The Contents Of This Blog Are Copyrighted

Thursday, August 29, 2013

My Brother Gary and a Gorgeous Country Cottage!

Hello sweet friends. I sure have missed all of you
.
Before I begin tonight I want to thank Susan from the bottom of my heart for being my Blogazine Guest on the post before this one. She is such a sweetheart for taking the time from her writing to do this for me and I hope all of you had a chance to read it and if not be sure and scroll on down but not until you read tonight's post first. ha ha

All my good intentions of blogging regularly did not happen for me. Right after my last post I was told that my baby Brother Gary’s cancer has returned for the third time in three years.

They found a mass in one lung and it is cancer. We were all devastated for him that he once again is going to have to deal with this. It all started three years ago when they found a lump in his neck. After months of radiation and chemo he thought he had won the fight but in less than a year it turned up in his throat. They did extensive surgery on his throat and once again the chemo treatments. He made it a year of being cancer free when they found this in his lung.

On top of this news he was told that they wanted to do a CAT scan because it was a very strong possibility that he had cancer in other parts of his body which they said he would be in serious trouble.

I went into deep depression and cried a river because that is just what I do when I receive news like this about my family or friends. So for about three days of waiting after the scan we heard last night that they found no cancer cells in other areas of his body. I then cried tears of joy.

He will be taking his chemo at MD Anderson which is over a 100 mile trip one way for him but I am so thankful to God that he has a fighting chance to beat this again. I am hoping he will let me take him for some of the treatments because his wife is a flight attendant and since Gary will be missing a lot of work she will need to pick up extra flights.

Once again I am asking you for prayers for Gary. I know how faithful you were the other times and I know the power of prayer does work. So thank you for your prayers.

Last week I felt so sorry for Gary’s wife and I called her to see about taking her to lunch. They have only been married a year so she is taking this very hard. They were engaged the two years he fought this before so she has really been a angel helping my brother take care of himself.

A few years ago I shared with you the historical home she lived in when she and Gary were dating. It is a home our first President of Texas built for his wife Margaret and their children back in the 1800’s. Sam Houston is a famous Texas hero who led the battle of San Jacinto defeating the army of Santa Anna.

My great grand daddy fought in this battle near La Porte, Texas where I was raised. His name is on the monument along with all his comrades that fought for our Independence from Mexico. It was where the famous cry Remember the Alamo was heard on the battlefield April 1836.

Well Sherry still owns this historical home and for the last two years Gary and she have been trying to restore it to its original state. This of course was slowed down considerably because of Gary’s treatments.

Also Gary had his home that he was building himself when they met so poor Gary has done nothing but build on two homes for several years now.

One of these days I will share with you the old Sam Houston house and tell you what they found when removing the wall paper. I will share with you that when you walk in the front door there are large windows that frame the front door. On one window you can see writing etched on the glass. It seems that when one of his daughters became engaged that there might have been a question about the diamond in the ring. The young man took the ring and wrote I believe his and her name in the glass. After over a hundred years you can still read these names.

When I ask Sherry to lunch she told me that she was at the guest cottage behind the Sam Houston house and did I want to come out and see what they had done to the cottage and have lunch near there. I of course wanted to see how they had fixed up the place and it was mind blowing for me to see the changes.

They turned a storage building into the cutest little country cottage. She told me when they work on the place they often stay out there for the night. Believe me when I walked in the door I secretly wished I would never have to leave. It is so darn cute.

Let me show you the pictures I managed to take from my phone. Of course, I was upset I did not have my camera with me but my phone came in handy. I was there to cheer her up so I felt bad asking if I could take these pictures but as much as I was going on and on about how I loved her cottage I think she was tickled pink that I wanted to share them with you.
This is the cottage that sits behind the Sam Houston home. Gary and Sherry have worked really hard on this little house. I love the rock steps that Gary built. 


 As you can see I did not get the best of pictures. This one is the back room where they have wicker on one end and their dining room table on the opposite side.  I thought I took pictures of the wicker sofa and lounge chair but I could not find them when I down loaded these.


I just love this old rocker and wicker plant stand. As you can see by these pictures the whole cottage is white including the floors. Sherry has it decorated in white with touches of blue. I fell in love with this cottage and did not want to leave. I told her when I get thrown off the North Forty that I was moving into this place.

There are two rooms up front that they are using for bedrooms. Sherry painted this old iron bed white and the bedspread is white with blue design. On most of the walls she has gorgeous blue china pieces hanging.


 This is the opposite end of the room where the white iron bed is located. Love the antique piece next to the wicker floor lamp.

