One Year Anniversary!~

Today is my one year anniversary in J-Land for Country Living Southern Style.  I actually started Susan's Shenanigans in January of 2005, but had to delete it after online threats and then in a fit of depression earlier in the month, I totally deleted Country Living Southern Style.  I had several people comment on how much they enjoyed my journal and have made so many good friends, I decided to bring it back, so..................................................

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO ME!~

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO ME!~

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, DEAR JOURNAL!~

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO ME!~

I have made some of the most wonderful friends here in J-land (in the U.S. and the U.K).  Just want you to know you are all treasured.  The first two friends I made were Amy of Sugar, Spice, and Everything Nice and Lori of Lori's Laurels.

I have made so many more friends since then and all of you spice up my life.  I so thank all of you for your friendships and what you mean to me.

Now I am just waitin' to see if my Hubby and children remember my birthday next week. ::wink::  Think they will?  I guess only time will tell.

I can't believe the weekend is gone already, sadly.  I was going to get so much done and ain't done squat.  ::sigh::  Wednesday the 2nd will be my 47th birthday and Thursday the 3rd will be my sister's 45th birthday.  How did I get so old?  Time sure flies in a hurry, doesn't it?  I get to go to the hospital and get a TB test, since I am employed with them, on my birthday.  I get to do it once a year, nevermind I just had it done in January when I got hired. 

Gotta take my baby girl for her appointment tomorrow afternoon at the hospital to see if she has MVP.  We won't get theresults until Friday when I get the results for my Lupus test and her other blood test results.  Will keep you posted.

It is 11:30 PM and waaaaaay past my bedtime, so I will sign off for now.  Hope you all have a blessed week!~

Blessings!~

Susan 

A Funny from Bea

I am actually drinking hot chocolate here, but we can pretend it is coffee for this entry......tee hee..........

While my hubby and I would never have this argument because I don't drink coffee, I found this joke Bea (detjebea5) sent me to be hilarious.  My Hubby is always the one to brew it in this household cuz since I don't drink it, I don't make it. :-P Hope you find this joke funny too and, of course, those of you that both drink coffee can give the same answer this wife gave to her Hubby about why HE should be the one to brew the coffee:      

      A man and his wife were having an argument about who 
       should brew the coffee each morning. 
       The wife said, "You should do it because you get up first, 
       and then we don't have to wait as long to get our coffee. 
       The husband said, "You are in charge of cooking around here and 
       you should do it, because that is your job, and I can just wait for my coffee."
       Wife replies, "No, you should do it, and besides, it is in the Bible that the man    
       should do the coffee."Husband replies, "I can't believe that, show me."
       So she fetched the Bible, and opened the New Testament and showed him at the  top of several pages, that it indeed says .......... "HEBREWS"

Blessings!~

Susan

The Attorney

Graphic by Angela (chillininjville)

 

After living what I felt was a "decent" life, my time on earth came

to the end. The first thing I remember is sitting on a bench in the waiting room of what I thought to be a courthouse. The doors opened and I was instructed to come in and have a seat by the defense table.

 

The corner door flew open and there appeared the Judge in full flowing robes. He commanded an awesome presence as He moved across the room. I couldn't take my eyes off of Him. As He took His seat behind the bench, He said, "Let us begin."

 

The prosecutor rose and said, "My name is Satan and I am here to show you why this man belongs in hell." He proceeded to tell of lies I told, things I stole, and in the past when I cheated others. Satan told of  other horrible perversions once in my life and the more he spoke, the further down in my seat I sank I was so embarrassed, I couldn't look at anyone, even my own Attorney, as the Devil told of sins even I completely forgotten about.

 

As upset as I was at Satan for telling all these things about me, I was equally upset at My Attorney who sat there silently not offering any form of defense at all. I know I was guilty of those things, but I did some good in my life - couldn't that at least equal out part of the harm I'd done?

 

Satan finished with a fury and said, "This man belongs in hell, he is guilty of all I have charged and there is not a person who can prove otherwise."

 

When it was His turn, My Attorney first asked if He might approach the bench. The Judge allowed this over the strong objection of Satan, and

beckoned Him to come forward. As He got up and started walking, I was able to see Him in His full splendor and majesty. I realized why He seemed so familiar; this was Jesus representing me, my Lord and my Savior.

 

He stopped at the bench and softly said to the Judge, "Hi, Dad," then He turned to address the court. "Satan was correct in saying this man sinned, I won't deny any of these allegations. And, yes, the wage of sin is death, and this man deserves to be punished."

