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.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
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.
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