Tests- Second Verse

Hey, Y'all,
Well, yesterday was the second day of my cardio tests and I thought they would be finished, but guess what...the right hand didn't know what the left one was doing, and when the tests were scheduled, they didn't order the chemicals that would be needed for the second half of the pictures that were to be taken. Sooo, I did another part of testing that had been scheduled that didn't need drugs. I go back on Monday afternoon to do the photography of my lovely inner heart workings. Ha.

What we did do was pressure checks on the circulation in my legs. The way this test is done, they put pressure cuffs on the upper thighs and calves in the lower legs, and they are inflated individually and pressure is checked individually, and believe me, they hurt! However, it was only for a minute or so, so I withstood it without too much protesting. Thank the Lord I have a fairly high pain threshold. She also used a sensor of some kind measuring the circulation while the cuffs were inflated, placing it on my ankles and various places on my legs and feet. It was quite interesting. After that part of the procedure, the cuffs were taken off and I walked on the treadmill for five minutes. Then I lay down on the table again, and she measured the circulation in my ankles again, which didn't take very long.

So, today is Saturday, and I have a day to "play" and I will probably use it for that. Ha. I haven't had breakfast yet, but I plan on making some French toast with a strip of bacon to accompany it. I have been trying to figure out how to program the heat/air conditioning and it kind of escapes me. I am sure Carol will fix it for me tomorrow afternoon. In the meantime, I have it on heat, and I can smell the heat as it comes through the registers. It has been a little cooler in the mornings and it is wonderful to know that cooler weather is here.

The leaves are beginning to fall in the back yard and they are going to be soon covering the ground, and we know for sure that Autumn is here and Winter will soon be on its way. I really love this time of year, and I can remember being a young child and kicking the piles of leaves and enjoying their rustling sound, breathing in the crisp air in the mornings on the way to school.

You should see me dosing out my medications once a week...bottles of pills, and my pill minder. Keeping them straight is quite a job, but I'm up to it. I have seven prescriptions and several over the counter supplements. This morning was the day for dosing them out, so that was what I was doing at 6 a.m. here in my computer/work room. The other day, the nurse told me that taking Benedryl daily for sleeping was not the best thing to do, and reiterated what a doctor told me last year...that it can cause seniors to lose memory, so I decided night before last that I would no longer take it as a sleeping aid. That night, I was awake every hour but went back to sleep each time. Last night, I slept for about four hours before waking, but awakened from leg cramps, probably from the walking on the treadmill yesterday. I may very well take a nap sometime midday today.

Well, breakfast is calling to me...."Ruby, Ruby, Come, come and eat." ha. This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for now. Much love to each of you. More later. I continue to thank each of you for your prayers on our behalf (me and my family members). Bye for now.

Stressful, For Sure

Hey, Y'all,
Yesterday was, indeed, a stressful day. First of all, it was a very long morning, waiting until afternoon to go have the stress test. Waiting...waiting...waiting...you get the idea...time to think about...were they going to be able to get an IV into my hand or lower arm (small, rolling, moving veins here in my little old body)...would they find a lot of plaque in my arteries (still don't have the answer to that one).

By the time that I got there, and then had the echocardiogram which takes about thirty minutes and then the carotid artery test which takes another fifteen, besides telling them about my husband's passing, my blood pressure was really up - 170/90 and they said, "oh, the stuff we are putting in will take it down". Well, guess what, it didn't, and when they sent me out into the waiting area after the five or ten minutes of the chemical injection, it was still up. I went out to wait for 45 minutes while the chemical was coursing through my veins (a radiation to show up on the pictures to be taken after 45 minutes). My head was literally pounding, and they asked did I have any advil or tylenol in my purse to take, and I replied that I don't carry that kind of stuff around.

Anyway, after the 45 minute wait was over, I went back into the area and lay on my back for twenty minutes with my arms over my head and had pictures of the tracer activity in my heart taken. Then I had the IV needle removed and went home. When I got home, I made myself some food, and as I sat there eating it, and drinking the caffeine (coffee) they said would help my headache to disappear, it did go away, and almost immediately, I felt what I thought was sinus drainage dripping from my left nostril, and put the paper napkin to my nostril and it was blood. Apparently, the high blood pressure had caused a small vessel to burst in my nose. I thought, "what now? What should I do?" So, I took a small piece of paper towel and rolled it up, and put it under my upper lip, pressing it against my gum, pinched the bridge of my nose, and within a minute or so, it stopped bleeding.

Have you ever tried to eat and keep a rolled up piece of paper in place between your lip and gum? Well, I can tell you for sure, it is not easy, but it can be done. Ha. I am certainly going to tell them today about the nosebleed. I go back this afternoon for the second part of the stress test, but it will not be stressful today, because now I know they can hit the vein (that girl is good), and the injection will not give me a headache. Also, I can have as much breakfast today and also lunch before I go to the appointment this afternoon.

Well, that is about it..The Rangers lost the ball game last night (I didn't watch the game but heard the score before bedtime). My nose seems to be okay today, so that is good. No headache right now. Just about time for breakfast right now, so I guess I will close this one out for today and get back to you later on. This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for today. Much love to each of you, my friends. Bye for now. More later.

Wednesday Doings

Hey, Y'all,
Wednesday is Bible Study morning and so, after listening to the radio buzzing me awake (I was trying to outlast the sound, seeing how long it would keep up before stopping), I finally got out of bed. I didn't need it to wake up, but I was afraid I wouldn't awaken again after being up to visit the John at 4:30 and going back to bed, and be awake in time to get my shower and get out of the house by 8:25.

Anyway, I got up and took the shower and dressed, came in and farmed a little at my computer, and left in time to pick up another class member who doesn't drive and take her with me. We had a really good session today all about how real is our Christianity. The verses were the last two in the first chapter of James.

After I dropped my classmate, Vicky, off at her home, I went on down to a local restaurant, LePeep and had a senior portion of catfish, green salad, carrots/peas, a small dish of fresh fruit, and a dinner roll. It was very good, and then I walked on down to Kroger's and did a little grocery shopping and then headed home. I only live a couple of blocks from Kroger's but naturally I drove because i had my car with me. Ha ha. When I got home, I put the groceries away and sat at my computer for awhile.

