The most important thing I want to share with you today is a request for your prayers for my dear friend Judy and her husband John. After a very tough several months, with John batting prostate cancer and other ills, Judy and John were just about to leave for a vacation in Galveston when they discovered that John has another form of cancer. They have canceled their trip and John is to have surgery this morning. I spoke to Judy on the phone and she is devastated and scared and exhausted.
A few months ago, I called Judy and John answered the phone because Judy wasn’t home and we proceeded to have a long and delightful conversation that showed me what a charming and wonderful man he is and why he and Judy are so perfect for each other. Please send your prayers and your healing energy to John today. And to Judy. I believe in that power.
I did some work on the craft room/office/studio/whatever in the dollhouse yesterday.
I painted the worktable. I blended two shades (a pale aqua and a pale green) to come up with this shade.
I also painted a bookshelf that I’ve had for a while. It’s a little blurry in this photo and I’m not sure if I will eventually use it, but I thought it might work temporarily.
And then I tried a little something. As you know, I’ve been looking for a refrigerator for the dollhouse. I don’t like most of the ones I see. For some reason, they don’t look right to me. I will continue my search, but in the meantime, I found a little wooden box with curved edges that I thought might work as a vintage/retro refrigerator. Yesterday, I slapped some paint on it.
It may be a bit too wide, but I kept thinking of those great vintage refrigerators that were around when I was a very young child – sort of wide and squat with both the refrigerator and freezer behind the same door. I used a picture hanger for the handle.
It’s temporary, I’m thinking. But I rather like it! And it fills up that empty space next to the counter.
Don came up with a great idea for the tower room on top of the house. Brilliant. After I finish up the main part of the house, I’ll get started on that.
We watched Robert Redford in All is Lost last night. It’s available On Demand on our cable system. Powerful. Haunting. And Redford does indeed give the performance of his career. I must say I find it stunning that he wasn’t nominated for an Academy Award. A pretty glaring omission.
I lost a crown last night and have to find a dentist today to fix that. Confession: I am terrified of the dentist. Truly. It’s something I avoid and dread and to top it off, I haven’t had dental insurance for a long time. We do have it now. I have some other teeth that need attending to and I barely slept last night because I was so nervous. So say a little prayer for me, too.
Happy Thursday.
Consider Prayer request done. Keep us posted. Cindy
Haven’t heard anything from Judy yet, but I do know that it went well. Thanks, Cindy.
Keeping your friend in my prayers…
Claudia I am so impressed on the progress you have made on your dollhouse! I think your little “fridge” looks very realistic. Glad I could help your friend with the name of mine.
I went to the dentist yesterday for a cleaning. Our dental is about to end due to retirement. Take advantage while you have the insurance. Your teeth play a vital role in your overall health.
Have a great day and stay warm!
Hugs, Patti
She was so thrilled that you knew the name of the dollhouse and the manufacturer. I went on Ebay today and found one and messaged her with the link. It was in the box and had never been touched! (I want one!)
Wow! That is great news! I am proud of myself for putting that house together all those years ago. Except for a couple of angle cuts by husband I did it all. I have another dollhouse (still in the box) that I got at an antique mall that I haven’t started on yet. One of these days…….
Patti
I am so sorry to hear about your friends Claudia…I will definitely pray!
LOVE your dollhouse updates. I have such an obsession with dollhouses ever since I was a little girl. I used to save up my money just to go buy new furniture and things to put in it :) I will definitely have to show Hazel yours…she loves them now too :) We actually have an old cupboard that we want to make her a dollhouse with and I still have most of my miniatures for her to use!
That will be such a wonderful project, Alice. I know Hazel will absolutely love it!
(okay we just scrolled through ALL of your dollhouse posts and Hazel “awwwed” at everything and then when we finished she said, “I want to go here” :)
Tell Miss Hazel that she is welcome any time! (Hey, we live in the same state – why not?)
