I have to tell you guys what a pleasure doing this site has been. Yeah, there are times it seems as if there just aren’t enough hours in the day in regards to all the irons Deb and I have in the fire, but that’s part of life.

I know without a doubt that what I have to say suffers from time to time on account of other things going on, but I have to tell you…all the good we’ve received by doing this, far, far outweighs any bad. You guys have been just great!

When I let out about Deb’s cancer, I was stunned by the goodness you guys put out there for us. Your thoughts, concerns and prayers, literally overwhelmed us! On top of this, I know, in my heart, that your kindness has helped Deb immensely in her fight, and is one of the reasons she’s done so well! Thank you all again!

Without a doubt, the main reason we keep on with our site…is the ability to converse and share with so many wonderful people. The sharing of ideas, recipes, and even laughter. But far more than anything else is the ability to share prayers in each of our regard!

Sadly yesterday, we’ve found out that one of our very good, well actually, a very dear friend is once more faced with adversity from this terrible disease. I won’t use their names as I’m not sure yet if they’d feel it appropriate at the moment.

Most that have read our column for any length of time will know immediately who she is, but once more, I’ll keep it under hat for now. If she feels okay with it, I’m sure she’ll let you know, but I just would like you to say a prayer in their regard.

God too knows who I’m speaking of, and he will know where these prayers are directed!

The reason I’m letting out this news is that throughout Deb’s fight, she has been standing beside Deb since day one, and as she likes to say, “Holding Deb’s hand from afar.”

Because of this, and the type of person this lady is, I humbly ask you guys for prayers on her behalf as well. She has been through a long struggle in her own right with this disease, for years and years, but several months back was given an all clear!

Deb and I were ecstatic over such great, and deserved good fortune! It couldn’t have happened to a better person! Yet, we just found out that her husband was just diagnosed with cancer as well, and as far as we know at the moment, his prognosis is not good.

So once more, say a special prayer for this family. They have been through adversity before, and now it just tears our hearts out to find that once more, they are faced with this disease again.

I want her to know this morning just how much she’s meant to us since we’ve been blessed by her reaching out to us, and her literally becoming a part of our family, just as we feel we’re a part of her own.

Her thoughts, her laughter, her advice, concern and prayers were, and still are such a blessing, and this morning Deb and I both feel, not only feel, but KNOW, prayers are so helpful!

So to our friend, please know that this is but one way we feel we might could help you guys out…through prayer. Prayers from all our other friends out there strung together to help you guys through a tough, tough time.

Miracles happen daily. Keep the faith, look up, and know in your heart that you are loved by so many! God Bless you and yours! We love ya’ll, and are only a phone call away.

“Holding your hands from afar…”

Dub and Deb

Well, as you’ve seen, I’ve been kind of on a tirade in regards to the fraud in the government programs, and the IRS. I’m sorry, but in today’s economy I find such wastefulness and complete unconcern by our elected leaders appalling! This statement being true in good times, or bad. Why…because it’s OUR money!

Here we are, the taxpayers or the funders of our Country’s economic system, faced with tremendous challenges of keeping our own family’s fed, a roof over our heads, and all the other costs we incur in our daily lives.

Yet, our elected officials have decided that what we do…is still not enough. Take, take, take from the producers to give to the non-producers, and even ILLEGALS, and further burden us with such total incompetency to even be accountable for the money’s we give them?? What have we come to at this point in our Country?

But, let’s change gears again and get back more on topic of what our site is about…gardening, canning, sharing a recipe or two, and just kinda having a good time. Jerking each other’s chains, and hopefully, many times you guys leaving with a smile on your face! I know through your e-mails you sure put one on our faces! Thanks!

I’ve got a meeting first thing this morning, so I’ll be short winded. Yeah, yeah, I know that’s hard to believe, BUT, I am capable of that…in a pinch! LOL! We’ll see though, won’t we?

Our first video is of the greenhouse again, and ole Deb pickin a few cucumbers. They’re Japanese cucumbers, which we’d never grown before, shoot, I might as well own up that I’d never even heard of them before!

But, we both love the taste, and even when they become very large they still are tender. Most times though we make pickles out of the larger ones. Same with our squash. If you’ve never eaten them, squash pickles are very, very good, and I personally prefer them over cucumber pickles anymore.

Here’s the video…

Ole Deb’s looking pretty good, huh? Honestly though, she’s doing good! The Good Lord smiles on my Deb, doesn’t he? Good night, we are so blessed!

The other video is of our juicing. We’d done a video of this before, but we felt it appropriate to show once more. This, juicing, is one thing we think ALL you guys need to at least consider.

Again, although Deb was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer 13 months ago, every blood test we do comes back perfect. She’s aced every one of them! We do another next week.

Anyway, several of our friends and family are now juicing, even some of our fellow YouTubers, and every bit of feedback we get all praise the benefits they’re seein from the juicing!

All speak of the energy they now have, and how well they feel as a whole. Most all speak of weight loss they’re experiencing as well. Personally, I’ve lost 50 pounds. Talk about feeling better, Phew, I’m like a new man!

I tell Deb I feel like the 6 million dollar man, and she says I ought too…that’s about what the juice has cost us! LOL!!

Juicing, when you juice the quantity and variety that we do each morning is fairly expensive. Actually when we started out it was costing about 100 bucks a week, and recently went to about 160-180 bucks a week. No kidding.

But, Deb’s health can have no cost put on it, and this is the reason for our greenhouse…year round vegetables in a climate controlled area. We of course, supplement our juicing with our other gardens as well.

A couple reasons for this…first off the cost of food today. I know you guys are all seeing this firsthand!

The second is the AMOUNT of fruits and veggies we juice each morning. The reason is because in Deb’s regard, we’re trying to build…a SUPER immune system, and we feel this is exactly what we are doing. It’s working for us.

Now juicing is not the only treatment she’s decided upon with her alternative cancer treatment, BUT, it is one of THE major players.

Our point though is that we feel juicing is so beneficial, you guys may just want to give it a try, healthy or not!

You would not have to juice anywhere near what Deb and I do, again, we do so many for a reason. But, research your fruits and veggies, see for yourself the nutritional value of each, then juice the ones you feel would benefit YOU, the most!