Last evening, I got out the little machine that I bought before I moved here that I ordered from Nancy's Notions, that cuts cloth into strips of several different widths. I had to change the cutting wheel in it, which took some doing, (of course - nothing is ever simple, even though they claim it is) and finally got it changed to the one that cuts straight. One can also cut paper with the machine. It is electric and is operated with a foot like a sewing machine uses. I don't really like using a foot pedal and I was wondering if maybe I could strap it to the inside of one of my knees and just press my knees together when I wanted to operate it. Do you reckon that would work or would it be dangerous? I'll bet it would be easier than using the calf muscles to press it on the floor. My sewing machine has the button on the machine head that operates the needle. It is so much better than using a foot pedal.

Tomorrow, I have my first half of the cardiology tests that I have to do, and of course, they will have to insert and IV needle into my vein to do the test. That is the part of any medical procedure that I dread more than any other, even surgery. Can you believe that? It is true, because my veins are difficult to find and to hit. I would never make a good "junkie" ha. The nurse is supposed to call me this afternoon some time to let me know what medications to take and ones not to take tonight and in the morning. I wish she would go ahead and call so I could take a wee nap. Now that i am sleeping better, I can't seem to get enough sleep. ha ha. Isn't that always the way of it?

That is about it for today. I have to eat a light breakfast in the morning before 8 a.m. and that will be it until after the tests are over for the afternoon. Ah, the nurse just now called me and we discussed all that concerned me about the IV sticking to be done. She told me to begin hydrating right now and to continue for the next sixteen hours, so that is what I am going to do. I just don't want to float away. Ha ha ha. A glass of water every two hours should be enough.

Now for a little nappy poo. This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for today. Much love to each of you, my friends/family. Bye for now. More later.

And They Just Keep Coming!

Hey, Y'all,
What just keeps coming? Why, the adventures, of course! This morning, I was supposed to go pick up Carol at her house and take her to her work car, because she didn't have her car at home. Emily and Ben supposedly had it, but last night it was returned to her without her knowledge. She went out this morning to carry out the trash (today being a trash pickup day), and saw her car parked in her driveway.

So, at about 6:30 this morning, she calls me and says don't bother to come because I have my car now. So, then a few minutes later, a text message, why don't you meet me for breakfast at McD's near work. I drove over to meet her at 7 a.m. and we had a lovely breakfast (as lovely as it can be at McD's). What makes it lovely is having it with someone you love. We had a good time talking and laughing about stuff. In fact, I was laughing so loud, I was afraid I might be thrown out (just joking - they don't throw you out unless you are causing trouble I would say).

Anyway, after I left and headed back home and Carol had gone on to work, the sun was in my eyes (I mean REALLY in my eyes) so badly that I couldn't see the road which is a busy one at that time of the morning with people headed for work. One part of the drive, I couldn't see the road and wound up in a turn lane (these turn lanes can be dangerous) and then I could see where I was and there was no one behind me, so I pulled back over into the driving lane. The sun visor was no help because the sun was shining below the visor. I just kept praying for guidance and less sunshine in my eyes and finally made it home.

Later today, after a really good talk online with Teresa (today is one of her good days), I decided to go to Walmart and then on to Hobby Lobby to get some cloth. I picked up some sunglasses that fit over my glasses at Walmart, and then went on to Hobby Lobby. New adventure getting to Hobby Lobby. I knew what side of the road it was on, but not exactly where on that side it was. I turned down a side street and discovered I was on the wrong side of the street, because it was one of those streets that had a really wide wide median, and fortunately for me, I only saw one car headed my way and it was on the left of me. I quickly got over and then drove till I saw where Hobby Lobby should be (the area) and parked my car in the large parking lot. I have decided that my Guardian Angel has probably had his hair turn gray over the years from taking care of me, also that my heart must be in fairly good condition to take the stress I place on it with my "adventures". Wouldn't you say so?

I found the material for the background cloth for Teresa's quilts that I am going to make for her over the next few months, and also a really nice place to eat. I had lunch at a place near Hobby Lobby called Bayley's Cafe. I had a giant croissant along with a dish of fresh fruit. It was really yummmy.

As you know, maybe, I hate the turnaround that they are putting on Glade Road, and if I go to the shopping area on Glade, I either have to go out the access road to it, or I have to go on Jackson to get to Glade and use the turnaround that connects Jackson to Glade. Well, today I went out the access to the Glade shopping area, and decided to go back home via the turnabout and Jackson. When I got to the turnabout, I didn't go far enough on the turnabout and wound up going farther out Glade, so I had to really turn around and go back to the turnabout and do the right hand turn to get onto Jackson. Suffice it to say, I hate the turnabout!!!! It is too confusing.

So, I am back home...Oh, yes, if any of you shop at Hobby Lobby, you know they have the percent off coupons that you can print off the internet. I found out today that if you have a cell phone that has the internet access, you can pull up the coupon and show it to them at the register, and they will get the number from the coupon and give you the percentage off. Isn't that great??? I got forty percent discount on the cloth I bought. Cool, Huh?

Oh, yeah, I wanted to tell you about the lady from the prescription place that I talked to for nearly 30 minutes last week. She called again yesterday and we chatted some more. I don't know if I told you or not, but she saved my life, literally. One of the medications that I was taking and got a new prescription to replace it, I thought it was the same thing as what I was taking and was just going to double up on the pills that I had, and she said, "NO, don't do that." I was taking a timed release form of the medication and the new one I was getting filled from them was not a timed release. It would have made me very sick, maybe even unto death, so she saved my life by calling me and discussing it with me. I am so very grateful...I know that God was the engineer of that call to me. Of course, it was last week that she told me about the difference between the two tablets, so it was told to me in time to save my life.

Well, that is about it for today. Except yesterday was the birthday of Granddaughter, Whitney. Hope it was a really happy one, my dear. This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for today. Much love to each of you, my friends and family. Bye for now. More later.

At top is a picture of quilt I made for Mae's great great granddaughter, Alli, not born yet, but due any day. I made the two sides of the quilt different. Excuse poor quality of pictures. My hand shakes sometimes when I am trying to get a good picture. Bye for now.

My Sister

Hey, Y'all,
I just had to sit down and write about a dream I had last night. Three years ago at this time, my sister had fallen in her apartment and had broken her leg in three places. Now, she already had trouble getting around and was using a walker. She had arthritis in her hands and couldn't grasp some things sometimes. Margaret was a care-giver, almost from the time she was old enough to do anything helpful. By the time that I was six years old, she was fourteen and because Mom didn't want to send me to the country school with only an older brother going, she decided to have Margaret repeat eighth grade, so she could keep an eye on me....and she did, much to my chagrin. It was a little country school with only one room divided into two classrooms. I couldn't get away with anything, even though as an older student she was in the other classroom.