Love the wallpaper choice in the craft room and the new box fridge is perfect. I would never have guessed that it wasn’t a true dollhouse fridge. Oh no on the crown :( you can buy a glue at Walmart to put the crown back on with until you can muster up the courage to see a dentist. So sorry about that and no one needs that type of expense. Prayers for you and John today!! Text me about the crown later :)
Went to the dentist and I really liked him. I’ll text you in a few minutes.
Cancer is so nasty ans so sneaky. I am sending positive thoughts to John and Judy.
The refrigerater looks wonderful!
I understand your anxiety about going to the dentist because I had that so bad that I skipped the dentist for many years until I was in an emergency situation. I overcame my extreme fear with a very understanding dentist and also by using relaxation practices while in the waiting room and while in the chair. Good luck.
Thank you, Carolyn Marie. I went to the new dentist today (only 6 miles away from us) and he was really wonderful. Very kind and very funny. That helps.
Wow, I think we all could use a little prayer today. I just got off the phone with my main prayer partner about my Mom who’s suddenly declining rapidly. – Alzheimer’s. I wholeheartedly believe and know the power of prayer is real so I will add prayers for you, Judy and John today. I really hate going to the dentist so I hear ya. Take all the meds they offer you. All of them. :D It will help you through it.
Blessings,
Cassandra
I will be praying for your mother, Cassandra. I’m so sorry.
Oh no! I’m so sorry to hear about Judy’s husband. Sending prayers and lots of hugs. (We are anxiously awaiting the results from David’s first PSA test since his surgery. Cancer sucks!)
Oh gosh, I’m dental phobic. I’m terrified of dentists, shiver shiver shake. I have to be knocked out for work. WAH. Sending hugs and a hand to hold!
I can’t wait to see the Robert Redford movie, I keep hearing how wonderful it is.
Your dollhouse is so darling. I’m off the miniature show on Saturday yippie yippie!
My legs shook today as I was sitting in the chair. But this guy that Don found is close by and really nice. He didn’t make me feel like an idiot for being so terrified.
I’m jealous about that miniature show, Sally. I wonder if they will have any toilets that look like toilets and are not painted with flowers? That’s my next search.
I am praying that the results from David’s PSA test are just want you want to hear. I know how hard this has been for you.
Yippie yippie! I’m so glad you had a good experience! That’s so wonderful and means so much when you have anxiety. The more I tell people that I have a dental phobia, the more people tell me they have dental anxiety too – so many people have told me they take valium, nitrous oxide (is that the right name for it?) or get knocked out for dental work.
(When I finally got to see the doctor at Urgent Care about my finger two weeks ago, my legs started shaking uncontrollably.)
I will keep an eye out for non-floral toilets! It’s a small show but they seemed to have everything. What scale are you using in your dollhouse? One inch?
WHEW! David called me at lunch and told me that his numbers came in at .001 … can exhale now HURRAY! He will have to be tested every three months, from here on out. Thanks so much for your prayers and kind words!
Wonderful news about David, Sally! Drop your shoulders and relax.
I use 1:12 scale – the most common scale I think. Have a great time at the show!
Thank you! I do carry all my anxiety in my shoulders and jaw – I need a massage!
Yup, that’s what I meant but forgot how to say it … one inch to one foot …
Happy evening!
Prayers for John and Judy – and your tooth too!
Like the box/fridge. I think it works just fine. My blog post today is about an old historic house that made me think of your dollhouse. It’s full of fun collections and artifacts. I can see you living there!
Be brave at the dentist, then reward yourself with a treat.
I will stop by later and read your post, Leslie Anne.
I was brave. We’ll see if his fix works – crossing my fingers. I can’t chew anything for a while, so I’m drinking a smoothie.
Prayers for John andJudy and for you Claudia. I dread my yearly check up so much and it’s next Mon. But I finally broke down and also made an appt for an eye exam. The thought of getting new glasses makes me happy but oh how I hate spending the money on myself when we need so many other things. Why are we women like that?
