Grandkids

Tuesday evening we went to our grandson's pre-school Christmas program.  It wasn't his first public appearance, but this was in a different church and in front of mostly strangers, rather than the crowd he's used to in his home church.

These "firsts" are really interesting now that I'm the grandmother.  You never know what a kid is really like until they're in front of an audience. Like any bunch of kids, these were a smorgasbord of personalities from the toddlers on up to the five year old preschoolers.

Priming these innocents for a program begins at home, of course.  Since our daughter and husband have four in ages six, four, two, and eight months, we went early (like mid-afternoon) to lend a helping hand in getting the family all pulled together to be there in time.  Actually, Papa and I mostly did a little housekeeping, diapering, making a tomato soup and salad supper,  and then cleaning all that up.

While we were getting supper on the table, Amy laid out goodies on the dining room table for teacher gifts.  I'm not sure of the total number of gifts she had to put together for all the teachers encompassing church and school.   Each of the three olders have a couple of Sunday School teachers, several Wednesday night church teachers because there's a lot of part-time sharing, and the first grader has a couple of teachers in public school.  I'm out of breath just thinking about it!  Amazingly, they got them done without eating all of the M & Ms.

Gone are the days when, with only a couple of kids, Amy baked up dozens of different kinds of cookies.  She's learning the freedom of keeping things simple.  I tell her once all of these babies are in school her time will be more her own again.  From the look of her arched eyebrows I get the distinct impression she doesn't believe me.  Or, perhaps she considers her sanity will be gone by then.  Na,  "you're going to be just fine, dear daughter."

But I digressed.  Back to our grandson's first really public performance.  I didn't think it was very nice that his teacher singled him out to complain that he hadn't talked to her this Fall, but at least she prefaced it with "Derek is soft-spoken," which was an understatement in a kind of flattering way.

Papa and I were wondering if he would be too shy to even walk onstage with the rest of his class.  He looked really snazzy in black slacks, a crisp white shirt, a plaid red, white, and black vest, and red cowboy boots like his daddy always wears (altho' Daddy's aren't red).  Oh, and I don't want to forget that he wore a black tie that peeked out the top of his vest.  He enjoyed the compliments we all gave him before we left home.

He did really well, even singing the "Twelve Days of Christmas," in which a couple of students took their turn with each day--he and a buddy sang the 11th day together.  The song got pretty long, and when he sat down in place I got to thinking that might not be a good sign.  Finally, it was finished and it was announced the boys and some of the girls had to get their angel and shepherd attire on.

I got to wondering why Derek didn't leave the stage with the other little guys.  Finally, one of the teachers noticed it too and escorted him out.  When he didn't return with the other "shepherds," Papa looked at me and said, "bathroom."  I wasn't sure because the teacher had made a point of mentioning Derek's name when she dismissed the boys to get their costumes on.

After that, it kind of fell apart.  I'm assuming Derek refused to dress up like a shepherd 'cause he was dressed to the nines, and he wanted to keep it that way.  The teacher came back with him, and had to pick him up and put him on stage.  He promptly walked to the edge of the stage and sat down.  Teacher put him back up.  He walked to the risers and stepped down to the front row (2 rows ahead of us) and sat down like any other spectator.  He was so deliberate about it all, so serious and "adult" about it, neither laughing or crying.  Maybe in a few days he'll share with me what was going on in that towhead of his.

Through all this, his daddy was trying to get his attention to stay and stand, but Derek wasn't cooperating.  Finally, his older sis, Alana, sat down with him on the front row and tried to talk him into returning to the program.  Not even she could persuade him and finally gave up.  In the meantime his class had finished the song and gotten off stage.

Now, the program was over, the stage empty.  Except for one little four-year-old in red cowboy boots who had finally climbed back up the steps and looked ready for the next number.  He finally came down with coaxing from his oldest AND younger sisters.

When everyone was trying to get Derek to stand with his class, his 2-yr. old sis fussed because she wanted to go up there and sing with him.  She was ready to show him how it was done.  It's going to be interesting next Christmas when she'll also be in pre-school.

The best of this, is that there's one more program to get through--the children's program at church this Sunday evening.  We'll get to watch the three oldest shine.  Last year Derek wasn't about to do anything, not even for his paternal grandmother whose class he was in.  Nothing is going to keep me away from Sunday night's program unless I'm running a fever.  Oops! pretend I didn't say that--don't want to jinx it).

Did I mention that it's so much more fun being a grandparent than a parent?



 

Another Come-Back

Hi, to anyone who has been faithful to check and see if I've made it back from my chasm of grief.  I thought I would change the look of my blog just to remind myself and others that I'm here...again.

