Been a bad blogger for quite awhile due to being busy with family and life and I am so sorry! I am starting it off again with sad news from today about a very be- loved christian woman in my life!

Evelyn Stephens born 10/20/1921 and went to be with our Lord on 12/6/2011. She had moved into Memory care center 6 days ago and after Grace and Kara visited with her and prayed with her and sang with her, an hour later she passed peacefully to join her Lord and savior.

                        This is a picture of Steve Grace Evelyn and LaDonna in the early days.

 Graces sister made this and posted it in her room at memory care! Grace and Evelyn at the homestead!

 Here she is with her beautiful granddaughters and grace at the eldest gdaughters shower!

 Here she and Steve are at their house of so many years with Joel and Grace and their girls

 Here Evelyn is with  Grace, Pam, and LaDonna her beautiful Daughters at the table in the kitchen!

I have known Evelyn my whole life and she has been a mentor a step mom and friend for all those years and I will really have a hole in my heart with her gone. But I know she will be waiting at the door with open arms whenever we get to those pearly gates to meet us with my Lord and Father in heaven.

Her battle although shorter than my Mother in Laws with Alzheimer's. It truly is a blessing to us all,  that he decided she was needed in Heaven with Him rather than see her totally gone here on earth!

Grace is the closest thing to a sis without being one by blood I have had in my life!

 This last couple of days have been the hardest they have dealt with having to put her in a memory care facility and seperate their mother and father after all these years. I will be praying for Steve as this has got to be so hard on him after making the decision of placing her in this facility and only moments away from moving into assisted care himself.

Getting old has so many pitfalls and these are not good ones in so many ways!

I miss my mom and Dad so much through this time of the year and Jeff's Dad is SO missed also.

 My heart goes out to the family effected at this time of year from the loss of Evelyn, she is SO Loved by so many and touched so many lives over the many years,

 she has truly blessed our lives fully.

I will miss you till I see you again!

I love this family so dearly!

Father please wrap your loving arms of comfort around her family as they prepare to say their goodbyes and keep them safe in this season of Love celebrating our Lords Birth! Amen

Evelyn say Happy Birthday to Christ for me Please!

Love You

Neisey

Hoping for a newer better me to emerge in the coming months!?

Not ever wanting to get my pics taken this one is a grandchild's idea of new hairstyle for me with my extra chin, wide middle and flabby arms!

this one is a little less weight but still big and hippo hips cant get into that shirt right now either!

Family reunion pic after the kids took me on a torture walk in the woods, sweat and all!
HENCE THE REASON BEHIND THIS AWFUL PICS IS THIS:

I am venturing back to a doctor supervised diet I had been on once before and lost 110 lbs on.

HarrisFast is a program that many don't know about because it is by word of mouth and two time kick off at the hospital a year drive for members. It is very regimented and precise, If you do not follow all given to you to do then you can be kicked out of it.blood TESTS ARE RUN REGULARLY AND BLOOD PRESSURE AND OF COURSE WEIGHT! UGH HATE THOSE BIG SCALES!

Last time I did so good because most of my eating time was at work and I was in a small room to drown out the outside world! This time I will be amongst scrappy friends who will be eating many other things outside of my box which will give me a challenge. but I know I can do it over bariatric surgery! That is just not in the cards for me!

I will also know I want to feel like I did skinnier now that I am back to where I started several years ago. I cant even walk right now with out pain and to those of you who know I fell the other day , not those pains they are on top of the pains of exercise..."NO PAIN NO GAIN" is what keeps going thru my head. But I do know it can get better than this and I hit it awhile back on Harris Fast, but then Life hit hard with mom and all the things that happen with Alzheimer's and I let lose of the better me and fell back into my avalanche world comforted by food.

NO MORE as This Monday will start me on my road of recovery and HOPE! I pray for God to talk to me and help me each step of the way so that I may live long enough to have other grand kids and hopefully some Daughter in laws along the way! God willing since He is the only one to know my path and where I am headed at this point, Just don't think it is the road I have been taking as of late!

enough Rambling on....

