Hey, Y'all,
Yes, it is the new year coming in just a few minutes from now. Dick Clark's New Year's Eve Celebration is on and I would like to insert a poem here.
The New Year by Dinah Mulock Craik
Who comes dancing over the snow,
His bare feet all bare and rosy?
Open the door though the cold winds blow,
Take the child in and make him cozy.
Take him in and hold him dear,
He is the wonderful glad New Year.
Happy New Year to each of you, my good friends. May you feel God's blessings and thank Him for them. This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for tonight and heading for bed. Good night all. I love each of you. I thank each of you for your good wishes and prayers over the past year. Bye for now, See you tomorrow.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Meeting of Minds
Hey, Y'all,
Today was a really good day. Gramps got up at a reasonable time, and I did some more rearranging of my cabinet counter tops. I got up at about 7 a.m. and cleaned the kitchen before eating my breakfast. After breakfast and my shower, I was just kind of waiting to leave for a luncheon with some of my retired teacher friends. As I have stated previously, some of us get together to eat lunch once a month and gloat over the fact that we no longer have to get up and go to school and face a group of children who don't want to be there any more than we do. ha ha.
While I was waiting to leave, I took down our Christmas decorations which took all of maybe 15 minutes. I disassembled our 32 inch artificial tree (which consisted of folding its top over, taking it out of the plastic base, and disconnecting the ac cord, then placing it all into the storage box). Then the rest of that 15 minutes was taken up by taking the string of lights from the top of the mantel and putting them inside the box they were stored in. That was it, folks!
I left for the home of one of the teachers who was hosting us this month and when I arrived saw that she and her husband live in a beautiful home on a big hill. It was beautifully decorated and naturally, I was the first one there (I am always early for appointments, etc.) There were 2 other ladies who arrived shortly after I did. Our friend, Phyllis, could not make it because she was bitten by a dog over 5 weeks ago and still has not recovered from the bite. She had been out walking at the time and has suffered greatly with the effects of the bite.
Carolyn, the hostess today, served a delicious lunch and we had a wonderful time laughing and talking. We really missed the two who could not make it today, and look forward to next month, when hopefully, they can be with us. I hope to host the lunch at my home next month. As you know, I just love to have people here at our home.
I had left a lunch for Gramps here when I left for Talbott, where Carolyn and her husband live, so please don't worry that he didn't get to eat on time. When I came through Jefferson City on my way home, I stopped at Food City and bought a few groceries. By the time I got home it was nearly 4 p.m. so I began working on supper. I made some hamburgers and baked an Idaho potato for Gramps and me, so by 5 p.m. we were eating.
After supper, I began working on Will's quilt again, rather lackadaisically, I must admit, but I did get part of one of the flowers stitched around this evening and tomorrow will be a day of lounging and stitching. (Oops, another day spent in my night gown and robe. It is going to be cold outside tomorrow,and I have no plans to even stick my nose outside).
Well, my eyes are about to close, so it is time to go to bed. This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for today. Much love to each of you. More later. Bye for now.
Today was a really good day. Gramps got up at a reasonable time, and I did some more rearranging of my cabinet counter tops. I got up at about 7 a.m. and cleaned the kitchen before eating my breakfast. After breakfast and my shower, I was just kind of waiting to leave for a luncheon with some of my retired teacher friends. As I have stated previously, some of us get together to eat lunch once a month and gloat over the fact that we no longer have to get up and go to school and face a group of children who don't want to be there any more than we do. ha ha.
While I was waiting to leave, I took down our Christmas decorations which took all of maybe 15 minutes. I disassembled our 32 inch artificial tree (which consisted of folding its top over, taking it out of the plastic base, and disconnecting the ac cord, then placing it all into the storage box). Then the rest of that 15 minutes was taken up by taking the string of lights from the top of the mantel and putting them inside the box they were stored in. That was it, folks!
I left for the home of one of the teachers who was hosting us this month and when I arrived saw that she and her husband live in a beautiful home on a big hill. It was beautifully decorated and naturally, I was the first one there (I am always early for appointments, etc.) There were 2 other ladies who arrived shortly after I did. Our friend, Phyllis, could not make it because she was bitten by a dog over 5 weeks ago and still has not recovered from the bite. She had been out walking at the time and has suffered greatly with the effects of the bite.
Carolyn, the hostess today, served a delicious lunch and we had a wonderful time laughing and talking. We really missed the two who could not make it today, and look forward to next month, when hopefully, they can be with us. I hope to host the lunch at my home next month. As you know, I just love to have people here at our home.
I had left a lunch for Gramps here when I left for Talbott, where Carolyn and her husband live, so please don't worry that he didn't get to eat on time. When I came through Jefferson City on my way home, I stopped at Food City and bought a few groceries. By the time I got home it was nearly 4 p.m. so I began working on supper. I made some hamburgers and baked an Idaho potato for Gramps and me, so by 5 p.m. we were eating.
After supper, I began working on Will's quilt again, rather lackadaisically, I must admit, but I did get part of one of the flowers stitched around this evening and tomorrow will be a day of lounging and stitching. (Oops, another day spent in my night gown and robe. It is going to be cold outside tomorrow,and I have no plans to even stick my nose outside).
Well, my eyes are about to close, so it is time to go to bed. This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for today. Much love to each of you. More later. Bye for now.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Final Christmas Presents for this Year
Hey, Y'all,
Sunday morning was a quiet one for us. I let Gramps sleep until about 9 a.m., and he got up on his own at that time. Of course, it was about the time I was getting ready to sit down to eat my hot oatmeal, so I made his coffee, helped him get his blood sugar checked, and fixed his cereal for him, and then we both could eat. Then around 11 a.m. we got him into the shower, and ready for the rest of the day.
Later in the day, we went to Morristown for a late lunch at Captain D's, and got back home about 4 p.m. I worked some on my quilt on Sunday afternoon, and we watched some television. We watched the movie, "The Green Mile" that evening. It had been along time since we had seen it, and it was new for Gramps since he didn't remember having seen it before.
Yesterday morning I was up early (about 6:30), and did some reorganizing of my kitchen cabinet countertops (not a lot) and then swept and mopped the kitchen floor and cleaned the bathroom. I emptied the dishwasher, and folded some laundry and put it away. Gramps slept until about the time I was ready to sit down and eat, and so I made his coffee and helped him with his blood sugar testing, and fixed his breakfast for him, and we both were able to eat at the same time.
Monday is always the day that we enjoy supper with our neighbors, so I worked part of the day on preparation for that. We had fresh salad greens, with the toppings, and I made some baked chicken strips (a favorite of all of us), and made some fresh yeast rolls (recipe is courtesy of friend blogger, Judy, who lives in KY. A link to her cooking blog can be found to the left of this posting -"Living on the other side of the Hill"). It will take you to her new blog TheSouthernLady64. She has some really great recipes listed there. Our neighbors brought some really good crab casserole which is served hot, and a delicious pecan pie. Yum. A good time was had by all.
After supper we opened presents, and sang some hymns, and just chatted a lot. It was great! Then we went back into the kitchen and had the pie and some fresh coffee. Pecan pie is a favorite of Gramps and he really laid into his. It was delicious!
We finally went to bed around 11:15 after watching a few minutes of the news, and today is a brand new day. It is only 7:30 and it won't be long before I need to go and have breakfast and empty the dishwasher. Laurie is so great...she serves the supper plates on Monday evening, and then loads the dishwasher for me. She makes me feel like royalty! Such a kind person, she is. We are so blessed to have such wonderful neighbors as they are! In fact, we are blessed to have so many wonderful friends and relations and to live in a country where we can have the kinds of freedom we do. We are most blessed to have the wonderful Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ and to be able to share Him with others.
This has been a wonderful and blessed year for Gramps and me. Thank you, Jesus!
This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for now. Much love to each of you! More later. Bye for now.
Sunday morning was a quiet one for us. I let Gramps sleep until about 9 a.m., and he got up on his own at that time. Of course, it was about the time I was getting ready to sit down to eat my hot oatmeal, so I made his coffee, helped him get his blood sugar checked, and fixed his cereal for him, and then we both could eat. Then around 11 a.m. we got him into the shower, and ready for the rest of the day.
Later in the day, we went to Morristown for a late lunch at Captain D's, and got back home about 4 p.m. I worked some on my quilt on Sunday afternoon, and we watched some television. We watched the movie, "The Green Mile" that evening. It had been along time since we had seen it, and it was new for Gramps since he didn't remember having seen it before.
Yesterday morning I was up early (about 6:30), and did some reorganizing of my kitchen cabinet countertops (not a lot) and then swept and mopped the kitchen floor and cleaned the bathroom. I emptied the dishwasher, and folded some laundry and put it away. Gramps slept until about the time I was ready to sit down and eat, and so I made his coffee and helped him with his blood sugar testing, and fixed his breakfast for him, and we both were able to eat at the same time.
Monday is always the day that we enjoy supper with our neighbors, so I worked part of the day on preparation for that. We had fresh salad greens, with the toppings, and I made some baked chicken strips (a favorite of all of us), and made some fresh yeast rolls (recipe is courtesy of friend blogger, Judy, who lives in KY. A link to her cooking blog can be found to the left of this posting -"Living on the other side of the Hill"). It will take you to her new blog TheSouthernLady64. She has some really great recipes listed there. Our neighbors brought some really good crab casserole which is served hot, and a delicious pecan pie. Yum. A good time was had by all.
After supper we opened presents, and sang some hymns, and just chatted a lot. It was great! Then we went back into the kitchen and had the pie and some fresh coffee. Pecan pie is a favorite of Gramps and he really laid into his. It was delicious!
We finally went to bed around 11:15 after watching a few minutes of the news, and today is a brand new day. It is only 7:30 and it won't be long before I need to go and have breakfast and empty the dishwasher. Laurie is so great...she serves the supper plates on Monday evening, and then loads the dishwasher for me. She makes me feel like royalty! Such a kind person, she is. We are so blessed to have such wonderful neighbors as they are! In fact, we are blessed to have so many wonderful friends and relations and to live in a country where we can have the kinds of freedom we do. We are most blessed to have the wonderful Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ and to be able to share Him with others.
This has been a wonderful and blessed year for Gramps and me. Thank you, Jesus!
This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for now. Much love to each of you! More later. Bye for now.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
A Moose Head?
Yesterday,as you well know, was the celebration of Christmas in various places. Gramps and I spent Christmas Eve and Christmas at Mark and Allie's home. Mark picked us up at our home at around 1:30 and we went directly to their home. Gramps and I had already eaten lunch at home (consisting of a really good hamburger which was homemade) and a cup of coffee for him and a glass of water for me.
I had packed up what we needed to spend the night at their home, so when we got there, we were greeted by Allie with a hug and a kiss and made welcome. They soon had to leave to go to a Christmas Eve service at their church, where 24 people were baptized, Mark being among them.
When they came back home, Allie made some supper for all of us, plus for her daughters, Rachael, and Jessie, plus Jessie's significant other, Travis, and their daughter, Kyah. Kyah, who is almost a year old, is adorable. There was a lot of package wrapping that took place that evening behind closed doors, and in fact was still taking place after Gramps and I retired for the night.
Christmas morning dawned bright and beautiful, and by 7:30, Mark, Allie, and I were up and moving about. Gramps stayed true to his habits and I had to get him up around 9 a.m. By that time, Allie had prepared and cooked two casseroles of breakfast quiche, and was ready to put it on the table. All who had been there the night before was assembled and enjoyed the food.
By 10 a.m. everyone was ready for the opening of gifts, and so we proceeded. Only one gift was presented and opened at a time in order to give everyone the chance to see and admire it. Lots of really neat presents were opened and enjoyed.
Now, it seems that when Mark and Allie moved into their home in the spring of this year, one of the girls remarked that all they needed was a moose head to mount over the mantel in the living room, and the others joked that yes, that would really be fun! So when Allie opened a letter from Sarah, her daughter who lives in San Francisco, with a picture of a moose head, and a message that one was on its way in a couple of weeks, she had such a look of "now what?" on her face, it was hilarious. Of course, the whole thing was a joke perpetrated by her daughters, and no moose head was ever in the offing. Everyone had a good laugh over the joke, especially Allie, whose laugh was one of relief.
When we got ready to begin opening gifts, Allie put a ham to cook into the oven. Around 1:30 p.m. she began wondering why there was no aroma of ham coming from the kitchen. Well, she looked into the oven and realized the oven was cold. She had forgotten to turn it on, so there was another joke on her. Seems like it was a day for jokes. She very good-naturedly heated up some pasta that she had prepared the day before, and we had that plus some deviled eggs that I had brought with me. We also had some bread and butter to go with the pasta. The ham we had for supper along with green beans, corn, rolls, and sparkling cider. Yum, it was all delicious.
I snapped a picture of Mark taking a snooze after lunch (he had been working hard all day) and he didn't want me to post it, so I am not (yet). It makes a good blackmail object though. ha ha.
I had made a small pillow for Kyah, (posted here with her holding it) and she really liked it. She was adorable in her little red Christmas dress. She is almost walking, but not quite.
A lot more took place but I won't go into all that. I did get to speak with both my daughters who were visiting with their children away from home. Darlene, my brother John's widow, also called and I talked with her for awhile.
Well, there is probably a lot more I could say, but I am having trouble staying awake. Don't want to bonk my forehead on the computer table again. Gramps and I went to Jeff City today and got his hair cut, and then went to Wendy's for hot Chili for a late lunch. We had stopped at the cemetery so I could show him his mama's grave, and then neither of us could remember where it was, and I got into a situation where I couldn't turn around, and had to back up the way I had come and didn't have a lot of room to turn around even there. Whew! He has been concerned lately with where his mama is and what happened to her. I was going to set his mind at rest on the matter. On the way out he said, "I know where my mama is, she is in Heaven," and I thought, "Thank goodness! My assurances to him haven't fallen on deaf ears. I just hope he will remember the next time he thinks about her."
Pictures: (1)Chimney with wreath where imaginary moose head would be placed. ha.
(2)Tree with gifts before unwrapping began
(3)Jessie and Travis' daughter, Kyah
(4)Travis holding Kyah, who is holding her new pillow.
(5)Gramps holding our new "welcome" sign for our home
(6)Gramps and me (he holding our new warm fuzzy sign.)
(7)Allie and me
(8)Group picture of Travis, Kyah, Jessie, me, Gramps and Rachael.
(9)Mark and Allie holding "moose picture"
Well, it is about time for me to close the mouth and take a nap. My eyes are really heavy and I can lie on the couch and get a 30 minute nap before supper time. This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for today. Much love to each of you. Bye for now. More later.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Merry Christmas to You!
Hey, Y'all,
If I could sing it to you in the blog, I would! Here is wishing each of you, my friends, a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year.
Yesterday was a kind of hanging around home day; we didn't go anywhere, but I kind of just schlepped around here, trying to get some loose ends tied up, and didn't even shed my gown and housecoat. Yeah, I know, it is just a lazy way to spend the day. I did work on a gift for someone, and just about got it finished. I'll do the finishing touches today. I used my new machine to make the gift. I will take a picture of my new machine after we get back from Mark and Allie's home and post it. Right now, I am charging the battery so it will be fully charged for pictures.
My neighbor, Laurie, very kindly let her daughter, Olivia, bring down one of her Barbie movies, the story of Rapunzel, and Olivia and I watched it while Olivia knitted, working on a gift for her mom. How neat was that! I had never seen one of the Barbie movies, and it was really entertaining. Of course, I have always loved fairy tales.