Over their bed is some of the blue pieces of china. Darling how she has decorated this house. 
I thought I was turning the pages of a country magazine.





In the corner of this room is the cutest little chair with a soft blue slip cover. Wish you could see the white European curtains up close that are hanging in every room. She moved them from the Sam Houston house while their remodeling it. You can just see a glimpse of the main house out this window. I will
go back through by old post from a few years ago and see if I can find a picture of the main house and post it on here.

One of the reason I love this house is it's not cluttered and it just makes you feel good to be in it.
Sherry told me this building was built before Sam Houston built the big house and it was built around 1830. 

Supposedly when Sam Houston defeated Santa Anna he hung Santa Anna's saddle up on the old stair case of the main house and it remained there until his family donated it to a Texas Museum. Probably the San Jacinto Monument Museum where Texas Independence was won.

Sorry for such a long post. I do want to update you on Clint. He is still having bad headaches from his accident and neck pain but doesn't complain about either. I don't think he can get his dental work done until around the 10th of September. Can you believe September is here?

I hope all of you have a very safe and Happy Labor Day. 
Now I am off to see what you have been up to. Don't forget to scroll down and meet Susan.

Love to all
Maggie












25 comments:

My Grama's Soul said...

Hi Maggie......when I saw the title of your post I really wanted to get over here to see the "good news" about your brother. Oh man, does it ever end I wonder? Thanks for the update sweet lady....and that little cottage is over the moon cute. I am a color lady myself...but that calm healing white space can do nothing by good things for you dear brother. Praying for you and yours.

I've missed coming by.

xox

Jo

Debby said...

So sorry to hear the news about Gary. Geez, I hate cancer. I am so glad that they didn't find it any place else. They always do a check like that but they should have just told him it was a precaution. Sounds like he has a special person for his wife. I hope they get through all of this with good news at the end.
Interesting about the house and cottage. Love the cottage. Must be like staying at a B&B.
Hope your son's headaches go away. I think after a bad trauma it takes the brain awhile to heal. You try and keep those spirits up. I know it's hard. Prayers and (((((HUGS)))) my dear friend.

acorn hollow said...

I will keep your brother in my prayers. David's Dr is 250 round trip for us. It is really good news it has not spread.
the cottage is darling and I am sure they will have many years to enjoy it.
Cathy

Julia said...

Hi Maggie, I'm so glad that you've shared some news with us. I'm so sorry about your brother Gary having another round of cancer. Cancer is such a beast, once is really enough for anyone. I'm glad that they didn't find any more cancer in his body and I hope it stays that way.

You have really had a rash of bad luck with yourself and your love ones and I hope that things will turn around for all of you soon. No wonder you went into a depression. Clint and Gary and you and your family are all in my prayers.

What a sweetly decorated cottage. It does look like it came from a magazine. Your sister in law sure did a fantastic job.

I've been so busy that I've been a bad blogger lately. I barely have time to leave comments. I read one post of Susan's blog and was called away to a crying baby and never even even finished my comment and it was left unpublished.

It's feeling like fall all of a sudden.
Sending love and hugs.

JB






yaya said...

Maggie, I'm so sorry about your brother. I will keep him in my prayers. I hate that C-word. My oldest brother lost his first wife to cancer. He remarried last year and they found out in Jan. that she has cancer. She has fought a good battle but I'm thinking that her time is short. I feel bad for any family going through this. I love that little cottage..blue is a fav color of mine and I love how she decorated it with white..so fresh and pretty! Thanks for sharing and letting us stand by you and Gary.

June said...

I'm so sorry Maggie about this news about Gary. He will be in my prayers my friend. I feel so bad for he and his wife. How tired you all must be.
I just lost my BIL in June and he had brain cancer. We miss him so much.

I am in love with this darling cottage. SO everything I love. I'll arm wrestle you for it :)))
hugs...

Gorges Smythe said...

Maggie, I'm sorry you have so much on your plate, emotionally speaking. I'll keep you and yours in prayer. (And that IS a very nice cottage!)

Paula said...

My prayers for your brother, Gary. Love the little cottage and the way it's decorated. I have a white iron bed too left to us from my deceased husband's grandmother. It's very old and one of my favorite treasures.

Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe said...

Your brother could not be in better hands than Anderson. My brother's wife, who is also fighting cancer, has traveled back and forth from Virginia for the marvelous care at that hospital. An hour is a long ride for treatment, but he is fortunate to be able to go to such a wonderful hospital for his care.i

I love all your pictures of the Sam Houston cottage. How cool to own that historic property.

joanne said...

your brother is such a fighter and with such support from his family I am praying for his recovery. It looks like we are going to have quite a fight over who gets the cottage! I think I can take all of you...
love you sweet lady, be safe, be well. sending my best for Clint also.

