Friday, July 30, 2021

Dorothy

One of my readers just asked me how I was doing after John's passing. I told her that I'm doing okay. I'm trying desperately to find my footing after his death, but I can't seem to get past one blow before another strikes. 

We had John's Celebration of Life on Saturday; yesterday one of my oldest and dearest friends in the whole wide world passed away. I won't write much about her here, because I just wrote a whole post on our half-century-long friendship exactly one year ago tomorrow. You can read that post by clicking HERE. I will fill in the gaps though. 

Picture of Dorothy Touching the Snake at Prairie State Park 
(where I work) on One of Her Many Summer Visits

Dorothy had a really rough time after her son was murdered a little over a year ago. She came up and stayed a few days with us last July and, as far as I can remember, that was the last time I saw her. 

When John was sick back in April and was being transferred from Joplin to Springfield, we had a tentative plan that, if I could not acquire a hospitality room in the hospital, I would stay with Dorothy (she only lived a few blocks from where we were going to be). I was able to acquire to the hospitality room, so we decided Dorothy and I would just get together for lunch or something while we were in town (she could not visit us in the hospital due to COVID restrictions). 

After being in hospital at Springfield a couple of days I told Dorothy that if she wanted to come pick me up we could go grab a bite to eat and visit for a short time. She wanted to but said she really wasn't feeling well. I told her to go get tested. She and her youngest son both tested positive with COVID-19.

Long story short...

Dorothy ended up being hospitalized with COVID, got out, went home on oxygen, got worse, ended up back in the hospital, was put on a vent and given a 20% chance of coming off. She came off, but has struggled ever since. 

She was unable to eat, had to have feeding tube put in, and could no longer walk. She was briefly put in a rehab center, but within just a few days was sent back to the hospital.

On Wednesday her daughter contacted me to let me know that Dorothy was finally being released and was scheduled to come home TODAY (Friday, July 30th); yesterday morning she contacted me to tell me that she had just gotten word that her mother had passed away of a major cardiac event (I guess that's just a fancy way of saying that she had a heart attack). Unbelievable!

And, so...that's how the story ends. Another loss. I don't understand, but I don't question it, either. I'm not angry. I just don't get it. This makes five deaths since early March, four of which were people extremely close to me; the other considered a very good friend.

Prayers over Dorothy's family would be much appreciated...her daughter, Amanda, her son, James, her ex-husband, Roy, and their three grandsons, DJ, JJ, and Josh. Thank you!

Until next time...
~Rebecca

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Wednesday, July 28, 2021

Recipe: Almond Butter Cookies

Almond Butter Cookies

In cleaning out the fridge today I came across an open jar of almond butter. I didn't want it to go to waste, so I did a Google search on ways to use up almond butter. I got lots of ideas, but settled on cookies. I found a recipe that called for ingredients that I had on-hand, tweaked it a bit, and came up with two-and-a-half dozen of these soft and chewy almond butter cookies. I thought I'd share the recipe with you!

ALMOND BUTTER COOKIES

1 stick of butter
1/2 cup almond butter (I use Maranatha brand)
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
1 egg
1-1/4 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon baking soda

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl cream together the butter, almond butter, sugar, and brown sugar. Beat in the egg and add the dry ingredients. Combine thoroughly. Roll into 1-inch balls and place on baking sheets. Press a whole almond into the center of each cookie. Bake for 10 minutes or until cookies begin to brown. Cool on a wire rack and enjoy!

Until next time...
~Rebecca

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Monday, July 26, 2021

Master List and Menu Plan Monday - July 26, 2021

Good Monday Morning, Dear Ones! 

It's the last Monday of the month and, I can honestly say, that I'll be glad to get past July. It's been a long month.

How was your week and weekend? 

I barely remember the early part of the week at all...in fact...I don't remember it. Our youngest daughter and her family arrived on Wednesday. Other than that, the whole week has been a whirlwind of people and activity.

Sunflowers

We said goodbye to my husband on Saturday. We had a Celebration of Life and potluck dinner with visiting following. There was a good turnout (standing room only) and much testimony. I feel that John had a good sendoff, but, jiminy Christmas! I can hardly stand it! I miss him so much! 😢 

My Husband, John

I am determined, though, to keep pressing forward and doing...something! I'm not sure what at the moment, but, with the Lord's help, I will figure it out. My goal today is to get the house back in order and the laundry done. 