Here’s the video…

As you can see, Deb was having a little problem. Our juicer is beginning to…get tired. That dern thing is a workhorse though, and has been doing just what you just witnessed for over a year now! Plus, we’ll pick enough oranges, tangerines and grapefruit to juice about 4 gallons at a time…on top of what you see we do daily.

So, we love the type of juicer we use, and are very, very satisfied with the job it does, and the longevity of the machine.

By the way, there’s a brand new one under the stairway, still in the box. We’re going to order a new cutter blade though, and we both feel that will make our old one just like brand new. It has, we know, become dull from all the use it’s gotten!

We’d by this brand again, and again, and…well, you get the message!

Well, I’ve got to run!

You guys have a great day, and God bless! Deb says to keep a smile on your face, and one in your heart!

Dub and Deb

This is not about “preaching to you guys,” though if you’re like me, it surely wouldn’t hurt you, but this is only intended to possibly awaken a few that, yes, there is a far greater power than ourselves. It truly is the power of our Lord, and the many blessings he provides, for not just a few, but for all. You only have to ask…he’ll walk right beside you!

This is so true in regards to Deb, her cancer, and I. We not only profess he truly blesses us, but without his love and guidance, we honestly don’t know where we’d be at this point IN our lives. To say that he smiles on us daily is probably one of the most understated remarks that you’ll ever hear come out of my mouth.

God IS great!

To be honest, we weren’t going to post today, but kinda kick back some and relax. We’ve both been working most evenings, until about dark. Deb had pulled a muscle in her chest and that took a toll on her. For a couple weeks it was obvious she was in pain.

She first pulled it busting a couple water hoses that I’d tightened down pretty good, then reinjured it mopping, a few days later.

She’s tough as a piece of lighter knot, and it concerned me with the obvious pain that she was dealing with. Now though, she’s back to about 90% and getting better daily. This is good, cause man, she’s sure got a lot of work to get caught up on that I’d laid out for her! LOL!

Most know that Deb was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer. Terminal…no cure. She was given 8-9 months without treatment, possibly 4-5 years with chemo and radiation, IF, they could get it into remission. This was, AT BEST, and there was about a 40% chance of this taking place. Long story short, again, NO CURE.

Anyway, this has now been 13 months ago. Deb took one chemo, and then opted for alternative treatment. Since then, God has walked beside her daily. She looks great, she feels great, and she’s doing great.

For the naysayers that don’t believe in our Lord…you may want to reconsider, that’s all. You may come to realize that you’ve been missing out on an awful lot of good and that the little things are just that…the little things.

This past year, in regards to Deb and I, have been the happiest, hands down that we’ve experienced since being partners. All our other time together, good as they’ve been, aren’t even close!

In our previous post, I said my Mom and Dad came down and had lunch with us. Getting Dad to come down is kinda like fishin. You just have to use the right bait. His favorite just happens to be food in general, but especially, Granny Margaret’s meatloaf.

My point to this is that my Dad is one of those guys that doesn’t jerk your chain too often. He tells you how it is…whether you like it or not. He doesn’t sugar coat it, nor does he stretch the truth. It is, what it is, with Dad.

When he and Mom found out that Deb had decided to not do chemo anymore, I know they didn’t like this decision, but no matter, it WAS DEB’S decision, not mine, not our children’s, just Deb’s!

Plus, to step outside the medical world in a diagnosis such as Deb’s, is not something that’s done too often. They never voiced their opinion, but kept their true feelings close to the hip.

I do believe that they, and some others, thought that by Deb deciding upon alternatives as her treatment, they felt that she’d probably just signed her death sentence…in their eyes.

I think what they were missing though, is that in all reality, Deb’s diagnosis WAS a death sentence, and in reality, our Doctor’s, the first two anyway, informed us this WAS the case. The cancer she had…would kill her.

Yesterday though, we witnessed a BIG change in Dad’s attitude.

You see, Deb’s doing great, and since her decision to do alternative treatment, our lives have changed. Our eating habits changed first off, and we eat much more nutritiously now than ever. We started juicing, 20 to 25 fresh fruits and vegetables each morning, and now have added one more juice in our daily routine.

Beets, carrots, and apples. This we drink around 2-3 o’clock in the afternoon. The juicing we do is to try and keep Deb’s immune system strong, and so far, it’s done just that. Simply put…we have come to feel so strongly over this, that we honestly feel more should start.

Juicing and diet are a couple things we do, and feel very strongly about both, but Deb does 3-4 other things as well. If you’re interested, please contact us.

Here’s an old video of Deb showing some of our juice products. This was done back in Sept. of 2011.

During lunch yesterday, Dad asked question after question…what do we juice, how do we juice, what type of juicer, on, and on. Honestly, he was beginning to see the light in regards to, you know what, it’s obvious this has helped these two. I’m intrigued and want to know more.

This continued all through lunch and almost until they left for home.

First off, we’d not seen Mom and Dad since Deb’s cookout back at the end of January. They’ve been bust, we’ve been busy, again, where does the time go? So it’d been about 90 days.

Most know that since we started our juicing regime, not only has Deb done outstanding, but I’ve lost 50 pounds! Literally, it has been a blessing to us both.

Before they left Dad talked with us about this one more time. He told us that he was amazed with us both. He stated that it was obvious the time, effort and research we’d done was without a doubt producing results for us…good results, amazing results!

He said that me for example, I’d taken off this weight and looked and seemed to feel so good, energized even.

But Deb, this is where he has become awestruck in all this. He told Debbie yesterday that she was truly amazing and such an inspiration to him. She looked good, and he couldn’t believe how obviously good she felt as well.

He told her that to have the courage to step outside of the medical spectrum like she had, with the diagnosis THAT SHE HAD, was a thing that only one in a million people would do. He congratulated her on her courage to do so, and that obviously it is producing results.

He then added that to read and research as we had, and devise our own way to meet this head-on was so commendable on her part as well.

He finished by telling Deb yesterday that he was truly, standing there, literally…looking at a miracle sitting there in front of him! He could not believe it. “How long has it been,” he asked. We told him May 1, would be 13 months. He just shook his head. Amazing was all he could say.

What a truly compassionate testimony Dad left us with yesterday. It was so inspiring to us both. Again, he’s a man that calls it as he sees it, and we knew that what’d he’d told us…was from his heart!
It was such an inspiration for Deb as well for this to have come from him.