When I was young, and lived in Knoxville, (before the days of television's popularity) we listened to the radio. One of the programs on the radio came on on Saturday morning at 10 a.m. and was sponsored by Cream of Wheat. When I would hear the jingle, "Cream of Wheat! It's so good to eat, you can have it every day. We sing this song, it will make you strong,and it makes you shout - Hurray. It's good for growing babies, and grownups, too, to eat. For all your family's breakfast, you can't beat Cream of Wheat", then I knew "Let's Pretend" was coming on.
Each Saturday, the actors would present one of the fairy tales, and it was wonderful! That was my first taste of hearing fairy tales told orally. I think I probably envisioned it so clearly that the stories became real to me. I always thought it would be fun to be an actor and tell stories. That may be why I became a storyteller and why I loved to read so very much. I become a part of the story when I read. I am right there in the midst of it.
Listening to the radio and the reading of books is so much better than television. It has been proven that the brain is so much more active in hearing a story or reading one than it is in passively watching one on television or in the movies. It requires no imagination to just watch something, but when you have to envision it using the brain, you are activating brain cells that you don't use for viewing.
Ooops, how did I get off onto this subject? Oh, yes, fairy tales. Well, I do enjoy them anyway. Olivia and I had fun watching the Rapunzel fairy tale. I must say though, that the Barbie version is much different from the one I heard on the radio and read for myself later.
Speaking of reading, I have been enjoying my Sony ebook Reader that Tom and Teresa gave me for Christmas. She had me open it early so that she could assist me in downloading books, and also in downloading the program onto my computer. That little lady is a whiz! She is so computer literate that it simply amazes me. She makes me feel so much more comfortable at the computer because she is an excellent teacher. Thank you, Babe! Teresa, you would be pleased to know that I went through the steps this morning of downloading 3 more books and transferring them to the reader.
I hope you all are having a terrific time in North Dakota for Christmas. Much love to all of you!
Carol and Daryl are in Illinois right now with Daniel and Whitney and their children. I'll bet they are seeing plenty of snow right now, too. I know they are having lots of snuggles and kisses with the children. Much love to all of you, and to the grands who are still in Texas or wherever they are spending the holidays. Hope all of you are having a great time! Gramps and I were invited to come to Illinois, but I felt it would be too difficult for Gramps, so we are spending Christmas here in Tennessee. No snow here, but plenty of rain, I guess.
Later today, Gramps and I are going to Mark and Allie's to spend tonight and tomorrow. It will be wonderful to actually spend some time with them. They will be picking us up this afternoon and then bringing us back home tomorrow.
I still have to do a little packing of stuff we will need. Right now, it is only 6:45 a.m. but I have been up since 5:30 so I need to take my Nexium so that I can eat before long. Unfortunately, my stomach wakes up at the same time my mind does. ha ha
Well, this is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for today. More later. Much love to each of you. Be safe over the holidays! Bye for now.
If I could sing it to you in the blog, I would! Here is wishing each of you, my friends, a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year.
Yesterday was a kind of hanging around home day; we didn't go anywhere, but I kind of just schlepped around here, trying to get some loose ends tied up, and didn't even shed my gown and housecoat. Yeah, I know, it is just a lazy way to spend the day. I did work on a gift for someone, and just about got it finished. I'll do the finishing touches today. I used my new machine to make the gift. I will take a picture of my new machine after we get back from Mark and Allie's home and post it. Right now, I am charging the battery so it will be fully charged for pictures.
My neighbor, Laurie, very kindly let her daughter, Olivia, bring down one of her Barbie movies, the story of Rapunzel, and Olivia and I watched it while Olivia knitted, working on a gift for her mom. How neat was that! I had never seen one of the Barbie movies, and it was really entertaining. Of course, I have always loved fairy tales.
When I was young, and lived in Knoxville, (before the days of television's popularity) we listened to the radio. One of the programs on the radio came on on Saturday morning at 10 a.m. and was sponsored by Cream of Wheat. When I would hear the jingle, "Cream of Wheat! It's so good to eat, you can have it every day. We sing this song, it will make you strong,and it makes you shout - Hurray. It's good for growing babies, and grownups, too, to eat. For all your family's breakfast, you can't beat Cream of Wheat", then I knew "Let's Pretend" was coming on.
Each Saturday, the actors would present one of the fairy tales, and it was wonderful! That was my first taste of hearing fairy tales told orally. I think I probably envisioned it so clearly that the stories became real to me. I always thought it would be fun to be an actor and tell stories. That may be why I became a storyteller and why I loved to read so very much. I become a part of the story when I read. I am right there in the midst of it.
Listening to the radio and the reading of books is so much better than television. It has been proven that the brain is so much more active in hearing a story or reading one than it is in passively watching one on television or in the movies. It requires no imagination to just watch something, but when you have to envision it using the brain, you are activating brain cells that you don't use for viewing.
Ooops, how did I get off onto this subject? Oh, yes, fairy tales. Well, I do enjoy them anyway. Olivia and I had fun watching the Rapunzel fairy tale. I must say though, that the Barbie version is much different from the one I heard on the radio and read for myself later.
Speaking of reading, I have been enjoying my Sony ebook Reader that Tom and Teresa gave me for Christmas. She had me open it early so that she could assist me in downloading books, and also in downloading the program onto my computer. That little lady is a whiz! She is so computer literate that it simply amazes me. She makes me feel so much more comfortable at the computer because she is an excellent teacher. Thank you, Babe! Teresa, you would be pleased to know that I went through the steps this morning of downloading 3 more books and transferring them to the reader.
I hope you all are having a terrific time in North Dakota for Christmas. Much love to all of you!
Carol and Daryl are in Illinois right now with Daniel and Whitney and their children. I'll bet they are seeing plenty of snow right now, too. I know they are having lots of snuggles and kisses with the children. Much love to all of you, and to the grands who are still in Texas or wherever they are spending the holidays. Hope all of you are having a great time! Gramps and I were invited to come to Illinois, but I felt it would be too difficult for Gramps, so we are spending Christmas here in Tennessee. No snow here, but plenty of rain, I guess.
Later today, Gramps and I are going to Mark and Allie's to spend tonight and tomorrow. It will be wonderful to actually spend some time with them. They will be picking us up this afternoon and then bringing us back home tomorrow.
I still have to do a little packing of stuff we will need. Right now, it is only 6:45 a.m. but I have been up since 5:30 so I need to take my Nexium so that I can eat before long. Unfortunately, my stomach wakes up at the same time my mind does. ha ha
Well, this is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for today. More later. Much love to each of you. Be safe over the holidays! Bye for now.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
A Really Neat Day
Hey, Y'all,
Yesterday, I talked with Barbara and Dorothy (sisters of Imazo), and when I found they were coming to visit with Imazo today, and knew that today would be probably the best of this week to get out, I knew I wanted to go this day to Knoxville to visit with all of them. So, we did.
We were up early this morning, and left home about 8:25 or so, and stopped at Hardee's on Asheville Highway in Knoxville and had breakfast. About 10 a.m. we arrived at Imazo's at the same time as Joanne, Dorothy and Barbara. Joanne is one of Barbara's daughters, and she always brings them to visit, because neither of Imazo's sisters likes to drive that far.
There were lots of "hello's", hugs and kisses amongst us (except for Gramps), and we sat down and began our hen party of 5 hens and one old rooster. ha ha. The old rooster didn't say much except for "hello and I'll just sit over here and not say much".
ha ha.
We talked about all kinds of things, among them, we spoke of those who had passed on this past year, and how much we missed them. We also talked about some of the things that had happened in the past few months. Dorothy told of how she had once seen a vision and I found it extremely interesting and touching.
Many years ago, when one of Barbara's children, little Steven, was three years old, he passed away. Dorothy related that his was the first death in the immediate family at that time and she was very close to the Lord then. She says that she was very concerned about where her little nephew was after passing away and she prayed that God would show her where he was. She looked at a blank wall in her kitchen and saw a vision of a field of flowers and saw Steven in that field, with the breeze blowing his hair and he was smiling. She knew then for sure that he was in paradise and was worried no more. Isn't that a beautiful thing to have seen? I hope she doesn't mind my relating this story. I found it so very inspiring and comforting. I hope I got all the facts straight.
Mae had to go to the doctor this morning to have some bloodwork done, so she did not get to Imazo's until some time after we did. Her daughter, Norma, brought her by after the visit to the doctor's office, and we got to see Norma for a few minutes. It is always wonderful to get to spend some time with her or Fred (Mae's son). We all exchanged Christmas gifts while at Imazo's home.
We decided to go have some lunch at Shoney's around noon, so Gramps said he didn't really want to go but would wait and I could bring him a sandwich when we got back. So off we went, six ladies on a mission to have lunch together. What a time we had! We ate, and laughed, and just had a great time in general.
After we got back to Imazo's, she made coffee to go with the cakes that Barbara had made and brought with her (she always brings 2 homemade cakes, yum!) and Imazo had made a pan of brownies. So 7 people who really didn't need sweets, ate some anyway. ha. That was our dessert after having had lunch.
We talked some more about how Hugh had just wanted family to come and spend some time with them last year about this time, and about how John (our brother in Phoenix) had passed away in December just shortly before we all got together for Christmas. Of course, we mentioned the fact that our sister, Margaret had passed away two years ago just after Christmas. I told them that this summer when I was so ill, I could just hear (in my imagination) that if I died from my illness, people saying, "Poor Ruby! She didn't last long after her last 3 siblings died, did she?"
I reckon it wasn't in God's plan for me to pass on at that time. Thank you, Jesus! I hope to be around for some time to come yet. I got a lot left I would like to do, and people to tell about what He has done for me. I know it was only His hand on me that kept me from dying and that it was the prayers of so many people praying on my behalf that He harkened to. Thank you, friends!
Well, after we said our goodbyes to Barbara, Dorothy and Joann, they went on their way back to Monroe County, and the four of us that were still at Imazo's sat down in the family room to watch a movie. Yes, it became a movie day and I had brought the movie, "Dennis the Menace Christmas". It was really good, and sad in some places but had a wonderful happy ending. A few tears were shed (even Gramps was seen wiping a tear or two away from his eyes) and smiles were seen at the end of the movie.
Then it was time to take Mae back home, and then I came back for Gramps and we thanked Imazo for her hospitality, and promised to come back when the weather permits. The weather was wonderful today, and we were so glad to be able to get out and about. Gramps wore his brown corduroy slacks, a matching checked shirt, and a brown fluffy, soft sweater, along with his LLBean cap and looked really sharp!
We were back home by 5:30 or so, and watched some television after he had some supper, and now at 9 p.m. he went to bed for the night (I hope for the night, ha), and I will be going soon.
Last evening, our neighbors came down for supper and we had chicken pot pie, and fresh fruit with whipped cream and ice cream (choice of individuals as to how they wanted the dessert) and then played Aggravation. It was great fun! They make my week for me. We consider them family and are always happy to have them come in.
Well, tomorrow, I guess I will try to get pre-Christmas stuff finished up and get my "war zone" in my workroom cleaned up and put away. Boxes and wrapping paper to carry back to the basement is in order. Reckon I will get that done fer shure.
This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for today. Much love to each of you. More later. Bye for now.
Yesterday, I talked with Barbara and Dorothy (sisters of Imazo), and when I found they were coming to visit with Imazo today, and knew that today would be probably the best of this week to get out, I knew I wanted to go this day to Knoxville to visit with all of them. So, we did.
We were up early this morning, and left home about 8:25 or so, and stopped at Hardee's on Asheville Highway in Knoxville and had breakfast. About 10 a.m. we arrived at Imazo's at the same time as Joanne, Dorothy and Barbara. Joanne is one of Barbara's daughters, and she always brings them to visit, because neither of Imazo's sisters likes to drive that far.
There were lots of "hello's", hugs and kisses amongst us (except for Gramps), and we sat down and began our hen party of 5 hens and one old rooster. ha ha. The old rooster didn't say much except for "hello and I'll just sit over here and not say much".
ha ha.
We talked about all kinds of things, among them, we spoke of those who had passed on this past year, and how much we missed them. We also talked about some of the things that had happened in the past few months. Dorothy told of how she had once seen a vision and I found it extremely interesting and touching.
Many years ago, when one of Barbara's children, little Steven, was three years old, he passed away. Dorothy related that his was the first death in the immediate family at that time and she was very close to the Lord then. She says that she was very concerned about where her little nephew was after passing away and she prayed that God would show her where he was. She looked at a blank wall in her kitchen and saw a vision of a field of flowers and saw Steven in that field, with the breeze blowing his hair and he was smiling. She knew then for sure that he was in paradise and was worried no more. Isn't that a beautiful thing to have seen? I hope she doesn't mind my relating this story. I found it so very inspiring and comforting. I hope I got all the facts straight.
Mae had to go to the doctor this morning to have some bloodwork done, so she did not get to Imazo's until some time after we did. Her daughter, Norma, brought her by after the visit to the doctor's office, and we got to see Norma for a few minutes. It is always wonderful to get to spend some time with her or Fred (Mae's son). We all exchanged Christmas gifts while at Imazo's home.
We decided to go have some lunch at Shoney's around noon, so Gramps said he didn't really want to go but would wait and I could bring him a sandwich when we got back. So off we went, six ladies on a mission to have lunch together. What a time we had! We ate, and laughed, and just had a great time in general.
After we got back to Imazo's, she made coffee to go with the cakes that Barbara had made and brought with her (she always brings 2 homemade cakes, yum!) and Imazo had made a pan of brownies. So 7 people who really didn't need sweets, ate some anyway. ha. That was our dessert after having had lunch.
We talked some more about how Hugh had just wanted family to come and spend some time with them last year about this time, and about how John (our brother in Phoenix) had passed away in December just shortly before we all got together for Christmas. Of course, we mentioned the fact that our sister, Margaret had passed away two years ago just after Christmas. I told them that this summer when I was so ill, I could just hear (in my imagination) that if I died from my illness, people saying, "Poor Ruby! She didn't last long after her last 3 siblings died, did she?"
I reckon it wasn't in God's plan for me to pass on at that time. Thank you, Jesus! I hope to be around for some time to come yet. I got a lot left I would like to do, and people to tell about what He has done for me. I know it was only His hand on me that kept me from dying and that it was the prayers of so many people praying on my behalf that He harkened to. Thank you, friends!
Well, after we said our goodbyes to Barbara, Dorothy and Joann, they went on their way back to Monroe County, and the four of us that were still at Imazo's sat down in the family room to watch a movie. Yes, it became a movie day and I had brought the movie, "Dennis the Menace Christmas". It was really good, and sad in some places but had a wonderful happy ending. A few tears were shed (even Gramps was seen wiping a tear or two away from his eyes) and smiles were seen at the end of the movie.
Then it was time to take Mae back home, and then I came back for Gramps and we thanked Imazo for her hospitality, and promised to come back when the weather permits. The weather was wonderful today, and we were so glad to be able to get out and about. Gramps wore his brown corduroy slacks, a matching checked shirt, and a brown fluffy, soft sweater, along with his LLBean cap and looked really sharp!
We were back home by 5:30 or so, and watched some television after he had some supper, and now at 9 p.m. he went to bed for the night (I hope for the night, ha), and I will be going soon.