I have to do that next, Janie. I need my eyes examined…I use readers and I know that isn’t the best thing. I hate spending money on things like glasses and dentists. We have to repair our chimney! We have to get a new hot water heater! I keep thinking about those things.
Claudia, If you still have the crown? I have two words for you SUPER Glue! I’ve done it several times. When I have been without dental insurance! I am a reader of 20 North Ora,So my prayers are all ready on the way . -Judy A-
Thanks, Judy. I do have the crown, but I actually (because Don took care of finding the dentist and making the appointment, went to see a new dentist today. I’m still fearful, but I like him very much.
Prayers for John and Judy. I am amazed at your creativity. My husband and I started housekeeping in a one bedroom house with a similar fridge. It was furnished, and the freezer would not keep meat or ice cream. We lived there only six months. I sympathize about the dentist. Sending sunshine from middle TN!
Thanks, Carol. I’m pretty pleased with the refrigerator – heck, maybe I’ll keep it there!
A prayer has been said for John and Judy. I follow the rule “pray continually” so I say prayers throughout the day and John and Judy will be in them.
Once when my crown fell off I went to the drugstore and found this stuff that you can stick it back on with and it worked until I could get an appointment. I don’t mind the dentist. You get to keep on your clothes which I consider a very big plus. Saying a prayer for you too.
Love what you are doing with the doll house. Somewhere around here I have a book of things to make for a doll house. I remember enjoying looking at everything and thinking….someday….Might just be the time!
The dentist (who is new to us) is a great guy and that helps enormously. He didn’t make me feel like a neurotic mess when I told him how nervous I was. And he called Don in the room so he could be with me.
Ingenious! Looks great in there.
I also cracked and lost a molar in Dec. 23. We don’t have dental insurance either, private pay so it’s a hunk of money for me. HOWEVER, negotiate with your dentist if you feel comfortable. Lots of times they’ll do pro bono work. Trust me, I KNOW this. But the one I just scrunched with a candy cane cost me $748.00. A new tooth and a new iMac…I’ll have them both paid off before summer though I hope.
xoxo,
Connie
I think I’m not going to chomp on anything like hard candy or candy canes or anything like that anymore, Connie!
Prayers for Judy and John…and for your teeth. I also have a fear of dentists…irrational I know…but still there. Like what you are doing in the dollhouse. The Handmade Home, did a dollhouse for her daughter…cute as can be…check it out if you get a chance. Enjoy your Thursday! ;)
I saw that – it’s for Barbie dolls. Adorable.
Prayers for your friend and for you Claudia. As another ‘terrified of the dentist’ kind of person, procedures are a Lot less traumatic and painful than they were when we were younger. It won’t be nearly as bad you you imagine it will.
Last night the hubby and I watched a movie called “In A World” ~ about a female voice coach who wants to be in the Voice-over business. It was a charming movie and made me think of you. If you haven’t seen it, you might look it up.
This one didn’t hurt at all because it involves a tooth in which I had a root canal, so I couldn’t feel anything, thank goodness. I still have to deal with my other problem teeth but the good dentist didn’t put any pressure on me about that.
I’m aware of the that movie and I plan on watching it soon! (It’s also available On Demand.)
Hi Claudia!! Prayers being sent for your friends, Judy and John… Your dollhouse is lovely and I am so impressed with your vision of what you want it to be… It is so nice – I feel the same way as you do about dentists (after much experience)… I will keep you in my prayers. My husband recently retired and we did not have dental for him but he found some really good plans that offer cost reduction on the web for about $15. per month – DentalPlans. com. It became effective immediately. You have to see if your dentist accepts one, but there many to choose from. If you need a lot of work done, it may offer you some savings.. Good luck, Claudia — Francine
We got a reasonable plan through the healthcare we chose via The Affordable Care Act. Hopefully it will be adequate! If not, we’ll search elsewhere.
