A Trip to The Ozark Mill and Other Weekend Thoughts

I haven't shared a post on "real life" lately. Actually, things are usually pretty quiet and uneventful around here, especially this last 2 years. I don't get out near as much because of the Covid situation, and the fact that I had back surgery last summer. I'll talk more about that in a bit. But I wanted to share a fun outing my husband and I had a few weeks ago...

We live in such a lovely area in southwest Missouri. It has rolling hills and flatlands, rivers, lakes, wooded areas, and a lot of history. South of us on the way to Branson is a gorgeous small town right on the highway with tons of antique and flea markets, shopping boutiques, restaurants and cafes. The beautiful meandering Finley River has long been a place for swimming and recreation and at the same time gorgeous scenery and historical buildings. 

We've all been waiting for years for the opening on the Finley River of an old mill built originally in the early 1800's. It's a property purchased by Johnny Morris who is the owner and founder of Bass Pro which was opened here in Springfield in the early 1970's. In the last 50 years Johnny Morris as an entrepreneur has created many amazing businesses and destination restaurants, lodges, recreation sites, etc. all with his signature style and rustic elegance. 

The Ozark Mill at Finley Farms Restaurant and complex was just opened last month and I wanted to get down there for lunch while the leaf peeping was at it's height. But we didn't make it until early November when a few bad storms and winds had the leaves down within just a few days after their peak. There were still a few trees with lovely color as you can see, but it was a bitterly cold day and my plan for an outdoor tour was botched.

We didn't get a chance to do much exploring of the inside or outside, but did get a few snaps of the interior where we had a early dinner. But, this place is huge as you can see from the upcoming pics. It will open a brewery very soon, a woodsy wedding chapel, overnight lodgings and a few other venues shortly.

If you've ever been inside a Bass Pro Shop you'll see the

interiors with vintage decor, outdoor equipment and photos are very similar.

They have a small gift shop area when you first come in but I only managed to get a shot of the Christmas tree. They were in the process of decorating for Christmas so I know it will be gorgeously decked for the Holidays.

The food was amazing, but the views and ambiance even better. If you live in the area, or are planning a time to be traveling through, put this new spot on your list.

On a sad sniffle-y note we lost our sweet big Maine Coon kitty late this summer. She was a handful, literally, and my helper and photo bomber extraordinaire for years. She had Thyroid cancer and the medication was worse than the disease. She was a sweet girl and loved to be held and carried around. We've had the girls for 17 years. Her sister is still with us. She has feline diabetes but is still going strong. 

Health Update

In a health update (lengthy, sorry) I'm still recovering slowly from the back surgery this last June. My neurosurgeon said it could be a year before I felt "back to normal". I'm not really sure what that will be because I've had lower back pain and hip pain from sciatica for about 25 years. Having heart problems causes every other health issue to be put on the back burner. But I am making slow progress. My autoimmune inflammation has just made this a harder process.

And that's another whole "thing". This last year I found out that even though I've had multiple serious autoimmune symptoms for many years, I couldn't get rheumatologists to diagnose me fully. My lack of antibodies that verify autoimmune diseases were not showing up, yet I was sick and having severe symptoms. I felt like I had low-grade flu constantly with a lot of joint pain. This all started in 2013 when I started being dizzy, fatigued, having blood clots and started migraine type headaches. Anyway... fast forward to this last February when I had scheduled an appointment with a new Rheumatologist here in town. We had a blizzard and ice storm on the weekend and then a Monday when I got a call from the office saying they didn't have any patients and the main Rheumatologist wondered if I'd like to go ahead and be seen by him instead of waiting 3 more months. Yes Please!!!! My hubby was now retired with a Jeep so we made it thru the ice and snow no problem. Let me tell you it was a God-thing; a mini miracle to get me into the best doc in town. 