Have Great Day and Week !

Denise

I know I have only a few that watch my blog and I am gonna probably chase some of those away as I use this as one of my confidential parts of the things I have to write down daily...God is gonna be beside me and my husband is the sweet person to help me back into this money , heart and mind.

Tomorrow at 4:30 is my orientation to get into the restart program! Classes probably starting the 6Th of October! Please pray for him HUBBY as for I will try and cook under supervision some batch food for him as I take this year or more journey. Last time that is what it took to get just 110 lb off this large body off mass...We will see this time ..Jami hopefully will keep on me to walk with her more.

On this WEEK and DAY 20 yrs Ago!

It took my Aunt Doris my mom's twin to get me to look at this date as to why I am so down this week.

20 years ago today was my mother's death!

Dorcas Annette Cole passed away after a bout with cancer she had been in remission 3 years when it came back with a vengeance and she let us know the day before she left to be with our Heavenly Father that she could not fight it anymore that it was time to go home.

20 years ago this week

~a week prior to mom we buried my Dad...Stacy Lewis Haws after going in to the hospital with a heart attack and not making after surgery. Although they had been divorced 15 yrs they followed each other into Gods hands.

This is one of the hardest weeks in my life that I often subconsciously block this time of year but I always heck to be around. Had a good cry last night and felt somewhat better today but surrounded my day with family .

My Day!

Jami my daughter and I went for Sushi at lunch and the bike shop to get DH's bicycle fixed.

then went to try and get my hair cut but will try to get in early in the morning . cuz Tory the one I like is always booked for the day if you are not on her door step at 9am.

Then had supper with two of my favorite men Casey and Jeff at El Chico's.

This is more eating out than we have done in 2 weeks, I so love payday! Then home for Jeff to see the Cowboys so I am on the computer playing and pouring out my guts to the world!

Aunt Doris I Love you and know this is very hard on you with your twin gone, just know we know how hard it is and you are loved by your nieces!

Enough said and hope you have bright days on your horizons I know I am looking for them!

Till next time in Blog land....

Denise

PS....Please continue to pray for my nephew Wesley and family as he will have surgery at Cook's Children's Hospital Set. 21st unless it gets to bad to tolerate before then.

Thanks for the prayers said thus far we have felt them!

Man Want the headache to go Away ...FAR FAR AWAY!

old well and Windmill!

2 of the 3 dogs....these two are for wrangling the cattle!

Terri's miniature donkey note to self get a better pic!

one of the twin cats!

Past two day have had a bad BAD sinus headache and now it is messing with my thinking mode and gotta get stuff thought out to take to Lil Sisters house to house sit!

Wesley is still doing bad and she is trying to get their end worked out with appointments Air fare and lodgings so please continue to pray that it is God's will and all will fall into place like it did last time they went to Baltimore to John Hopkins Hospital with him!

T!m signing backs of our projects!

Never did get pics from T!mster and Cheryl class posted so here are some of the pics!

before we really got started on the curio!

before one of the classes with our goody bags on table!

In Cheryl's half of class showing how to emboss the metal for the frame that is me in the green shirt!

The Saga of the Rain continues!

Correction from yesterday Wes will be 17 on the 25th of June!

Tuesday......11AM...Jeff cough of 5months gets him to cough up blood today. Calls Doc and tells him to get his-self over to the ER. So we sat ( the boys were with me for awhile till their Dad made them leave) while they ran 2 tests xray of chest, which we know has not shown anything in past, and more promising a Cat Scan, one test have not had yet. Then waiting game to find out they don't know anything so sending us home with antibiotic and calling it Bronchitis. and then he will still see the Lung specialist on July 8th. we are all praying we do not cough up anymore blood and that he just busted a vessel in his throat this morning. Got home around 5pm and fed him and off to bed he went. All the coughing gives him a terrible headache.

okay I am praying that God decides to let up on the rain for awhile and we can have some normal activity here at the Cook household for a couple of days. This is wearing me out....

