Eat the Cake.

It's a Rainy, Rainy... Morn, in Eastern Iowa.

Love.... It. 

Listening to the gentle thunder, and hearing the rain on the tin roof, well.... 

That's my kind of morning. 

Grateful the Contractor's made such strides last week concerning the IDOT'S wrongful Fairfax Bike Trail Accommodations, and Flooding issues.

Not out of the woods by any means, yet... but I'd be losing my mind concerning the South end, about now, if some of the repairs weren't done. 

Gads. 

Thanks, again... to Lawyer Meardon for Riding this Crazy Train. 

Slept in my bed for the first time in forever, it seems, last night. 

I'm a HUGE Fan of Vintage Sheets, and Pillowcases. 

HUGE. 

Love how Crisp they feel. 

Oh my gosh. 

I've picked up Beautiful hand embroidered pillowcases, and sheets for decades. 

Most are probably from the 1940's to 1960's.

Most, are like New. 

Why... are they still like 'New'???

Because they were made, and put away for 'Best'.

That's so sad, in my opinion.

If I've learned anything in life, it's this.

Eat the Cake.

Drive the 'Dream Car'.

and...

Sleep under Those Beautiful Sheets. 

Life... is Short. 

'You' are 'Best'.

Before I slid into bed last night, took a bubble bath, in candlelight. 

Hadn't washed my hair, in how long. 

Was worried about getting soap, or anything in that eye. Gads. 

My hair feels much happier today. My eye, not so much. 

Dang It!! 

{ patience... patience. oh dear }

I'll visit with Dr. Fitzgerald, this afternoon. Hopefully she'll still see improvement. 

GADS!!!

Heading South, with Pal, Allyson, tomorrow. 

We're going to pick up some things for the Vintage Market Days, event. 

I... have a few ideas, at least for 'The Bones'. 

Usually, once I figure them out, everything else falls into place. 

Neighbor, Paul... hasn't figured out my laptop, yet.

I... may have figured out how to post my 'tune for the day' with my android. 

{Pal, Bill would tell Ya, that would be a Miracle, 

for me.}

Hahahahaha!!

It's my Favorite... Bubble Bath tune. 

Ya can't get better than Roberta Flack, and a Hot Bubble Bath, after a Stressful Day!! 

Trust Me!!

Tune for The Day.

Love to Ya....

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

{hopefully it'll play. if not... I tried.}

Soulful... Insanity.

Dear... dear. 

The Vintage Market Days of Cedar Rapids, is NEXT WEEK!!! 

GADS!!! 

I've got nothing ready. No 'Plan'. Guess We'll ALL be Surprised with The Simply Iowa Booth. 

This eye, has kept me down pretty hard. 

I've been seeing The Doc, every other day. She's watching over this eye, like a Hawk. 

Very Blessed to have Her. 

My glasses are old, so the prescription is off. Not easy to navigate with them. 

{Despise... wearing glasses.}

Still don't have vision in my left eye, but, it's looking better, and The Doc is confident it'll come around. 

Patience.... has never been one of my virtues. 

This has been a frustrating journey, to say the least. 

Sold a Beautiful, Big ... Corner Cupboard, during the few hours of the Sale, here, that the Folks would like to get. 

Between the weather, and me being tied up, well, I'm very frustrated. 

The Customer is Amazing. Very Kind, and understanding. 

Neighbor, Paul is working on my laptop. Miss it. Miss having music with the posts. 

Still catching up on all of the sleep lost, last week. The pain, as of the last couple of days has finally subsided. Blessing. 

Seems when I do something, I tend to Really 'do it' Good. 

Oh.... my. 

Keep trying to figure out the VMD Booth, in my head. 

Normally, I have a plan. At least... a theme. 

I'm coming up with nothing. 

Guess, I've come to the conclusion, I'll let The Rabbit Hole guide me, when we load. 

Just walk through, and let It tell me what to take. 

Thought about doing a Fall Booth, or... possibly a Christmas Booth. 

The way it's looking, right now, it's gonna be a

'Rabbit Hole' Booth. 

Insanity. 

Hahaha!! 

but... It'll be 'Soulful'... Insanity. 

Love to Ya....

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

Laptop Down. Sally's Keys... Found.

The dreaded Key Saga. 

My laptop died, last night. 

Lost my last post, which... was kind of a fun one. 

I'd written about a Ton of things, but wrote about the Frustration of losing Sally's Keys, last week.

GADS!!! 

GADS!!!

GADS!!!

I'm writing tonight, from my android. 

Hopefully, Neighbor, Paul, can fix my old laptop.

If anyone can fix it, Paul can. 

