Dear Blog Friends, Many many PRAYERS needed.   See this cute little blue-eyed boy ?????   His name is BERT (although he goes by Tre  these days) and he is my oldest (of 3) sons... He is only 59 years old,  and was diagnosed recently with a very RARE and DEADLY Stage IV Thyroid Cancer with NO CURE..   

This cancer is one of the worst cancers since it grows very fast and then spreads all over one’s body.  Usually Thyroid Cancer is the ‘simple’ cancer which can be treated and cured.   Not this one.   This cancer is named ANAPLASTIC THYROID CANCER.

Here’s a website if you want to read about it...

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23539-anaplastic-thyroid-cancer-atc

As you can imagine,  this is devastating news to me and to our family.   It came up suddenly since we have only been dealing with this since Jan. 24.  I spent two days crying my heart out --and finally,  with lots of love from my husband,  have been able to turn it  over to God.   I have told several friends --but just haven’t been able to tell this  publicly until now... (Makes it real).

Bert has a large mass/tumor on his thyroid and surrounding glands.  He also has spots on his lung.  They can’t surgically remove that tumor since it is wrapped  around other  surrounding glands;  and removing it may do even more damage.   Right now the doctors’ primary interest is to give him radiation to try to shrink that tumor.

We are not sure how long we will have this precious boy (man) on this earth with us  since that cancer grows and spreads so quickly--but George and I and the family will love and keep him as happy as possible for these next months/years.    The picture above was taken this past year while Bert and Mark were at a University of Tennessee football game.

I will say that my other two sons (Mark and Jeff) have been fantastic through this past month (taking Bert to doctor’s appointments,  keeping  him in their homes,  etc.).  I don’t know what I’d do without Mark and Jeff and their beautiful  supportive wives (Robin and Dawn).   Thanks for your prayers and thoughts.  If you have questions --message me  or text me at 931-200-5933.   Today,  tell your loved ones how much you love them, since none of us know how long we will be on this earth.   God’s Blessings to all of you.

Much Love,

BETSY and GEORGE

Beauty at Biltmore, December 2022

 Dear Friends,  Hope you had a blessed Christmas this year.   Although the weather kept us from seeing the family on Christmas,  George and I had a very nice Christmas here at home, in front of the fireplace...

The Arctic Cold Front which hit most of the country is finally winding down.  BUT--since Thursday, Dec. 22,   the ice/snow/high winds shut our area down for several days.  They were telling people to stay home and not try to drive.  They didn't scrape the roads for several days --and since we are on a big hill,  there was no way we could go anywhere...Today will be the first day that our temperature will go above freezing.  Hopefully things are beginning to get back to normal for us now!!!

The best news to come out of that 'winter blast' was the fact that we had snow on the ground on Christmas Day!!!!   That doesn't happen very often here...    You know that I loved that!!!!

BUT---today,  I'm going back to Dec. 14 when George and I attended "Christmas at Biltmore" to show you more beauty in the big house (mansion).   The house is always gorgeous especially this time of year.  But--this year they outdid themselves with the decorations.   I showed you the Hearth Decorations --and now I'll show you some of the beautiful Christmas trees in the house.  Hope you enjoy them!!

The LARGEST Tree at Biltmore--over 30 feet tall

A Mama Tree and her children!!!! ha

I love the top of this tree.

This was one of my favorite trees since I love the reds and greens together.

This was a smaller tree---but I love the decorations and the top of the tree.

I love this tree since it reminds me of my childhood --when we used to cover our tree with  ICICLES!!!!! ha ha

I love the big ornaments and that star on top!

Just another gorgeous large tree

Aren't these pretty????  I like the emphasis on WHITE.

This is one of my favorite trees this year since it is all about BIRDS!!!

After leaving the big house,  I captured this picture of the big trees in the front of the home.

I have MORE ---but these are some of my favorite trees.   Do you have a favorite?

Hope all of you are doing well ---and I wish for you HAPPINESS,  JOY,  LOVE,  GOOD HEALTH,  and PEACE in 2023.

Hugs,

BETSY and GEORGE