My Winter Days

So much has happened since my last posting. I enjoyed ten wonderful days with a friend from California and her mom. We explored Nashville to Gatlinburg. End the time in her timeshare in Gatlinburg, enjoying the beautiful Smokey Mountains in a fabulous condo.

Then I got the call. My brother from Cali on the line, he was frantic about his daughter, Sara, being in the hospital. She had Chrons Disease and was suffering complications. Two days later I was walking into the hospital on the Monterey Peninsula. She was in an induced coma, while the doctors were trying to figure out what was wrong. Her liver was failing. Due to her condition and the weather she was unable to be flown to UCSF Hospital, finally two days later both issues were satisfactory and she was taken to San Fran. We followed in cars and waited. She was now in a very serious condition. She wasn’t on and off the transplant list, but after three more long days, my brother made the decision to let her go. Liver, kidneys, lungs and now her heart had failed. She was gone.

We prayed to God to take her and make her well again. She is now in heaven and doing great. Her body isn’t suffering anymore. She is in paradise, with her Lord and Saviour.

Assisting my brother through the next two weeks was one of the most hardest things that I have ever had to do. He would say, “Sandy, why are we doing this” or “We aren’t suppose to be doing this”. All I could do was give him a hug and tell him that I loved him. I am very greatful for the time.

After a good Christmas with the family. I drove with my son from California to Tennessee….

fanzythat.com is now a Non-Profit

We have received our ID # for being a non-profit in Tennessee. This will enable us to help more young adults.

When doing your Christmas Shopping please consider our shop. http://www.fanzythat.com

 

Time Flies

This summer time has just flown by for me here in Monterey, Tennessee. I know “Time Flies” is a great saying, but here in Tennessee anytime spent outside, is spent with flies. I am learning al the tricks, lotions, potions and electronics to keep them from me.

My twin grand-daughters spent the month of July with me here at Peaceful Hollar. We swam everyday. Worked in the boutique. And, made many messes with the craft supplies. What a joy it was to have them here with me.

August was hot and sweaty. Or, as my pastor would say for us ladies “Glistening”! He is such a gentleman.

In September we are working on the “Craft of the Month” kits for the rest of the year. We have 12 subscriptions now. ( http://fanzythat.com/CraftClub.html ) If you are looking for a great gift that can last for 3, 6, or 12 months, this is a great one. I will put it together and mail it to the recipient each month. I had a craft come in the mail each month when I was a teenager, I loved it!

I am sewing golf club covers for a benefit at a local golf club. It will help a young lady in our area with her out-of-pocket expenses. She is in need of a second kidney transplant.

Tabitha is doing well. She is in school and working in Nashville. We are taking her to the Nashville Fair on Sunday. She has never been to a Fair, so with your help, she is going to this one. She is not homeless at this time, but still needs help to find permanent housing.

All donations and proceeds go to help young ladies who need an extra hug and helping hand.

God Bless You,

Sandy 

YARD CRASH!

Wendy’s backyard crash, after pictures.

Wendy.Backyard.Before

This is Wendy’s backyard before the crash.

An Early Birthday Present

Today we are celebrating an early birthday for my daughter. Her birthday is July 6th, but the girls and I will be leaving on July 4th. YARD CRASH! Her brother, father and friends will be here soon to turn her sandy, beachy backyard into a blooming, green oasis. As she finishes her paper for her Masters Program, the family starts bringing in plants, bird feeders, potluck dishes and peachy pie.

Emergency Landing in Florida

Life just continued in Colorado for 11 months. At six and one-half months pregnant. I was flown to Florida to live with my husbands parents.

My husband was leaving the army.

As the plane was approaching Florida, over the Gulf, we were informed by the captain that the landing gear was not working and we would be landing without wheels. I was terrified, but as a good mom does, I listened to the instructions. I was given special attention. I was very pregnant and had a toddler. My memory of this flight were the pillows all around Shane and the drunk hysterical lady in the row ahead of me. They just gave her complimentary drinks to help her out. I got ice water! I reached Miami with a smash down on the runway, foam and all. The firemen helped catch us as we slid down the slide. Ruth and George hugged us so hard when we got to the gate. They were two relieved parents.

I arrived in May 1980. It was already hot, but it got hotter really fast. I gave birth to my second child on July 6th. That summer I sweat off all my excess fat. I lived in Key Largo, Florida. You could take a shower and dry as much as you wanted, but my skin was never dry. The big bugs went with all the heat. I was a young girl from the California’s Central Coast, such a big difference. My mother-n-law and father-n-law were very good to me. They made sure that I had food and diapers. I lived there until October 1980, my husbands life went back to drugs and old friends. He  joined the Army once again. I found myself with two babies on the road to Fort Lee Virginia.

I was scared and did not know how to get out of this situation. I believed that I should be a good wife and handle it the best that I could. We spent several weeks at Fort Lee Virginia in temporary housing. It was dense wooded lot with trailers, set every which way. It was kinda cool. I liked my temporary home. Thing were good in Virgina, due to Rick’s busy training schedule. I guess he didn’t have time for anything else. After a nice Thanksgiving spent with our new friends. We started planning for a road trip across the country. A few mornings before our trip a tow truck came and took the car. I found out Rick had not been making the car payments. Now what?

Young and wondering

I was thrilled to find out that I was expecting my second child. Even though my life was confusing and I often wondered what to do. Not 21 years old yet. So very young. I continued to work the graveyard shift. This made it possible for me to make sure that I had groceries in the house. No more nights of being hungry or eating pasta and ketchup. I now could afford pot pies and rice. That was when pot pies were eleven cents each.

I was alone most of the time. I spent my time watching tv and taking care of a one year old, who was exploring everything all the time. Wondering what my husband did all the hours he was away, but he was a soldier, so I knew he must be working. This is how I made it okay. There were fights and then times of no communication at all. I wanted a friend so very bad.

One day Rick brought home a young couple with a new baby. The baby had been through some heart surgeries. They stayed for a few months, until the baby passed away. I am not sure where they went. It was very sad. They were at the hospital most of the time. I think her name was Tammy.

Looking back over this time, I have no real memory of it. I do remember my little baby boy. But the abuse had started, negative words hurt so very much.

Steam rising from the bowls set for dinner.

Leaving High School I did not realize all the options there would be for me in the world. I assumed that I would work, marry and have babies. Although the majority of my friends left for college or the military. I did not. I married and had babies. As a young military wife I was alone quite a bit of the time. My new husband was sent to Korea for one year while I stayed with my mom. While Rick was in Korea, I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. He immediately became the joy of my life. Spending time with my family that first year, I  posted a bumper sticker, I Love Being Married. I didn’t even realize at the time that he didn’t.

Upon his arrival to Travis Airport Base in California. I was so happy to begin our life again…

Within two weeks Rick and I left for Fort Carson, CO. We settled in and real life began. Rick would spend long hours away from me and our son. Each month it would become harder for me to stretch the food budget and sometimes it would not stretch far enough. While nursing the baby, my stomach would grumble for food. I remember one day going to the landlady’s apartment for something. She opened the door and I saw the table set up for dinner. I remember the steam rising from the bowls set in the center. Most of all I remember a large bowl of baked potatoes, what I would have given for one of those. Quietly, I took care of business and went back home. With the help of a friend, Nancy, I was able to get a job at the local Denny’s Restaurant, where I worked the graveyard shift 3-4 nights a week. We would help each other out with childcare and groceries. Thanks Nancy, whereever you are today. You had no idea how much you helped me during this time.

Expecting my second child…

Peaceful Hollar

A place to find peace, learn that you are okay and most of all that God loves you just the way you are.