There's Nothing I Despise More than 

 { besides Fairfax, and The Iowa Department of Transportation}

 losing keys. 

Lord, Lord. 

Offered Grandson, Justin... 100. if he could find Sally's Keys, yesterday... Morn,

before the Locksmith appointment yesterday afternoon. 

Just like his Auntie, Liz... Justin found Sally's Keys, in about 5 minutes. 

He found them on Jethro's floorboard. 

How they got there, I'll never know. 

{Pal, Bill... Justin, and I Tore Every Vehicle Apart 

last week. We Also Tore The House Apart.}

Some might say, I threw away 100. 

The way I see it, saved a 100. from the Locksmith. 

{which would've cost 200.}

and... a little sanity. 

Hahaha!! 

Love seein' Those Smiles, too. 

Received some GREAT News, today... concerning the Dear Friend, we've been Praying For!! 

So Grateful!!!

Love to Ya.

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

There's Always... Always, Something to be Grateful For. Always!!

Truth.

<3

Visited with Pals Kris, and Joyce... the other day.

: )

'God's Country'

<3

Kris called, said Joyce was preparing for a Sale, wanted to know if I'd like to swing by.

Had an appointment with Dr. Fitzgerald, told Kris... I'd love to visit, after.

Needed an 'Escape'.

'A One Eye Escape'.

: )

Joyce, and I go Waaaaaaaay Back.

: )

I've known her Sis, Val... even longer.

{30 years, or so. <3}

Kris... is helping Joyce, pull an early October Sale, together.

I figured... it was one of Joyce's 'Barn Sales'.

Sadly...

to my surprise, it wasn't.

Rob, Joyce's Wonderful... Husband, passed away in July.

: (

I had no idea.

: (

Rob... was a Very Kind Man.

: )

He, and I had One thing in common, for Sure.

The Love of Fords, and Mustangs.

<3

We'd sit and visit, about our Mutual... Love Affair, when we crossed paths.

: )

The Sale... is in Rob's Shop.

{Will be}

I found a few things... in Rob's Shop.

<3

Mostly... 'Mustang' related.

: )

{Jethro is Loaded... with little Vintage Mustang 'Treasures' from Rob.}

<3

Kris showed me the baggie of old Matchbooks. 

: )

They are so Fun.

: )

Those Girl's were Workin' Hard.... 

Wish I would've been firing on all cylinders.

: (

Still... trying to catch up on no sleep.

This eye, is healing... but, it's still...

pretty 'blind', and sore.

'Angry'.

; )

still...

had to

 Escape.

: )

Couldn't stay, as long as I wished... but sure Enjoyed the Time We Shared.

<3

Was so busy, yesterday... with MPO/Fairfax/Bike Trail crap, and...

dealing with the 'Billing' at The 'U', 

9/11...

kinda slipped past me.

Was thinking about 9/11/2001, this morning.

: (

I think we all know, who were living... at that time, exactly... what we were doing, when We...

were

attacked.

: (

I... was sitting in my pink robe, watching GMA.

Sippin' my morning brew.

The Kid's had just got on the Bus, for School.

It was a Beautiful Morning.

until...

it wasn't.

: (............

I watched, in Horror, as did Everyone, with the announcement of the first plane hitting the WTC.

then,

we saw... Live, the second plane hit.

At that moment, 'We' all knew, this was no 

'Accident'.

: (........................

I called John, at The Shop.

Asked him, if he thought I should pick up the Kids, at School.

I... was Freaking Out.

Big Time.

John advised me to sit tight.

That... was Tuff.

: (

My eyes were glued to GMA, and the Special Reports.

Insanity.

: (......................

The Kids... were brought Home... Safely, but... The World Changed, forever...

on that day.

We must Never, ever... 'forget'.

Then...

a few years later, on September, 11.

<3

Another 9/11... I'll Never Forget.

: )

<3 <3 <3 

'Priceless'

Happy 11th. Birthday, Miss. Meadow Rain.

<3 <3 <3 

Always think of Farmer Friends, Lynn, and Lea, when I see these posts.

<3

<3

<3

Time... marches on.

Visited with some Dear Friends, today.

Loved Hearing Their Voices.

<3

Screens, are something I can't 'do'... these days.

I'm dilating my eyes, twice a day, so... 

screens, hurt.

; )

I'm not much of a 'texter', anyway.

Never have been.

I... Appreciate Hearing a 'Voice'.

Always will.

; )

{Grateful... for this 'excuse'. : ) }

There's Always, Always...

Something,

to be

Grateful

For!!

; )

Always.

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

<3 <3 <3

One Day... at a Time. ; )

: )

Oh My...

So Much to Share...

but, still... chewin'.

