From May to October. It's been a while!

Lots of thing have happened since I was here last.
Ike had surgery for Cancer and is completely free of the dreaded disease.
He's loosing a lot of weight though and isn't feeling the best, but keeps trudging along.
He building me a kitchenette apartment in the bottom level of our house. It opens out to a full walkout porch and is looking really good. Now if we get to where we need help we will have a place we can rent. We're not really interested in renting it now but it will be there should we ever need, or want to.
I've lost a lot of weight over the summer and feel like a million bucks. All my blood-work is good and a Cholesterol reading of 150. Can't beat that. I'm walking 20 minutes a day on the tread mill and hope to build it up to more minute as I progress.
We're at the beginning of Fall. I love this time of year. I call it sweater weather. The days are cool and the nocts are cooler. Sleeping late never felt so good. All bundled up under a nice warm blanket with my cats sleeping at my feet.
I've had a good summer with sales also. The W/Gigs have been flying out of the shop. They take a lot of time to create but they are worth it. Every customer I've had loved them.
Here's a picture of my newest one. It's of Betty Boop. You can find her for sale in my Ecrater, or Bonanza booth. The links appear at the side of the posts.
That's a bit of a catch- up for the summer. I try to keep up on this site but it's hard keeping on top of everything. I sometimes feel over whelmed with all the work I have to get done.
God blesses Ike and I daily though.
Life is good.
Bettye

Haven't been here in awhile

It's already summertime in Tennessee and hotter than heck. Ike is outside planting strawberries in the new 3 tiered bed he and I made last week. I went out to help him but the heat is just to much for me, so I had to come back inside where it's cool.
My Stella Lillie's are all in full bloom. I am going to place a couple of picture here for you all to enjoy. They were taken in front of, and at the end of, my painting shed. My sister, Faye, who died a few years ago gave me the starter bulbs. I have separated and replanted them until I have lots of them now. I sent my friend Nancy a picture earlier yesterday. She shares pictures with me all time- it's great to have a friend like her.
I've really been busy the past few months. The Whirligig orders have been keeping me busy. It want be busy for awhile though, I want be listing on eBay. Ike is to have Cancer surgery in July and I am closing down temporarily-until I see him through this. It's going to be okay though. We just keep the faith and hope for the best. God has a way of taking care of good people, and we are good people.
I ask all of you to send prayers to heaven for us.
Life is good!
Bettye

When I opened my eyes this morning.

I saw the beautiful sunshine beaming through my bedroom window and though- this is going to be a lovely day God has made for us and I truly intend to use it to the fullest.
Ike is working away on my building and I am working inside my shop doing a W/Gig for a customer in New Jersey. It's a Blue-jay for her husband.
I do over 35 designs now. Lots of Looney Tunes and Disney- not to mention, a whole bunch of birds. I've added a picture for you.
Just click on the connection I have listed here for my Ecrater Store to see all of them.
I'm busy, Ike's busy, we're both being very productive. It's a beautiful day here in Big Sandy. Who could as for more!
Life is good.
Bettye

I've had a very productive day

I had custom orders to work out and also have assisted Ike as his "go-fer" today.
We have a building project going on here at the house and it't "go-fer this and go-fer that". About the time I get started good on my work -he will holler for me to get him something- it's easier for me to hand it to him, than for him to get it for himself.
I've spend half the day getting my work done and the other half doing something for him. I love it though. He's happy when he's doing something and when he's happy, I'm happy. We're just 2 old people- who together, get the job done.
It's been a beautiful day. The sun has been shining all day and the temperature has been in the 60's. Nothing better than a day like this. I swear I can see the plants growing before my eyes. My forsythia is in full bloom. Yellow is my favorite color and it looks so pretty all around the place. The Poplar trees are budding. They will probably be in full bloom in another day or so. Now that's another pretty site. I can't wait to see them
Need to run. Back to work for me.
Life is good.
Bettye

This rainy day

finds me making a big pot of potato soup for lunch. I love it. The creamy, cheesy, taste is so delicious. When Ike gets home from church, about the time it gets done, he will be loving me for this. Men are something- aren't they? Nothing they like better than good food. My Ike, is like a bottomless pit and he sure does love my cooking.
Now if I would just bake one of my famous Coconut Cakes- I would be in his good graces forever. Not gona do that though, we are both Diabetics and neither of us need it.
I sure wish it wasn't raining- we had big plans to get productive on a little addition we are doing and the rain has sure messed up that plan.
Looks like it will be a day of watching T.V. or doing a little painting in my shop.
The picture of us was taken on Christmas at my sisters home. He has lots more gray hair than me but we were both born in Match. He's just 1 year older than me.
Have a great day everyone.
Life is good.
Bettye

As I look outside and see the beautiful sunny day

that God has so graciously given us today. I feel a renewed energy to go outside and dig in the dirt- or just do, something productive.
You don't waste days like this. Not after the long, cold, snowy winter we've just survived.
I've enclosed a picture of the day lilies from last spring outside my painting shed. When they bloom I will add a picture of them in bloom.
I raked the leaves from my flower beds and found pretty new green sprouts starting to come through the ground. The jonquils are already in full bloom. They are so refreshingly beautiful. Yellow, being my favorite color, they are the first sign that Spring is almost here.
It's the first pretty day this week -that we've had so far. I went to visit my sister in Nashville and the first 3 days of this week- thinking I would get to help her with some early spring plantings but we didn't get out it was just to cold.
Instead we cleaned silver, cleaned and arranged a utility closet, and made decorative pillows. We were productive. She had been sick and I felt needed. It's good to feel needed- and good to know when you are needed you have someone who will always be there for you. Sisters, are a special gift from God and I thank him for mine.
My sister, Faye, died in May of 2007. My twin brother, Lee Roy, died in Oct of 2009.
I miss both of them so much but I still have 2 sisters and they bring so much love into my life.
I'm going to try hard to keep my postings done on my blog. I wish I had more followers but if I don't post regular I can't expect to have many.
It's Spring in Tennessee and~~~
Life is good.
Bettye

I wanted to share with my friends

the Guardian Angel I did to place on Bubbas grave.
She will be there to watch over him and bring a sense of peace and love to everyone who see her.
Life is getting better.
Bettye

I've been busy today.