I gotta say, the regime she’s been going through in regards to her alternatives is time consuming. It lasts from the time she gets up, to almost noon daily. Day in…day out. I know it has to get old, but, she hits it every day! She’s a trooper.

BUT, when she hears things like what Dad had to say, or, she goes to the Doctor for her blood tests, and they come back PERFECT once again, this does make it a little easier on her. It gives her the desire to keep moving, and not look back! All the hard work…is worthwhile!

So, in closing Deb would like me to share just a couple other things.

# 1- Trust in God…he WILL show you the right path!

#2- Do what’s in your heart in regards to your own fight or treatment. It is YOUR decision…not anyone elses!

#3- Stay positive. This is very important. If others create negativity around you, ask them to stay away. You don’t need it.

#4- You WILL find a support group, your husband or other family members, and friends. There are times you need this.

#5- No matter what treatment you decide upon…you have to BELIEVE this is the best route for you to take! You have to BELIEVE that it is the key to your success! In all your heart, you have to KNOW this is your intended path, and is what will WIN your battle for you! BELIEVE!

God has a plan for us all. To this there is no question. Do we know his plan? No, we don’t, but we DO know there IS a plan!

I have no doubt that God, is walking with Deb, and it’s obvious he smiles on her daily! We both know that no matter what treatment we’d have chosen, without HIS blessing, it would all be for naught!

Also let me quickly say this…

To all our friends out there that have voiced their concerns, sent us your best wishes, and put Deb in your prayers…thank you all so much! You guys have been outstanding support for us, and we can’t express enough our love and appreciation of you guys for doing so!

Have a great day, and God Bless! As always, Deb says to keep a smile on your face, and one in your heart!

Dub and Deb

Today, I’d like to take the time and share a few thoughts with you guys, and pass along some very sincere thank you’s to some of the great friends Deb and I have met since the inception of this site.

Our reasoning for the thank you’s is simple. Today, April 1, 2012, is our anniversary of Deb’s one year fight with cancer. Yep, 12 months ago today, our whole world was turned upside down by three words… “you have cancer.”

We were then told it was Stage 4 breast cancer, that it had moved to another spot as well, below her tracheal tube. It was terminal…there is no cure. The best we could hope for was 8-9 months without treatment, and MAYBE 4-5 years with treatment, IF they could get it into remission.

Well, you know that Deb took one chemo treatment, and opted for no more. She decided upon the alternative treatments that she’s been doin ever since. These things have been amazing to us both. She feels great, looks great, and in all honesty, is great!

BUT, let me say this, without the Good Lord’s help, everything we do, or have done, would be for naught. Through his grace, our fight continues. I promise you all, he’s walking with Deb daily!

Put your faith in God, don’t accept no as an alternative, BELIEVE that what treatment you decide on IS working, stay positive, keep a good support group around, exercise, and “DON’T SWEAT THE LITTLE THINGS!”

Cancer is a word my friends, not a sentence. Deb read this in one of the books she’s read, and it has played a very crucial role in her fight. She’s something!

Also, I’d like to say that in reality, this past year has been a blessing to us both. It has shown us that life is not to be taken for granted. It’s shown us that all our time together is literally a blessing, and to enjoy it to the very best of our ability.

It’s shown us that God, IS love, and he alone has the power and authority to right all wrongs. If you’ll only listen, he WILL show you the way.

So, in all honesty, what a great year we’ve had. I’m ecstatic over this one year anniversary, and Deb and I will be sharing many more. You guys have no idea what important roles you’ve played too. This post today is merely expressing our thanks to you all!

First, I have to thank Judi and Brian of the Canadian Free Press. Because of those two, you’ve had to listen to me run my mouth for over a year now. If you’d like their e-mail address to voice your concern over having to tolerate me so often, I’m sure I can find it. I believe it would fall under the title of…cruel and unusual punishment! LOL!

Judi, first off, is simply one fantastic lady. She has been so much help to Deb and I, and we are grateful to her for all her kindness, concern, and prayers on our behalf.

She is the Editor of the CFP, and a dern workaholic! Because of Judi, and Brian, their publication is a light in the darkness in regards to helping to keep us, the US citizens, aware of the political agenda we’re faced with in our Country today.

Yes, they are in Canada, but their publication’s banner declares… “Without America, there is no free world.” This banner, and its proclamation, was indeed what caught my eye, and convinced me that I really needed to visit their site on an ongoing basis.

They tell it like it is, and don’t pull any shots in doing so. A fact is a fact, and they take no qualms about putting it out there in their own attempt to wake OUR Country up. Political correctness be damned!

Brian, quoting from the CFP itself, “Brian is the Web/IT guy, SEO and Marketing Manager, Graphics Editor and Research Assistant for Canada Free Press.” On top of Brian’s abilities to be a very important part of the CFP’s success, he too is one great person.

These two are as nice as the day is long, and not unlike other media outlets, are on call 24-7. If news is breaking, they’re on top of it.

Poor Brian is the one who has suffered the most in our dealings. I am a simple guy. I live simply, love simply, and as far as relationships with other people, I follow a simple rule in that regard as well…your word IS your bond. If you break your word with me, I’m through with you.

Your word really is all you have, and if your word means nothing to you, then I don’t need to be around you. Now, how simple is that?

Brian is a technological wizard, while ole Dub, yours truly, is a technological dinosaur, again, just a simple man. Talking about a clash of ideologies??? Brian didn’t know what hit him, when we started our site. I knew NOTHING about any of this computer mumbo jumbo, and Brian would try and work me through it.

He has, and still suffers from my ignorance of this new age of technological communication. At one point he suggested my log in name as…imadummee! Ha-ha-ha…good one Brian. **!$$##*!^^#! No my friend, that outburst WAS NOT directed at you, I stubbed my toe on a towel layin in the floor…by my desk…at this dern computer! LOL!

All joking aside, they’re great people, great patriots, great friends, and great to be associated with! Deb and I love them both! Thanks guys, for everything!

Then we move on to you guys. What a support group you all have been in Deb’s regard in her fight with this cancer. I swear, I don’t know if we could have done it without you guys! To take upon yourselves the burden of putting total strangers into your own hearts, lives, and prayers has been mind boggling to Deb and I.