 

Jesus took a deep breath and turned to His Father with outstretched arms and proclaimed, "However, I died on the cross so this person might have eternal life and he accepted Me as his Savior, so he is Mine."

 

My Lord continued with, "His name is written in the Book of Life and no one can snatch him from Me. Satan still does not understand yet. This 

man is not to be given justice, but rather mercy."

 

As Jesus sat down, He quietly paused, looked at His Father and said,"There is nothing else that needs to be done. I've done it all."

 

The Judge lifted His mighty hand and slammed the gavel down. The following words bellowed from His lips... "This man is free The penalty for him was already paid in full. Case dismissed."

 

As my Lord led me away, I could hear Satan ranting and raving, "I won't give up, I will win the next one."

 

I asked Jesus as He gave me my instructions where to go next, "Have you ever lost a case?" Christ lovingly smiled and said, "Everyone that comes to Me and asked Me to represent them, received the same verdict as you, "PAID IN FULL."

 

Hope you enjoyed this inspiring message for today (thanks to my friend KC for this email.

**********************************************************

My daughter and I kept our doctor's appointment today.  They drew my blood first and then hers.  To my knowledge, this is the first time they have ever drawn blood on her.  We were walking out down a long hall. 

 

The receptionist is going, "Ma'am, Susan!  Your daughter!"

 

I looked back and there is my Carebear on the floor.  She had passed out.  They got her a wet towel for her forehead.  A nurse got her some water.  They helped her up and got her on a table and told her to just rest for a bit.  When she was feeling better, they gave her some OJ.  She finally felt well enough to leave.  We went by and picked up her boyfriend.  She is now lying on the sofa and he is sitting in the rocker next to her.  They are watching Pirates of the Carribean, one of my Carebear's favorite movies.

 

She is scheduled for an echocardiogram at 5:30 PM on Monday.  We are supposed to get the echo/blood test results on Friday.  Please keep us in your prayers/good thoughts.

 

Blessings!~

 

Susan

 

 

Doctor Visits~Prayers Needed!~

I had to go today and get photos of my son's car.  He loaned it to my niece last Thursday night.  She told him she was going to her mother's house to get something and right back.  They were all at her Dad's house.  My son was there visiting my nephew (My sis and her Hubby are divorced).  She lied to my son about where she was truly going.  She actually went to a party, got drunk, and attempted to drive home in my son's car.  She ran the car off into ravine just off of interstate 85.  She told the police officers investigating the accident that a truck came out of nowhere with bright lights and it scared her.  Guess that's her story and she's sticking to it.  ::sigh::  She was arrested onsite and charged with consumption of alcohol by a minor after they smelled the alcohol on her breath and taken straight to jail. 

I have been having doubts about filing the claim because now I have been told it is questionable as to whether she had even gotten her driver's license back.  Of course, my son was oblivious to that fact when he loaned her the car.  I was told by my insurance company they could go after my sister as my niece is considered a minor since she is under 21.  My son and I filed the claim today.  Insurance lady said the insurance will cancel on him and they will automatically add him back to our insurance because he lives in the same house (we actually live with him in his house).  On top of that, it will make our insurance go up.  Yea!  If it gets any better, I won't be able to stand it.  I hope my son has learned a valuable lesson about loaning his car out!!!!!!!!  Unfortunately, it will be costly to us as well. :-(

While I was working last night my daughter had a bad spell.  Her heart was beating irregular, she became dizzy, and very weak.  She told me about it.  She also said it was harder to breathe.  I asked her if she wanted to go to the ER and she said no she would rather wait and go to our GP today.  So, first thing this morning, I got up and called to get us both in, as I have been having symptoms of dizziness and weakness also, along with extremity numbness (I appreciate the emails suggesting carbon monoxide poisoning, but our house istotal electric, no gas).

We saw the PA, Holly.  I asked Holly if it were possiblethat my daughter might possibly have MVP (Mitral Valve Prolapse).  When I told her of my daughter's symptoms, she agreed it was possible.  The only reason I know about it is my former DIL had it.  She said my symptoms could be stress-related in light of all we have been going through with my daughter-in-law and son's divorce and my niece totalling my son's car while drinking and driving.  Right after that, my husband had some of his tools stolen off the job and the list goes on. :-P

Holly wants my daughter and I both to come back in for bloodwork on Friday.  I just had bloodwork drawn in March and all came back fine, but I was not tested for Lupus and she wants to test me for Lupus.  I just pray both my daughter and I can get diagnosed correctly and can be treated accordingly.