Anyway, to get back on track, she has been the caretaker of our family for years, going on to help me in Indiana when I had my two babies, and then later to care for Carol and Teresa when we moved back to the farm and I had to go to work, then to college. She also cared for John, my younger brother, when he returned home from California to the farm, and for our ailing parents in later years till they passed away. Later on, she became a paid caregiver, caring for seniors in their homes. All during her life, she baby sat for people who worked and had no one to care for their children. In fact, that was a job she had when she was only about seventeen and we were living in Knoxville.

In my dream last night, she had come back from heaven, (She passed away almost three years ago, on the last day of 2007) and was helping me to adjust to life in my new home. She was cooking and cleaning, and talking to neighbors, and all at once, I realized, "Hey, Margaret died several years ago, what is she doing here?" And then, just as quickly as that, she was gone. I knew then that she had only come back to help me. Same old Margaret... doing what she could to help without expecting anything in return. You can hardly beat that for love, can you? (Well, except for what Jesus did for us...don't forget that!) She was a true example of Christian love.

Well, this morning is a time of thanksgiving, especially for life, and for the rain we had yesterday, and for the love we all have for one another in my family...the tie that binds us all together. I thank God for my friends as well, and for what they mean to me in my life.

This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for today. Much love to each of you, my friends and family. More later. Bye for now.

Another Saturday

Hey, Y'all,
Yeah, another Saturday and I really tried to sleep in this morning past 5 a.m., but it just didn't happen. I went to bed at 10 p.m. last evening, and by 5 o'clock this morning, I had already had 7 hours of sleep and that seems to be about the best I can do on a regular night. I got up at 5 and came into my computer room for about 45 minutes and then went back to bed, but just couldn't drowse off again. I know this is extremely interesting to those of you who visit my ramblings on this page (ha ha). Anyway, last evening I had a very enjoyable visit with some new friends of mine.

One of the ladies, Tricia, from the Bible Study group that I attend on Wednesday mornings came over with her son, Levi, who is an adorable one year-old sweetie pie, and with her friend, Heather. Ii had invited them over for pizza and salad, and an evening of just getting together for some fellowship. I had made a home-made pizza and also some chocolate eclair dessert. We had a really fun time, and Levi slept part of the time while we were eating, and then when he woke up, he enjoyed running around in the living room and carrying my crocs and his mother's flip-flops around. He is really into shoes (carrying, not wearing). Levi has an adorable smile and dimples in his left cheek, just like his mama's dimples. Her husband, Zach, had been planning on coming, but was deep into a construction project, so he couldn't make it for supper. I sent him some pizza and dessert, so he wouldn't miss out on the food.

This morning, I washed up the dishes from last evening and then made my breakfast and ate it. I looked out at my beautiful yard that Carol and Daryl came over and mowed and edged for me yesterday afternoon. I appreciate them so very much for all that they do for me! I have a hole in the fence in the back yard caused by a couple of boards having come loose, and I was just going to nail some short boards and affix them to the loose boards, and Carol said, "no, Daryl will fix it for you right". I would have been perfectly happy to have repaired it like that but she said it wouldn't make them happy to do it that way. So, I said, "Okay, I'll let him fix it however he wishes." Works for me.

I met a very nice lady on the phone yesterday afternoon. She was from the Prescriptions Solutions place out in California, and she was calling to consult with me on a new prescription that my new cardiologist wrote for me. Would you believe that we talked for almost 30 minutes? Carol said, "I'll bet you didn't talk about medicine that length of time, did you?" I replied that she was right, and that I had given the lady my blog address. Carol said, "Ah ha". I told Carol that we had talked about a lot of things, and that I really enjoyed talking to her. Carol knows how much I love to talk and meet new people. That is just how I am.

Well, I have just about talked out what I have to say for right now, so this is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for today. Much love to each of you, my friends. More later. Bye for now.

A Busy Day

Hey, Y'all,
I decided before I got up this morning that there were some things I wanted to get taken care of. So, I got busy, and after doing about an hour of Farmville, I went into the kitchen and had the leftovers from yesterday's lunch at LePeep for breakfast. It was actually a breakfast type of meal. Then I decided I needed to make a trip to the post office and mail a couple of packages, so off I went to do that. I dried a load of laundry (in the dryer, of course) and washed another load, and then dried it. They still have to be folded and put away.

When I returned from the post office, on my way home, I stopped at the grocery store to pick up a few items, and then headed home. After arriving home, I knew it was time I got busy with wet mopping the floors, so I got the 3 bedrooms done and one bathroom, leaving the rest for the late afternoon. I made a meatloaf for later today and also maybe to share with Carol and Daryl for their supper, and decided I needed to trim back a bush that I want GONE, but found I was not strong enough to cut the lower portion of it with the loppers that I bought a few weeks ago, so I will leave that task for one of my lucky grandsons who is feeling strong. Ha. I cut every twig and branch off of it that I could manage. That took a good hour. I came back in and wiped the sweat from my brow and face, and came back in here to rest and blog. I feel almost like I have done a day's work. Ha. I feel too, kind of like the little farm girl on my game. Ha ha ha.

In the morning, I'll clean the bathrooms and do some dusting, and the house will be clean. Ah, such a lovely feeling! Isn't It? I had some strawberries and cream cheese and crackers for lunch, and I guess I have a meat loaf sandwich for supper, and maybe a little bit of cereal before I hit the hay and feed my nightmares. ha (old joke).

I have good intentions of getting my workroom in more order soon, so I can get back to quilting, and using my sewing machine. I have some tests coming up next week on Thursday and Friday, (a chemical stresstest, an echocardiogram, a carotid scan, and anything else they want to do, I guess, to tell if I am on my way to the Happy Hunting Grounds anytime soon) I say Happy Hunting Grounds since I have some Cherokee blood flowing through these old veins of mine, and everyone knows that is where old Indians go when they die. ha. But, I have a sweetie waiting for me, when I get to Heaven some day, and that's no joke.

The boxes I mailed today were almost the last of the things that he left behind, and that is good to be getting done. I have only two more things to send, and they both go to Arizona. That will be taking place soon as I can get them boxed up.

I reckon I will be having supper with Carol this evening, and taking the meat loaf with me for our meal. There is no way to get a package of ground beef for just one person, and it is not as good if you freeze it as it is when you use it fresh, so there you have it. I always look forward to eating with them.