What an outpouring of love and comraderie we’ve experienced from you all. I have to say that you have shown us the true meaning of goodness and the extent of goodness that people share with each other in tough times. ..from the heart.

We could never, ever, possibly thank you guys enough, although we thank you anyway. HOW important have you guys been? Deb has told me on numerous occasions that she can FEEL your prayers. Honestly. So again, thank you all, and know that you are in our prayers as well!

So, ole Deb and I are off to church this morning to give thanks for such a wonderful blessing he’s bestowed upon us, among all the others he blesses us with. Today is special to us, and thank you all once more, for your own roles in this day!

God Bless, and remember to keep a smile on your face, and one in your heart!

Dub and Deb

You know, today I thought about giving you guys a little update as to where our garden’s headed, and then I thought, shoot, let’s tell a few jokes and laugh a little today as well. Just enjoy our visit together and crack a smile or two. Laughter is the best medicine. Maybe next time, okay?

The reason for my change today is I got a phone call this afternoon from Linda, the wife of a very good friend of ours, Bob. She wanted me to give her a call back and she said that Bob was not doing well at all…had less than a month to live??

I’ve known Bob for 20 years or so, and what a great guy…he’s probably mid-sixties tops. Always been in great shape, worked all the time, he’s an electrician, and a good one at that!

So, I called Linda back and almost fell down at the news. Bob, it seems, had been having severe headaches over his eyes. Linda said she took him to the hospital around the first of Feb., I believe.

They went to either St. Cloud or Kissimmee, to the hospital, he was looked at, and airlifted immediately to a hospital in St. Pete. There were two golf ball size tumors in his head, both being, a very fast moving type of cancer. I’m not sure what kind, but this stuff has to be rampant!

I’m sorry, but I didn’t get much out of Linda, simply because the poor thing was upset number one, on top of my just being literally in shock at this news!! He was here with Linda on January 21 for Deb’s party we threw for her! I mean he’s gotten to the point where he’s at, that fast?? I swear I can’t believe this?

My understanding is they removed one of the tumors, but not the second. I also understand that they could give no chemo because he’s so weak. He did get a shot of some type of experimental drug, but Linda says it not done anything as far as she can tell.

From being at Deb’s party the 21 of Jan., it’s now March 13, and my good friend is at home, not expected to live out the month. Linda said they brought him home because he wanted to be at home and, she wanted him there as well.

So once more, I ask you guys to help out here with some prayers! You guys don’t know how much they’d mean to Bob and Linda, and they’d both be very thankful for you doing so! I tell you…it sure seems like we’re asking for prayers quite a bit anymore, doesn’t it?

You guys were, and still are so great in Deb’s regards with all your thoughts and prayers! So, we know firsthand the comfort, and importance of them. You can literally feel them, and you don’t know how much importance they’ve played in Deb’s regard, who by the way…is doing absolutely great! Thank you all once again.

So on that note, I’m going to close it out for today…just kinda bummed out.

Thank you all so much for droppin back by to see us. God Bless you and yours, and as my “little woman” likes to say… “Keep a smile on your face, and one in your heart!”

Dub and Deb

Deb and I have a very dear friend who lives in Mississippi. Shoot, I call her Mississippi bout half the time. Anyway, after I put up on the site that Deb had been diagnosed with cancer, the response of concern and prayers was almost overwhelming to us.

You guys showed us so much love and affection that we couldn’t believe that two people could be so blessed. You all were literally “heaven sent.” Thank you all so very much!

We also were contacted by others that had family members, friends, and even themselves who were also fighting this dreaded disease. Some of these are no longer here with us, but have gone home to meet our Lord. God Bless them.

But through our meetings and conversations with other cancer survivors, and cancer victims, we noticed something right off the bat…these people became family. Honestly, the network we’ve experienced are literally family.

It’s amazing, but it’s true. A common bond, a common fight, and a common foe.

There’s also been several of you who have become really, really close to Deb and I both. One of you is Gerry, in Canada. Another is Ken, out in Texas. What great people these guys are. Loving and caring to Deb and I both, but both lost their wives to this disease.

To Gerry and Ken…we love you guys! Thanks for everything, your support, your love, your concerns, and your prayers. They don’t make em much better than you guys! God Bless ya’ll.

Mississippi falls into this same category… “one of the best!” She contacted us and expressed her love and concern for Deb and I both as well…with a twist.

It seems Sandra had been fighting cancer since 1998. What a “tough cookie” number one, but what a gentle and caring person she has been for Deb. Deb and I talked last night a little, and she expressed to me how appreciative she was over the fact of Sandra coming into our lives.

Sandra has kinda led Deb through this process of fighting cancer, although Sandra opted for chemo treatments. She kept Deb abreast of what to look for prior to treatment, Deb took one chemo, and what to look for afterwards.

She has been a rock for Deb, and has helped to keep her up, and answers any questions Deb may have. What does the blood test mean, what veggies or fruits aid the fight, and in general, just letting Deb know that although we’ve never met personally, besides speaking on the phone, she has a friend who’s involved in the same fight…holding her hand every step of the way!

Sandra, by the way, was diagnosed, CANCER FREE, I believe this past Nov…again after having contracted this disease in 1998! Good for you Sandra, and God Bless you! GREAT NEWS!!

Sandra sent us an e-mail that she says she wrote years ago, A funny, ha-ha look at life. Pre-conception, life itself, and after-life. It also involves a message…a message that there is a God, and by trying to live life as best we can, there are rewards in our after-life.

She has a few kind words for Deb in this that she’s added at the end of her story. Thanks again Sandra.

Let’s go ahead and see what Sandra has to say…

Heaven and Earth and the Reality of it All

Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Before Life…

There is a bureau in the before life that you have to approach before you get a soul and move onto earth into a person to those people infanticipating a first member or subsequent members into their families. It’s almost like any government bureaucracy found on earth anywhere any place.

I really don’t remember the name of the guy at the heaven .gov department, he just filled out forms. The line was very long and filled with many, many souls working toward the end and at every desk you stopped to get more paperwork. The paperwork was burdensome and heavy and you struggled through the line to get to the end so you could be born to those parents infanticipating.

At long last you were at the front of the line and met GOD. And GOD said ” give me your book of Life” I looked around and could not find such. God said what are you carrying and I said “paperwork from Heaven.” God said “Good Heavens, don’t you know that is your book of “LIFE”. No, nobody told me.