; )

Lord, Lord!!!

<3

Received some Great News, yesterday.

Our Dear...

'Brick House'

we're Praying for...

made it through surgery, Well!!!

<3 <3 <3 

Waiting to hear... how she's doing today.

<3

Been dealing with The Corridor MPO/Fairfax/IDOT 

'public records'

today.

oh my.

; )

Grateful, for what's been sent, but... not 'seeing', so far... what I've asked them for.

???

Hmmmm.

Dealing with... 

'The Borg',

University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics, today...

as well.

; )

I'm 'self pay'... 'Need to Know' their charges, thus far.

; )

The 'U' didn't have my 'balance'.

 Too early, they say, but...

told me 

my 'Follow-Up' eye exam, on Monday, would be

close to 3500.

: )

Needless to say, 

that 

'appointment' was

'CANCELLED'.

; )

One Day... 'One Eye'... at a Time.

: )

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

{so much to 'share'... 

stay tuned.}

; )

; )

{I was told... several times today, that I should be careful, keep that 'appointment', maybe.

: )

I referred all of those concerned, to reach out to Lawyer Meardon. 

; )

He knows better than most Anyone... 

'Living'... 

I'd cut my nose off, to spite my face, if I Knew... in my heart, I was doing what's right.

; )

'Nose'... 'Eye'.... 

: )

It Is what it is.}

Chewin'...

Was going to write a long, long... post, about 'yesterday', today.

; )

Decided I'd better chew on it, a bit.

Get a little rest, before I 'write'.

: )

Gratefully... my eye's 'better enough' they say, I can take only one drop every two hours.

'Awake' hours.

; )

{I... actually slept a little last night.}

Yippee!!

: )

Yesterday... my Friends, I do believe... was a 'Test'.

; )

Hahahahahahaha!!!

; )

Lord, Lord!!!!

: )

{as if... Fairfax, Iowa... and The Iowa Department of Transportation, wasn't Enough!!}

; )

{bless their hearts}

Just need to pause for a moment, and... try to put it all together without blowing my cork.

: )

Count... The Blessings.

: )

Be...

Kind.

: )

Hahahahahaha!!!

in other words...

'I need a moment'.

: )

<3

{stay tuned}

; )

<3

When I read the above... 'Memory' a bit ago, 

thought I'd better 

Pump The Brakes...

a little.

; )

Stay Tuned.

: )

Yesterday... was quite an Adventure.

oh...

my.

; )

Love to Ya... 

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

{A Dear, Dear... Friend, is going through some ugly things right now.

She's been through Hell, over the last 6 months.

 Surgery in the morning.

She's been on my Heart, and in my Prayers... Daily.

<3

Praying for her Beloved... 'Family', as well.

<3 <3 <3 

Sent her a note... this morning, admiring her Strength, that... I've Always, Always... Seen in Her.

Always.

Told her... during these difficult times, She needs to

 Lean On It. 

; )

That 'Strength'... wasn't a Gift.

She Earned It.

; )

Also, asked her... to find a little 'humor'... in this mess.

; )

It's there, too.

 : ) 

Humor... is Very Helpful, during difficult times.

: ) : ) : )

She'll get a Kick... out of The Tune that popped into my mind, after our 

'Exchange'

this morning.

: ) : ) : )

<3

My Pal... is a 'Brick House', if I Ever Knew One...

on

So

Many... Many,

Levels.

; )

<3 <3 <3 

She's a 'Winnin' Hand!!'

: )

<3

Please... keep My Friend, her Family...

and

 All...

who are struggling, these days...

in 

Your Prayers.}

<3

Story... tomorrow.

Just...

got

 Home...

 from

 'The Borg'.

{AKA 'The University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics'}

; )

What a 'Day'...

 on

 Every

 Single 

Level.

'The Borg'... was the Icing on The Cake.

; )

Yeah...

Boy.

; )

The ONLY Tune... I could think of, tonight...

that could match 'this' day...

isn't a

'Tune'

at

all.

; )

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

Hahahahahahaha!!!

Still Dancin'!!

: )

Yeah...

Boy.

; )

A... 'Simply Iowa' day...

in 

a

Nutshell.

: )

stay...

tuned.

Oh.... dear. ; )

So wish I could write about everything... that's transpired today.

: )

Screens, and my good eye, aren't gettin' along.

oh my.

Spoke with Dr. Fitzgerald early this morning, before she asked me to meet with her, at her Clinic.

Asked her, if I could just send her a few pictures of my eye this morning, and maybe... not have to screw up her morning.

The Doc, was good with that, as long as she could 'see'... what she needed to 'see'.

: )

It was a 'trick'... but, captured several, that... amazingly put her mind at ease.