I've not been alone because God has been with me, even when I wasn't sure.  He IS faithful.

Since my sister died last March, we attended an uncle's funeral just three or four days after my sis's.  He lead a long, rich life on his farm.  He died after barely a year in the nursing home.

Since then we said farewell to three cousins.  My uncle and three cousins were all from my mother's family.  I was beginning to wonder what the Lord is trying to tell me.  But then I remembered that at last count, many years ago, I listed at least 50 first cousins from both my mother's and father's families.  Quite a few of us are still living, and we're all getting older.

So why should I wonder at these multiple deaths?  It will be sometime before the final earthly pages have been written for all of us.  One last uncle from my maternal side, and an aunt from the paternal side are still living.  I grew up rich in family relationships and annual reunions, and a plethora of memories.

Recently I've been meeting with one of my double cousins.  We had grown apart by miles, by raising kids, and by jobs.  But now that we're both mostly retired from working outside the home we have more time...well, a little more time, to get together and share our memories, some of which are mutual, and many of which we individually experienced  differently.  Our relatedness runs deep because her mother and father were sister and brother to my parents (in case you wondered what a double cousin is).

Perhaps I will share some of these memories here for my grandchildren to find someday.  But for now, I have to run because a couple of those grandkids are coming to spend the afternoon and I have to prepare a light dinner for this evening.

Hoping to be back soon.

Easter

The Saturday before Easter  (23rd) we went to our oldest granddaughter's soccer game.  She certainly has fun being mostly-the-goalee, but she has a mean kick too.  We took younger brother with us.  He was mostly on my lap, hiding his face and hands from the chilly wind.  It was pretty cold, and I was so glad I wore my winter coat instead of the spring jacket I thought would be warm enough.
For lunch we met with my niece from Las Vegas--she was working at her mom's house this past week, painting and putting up new curtains, refreshing it for a renter. I certainly admire her for getting around so soon after her mom's, my sister's,  death.  She flew home later in the afternoon to be at home with her family for Easter.
We got manipulated into staying for supper with Amy and family, when she said it was waffle and sausage night.  Now, her waffles are the best, and the German sausage is made in Hillsboro, KS.  It's not spicy, but has a smoked flavor like a lot of us around the area grew up with when our parent's did their own butchering.
It was so unusual not to have my family's annual Easter get together.  There aren't that many of us  in this area anymore, and we had all just been together for our sister's funeral.  Our daughter and her family came to our house.  This was Baby Abigail's first big outing--going to  church, coming here for dinner, and letting her parents shop at Walmart for necessities.
The girls were so cute in their matching dresses, with Easter hats for Alana and April.  April is so cute in what she says:   In church she asked her mom, "What in the world is going on here?"  For while she was telling me, "I've got an idea."  or "I've got a plan."  Never found out what the idea or plan was.
Our dinner was baked ham and baked potatoes, Black Cherry jello with applesauce for filling, Zwiebach (two-bun rolls), roasted corn cobs,  and Spring decorated cake for dessert. I made it easy by not making the traditional Graham Cracker Fluff.   Our son, Mark, and Tammy couldn't make it from Topeka.  They took Tammy's mom out so she could have some away-time from the nursing home where she's recovering from a stroke.
I've been having problems loading pictures.  I'll try and see what I can do.  It used be so easy to use the Picasa program for the blog, but after the changes made here Picasa doesn't seem to work as well.  Or at all!

Life is terribly unpredictable!

Yesterday is gone, and yet it seems as if time is standing still.  The day started and went about as usual.  But when evening came, it's a completely other story.

Last week Tuesday our pregnant daughter went to the hospital thinking it might be time for her to deliver their baby.  This would make it about a month early.  She doesn't feel contractions, doesn't know she's having one unless she's on a monitor that shows she having a contraction.  

It's kind of scary, really, when you stop and think about it.  All at once she would feel a need to push and have the baby wherever she happened to be.  I know that's part of the reason she went to doctor  prematurely.

Since she had been to the doctor Tuesday she was thinking about cancelling her regular Thursday appointment.  But when it came down to the wire, she decided to keep the appointment since she still felt like she could be having contractions.  The doctor kept sending her home.   Said she was only 1 cm. dilated.

Tuesday evening (yesterday) I went to a class I'm attending at our church every week for twelve weeks.  It sounds so neat in that by taking the class we will learn to go through some of our past pain and return to joy we were born to nourish.  