Toshe and I are fixing to water Jami and my plants then hopefully crawling into bed with Jeff and crashing for the night. I miss the kids being gone to Destin Florida but glad they are having fun. Toby is calling me every day to tell me what they have done, and really enjoying his calls.
They are supposed to go see Dolphins tomorrow. They kayaked today and para sailed yesterday.
well gonna go and get the watering done so her plants don't die under my care.......
Have a great day tomorrow till next time....
Denise

Fun stuff and more stuff hitting fan so to speak!

Well went to monthly Scrapstashers class today and did part of a project. but it was fun and will put pics when I actually finish it. Had a problem with my glue discoloring on front and trying to figure out a remedy without having to tear it apart.
Tracy always does a great job and she did it again and it is always fun to be around everyone!

Took Matt to lunch this afternoon and while he was away from his apartment their main bathroom decided to bust and flooded the whole apartment. Needless to say Matt and Casey are surrounded by dry out fans tonight and carpet without padding that is a bit soggy. Hopefully they can get all back to running and dry in next two days.

then this afternoon.......got a call from baby sis and an adjuster came to see them today and all their roofs are in shambles and not just screens and one broken window it also tore up some of the wood exterior. They should know in two days how much money they will have to repair.
My other sis still is waiting for house and trailer adjusters to come there.
My baby sis Terri also told me my nephew Wesley is also getting worse again, he is lethargic again and getting headaches again, she will wait to come into town to Children's until he can't hold his own. I would rather things to get better though so I am praying hard for this to pass and for Gods healing grace to come upon Wesley.......He has so been through tooo much in his life already.

If you would please pray for this young man! And for God s will , which hopefully will be some answers to our prayers....
thanks
Denise

Some Tim Holtz inspired necklaces! & Hallelujah pump shipped today!

My first necklace I made in another Create Joy class

is of my parents and I for me. I used green appletini metal and an inked metal bird.

Also made some earrings to go with that have cross and pin from Tim stuff with green glass beads added to them.

Also used graphic 45 green paper and word page as backdrops to the pic of my father as a boy.The back is of my parents and myself.

On the front with one of the capsule doo dads i have an old earring and at bottom dangling is an old mustard seed that was given to me from my grandma and a Tim Holtzs alpha charm that says moments.

The second necklace that some one in the family can bid on at auction this year is my Dad and Uncle In Hawaii during WWII, graphic 45 ship cut out and added with tiny clip and metal embossed with friend.

Metal in background is just stamped with Stazon in and a stamp!
Added the Cherish charm at bottom.

Back of the charm has my dad on base relaxing backed with embossed metal and also his name embossed Also used some more graphic 45 scraps.

Added a mix of old jewelry chain and some glass beads on wire for the chain and then made some Christian fish and glass bead earrings to go with it!

Yea! Jeff my DH's Insulin pump is gonna be shipped today to us and not a moment tooo soon since the other one is only working part time these days!

This is what we are getting no tubing!!! Yippee!

And this is the object of much stress lately that has tubing and is working intermittently lately which is no bueno in Diabetes world! Answers to prayers today!

Yea Jeff has a insulin pump on the way today

Well until next time have fun creating something!

Denise

Feelings of a Complicated Life!

Well after Jeff's Insulin Pump Company went under 2 months ago we have wondered what we were gonna do if his stopped working before we got into the Endocrinologist. Today was my DH's appointment to see what our options are and out of about 4 options looks like we are gonna see if insurance will help on an Omni Pod. Which is so cool because he only has to wear the portion that is white, the other portion works like a PDA unconnected to the insulin part. He fills it like we did with his old Pump every 3 days ,but it is wireless no hanging strings to get caught on anything. and it is waterproof also. I have been praying for something good and last time we had a pump quit pumping it was nearly a disaster. Now for the paper work and Insurance stuff, so still gotta wait on time....So hopefully God is still listening to my pleas for the old pump since it is having issues lately.