Well, I have a few more rooms to do, so I guess I will get that done as soon as my body rests a little more. This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for today. Much love to each of you, my friends. More later. Bye for now.

More New Adventures!

Hey, Y'all,
Yeah, it has been a busy morning...I had Bible Study at the church from 9 to 11:30 and then headed home. I stopped on the way home to UPS a package of Gramps belongings to our daughter, Teresa, and then went on to the eye doctor's office to pick up my new glamorous eyeglasses. After that, a stop at LePeep's Restaurant to have lunch, and it was yummy, but too much to eat at one time, so I have leftover for breakfast tomorrow. The menu choice I made was called "Country Bumpkin Platter" and they must have seen me coming, because that could almost describe me, except maybe Hillbilly Bumpkin would be a better choice of description. Ha ha ha.

That is certainly what I feel like in all this flatland, which inhabitants Snuffy Smith would have called "Flatland Furriners" when they came into the hills where he lived.
Anyway, I decided when I left the restaurant that I wanted to make a dry run to the new family doctor's office and see where it is before I tried to find it on November 2. Also, I had a paper that needed to be sent to my former doctor where my health records still are. I took that with me, and after some wrong turns, found the place where I needed to park and went in to the building (huge building) and while I was there I got the paperwork I would need to fill out and bring with me in a couple of weeks.

I am back home and it is just now almost 2 p.m. and I figure that is pretty good for a morning's adventures, don't you?

Now for a diatribe...have you ever seen a turnaround at an intersection where you must get into the circle and go in a counterclockwise direction to cross the road? Well, apparently the politicos (or whoever makes those decisions) in Colleyville, absolutely are enamored of turnarounds, and I absolutely hate them. Give me a four way stop anytime. I already had to use one on the way to church, and now they have been working for several months on construction of a new one that is on the same route. I had no idea that was what they were working on so diligently until I saw the finishing product this past Sunday morning. ARRRGGGGGHHH! If you have ever seen the BBC comedy called, "Keeping Up Appearances" with Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced as Bou-quet by Hyacinth), then you will have seen them doing the turnaround while driving. Ha it is funny there, but not to me doing the driving!

Just a few words about my sleeping...Actually night before last, I got nine hours sleep, and last night I got seven, and it was wonderful! I am hoping that I can soon get really settled in and get a good night's sleep every night.

Well, that is about it for today. Much love to each of you, my friends. This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for today. More later. Bye for now.

New Cardiologist

Hey, Y'all,
Well,as you know, a week ago it was a new eye doctor, and today it was a new heart doctor. He is going to work out just fine, I know. He is very personable and we got along just great! I am scheduled next week for a carotid scan, an echocardiogram, and a chemical stress test which will be done on two days at the same place where the doctor's office is located. There are actually a group of doctors who have offices in the same large building and they also have the diagnostic center in the same building. It is a HUGE building, built up on a hill. Carol told me, "Mom, you can't miss it, it is so big."

Naturally, when one has a new place to go and never been there before, one wonders if one can find it. Well, when I got to the place, I realized that what she said was quite an understatement, and I found it quite easily. It is less than three miles to where it is, in fact it may be less than two miles. I was there within five minutes of the time i walked out my door and got into my car. Pretty convenient, if you ask me.

They did a check of my pacemaker and the doctor told me that they can read the results and tell when my heart was out of rhythm and how long. He said about three months ago it was out of rhythm for about two and a half hours before it clicked back into rhythm. I figure that was about the time that I was under a lot of stress either shortly before Dub passed away or soon after.

When I left today, I stopped on the way home to send a package to Donna and LD (our niece and nephew) of some items that belonged to Dubby that I thought he might want them to have. I also stopped at the grocery store and bought a few items for my cupboard and fridge. I don't require a lot of food, but it is nice to get some fresh stuff once in awhile, you know.

Well, there is not a lot more to say today, I am planning on getting a good night's sleep tonight, though. I was a little anxious about the doctor's visit today, but now that is over, and I am getting some things done around here, I am feeling more like relaxing. House is on tonight and it is one of my favorite shows, so there is that to look forward to in about an hour.

This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for today. Much love to each of you, beloved friends and family. More later. Bye for now.

New Adventures

Hey, Y'all,
Question: When is a left turn lane not a left turn lane? Answer: When it turns into an intersection. Why do I ask this dumb question? Well, ya see, yesterday when I was returning from the Artisan theater, I was on Pipeline and this little box on my windshield said a left turn was coming up, I got into the left turn lane (they have some pretty long turn lanes here) and not really noticing that I was putting myself and my car in danger, pulled forward to get behind the vehicle stopped in front of me. I looked out the windshield and all at once realized I was FACING a vehicle that was facing me. OOOPS! I was in the intersection and fortunately, he was stopped, too. I made a quick illegal left turn into the street to my left and got out of the way. Then after I thanked Jesus, I went on and did a quick turnaround and got across Pipeline and went on to the next corner where I did the turn I was supposed to do.

My very next thoughts were, "I hope there was no policeman around and no body reporting me" because I may do some dumb maneuvers, but I am not stupid. No body wants a ticket for dumb mistakes like I made. I got home without further incident.

Now then, about my trip to the theater. I found my way to the vicinity of the theater with my little GPS, but not to the exact spot. You see, this theater's name is not on the front and the building is kind of tucked back away from the street (naturally they make locations hard to find sometimes- and no, it is not my eyesight at fault here) because the stupid GPS told me it was on my right. It didn't know, either! Ha. It even said, "You have reached your destination." Little did it know, because, after all, it couldn't see it any better than I could.

Anyway, after driving around in the area for several minutes, I saw a CVS on the corner and pulled into the drive-through drug pickup lane, I asked the kind lady who was working at the window for some help. She said, "Oh, oh, I don't live in this area, so I am not sure where the Artisan theater is." One of the other workers inside said she thought it could be the little theater called the Bellaire that was in the shopping area across the street. I said, "Thank you" and proceeded back onto the street and down the block. I crossed over the highway and down into the area, and sure enough, that was the location.

I parked the car and spoke to a couple sitting out on a park bench in front of the building, and went on in. I took the receipt for my ticket which I had purchased online a week ago, and handed it to one of the fellows standing behind the counter. He took it and looked through the tickets in a box, and couldn't find the ticket. He checked the list he had, and said, "your name is on here, but I can't find the ticket." Some others came in and picked up their tickets, while I stood there waiting. Finally, after the other guy had looked as well for my ticket, one of them took a slip of paper and wrote my name and seat number on it, and said, "Here, this will work." And it did, of course. If challenged, I had my receipt with me, anyway.