During that meeting before I was issued to the infanticipating parents, I had an in service meeting with my GOD.

My interjections in the meeting were:

“You are are kidding”

“I don’t think I can do that”

“You’ve got to be kidding me!”

“How did that get in there”

No wonder I have lived the life I have, argumentative child that I was.

And God said “NOW FOLLOW THIS BOOK OF LIFE AND ALL THAT IS IN IT. WHEN YOU RETURN TO US YOU WILL HAVE SOME REALLY BIG WINGS, BIG, BIG WINGS WITH LOTS OF BEAUTIFUL FEATHERS IN THEM”.

That’s where the feathering my wings with good deeds comes from DUB & DEB

The other part of the story not told prior to getting in the lineup in the Before life part, IS…

I personally think of The making of human beings similar to a manufacturing plant.

I personally think that my particular person was made on a Friday. You know, Friday weekend coming up, low stock on parts, hurry up and getter done so we can go home kinda thing.

1. The trunk department had a kinda little trunk but it had a moderate size butt.

They said this will do.

2. The leg department had some short legs, chunky little thighs and some calves and ankles that my Mother would die for. (My mother was into calves and ankles because when she grew up that was the best part of a woman’s body. Little did she know).

3. Going through the mammary gland department not much to choose from there. (I will tell you they could not have been too bad, because daughter has always bemoaned the fact that my gene pool did not extend to her. Have always told her when she is ready for boob job just wheel me in next to her and I will share, kinda like donating a kidney).

4. Going through the head department, only kinda small one left. They said you know this does not quite meet standards, but let’s throw in lots of hair and those great big Deer in the headlights eyes. You know those great big brown ones that are moist all the time. Every time you look at them they look like they are gonna cry. Nobody wants them. Got those.

5. Dam-med Unions. Even God has them.

6. So made it through the put together part and the orientation part and popped out on to the scene at the grand lighted stage of our favorite Infirmary with myself. The doctor said “It’s a girl” Daddy said “It’s grand, healthy baby girl”

Mama said “There must be some mistake, I wanted a boy, and it ain’t very cute”

The Post Script to this story is Mother and Aunt were great movie goers at that time and had ordered a clone Shirley Temple.

My father coming from a family of ten was a realist and took what he got. IT’S BEEN A GRAND LIFE and I have never been disappointed!

Again to you, so there. My story and sticking to it. These are my words and thoughts. Can only share them with the shrinks far, far away. Talking about Deb and her tiny body brought this up. Deb might have a tiny body but her heart and mind are as a Goliath. Ask her and she will tell you what that means.

Thinking of you and Prayers your way.

Post Script to this: Not long after writing this Sister in Law in Arizona called and we had a discussion about this and she just cracked up. She said I had grand delusions and the way she had lived her life she only expected to get trainer wings. We had such a great laugh.

Wrote this a long time ago and have been through much since. After what I went through the last year I do believe that I am not finished doing my list of good deeds. So I am going to hang around a little longer and when I am done I will have the biggest, fluffiest, sexiest white wings ever seen. Soooo big they will cover me up and I probably won’t be able to fly. Fly? Fly where?

Think I will try to entice the archangel Michael with my fluffy wings since he has been my designated guardian Angel since I was born. Catholicism really showing there.

Mississippi: Hope Deb’s apt. went well.

Deb’s appointment did go well, Sandra. Another perfect blood test!

Also, when you do get those big, beautiful wings you so long for, many of them will have come from the amount of goodness you’ve shown to Deb and I both! You have truly been a blessing. We both love you for it!

Well guys, we hope you enjoyed this today. Thank you once again for droppin in to visit with us. God Bless you and yours, and Deb says to be sure and keep a smile on your face, and one in your heart!

Dub and Deb

Deb and I have a good friend and his name is Uncle Dave, or at least that’s how we’ve always known him. I’m ashamed to admit it, but I don’t know Uncle Dave’s exact age, but it has to be around 67 or 68.

Uncle Dave went to college with another friend of ours, Ronnie, who we knew as Turtle…Deb’s nickname for him. He was labeled this on account of he drove so dern slow. Honestly, when Turtle got out on the highway in his truck the hair on his head wouldn’t move an inch…with the windows rolled…DOWN!!

Turtle was a great guy, but passed about 4 years ago. Stopping now and looking back, it sure doesn’t seem like it’s been that long.

Turtle was survived by his wife Katherine, and their two sons. All of which are good people.

Turtle’s fit here is that he did go to school with Uncle Dave, and after many years apart, Dave moved to Florida from Texas to be nearer Turtle. Moved in right next door, and this is how Deb and I came to know Uncle Dave.

Uncle Dave was well liked by all of us, and we were blessed to get to know him. Red, our son, loved him, and they got pretty close themselves as Dave bought a home across from Red. Red has since moved to St. Cloud, but Uncle Dave’s new home was still near Ronnie and Katherine…right around the corner.

Uncle Dave was a Miami Hurricane fan, and me…I’m a Fla. Gator fan, so don’t think we haven’t been in some heated discussions in regards to college football! But, they were all in fun, and we did it just to aggravate the other one!

We’ve had a bunch of cooks, either down at Ronnie and Katherine’s, or here at our house, and Uncle Dave is just part of “the crew!” If you were cookin, and wanted to throw out an invite, Uncle Dave would 9 out of 10, oblige you.

Uncle Dave is always one of my favorite guests when throwin a cook. The reasoning behind this is very, very simple…he doesn’t eat much!

I don’t know that I’ve ever saw Uncle Dave mad at anyone. Maybe that’s just his nature but unlike me, if I’m mad…you know it! Uncle Dave though, just doesn’t seem to get excited. Sometimes I wish I were more like that…but only sometimes!

I’m a firm believer in not holding your emotions inside, but to let em rip, if need be. Why? I feel you live longer if you release your pent-up feelings, rather than hold them in and dwell on them! LOL! I don’t know how true that statement is, but that’s my story…and I’m stickin to it!!

If you are outside working, Uncle Dave always comes by with a toot of his horn, and a wave of his hand.

He lives by himself, and I really don’t know if he’d have it any other way. I believe he likes his independence, and he cooks and cleans like a dern ole housewife. Seriously, when you go to his home…it’s immaculate.