I tried to get around to some journals over the weekend while I was off.  If I missed yours, I haven't forgotten you, I have just had soooooooooo much going on lately.  Please know you are thought of and prayed for.

Blessings!~

Susan

Scalzi's Monday Photo Shoot!~

Your Monday Photo Shoot: Get a picture of someone yawning and/or stretching. Clearly, pets are eligible for this photo shoot as well.

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I chose to post this pic of my son's cat, Simba.  I happened to click the camera at just the right time here.  Simba thinks he is 10 times bigger than he is, so I would not be surprised one day to truly hear him roar.

He was out in the yard one day stalking prey when he became the prey being stalked.  A hawk swooped down and tried to get him, but missed, although the hawk's talons left bloody places on Simba.  It swooped around a second time to get him and Simba was in his stance with his back turned to the hawk.  Just as the hawk swooped for him again, Simba turned around and pounced on the hawk.  Simba is a long and lean fighting machine, with some large paws for such a small cat.  He took those big paws and kept slapping the hawk with his paw until he killed it.  His claws are like razors.  He then attempted to drag the hawk up to the front door to show my son.  It was all he could do to drag that big old hawk, but he kept on until he got it to the door.

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Another day, two rotweilers came into our yard and Simba chased both of them out of the yard at the same time.  Like I said, he doesn't know he is a little cat.  He thinks he is 10 times bigger than the is.  He has earned the nickname BA in this household.  I will let you figure out what it means.  Hee...........

******************************************************************

My Hubby's twin's son has cystic fibrosis.  He had to go for a doctor's appointment today.  Evidently, his doctors did not like what they heard in his chest.  He will be admitted to the hospital on Monday.  They usually keep him for 10 days for hiscystic fibrosis maintenance.  I would so appreciate prayers for him.

******************************************************************

Mary Jane's eye seems a little better today.  I have to put two kinds of ointment in her eye twice daily.  She has an appointment on 07/31/2006 for a recheck at the vet to make sure it is healing properly.  I cannot bear to think I caused this by using a shampoo that was bad for her, my poor baby, and here I thought this company was a reputable company for pet products.  Shows what I know, eh?

*****************************************************************

Anyway, I have finished working for the day.  Gotta go make sure the dishes are washed and turn in for the night.

Blessings!~

Susan

A Bad Scare!~

This day did not start out good:

I let my dog out night before last to potty one more time before bedtime.  She sleeps on a blanket, on the floor, at the foot of my bed.  There is something she gets into in the woods near our pond, I do not know what it is, but she just rolls in it and when she comes in, she stinks (that is putting it mildly) to high heaven!

So, this night, she decides to roll in this foul-smelling stuff again and about gagged all of us when she came in.  It was horrific.

Yesterday, Hubby decided he wanted to bathe her.  We had three different types of pet shampoo onhand, one I got from the vet to control itch, one was a common pet shampoo that kills fleas and ticks that you can buy over the counter, and one is totally something else, Premium, or something like that.  In the end, after reading all the labels, we decided to go with the middle shampoo which you can buy at any retail outlet, including grocery store or pet store. 

We took her outside and hooked her up to a cable.  She has only had one other bath, so she was naturally terrified.  I stayed with her and talked to her very gently and petted her while Hubby did the bathing.  The label said not to get it in your pet's eyes, so we were very careful about that.  She finally settled down somewhat and let us do what we needed to do.  With Mary Jane being part Siberian Husky and part Australian Shepherd, she has a very thick coat.  We managed to get her bathed and rinsed.  We got towels and helped her to dry off somewhat, but not before she shook herself 2-3 times thoroughly soaking me!!!!  A little while later, Hubby and I were watching TV and MJ was in her usual place beside me on the sofa and I noted her licking a place on her leg.

It was a place we had failed to rinse well and I told Hubby about it.  It got a damp washcloth and wiped over the place trying to get as much of the shampoo off of her as I could.  I noticed her licking herself several times.

When we got up very early this morning (between 6:30 and 7:00), my husband noticed she had her eye closed and it was running.  I ran and got a washcloth and proceeded to wipe her eye.  She opened it a little and I could see how cloudy her eye was.  It scared the bejesus out of me because I was afraid that shampoo had made her go blind.  That eye is usually part blue-part brown, but it looked all brown and not even the right color brown, as it had a cloudy look to it.  It really scared me.

I got in the shower immediately and got ready to take her to the vet.  They were not open yet or I would have skipped the shower, as I felt time was of the essence.  The doc was not yet there when I dropped her off.  I had to take my daughter for a dental appointment, so I told them just to have the doctor call me with her findings.