Well, as I stood in line waiting for the door to the inner part of the theater to open, I was complimented on my hat (the one in my picture) and of course, I said, "Thank you," and smiled. I saw a lady wearing a big red hat, a purple outfit, and purple shoes that looked like she should really be uncomfortable in the shoes. I figured she must be part of the Red Hat Society, or like me, just likes hats, and wearing red and purple. Don't you just love purple? I have noticed it is a favorite of a lot of ladies. It sings to me. Ha.

After we got inside, and were seated, I had fun watching the people come in and listening to what they were saying. A couple came in and sat behind me and were talking about what the show was going to be like. (To Kill a Mockingbird was the play that was performed) He said, "It's not a musical, is it? I hope not." She said, "No, it is a drama." I turned and said, "Can you imagine what it would sound like as a musical?" The music and lyrics for it? Da Da Da Dum....(making sounds like a highly dramatic song). They probably thought I was nuttier than a fruitcake. ha ha.

There was a couple who came in and sat next to me. They seemed like they were maybe in their twenties. The wife sat right next to me and kept blowing her nose and slightly coughing. I thought, "Oh, no, she has a cold or the flu, or allergies one", and I couldn't know which it was, so I kept leaning to my left away from her. There was an empty seat next to me on the other side, and I kept thinking, "I'll just move over one," but didn't want to hurt her feelings. Finally, during the intermission, they left to take a break, and he came back first. I asked him if she had a cold or allergies. He said, "Allergies." I said, "Bless her heart, I have those, too. They have been really bad this year." So, I didn't worry so much about her nose-blowing after she came back.

The play was wonderful, but I couldn't help picturing the actor who played Atticus Finch in the movie when I was watching the play. The actor who portrayed him in th play did an excellent job and was more the image most people have of southern lawyers than Gregory Peck was.

Well, that is my story of my little adventures yesterday. Hope you enjoyed it. I sure did. This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for today. More later. Much love to each of you, my friends and loved ones. Bye for now.

Out and About

Hey, Y'all,
Well, I got out early this morning, (actually, about 9 a.m.) and went to the bank, then on to Wal-mart and had some breakfast there. I had some shopping to do, and spent about 2 hours there. I came back home and finished packing a couple of boxes of things that had belonged to Dubby that I was sending out to friends and relatives. I also put away groceries that I had purchased at the store.

Then I headed out again, went to the beauty shop to get my locks shorn, and then to send the boxes by UPS. In one of the boxes was the baby quilt that I got finished a couple of weeks ago for Mae's great-great granddaughter who is to be born next month. After I finished sending the boxes, I headed out to pick up some postage stamps, then back here to home. It was around one forty-five p.m. before I finally got home for good today. It is wonderful to be able to find my way around so well now.

Tomorrow, I go to see "To Kill a Mockingbird" live production at the Artisan theater in Hurst. I have printed off the instructions of directions to get there, and will also put it into my Magellan GPS just in case. Ha.

It seems that lately in my dreams, I am spending the night in a cemetery, because most all the people in my dreams are dead. Wonder what that means? Of course they are living in my dreams. I must be in the middle of one of the dreams of the Medium (show on television) ha ha. My mind must be reconciling to the passing of so many people in my life over the past three years. I am the last of my siblings, and I am dreaming of them as well as Dubby and others who have passed on.

Well, I have some more boxes to pack this afternoon, and I guess I better get to it. I will publish a picture of the quilt after Mae has had time to get the real thing. One day next week you will see it.

This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for today. Much love to each of you, my friends and family. More later. Bye for now. Congratulations to Carol for passing her test to become a full-fledged health inspector for Tarrant County! I knew you could do it, girl! You go, girl!

Up, Up and Away

Hey, Y'all,
In case the heading doesn't give it away, I got my garage door fixed today. A very nice man came and put a new spring on it, and also put new rollers on the edge of the door. The others were getting worn and would have probably caused another call down the road to eventually be replaced. It ain't cheap to have that work done, especially when you get a life-time warranty (for the house's life time, that is). Well, anyway, after he put away his ladder and tools, we stood in the garage doorway and talked for about fifteen minutes or so, and he left.

I came back in for awhile and had some lunch and was just getting ready to eat a dish of ice cream with english walnuts on top, when I decided I would go out and put the garage door down. So, I pushed the gizmo on the garage wall, and nothing happened except for a momentary growl from the mechanism. I thought, "OH< NO, now what?" So, I tried again a couple of times. Then I picked up my phone and called. Within a few minutes I got a call from the fellow who came out to do the repair, and he told me I needed to pull on the rope hanging from the garage door opener that hangs over the car. The idea was, it had to be reengaged with the mechanism. He said that he forgot to do that because we had got to talking, leaving it undone. So, I did, and it worked. I told him that my experience with garage doors is almost nil, and then we just laughed and said good-by, after I thanked him.

I have been busy today getting a few more pictures hanged (hung)?- well, put up on the walls, ha ha. I am beginning to see some hope for finally getting it all done. It seems like they are multiplying instead of decreasing in numbers. Ha.

Well, that is about it for today. Not a lot to chatter about. Teresa had her third infusion of chemo today. If you would like to read about it, check it out at Pickin' Up the Pieces -with a link under my "Other Interesting Blogs" over in the right hand portion of my blog.

This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for today. Much love to each of you, and more later. Bye for now.

Garage Door Blues

Hey, Y'all,
You know, I rarely wonder what I am going to "blog" about, and today is no exception. Ya see, yesterday morning (very early) I was up sitting at my computer, doing a little early morning "farming" when I heard a lambanging like something metal falling or being thrown around, and got up to look through the house to try to find the source. Nothing. Nil. Zilch. So, I figured it was somebody carrying out trash to the street (since it was garbage pickup day) and they had dropped something big and metallic. I went back to my computer and thought no more about it.

So, yesterday evening, Carol called and asked did I want to come over for supper with her and Daryl, and I said, "sure". I went out to the garage, and pushed the gizmo that is supposed to make the garage door raise. No luck, it just moved about 2 inches and then came back down. Hmmmmm, wonder what is wrong with it flitted through my mind and I began an investigation of the little sensor lights at each side of the door. One was green and the other was white. I immediately knew that unless they were both green, it was a no-go. So I called Carol back and told her I couldn't move my car because the door wouldn't raise. She came and picked me up and we went on to her house for a delicious supper.