Thanks for the tip about dental being offered through the ACA – I did not know this and will be signing up and looking into this myself… Glad all went well with your visit to the dentist!
I saw Judy’s prayer request on her blog yesterday and was so sad. Life is so short. Anxious to hear the results.
Your little fridge looks wonderful. It looks exactly like the old ones did! The side view is especially real to detail!! And the spool of ribbon on the table is wonderful along w/ the skeins of yarn on the book shelves. Can’t wait to hear and see what the idea Don had becomes!
Prayers being said.
Thank you so much, Chris. I’m going to keep you in the dark on Don’s idea for a while!
I really like the color you used! I have mini-envy over the pitcher and your mixer! Where did you get them? I collect life-size pitchers and would love to a start collecting mini ones, too :)
The pitcher was a gift from a friend and I don’t know where she got it. I got the mixer on etsy. Search under ‘mixers/dollhouse miniatures” and you’ll see many. I believe the seller I bought it from lives in Utah.
Praying for Judy and her husband and for your teeth Claudia. I like your refrigerator…it looks very similar to one we had when I was a child.
Blessings,
Betsy
Thanks so much, Betsy. I love the look of vintage refrigerators.
Consider prayers, healing energy and all good wishes on their way! PS – no nomination for Robert R was a travesty! A tour-de-force performance. Maybe Hollywood doesn’t like it when one guy is SO GOOD at so much…
I know! He was brilliant. And very little dialogue. Just real feelings and emotions -every one of them was evident on his face and in the way he carried his body. (What did you think about the ending? It was ambiguous, wasn’t it? I know what I wanted it to be….but was that really it?)
Ambigous, you bet. Felt the same as I did at the Sopranos ending. Ticked me off a little actually.
I have had Judy and John in my prayers for days now. So sad about his cancer recurrence. Brenda posted that the surgery was less invasive then they at first thought so that is good news. I know Judy is just overwhelmed with it all. I too believe in the power of prayer!
Love the dollhouse additions. The fridge is so cute, oh yes I remember those old one’s with the freezer door inside the full door. Oh my! Praying for you too, I am afraid of the dentist also. HUGS!
Thanks so much, Linda. I just got back from the dentist and I’m exhausted. From stress, from worry, from lack of sleep. And now I find out the new bed won’t be here for at least another week!
Am praying for those” I-wish-there-were-more-like-them” good people.
Aha! You DO have a flaw! Wish I could send you a bit of my love of going to the dentist. Just remember: This too shall pass.
janeintx
Oh, I have MANY flaws, Jane – believe me!
I’m lighting my little prayer votive for Judy & John, and you too.
The little painted box makes a darling frig. I’d like to slip in and have a cup of tea in that sweet little kitchen.
Wouldn’t that be fun?
I am so concerned about Judy too. David and I were planning on visiting Judy and John in Galveston next month. I have been thinking of them both all morning. Love your newly painted worktable. I have the same one but I painted mine white. Like you, I seem to be lost in mini land. Good luck at the dentist. I’ll say a little prayer for you.
Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
That’s what she told me, Susan. I’m so sorry you aren’t going to get to meet up.
Yes, I am lost in mini land.
Judy and John are in my prayers…….. Going to the dentist is always traumatic for me. My appointments never seem to go well. Thank goodness for your insurance and good luck!
Thank you, Susan. I just got back. The dentist tried a ‘fix’ but we don’t know if it will work. Cross you fingers!
Oh Claudia, that cute little fridge looks so much like the Philco that Mom had when I was growing up. I would not change it.
I have been praying for John and Judy since I read her post. I only know them from her posts, yours and Brenda’s. I first heard of them when Brenda met them over Judy’s garden decorations and them got to know more of their souls as Brenda went through such hard times with her ankle. They are such precious people and there are not enough of them in this world. We need to continue to pray and hold onto them.
I don’t like dentists either. I feel your pain (figuratively and literally).