I swear to you, there’s never a dirty dish, a dirty rug, or anything at all out of place. The color of his carpet throughout his house…white, and I’ve never seen even one dirty spot on it since we’ve known him. To me, that’s amazing!

Well, I believe 3 to 4 months prior to Deb being diagnosed, Uncle Dave was diagnosed with lung cancer. He went through the chemo regime, and for the last 3-4 months has had very, very little quality of life.

He was given morphine and oxycodone (is that how you spell it?), acted like he felt some better, but the poor guy looked wild-eyed. A couple weeks ago Uncle Dave fell and broke his hip, and was put into a hospice home.

He fell off fast and every time we’d go he’d look a little worse. Poor Katherine, Ronnie’s wife, and her son Tommy, and his wife Judi were there most times. All night some times.

Uncle Dave was very close to the whole family, and they loved him as family. He really didn’t have much family of his own, and none were here, but Katherine and them stepped up, and kept him in love. They are again, a fine, fine bunch of people.

Deb and I rode up there Christmas night to see him. He was asleep, but I do believe he’d crack his eyes once in a while. The nurse came in and told us that he could hear us, but was too weak to respond. We stayed a little longer and left for home about 8 pm.

At 3:30 am, the next morning, Uncle Dave went home to be with our Lord. We sure are going to miss him, but we’re ecstatic that his pain is over. We know he’ll be in good hands, and will be looking down upon us.

What a terrible disease this is. We pray daily that someone will figure out the cure. We have lost too many friends this year to this disease, and it breaks our heart with each one.

Please join us and pray for all the people afflicted by this disease, and pray for their families as well. It’s a tough road to hoe, but if you’re stricken with it, it’s a road you must travel. It’s in God’s hands.

We have been so blessed that Deb is doing so well. She still does any and everything, just as she always has. What a tiger she’s been. I’m here to tell you guys, she’s never complained, and there’s not one ounce of her soul that doesn’t believe she’s going to whip this. I’m convinced!

Her positivity should be marketed and sold!

In closing out today, please say a prayer for Uncle Dave, and anyone else with this mess. Keep aware of your own body, and if you see, or feel something that may be out a wack…check it out! Time is a major, major player in regards to cancer. So, the quicker you have it diagnosed, the better it is for you many times.

God Bless you all, and Deb says to keep a smile on your face, and one in your heart!

Dub and Deb

As a matter of fact, it’s so pretty out today, I believe I’ll line ole Deb up with some chores for her to take care of. She’s been gone to N. Fla. for her family’s “early Christmas,” you notice I didn’t use the word…holiday, right? LOL!

So, while she’s been gone, things have been neglected to an extent. The garden needs weedin, okra needs to be picked, she probably will get a weed-eater put in her hands (around the porch and fence it’s getting a little shabby lookin), the vehicles could stand a washin, Cheyenne and Susie both are in need of a bath, and the downstairs needs a good moppin!

Once she gets these things caught up, I’ll let her have the rest of the day off and do something she REALLY enjoys…tendin to ole Dub! Poor ole thing has been off without me for the last three days, and I sure hope she can keep her hands off me till she gets caught up on her chores. LOL!

Matter of fact I had a couple buddies of mine stop by aways back and while inside they told me I should get a television with a remote control. Well, I didn’t know, so I asked them how come I need a TV with a dern remote?

They say because you can flip the channel without ever leaving the couch. I’m like, AND?? Well, they explained all about the convenience of using a remote. I told them both that I figure that this remote doo-hickey they were describing was simply an act of…laziness, or being plum sorry!

They just went on and on about how much I’d like it and that at the very least…just try it.

My final answer? I flat out told em that I’d NEVER, EVER get to the point that I was SO sorry, that I couldn’t tell Deb to get up and…change the channel! LOL!

So it must be pretty obvious to you now that Deb ain’t made it back home yet! If she were, you can bet your bottom dollar I wouldn’t be talkin quite so big, huh?

Seriously though, Deb is doing tremendous! Not one time has she uttered anything at all negative, or complained even once of her problem. She is in all honesty, quite the trooper! I don’t know if I would have the same amount of positivity, or strength that she’s exhibited since day one!

I take that back. The reasoning is simple for such a statement. IF I was diagnosed with cancer, I gotta tell you that because of Deb’s determination and will to whip this stuff, she’d insure that I “grabbed the bull by the horns” just like she has and will me through it as she’s done.

SHE IS…one very inspiring person!

You all know that she did one chemo and said, “Enough of this!” Since this, she has gone to alternatives, and I have to say that so far this has really worked out well for her. Deb chose quality of life over chemo, and people, what a quality of life we have shared since this decision.

She works in the garden, runs around the yard with the grandkids while they are here visiting with us, does all her housework, has experienced no more weight loss SINCE doing chemo, and has had absolutely NO LIFESTYLE change since she stopped chemo…absolutely none!

No, I still can’t tell you that this is the answer…YET! But we both believe we are going to whip up on this good, or as I like to say, “Stomp on its…well, you can figure the rest of the statement out on your own, I’m sure!

Deb tells me all the time that this stuff is whipped, and it doesn’t even know it yet! I…believe her 100%!

Deb tells me still today that she has experienced NO change in her body at all. She even goes so far to say that she feels better now than any other time in her life, so for all you out there listen up.
The benefits of good fresh vegetables and fruits are probably immeasurable. We have juiced 20-25 fresh fruits and vegetables every morning since finding out that she has…Stage 4 breast cancer, with a tumor in her left breast and it had moved also, creating another tumor right below her tracheal tube as well.

We were told NO CURE! We were told 8 to 9 months with no treatment was her life expectancy. We were told 4-5 years POSSIBLY, this by getting it into remission, again, NO cure, and it would still be terminal.

Yet, here we sit today with one healthy looking, healthy feeling, and one very firm believer in healthy lifestyles in general. Natural to us, has become a very important part of our lives, and is THE main reason for us fixing to put up a green house! (video of the pad for it below)

Once more, I cannot tell you she has cleared this up, yet, but we both know at this point there is NO doubt she made the right decision by stepping out of the medical spectrum, and fighting this in her own way…regardless of the outcome.