When she brought me back home, we investigated and discovered that the huge spring that is on the top part of the door was separated (broken) into, hence, no door opening. So today, Julia came to pick me up for Bible study in her car, and brought me back afterwards. We tried to raise the door manually, but couldn't manage it. So I guess I will wait for awhile to get out. Ha ha. Fortunately, I don't really need to go anywhere before Saturday and today is only Wednesday.

I talked to the realtor today and discovered that we do not have a homeowner's warranty, because the seller weaseled out of it by trading it for something else (I forget what this is called) something like bartering. So, I don't believe my homeowners insurance will pay for the repair either, so I gotta pay through the nose, so to speak, to have it repaired. Anyway, if I can get some strong guy in the neighborhood to disengage the automatic and make it manually operative, I can get it open long enough to back out my car, and then fix it at my convenience.

A BEAUTIFUL PLANT
Up at the top of this post is a picture of what I call a trumpet flower. It seems unique to me, because it blooms at night, and the bloom only lasts for a day, and then in late afternoon, it wilts and droops. The blossom is pure white and looks like the flared part of a trumpet. It begins as something that looks like a pod, then out of the end of the pod comes the blossom, all furled up, and it slowly unfurls to bloom out at midnight, and is gorgeous to behold. It takes a couple of days for the blossom to drop from the plant, once it begins to droop. Isn't it beautiful?

The picture with just the one bloom opened out was taken the other day, and you will notice all the unopened flower pods, and the other picture was taken about noon time today. By late this afternoon they will be all beginning to wilt. But, just think - it is one of God's creations put here for us to enjoy! I thank Him for his caring for us enough to put such things about for us to see.

Well, that is about it for today. We continue on in our Bible Study of the book of James. If you have never read it, try and see if you don't receive blessings from it. Ha, even if you have read it, why don't you read it again...we can never read from God's word too often. This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for today. Much love to each of you, my friends. More later. Bye for now.

Wind Chimes

Hey, Y'all,
So far today has been really great...I was up last night until about 1 a.m. You see, I was not really sleepy when eleven p.m. rolled around...I was playing a game on my computer, with the television playing nearby, not really paying a lot of attention to it, when all at once, I realized a movie was beginning. I turned to look, and there was one of my favorite movies of all time ready to be shown. It was Secondhand Lions, with Robert Duvall, Michael Caine, and Joel Haley Osment along with Kyra Sedgwick. I had to stop and just watch the movie. There are places in the movie where one has to just laugh aloud, it is so funny, and places where it is so poignant, that you just want to cry. Of course, it was not over until one a.m. and when I finally crawled in between the sheets, I was just about ready to go to sleep.

I really slept pretty well last night, so this morning I felt refreshed and ready to face another day. That is one really nice thing about living alone - it doesn't matter when you go to bed or when you get up. There is no one to answer to, and no one to wonder when you are coming to bed, or what you are doing while you are still up.

So this morning, I made myself a pretty good breakfast, and after I got dressed for the day, Carol let me know that grandson, Ben was coming over to mow my yard for me. He was also going to take me out for lunch. How sweet is that? Mighty sweet, I would say. Anyway, he came over and we went to LePeep for lunch (mine - his breakfast) and had a lovely time just sitting and chatting about movies and other things.

When we came back to the house, he mowed the yard for me (it really looks great) and put up the wind chimes that I have been delaying putting up, because I didn't realize until this morning when I went out on the back deck that there were hooks overhead that i could use for that purpose. Now, I will be able to sit in my dining room and hear the wind chimes tinkling. How wonderful! Ben also fixed an o-ring in my water hose outback so it won't spew water everywhere when I use the hose to sprinkle flowers or water the back yard. My grandchildren are really wonderful to help their old grandma with stuff around here, aren't they? Of course, Daryl and Carol come over and help me as well. I feel so blessed to be out here where I can have close contact with all of them.

This afternoon, I guess I will spend some time working on my Bible study class on Wednesday. I am hoping to hear soon from the eye doctor's office telling me my new glasses are in and ready to be picked up. Of course, it has not been a week yet, so I am just going to have to be a patient patient. ha ha.

I don't remember if I said so or not, but the other day I purchased a ticket to go see "To Kill a Mockingbird" production at the Artisan Theater in Hurst next Saturday. I will be going alone but I am sure I will meet some interesting people when I go to see it. I may eat lunch out that day, and then go to the theatre from the restaurant. Of course, I will be taking a paperback with me to read while I eat. First I have to locate a restaurant not far from the theatre. I am sure Carol can help me with that particular idea.

Well, that is about it for today. This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for today. Much love to each of you, my dear friends and family. More later. Bye for now.

Sneezin' Time Again

Hey, Y'all,
Didja ever do a lot of sneezing at one time? I am a master at it, believe you me! I never know when it is going to hit me, but when it does, it is an all-nighter, with drippy nose, itchy sinus area (you know back in the back part of the upper palate in the roof of your mouth). The more it itches, the more you sneeze, and the more you sneeze, the more you have to sneeze. It is terrible and if you have never had such a thing happen to you, you are indeed blessed! It has been a lifelong malady for me, and when it hits me, I am most miserable. (whine-whine-whine).

Well, anyway, last evening about ten p.m. it hit me good. So, here I was, trying to stop, and wanting to go to bed and sleep, with no hope in sight for it. Using up toilet tissue (Charmin is really soft on the nose, and I keep a roll of it in my computer room for blowing my nose and wiping drippy nose with it) and hoping the sneezing would stop. Anyway, it slowed down a little bit, and I thought maybe there would be some sleep for me. I carried a piece of tissue with me when I went to bed. Two hours later there had been no sleep, and the tissue was now a ragged piece of paper that looked like it had been through the wars, and still the nose dripped.

Up to the bathroom for a nightly visit, then back to bed, trying to sleep. I did finally get a couple of hours rest, and dreamed that Dubby and I were getting ready to get married and I looked at the engagement ring on my right hand that I still wear (after all, it is a beautiful diamond ring) and told him we could use it instead of buying a new one. He said he reckoned that was a good idea, and about that time I woke up. No more sleep and so when I finally got up about 7, I went ahead and got ready to go to church. I was really dragging, but thought maybe I could make it. I did make it for Sunday School, but decided to come home and have breakfast and then go to bed to rest. Fortunately, after a few sneezes this morning, it seemed to clear up. That is the way it usually does. Hay fever, allergies, etc. have been a life-long plague to me. (Runs in the family, unfortunately)

As refreshment coordinator for my Sunday School class, I have a clipboard with a chart that people in the class sign up to bring refreshment snacks for class on Sunday morning. That way, people in the class don't have to worry about having breakfast at home. They just wait and have snacks just before class begins. People needed to be signed up for the next four Sundays, so that was one responsibility that took me there today. I also had promised to bring some food for the Senior Group for lunch today. So, last night I diced a bunch of tomatoes, and this morning, I carried those with me as well. If it had not been for those two things, I probably wouldn't even have crawled out of bed this morning. Responsibilities lie heavy on my shoulders if I do not carry them out. It is the way I was raised and how I raised my two daughters. Promises must be kept if at all possible.