Last evening, our neighbors came down for supper and we had chicken pot pie, and fresh fruit with whipped cream and ice cream (choice of individuals as to how they wanted the dessert) and then played Aggravation. It was great fun! They make my week for me. We consider them family and are always happy to have them come in.
Well, tomorrow, I guess I will try to get pre-Christmas stuff finished up and get my "war zone" in my workroom cleaned up and put away. Boxes and wrapping paper to carry back to the basement is in order. Reckon I will get that done fer shure.
This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for today. Much love to each of you. More later. Bye for now.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Only a Few Days Left
Hey, Y'all,
Today has been a very quiet one for me and Gramps...peaceful. I was up early this morning, and changed the airflow filter in the cold air return for our heating and air conditioner. I happened to notice the dust on the louvered cover and decided to clean it with a damp cloth. I started out with a damp paper towel cleaning it, and then realized that wouldn't do the job, so I switched to a cleaning rag. For the next twenty minutes or so, I sat on a short step-ladder and cleaned. Whew! Then, after I finished sneezing for the next ten minutes (allergies, you know), I came into the work room and worked on wrapping gifts for a while. There are, after all, only a few days left 'til Christmas and then the beginning of the New Year.
Then came breakfast of oatmeal, and toast and hot tea. I checked on Gramps and he was still out like a light, snoozing away. I came back into the workroom and turned on my trusty computer. I saw that Teresa was online and we started talking. She and husband Tom had given me a Sony e-book for Christmas, which I had not yet opened (not being wild about getting into something I had to learn electronically to use). Even though I am fairly knowledgeable about some computer type stuff, I sometimes have to be dragged kicking and screaming (not really) into using the newer technologies. I am excited about having an e-book, it is just the downloading of software, etc. that scares me.
Well, anyway, she walked me through it, and now I can get lots of books (free!) to read and can carry a bunch of them on one little gadget! Ain't that grand? I think so, don't you? I still have to do the registration of all the stuff, but I can do that over the next couple of days. In the meantime, my workroom looks like a war zone, because I have wrapping papers and all that kind of stuff all around. But, I promise, it will all be picked up by tomorrow evening, Scout's honor. (Hmmm. I never was a scout,so does that really apply?)
Gramps got up around 12:30 p.m. just about the time that we got through with the e-book installation, and I got him fed and coffeed (is that a word?).
When he got up, he was walking through the house saying, "This feels like Deja Vu. This house looks just like one we used to live in."
I said, "Honey, this is the one we used to live in, and we still live here in it."
He replied, "I need to take this a little slower and look around."
I said, "Well, go ahead and look around all you want to. We have plenty of time, there is no rush."
Then I got off line with Teresa, and went in to help him check his blood sugar (he is a diabetic) and it was fine, so I know his problem was not sugar related. After he had breakfast, he took out his teeth, and put them in his tooth cup and went back to bed and stayed until I got him up at 5:30 to eat supper. He just a little while ago went back to bed. He had been up for several hours and watched some tevee with me, and read his Bible.
Our friends, Gene and Judy, came to visit this afternoon while Gramps was asleep, so I enjoyed having a visit with them.I enjoyed showing Judy my e-book reader and the new sewing machine. My friend, Dorothy, (one of Imazo's sisters), called and chatted awhile, and then tonight, my sister-in-law, Mae, called and we talked awhile. So today has not been so lonesome as some days are. I am so blessed having so many good friends.
Well, it is getting late (almost 10 p.m.) and after all, tomorrow is another day. I feel the need to go to bed and have sleep when "night knits up the raveled sleeve of care" and get rested for a new day. I have a white board that has a calendar where I erase the day just over, so I need to go erase today's date,and leave tomorrow's as the first day of the rest of the month.
This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for now. More later. Much love to each of you, my friends. Bye now.
Today has been a very quiet one for me and Gramps...peaceful. I was up early this morning, and changed the airflow filter in the cold air return for our heating and air conditioner. I happened to notice the dust on the louvered cover and decided to clean it with a damp cloth. I started out with a damp paper towel cleaning it, and then realized that wouldn't do the job, so I switched to a cleaning rag. For the next twenty minutes or so, I sat on a short step-ladder and cleaned. Whew! Then, after I finished sneezing for the next ten minutes (allergies, you know), I came into the work room and worked on wrapping gifts for a while. There are, after all, only a few days left 'til Christmas and then the beginning of the New Year.
Then came breakfast of oatmeal, and toast and hot tea. I checked on Gramps and he was still out like a light, snoozing away. I came back into the workroom and turned on my trusty computer. I saw that Teresa was online and we started talking. She and husband Tom had given me a Sony e-book for Christmas, which I had not yet opened (not being wild about getting into something I had to learn electronically to use). Even though I am fairly knowledgeable about some computer type stuff, I sometimes have to be dragged kicking and screaming (not really) into using the newer technologies. I am excited about having an e-book, it is just the downloading of software, etc. that scares me.
Well, anyway, she walked me through it, and now I can get lots of books (free!) to read and can carry a bunch of them on one little gadget! Ain't that grand? I think so, don't you? I still have to do the registration of all the stuff, but I can do that over the next couple of days. In the meantime, my workroom looks like a war zone, because I have wrapping papers and all that kind of stuff all around. But, I promise, it will all be picked up by tomorrow evening, Scout's honor. (Hmmm. I never was a scout,so does that really apply?)
Gramps got up around 12:30 p.m. just about the time that we got through with the e-book installation, and I got him fed and coffeed (is that a word?).
When he got up, he was walking through the house saying, "This feels like Deja Vu. This house looks just like one we used to live in."
I said, "Honey, this is the one we used to live in, and we still live here in it."
He replied, "I need to take this a little slower and look around."
I said, "Well, go ahead and look around all you want to. We have plenty of time, there is no rush."
Then I got off line with Teresa, and went in to help him check his blood sugar (he is a diabetic) and it was fine, so I know his problem was not sugar related. After he had breakfast, he took out his teeth, and put them in his tooth cup and went back to bed and stayed until I got him up at 5:30 to eat supper. He just a little while ago went back to bed. He had been up for several hours and watched some tevee with me, and read his Bible.
Our friends, Gene and Judy, came to visit this afternoon while Gramps was asleep, so I enjoyed having a visit with them.I enjoyed showing Judy my e-book reader and the new sewing machine. My friend, Dorothy, (one of Imazo's sisters), called and chatted awhile, and then tonight, my sister-in-law, Mae, called and we talked awhile. So today has not been so lonesome as some days are. I am so blessed having so many good friends.
Well, it is getting late (almost 10 p.m.) and after all, tomorrow is another day. I feel the need to go to bed and have sleep when "night knits up the raveled sleeve of care" and get rested for a new day. I have a white board that has a calendar where I erase the day just over, so I need to go erase today's date,and leave tomorrow's as the first day of the rest of the month.
This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for now. More later. Much love to each of you, my friends. Bye now.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
It's A- fallin' !
Hey, Y'all,
Each time I see the snow falling through the air and softly landing on the ground, I am reminded of what my sister, Margaret, and I would do when we saw it snowing. One of us would call the other and would immediately say (when the other answered the phone), "It's a-fallin'"!
I miss those phone calls...she is in a better place now, anyway. Margaret passed on from this life into the next on December 29, 2007.
This morning I was up at 5 a.m. to visit the bathroom and then decided to just stay up. A little later, I was puttering around between the kitchen and my workroom, when I noticed the bathroom door was closed. I thought, "Aha! My Sweetie Pie is awake and about." He came into the kitchen ready to eat breakfast, so I fixed his cereal and coffee for him, and then after he had eaten, I asked if he wanted to stay up or go back to bed.
He decided he would go back to bed and asked me, "Which way is the bedroom?" I pointed to the back door and said, "You don't want to go that way, because it leads to the outside, so you need to go through this door behind you and then turn right. That will take you to the bedroom." So off to bed he went, and I followed him in and helped him get settled into the bed.
I went back into the kitchen and made my breakfast of a bowl of hot grits and a piece of toast. As I was sitting there I realized that a caregiver centers a lot of their life around the needs of the cared for, and yet tries to save a little time for their own needs as well. Our lives are shaped by time as needed for the caring of the loved one.
Time certainly moves a lot more slowly now than it used to. It is kind of the way that when a person has a new baby, it takes a lot more time to do the simple tasks or errands that once were done quickly. When doing them with a person to whom you are giving care, more effort is expended.
I still have a few presents to wrap but not very many. I have ordered the present for Gramps from LL Bean, and it should get here any day now. I went to look at Peebles for the sweater vest, but all they had were XL size and that is too large for him. I just hope he likes it. He is very difficult to please, you know. I have been trying for years to please him with things I would choose, but to very little avail.
I guess I will make potato soup some time today or maybe tomorrow. We may just eat leftovers today, along with either dinner or supper being a breakfast meal. One day soon I will be making some more of the yeast rolls that I made last Monday.
Oh, yes, please read the blog entitled, "Clara's Corner", whose link is found under the blogs listed to the left of this posting. Read the entry about the car she sold to a young man. It is a very touching and true story. I know you will be blessed by the reading of it.
I just got a call from Carol, offering to purchase tickets for us to fly up to Illinois to spend Christmas with them and our grandson, Daniel and his family. I declined, sorry to say, but I just can't take Gramps out in the cold to travel. I keep the temperature in our house on 73 degrees and he still complains about it being cold. He is just not up to the travel, either. Besides which, the weather here is snowy, and will probably be that way around Christmas, and I don't drive in snow anymore. Sorry, kids. Thank you for your offer and for your kindness. We will miss seeing you all.
Well, it is about time for me to stop this rambling post, and get on with doing "stuff" around here. This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for now. Much love to each of you. Bye for now.
Each time I see the snow falling through the air and softly landing on the ground, I am reminded of what my sister, Margaret, and I would do when we saw it snowing. One of us would call the other and would immediately say (when the other answered the phone), "It's a-fallin'"!
I miss those phone calls...she is in a better place now, anyway. Margaret passed on from this life into the next on December 29, 2007.
This morning I was up at 5 a.m. to visit the bathroom and then decided to just stay up. A little later, I was puttering around between the kitchen and my workroom, when I noticed the bathroom door was closed. I thought, "Aha! My Sweetie Pie is awake and about." He came into the kitchen ready to eat breakfast, so I fixed his cereal and coffee for him, and then after he had eaten, I asked if he wanted to stay up or go back to bed.
He decided he would go back to bed and asked me, "Which way is the bedroom?" I pointed to the back door and said, "You don't want to go that way, because it leads to the outside, so you need to go through this door behind you and then turn right. That will take you to the bedroom." So off to bed he went, and I followed him in and helped him get settled into the bed.
I went back into the kitchen and made my breakfast of a bowl of hot grits and a piece of toast. As I was sitting there I realized that a caregiver centers a lot of their life around the needs of the cared for, and yet tries to save a little time for their own needs as well. Our lives are shaped by time as needed for the caring of the loved one.
Time certainly moves a lot more slowly now than it used to. It is kind of the way that when a person has a new baby, it takes a lot more time to do the simple tasks or errands that once were done quickly. When doing them with a person to whom you are giving care, more effort is expended.
I still have a few presents to wrap but not very many. I have ordered the present for Gramps from LL Bean, and it should get here any day now. I went to look at Peebles for the sweater vest, but all they had were XL size and that is too large for him. I just hope he likes it. He is very difficult to please, you know. I have been trying for years to please him with things I would choose, but to very little avail.
I guess I will make potato soup some time today or maybe tomorrow. We may just eat leftovers today, along with either dinner or supper being a breakfast meal. One day soon I will be making some more of the yeast rolls that I made last Monday.
Oh, yes, please read the blog entitled, "Clara's Corner", whose link is found under the blogs listed to the left of this posting. Read the entry about the car she sold to a young man. It is a very touching and true story. I know you will be blessed by the reading of it.
I just got a call from Carol, offering to purchase tickets for us to fly up to Illinois to spend Christmas with them and our grandson, Daniel and his family. I declined, sorry to say, but I just can't take Gramps out in the cold to travel. I keep the temperature in our house on 73 degrees and he still complains about it being cold. He is just not up to the travel, either. Besides which, the weather here is snowy, and will probably be that way around Christmas, and I don't drive in snow anymore. Sorry, kids. Thank you for your offer and for your kindness. We will miss seeing you all.
Well, it is about time for me to stop this rambling post, and get on with doing "stuff" around here. This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for now. Much love to each of you. Bye for now.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Nodding Off
Hey, Y'all,
Did you ever go to sleep at your computer? Well, I just did! Ouch! It really hurts when you bang your forehead on the computer desk!
On my last posting, I was telling you about being up until very late...well, I actually didn't go to bed until about 4:30 a.m. the next morning. AFter posting my blog, I decided I could just go ahead and wrap gifts that had to be sent via UPS or FedEx or by USPS. So, I sorted out all the gifts with post-it notes under each, and proceeded to wrap them (not too nicely, and no ribbons, but wrapped in Christmas paper) and put homemade tags on them. By the time I got them wrapped and a box chosen to send the two bunches of gifts in, it was 4 a.m. on Tuesday morning. By the time I got them placed in the boxes with addresses written on a post-it note, it was 4:30.
When I crawled into bed, I realized I had a leg cramp, so I spent about 15 minutes rubbing the offending cramp, and then drifted off to sleep until my normal waking time of 7:30. Up I get (no jumping up that morning), and head into the kitchen to take my Nexium, and then to take my shower and get dressed. By 9 a.m. I was dressed and getting ready to head out the door. I had some breakfast and then was determined to get into Jefferson City. I left breakfast bowl with cereal on the table near it, with a banana, so Gramps would not have any trouble eating. I also left the coffee pot ready to turn on and drip fresh coffee. I also had the trash to carry off to the local dumpster.
When I left the UPS store, I called the Dandridge sew 'n vac to see if my new sewing machine had come in. Sure enough, it had, so after making a quick stop at Walmart, I drove to Dandridge and picked up my new machine. By the time I got home it was after 11:30 a.m.
I saw Gramps had just eaten breakfast, so I had a sandwich and decided to go take a nap. When I got into bed, I noticed I was chilling some. Two hours later, I got up and was still chilling. I checked my temp and discovered I had a low-grade fever (about 99.7). I took a couple of tylenol later in the day, and was soon feeling better. After supper, I stayed up until about 9 p.m. and then off to bed.
The next day I felt much better. I stayed in all day yesterday and worked on Will's quilt. I am now finished half-way with the stitching around the flowers, and am ready to begin working on the second half.
This morning, I took some extra sets of twin sheets that I had up to the Terrace Estates. I know that they quite often run low on them. I saw some of the people up there that I know. I saw Laura, that likes to play Scrabble, and also saw Jennifer, the beautician and talked with both of them for awhile. I saw some of the staff, and enjoyed talking with them as well. I could not stay very long because I didn't want to leave Gramps alone too long. He had gotten up this morning on time and we had breakfast together. I made some lunch when I got back and now he is napping. I guess I need to be. ha ha.
I have been playing with my new sewing machine some, getting used to it. Well, that is about it for today. Much love to each of you. I think I will go join Gramps for a nap. This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for today. Bye for now.
Did you ever go to sleep at your computer? Well, I just did! Ouch! It really hurts when you bang your forehead on the computer desk!