Thanks so much, Regena. Yes, Judy and John are the salt of the earth – wonderful, kind, giving people.
I have been praying for Judy and her husband for some time. I feel bad for them. I hope things go okay.
Love that fridge. Looks very realistic. Remember the little teeny freezers in the middle . I’d love to have a real one.
As far as the tooth…..yuck. Sorry. I don’t like the dentist either. The good thing going for you is the insurance.
A little story…..one of my dear friends and former co-worker hated going to the dentist. Recently she had an awful toothache so caved and went to see one. Here she had a jaw fracture and lo and behold cancer in the jawbone. It has been removed and replaced with a bone from her leg. Not only did they cut from one side of the jaw to the other she had 50 plus staples in her leg. I saw her last week and she is doing well. Her leg looked awful and her jaw it still so swollen. She started radiation this week. She has a good prognosis. She is amazing and her spirit is joyful as always. I guess this proves we need to go to those checkups. I haven’t been for almost 2 years because our ins. changed and didn’t cover the dentist I went to. But, I am now going to make an appointment,
Gosh, such a cheery story, sorry. But on the funny side….I loved my dentist because he had the happy gas. Loved that.
xo
Debby
Well, that was depressing, Debby! But I do hope your friend heals quickly and totally.
I love those old fridges..There are two real ones for sale at our local antique mall..you did a great job turning a box into a fridge..it looks so natural there..I was terrified of the dentist since I was a kid but I was lucky enough to find one I liked..she was so patient with my fear and knew how to make me feel relaxed..Send my prayers for Judy and John..they seem like such good people..
This one that I went to today might be a keeper. I liked him.
I believe in the power of prayer. I am praying for Judy and John – for peace and healing. I will pray for you too, Claudia, at the dentist! I don’t like them either and then to have to pay for something that I don’t enjoy – it’s just wrong!
You’re not kidding! The idea of having to pay for being in the dentist’s chair….crazy!
Claudia– just read this news about John, Judy’s husband.
I will definitely be praying for them and for the Doctors that are treating him.
Praying for you too. I certainly feel your pain and anguish regarding dentists. I ask for gas when I go. Do you? It helps me to feel somewhat more at ease. My step-daughter is a dental assistant and the last time I went in…last year, to have a tooth pulled. She made the appointment and set it all up and she even paid the bill for us. (Our daughters really do take care of us- another story) Anyway, I made her agree NOT to be the assistant that day, she said not a problem. I didn’t want her to see me CRY! I BAWL like a blubbering baby when I go. That is before the gas and anesthesia… LIKE a big OL’ BABY! Not proud of it. But I do know what you mean, loss of sleep and the whole nine yards.
I will be praying for you.
The doll house looks so wonderful. If my house were in order… I’d be working on my mine. But a made a promise to myself. I can’t wait to get back to it. :) You are becoming quite the handy home maker of the doll house. That fridge is great! I like the color you chose for your pieces today.
–take care, NO WORRIES. Pat
My legs start to shake when I’m in the chair, Pat! I can’t control them! And I want to cry for sure!
My husband Robert died of Cancer when he was 34 years old. I know only too well what Judy and John are going through and I will pray for them.
When my husband was close to end of his life I can remember standing in his hospital room looking out his window at all the people leaving work (I worked there as a nurse) and they looked so stressed out and rushed . There was kids to pick up, laundry to do, dinner to cook, etc.. I can remember thinking I would give anything if i could just go back to that time when the only thing I had to worry about was the same mindless crap that I use to think was so important. I learned what was really important on the night he died. He was completely alert, something that, despite what you see in the movies, is not very common. Usually people are at least a little out of it. Not him, he was alert and so scared because he knew what was coming. I had managed to get his family and closest friends there so he was surrounded by all the people that loved him the most. Then, suddenly, in an instant he was gone. (You know what Claudia there isn’t a doubt in my mind that God was there, and that he took him as soon as he could.because believe me he could have suffered for weeks) It was at that moment that I realized what is really important in this life. At the end of his life he wasn’t worried about bills or whether the car needed fixing or any of the other million things we worry about every day. The only thing that mattered to him was he left this world with the people he loved most surrounding him to say good-bye. I thank god every day I was one of them. Even though we had known each other since I was 10 years old I still got butterflies in my stomach when he walked in the room. I loved him so.