Well, after I got home, I made breakfast and a little later (after it had time to digest) I went to bed, hoping to go to sleep. No such luck..but I did rest an hour or so. Hopefully, now I can stay awake until real time to go to bed. Autumn is a time of allergies and they will be with me until winter really comes. Then there will be spring and summer to look forward to. Ha ha ha. Then I'll feel like the little dwarf, Sneezy, again. Oh, well.

This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for today. More later. Much love to each of you, my friends and family (they are friends, too). Bye for now.

Really Neat Eye Doctor

Hey, Y'all,
Well, yesterday I had my first "new doctor" appointment, and I must say it was very pleasant. Very painless, too, but then, one does not expect to experience pain when going to get one's eyes checked. She is a very lovely young lady and really seems to know her business (one would certainly hope so, eh?). We chatted about her two children who sound absolutely adorable, and after we finished the eye examination, I went out into another part of the office and did tests with four different machines.

Don't you just hate the part of the eye exam (the really important one) where the doctor says, "Is one better, or is two better?" and they both look equally fuzzy? ha. It is really painful to have to sit there and try to see which is really better.

She was really impressed with the way Dr. Morrill in Jefferson City had taken care of my eyes and how he had sent just the right paperwork with me for my new eye doctor. So KUDOS to Dr. Morrill. He and his wife are two of those wonderful friends that I really miss, and believe me, I consider them friends.

I wound up at the doctor's office buying a new pair of eyeglasses, and I am hoping they will improve my present eye vision. As one gets older, one's vision does decline. It is a given.

Oh, and wait! The getting to the doctor's office was more exciting than the visit. You see, the city is working on "improving" the street that runs past the office (the side street) and thus have blocked off the right hand lane of the street that intersects the street being worked on. That just happens to be the lane that one needs to be in, in order to get to the office parking lot. I inadvertantly turned onto the side street and had to wait for traffic coming down the street I was facing, and upon which I needed to reenter in order to get there. Arghhhhhhhhhh! I finally made it. I had not known exactly where the office was, and how much of the area was involved in the transformation. Well, I made it, but not easily. It looked like I needed my eyesight fixed, that is for sure. ha. Getting home was much easier than getting in there.

Last evening Carol came to have supper with me. We had a salmon loaf, great salad with avocado in it, roasting ears, and were so full we couldn't eat the little apricot pies I had made, so she took some home with her for later. She will probably have then for breakfast this morning. Daryl is in Memphis with his fellow high school graduates from forty years ago. I hope he is having a great time. Carol is at home studying for her big test coming up for advancement in her job of health inspector. I hope she is getting some rest too. I am planning on making a run to Wally world today and purchasing a few items.

Well, folks that is about it for today. Please remember to keep Daryl in your prayers as he travels home tomorrow, and Teresa as she goes through her trials with her cancer, and we all appreciate it so very much. You can keep up with Teresa's progress by checking in on her blog, "Pickin' Up the Pieces", and you'll find the link on this page under "Other Interesting Blogs". This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for now. Much love to each of you, my friends and family. Bye for now. More later.

Settin' 'Em Up

Hey, Y'all,
Setting what up? you ask...Well, I decided it was time to begin seeing doctors again since I am pretty well settled here in little ol' Texas. So I began on Monday searching out doctors. The first one I called said, (the receptionist, that is) "The doctor does not take Medicare patients, but here is a number you may call, who does take Medicare." She then proceeded to give me a number but didn't know what the doctor's name or address. I looked it up on the reverse directory to get more information. It turns out that one of the digits is incorrect and the number belongs to a residential address of a 73 year old man, with no doctor title to his name. Hmmmmm.

So, I began looking for physicians in the area via internet and found a group listed with a number which had only one digit difference belonging to the kind of doctor for whom I was searching. After more searching, I found a cardiologist group that would perhaps provide a cardiologist for me. I was also armed with the phone number for an eye doctor that my daughter's family uses.

This morning, I began my calling and so far have an appointment on this Friday with the eye doctor, and also with the cardiologist that I called this morning on Monday, October 18th. Pretty good for one morning, I reckon. I still have to get in touch with the elusive family doctor group which is the one I began my whole search with on this past Monday. After trying to call them several times this morning, I realized that sometimes doctors offices are closed on Wednesdays or maybe they just take afternoon calls, who knows...I will try again this afternoon.

Today is a slouchy day, since our Bible Study does not meet the first Wednesday in each month, and I am wearing my red chenille housecoat since it was a little cool this morning. Teresa would know exactly what it looks like since I have had it for at least seven years or more. It is my warmest and most comfortable housecoat.

Well, that is about it for today. I do need to get into the kitchen and wash dishes and I also need to file papers and do a few other things. This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for today. Much love to each of you. Bye for now.

The Pumpkin Patch

Hey, Y'all,
Today I had the pleasure of accompanying granddaughter, Julia and the two great grands while daddy Andrew got his "night's sleep" since he works at night and sleeps in the early daytime. It was great fun! Julia and the two girls picked me up here about 10 a.m. and off we went to the Pumpkin Patch at a little town north of here at a fun place called Flower Mound. There is a large three story house and lots of big open fields and it looked like millions of pumpkins spread out every where.

There were also those big air-filled slides and large cut outs of cartoon characters, little buildings, funnel cakes and corn dogs for people to munch on, and lots of hay bales spread out every where. Also there was a hay wagon hooked up to a tractor that pulled it all around the perimeter taking parents and children on rides. It was a really live, jumping place. Naturally a lot of those there were taking photo ops and clicking cameras were seen everywhere, mine and Julia's among them. :)

We met up with some friends of Julia's who had their children there and one of the children was a two week old baby. Wow! Her little son was a few months younger than two. Of course, Grandma was holding the two week old, while mama watched the older one and snapped photos. A great time was had by all of us. I noticed several day care groups were taking advantage of the occasion. What fun!