On my last posting, I was telling you about being up until very late...well, I actually didn't go to bed until about 4:30 a.m. the next morning. AFter posting my blog, I decided I could just go ahead and wrap gifts that had to be sent via UPS or FedEx or by USPS. So, I sorted out all the gifts with post-it notes under each, and proceeded to wrap them (not too nicely, and no ribbons, but wrapped in Christmas paper) and put homemade tags on them. By the time I got them wrapped and a box chosen to send the two bunches of gifts in, it was 4 a.m. on Tuesday morning. By the time I got them placed in the boxes with addresses written on a post-it note, it was 4:30.
When I crawled into bed, I realized I had a leg cramp, so I spent about 15 minutes rubbing the offending cramp, and then drifted off to sleep until my normal waking time of 7:30. Up I get (no jumping up that morning), and head into the kitchen to take my Nexium, and then to take my shower and get dressed. By 9 a.m. I was dressed and getting ready to head out the door. I had some breakfast and then was determined to get into Jefferson City. I left breakfast bowl with cereal on the table near it, with a banana, so Gramps would not have any trouble eating. I also left the coffee pot ready to turn on and drip fresh coffee. I also had the trash to carry off to the local dumpster.
When I left the UPS store, I called the Dandridge sew 'n vac to see if my new sewing machine had come in. Sure enough, it had, so after making a quick stop at Walmart, I drove to Dandridge and picked up my new machine. By the time I got home it was after 11:30 a.m.
I saw Gramps had just eaten breakfast, so I had a sandwich and decided to go take a nap. When I got into bed, I noticed I was chilling some. Two hours later, I got up and was still chilling. I checked my temp and discovered I had a low-grade fever (about 99.7). I took a couple of tylenol later in the day, and was soon feeling better. After supper, I stayed up until about 9 p.m. and then off to bed.
The next day I felt much better. I stayed in all day yesterday and worked on Will's quilt. I am now finished half-way with the stitching around the flowers, and am ready to begin working on the second half.
This morning, I took some extra sets of twin sheets that I had up to the Terrace Estates. I know that they quite often run low on them. I saw some of the people up there that I know. I saw Laura, that likes to play Scrabble, and also saw Jennifer, the beautician and talked with both of them for awhile. I saw some of the staff, and enjoyed talking with them as well. I could not stay very long because I didn't want to leave Gramps alone too long. He had gotten up this morning on time and we had breakfast together. I made some lunch when I got back and now he is napping. I guess I need to be. ha ha.
I have been playing with my new sewing machine some, getting used to it. Well, that is about it for today. Much love to each of you. I think I will go join Gramps for a nap. This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for today. Bye for now.
Monday, December 14, 2009
A Busy Day
Hey, Y'all,
Here it is nearly midnight, and I am just getting my blog done for the day. I have been up now for eighteen hours and almost went to sleep while ago sitting on my couch and almost watching tevee. (drowsing, you know). Finally, Gramps said, "Why don't we go to bed?" I replied, "Good idea" and now here I sit blogging. I came in here to check my e-mail and other computer stuff, and I'm not so sleepy anymore.
This morning began with arising at 6:30. I went into my workroom to lay out Christmas gifts and organize to whom they go. By the time I had that done, it was 8:30, and I knew that I needed to get some of them wrapped, and sent away to the recipients. So I spent the next little while wrapping and choosing the proper box to send them in. By 9:30 I was ready to head out to the shipping place and send them. I left the house and had the box sent by 10:00 and then headed to the Walmart to get some groceries and do some other shopping.
At 11:00 a.m., I was back home and cutting up stew beef to make vegetable beef soup for supper for us and our neighbors. At noon I finally sat down to my hot oatmeal and toast.
A little later, Gramps got up and I got his breakfast ready. After he ate, we got him into the bathroom for his semi-weekly shower. After his shower, I worked on adding ingredients to the soup, and then began making some yeast rolls to go with the soup. I used a recipe that I got from a friend's blog. It has been years since I made any yeast bread. You should have seen me using the hand mixer to mix the dough. It was crawling up the beaters and trying to cover the mixer. Fortunately, I was stronger than the mixture and cowed it back down into the mixing bowl. I had to pick the dough out of the beater holes later when I was through placing the rolls in the pans.
I came out with more rolls than the recipe said it would make. When they were done, they were really good. I will make them again, but only do half the recipe. After we had finished supper, we only had 12 rolls left. We had eaten about 36 (7 people eating)of the rolls I baked.
By the time I had cleaned the kitchen, and swept the floor, supper was ready and I set the table, so I sat down and relaxed as I read for a few minutes.
Our neighbors came down then, and we had supper and enjoyed it tremendously. Dessert was Key Lime Pie. I didn't make it, but bought it. It was good anyway. ha. After supper we were playing super Uno, and Scott received a call telling him that one of his brothers had just been taken to the hospital, and had been diagnosed with congestive heart failure, with blood in his lungs as well. We stopped the game and immediately prayed for his brother. Scott then began calling his dad and other family members to try and get more information.
Please pray for Scott, his brother, and other family members during this time of trial for them. I will pass on info about his condition as I receive it. I know they covet your prayers.
Well, tomorrow I am hoping to hear that my new sewing machine has come in. Goodness, another new machine to get acquainted with and learn to use. Isn't it wonderful? I so much enjoy learning to do new stuff.
It is after midnight and I am watching a new episode of "The Closer" which was on at the same time that "Lie to Me" is on another station. TNT repeats shows about 2 hours after they are on so that you have more opportunity to see them.
I will be going to bed around 1 a.m. and I am sure I will sleep well. This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for now. More later. Much love to each of you. Bye for now.
Here it is nearly midnight, and I am just getting my blog done for the day. I have been up now for eighteen hours and almost went to sleep while ago sitting on my couch and almost watching tevee. (drowsing, you know). Finally, Gramps said, "Why don't we go to bed?" I replied, "Good idea" and now here I sit blogging. I came in here to check my e-mail and other computer stuff, and I'm not so sleepy anymore.
This morning began with arising at 6:30. I went into my workroom to lay out Christmas gifts and organize to whom they go. By the time I had that done, it was 8:30, and I knew that I needed to get some of them wrapped, and sent away to the recipients. So I spent the next little while wrapping and choosing the proper box to send them in. By 9:30 I was ready to head out to the shipping place and send them. I left the house and had the box sent by 10:00 and then headed to the Walmart to get some groceries and do some other shopping.
At 11:00 a.m., I was back home and cutting up stew beef to make vegetable beef soup for supper for us and our neighbors. At noon I finally sat down to my hot oatmeal and toast.
A little later, Gramps got up and I got his breakfast ready. After he ate, we got him into the bathroom for his semi-weekly shower. After his shower, I worked on adding ingredients to the soup, and then began making some yeast rolls to go with the soup. I used a recipe that I got from a friend's blog. It has been years since I made any yeast bread. You should have seen me using the hand mixer to mix the dough. It was crawling up the beaters and trying to cover the mixer. Fortunately, I was stronger than the mixture and cowed it back down into the mixing bowl. I had to pick the dough out of the beater holes later when I was through placing the rolls in the pans.
I came out with more rolls than the recipe said it would make. When they were done, they were really good. I will make them again, but only do half the recipe. After we had finished supper, we only had 12 rolls left. We had eaten about 36 (7 people eating)of the rolls I baked.
By the time I had cleaned the kitchen, and swept the floor, supper was ready and I set the table, so I sat down and relaxed as I read for a few minutes.
Our neighbors came down then, and we had supper and enjoyed it tremendously. Dessert was Key Lime Pie. I didn't make it, but bought it. It was good anyway. ha. After supper we were playing super Uno, and Scott received a call telling him that one of his brothers had just been taken to the hospital, and had been diagnosed with congestive heart failure, with blood in his lungs as well. We stopped the game and immediately prayed for his brother. Scott then began calling his dad and other family members to try and get more information.
Please pray for Scott, his brother, and other family members during this time of trial for them. I will pass on info about his condition as I receive it. I know they covet your prayers.
Well, tomorrow I am hoping to hear that my new sewing machine has come in. Goodness, another new machine to get acquainted with and learn to use. Isn't it wonderful? I so much enjoy learning to do new stuff.
It is after midnight and I am watching a new episode of "The Closer" which was on at the same time that "Lie to Me" is on another station. TNT repeats shows about 2 hours after they are on so that you have more opportunity to see them.
I will be going to bed around 1 a.m. and I am sure I will sleep well. This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for now. More later. Much love to each of you. Bye for now.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Some Favorite Christmas Movies
Hey, Y'all,
Last night Gramps and I were watching the evening news, and they had taken an unofficial poll of people on Market Square and asked what their favorite Christmas movie was. It got me to thinking about all the Christmas movies I have seen through the years.
Ironically, the one that came in first in their poll was mine, as well. "The Christmas Story" with Peter Billingsly as Little Ralphie, and Darren McGavin as the father. Of course the theme throughout the movie was Ralphie's desire to get a Red Ryder BB Gun for Christmas, and everyone telling him he would shoot his eye out if he received it. I almost know the movie word for word, but I still enjoy watching it. Another favorite is the "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" with Chevy Chase and Randy Quaid. It is just toooooo funny. I like the Tim Allen Santa Clause movies as well. One cannot forget "A Christmas Carol"and all the different versions it has been made in. I just saw one called "The 3 Godfathers" which starred John Wayne, and was directed by John Ford.
Another old favorite is "It's a Wonderful Life" with Jimmy Stewart. Several years ago, they did a remake of "Miracle on 34th Street", and it is okay, but it can't hold a candle to the original one with Maureen O'Hara and Natalie Wood which I saw when it was made in black and white.
As you may know, movie making was originally done using black and white film, and no one really noticed the fact. Somehow, technicolor just doesn't come out the same as black and white. It doesn't seem to catch the detail as black and white does.
Two more films that have nothing to do with Christmas, but which I have dearly enjoyed through the years are: "No Time for Sergeants" with Andy Griffith and Nick Adams, and "Gone with the Wind" with Clark Gable. When I watch Andy Griffith in that movie, I just laugh until I start coughing. It is just too funny! And when I see Scarlett O'Hara say, "I'll think about that tomorrow, for after all, tomorrow's another day", I think, "Yeah, she's right. Tomorrow is another day." I know that we are not promised tomorrow, but when we have done all we can today, we can hope for tomorrow, right?
Well, it is early morning here. I walked down about 8 a.m. to take a piece of mail to the mail box, and felt and heard the frost crunching beneath my crocs, and remembered early days going to school and feeling the crunch of frost as I walked out of the house out to the road that I live on now as a senior adult. My thoughts then were on the school day ahead of me; here they were on the things that I would be doing here in my home today.
I placed the letter into the mailbox and raised the flag to let the postman know there was a letter to be picked up. Then I stopped at the newspaper receptacle and took out today's Knoxville News-Sentinel, spoke to the neighbor's two dogs, Bear and Violet. They are a lab and collie mixture and beautiful dogs. They are more black lab than collie. Bear, being male, is the larger of the two, but Violet is the smarter and the slier of the two. Laurie tells me that as puppies, they chew up anything that is not nailed down, and even some of the stuff that IS nailed down. ha. There is an underground electric fence that keeps them in their yard, thank goodness! Otherwise, you would not find me speaking to them, just avoiding them. ha.
Our neighbors, Scott, Laurie and children, have been gone to Michigan this week, visiting their families up there, and we have really missed them. A friend of theirs comes each day to take care of the feeding of their dogs.
Well, I have had my breakfast of hot oatmeal and toast this morning and Gramps is still in bed. I will be going after while to the living room to work on Will's quilt. I have almost half of the flowers on it handstitched around.
I did some Christmas shopping this week and need to get the presents wrapped and mailed. Maybe tomorrow I will do that packaging and then mail them on Monday. Time does have a way of slipping away from me. I did get all the laundry done and folded, and put away yesterday. Ah, I think I hear the man getting up. I may have a cup of coffee with him while he eats his breakfast, and work the crossword puzzle in the yesterday's newspaper. It is supposed to begin raining sometime today and rain till sometime in the morning. I guess my daughter, Teresa, is already getting rain down in Alabama right now, since it is supposed to be coming from that way.
Well, this is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for now. More later. Much love to each of you, my friends and family. Bye for now.
Last night Gramps and I were watching the evening news, and they had taken an unofficial poll of people on Market Square and asked what their favorite Christmas movie was. It got me to thinking about all the Christmas movies I have seen through the years.
Ironically, the one that came in first in their poll was mine, as well. "The Christmas Story" with Peter Billingsly as Little Ralphie, and Darren McGavin as the father. Of course the theme throughout the movie was Ralphie's desire to get a Red Ryder BB Gun for Christmas, and everyone telling him he would shoot his eye out if he received it. I almost know the movie word for word, but I still enjoy watching it. Another favorite is the "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" with Chevy Chase and Randy Quaid. It is just toooooo funny. I like the Tim Allen Santa Clause movies as well. One cannot forget "A Christmas Carol"and all the different versions it has been made in. I just saw one called "The 3 Godfathers" which starred John Wayne, and was directed by John Ford.
Another old favorite is "It's a Wonderful Life" with Jimmy Stewart. Several years ago, they did a remake of "Miracle on 34th Street", and it is okay, but it can't hold a candle to the original one with Maureen O'Hara and Natalie Wood which I saw when it was made in black and white.
As you may know, movie making was originally done using black and white film, and no one really noticed the fact. Somehow, technicolor just doesn't come out the same as black and white. It doesn't seem to catch the detail as black and white does.
Two more films that have nothing to do with Christmas, but which I have dearly enjoyed through the years are: "No Time for Sergeants" with Andy Griffith and Nick Adams, and "Gone with the Wind" with Clark Gable. When I watch Andy Griffith in that movie, I just laugh until I start coughing. It is just too funny! And when I see Scarlett O'Hara say, "I'll think about that tomorrow, for after all, tomorrow's another day", I think, "Yeah, she's right. Tomorrow is another day." I know that we are not promised tomorrow, but when we have done all we can today, we can hope for tomorrow, right?
Well, it is early morning here. I walked down about 8 a.m. to take a piece of mail to the mail box, and felt and heard the frost crunching beneath my crocs, and remembered early days going to school and feeling the crunch of frost as I walked out of the house out to the road that I live on now as a senior adult. My thoughts then were on the school day ahead of me; here they were on the things that I would be doing here in my home today.
I placed the letter into the mailbox and raised the flag to let the postman know there was a letter to be picked up. Then I stopped at the newspaper receptacle and took out today's Knoxville News-Sentinel, spoke to the neighbor's two dogs, Bear and Violet. They are a lab and collie mixture and beautiful dogs. They are more black lab than collie. Bear, being male, is the larger of the two, but Violet is the smarter and the slier of the two. Laurie tells me that as puppies, they chew up anything that is not nailed down, and even some of the stuff that IS nailed down. ha. There is an underground electric fence that keeps them in their yard, thank goodness! Otherwise, you would not find me speaking to them, just avoiding them. ha.
Our neighbors, Scott, Laurie and children, have been gone to Michigan this week, visiting their families up there, and we have really missed them. A friend of theirs comes each day to take care of the feeding of their dogs.
Well, I have had my breakfast of hot oatmeal and toast this morning and Gramps is still in bed. I will be going after while to the living room to work on Will's quilt. I have almost half of the flowers on it handstitched around.