My hubby came and interrupted me...said our daughter was at the hospital and we needed to get the kids and bring them to our house.  I wasn't very surprised because of the way she's been "nesting" and packing the kid's bags and hers, and her apprehensions of last week.  

This time she's dilated to 3 cm.  Now that doesn't seem like much, I suppose, but once her babies decide to come 3 cm. can dilate from 4 cm. to 9 in just a few short hours.  So I'm praying for her and her hubby who is with her.  

We got the 3 little ones home to our house, just across town, brought in blankets, stuffed toys, bags mommy had packed and tried to get them settled in quickly.  I was helping them start a video to watch when my husband started listening to the answering machine.

I just heard a couple of words that I'm sure drained the blood from my face, something about someone passing away, and in that split second, I thought it might be my older sister who just had a lumpectomy for cancer.  She lives near Kansas City.

But I was wrong, it was my sister who lives just 30 miles from us, and who I had just talked to recently.  They're placing her time of death sometime Friday or Saturday.  

This is  such a blow--to get the call from her daughter in Las Vegas.  She became concerned when she couldn't reach  her mom by phone or email.  My sister was actually doing quite well, even though she had MS.  Both her daughter and me  nagged at her about wearing a call button because she admitted she was fearful of falling in her home because of MS and dying alone.  

I'm just numb.  All these things happening at once.  And hubby seems to be coming down with a cold.  His colds are not the usual 1 week, 7 days, because it can get complicated with  his allergies and asthma.  

I keep telling myself:  The Lord will not give me more than I can handle...He will not give me more than I can handle.  So, why then, does everything seem to happen at once??  I will trust in Him to get us through the next few days.

Now I must attend to my littlest granddaughter (so far) who is coughing.  I'm not always so good at handling the needs of other because of my disabilities.  He'll not give me more than I can handle...amen & Amen.  This too shall pass.  

My beautiful granddaughter, April, who will be two on April 27

The Weekend

Here is Alana with her before (lower picture) and after (above) pictures when she gifted the tooth fairy last Friday.
 

Look what the UPS man brought! Already assembled, no batteries needed, self-propelled, complete with blue eyes, blond hair, button nose, and the cutest smile. We love that little doll!

Alana loves to play soccer.  Her team's first game was Saturday morning.  She made two goals, so she got to wear the shirt all day.  She's a fast runner and has a strong kick with an accurate aim.  I know 'cause when she was practicing at home I was on the receiving end of one of her balls and--well, it kind of stung, "Ouch!"

Dean took Amy out for dinner Saturday evening for her 34th birthday.  We entertained the kids for them, or rather the kids entertained us.  It's fun to be a part of their bath time, getting them clean and fresh for Sunday School on Sunday morning.  They were all asleep by the time their dad and mom came to pick them up.  They slept through the process of getting them buckled in their seats, and slept through the reverse process when they got home.  Guess we still have the energy to wear them out, huh?

We had one of the kids' favorite dishes last Saturday night--Spaghetti! I couldn't believe how much our little April ate. The best way to eat is with your spoon in one hand while you stuff the food in with the other hand.

She kept saying and signing, "More. More," at least four or five times, like a little bottomless jug.




Saturday afternoon we had a gully-washer.  The rain poured down for about 5 minutes.  It was nice and cool after that.  We needed some rain to clear the air of summer.  Hopefully, we've seen the last of ninety-degree temperatures.  We're looking forward to a beautiful week of fall weather here in Kansas.

At the grand children's house, there's a horizontal laundry chute from the front bathroom to the laundry area.  A tunnel with lots of possibilities, that is, when it's empty.

This time Derek was a puppy while Alana was the mother-dog. Even April got involved by "arf, arfing," along with them.  Altogether they sound like more than just three pups.  There's never a dull moment around those three.

Alana takes her age seriously which means she usually plays the dominant role.  Wonder how much longer that will last?

Fall, Books, and Grandchildren

The first day of Fall came and went. It hasn't made a huge dent in the Kansas weather, although temperatures in the 80's are better than 90's. The winds finally blew in some rain, below an inch, which was very welcome. I drove home from my daughter's farm in a heavy shower Thursday night. I managed to keep moving without incident. I'm not as used to driving in the rain at night, but since we moved thirty miles from our daughter it's necessary sometimes.

I commemorated this Fall by going to one of my favorite places in Wichita, after a doctor appointment. I could spend hours at Bookaholic just browsing. They take books and give trade-credit, selling them for half off the original price, and giving half-credit for the marked-price of books I want. The prices may not be as good as our local resale bookstore, but the local store doesn't give credit for donations anymore.