If she would have pursued the other route, or chemo, I can promise you all this…her quality of life to this point would have sucked! I’ve seen what it did to Deb’s drive, stamina, will power, and general outlook, and I have to tell you, it was terrible! The decision she chose was the one she felt most comfortable with…in her own heart!

If I stop and look back now, I realize just how right she was in her choosing her own fight, on her own terms. The day she told me her decision to forgo the medical world, and to use alternatives, I have to admit I was elated, and this again was based on her experience with chemo.

She asked me, “What do you think about my going the alternative route, AND what do you feel my chances are?” I told her that quite honestly…I didn’t know, but I’d say…50-50.”

Her answer to me was, “Well, if you remember, we were told the chances of my beating this was POSSIBLY, MAYBE, 50-50 too, and this not curing it, BUT again, maybe it would prolong my life. So, I have just as good a chance with alternatives as I do with chemo. The game changer though…I have quality of life!” My response…”Let’s do it!” And here we are today!

I personally have no doubt that Deb’s quality of life, if undergoing chemo, would have been incomparable to what she’s experienced to this point using alternatives. This statement to me is a “no-brainer!” I’ve watched her throughout this process and I’m amazed.

Let me also state, if tomorrow I too was diagnosed with terminal cancer, I too would choose, without a doubt, I’d go the exact same route Deb has chosen!

Now, we are not trying to influence anyone in your own treatment in regards to this disease, BUT we are telling you that the only thing to do is to know in your own heart you’re doing what YOU feel, YOU need to do.

Once you make your decision, you HAVE TO BELIEVE that your choice is right for you and, is the best decision you could make! In other words, BELIEVE in your choice, don’t wonder if you made the right choice…KNOW that you have. Positive thinking is a major asset in this fight! Don’t EVER lose your positivity…EVER!

So, in closing let me say once more that my Deb is doing just great, and again, I couldn’t be any prouder of her than what I am. She’s the best in my book!

Let me say too, that without our good Lord’s blessings, anything we do is a mute, point. HE is in control of all facets of all our lives, and HIS will, will be done!

Also, let me take a moment and thank all of you guys once more…you all are the best too! You’ve supplied us with many words of encouragement, advice, and most of all…your prayers!

How awesome that you guys have thought enough of Deb to take time out from your own problems, and just the hectic pace of living your own lives, to express to us your love and support! You too are the greatest! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, you’ve all been, simply amazing!

God Bless each and every one of you, because I doubt very seriously if we’d have done as well this far without your help!

In closing I’ll leave you once more with Deb’s wishes…”Keep a smile on your face…and one in your heart!”

Dub and Deb

As you know, Deb took one chemo treatment, then, opted for alternative treatment. SO, when we hear that her blood tests are again perfect, boy, does that make us feel good. Through these tests, we don’t know how much ground we’re gaining yet, BUT, it lets us know that we sure ain’t losing ground either.

By her blood count tests coming back so well each time, this lets us know that as of right now her body is functioning as it should…

We were going to have a scan done to check her cancer out on Nov. 2, but Deb decided against it. Actually her reasoning for postponing this was a good idea I thought too, after she told me her reasoning behind this decision.

First and foremost, is the simple fact that I’ve resigned myself to…it IS her decision, and her decision only. This is how it’s been since finding out about her cancer. We talk and discuss things periodically, BUT, the final say is Deb’s, and hers alone. To me, this is how it ought to be…no interference.

Secondly, she is finally gotten to the point that the alternative treatments we’re using, and there are several of them, she’s gotten to the point she’s taking all of them now full strength. A couple you have to build yourself up to get to the full recommended dosage, and now she’s been doing them all full strength for a couple months.

So, Deb decided that she’d rather stay on her alternatives for another couple months or so, then, have the scan done at that point. If she would have taken the scan back on the second, she would have had to have gotten off all her alternatives for a few days, so, she decided she’d rather keep her routine as it is rather than stop, and get a scan right yet.

My feelings on this were that simply…it’s your call, you do what you feel in your heart you should do, and that’s good enough for me. I’ll never buck her in these decisions, and honestly, I really have no right to buck her! I’m part of her support team, and that’s what I’ll continue to be. Support her in any and all decisions that she makes in this regard.

As we’re seeing already, I think the decisions that she’s made all have been jam up. She looks good, she feels good, and boy is she motivated. She is an inspiration to me and our family. She doesn’t acknowledge the words of, “you can’t, or just the word no, period!” She is…a go-getter!

Actually, I couldn’t be any prouder of her than I am now. She took the chemo, saw how it took her down, then stopped and re-evaluated her treatment choices. After considering her options, she decided on going with alternatives.

Let me stop here for a minute or two, and go back a month or so…

We had a reader comment a little while back, actually I believe it was the last time I discussed Deb’s personal progress with you guys. I had made a video showing Deb out picking peas, and how well she was doing. In reality, while I was filming her, she had no idea I was doing so.

But, as I watched her, I decided to film her because of how well she was doing, and again I’m so proud of the way she has grabbed this stuff by the horns, and locked up with it. Once more, I personally am so inspired by her work ethic number one, and number two, by her progress to date.

Anyway, the reader commented, and I don’t remember the exact wording, but it was basically “bustin my chops,” stating that I shouldn’t talk so badly about chemo, and that I may be causing people to go another route with their own treatment in regards to cancer.

I gotta tell you guys that this comment did “light me up,” upon reading this. Well, Deb and I went back and reread everything we’ve talked about in regards to Deb’s fight with cancer. In NO place period, has Deb or myself told anyone…don’t do chemo! NOT ONE TIME!

We knew we hadn’t, but to make sure, we decided to check it out, and sure enough, neither one of us have made such a remark. NEVER!

WHAT WE HAVE SAID is this…chemo was not right for Deb, this much we did say, but nowhere have we even attempted to tell people NOT TO DO CHEMO! First off…why would we make such a statement?? Really, why would we??

We don’t know FOR SURE yet, that the decisions we have made WILL cure Deb’s cancer, although we believe it will…100% believe it!

This one point is something that Deb and I do feel is very, very important, and may very well be the MOST important…believing in your treatment 100%, no matter if it be chemo, alternatives, or if you decide to do absolutely nothing at all! BUT, you have to believe that the decision you just made is 100% right!

