uproot a life. Uh. I've done it once too many times in the past.

Fortunately, this home is going to ALLOW me to get back to my miniatures!!!!  There is an entire wing of the home that will take my collections.  I may even start "a club" to share my time and efforts with other miniature lovers.  That is a happy thought.

My numerous dollhouses, room boxes, vignettes and little people will  f-i-n-a-l-l-y  have a permanent home.  What a delightful prospect this is.

In the meantime, I am going to be a busy soul sorting, organizing, and packing.  This event has given me my "hope" back, something to actually put my energy into and l@@k forward to. : )

I've been away for a very long time and have felt the loss deeply.  The days ahead sound wonderful!!!

"2016" will be the year I'm back up and running.  Absolutely fabulous!!!

This is our family's latest "mini," little Kaylee, 8 months old.