Next is my procedure for tomorrow....COLONOSCOPY!.....fun fun fun.....NOT!
At 5 pm I get to start my cleansing with the first bottle , then at 7 pm the second bottle, Yummy!
After 7 I am unable to drink anything that is not clear, could have coffee or tea before then but also not supposed to drink caffeine after 12 per sleep study. I am so not looking forward to 5pm.
At least I am asleep tomorrow during the procedure at 6:15 am, Jeff has got his work cutout getting me awake that early in the morning without caffeine and hopefully home before 9am according to the nurse.....Hoping the find something treatable and not the nasty things. Having this due to my age.....You know the magical one that comes after 40 and because having problems in that area that have been worse since surgery.......So Dr. Sajid needs prayers to be guided and knowledge to get me on the right track, Hopefully and for me to have calmness in 30 minutes as I start my cleansing YUK YUK YUK!
Creativeness to follow this week as I finish up some items from classes I have taken...Yippee for Movie prep solution !.....NOT!
Denise

Way 2 Much Fun!

Just one of my photos so there would be one this time, scavage items from sisters Ranch.

......... Life in the Cook Family.....
Well Freedom to come and go on my own feels great till I overdo things. Went antiquing aat my fav antique mall Lone Star Antiques and garage sales by the dozen. did not have much money this week after getting some Easter goodies for the Gkids but had fun till realized I had been out too long and neck is swollen and very tender tonight so I will stay home tomorrow and work on a challenge that is due the 15th.


This will be my first challenge to enter and I could enter as many times as want, so went over board with therapy pieces, so after get the pics turned in will post the altered shoes I have turned out while been down and with each one I have gotten more control of my hands and it shows in the work so just doing it for the fun of doing it .

Went to the Create Joy Open House Thursday night and saw many people I haven't seen in along while felt soooo good to not feel like a stranger too! signed up for several things and keep telling myself I gotta be slow getting back into things but the Create Joy Have got some cool stuff this time to do, She hasn't posted the classes yet she has been so busy but this coming week ya oughta check it out.

Cash got to go home from Hospital tonight and looks and talks pretty good for someone on major pain meds. 12 weeks before he can even think of getting around good, but his spirits are very good tonight. He thinks sooner but pain meds give you that feeling of doing more than body wants to, until they start wearing off! He still needs your prayers.




I hope every one has a great EASTER week-end and has quality family time, or being close to someone to share this most precious holiday of our Lord and Saviour!

May his blessings pour down on you and yours..

Denise

The Doctor was in!

Today is a Praise my Father in Heaven and the guidance of surgeons hands!
I am starting today, able to take my brace off for short intervals ,and I'm gonna have to go to Physical therapy to learn to use and strengthen the muscles in the use of my new titanium plate that holds the three together but all is fusing and filling in where it was supposed, faster than Dr. Wilson thought! OH and no more ticking bone stimulator for four hours a day it gets to go BYE BYE! I have walked the length of the house without it this evening and sat in the chair with it off. Amazing how your head can feel way heavier than it is. After the Xray today Doc let me keep pics and the gkids think they look cool where you can see the plate and the screws into my bones!

Second praise Wesley is doing better day by day after last surgery it is just slow. Terri is still teaching him at home but hoping he is strong enough to go back with his peers soon~

Third praise and prayers are for my nephew Cash who was thrown from a horse and crushed his hip bone Saturday, and after about 6 hours in surgery at JPS and three plates and lots of screws and pins he is back together into one piece . And the company he was working for is gonna hold his job for the 6-12 month recovery rehab time. Cash is 20 and has no insurance so he still needs prayers and so do my brother in law and sister in law as this blended family takes him back into their house to care for him.
In His Loving caring Hands I am held!
Denise