She did call and said that MJ had an ulcer on her eye and it could be from the shampoo or it could be from something she got into outside when we let her out this morning.  I personally favor the shampoo, as I have heard of many animals having allergic reactions to these certain over-the-counter products.  You would think as long as they have been in business, they would have all of these problems ironed out, but one of the techs at my vet's office told me that a large amount of animals have reactions to these OTC products.

I am printing this as a warning to any pet owners out there.  I strongly recommend you go with what your vet recommends for your pets and not this over-the-counter stuff.  This is a name I thought I could trust.  I call on them to be responsible and correct the problems with their products, as there is no doubt in my mind that the shampoo is what caused this reaction in my dog.  Had it made her go blind as I had feared, I would have held them accountable.

My vet told me I did the right thing by bringing MJ on in as it could have become very serious.  I am sooooooo glad I did, as she is my baby.  She takes every step I take and I cannot tell you how lonesome it has been around here today without her. It is like part of me is missing.

I have to take her back to the vet in a week and let her check Mary Jane's eye to make sure it has healed properly.  I just thank God her prognosis is good, I could not live with myself had I caused her to go blind by using a shampoo on her that was bad for her.

All four of my fur babies are like family to me.  I again thank God she should be okay.

Blessings!~

Susan

P.S.  I took the name of the company out of the entry because of possible legal litigation, but if you want to know email me and I will tell you.

A Little Boy's Kindness Brings On A Miracle!~

It was one of the hottest days of the dry season. We had not seen rain in almost a month. The crops were dying. Cows had stopped giving milk. The creeks and streams were long gone back into the earth. It was a dry season that would bankrupt several farmers before it was through.   Every day, my husband and his brothers would go about the arduous process of trying to get water to the fields. Lately this process had involved taking a truck to the local water rendering plant and filling it up with water. But severe rationing had cut everyone off.   If we didn’t see some rain soon...we would lose everything. It was on this day that I learned the true lesson of sharing and witnessed the only miracle I have seen with my own eyes. I was in the kitchen making lunch for my husband and his brothers when I saw my six-year-old son, Billy, walking toward the woods. He wasn't walking with the usual carefree abandon of a youth but with a serious purpose. I could only see his back. He was obviously walking with a great effort ... trying to be as still as possible. Minutes after he disappeared into the woods, hecame running out again, toward the house. I went back to making sandwiches; thinking that whatever task he had been doing was completed. Moments later, however, he was once again walking in that slow purposeful stride toward the woods. This activity went on for an hour: walking carefully to the woods, running back to the house. Finally I couldn't take it any longer and I crept out of the house and followed him on his journey (being very careful not to be seen...as he was obviously doing important work and didn't need his Mommy checking up on him). He was cupping both hands in front of him as he walked, being very careful not to spill the water he held in them ... maybe two or three tablespoons were held in his tiny hands. I sneaked close as he went into the woods. Branches and thorns slapped his little face, but he did not try to avoid them. He had a much higher purpose. As I leaned in to spy on him, I saw the most amazing site. Several large deer loomed in front of him. Billy walked right up to them. I almost screamed for him to get away. A huge buck with elaborate antlers was dangerously close. But the buck did not threaten him...he didn't even move as Billy knelt down. And I saw a tiny fawn lying on the ground; obviously suffering from dehydration and heat exhaustion, lift its head with great effort to lap up the water cupped in my beautiful boy's hand. When the water was gone, Billy jumped up to run back to the house and I hid behind a tree.   I followed him back to the house to a spigot to which we had shut off the water. Billy opened it all the way up and a small trickle began to creep out. He knelt there, letting the drip, drip slowly fill up his makeshift "cup," as the sun beat down on his little back. And it came clear to me: The trouble he had gotten into for playing with the hose the week before. The lecture he had received about the importance of not wasting water. The reason he didn't ask me to help him. It took almost twenty minutes for the drops to fill his hands. When he stoodup and began the trek back, I was there in front of him. His little eyes just filled with tears. "I'm not wasting," was all he said. As he began his walk, I joined him...with a small pot of water from the kitchen. I let him tend to the fawn. I stayed away. It was his job. I stood on the edge of the woods watching the most beautiful heart I have ever known working so hard to save another life. As the tears that rolled down my face began to hit the ground, other drops...and more drops...and more suddenly joined them. I looked up at the sky. It was as if God, himself, was weeping with pride.   Some will probably say that this was all just a huge coincidence. Those miracles don't really exist. That it was bound to rain sometime. And I can't argue with that... I'm not going to try. All I can say is that the rain that came that day saved our farm...just like the actions of one little boy saved another. I don't know if anyone will read this...but I had to send it out. To honor the memory of my beautiful Billy, who was taken from me much too soon... But not before showing me the true face of God, in a little, sunburned body. ***************************************** While I cannot speak for the authenticity of this moving story, I can speak for the fact that our God is a miracle-working God, as I have been the recipient of such miracles in my own life. I love uplifting stories and appreciate all you all send to me.  I thank my friend, W.R., in Pensacola, FL for this one.  I may not put everyone's in my journal, but I do read them, and even if I have read them before, I still enjoy them, as many of them teach us very important lessons and it does not hurt us to be reminded that we are here to do for others, whether it is mankind or animals.  I pray you all have a blessed week.  Know you are loved and prayed for.   Blessings!~ Susan

