Wanda's Corner

My new mission

Wanda Nelson — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 07:49:57 +0000

I have a new mission: I want to train myself ( and my family) to begin a healthier lifestyle. My husband and I are both 48, and we both have various health issues in our genetics. In my family, it seems to be inevitable that one of my sisters, or myself, will end up being a diabetic. I do not want that in my future, if any preventitive measures actually will work. I already have a slight heart arrythmia.

I want to be around to see my own children become mature adults, and to see their children. I want to be part of their lives for a very long time. I have lived a life, as so many others do, eating what I want, when I want. Maybe it’s later than it should have been, but, here goes. I WILL make this change.

I have some new recipes I want to try; low carb. I will let you know how those turn out. Hopefully, within a few months, I will feel much better than I do now.

Be well, my friends, your body IS what you make it.

God is Able

Wanda Nelson — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 20:38:16 +0000

Ephesians 3:20 “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us ” . This verse has been on my mind all day. No matter what we ask of God… He is MORE than able to give us what we ask… and even more than we ask. Remember that old adage ” Be careful what you pray for; you might get it” ? How very true those words are. Sure, we all WISH for riches and untold wealth… but realistically, when we really, really pray…. He hears us. He answers in ways that usually boggle my mind. When our very souls cry to Him.. He is always there.. right on time. He will NEVER let us down.. Not ever. He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. He is more than enough.

My dad.. rest in peace, my precious father

Wanda Nelson — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 08:07:38 +0000

This year has been a torrent of emotions. I haven’t written lately, due to weighing words against emotions. In April, I lost my precious Dad. He went in the hospital, with pneumonia. I spoke to him Friday, he told me that he was feeling rough, to pray for him. A week later, on Saturday, at 1 pm, he stopped breathing. He went very peacefully, in his sleep. We got down there Friday afternoon, and he knew that we were there. He still recognized us, thankfully. He was on so many meds, and, on oxygen. He was beyond speaking by the time we arrived. But, he knew us. My sister and I were joking & he laughed at us. Silently, but, it was a laugh. My son sat next to Dad all night, and held his hand. In fact, he held his hand until the moment that Dad passed. He loved his grandfather, and my Dad had literally been the only father my son had. I re-married when my son was 16. So, Lane ( my son) and his grandfather were very close. It was very hard to watch the two guys I love most ( next to my husband), holding each other’s hand until the very end. But, neither of them would have had it any other way.
But, if there is ever anything to be grateful for, when you lose someone you love …. Dad still knew us all when he passed away. From my previous posts, you know Dad had Alzheimer’s. He would not have wanted to be in a world in which he didn’t recognize his loved ones. So, our prayers were answered. Dad left this earth, knowing he was surrounded by his family. Knowing that we all adored him. For that, I am very grateful.
I love you, Dad. This weekend, you would have been 81. I sure hope you had a big party in Heaven. We sure missed you down here. We always will.

My Dad.. my hero… the hardest battle he will ever fight….

Wanda Nelson — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 22:51:36 +0000

My dad.. my wonderful, charismatic dad…. has Alzheimer’s. He is 80 years old, and his health has been failing for the past several years. He fought bravely through colon cancer, and a heart attack. Last November, he suffered a stroke after his pacemaker quit working. Now, his mind is fading. My dad doesn’t deserve this.

He has been my hero my entire life. He is the one who got me through puberty, and all the drama of teen life. He was a trucker/delivery person when I was young & I made practically every trip he did, if I wasn’t in school. He was the one that let me move back home when I left my ex husband. Dad was the only father that my son had ,when he was little. Dad was always the go-to guy.. he could fix anything , mechanical or other wise. I remember many times my uncle bringing his car to Dad to fix, after work. I also remember my Dad coming home after work , to receive a phone call from his sister in Arkansas ( we lived in Mississippi) , telling him she was running out of food, and had no money. She had a family of 5. So, Dad gathered what groceries he could, and made the 4 hour drive to Arkansas , to make sure they all had food. That was Dad. He always made sure his family had what they needed, whether he did , or not.

Dad wasn’t perfect ( none of are ),but, he was the most loving man I have ever met. He was the one all the kids went to for stories. He is the one who taught me that family means everything. He is also the one who taught me to control that wonderful family temper……

Dad also got me started in genealogy, without really meaning to. He never knew much of his family history.. so I began the task of trying to find his family tree.. and 20 odd years , and over 17,000 names, later…. I think I have completely satiated any hunger he may have had, for knowledge of his family history.

All these memories brings me to this day. I live 12 hours away from him, and I cannot be there when he needs me most. My heart is breaking, and I cry until I have no more tears.. then cry again. I realize the day is coming when he may not recognize me when I do get to go see him again. My mom and my older sister are there, doing what must be done. I cannot fathom the next few months…. or even weeks. I never know what the next phone call will be.

I know Dad would not ever want to be in a world in which he didn’t recognize the family that means the world to him. I know he would never want to live in a place where he couldn’t comprehend his grand-daughter telling him who she is, when he is convinced that she is only his niece. When he is convinced,at night, that the babies ( all of whom are adults now), are hungry, and he has to find them food. He doesn’t understand that there aren’t any babies around, and even if the great grand children were there…. they definitely aren’t hungry at 3 or 4 a.m.