He thoroughly examined me and asked me a million questions. The main one was "how long have you been sick?" When I said over 8 years he was adamant we'd get this figured out. Turns out I have a condition called Common Variable Immuno-Deficiency, or PIDD, Primary Immuno Deficiency Disease.  I don't make antibodies... to anything. Not flu, pneumonia, autoimmune disease, any illness and especially not to the Covid virus. Vaccines don't work on me at all; I don't make antibodies to the vaccine. None of them. I was sent to an Immunologist/Infectious Disease/Allergist. He put me on weekly infusions of plasma antibodies to help "fill up my empty tank". This will be a lifelong deal where I have a weekly infusion at home. My hubby helps me get it done because it's a bit much for me. Inserting 3 needles and sitting there for 30 minutes while the medication is pumped in. They used to only do this at an infusion center or the hospital in a vein, but now you can do it at home subcutaneously. It's still a bit overwhelming.

Unfortunately I was allergic to the first medication and didn't find out for 3 months. By then I was having all kinds of weird reactions which added to my previous breathing problems, more neuropathy problems and injection site reactions. Basically I'm allergic to Polyethylene Glycol or PEG which is the base ingredient for most vaccines, infusions, many medications and of course the Covid vaccines. (also MiraLax) Bottom line is that I'm one of the 3% of people who are immunocompromised and on top of that, I'm allergic to the vaccine. I'll be wearing a mask for the indefinite future. Unfortunately, many, many more people are immunocompromised than know about it, so they are walking around thinking they are safe because of the vaccine, when in reality their meds have caused them to suppress antibody formation. That includes anyone that has Rheumatoid Arthritis or any other autoimmune illness and takes suppressing medication, besides those with cancer, organ transplants or blood disorders. Believe me, I would get the vaccine if I could. Catching Covid for any of this 3% could, and has been a death sentence. Please know this when you've chosen not to get vaccinated that you could be infected and not know it; spreading it around, which could be disastrous for someone like me. So my life is not the same as before, I'm conscious each time I go out in public, that I'm at risk. This isn't a political issue, or personal rights decision, it's a brotherly love decision. Vaccines help all of us. 

And on a lighter, more fun topic... I'm sharing a link and a couple of pics from last year's Christmas Home Tour that I didn't get out until after Christmas. Sorry this has been a long post. I probably lost a lot of readers after the mill photos. Just wanted to let you know how life is going. I have so many people asking how I'm doing, but it's just too involved to go into individually. Thanks for listening, and if just one person realizes how important it is to get the Covid vaccines, well, it's worth it.

Christmas Home Tour 2020

Christmas Mix on the Front Porch

Celebrating Advent in the Entry

Woodsy Christmas Mantel in the Hearth Room

Little Houses on the Sideboard and Cookbook Cupboard

                                                                                                                                                               

Cottage Kitchen Christmas

French Country Christmas in the Dining Room

Christmas Farmtable Vignette

A Scottish Christmas in the Holiday Cupboard

Christmas Plaid in the Garden Room

More Christmas Fun in the Garden Room

Whew!!! Hope you're having a great Thanksgiving weekend

and I know most of us are decorating for Christmas, too.

Love you guys, take care and be well.

p.s. this isn't a sponsored post,

just like to share the good stuff.

I hope you'll join us Monday evenings for

joining in here:

The House on Silverado

Love Your Creativity at Life and Linda, 

All About Home at Common Ground and Follow the Yellow Brick Home
Inspire Me Monday at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Met Monday at Between Naps on the Porch 

  Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

Make it Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House
   Wonderful Wednesday at LeCultivateur 

Turnabout Tuesday at My Wee Abode,  Share Your Style at French Ethereal
Centerpiece Wednesday at Karin's Kottage

Vintage Charm at Our Hopeful Home,  

Thursday Favorite Things at Follow the Yellow Brick Home,  

Create, Bake, and Grow at Shabby Art Boutique, 

Farmhouse Friday at The Painted Hinge