I did some Christmas shopping this week and need to get the presents wrapped and mailed. Maybe tomorrow I will do that packaging and then mail them on Monday. Time does have a way of slipping away from me. I did get all the laundry done and folded, and put away yesterday. Ah, I think I hear the man getting up. I may have a cup of coffee with him while he eats his breakfast, and work the crossword puzzle in the yesterday's newspaper. It is supposed to begin raining sometime today and rain till sometime in the morning. I guess my daughter, Teresa, is already getting rain down in Alabama right now, since it is supposed to be coming from that way.
Well, this is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for now. More later. Much love to each of you, my friends and family. Bye for now.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Tough Night
Hey, Y'all,
I thought morning would be a long time coming this morning, and it was. I don't really feel I have had a good night's sleep, because I woke up around 2 something this morning and Gramps was not in bed. I hollered and said,"Honey, where are you?" He replied, "In the bathroom". "Are you okay?" "Yes".
I laid back down and waited awhile and must have drifted back to sleep.
Another thirty minutes passed, and I sat up again. I hollered again, and he replied that he was in the living room and had been reading the Bible. I said, "Come back to bed and then you can read it tomorrow. You need to sleep now."
He replied that he was lying down and was going to sleep on the couch. I said, "You can't sleep on the couch, because I am working on my quilt there, and the quilt is on the couch."
He said, "I'm on the other couch."
Well, folks, the other couch is a love seat, and so I got up and went into the living room and there he was lying on his back, curled up on the love seat with a pillow on top of him as a cover. I got him up and back to bed. He told me it was getting crowded in the living room with all those other people in there.
When he got into his bed, I was asking him who the other people were that were in the living room. He told me that he didn't know who they were, but they just crawled in a few at a time.
After he got covered up, he kept raising his head to look at the clock to see what time it was. I finally got him to go back to sleep, but my night was shot to pieces, and now he is sound asleep, and I am up. ha.
We are going into Knoxville later today to do Movie day with Mae and Imazo. Last evening, I decided to preview the movie I had decided to take today. Well! It is a good thing that I did. The movie I had selected was "The Christmas Shoes". THAT would have been a big mistake. It is a saaaaaaaaad movie, but has a sweet ending. However, it is not the movie to take for three emotional women to watch. For those of you who do not know, it is based on the country music song, "Christmas Shoes", about a boy whose mother is dying, and he wants to buy a pair of Christmas shoes for his mother to wear to meet Jesus. It also involves a family who is having troubles because the parents are not communicating. The father in that family winds up helping the boy to pay for the shoes. The mother who is dying helps her son and her husband to deal with her death to come. For those of you who may not know, or who have forgotten, my sister, Margaret passed away right after Christmas two years ago, my brother,John, passed away a year ago, and my brother, Hugh, (Imazo's husband)passed away in January and was ill at Christmas. I decided to take a western in instead to watch today.
The weather here this morning is cold, but clear.Gramps just got up, so the day has begun. When I got back yesterday from Wally World, he was up, but hadn't eaten. I saw his bowl of cheerios on the table, and wondered, "what gives?". Well, it seems that we had emptied a bottle of milk the day before and he couldn't get the top off of the new bottle in the fridge. He was sitting in the living room and watching tevee. I asked how long he had been up and he replied it had been about an hour. Bless his heart. Well, I learned I can't leave a new bottle of milk unopened, and not be here.
His therapist, Tom, came yesterday afternoon, and brought a new girl who is "learning the ropes". Her name is Rebecca, and she is a lovely young lady. We have enjoyed Tom coming to work with Gramps, and he never runs out of conversation. I know that from what he says, he grew up experiencing a lot of the same things we did.
Please pray for my friend, Carolyn, and her mom and dad. Carolyn's dad is suffering from Altzheimer's disease and has broken a hip. He has stopped eating and perhaps just wants to "go home" to be with Jesus. Thank you for your prayers that God's will be done.
Well, gotta go check on Gramps and have our breakfast. He eats cheerios, and I have hot oatmeal with walnuts, raisins, and cinnamon. This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for the day. Much love to each of you. More later. Bye for now.
I thought morning would be a long time coming this morning, and it was. I don't really feel I have had a good night's sleep, because I woke up around 2 something this morning and Gramps was not in bed. I hollered and said,"Honey, where are you?" He replied, "In the bathroom". "Are you okay?" "Yes".
I laid back down and waited awhile and must have drifted back to sleep.
Another thirty minutes passed, and I sat up again. I hollered again, and he replied that he was in the living room and had been reading the Bible. I said, "Come back to bed and then you can read it tomorrow. You need to sleep now."
He replied that he was lying down and was going to sleep on the couch. I said, "You can't sleep on the couch, because I am working on my quilt there, and the quilt is on the couch."
He said, "I'm on the other couch."
Well, folks, the other couch is a love seat, and so I got up and went into the living room and there he was lying on his back, curled up on the love seat with a pillow on top of him as a cover. I got him up and back to bed. He told me it was getting crowded in the living room with all those other people in there.
When he got into his bed, I was asking him who the other people were that were in the living room. He told me that he didn't know who they were, but they just crawled in a few at a time.
After he got covered up, he kept raising his head to look at the clock to see what time it was. I finally got him to go back to sleep, but my night was shot to pieces, and now he is sound asleep, and I am up. ha.
We are going into Knoxville later today to do Movie day with Mae and Imazo. Last evening, I decided to preview the movie I had decided to take today. Well! It is a good thing that I did. The movie I had selected was "The Christmas Shoes". THAT would have been a big mistake. It is a saaaaaaaaad movie, but has a sweet ending. However, it is not the movie to take for three emotional women to watch. For those of you who do not know, it is based on the country music song, "Christmas Shoes", about a boy whose mother is dying, and he wants to buy a pair of Christmas shoes for his mother to wear to meet Jesus. It also involves a family who is having troubles because the parents are not communicating. The father in that family winds up helping the boy to pay for the shoes. The mother who is dying helps her son and her husband to deal with her death to come. For those of you who may not know, or who have forgotten, my sister, Margaret passed away right after Christmas two years ago, my brother,John, passed away a year ago, and my brother, Hugh, (Imazo's husband)passed away in January and was ill at Christmas. I decided to take a western in instead to watch today.
The weather here this morning is cold, but clear.Gramps just got up, so the day has begun. When I got back yesterday from Wally World, he was up, but hadn't eaten. I saw his bowl of cheerios on the table, and wondered, "what gives?". Well, it seems that we had emptied a bottle of milk the day before and he couldn't get the top off of the new bottle in the fridge. He was sitting in the living room and watching tevee. I asked how long he had been up and he replied it had been about an hour. Bless his heart. Well, I learned I can't leave a new bottle of milk unopened, and not be here.
His therapist, Tom, came yesterday afternoon, and brought a new girl who is "learning the ropes". Her name is Rebecca, and she is a lovely young lady. We have enjoyed Tom coming to work with Gramps, and he never runs out of conversation. I know that from what he says, he grew up experiencing a lot of the same things we did.
Please pray for my friend, Carolyn, and her mom and dad. Carolyn's dad is suffering from Altzheimer's disease and has broken a hip. He has stopped eating and perhaps just wants to "go home" to be with Jesus. Thank you for your prayers that God's will be done.
Well, gotta go check on Gramps and have our breakfast. He eats cheerios, and I have hot oatmeal with walnuts, raisins, and cinnamon. This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for the day. Much love to each of you. More later. Bye for now.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
MIddle of the Work Week
Hey, Y'all,
Yesterday was a really busy day and I still didn't get it all done that I intended to do. I was up early (about 7a.m.) and was dressed and had breakfast by 8:30. I had great intentions to carry off the trash, go to Dandridge to pick up my sewing machine, stop at Walmart, stop at the grocery store, and stop at the drug store to pick up a prescription.
By 9:30, after having talked to the sew n' vac repairman in Dandridge to see that my machine was ready, I loaded up the trash and headed to the New Market Dumpsters. I had left the coffee ready to be turned on to drip and make by Gramps, and had set out his cereal and bowl, with the spoon in it. Of course, he was still in bed.
By a little past 10 a.m. I was talking to the repairman in Dandridge, and discovered that the machine was beyond repair without spending another 500-600 above the 125 that I already owed for the time he had spent taking it apart and putting it back together. Another hour and I was coming back home to get the quilt and show him the stitch I had been sewing. I had already decided to order a machine from him (now don't be saying, "Oh, man, she got taken in!". It ain't so.
The upshot was that when I went home to get the quilt, I also brought back the rest of the machine (embroidery part) and the book, so that he could get whatever he could for it. He also showed me how I could embroider free style using a regular zigzag machine. The machine that I took in cost close to a thousand dollars new, and it was not worth another 600 to put into it. The problem with it was the circuit board inside the machine that controls about everything concerning the stitches. The machine I ordered is a Necchi, top of the line zigzag and for less than I paid for the Brother embroidery machine. I guess you could say it is my expensive Christmas gift to me and to those who will be receiving stitched goods from me. (not this year's stitched gifts)
Well, by 1:00, I was leaving the sew n' vac shop and on my way back to Jefferson City, being somewhat lighter in my purse (ha), and stopped at Food City to pick up some groceries. Can you believe that I only missed getting one item on my list? I accidentally left the list in the car.
I had taken my buggy out and was getting the groceries put into my car when one of the baggers (I think he is as old as I am or pretty near it) and took over loading my car. I thought, "Well, now I know that 'you know you are considered to be old when someone as old as you are comes out to help you load your groceries into your car'" Ha ha.
By the time I got through there and stopped at the drug store drive through, it was close to 3 p.m., and I was dog-tired. I had missed lunch, and so by the time I got home and got the groceries unloaded and put away, it was 3:30. I heated a piece of left-over pizza and poured a glass of milk, and sat down with a paperback book and just rested and ate.
I went into the living room then and called Imazo to let her know that we were okay (she had called while I was out), and then I sat down on the couch, and before I knew it, I was waking up about 45 minutes later.
Our good friend, Mark, came over about 5:30 or so, and had some soup and sandwich with us. I had a chance to talk to my good friend, David, whose son I had tutored when the son, Taylor, was in first and second grades. Taylor is now in the eighth grade and having problems with Algebra. I reached back into my memory about 63 years and helped him solve one of the problems.
By the time that Mark left, I was ready to rest some more,and watched one of my favorite programs (slept through part of it) and decided it was time to go to bed. BIG mistake. After getting about 6 hours sleep, from then on it was sleep a while and then look at the clock, and then try to sleep some more. I realized last night that I was not as recovered from surgery as I thought I was. I guess my strength has not fully recovered, but I know it is on its way. Thank you, Jesus, for giving me strength to do what I need to.
Already this morning I have cleaned the kitchen (too tired last night) and am posting my blog. Good for me! Ha. It is only 7 a.m. and I am going to go have my breakfast and then get dressed for the day and make my sojourn to Wally World. Haven't done ANY Christmas shopping to amount to anything yet. I may take a nap this afternoon. I think I hear the man up and in the bathroom. Will he stay up? Who knows!
We had some wonderful rain last night, blowing and storming.I love that kind of weather at night, don't you? It is clear this morning. I looked out at 6 a.m. and saw stars twinkling in the sky and the temperature is in the 50's. I think it is supposed to turn colder this afternoon and tonight again.
Well, this is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for today. More later. Much love to all of you. Bye for now.
Yesterday was a really busy day and I still didn't get it all done that I intended to do. I was up early (about 7a.m.) and was dressed and had breakfast by 8:30. I had great intentions to carry off the trash, go to Dandridge to pick up my sewing machine, stop at Walmart, stop at the grocery store, and stop at the drug store to pick up a prescription.
By 9:30, after having talked to the sew n' vac repairman in Dandridge to see that my machine was ready, I loaded up the trash and headed to the New Market Dumpsters. I had left the coffee ready to be turned on to drip and make by Gramps, and had set out his cereal and bowl, with the spoon in it. Of course, he was still in bed.
By a little past 10 a.m. I was talking to the repairman in Dandridge, and discovered that the machine was beyond repair without spending another 500-600 above the 125 that I already owed for the time he had spent taking it apart and putting it back together. Another hour and I was coming back home to get the quilt and show him the stitch I had been sewing. I had already decided to order a machine from him (now don't be saying, "Oh, man, she got taken in!". It ain't so.
The upshot was that when I went home to get the quilt, I also brought back the rest of the machine (embroidery part) and the book, so that he could get whatever he could for it. He also showed me how I could embroider free style using a regular zigzag machine. The machine that I took in cost close to a thousand dollars new, and it was not worth another 600 to put into it. The problem with it was the circuit board inside the machine that controls about everything concerning the stitches. The machine I ordered is a Necchi, top of the line zigzag and for less than I paid for the Brother embroidery machine. I guess you could say it is my expensive Christmas gift to me and to those who will be receiving stitched goods from me. (not this year's stitched gifts)
Well, by 1:00, I was leaving the sew n' vac shop and on my way back to Jefferson City, being somewhat lighter in my purse (ha), and stopped at Food City to pick up some groceries. Can you believe that I only missed getting one item on my list? I accidentally left the list in the car.
I had taken my buggy out and was getting the groceries put into my car when one of the baggers (I think he is as old as I am or pretty near it) and took over loading my car. I thought, "Well, now I know that 'you know you are considered to be old when someone as old as you are comes out to help you load your groceries into your car'" Ha ha.
By the time I got through there and stopped at the drug store drive through, it was close to 3 p.m., and I was dog-tired. I had missed lunch, and so by the time I got home and got the groceries unloaded and put away, it was 3:30. I heated a piece of left-over pizza and poured a glass of milk, and sat down with a paperback book and just rested and ate.
I went into the living room then and called Imazo to let her know that we were okay (she had called while I was out), and then I sat down on the couch, and before I knew it, I was waking up about 45 minutes later.
Our good friend, Mark, came over about 5:30 or so, and had some soup and sandwich with us. I had a chance to talk to my good friend, David, whose son I had tutored when the son, Taylor, was in first and second grades. Taylor is now in the eighth grade and having problems with Algebra. I reached back into my memory about 63 years and helped him solve one of the problems.
By the time that Mark left, I was ready to rest some more,and watched one of my favorite programs (slept through part of it) and decided it was time to go to bed. BIG mistake. After getting about 6 hours sleep, from then on it was sleep a while and then look at the clock, and then try to sleep some more. I realized last night that I was not as recovered from surgery as I thought I was. I guess my strength has not fully recovered, but I know it is on its way. Thank you, Jesus, for giving me strength to do what I need to.
Already this morning I have cleaned the kitchen (too tired last night) and am posting my blog. Good for me! Ha. It is only 7 a.m. and I am going to go have my breakfast and then get dressed for the day and make my sojourn to Wally World. Haven't done ANY Christmas shopping to amount to anything yet. I may take a nap this afternoon. I think I hear the man up and in the bathroom. Will he stay up? Who knows!
We had some wonderful rain last night, blowing and storming.I love that kind of weather at night, don't you? It is clear this morning. I looked out at 6 a.m. and saw stars twinkling in the sky and the temperature is in the 50's. I think it is supposed to turn colder this afternoon and tonight again.
Well, this is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for today. More later. Much love to all of you. Bye for now.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Seeing the Possibilities
Hey, Y'all,
Last night I was able to go to our church for the evening services, even though I have difficulties seeing to drive at night. I have decided that when I can, even though it is too cool for Gramps to get out, I will go on Sunday evenings. It is possible, so I will do so.