The time if approaching where we will be required to make a decision that none of us want to face. We have to pray desperately that God will allow Dad to pass with the dignity that he deserves… or face the uncertain future of what we refuse to fathom… finding long-term care for Dad. Mom can’t do it alone much longer… and two of their children ( including me) live too far away to be of much help. None of us want to put Dad ANYWHERE but home….. so….. we are left with painful decisions and heart-break.

We are among so many other families that Alzheimer’s had cruelly torn apart. Alzheimer’s has to be the worst illness ever. Watching your loved one fade into a world that you cannot follow them into. Seeing the body that is there, but, knowing that the person has crossed the bridge into a place that you cannot go. I am at that place… my Dad hasn’t completely crossed that bridge…. but, he is more than half way there.

Dad…. I want so desperately to be with you. To keep you from going across. I selfishly want more time. More years… I still want to call you to chat. I want to hear you tell me your stories again. I want you to laugh at the things the kids do. I want you to be here to tell my grandchildren stories. Dad, I love you. Please know that.. please don’t forget that. You will always be my hero.

Genealogy ~ a treasure of stories & legends

Wanda Nelson — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 01:20:37 +0000

I grew up hearing stories from my dad about his family. The little that he knew of them, he loved telling. Some of my earliest memories involved begging him to tell me of the grandparents I never got to meet. Death came way too soon for them both. My grandmother was only 28 when tuberculosis claimed her life, my grandfather was killed in a logging accident two months before his 53rd birthday. I would listen in fascination about family I never got to meet.

After becoming an adult, I was determined to try and find out about my dad’s family. He never got to meet any of his dad’s family. So, I was determined to help him find them. I started going to the library with what littel information I had. I was ablr to find out quite a bit about my grandmother’s family in Arkansas. My grandfather’s family, not so much luck. I did discover the paternal line,but nothing about my great grandmother. Then… along came the internet!!!

I almost wept when I FINALLY found my great grandmother’s family in Alabama. I have been able to talk to different cousins along the way, hearing their stories.It has been so much fun to reconnect with ones I haven’t seen in years, and to find new ones as well. I spoke to a cousin a few years ago that still had the spinning wheel my great great grandfather bought my great great grandmother. The story states he paid about $5 for it back in the late 1800′s.

I have collected over 13,000 names in my family tree. It has taken me ove 20 years, and I still am researching my sources. But, I finally know where I came from. I can leave my children with that knowledege, if they ever become interested in it. It has truly been a treasure hunt that I will probably never completely end.

Another day closer……

Wanda Nelson — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 22:26:36 +0000

My nephew is about to head to Iraq. He leaves in Feb. We all knew it was coming, like so many other families. Actually being prepared….. a very different story. I don’t get to see much of my family, anyway, since we moved to the Midwest. I speak to them ( my sisters and parents) almost every day, though. I cannot imagine what my sister must be feeling, or in fact, what my nephew feels. My family has always been a military family, my grandfather was in WWI, my uncle in WWII, my dad in the Korean conflict, my cousin in Vietnam, my brother-in-law, as well as my husband, fought in the Gulf War. I remember watching the action during the Gulf War… I never thought my nephew would be in the same area a few short years later. I know our family is not alone in facing our fears, and our concern, for all our kids over there. I just wish they could ALL come home. I will respect the military as long as I live, but, that doesn’t negate the fact that sometimes I wonder why they are still over there. I’m a mom… I am allowed to think that ! I just imagine how I would feel if it was one of mine ( and since I helped raise my nephew, I feel like he is mine). My own son worked ( non-miltary) in Korea and China for over two years. That was hard enough, knowing I could not get there if he needed me. Finances have a way of stopping that. But, going to a war is very very different. All we can do is pray that our kids return home safely…….. everyday….. God Bless all of you who are connected in anyw ay to all branches of our military…. God keep you safe. You ARE our heroes.

Hello, Everyone!

Wanda Nelson — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 06:53:18 +0000

Hi, and welcome to my little corner of the world ! Since I am in the process of publishing a recipe book…. I ’ll share a recipe. I have collected over 200 recipes from family, and I will make sure they get any credit

Chicken-n-Rice

Wanda Nelson — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 04:26:26 +0000

This is one of my favorite recipes. My family loves it. It is easy to make, and doesn’t require much time. If you try it, and like it… leave me a comment! Until next time…. have a blessed day !

Chicken-n-Rice

4 boneless chicken breasts

1 1/2 c minute rice

4-6 small bell peppers, sliced into bite size pieces

1-2 large tomatoes

1 envelope tomato,garlic & basil marinade

Place oil into pan ( enough to cover bottom completely), add chicken. Sprinkle marinade over chicken, about 1/4 of envelope. When you turn the chicken, while cooking, sprinkle another 1/4 of the marinade over the chiken.

Pre-cook rice in microwave,a s directed, about 7-8 minutes.

When chicken pieces are 3/4 done, add 1/2 of the tomatoes & peppers to pan.Stir frequently. Add a bit more mariande to mixture. Add rice, and stir in the remaining marinade. Add remaining tomatoes & peppers.

Simmer until rice and chicken are completely done. Top with shredded Cheddar cheese, if desired.

Serves 4.