I knew what I was looking for, the Holly Clegg cookbook that Cindy mentioned in her http://realpersonproductreviews.blogspot.com/ Her honest review and the facts she shared about the book sold me. I'll for sure continue looking for it because I didn't find it at Bookaholic.

I didn't come away empty-handed, however. I found a book by Emilie Barnes, Time Began in a Garden. It's similar to another one of her many books I have, If Teacups Could Talk. These are both coffee-table quality books, but I usually have them on the night stand by my bed or wherever I want to pick them up and read for inspiration and comfort.

I found another book I've been wanting to own: Life Recovery Bible. I didn't find the Bible, but the New Testament with Psalms and Proverbs. This will suffice because, If I have to, I can use the complete Life Recovery Bible from our Church Library. I usually hesitate adding another Bible to my already extensive collection, but the Topics indexed, the Relections and Insights at the end of each book, all tied to the Steps of Recovery, are what I've been looking for.

Lastly, I bought a book I think I or my daughter will enjoy in planning menus and cooking activities for the children, The Pampered Chef Kids in the Kitchen. I haven't invested in a lot of Pampered Chef products, but Amy has quite a few. It's a little awkward for me to read the recipes around all their listed bold-faced products, but the recipes are tempting enough to try. If I get tired of it, I'll pass it on to the grandkids when they read enough to use it.

Enough about books.

Yesterday, I went to spend the afternoon with Amy and the kids. She spent most of the afternoon resting and napping while I entertained the three cuties and picked up in the family room. I put some toys away that more often end up cluttering than being used purposefully for play. I hope they stay locked up in the cupboard so I don't have to go through the same aggravation next time I'm there.

While I was there, the 5-year old was struggling with a lose tooth. She wanted it out so she could enjoy eating an apple and roasting ears. But the fear of the process, be it pain or a few drops of blood, was scaring her. Both parents tried to talk her into giving up this useless little tooth, that was just hanging on by a thread, but had no luck.

Later, when she and younger brother were playing a game of "puppies," she suddenly exclaimed, "Derek, you knocked my tooth out." I thought, oh, oh, for Derek. But, no, Alana was delighted that he had accomplished what no one else could. Little brothers are alright sometimes. The tooth went into the fairy's pillow where I'm sure there will be a prize in return.

A couple of days earlier she lost her other front tooth. That means that there's a big gap in her smile. Daddy said that she should be singing that old song, "All I want for Christmas," which prompted Mommy to get out a Christmas CD. Alana practically had it memorized by the time I left. I know what I'll be singing the next time I visit.

I tried uploading cropped pictures from Picasa 3, but copying the pathway refers back to the uncropped photo.

Arts & Crafts Fair; and Twins?, etc.

I'm just warning you, this got kind of long.

It's been a crazy, busy week. I guess that's what makes the time go fast. I haven't been so see the grandchildren since last week. So wouldn't you know that this would be the week April began, not just taking a few steps without help but, walking on her own. Her mom said she's going all over the place. I missed it. I'm going to see that sweet, growing toddler and her siblings tomorrow. It seems kids change so much when they start walking and gain that level of independence. Out of our arms and into the world, or so it seems.

Tomorrow, Saturday, is the big annual Arts and Crafts Fair in Hillsboro, Kansas, our old hometown. I remember the first year it started, and how it ballooned in the following years. Several years ago they had to block off more streets to extend out from the center of town. There were four booths deep, two back-to-back in the middle of the streets, and on the sidewalk in front of the businesses on both sides of the street. The highest number of booths were almost 400. That would make the 275-300 expected this year seem few in comparison. During the 41 years of the fair, the times it rained can be counted on one hand (that's according to my memory). That's a pretty good record considering how fickle Kansas weather can be. Most amazing is to see the Hillsboro population of 3,000 swell to 30-50,000 on this one day. At times you can hardly walk because of the crowd. It takes a lot of preparation and people to make it work, with parking and shuttle busses, emergency personnel and vehicles available, etc.

All the vendors have to have products they made with nothing store-bought. It's interesting to see what hot new item shows up each year. One year, and several years following, weather vanes were the craze. Paintings, wire art, wreaths, clothing and quilts, pillows and stuffed animals made from old chenille spreads and quilts, baby things, kitchen and Christmas decor, jewelry, wood, pottery, and candles are always popular. It's fun to see with what people keep themselves busy, and the high quality of workmanship. I hope to pick up some Christmas gifts.