Since I am a Baptist, and this is December, it is the month when we give money to support foreign missions to the Lottie Moon Christmas offering. Missions have always been very dear to my heart. The speaker last night, Dr. Danny Hinson, along with his wife, Jan, was a foreign missionary for eighteen years to Japan and other countries in Asia. Dr. Hinson is the director of International Studies at Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City. He told of their difficulties in learning languages, and of how many people who have never heard of Jesus, not even having heard His name. He also told of how very hungry the people are to hear the word of God, and to know His promises and the truth of them. To see the possibilities of life, they are so hungry.
I was reminded of the time when I was eighteen years old, just graduated from high school, and had the opportunity to go to YWA (Young Women's Auxiliary) camp at Ridgecrest, in North Carolina. YWA is a branch of Women's Missionary Union, and a Baptist function. My way was paid by the ladies of our church at New Market. I know there were not a lot of them, but it was so wonderful of them. Some of them were: Mrs. Ruth Rader, Mrs. Nettie Ivy, Mrs. Lynne French, Mrs. Evelyn Roach, Mrs. Imogene Berry. They have all gone on to their reward, but they saw the possibilities it would provide for me.
The week at Ridgecrest was wonderful and an unforgettable experience for me. It was the first time I had ever been away from home overnight for more than a day, and also the first time I had ever been out of state. Needless to say, I got a little homesick, but not terribly so. It was there that I first had any positive attention from a boy, and I guess you could say I had my first date there. One of the boys who worked at the camp took a shine to me and we walked to the camp store and he bought ice cream for the two of us. The flavor of mine was banana, and I discovered that I did not like banana ice cream. I tried to surreptitiously dispose of mine, but I think maybe he saw me toss it aside. We were supposed to meet the next day to go on a hike at around 3 in the afternoon. It would have provided great possibilities for me to get to know him better and to have a lot of fun.
However, the next day, the girls met Kathleen Manley, who had been a missionary nurse to darkest Africa and had written a book about her mission work called, "The Back Side of Nowhere". She spoke to us, and we were enthralled with her story. She chose several of us to perhaps take part in a program later that evening. We went with her while she talked about what would be done. Unfortunately, while we were meeting with her, the time passed that I was supposed to have gone to meet for the hike with Dusty (the young man's nickname), and when I saw him again later that day, he was so mad at me. Well, that was the end of that romance. ha. But I was not heartbroken for too long. I was still thinking about Kathleen Manley and the possibilities that she presented.
After the week was over and I headed back home, I was filled with all kinds of great memories. When I did get home and had time to think about it, I knew that I had had a life-changing experience. One night I dreamed about being a missionary, and when I woke up, I believed that God had been calling me to become a missionary. The next Sunday morning, I went down to the altar at the end of the service and stated that I had felt the call to become a missionary. I saw endless possibilities to serve God.
My mom did not agree with me (I know she was worried for me) and said I would have to go to college before I could even apply to be a missionary. I knew we didn't have the money for me to go to college, so I put it on hold. Later that summer I went to Knoxville and got a job through the sister of one of my aunts (my Aunt Lil). The work was at the credit bureau, and it only lasted for about 6 months (until I met my first husband, Charlie). I had thought I would be working there for a long time, and saw all kinds of possibilities.
You may wonder where this is going...I found out during my life that I could serve the Lord in many ways. I've worked in Bible schools at church, I have also led GA's and RA's, taught Sunday School, sung in the choir, led choirs, and many other things. I also had the opportunity in my 60's to go on two mission trips to Brazil. It was wonderful. I have discovered that the possibilities to serve our Lord are endless. The Great Commission applies to all Christians. Serve wherever you are and never stop telling about Jesus. If you but look, you can see the possibilities for serving Him wherever you are.
UPDATE on Richard:
Pam called me to let me know that Richard is at home and continuing to improve. He had to go back once, after he was having some tightness in his chest. They cleared out the blockage in the artery that they were delaying doing, and he once again was at home, and I am sure they are all happy to have him there. Praise God that he is doing so well now. Thank you for all your prayers in their behalf.
Well, this is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for now. Much love to each of you. Bye for now. More later.
Last night I was able to go to our church for the evening services, even though I have difficulties seeing to drive at night. I have decided that when I can, even though it is too cool for Gramps to get out, I will go on Sunday evenings. It is possible, so I will do so.
Since I am a Baptist, and this is December, it is the month when we give money to support foreign missions to the Lottie Moon Christmas offering. Missions have always been very dear to my heart. The speaker last night, Dr. Danny Hinson, along with his wife, Jan, was a foreign missionary for eighteen years to Japan and other countries in Asia. Dr. Hinson is the director of International Studies at Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City. He told of their difficulties in learning languages, and of how many people who have never heard of Jesus, not even having heard His name. He also told of how very hungry the people are to hear the word of God, and to know His promises and the truth of them. To see the possibilities of life, they are so hungry.
I was reminded of the time when I was eighteen years old, just graduated from high school, and had the opportunity to go to YWA (Young Women's Auxiliary) camp at Ridgecrest, in North Carolina. YWA is a branch of Women's Missionary Union, and a Baptist function. My way was paid by the ladies of our church at New Market. I know there were not a lot of them, but it was so wonderful of them. Some of them were: Mrs. Ruth Rader, Mrs. Nettie Ivy, Mrs. Lynne French, Mrs. Evelyn Roach, Mrs. Imogene Berry. They have all gone on to their reward, but they saw the possibilities it would provide for me.
The week at Ridgecrest was wonderful and an unforgettable experience for me. It was the first time I had ever been away from home overnight for more than a day, and also the first time I had ever been out of state. Needless to say, I got a little homesick, but not terribly so. It was there that I first had any positive attention from a boy, and I guess you could say I had my first date there. One of the boys who worked at the camp took a shine to me and we walked to the camp store and he bought ice cream for the two of us. The flavor of mine was banana, and I discovered that I did not like banana ice cream. I tried to surreptitiously dispose of mine, but I think maybe he saw me toss it aside. We were supposed to meet the next day to go on a hike at around 3 in the afternoon. It would have provided great possibilities for me to get to know him better and to have a lot of fun.
However, the next day, the girls met Kathleen Manley, who had been a missionary nurse to darkest Africa and had written a book about her mission work called, "The Back Side of Nowhere". She spoke to us, and we were enthralled with her story. She chose several of us to perhaps take part in a program later that evening. We went with her while she talked about what would be done. Unfortunately, while we were meeting with her, the time passed that I was supposed to have gone to meet for the hike with Dusty (the young man's nickname), and when I saw him again later that day, he was so mad at me. Well, that was the end of that romance. ha. But I was not heartbroken for too long. I was still thinking about Kathleen Manley and the possibilities that she presented.
After the week was over and I headed back home, I was filled with all kinds of great memories. When I did get home and had time to think about it, I knew that I had had a life-changing experience. One night I dreamed about being a missionary, and when I woke up, I believed that God had been calling me to become a missionary. The next Sunday morning, I went down to the altar at the end of the service and stated that I had felt the call to become a missionary. I saw endless possibilities to serve God.
My mom did not agree with me (I know she was worried for me) and said I would have to go to college before I could even apply to be a missionary. I knew we didn't have the money for me to go to college, so I put it on hold. Later that summer I went to Knoxville and got a job through the sister of one of my aunts (my Aunt Lil). The work was at the credit bureau, and it only lasted for about 6 months (until I met my first husband, Charlie). I had thought I would be working there for a long time, and saw all kinds of possibilities.
You may wonder where this is going...I found out during my life that I could serve the Lord in many ways. I've worked in Bible schools at church, I have also led GA's and RA's, taught Sunday School, sung in the choir, led choirs, and many other things. I also had the opportunity in my 60's to go on two mission trips to Brazil. It was wonderful. I have discovered that the possibilities to serve our Lord are endless. The Great Commission applies to all Christians. Serve wherever you are and never stop telling about Jesus. If you but look, you can see the possibilities for serving Him wherever you are.
UPDATE on Richard:
Pam called me to let me know that Richard is at home and continuing to improve. He had to go back once, after he was having some tightness in his chest. They cleared out the blockage in the artery that they were delaying doing, and he once again was at home, and I am sure they are all happy to have him there. Praise God that he is doing so well now. Thank you for all your prayers in their behalf.
Well, this is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for now. Much love to each of you. Bye for now. More later.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
A Special Day
Hey, Y'all,
A story for you: The year was 1952, exactly 57 years ago. The two women walked carefully along the sidewalk, because of the snow on the ground. It was afternoon, and the younger of the two had an appointment with the doctor. The young women were both petite, and the younger one was heavy with child. They were bundled warmly against the cold, bitter wind that was blowing across the icy sidewalk. When they reached the bus stop, the older one assisted the younger in getting onto the bus.
After several minutes travel on the bus, they exited the bus downtown and crossed the street carefully to the office building where the doctor's office was located. The pregnant young woman was filled with excitement and anxiety, not knowing exactly what was ahead of her.
Upon reaching the doctor's office, the expectant mother was told that she would be delivered of her child (still not knowing the sex of the child) by Cesarean section that evening at the St.Joseph's Hospital. She was told that due to her small-framed body, it would be safer for both her and the child. She and her husband had chosen two names. If the child was a boy, he was to be named Gordon, and if a girl, Carol Deanna. Carol was a feminine form of Charles, and Deanna was because the mother really liked a movie star named Deanna Durbin. I looked her up online and found she is still living. She is 87 years old. Can you believe it?
Later that evening, with the older woman, Margaret, (sister to the younger woman, Ruby), waiting in the surgical waiting room, the father came to the hospital after getting off from work, and the two waited while Carol was delivered to Ruby at 9 p.m. The doctor later told the parents and aunt that Carol Deanna was born crying. Carol has been blessing family and friends with words and affection ever since.
The next evening, her Uncle Harold came with her aunt and father to visit babe and Mother, Ruby, with stories of how they got lost driving over and of going the wrong way on a one-way street, making Ruby laugh and making her belly hurt from the surgery. The doctor had told her that she awakened from the surgery saying, "Oh, my tummy, oh, my tummy! It hurts!"
I was in the hospital for a week, and it was a Catholic hospital in Indiana. I was far away from home and parents and other family (except for my sister, who had come up to help me during this time). The nights were long in the hospital, because at 9 p.m., visitors were sent home and the lights were out in the hallways. The nuns would walk up and down the hallways carrying candles or some kind of lights, and it was scary. (I had never seen a nun before that time). I really missed the mountains and people of East Tennessee, and had never been in the hospital for anything in my life. What a new experience it all was for me!
Yes, this is the story of how my oldest daughter, Carol, came into this world, fifty-seven years ago. All those in attendance, except for Carol and I, have gone on to their rewards, and only we are left to tell the story. Of course, Carol doesn't remember this part. There is a lot more I could tell about this time in our lives, but I will save it for another day.
Happy Birthday, daughter! The name Carol means "song of joy", and she is. We love you, Carol.
Pictures: top: Margaret, Ruby, Harold (Uncle and brother to father),Carol
next one is: Carol and little sister, Teresa (aren't they just the cutest?) my favorite picture of them.
below that is: Next one down is Ruby, Charlie and little Carol being held like a sack of potatoes. (poor kid)
next down is Carol at age of 3 months
Then is one of Carol and her family (Whew!) Isn't it wonderful to have such a large family?
Next are picture of her's and Daryl's grandchildren, followed by pic of Carol with her car.
We had snow here last night, just enough to blanket the ground. It is really pretty. Gramps got up in the middle of the night the other night trying to see it snow.
He woke up while ago before I got up, and said, "where's the nearest bathroom?". I turned on the bedside lamp and directed him. When he left the bathroom he looked into my workroom and said, "you have a junkroom in there.". Ha. that lets you know what it looks like to him. I told him it was my workroom where I sew and craft and compute. He said, "oh, okay".
He came back into the room and apologized for coming into the room and disturbing me. I said, "no bother, this is your room too, and there is your bed." So he climbed into his bed, and I rearranged the covers that he had pulled loose and covered him up. I told him that I had been sleeping next to him for the past 33 years, and he went back to sleep. Dear Gramps! What a love he is.
Well, that is about it for today. We didn't get to go into Knoxville this week, but maybe next week if the weather cooperates and we feel like it. This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for today. More soon. Much love to all of you. Bye for now.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Delayed
Hey, Y'all,
What is delayed, you may ask. Well, the day before yesterday, I was doing pretty good stitching along on my little sewing machine which also does embroidery. I was doing a decorative stitch, reinforcing the binding that I had put on Will's quilt so that it would add to the beauty of it. After breaking the second machine needle on that particular step in the quilt making, the needle's thread started breaking every few stitches. I opened the plate under the needle and cleaned out all the lint I could find. Tried it again. No luck. After I got the thread to stop breaking, then the machine began making only half of the design.
After quite of reading the instruction book (no help there),I changed needles again, and put in a smaller size, and when that didn't work, I finally gave up and called a place in Dandridge that repairs machines, and he told me to bring it over.
I took it over and he called me later in the day and asked me if it was worth over $125 to me to have it repaired. I told him that I paid over 900 dollars for it, and I didn't want to have to replace it. He told me the $125 would probably cover the labor of taking it apart. He seemed to know what was wrong with it, and described the problem to me. Something loose down under the bobbin case that is not catching the needle's thread properly seemed to be the problem.
So, I went back to doing the hand stitching on the quilt on each square. I finished another square yesterday. That only leaves 23 of them to do yet. I had finished all but part of one side of the decorative stitching around the edge of the quilt.
Well, Gramps is up today, and it is not quite 8 a.m. We went to bed last night around midnight, and he seems to be staying up longer during the day. That is good. He seems to have good days and some not so good. He stubbed a toe sometime during the night before last, and it was bleeding yesterday during the day. We put some peroxide on it and he put a bandage on it. I will check it out today and see how it is doing. He can't afford to lose a toe, having only a half foot of the other foot. He needs all the balance he can get.
He may have a therapist's visit today. I need to get him into the shower this morning some time. He just doesn't like to do showers, but we don't always get what we like, I reckon. ha.
Well, he is checking his blood sugar right now, and will soon be ready to eat. This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for now..More later. Love to each of you. Bye for now.
What is delayed, you may ask. Well, the day before yesterday, I was doing pretty good stitching along on my little sewing machine which also does embroidery. I was doing a decorative stitch, reinforcing the binding that I had put on Will's quilt so that it would add to the beauty of it. After breaking the second machine needle on that particular step in the quilt making, the needle's thread started breaking every few stitches. I opened the plate under the needle and cleaned out all the lint I could find. Tried it again. No luck. After I got the thread to stop breaking, then the machine began making only half of the design.
After quite of reading the instruction book (no help there),I changed needles again, and put in a smaller size, and when that didn't work, I finally gave up and called a place in Dandridge that repairs machines, and he told me to bring it over.
I took it over and he called me later in the day and asked me if it was worth over $125 to me to have it repaired. I told him that I paid over 900 dollars for it, and I didn't want to have to replace it. He told me the $125 would probably cover the labor of taking it apart. He seemed to know what was wrong with it, and described the problem to me. Something loose down under the bobbin case that is not catching the needle's thread properly seemed to be the problem.
So, I went back to doing the hand stitching on the quilt on each square. I finished another square yesterday. That only leaves 23 of them to do yet. I had finished all but part of one side of the decorative stitching around the edge of the quilt.