I've had a lot of company in since Saturday and, although they've all offered to help straighten things up, I've insisted that they leave it so I will have something to concentrate on and do while I think things out. Besides, I like creating order out of chaos. It will feel good to accomplish something, even if it's something small.

I am going to go ahead and just take the plunge into this week's post. There is much to be done and I need to get started. 

Zinnias From My Garden

This week's master to-do list...

- take one day at a time...minute by minute if necessary 🕛
- pray and seek the Lord at every turn 🙏
- write 'thank you' notes to a number of people 📧
- clean house 🏡
- do laundry 👕
- clean fridge 🍲
- take inventory of food on-hand 📜
- take a look at the finances and make a plan 💵
- finish up data entry job for work (didn't quite make it last week) 💻
- check out the new Dollar General store in town (it opens today) 💲
- celebrate granddaughter, Mercy's, 6th birthday 🎂
- just keep figuring things out (I need a lot of wisdom and direction right now) 🠊

First Margarita Pizza of the Season
For the recipe click HERE.

This week's menu plan...

I'm not even going to try menu planning at this point, because, the truth is, I don't even know what I've got. There is food everywhere and, until I start sorting through it and figuring out what's what I have no idea where I'm headed with any of it. BUT...after I get everything sorted and figured out...it's going to be a whole 'nother story! I've done nothing for six months but sit in hospitals and at home stress-eating whatever. It's time to put the brakes on and get back on track with my own health. Putting the Word first coupled with good food and getting back to walking! THAT has got to be my #1 focus in the days ahead...period!!!

My Husband's Bible and Magnifying Glass

I guess that's it for now. I do hope to visit with you all more in the days ahead. I've just got to get my head straightened out a bit and figure out what's what. Bear with me and, please, pray for me. I've got to figure out how to embrace this season in my life and make it work. I love you all!

Sunset Over Tallgrass Prairie

Until next time...
~Rebecca

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Monday, July 19, 2021

Master List and Menu Plan Monday - July 19, 2021

Greetings, Dear Ones! It's Monday!

It's been a little over a week since my husband's passing and I am trying desperately to find my footing. It is surreal that John is gone and I have no idea what I'm going to do without him.

The medical supply people came on Monday and picked up their stuff (hospital bed, oxygen, commode, wheelchair, transfer chair, walker, etc.) and our daughter, son-in-law, and grandgirls from KC returned home mid-week. I spent the later part of the week and weekend regrouping and cleaning house. 

On Tuesday my friend, Cindi, from Wisconsin came to see me. She has family here in town and just happened to be in the area when all this happened. It was good to see her and we got in a nice visit.

My Friend, Cindi, and I

On Friday our next-to-the-youngest son picked me up and took me to the funeral home to pick up John's ashes. His Celebration of Life will be held this weekend. 

The Urn That I Selected
and Ordered For John

While we were out and about we had lunch at a friend's new restaurant (Tu Casa's in Butler, Missouri). I loved the bright colors and pretty décor. I especially liked the rows of brightly colored pennants that hung overhead. It was very nice and the food was delicious! 

Tu Casa's in Butler, Missouri

The weekend was quiet. I have no idea where to go or what to do from here. My car is still down (right now I'm borrowing my daughter's van when needed), but I don't know when I'll go back to work. I still have data entry that I can work on here at home, but I imagine I'll think about going back to the park soon. Please pray for me as I try to figure it all out. 

Flowers From a Friend This Week

In the meantime, here are my plans for this week...

This week's master to-do list...

- survive...one day at a time
- pray...a lot
- clean house
- do laundry
- weed-eat
- get things together for John's Celebration of Life
- return dishes to people who have brought food in
- finish up data entry project for work
- attend John's Celebration of Life
- visit with friends and family
- just keep trying to figure things out (I need a lot of wisdom and direction right now)

This week's menu plans...

I'm not even going to try to plan anything at this point. Folks have been so kind and food is still trickling in. I will just continue to eat whatever is available. After we get past this, though, I've got to get a plan in place and follow it. All I've done for six months is sit in hospitals, and here at the house, and stress eat. It's time to get back on track with my own health now. 