Also, our story of our fight with cancer is not anyone else’s…it is Deb’s story of decisions Deb has made, no one else’s. I can’t possibly tell you not to do chemo, and we haven’t, because I haven’t even told my own wife what decision I feel is best for her, much less anyone else. I’ve only told Deb that the decisions she makes, are the decisions she feels are best for her. Decisions she has to feel right about IN HER OWN HEART, and if she does, then go with them, then know, and believe, that they’ll work.

If you look back at any article we’ve done, we’ve told everyone this is how we feel. We can’t tell anyone what treatment to choose…we can’t. BUT, we have said do only what you feel in your own heart what is right for you, and that’s ALL we’ve ever said in this regard.

That’s all I have to say about that…besides once again, Deb’s decision IS Deb’s decision, AND her decision was based on quality of life…her quality of life!

So, in closing let’s just reiterate once more….do what you feel you need to do. This is your decision and nobody else’s.

This is a terrible disease, and I wish I could wave a wand and clear up any and everybody involved in their own fight with this, but sadly, I can’t.

To those of you with cancer, please know that you too are in our prayers, and we realize Deb’s in yours as well. Thank you all for your wonderful support Deb’s been shown, and for all your prayers on her behalf. You all are great, and we can’t express in words our heartfelt appreciation of your doing so! Thank you again, one and all!

You guys have a terrific day, and God Bless you and yours. As Deb always says, “Keep a smile on your face, and one in your heart!

Dub and Deb

Once I saw she was serious, I asked for her to wait until tomorrow and I’d help her. She told me she’d rather go ahead and get them, and then I suggested very strongly…okay, but don’t miss any! LOL!

That heifer grabbed 3 buckets, piled in the gator, and off she went. It was kinda funny once she got to the pea patch. The dern cows have been eating the pea hulls, and had already gotten the black-eyed pea bushes we’d pulled up and fed them.

With this being the case, when they saw the gator, then saw it headed to the garden, their first thought…FOOD! They went runnin over to the garden, and you ought to have seen ole Deb trying to open the gate, tote her buckets in, then get the gate shut back, all in the midst of some hungry cows, or at least they thought they were hungry, anyway.

When she came back in later, I told her the cows looked like a bunch of hungry construction workers trying to get to the “roach coach!” This being the term the construction workers on-site call the sandwich truck.

My reply didn’t humor her in the least, as it became clear to her that I’d been standing up at the house watching those cows just aggravatin the daylights out of her trying to get in the garden. It was obvious to me as soon as the words left me, that I’d just put my WHOLE foot in my mouth!

You’ve all heard the sayin before… “Boy, he’s got a BIG mouth?” Well, it originated by being a description of…moi!

No, no, Judi or Brian, I am NOT from Southern France, BUT…I did use to watch the Muppets! For all you “slow trails” out there, Miss Piggy used to use the word moi, when speaking of herself.
But back to Deb, let’s just say I was getting under her skin.

So, she emptied her three buckets, grabbed a couple more, and went back to finish the Crowders. I didn’t want to tick her off by putting my foot in my mouth again, so as she drove back to the garden I was “hand-signing” to her just as hard as I could. My remarks? D.O.N.’T. M.I.S.S. A.N.Y!

Of course she couldn’t hear me, but as far as I was concerned…I’d gotten in the last word!!! If you can’t “whip em,” men, then you gotta “out-smart em!”

Seriously though, she didn’t have any idea I was videoing her, as I’d said earlier. But you know what? I sat in the swing watching her, and I got to thinking just how fortunate I was to have Deb, and honestly, I am.

You guys know her battle she’s in the midst of, but it’s like it isn’t even happening, at least from her perspective, and from her being this way, I honestly forget about it at times myself. It’s like there’s nothing at all wrong with her.

I also know that so many families are affected by this disease, and that far too many are in the midst of their own struggles with this disease. But you know what? The people that we’ve met, talked to, or communicated with, that are cancer patients as well…we’ve bonded with. We’re literally like a family. We all are concerned for the others, just as much as we are for ourselves! It is simply amazing to Deb and I both!

Everybody looks at things a little differently maybe, but the same common goal is…to beat this stuff! The story I can relate or share is only our own, but even so, I have to say that my Deb is one inspiring individual. She is to me, plus any one else that knows her.

She decided against chemo after the first round. No more she said, and by golly, that was the end of it. It was and is, her decision, and that’s the only way it could, or should be! When she told me that she’d take no more of it, I was proud of her, and her decision. THAT decision…took courage!

The chemo did knock her slap off her feet, and I saw her will to fight, her will to exercise, her will to eat, her will to grab this stuff by the horns and whip it, just disappear. She had NO positivity, and No desire to get any. She could hardly walk, talk sensibly, or just function period. She was…just there.

Believe me, I’m not trying to say this is what everyone should do…go the alternative route, because I’m not. You have to do what YOUR heart tells you to do. That’s all, and Deb’s told her…chemo is done.
Since this decision, she’s regained all her positivity, walks and exercises daily, juices, functions at the top of her game, does her alternatives, then keeps up with any and every household chore, plus, gardens, picks, shells and washes peas, and handles whatever else life can throw her way. To me…she is amazing!

This is what inspired me to take this video of Deb. Truthfully, it is because she is SO inspiring to me, and I wanted to share this with you today. For us…Deb made the right decision, no doubt. The type of treatment she chose gives us such a wonderful quality of life.

I always knew that Deb and I were very close to each other, but since we found out about her problem, this love for each other has been taken to another level. A level of respect…a deep respect for her will as a person, her devotion to the fight that may be equaled, but never surpassed, and her love for me and all our children and grandchildren.

Our whole family is very, very fortunate to have her with us, and she is a shining example of strength to us all! This video was done with me just sharing some of my thoughts about Deb, because again, I’m very inspired by her.

So, you guys take a look, and see for yourselves. She’s doing very well, and if God forbid, we lose the fight (WHICH WE AREN”T!!), we both will still know…we made the right decision for us!

In closing, we would like to EMPHASIZE that this was only Deb’s decision, after much prayer and conversation with God. She knows this decision was made through his guidance. We are only suggesting that you do, ONLY what your OWN heart tells you to do…that’s all!

God Bless every one of you, and our prayers are with you. As always Deb says to keep a smile on your face, and one in your heart!

Dub and Deb