Well, Gramps is up today, and it is not quite 8 a.m. We went to bed last night around midnight, and he seems to be staying up longer during the day. That is good. He seems to have good days and some not so good. He stubbed a toe sometime during the night before last, and it was bleeding yesterday during the day. We put some peroxide on it and he put a bandage on it. I will check it out today and see how it is doing. He can't afford to lose a toe, having only a half foot of the other foot. He needs all the balance he can get.
He may have a therapist's visit today. I need to get him into the shower this morning some time. He just doesn't like to do showers, but we don't always get what we like, I reckon. ha.
Well, he is checking his blood sugar right now, and will soon be ready to eat. This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for now..More later. Love to each of you. Bye for now.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Caught Up
Hey, Y'all,
Another full moon last night shone in a night sky and millions of stars twinkled in accompaniment to its light. When daylight came, there was a huge frost that covered the ground like a baby snow. It was beautiful. I was up before daylight came, and barefooted it into the kitchen to begin my day. I caught up on my laundry this morning, I cleaned out the old leftovers and gathered together the trash, bagging it up in preparation for carting it off to the local dumpster/compactor. I also stopped at the post office to mail a small package for daughter, Carol's, birthday on Saturday.
I was finished with breakfast and also with emptying the dishwasher before 8:30. I was feeling great today. I did the vacuuming yesterday morning, and we had three home health care visitors yesterday. One was to discharge Gramps from the occupational therapy, another was the physical therapist who evaluated him to see if he could benefit from another round of PT, and the last was the nurse who certified that he would be getting another 60 days of PT (Physical Therapy). Whew! We certainly had our share of visitors yesterday by 2:00 p.m.
We also got to see our niece, Donna and Gramps' sister, Bonnie Jean, who came to visit around 4:30 and stayed for about 45 minutes. I hope they will be able to stay longer the next time they visit. Donna is the major caregiver of Bonnie, since Bonnie is no longer able to live alone. Bonnie is very fortunate to have such good care. We all know that the life of a caregiver is not always smooth sailing, but is rewarding in its own way.
UPDATE on Richard (Pam's husband)
It seems he is off the ventilator, and was able to call home and talk to his wife and their granddaughters, Hannah and Haley. They absolutely love their grandpa to pieces and I am sure were delighted to hear from him in person. Please continue to keep them in your prayers, because he isn't out of the woods yet, but close to the border of them.
We had a lovely visit from our good friends (and adopted family) Mark and Allie, this afternoon. She has had a terrible cough and congestion for the last three weeks.She saw her dr. this afternoon and the doc said that she has bronchitis and pewmony, and gave her some highpowered antibiotics to take.
Gramps was in bed until a little afternoon today, so he had not been up for more than an hour and a half when the PT came to see him to give him some exercise.
I had to prepare supper a little early today, so we ate about 5:00 p.m.. I fixed potato cakes from leftover mashed potatoes, made some salmon patties, and reheated some green beans that were still good. I guess we will have some dessert in a little while. (I just stopped Gramps from putting away his choppers for the night). ha. We have some leftover cake from last night and we will have that with some ice cream to accompany it. I guess I will need to make some coffee to go with it, too. We had homemade pizza last night too which was pretty good, I think.
Well, tomorrow morning I plan to begin working on Will's quilt again. I have taken a few days off from it to give my fingers and back a rest.
This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for today. More later. Much love to each of you. Bye for now.
Another full moon last night shone in a night sky and millions of stars twinkled in accompaniment to its light. When daylight came, there was a huge frost that covered the ground like a baby snow. It was beautiful. I was up before daylight came, and barefooted it into the kitchen to begin my day. I caught up on my laundry this morning, I cleaned out the old leftovers and gathered together the trash, bagging it up in preparation for carting it off to the local dumpster/compactor. I also stopped at the post office to mail a small package for daughter, Carol's, birthday on Saturday.
I was finished with breakfast and also with emptying the dishwasher before 8:30. I was feeling great today. I did the vacuuming yesterday morning, and we had three home health care visitors yesterday. One was to discharge Gramps from the occupational therapy, another was the physical therapist who evaluated him to see if he could benefit from another round of PT, and the last was the nurse who certified that he would be getting another 60 days of PT (Physical Therapy). Whew! We certainly had our share of visitors yesterday by 2:00 p.m.
We also got to see our niece, Donna and Gramps' sister, Bonnie Jean, who came to visit around 4:30 and stayed for about 45 minutes. I hope they will be able to stay longer the next time they visit. Donna is the major caregiver of Bonnie, since Bonnie is no longer able to live alone. Bonnie is very fortunate to have such good care. We all know that the life of a caregiver is not always smooth sailing, but is rewarding in its own way.
UPDATE on Richard (Pam's husband)
It seems he is off the ventilator, and was able to call home and talk to his wife and their granddaughters, Hannah and Haley. They absolutely love their grandpa to pieces and I am sure were delighted to hear from him in person. Please continue to keep them in your prayers, because he isn't out of the woods yet, but close to the border of them.
We had a lovely visit from our good friends (and adopted family) Mark and Allie, this afternoon. She has had a terrible cough and congestion for the last three weeks.She saw her dr. this afternoon and the doc said that she has bronchitis and pewmony, and gave her some highpowered antibiotics to take.
Gramps was in bed until a little afternoon today, so he had not been up for more than an hour and a half when the PT came to see him to give him some exercise.
I had to prepare supper a little early today, so we ate about 5:00 p.m.. I fixed potato cakes from leftover mashed potatoes, made some salmon patties, and reheated some green beans that were still good. I guess we will have some dessert in a little while. (I just stopped Gramps from putting away his choppers for the night). ha. We have some leftover cake from last night and we will have that with some ice cream to accompany it. I guess I will need to make some coffee to go with it, too. We had homemade pizza last night too which was pretty good, I think.
Well, tomorrow morning I plan to begin working on Will's quilt again. I have taken a few days off from it to give my fingers and back a rest.
This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for today. More later. Much love to each of you. Bye for now.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Happy Birthday to Matthew
Hey, Y'all,
Today is the birthday of our grandson, Matthew, and he is 25 today. I have heard it said that one's brain doesn't mature until that person reaches the age of 25. If that is true, then congratulations are truly in order for Matt! Personally, I think his brain has been quite mature for a while from many of the posts I have read of his. Matt, I hope this is a lovely day for you and one you will remember for a long time.
It has been a year and a half since I have seen Matt, but I do occasionally see pictures of him and his girl, Amy. I look forward to seeing them sometime in the spring. I also look forward to seeing the rest of the family (as does Gramps, as well.)
Speaking of Gramps, he and I had a regular breakfast this morning. I try to see that we have eggs, bacon (or ham for him when I have it), biscuits and gravy (and of course, coffee) once a week for breakfast. On other mornings he has his Cheerios, and I have my hot oatmeal with raisins, and walnuts along with a piece of toast.
After I cleaned the kitchen, I went into the living room and told Gramps that I was going down to get the paper. He wanted to know why our neighbor had so many tin cans in his yard. I looked out and saw water on the leaves, shining in the sunlight. We had a pretty heavy frost last night, and by the time he looked out, the frost was gone, leaving only water on the ground. That was what he thought were tin cans shining. Then I walked down to the road and got our Sunday paper. Last night was a clear night and when I looked out the window at 3 a.m., I saw the full moon shining brightly in the night sky. When I looked out about 6 a.m., I could no longer see the moon, but saw light from millions of tiny twinkling stars.
We are still eating left over turkey as sandwiches. They are mighty good, too. We also still have left over pumpkin pie and apple cobbler. The apple cobbler is really good when I reheat it in the microwave for a short time and then add vanilla ice cream to it. I love the pumpkin pie, too, with cool whip on top. YUM!
I am posting a picture of my family in Texas (and Illinois) which I lifted from my son-in-law's blog, and put on my computer of their Thanksgiving holiday and also celebration of Matt's birthday. Matt is the one in the white shirt, and his girl, Amy, is on the couch almost directly in front of him (she has long blonde hair).
People in the picture are: Left to right, back row: Grandson, Andrew; Son-in-law, Daryl; Grandson, Daryl; Ben, Emily's boyfriend; Granddaughter, Emily; Grandson, Matt;
Front row, left to right: Austin,( son to Dan and Whit) ; Julia (wife to Andrew) holding their daughter, Alyssa; Our daughter, Carol, (wife to Daryl) Ellie, (daughter of Dan & Whit); Whitney, wife of Daniel, holding their son Noah; Amy, Matt's girl; and Hannah, standing to the right, is Dan and Whit's oldest daughter. Naturally all the children are grandchildren of Carol and Daryl, and are our great grandchildren.
We are consumately proud of all of them and love them all dearly.
Friday, November 27, 2009
A Hardy Survivor
Hey, Y'all,
When I was headed down to the receptacle for our newspaper (which we get on Friday, Saturday and Sunday), I saw with surprise that one of my roses was still blooming. We have had some pretty cold nights recently, and it was a pleasant surprise, indeed. There were also some rosebuds, and not knowing how much longer they would last, I cut the rose and one of the larger and more open buds. I brought them in and placed them in a vase. As you can see from the picture, they are gracing our kitchen/dining room table. It was not long before I was sitting at the table with Gramps, having breakfast. Before I finished eating, I could smell the lovely scent of the rose. What a treat and a blessing! I looked at that rose and thought about what it took for that rose to survive the cold and the wind that blew constantly upon it. Isn't it wonderful that the God who gives us the grace and the hardiness to survive life's storms, also gives the same hardiness to the plants that he created to give beauty to our lives? Thank you, Lord!
Yesterday, we had dinner with Scott, Laurie, Mitch, Olivia and Gabriel, our neighbors. They brought with them the turkey (nicely roasted), mashed potatoes, squash, giblet gravy, jello with cranberries, and we already had here the green beans, rolls, dressing, pumpkin pies, and apple cobbler. Before we ate, Gramps and I recited the 100th Psalm, and then Scott led us in a prayer of Thanksgiving. Then we all dug in and had a great filling meal. We had set up the food in a buffet style on our kitchen counters because our table is not very large, and we are in really close communion around a table with 3 seats added to the four that originally came with the table. Not really crowded, just close. There is always room for more at our table.
After the lunch, (which we ate around 2:30), we cleared up the table, and loaded the dishwasher, took the table cloth off, and the guys (Scott and Gramps) retired to the living room to watch football. Laurie, the kids, and I sat down around the table to play games. We played a round of 'In a Pickle', and then played 'Apples to Apples'. By the time we were through with that game (which I won, by the way), it was time for them to leave. After splitting up the food so that we both families had some of each, they all gave me hugs and left. It had been a wonderful time for all of us.
A note on the Apple cobbler: what I did to flavor the filling, I used about a cup of orange/mango juice, a cup of flour, a half cup of sugar, some ground cloves, some ginger, (don't exactly know how much of them), mixed it all together, then added the thinly sliced apples (6 large granny smith, and 2 large gala that had been heated about 5 minutes in water on the stove after the slicing), which had been drained, and coated them with the mixture, and then poured it all into a pastry-lined 9x13 baking pan. I put some pats of butter on top in a few places. I topped it with strips of pastry and then baked it about an hour at 350 degrees. I didn't really time it, but just kind of kept my eyes on it while I worked on other stuff. It was delicious, by the way, and we will be having some more of it sometime today.
The dressing I made from cornbread that I baked early in the day (no, I didn't go back to bed yesterday morning), and from some slices of white bread that I dried in the oven at 170 degrees for a few minutes until it became hard. I crumbled both the breads and then chopped several pieces of celery and about 1/3 of a large vidalia onion, heating the onion and celery in a pan with a half stick of butter. I then added that to a bowl with 2 cans of swanson chicken broth and a cup of water, a cup of chopped english walnuts, a half/cup of dried cranberries, and some spices (dried parsley, rubbed sage, ground rosemary, ground thyme) all mixed together. Then I mixed everything together and pressed it into the pans and baked it at 350 degrees covered with aluminum foil and after about 30 minutes, I took off the foil and baked it another 15 or 20 minutes to brown some on top. I am an adventurous cook, I am afraid and rarely follow a recipe strictly. I guess that is how new recipes happen, hmmm?
Well, after the early awakening time yesterday, I went to bed around 8;30 and immediately crashed. I only woke up when I heard Gramps moving around in his bed in preparation to getting up to go for his early morning visit to the john. I got up and straightened his bed covers while he was in there. Then when he came back to the bedroom, I helped him cover up and then made my visit. I came back in and slept then until after 7 a.m. Yeay!
And folks, that is about it for today. It's been nice visiting with you. Thanks for reading my blog and much love to each of you. God is good all the time. Bye for now.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Early Morning Adventure
Hey, Y'all,
Happy Turkey Day to you all!
Dear Readers,
Early this morning, a new adventure in the Chronicles of Gramps...I was awakened at about 3:30 a.m. by a loud beeping sound. I sat up in bed and immediately thought FIRE Alarm. I got up and started through the house, looking for any sign of smoke or fire. Nothing. I got to the kitchen and saw the back door open and the porch light on. (I was running through the house in my nightgown and stocking feet). I went to the back door and looked out. There was someone sitting in my car just outside the door. I thought at first it was an old woman, because I could only see a profile, and I thought "wonder who is that old woman with the fuzzy looking hair". As I was looking and wondering, the driver's side of the car opened, and Gramps was revealed sitting there in the driver's seat.
I asked him, "What in the world are you doing out here?" He replied, "I was signaling for some help. I went to the bathroom, and was looking for the path. I was afraid the dogs were loose, so I got into the car and blew the horn." He had the flashlight in his right hand, and apparently had taken it with him outside or had found it in the car. I keep one in the rider's side of the car. (Thank goodness the neighbor has dogs that stay alert..otherwise, Gramps could be missing by now!)
"Did you use the bathroom outside?" I asked him. He answered, "No, I used it in there, but couldn't find the way back to the bed. I need some help."
I gave him my hand to hold on to to get him back into the house. He was in his stocking feet as well, and his feet are too tender to walk on even the carport or up the ramp. Anyway, I helped him back to bed, and covered him up and so now he is sleeping. What a way to wake up! (Thank you, Jesus, for looking after him for us!)
I tried to go back to sleep but couldn't, so I decided to go ahead and get started on baking the pies I should have baked last night, but was too tired to. Man! I was sleeping so good! I was kind of keyed up and had difficulty getting to sleep because I was anticipating what I had to do today. I KNEW I should have done my baking yesterday! Ha.
So at 4:30, I got up and began my baking. First, I baked the cornbread for the dressing I will be making later today, then got out the filling for the pumpkin pies. I mixed up the filling before going to bed, so it was ready to pour into the 2 pie shells. When I took out the cornbread, I put the pies into the oven because they were to begin baking at the same temperature as the cornbread baked.
Then when I started to begin the apple pies, I remembered I had used all the ground cinnamon that I had in the pumpkin pies, I realized I would have to wait until later to do the apple pies, and borrow some cinnamon from Laurie, or just substitute cloves. I may just be creative and use cloves and ginger and make an apple pan cobbler instead. We will see. Right now the pumpkin pies are baking at the reduced temperature of 350 degrees. I had to begin them at 425 and then turn down temp to 350 and cook an additional 45-50 minutes.
