Glory Byrne 1996 - 2011

December 23, 2011 Glory went to be with Bob in heaven.

We were dogless when Glory came to live with us fourteen and a half years ago.

DH Bob overhead a young man in Paw Paw say he had a six month old lab mix puppy that was tearing things up in his apartment and he had to "get rid of her". She ended up in the cab of Bob's truck.

Upon arrival, Glory jumped out of the truck, ran around the perimeter of our five acres, checked out the pond, checked out the creek and was from that day on a very happy, well-behaved dog who never tore anything up. She was too busy running, swimming, catching frogs, and guarding her new home from rodents, rabbits, deer, and other wildlife.

She was a wonderful, intelligent, faithful dog. She will always be remembered with love.

Merry Christmas to All

Santa and Grandaughter Sydney, 6 years old, 2011.

Chat Back for December 10

Responding to comments left since the last time I did Chat Back.

Judy S. asked . . .

I made your orange spiced nuts the other day, and they were yummy. Have you tried them with cereal for breakfast?

I've made them several times in a double batch to take to various get-togethers. They weren't a big hit so both times I had plenty left over to munch on at home and I totally enjoyed doing that at all times of the day and night, although I never ate them at the same time as my cereal. Sounds like a great combination.

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Mrs. Susan Wike wrote . . .

Try Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day. It makes you feel like a real French baker--and there's bread dough ready in the fridge for a loaf whenever you want one.

Haven't tried this yet, but it's on my list of things to try someday. I gain a pound every time I think about it.

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Susanne asked . . .

How are the bathroom reno's coming along?

The important, urgent things are under control. No more leaking into the basement, no more dry rot in the floor.

The past two months I've been doing physical therapy and it's been painful, so I haven't been painting and I keep telling myself there is no hurry. I half believe that.

It will get done. If I'm not able to manage it by spring, I will hire it done.

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Lola wrote . . .

If the hard drive is making noises, it's a signal that the drive will fail soon, at any time. Make backups of essential files NOW and start looking for a new laptop sooner rather than later. Hard drives do have a shelf life, and it soulds like your laptop is pretty old.

Don't worry. I know all that.

I am backed up. I do intend to buy a new laptop soon. If the laptop dies before I'm ready, I'll cope with it. I have Bob's desktop as a backup CPU, although it's probably easier to set up a new laptop than to change his settings to mine.

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NMJewel asked . . .

One of these days, you'll surprise us all with... socks! Eh?

Blame the physical therapy. I haven't figured out yet how to knit without getting into a posture I'm not supposed to get into, and most of the time my shoulders and neck hurt too much to enjoy knitting anyway.

This will not go on forever. I am getting better. So yes, one of these days I will surprise you.

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Judy wrote . . .

In the midst of all the sorrow I pray you will also experience peace.

Thank you Judy. I do have peace.

Last week’s Griefshare lesson was about how we can’t know God’s ways, we can only know that He is good and He loves us. I worked though most of that before Bob died, so I have it all fresh in mind to keep me going.

The key to understanding God is knowing that we can’t.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
Neither are your ways my ways declares the Lord.
As the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are my ways higher than your ways
And my thoughts higher than your thoughts.

(Isaiah 49:8-9)

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Kathy B. asked . . .

I am so sorry to hear Glory is nearing her end. Will an image of her running to your husband help??????

I think that's exactly what she wants to do. She's still waiting for him to come back, and soon she's going off to find him.

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Janna wrote . . .

And I agree with Donna -- check out Louise Penny's books. Try to start with the first one (Still Life) and work your way through.

This is an excellent mystery series that you really do want/need to read in order.

I just finished the second book and it would have been a challenge to follow if I hadn't read the first.

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Sherilan asked . . .

Have you read the Sheriff Gastner mysteries by Steven Havill? I came late to the series, the first is "Heartshot" and there is a new one out in December, I think.

This is on my list to read. Because I'm a non-resident, I can only order three library books at a time.

Thanks for the recommend.

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Marcia asked . . .

I'm wondering who the author is of your copy of the Taste of Home's Cooking for 1 or 2. I looked on Amazon and there is one published in 2003, Heidi Reuter Lloyd and one published in 2006 and written by Mark Hagen. I'm at the point where I think I could use such a book.

Mine is Taste of Home's Cooking for One or Two from 2003 edited by Heidi Lloyd. I bought it second hand from Amazon. Not sure if it's still in print. Maybe directly from Taste of Home?

Simple Woman's Daybook for December 6

FOR TODAY December 6, 2011...

Outside my window...
We still haven't had any snow.



I am thinking...
About the pronouns I use. I say things like, "We have five acres", and once "we" is out of my mouth I realize that it's not "we" anymore. But I haven't yet got to the point where it feels normal to say, "I have five acres."

I guess if I include the dogs, plural still works and "we" do have five acres.

I am thankful for...
These last days with Glory, my 15 year old dog who is terminally ill with kidney failure. Her appetite is very poor and she's getting too thin, but she is still enjoying her walks, especially when we go out without the little dogs.

She can't be bothered to even sniff dog food anymore. This morning she had a scrambled egg and a peanut butter cookie. This evening she had some chicken but she wouldn't eat her Zinger. Not a good sign.

From the kitchen...
Butterscotch Bread Pudding from Taste of Home's Cooking for One or Two. It was good.



I am wearing...
Navy sweatpants, a plain pink sweatshirt, and handknit socks.

I am going...
To get up in a few minutes and do my ball exercises.



I am reading...
Just finished the second Louise Penny book, A Fatal Grace. Excellent. Thank you so much to Janna and Donna who suggested the series. I like them so much I'm giving the entire seven books to my mother for Christmas.

I am hoping...
To emerge from this winter as a better, stronger person.

I am hearing...
Since it's a week into December and we haven't had any snow yet, the rumor is that January and February are going to have record snowfalls.

In Michigan we like to scare ourselves with severe weather predictions.

Around the house...
There's not much going on.

One of my favorite things...
Sunny waiting for me to sit down with my laptop so she can settle in and take a nap.



A few plans for the rest of the week:
Physical Therapy Wednesday and Friday. Not planning much else in case I get as sore as I usually get after my PT.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...
The only down side to no snow is the lack of pretty winter pictures.




These writing prompts are available from Simple Woman's Daybook where each Tuesday we're invited to join in celebrating the beauty of everyday moments around us.