It felt good to get busy again.
I am making a Angel to place on Bubbas grave. I had made one for my sister, Faye, who died a couple of years ago and everyone liked it. I know Bubba will like it to. It will fit right up against his tombstone when I get it set. I plan to get him a single heart stone and have him and his little dog, Mickey, picture placed in the stone. I just know it will be so beautiful. He sure did love his little dog.
I listed a few things on eBay today also. I miss not having things on there and the anticipation of making a sale. It's good to have something to look forward to. I made 3 sale last week and didn't even have anything listed. I guess google is working.
I feel like a big ole mug full of hot chocolate- gona get off here and go fix it.
Hope all who reads this- is having a good evening.
Bettye

I'd like to present to you

A watercolor painting my brother, who just died, did of the little country church where we attend services every Sunday. It was painted in 2006 about the time he started having the many strokes he had. He lost his interest in painting during this time so I am thankful for this last one. His good friend and I plan to present it to the church next Sunday at the morning services.
Isn't it just so beautiful.
Please enjoy.
Bettye

I'm ready to get back in touch

with everyone and with my life at this time.
We buried my brother on Thursday, the 15th. in our community cemetery. It was a sad day- saying goodbye to the my twin brother, the other half of me. Knowing I will never be able to call him again or give him a hug. I know it will take a long time to not miss him so much but with all the pain and suffering he had to endure the last week of his life -it was best God took him home.
Life goes on. Death is just as certain as the breath we breath today. It's all a part of Gods plan for each of us.
I want to thank each and everyone of you who sent me the lovely, sweet, card of condolences through the wonderful group (Hand-crafters Cottage)that I feel so blessed to be a part of. To all the friends from Bonanzle who left a message on the forum thread started by Montrose and Nancy. To Montrose and Nancy- a special "thank you" for the warm and cuddly scarf- it meant so much to me. I will never forget how it all brought comfort to me during this time.
God bless each of you- I wish all of you the very best life has to offer.
Sincerely,
Bettye

All is well in my world today!

I was with my brother yesterday through his surgery- as well as the rest of my family members.
He came through it fine and is doing well. All the doctors say they feel he will be okay. I sure wanted to hear that. He's had a life of bad circulatory problems- he's a heavy smoker and that doesn't help the situation any either.
Thanks to all who sent me blessings.
We're over this hurtle- hopefully there want be anymore for awhile.
Bettye

I'm being lazy ----

So I am placing this post in several places:
I've been trying to get all my over 300 listings on eBay up to code. I've done and re-done so many times -I am going blind from the glare of this computer screen.
I was up last night and the night before- till after 1 P.M. working.
There's "technical troubl" there today- so I just gave up on it. I will get back to it later.
As all of you know, my Twin brother is having Vascular surgery tomorrow. So I will be up really early to go Memphis so I can be there for his surgery.
I would ask that all of you remember us in your prayers.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Another thing I wanted to pass along:
I was having trouble with my curser on my computer- it was jumping all over the screen- like it was possessed. I seemed to have no control over it.
I was telling my grandson about it and he suggested- I clean it, duh!. He told me to take the roller ball out and clean it with warm soapy water and dry it off really good before I replace it.I did that.
He also said take a pair of tweezers and clean off any residue you see on the internal rollers. (The internal rollers are the ones that touch the ball when it is in place) they collect dusty, sticky, -crummels (for the lack of a better word) I did that- and when I replaced the ball into the cavity of the cleaned curser, it preformed like new. I have control again! I had the most awful fear I had picked up a virus or something.
So if any of you are having that problem- try it and see if it works for you.
I gotta get up and do something productive. I am absolutely wasting this day.
I need to clean house or something.
Later friends.
Bettye

As I set here this peaceful Sunday afternoon

I am listening to the lovely sound of Christmas music coming from the new Blog Dede of (Brightest Blessings) has created for all the members of Hand Crafters Cottage.
We owe her a great big hug and thank you for her hard work. She and Nancy do so much to help us get our messages and pictures of our crafts out to the web.
These ladies are so special and I certainly appreciate what they do, as I know we all do. So let's all get behind them and this Blog and help it grow.
Bettye

It's been another rainy week-

I think it has rained every day so far. I sure hope we have a nice weekend.

I wanted to request prayers from all my friends- my twin brother has Aneurysms in the groin areas of both his legs. He is to have surgery on Thursday -of next week, for one of them. They want do both at one time- so the other leg will be scheduled for a later date. I am so worried. I was a Nurse in my younger days and I remember enough to know, this can be really serious and the danger it presents while you are waiting for the surgery. I wish it was going to be tomorrow instead of next week - but you know how it works these days, you have to wait for everything.
Just keep him, and me, in your prayers this week. He means the world to me.
I'm not ready to loose another member of my family-to death. I've lost my sister, a niece, and a special brother-in-law in the past 2 years. Just don't know that I can handle to much more.
Nothing much going on here, so this will be short.
Blessings to all of you.
Bettye