My name WAS Female, I shit you not! said...

Prayers for your brother Gary and all his loved ones.

Thanks for sharing these pictures and the history.
Looking forward to MORE.
(((hugs)))

gpc said...

Hugs. To you and Gary and Gary's wife. Strong people, all of you. Lifting you up in prayer.

Dr. Kathy McCoy said...

Your pictures are wonderful -- and what a lovely job Gary and Sherry have done in restoring this cottage! I'm so sorry to hear about the recurrence of Gary's cancer, Maggie! What a blessing that he is getting treated at MD Anderson -- one of the very best and most innovative places. I hope you are able to go with him for some of the treatments. The time together will mean so much to both of you. And, of course, you and your family will be very much in my thoughts and prayers!

Rocky Mountain Woman said...

Love the sweet little cottage, how cute!

Sending every bit of good mojo I can to Gary....

xxoo,

RMW

sjmcdowell said...

Hello dear Maggie,

Loved talking with you earlier.
The Cottage is just as pretty as can be. I love that it is painted all white, with touches of blue here and there. This is how I would love our home to look like, here in Savannah.
Praying for Gary and his wife, and also for you my dearest friend!!

Love and God Bless,

Susan
xoxoxo

Anonymous said...

Sweet Maggie I am just so sorry to hear that Gary has to once again fight a battle with that horrible cancer. Praying for him and his wife for strength and for him to have a full recovery. Sorry to hear that Clint is still having pain too, will keep him in prayers also. And for sure you will still be in my prayers for strength to help them both through. I love that little cottage. The white with touches of blue look so clean and calming. Thanks for sharing the pictures with us. Thank you too for bringing us up on you and your family so we could pray with you. Love and hugs, Maggie

Connie said...

Hi Maggie, I've got a very busy morning, the wind is blowing and Steve is wanting to go out on the boat and do some sailing. I just wanted to share this video with you. You asked about using Graphic Fairy imagines. This video shows you how easy it is.
Have a great weekend, I'll be back later and read your post, but for now, I'm going sailing :)
Your blogging sister, Connie
Here's the site :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kd7bk4bln74

Denise said...

Thank You for visiting Me.I'm glad I came by to read Your interesting post.First,I'm so sorry Your Brother is going through such horrible times.I do believe in God's healing power and will remember to pray for Him.The history of the home and photos of the cottage outback were enchanting to Me,much enjoyed.Denise

Theresa Milstein said...

Poor Gary. What a strong person he is. Your love of him shines through in this post.

Julia said...

Thanks for coming over for a visit. I so appreciate your comments. My life seems so busy that I seldom post anymore. This month has been very busy with my daughter visiting with her family and they left yesterday morning. Young grandbabies sure can keep a grandmother busy but it was nice. They grow up so fast.

I hope that you are taking care of yourself.
Prayers for you and your lovely family.
Hugs & LOve,
JB

Chatty Crone said...

The Sam Houston House was pretty and very light/white.

I am so sorry for your brother and all. I will be saying a prayer.

I hate cancer!

sandie

Auntie Cake said...

Hello to My Long Lost Friend Maggie!!!
I was thinking of you today, so I made a special trip to see what you have been up too! So sorry to hear about your brother, will pray for him and his family. Hopefully this time they can get rid of it for good.

Loved seeing their little cottage. It looks so peaceful, and what a colorful history!

Hope you are doing well, just thought I would say hello, I have been missing you!
Kate

Libbie said...

Maggie!!! I have time to blog a little again since school has started :) Although Kit is just starting to fuss :)

So soso sorry to read about Gary...My heart sunk as I read through...sending you guys love & I will put him on my prayer list!

You are right! That house DOES look like it is out of a magazine!! So pretty!

Now Kit is getting louder so I had better fun but thnk of you often!!! Oh now rocco is crying too :)

Susan Flett Swiderski said...

First off, I'm so glad to hear your tears of sadness turned to tears of joy. I'm sorry your brother has to go through the treatments again, but he has a lot of people rooting and praying for him.

That cottage is adorable. I admire people with an eye for decorating. I never would have thought to use so much white, but it looks terrific.

Caddie said...

Truly a lovely cottage. The word "serenity" comes to my mind. Hey, I have/had a blue pitcher almost identical to that one pictured; few drinking glasses too. Cobalt and crystal- I cherished it. I suspect it got stolen along with several vintage items I can no longer find.

Prayerful thoughts for Gary and Clint and you too, Maggie.