Until next time...
~Rebecca

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Thursday, July 15, 2021

My Husband's Obituary

My husband, John, passed away Saturday, July 10, 2021 at 9:41 p.m. Here is his obituary...



John Kelly Knox, 67 of Liberal, Missouri, passed away peacefully on July 10, 2021 at home surrounded by his large family. He leaves behind his wife, Rebecca Knox of the home; children Rudy (Angie) Knox, Zachary (Bobby) Knox, Amber (Patrick) Pennington, Buddy (Christy) Vansel, Amanda (Aaron) Langston, Tony (Nicole) Knox, a daughter, Stephanie (Chris), in Wyoming, a son, Johnny; twenty grandchildren, and many beloved cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father, Rudy Virgil Knox, his mother, Mary Agnes (Cuda) Knox, and a half-sister, Dolly.
John had a variety of interests including a love for the Lord Jesus Christ, a love for his family and friends, reading, writing, politics, gardening, history, and cooking. He was also proud of his Sicilian heritage on his mother's side, and his Scotch-Irish ancestry on his father's side, yet was a true American patriot in every way.
John pastored West Liberal Mission Outreach for twenty-five years, and served as Alderman for the City of Liberal, Missouri from 2012 to 2014.
Above all, John wanted nothing more than for those he loved and held dear to know and follow Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

A Celebration of Life is planned July 24th at the Kneeland Center in Liberal, Missouri from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. with potluck following the service.

Until next time...
~Rebecca

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Monday, July 5, 2021

Master List and Menu Plan Monday - July 5, 2021

Good morning, Dear One! Happy Monday! 💗

June is behind us and, suddenly, here we are, catapulted into July and the second half of 2021. How was your week and weekend? 

Our Annual Tradition - Red, White, and Blue Jell-O

Our week here was good. We celebrated granddaughter, Essie's, 7th birthday via video call (a first for us) and had a nice 4th of July. I made it to town (first time in three weeks) and was able to put together the ingredients for one of our favorite annual treats...red, white, and blue Jell-O cups!

American Bald Eagle

My husband's health continues to decline and, as much as I try to fight it, dark clouds gather within my own heart and soul. Daily I grow more keenly aware of how fleeting time really is. It waits on no one. Be good stewards of what God has given you. Gather your loved ones near, take the time and make the effort to create lasting memories, live each day on purpose and to the fullest, and concentrate on the eternal. In the end, it's all that will matter.

Bi-Plane That Flew Over on the 4th of July

Let's get on with this week's post...shall we?

This week's to-do list...

- spend quality time with my husband 
- clean house
- do laundry
- celebrate granddaughter, Abby's, 16th birthday
- celebrate granddaughter, Audrey's, 16th birthday
- celebrate grandson, Isaiah's, 10th birthday
- harvest and put up tomatoes from the garden
- harvest and dry basil
- make hummingbird food and fill the feeders

Zinnia

This week's menu plans...

I have a variety of fresh foods that need eaten up, so I will concentrate on using those up this week or turning them into something else that can be frozen. Foods that I need to focus on include egg whites (omelets and in baking), cottage cheese (on toast, on baked potatoes, or as a snack), milk (bisuits), turkey burgers, bananas (oat-bran muffins), blueberries (on pancakes), cherries (with breakfast or as a snack), romaine lettuce (fresh salad, sautéed greens), spinach (fresh salad or in omelet), carrots (oven-roasted side), green peppers (sautéed or stuffed), potatoes, sweet potatoes (baked or turned into a pie), and onions (sautéed and in other dishes). 

Monday - Turkey burger with sautéed peppers and onions, rice, and black beans 🦃
Tuesday - Broiled salmon and baked sweet potato with sautéed greens 🐟
Wednesday - Stuffed pepper casserole with corn and black beans 🌽
Thursday - Turkey sausage and sautéed peppers and onions with biscuits 🦃
Friday - Margarita Pizza 🍕
Saturday - Turkey burger and oven fries 🦃
Sunday - Leftovers 

Petunias

That's it for this week! I wish you and yours a blessed and beautiful day and a great week ahead! 

Until next time...
~Rebecca

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