We had a really good time on Monday evening with Scott, Laurie and their 3 children. I had made a big pot of potato soup and we ate it all. Then we had the German chocolate cake and ate half of that and sent the rest home with them, because we certainly didn't need that, with Gramps being diabetic and me trying to keep my girlish figure. Ha.
Tuesday and Wednesday passed fairly uneventfully. Gramps' therapists came to see him and work with him, and we found out yesterday that they are discharging him for right now from Home Health care, because he has reached the potential for improvement. I can't tell any real difference in his strength, but maybe they can.
I did get my little 32"tall fiberoptic revolving Christmas tree out of the basement, along with the string of lights that go across my fireplace mantle. I also put together two end tables that I purchased at the "gettin' place" (Wally world). I placed the tree on one and the living room phone on the other one. I had borrowed the end table that the phone had been on in order to put it beside my bed so I could put the touch lamp on it.
I think I have told you about Gramps' obsession that he has some of his collectible cars in the basement and was insisting that he had seen them down there. When our neighbor's son, Mitch, came over yesterday to empty the water from the basement dehumidifier, I said, "Okay, let's go down and you can look for them (the cars)". So we very carefully went down the steps, he was holding on carefully to the railing on each side, and I followed him down. Mitch preceded us, and waited at the foot of the steps. When Gramps got down there, he looked around and said, "what happened to all the stuff that was down here?"
"This is all that was down here," I replied. "There wasn't anything else down here, but look around and you will see that there are no little cars down here." He proceeded to look at all the empty boxes that are stacked down there on the two folding tables. He finally agreed that there were no cars to be seen down there, but stated he would go back down anytime he wanted to. Well, as the saying goes, "Baby, that ain't gonna happen". As I told you earlier, there is now a padlock on the door to the basement, and I have the key on my keychain, and he has no idea where the key is to the padlock if he has even noticed the padlock.
An UPDATE on Pam's husband ----Donna called me last night about 10 p.m. with the news that they thought he had experienced a blood clot, but couldn't find evidence of one. However, they discovered that he has developed pneumonia, and so have put him back on the ventilator and are giving him medication for the pneumonia. Please continue to pray for them. It is a very difficult time for them. Their grandchildren, Hannah and Haley, think there is no one like their grandpa, and understandably are quite upset.
It is now closed to 6 a.m. and the pumpkin pies are almost done. I will be taking them out of the oven soon and maybe going back to bed for a while and see if I can sleep some more. This is Blabbin' Grammy wishing each of you a blessed Thanksgiving Day and signing off for now. Reports later on how this day progressed and finished up. Love to each of you, my friends. Bye for now.
Happy Turkey Day to you all!
Dear Readers,
Early this morning, a new adventure in the Chronicles of Gramps...I was awakened at about 3:30 a.m. by a loud beeping sound. I sat up in bed and immediately thought FIRE Alarm. I got up and started through the house, looking for any sign of smoke or fire. Nothing. I got to the kitchen and saw the back door open and the porch light on. (I was running through the house in my nightgown and stocking feet). I went to the back door and looked out. There was someone sitting in my car just outside the door. I thought at first it was an old woman, because I could only see a profile, and I thought "wonder who is that old woman with the fuzzy looking hair". As I was looking and wondering, the driver's side of the car opened, and Gramps was revealed sitting there in the driver's seat.
I asked him, "What in the world are you doing out here?" He replied, "I was signaling for some help. I went to the bathroom, and was looking for the path. I was afraid the dogs were loose, so I got into the car and blew the horn." He had the flashlight in his right hand, and apparently had taken it with him outside or had found it in the car. I keep one in the rider's side of the car. (Thank goodness the neighbor has dogs that stay alert..otherwise, Gramps could be missing by now!)
"Did you use the bathroom outside?" I asked him. He answered, "No, I used it in there, but couldn't find the way back to the bed. I need some help."
I gave him my hand to hold on to to get him back into the house. He was in his stocking feet as well, and his feet are too tender to walk on even the carport or up the ramp. Anyway, I helped him back to bed, and covered him up and so now he is sleeping. What a way to wake up! (Thank you, Jesus, for looking after him for us!)
I tried to go back to sleep but couldn't, so I decided to go ahead and get started on baking the pies I should have baked last night, but was too tired to. Man! I was sleeping so good! I was kind of keyed up and had difficulty getting to sleep because I was anticipating what I had to do today. I KNEW I should have done my baking yesterday! Ha.
So at 4:30, I got up and began my baking. First, I baked the cornbread for the dressing I will be making later today, then got out the filling for the pumpkin pies. I mixed up the filling before going to bed, so it was ready to pour into the 2 pie shells. When I took out the cornbread, I put the pies into the oven because they were to begin baking at the same temperature as the cornbread baked.
Then when I started to begin the apple pies, I remembered I had used all the ground cinnamon that I had in the pumpkin pies, I realized I would have to wait until later to do the apple pies, and borrow some cinnamon from Laurie, or just substitute cloves. I may just be creative and use cloves and ginger and make an apple pan cobbler instead. We will see. Right now the pumpkin pies are baking at the reduced temperature of 350 degrees. I had to begin them at 425 and then turn down temp to 350 and cook an additional 45-50 minutes.
We had a really good time on Monday evening with Scott, Laurie and their 3 children. I had made a big pot of potato soup and we ate it all. Then we had the German chocolate cake and ate half of that and sent the rest home with them, because we certainly didn't need that, with Gramps being diabetic and me trying to keep my girlish figure. Ha.
Tuesday and Wednesday passed fairly uneventfully. Gramps' therapists came to see him and work with him, and we found out yesterday that they are discharging him for right now from Home Health care, because he has reached the potential for improvement. I can't tell any real difference in his strength, but maybe they can.
I did get my little 32"tall fiberoptic revolving Christmas tree out of the basement, along with the string of lights that go across my fireplace mantle. I also put together two end tables that I purchased at the "gettin' place" (Wally world). I placed the tree on one and the living room phone on the other one. I had borrowed the end table that the phone had been on in order to put it beside my bed so I could put the touch lamp on it.
I think I have told you about Gramps' obsession that he has some of his collectible cars in the basement and was insisting that he had seen them down there. When our neighbor's son, Mitch, came over yesterday to empty the water from the basement dehumidifier, I said, "Okay, let's go down and you can look for them (the cars)". So we very carefully went down the steps, he was holding on carefully to the railing on each side, and I followed him down. Mitch preceded us, and waited at the foot of the steps. When Gramps got down there, he looked around and said, "what happened to all the stuff that was down here?"
"This is all that was down here," I replied. "There wasn't anything else down here, but look around and you will see that there are no little cars down here." He proceeded to look at all the empty boxes that are stacked down there on the two folding tables. He finally agreed that there were no cars to be seen down there, but stated he would go back down anytime he wanted to. Well, as the saying goes, "Baby, that ain't gonna happen". As I told you earlier, there is now a padlock on the door to the basement, and I have the key on my keychain, and he has no idea where the key is to the padlock if he has even noticed the padlock.
An UPDATE on Pam's husband ----Donna called me last night about 10 p.m. with the news that they thought he had experienced a blood clot, but couldn't find evidence of one. However, they discovered that he has developed pneumonia, and so have put him back on the ventilator and are giving him medication for the pneumonia. Please continue to pray for them. It is a very difficult time for them. Their grandchildren, Hannah and Haley, think there is no one like their grandpa, and understandably are quite upset.
It is now closed to 6 a.m. and the pumpkin pies are almost done. I will be taking them out of the oven soon and maybe going back to bed for a while and see if I can sleep some more. This is Blabbin' Grammy wishing each of you a blessed Thanksgiving Day and signing off for now. Reports later on how this day progressed and finished up. Love to each of you, my friends. Bye for now.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Winter is Near
Hey, Y'all,
From the looks of the weather outside and from what the newscasters are reporting, November weather is finally here. I know we are going to miss the mild days that we have been enjoying here in East Tennessee over the past few weeks. This is a very quiet morning. I was up at 7:15, and stitching for about an hour on Will's quilt. It has 36 squares, each with a flower on it, and I am hand stitching around each flower. So far I have done 4 of them since Monday, and had already done 6 of them before I started working on the quilt after my summer's illness. So there are 26 to go, including the square I am working on now. It takes a good day's work to do one, so, guess I won't get it finished for Christmas. Hmmmm.
From the looks of the weather outside and from what the newscasters are reporting, November weather is finally here. I know we are going to miss the mild days that we have been enjoying here in East Tennessee over the past few weeks. This is a very quiet morning. I was up at 7:15, and stitching for about an hour on Will's quilt. It has 36 squares, each with a flower on it, and I am hand stitching around each flower. So far I have done 4 of them since Monday, and had already done 6 of them before I started working on the quilt after my summer's illness. So there are 26 to go, including the square I am working on now. It takes a good day's work to do one, so, guess I won't get it finished for Christmas. Hmmmm.
GRAMPS (UPDATE)
Well, Gramps lately has begun talking about buying a car and getting a job. He seems to think that he is capable of working an all day job, and driving again. He also believes that he just recently retired, even though it has been 21 years since he taught school. He believs that it has only been a couple of weeks since he worked at a job in a wholesale warehouse when it was actually at least 47 or 48 years ago. He, of course, is not thinking rationally. I believe he would be happy to be living back at the assisted living facility if I were there with him. I am just not ready to do that yet.
I asked him if he would be interested in standing at the door of Wal-mart and saying "welcome to walmart" and he said, "no, I can't stand up that long". He seems to think he could work at a local brickyard that was in operation over 20 years ago. He said he had been offered a job there by one of the other teachers whose family owned the brickyard. Of course, this offer was made before he retired, and it is no longer in business. It keeps me busy thinking of replies to make to ward off his ideas.
He says some really amusing things sometimes, and every once in a while his former wit still comes shining through. He has a difficult time of getting out of his covers to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. I will give him encouragement sometimes like, "keep moving, keep moving". He will ask me which way to the bathroom and I will say, "just head for the light". (we keep a night light on in the bathroom and we can see the light from it in our doorway. Well, the other night I was saying, "keep moving, honey, keep moving". He said, "I don't need a cheerleader!" ha I just had to laugh to myself.
I recently put a small end table beside my bed, and placed a touch lamp on it so that when he needs to get up or get back in bed, I can turn it on with a simple touch. Of course, I am always awakened when he gets up. He really gives his bed covers a rough time of it, too, and they never stay tucked in at the end of the bed. He wraps up in them and becomes entangled in them.
I asked him if he would be interested in standing at the door of Wal-mart and saying "welcome to walmart" and he said, "no, I can't stand up that long". He seems to think he could work at a local brickyard that was in operation over 20 years ago. He said he had been offered a job there by one of the other teachers whose family owned the brickyard. Of course, this offer was made before he retired, and it is no longer in business. It keeps me busy thinking of replies to make to ward off his ideas.
He says some really amusing things sometimes, and every once in a while his former wit still comes shining through. He has a difficult time of getting out of his covers to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. I will give him encouragement sometimes like, "keep moving, keep moving". He will ask me which way to the bathroom and I will say, "just head for the light". (we keep a night light on in the bathroom and we can see the light from it in our doorway. Well, the other night I was saying, "keep moving, honey, keep moving". He said, "I don't need a cheerleader!" ha I just had to laugh to myself.
I recently put a small end table beside my bed, and placed a touch lamp on it so that when he needs to get up or get back in bed, I can turn it on with a simple touch. Of course, I am always awakened when he gets up. He really gives his bed covers a rough time of it, too, and they never stay tucked in at the end of the bed. He wraps up in them and becomes entangled in them.
RICHARD (PAM'S HUSBAND)
The other night, we got a call from our niece, Donna, that her sister, Pam, had just taken her husband, Richard, to the emergency room at Jefferson City, with a heart attack. They then took him by Lifestar Helicopter service to the St. Mary's hospital in Knoxville. At Knoxville they immediately took him into surgery and using angioplasty, removed blockage from one of his arteries which had 100% blockage, placed him on a ventilator, and as I understand it, he was still on ventilator last night, and had been running a fever of 104, but it had come down to 102. Please pray for him, and I will keep you updated. He still has blockage in another artery of 75%, and they will probably do another angioplasty on that one when he becomss stabilized. Thanks for your prayers.
THANKSGIVING INVITATION
MOVIE DAY
THANKSGIVING INVITATION
Well, on Thursday, we went up to Terrace Estates around 4:30 to have Thanksgiving supper with a lot of people who had been invited (as we were) also. It was wonderful to see so many of the people we had met in August and had become friends with. The whole driveway was filled with cars, and when we saw how many people were there, I realized that they had a big job on their hands to feed them all. I think there must have been close to 200 people fed that evening and all were served within an hour's time! Tables had been set up in both the dining hall and in the living room area. It was amazing.
MOVIE DAY
Yesterday (Saturday) was movie day, and instead of going out to eat, I decided to take dinner to eat at Imazo's. I stopped at the Cracker Barrel and picked up chicken salad sandwiches, and stopped at Food City and picked up some apple danishes for dessert. Imazo made a pot of coffee and we sat down at her dining room table and had lunch. She and Mae started talking about they needed some groceries, and had no way to get them, so I said, "I'll just take you all to get groceries and Dub can stay here and watch television. We can see the movie next week." Mae said, "I don't think I want to go, I am too tired today to go. I can stay here with Dub and watch the movie with him".
So while Imazo made out her list of what to get, I went in and set up the movie for them to watch (being the media expert - the only one who knows how to set it up- among them). Well, they are both hard of hearing and so I set the sound to where I thought they could both hear it. Imazo and I left then to go to the grocery store. When we got back, I discovered that, yes, they could both hear it and it was too loud. They couldn't find the control to turn it down, and it was about to drive them nuts. Imazo's remote doesn't work, so they couldn't use that. Poor people, what a revoltin' development that was!
Well, that is about it for today. Gramps (aka Dub) is just up, and it is time to see to his needs. There is a full, (really full) basket of laundry to fold and put away, too, along with a cake to bake for tomorrow's supper with the neighbors. I am making Potato soup and baking cornbread muffins to eat with it. Dessert will be a simple sheet cake of german chocolate with cream cheese frosting. (Ice cream to go with it if wished for). Tomorrow, I will be picking up the turkey for Thanksgiving Dinner which Laurie my neighbor will be roasting for our shared dinner on Thursday.
This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for today. Much love to each of you. Bye for now. More later.
So while Imazo made out her list of what to get, I went in and set up the movie for them to watch (being the media expert - the only one who knows how to set it up- among them). Well, they are both hard of hearing and so I set the sound to where I thought they could both hear it. Imazo and I left then to go to the grocery store. When we got back, I discovered that, yes, they could both hear it and it was too loud. They couldn't find the control to turn it down, and it was about to drive them nuts. Imazo's remote doesn't work, so they couldn't use that. Poor people, what a revoltin' development that was!
Well, that is about it for today. Gramps (aka Dub) is just up, and it is time to see to his needs. There is a full, (really full) basket of laundry to fold and put away, too, along with a cake to bake for tomorrow's supper with the neighbors. I am making Potato soup and baking cornbread muffins to eat with it. Dessert will be a simple sheet cake of german chocolate with cream cheese frosting. (Ice cream to go with it if wished for). Tomorrow, I will be picking up the turkey for Thanksgiving Dinner which Laurie my neighbor will be roasting for our shared dinner on Thursday.
This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for today. Much love to each of you. Bye for now. More later.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