{ She's So Caring!! <3 }

I'll meet with The Doc, in the Morning...

After visiting with 'Doc'... my phone rang.

It was a Contractor.

He was at the door, ready to get busy on repairs.

Holy Smokes!!

; )

Shared my situation with him, then, Hit The Door Runnin' best I could, to get things in order.

Called Helper, Brandon, and Grandson, Justin...

asked them to 

'Put On Their Dancin' Shoes!!'.

; )

Lord, Lord.

: )

Grateful for All of 'em!!

I... couldn't help... long, but they knew what needed to be done, and Did It!!

; )

<3

I'm sure I'm fun to deal with, these days.

; )

No sleep. Maybe, a little.

: )

and... not very comfortable.... to say the least.

; )

Pal, Steph... Out of The Blue... last night, brought some Amazing Food.

<3

She's One Heck of a Chef!!

; )

<3 <3 <3 

I remember posting the above.

; )

'It's been my experience... 

when you're down to your last match...

Ya better light a Candle with it.'

; )

Yeah... Boy.

; )

Indeed.

The above, was my eye, this Morn, that Doc said looked much better.

: )

If Dr. Fitzgerald says so... I... believe it.

: )

Indeed.

<3

Hopefully, we get to 'sleep'... 'rest' every now and then.

; )

{SO want to Share... what The Contractor said, this morning. It Was Priceless!!}

Stay Tuned.

Oh... My.

<3

There Are Angels Among Us...

Indeed.

; )

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

{still dancin'}

; )

; )

Oh my. ; )

<3 <3 <3 

: )

So Incredibly Grateful, to Paige...

Steph's Beautiful Daughter...

for setting the Alarm, on my Android.

<3

Without it, well...

I'd most likely be Sleepin' Peacefully...

 'One Eyed'.

<3

for a long, long... time.

; )

Hahahahahaha!!

Had no idea... when they sent me Home, from The University of Iowa, with HIGH POWERED 'drops' that HAD to be 

administered...

every 30 minutes, 24 hours a day... for 3 days, and kept refrigerated...

exactly, how to 'do' that.

: )

???

 Doin' It.

; )

Still.... Dancin'.

: )

oh my.

Thanks, to 'The Calvary'.

<3 <3 <3 

Long Story Comin', when I can find my feet.

; )

and...

my

 left eye.

: )

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

; )

<3

The Calvary. {wrote this 9/5. posted it 9/6. } ; )

<3

God Bless... The Calvary.

; )

From Dr. Fitzgerald, Pal, Dale... and 

Pal, Steph... with her Amazing Daughter, Paige.

<3

Steph called last night on her way Home... from the Twin Cities.

She's helping Paige move back 'Home'.

<3

Steph asked what was goin' on, I filled her in.

; )

Those Girls... Saved Me!!

Brought Food, but more importantly, Paige sat down with my Android, set the alarm to go off every 30 minutes.

I was very concerned about putting drops in my eye, every 30 minutes... 24 hours a day, religiously, for three days.

I can set the alarm on my phone, no problem.

Setting it to go off every 30 minutes, well... 

that took some Doin'.

; )

Even, for Paige.

May God Bless Her!!

<3 <3 <3

The Girls... brought me a Cooler, too!!

Filled with Ice Packs!!

; )

So I could keep those 'Need to be Refrigerated' drops, by my side.

: )

<3

Game Changer!!

; )

<3 <3 <3

Dr. Fitzgerald... called this morning.

She wanted to meet with me this morning.

Take a look at that eye.

: )

Sadly, The 'U' hasn't sent my records to her... as I Requested, Over, and Over...

to them,

yesterday.

: (

Told them, I didn't plan on coming back... to 'see' 'them', just want their 'findings', test results, sent directly to

Dr. Fitzgerald.

I'm more than angry, those extensive 'U' test results haven't been shared with her.

{in this day... and 'Time', seems a click of a Key... can send most anything.}

Dr. Fitzgerald... seems to think my eye is improving, this morning.

: )

{I can't 'see' out of it, yet. Just colors, and light. Kinda like looking through a window covered in Vaseline.}

Dr. Fitzgerald wants me to call her tomorrow, with an update, on her personal cell,

then, meet again, on Monday.

{yes... Labor Day}

'The Calvary'.

<3

I might be stumbling around... with my words, and posts...

for the next several days.

; )

Sleep... 

 It's for The Dead... they say.

; )

I, actually... enjoy sleep, 'now' and 'then'.

; )

Again...

So Incredibly Grateful, for 'The Calvary'.

<3 <3 <3 

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

Still... Dancin'.

; )

<3

: )