About 11:30 we left and headed back home. I had taken my cane with me so that if I got tired of walking, I could lean on it. My back does rather give me fits sometimes, so it was good to have it. We stopped at a Mickey D's on the way back for a pit stop and I picked up a couple of small fries so that we could have a little refreshment.
We were back here by a little past noon, and then I took a nap. Yeah! Sometimes I don't sleep well at night, so the afternoon nap does come in right handy. Ha.

I have posted a few of the pics for your enjoyment. Aren't they just adorable? The temperature this morning was in the upper 60's so it was just a little cool, and the sweaters felt pretty good.

Well, that is about it for today. This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for today. Much love to each of you, my friends and family. Bye for now. More later.

Memories

Hey, Y'all,
Today I am remembering birthdays that Dubby and I celebrated together. You see, we would have been celebrating his 84th birthday anniversary today, had he still been here with us. However, he is celebrating being with Jesus right now, and I am so very happy for him and a little envious, too. I do miss him, however. He has been gone from me for about nine weeks now, but it seems sometimes to be longer, and sometimes not so very long.

I remember his 80th birthday, especially, just after we had moved back to Tennessee from Florida. I had arranged a surprise birthday party for him, and believe me, he really was surprised. I had invited our good friend, Jennifer Chang, to come as well as our nieces, friends from the church, brother Hugh and his wife, Imazo, Mae, and others. Jennifer came first, bringing him a gift, and he was surprised to see her. Imagine his surprise when all the 23 guests came! We had a large driveway and used it and the open garage to have our party. The weather was perfect, and it was such a wonderful memory for us.

We quite often went out to eat to celebrate our birthdays. (That is always a great way to celebrate, isn't it?) We often had a birthday supper with Gene and Judy Rogers and her mama, because Dub's and Gene's and Judy's birthdays all come in a row. Several years, we celebrated birthdays with Allie's daughter, Tanya, who also has a birthday today. Happy Birthday, Tawny! I'm thinking of you...

We ate out with my brother, Hugh and Imazo, and Mae, all celebrating our birthdays when they came, along with anniversaries. Memories are wonderful, sometimes bittersweet, but still wonderful to have.

Church this morning was very refreshing, as always, and it is wonderful to be able to go and worship our Lord and Savior with other believers.

I had lunch today at Carol and Daryl's home and enjoyed that time with them, and after computing for awhile, took a rest in my bed. I had the pleasure of talking with Allie after my rest was over. She was going to celebrate her daughter, Tanya's, birthday with them.

At the top is a picture that Dubby would have loved. He was a dyed-in-the-wool Vol Football fan. Pictured at top is Daryl with his granddaughter, and our great granddaughter, after having watched the football game between LSU and U of TN. that was on yesterday> Yeah, Tennessee lost but Daryl and grandchildren were there, cheering them on anyway. Dubby would have been right there helping them if he had been able.

Well, that is about it for today. This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for today. Much love to each of you. Bye for now. More later.

Missing Jonesborough

Hey, Y'all,
The bright blue October skies in Jonesborough, TN call out to me, but I won't be there today or tomorrow, but two of my very dear friends< Gene and Judy, will be enjoying hearing the storytellers share wonderful stories with the thousands of enthusiasts who come each year.

I guess I have attended the storytelling there for at least 25 or 26 years. One never tires of hearing great yarns...funny, sad, endearing, rib-tickling, scary, all kinds of stories - that is, if they like hearing stories - and who doesn't? Many of the years, I went with my husband, Dubby, and he really enjoyed the stories, especially those of Kathryn Wyndham, Donald Davis, and others who tell the "down home" stories. Sometimes, I took my sister, Margaret, my sisters-in-law, Mae and Imazo, my friend, Judy, and many years I took my friend, Ina Ray, on a Saturday when she didn't have to work on that day.

I always buy a pair of tickets for the whole weekend, because, well, I just love spending the weekend listening and enjoying the time with friends. There is nothing like getting out early on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday morning to hear wonderful tales with a friend. There is the joy of just smelling autumn in the air, seeing all the people who come from everywhere to listen, and sometimes seeing those whom you have met previously there. There are always very interesting people that you meet for the first time as well, and carrying on a conversation with them. I never meet a stranger.

The people who arrange the whole thing (International Storytellers Association) set up five or six huge tents (like circus tents) in various places in the little town of Jonesborough which is known as being the oldest town in Tennessee, where the first full weekend of October is the time for the storytelling to take place. It is in those tents that the professional storytellers spin their yarns for us to hear. They also have Ghost Stories in the park on Friday and Saturday nights, and people bring blankets and quilts to sit upon after dark time, and may be literally scared out of their wits. I have gone to that one time, and enjoyed it thoroughly, too.

On Fridays many schoolchildren come to hear stories, brought on "field trips" to get a sampling of stories, and there is always a "youthful voices" session where young story tellers get to share. It is through competition that they get to do a story and there are only six, I believe, who get to do one. It is quite an honor to be chosen.

There are food tents where vendors can sell their wares, and downtown restaurants do a brisk business as well as little ice cream shops and antique stores. Being a small town, it can be covered in just a few minutes and on storytelling weekend, there are crowds of people anxious to spend money.

Sometimes I have been and it has rained for all three days, but does that stop people? I reckon not! We just don our ponchos and open the little umbrellas, put on the rain hats and go!

Well, do I miss not going? You bet your boots (rainboots even) that I do. My friend, Judy, told me yesterday that the weather is perfect this year. Hooray! I am so glad for them that they can go. They both celebrate their birthdays this weekend. Happy birthday, Gene and Judy! I love you guys!

My good friend, Ina Ray, and I will both be missing the event this year. I miss you and all my friends back there in Tennessee, but I am hoping to drive in next spring. It gives me something to look forward to!

Well, folks, that is about it for today. Much love to each of you. My supper is cooking right now, baked chicken, sweet potatoes, and we'll be having baked beans to go with the baked sweet potatoes and chicken. Also the baked apricot pies. I cooked the dried apricots, drained them, added sugar and spices, mashed them up good. I did that yesterday.

This morning, I took 2 whopping cans of crescent roll dough (whopping cans are those that you buy and have to unroll the outer wrap and then whop them against the counter to finish opening them) and then took each one and rolled it a little thinner and put filling in it, and added another to the top as the top crust of the pie. Hence, there were 3 triangular pies that I got from each can of dough. Not difficult to do at all.

Well, that is about it for today. This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for today. Much love to each of you. More later. Bye for now.