I'm baaaaacckkkkk!~

What on earth posssessed me to delete my journal?  I did not have the money to get my Lexapro filled, so I had to go off of it all at once.  I know from experience this is NOT a good thing.  It sent me into a downward spiral bigtime.  It was so bad I could not even stand myself.  So................what's done is done.  I cannot change it, but I can go on from here.................and I was coming up on my one year anniversary for this particular journal.  ::whine::

So, let's start this baby over:

My name is Susan.  In a few months my Hubby and I will be celebrating our 28th wedding anniversary.  I have two children, a son who soon will turn 24 on August 6th, and a daughter who is 14.

My son wants to go to school for Game Design and Development.  My daughter aspires to be a writer.

My husband is self-employed and runs his own interior trim business.  My son works with him.  I keep my husband's books for his business.

I presently homeschool my daughter (she is enrolled in an online school where the curriculum is bible-based). 

As for me, I work from home as a radiology medical transcriptionist for the same hospital I was born in.  I have lived in this same town for 44.5 years, except for the 3.5 years we lived in Colorado.  We lived in Monument, Palmer Lake, and Broomfield while we lived there and there is not a day that goes by that I do not miss it terribly.

I love to read, journal, read journals, garden, walk, and cook.  I love collecting, yard sales, flea markets, antiques, and decorating country style.  I love to watch most anything on HGTV.

We moved back to Alabama to help our son through a bad time after his wife decided the grass was greener on the other side.  I got news for ya, Jess, it might be greener, but it still has to be mowed!!!!  Relationships take work!  I can attest to that after almost 28 years of marriage!!!!!

The last 2.5 years have not been fun for my son or for us as we loved Jess very much.  She has hurt us badly and is still hurting us.  I choose to forgive her and pray for her.  God says vengeance is His, but the situation has surely taken its toll on all of us, but most especially on my son. ::sigh::

I deleted this journal in a fit of severe depression.  I feel like we are in spiritual warfare and Satan is trying to take us down, but I REFUSE TO GIVE IN TO HIM.  I AM A CHILD OF THE KING, THE MOST HIGH GOD, JEHOVAH!

I have power over Satan and I do NOT have to accept what he is trying to do to me and my family.

I REBUKE YOU, SATAN, IN THE NAME OF JESUS!  I PLEAD THE BLOOD OF JESUS OVER MY FAMILY.

This is a little chorus I sing when I feel things start piling up on me:

IN THE NAME OF JESUS!  IN THE NAME OF JESUS!  I HAVE THE VICTORY!

IN THE NAME OF JESUS!  IN THE NAME OF JESUS!  I HAVE THE VICTORY!

CAN YOU SAY AMEN????????

BLESSINGS!~

Susan

P.S.  Please leave your link for me if I missed getting your journal in my sidebar!

Deleted This Journal

Due to difficult issues I am having to deal with in my life right now, I have chosen to delete this journal for now.  I could not just leave without an explanation as you all have been such wonderful friends.  I may start it over again one day, but right now, life is just too tough.  I did keep the two journals which have been very therapeutic for me.  Here are the links. Please leave me your links and I will add you to sidebar of my present journals.

http://journals.aol.com/Rjet33/JourneyThroughTheValleyofShadows/

This is a journal about living with a mentally ill sibling who also suffered with substance abuse.

http://journals.aol.com/Rjet33/MyPrivateInnermostThoughts/

This is a private journal.  If you want to be added, just send a request.

I also deleted my photo journal, but worked all day today to restore it.

http://journals.aol.com/Rjet33/MyPicturePostcardJournal/

I cannot tell you all what your friendships have meant to me.  You are treasured.

Love and prayers coming your way!~

Susan