Robert was a big animal lover and at one point trained guide dogs for the blind. Animals adored him. He had this big lab that was so devoted to him that until the day that that sweet dog died we would drive up to where he was buried and she would get out of the car and go straight to his grave. She knew exactly where he was. It was love at its purest form.
I don’t know why I am dumping all of this on you today Claudia. My goal isn’t to make anyone sad. I just wanted to say that regardless of the outcome, I know in my heart that the love shared between John and Judy and from others will carry them both through this and that maybe every now and then when we think things are at their worst we need to step back and remind ourselves of all the blessings we really do have. Needless to say I “don’t sweat the small shit” anymore.
Janice, your words spoke to my heart. I shared them with Don. You have gone through enormous loss. Your wisdom, though hard earned, helps us all. Reminding ourselves daily of our blessings is so important. It helps me to hear those words and to put things in perspective. What really matters is love, pure and simple.
Thank you so much for sharing your heart.
will do..and my friends are back in the hospital also with more cancers and a chemo treatment that may kill him before he gets to remission..my prayer list lengthens each month it seems, but I will gladly add your friends. <3
My list is getting pretty long, as well. Thank you, Suzan.
Claudia,
When my daughter was in “private Christian school” I had to take her to the dentist for a couple of root canals. She was terrified. The dentist was great and put her right at ease. She leaned back in the chair and there on his ceiling was a full length poster of John Wayne from one of his many western movies. She didn’t way a word for a while as the dentist kept asking her if she was doing OK. I was sitting quietly in the corner reading. Finally, he asked her once again how she was doing and she slowly turned her eyes to him and said, “I’m staring at John Wayne’s crotch, I’m fine”. I could not concentrate on my book after that and had a hard time stifling my giggles. I’m glad your dentist visit wasn’t unpleasant.
I’ll be praying for John and Judy along with the others and believing for a positive outcome.
Sandra
I’ve been praying for John and Judy – and I’ll add you to the list. I hate dental problems, just finished up with $2,000 of my own … OUCH!!!
I’ve been praying for John and Judy ever since John’s first cancer diagnosis, but especially now this second go around. I was so glad to hear from Brenda’s blog that things went better than expected and that John is actually back at home now. I can’t imagine how exhausted Judy must be. I hear you about the dentist. I feel the same way. I can’t even stand to go for a 6-month cleaning and checkup. I’ve needed another crown or two for over a year and keep putting it off. And even with Brian’s dental insurance, each crown still costs us $900 out of pocket. Insane.
Hi Claudia!
I love the updates on your dollhouse! I copied your idea with the tongue depressor sticks and put down floors for five of the rooms in my dollhouse. Three of them I painted white and the upstairs and downstairs hallways I stained. They turned out beautiful I am so excited! I actually like them better then the rooms I bought floors for. I also used them for the slanted ceilings, I haven’t painted them yet but it looks so much better than the old wallpaper that came with my house that I bought at a yard sale for $10. I haven’t had too many hobbies over the years besides gardening and working on my dollhouse has definately captured my interest! Thanks for the great ideas!
I will keep your friends and their providers in my prayers.
Claudia, I really like your color creation. Your refrigerator solution looks just perfect to me.
Sending prayers and tender thoughts over the miles to your friends, Claudia, because it indeed isn’t only the one who’s ill but the caretakers who need the caring support as well.
Your doll house is looking so adorable. I’ve so enjoyed watching all the updates and additions. I confess the very first time I saw it, over a year or so ago, for a split second I thought you were showing a room in YOUR cottage!