Did I mention the 25-30 food concessions? German delicacies and meals are the order of the day with some non-cultural additions like funnel cakes, curly potatoes, walking tacos, Kettle popcorn, snow cones, caramel apples, to name a few. One of our friends makes gallons and gallons of New Year's Cookie, or Portzelke, dough and fries them all day long to sell singularly or by the dozen. Vrenika and Sausage with home-baked bread and Cherry Moose, pronounced "mose," or home-made pie is a popular menu. The sausage is made in Hillsboro and has a rich smoked flavor rather than being spicy like Italian sausage. Bierachs are also a favorite lunch or snack item. Green Bean Soup, made with ham shank or hocks, and Borscht (not the beet Borscht, but made with beef or chicken, vegetables and cabbage) are popular with Zwiebach (two buns, a small one baked atop a regular one). Peppernuts are a real treat for old and young alike. There are many different recipes but my favorite one is made with molasses and lots of spices including anise. They all range in size from as big as half a thumb to as small as the tip of a little finger. I'm reminded that I still have some dough in the freezer from last Christimas I need to bake. They average in cost from $6 to $8 a pound. My mouth waters just thinking about it all.

If you would like to see more go to: www.hillsboroartsandcraftsfair.com

Our daughter, now ten weeks pregnant, came to a doctor's appointment last Wednesday. She made sure the doctor checked the heartbeat to see how many there were since her father-in-law is a twin. I guess it's more likely to have twins if a mother or grandmother was a twin or birthed twins. Since it was too early to hear the heartbeat they did a sonogram and found only one.

We were beginning to seriously wonder about twins since the two oldest children had been mentioning twins in their discussions of the baby. Alana was asking Mom how old April would be when the new one comes. Amy told her two, almost to the day or within a week of April's birthday. Alana then said that the next baby should come in two years after the last one. Amy asked her if she didn't think four kids were enough. to which Alana replied, "If this baby is a twin there will be five." For a five year old she does pretty good math already. Then Derek, the three-year old was wondering if the baby would be a girl or a boy. When Amy said if it was a brother then there will two girls and two boys in the family, Derek said, "yeah, or if it's twins then there will be three boys and two girls." I hope a sonogram is more reliable than a stethoscope.

Some parents have been surprised when a twin was hiding during pregnancy. Dean & Amy's friends went to have one of those 3-D sonograms done which was done at a studio instead of a doctor's office. I've seen those advertised and they look pretty awesome where one can get a really good picture of the facial features and the babies activities in the womb. How cool is that? When this couple, who had 2 or 3other children, went for the 3-D, the photographer said, "You do know that you're having twins?" Would they have been surprised and unprepared at that birth!

On Wednesday we went to the funeral of our son's girlfriend's step-dad. He was a nice man who enjoyed life with humor and making memories with his family. Some people know how to have fun and he was one of them. My hubby is ornery like that.

Sunday evening we're looking forward to hosting our Community Life Group from our church. I think I'll make home-made ice cream, angel food cake or brownies, with cold cuts, veggies, and crackers. We have a time of study, discussion, sharing our joys and concerns, and praying for one another and others. No one is exempt from stresses and struggles. Thanking God for his blessings and asking for guidance and protection are a wonderful privilege I would never want to take for granted. May God bless your day and your weekend.

"What joy for the nation whose God is the Lord, whose people he has chosen for his own." Ps. 33:12

Life's Surprises

Whenever I have a long or short pause between posts it's because I'm having computer problems (not this time as my ISP is working for now), I'm just way too busy and too tired to think and write.  Other times I'm having a foray into a large or small struggle with depression which I don't like to talk about.

When I'm too busy to write I think about all kinds of creative ways I could write about living and dealing with chronic pain, diabetes, and the depression and/or anxiety that accompanies these physical manifestations.  That is until I do have the time to write.  Anyone who has experienced depression or the blues knows what a block it can be to writing creatively.  Anyway, who wants to hear it?  Maybe on a different blog.

Another reason for a pause in writing on my blog is receiving a surprise or shock to my sensibilities that throws me off-balance and, being the obsessive thinker that I am, I have to take some time to recover my equilibrium.  This is not the way I used to be before the chronic pain and diabetes came into my life, when I was plenty busy with work and other enjoyable activities.  I used to utter an, "Oh, well, that's life," and go on. 

The point I'm getting to is, our daughter and family were at our house a couple of weeks ago and dropped a big surprise on us.  Well, it was and it wasn't. If you know what I mean?  You'll know as soon as I get to the point.  Without further ado here it is--our daughter handed us this picture:

I started asking my daughter why she was holding the #4.  And then it dawned on me!  Now some people are probably a lot quicker than I am.  Also, I should have known something was up when her hubby made an out-of-the-blue comment about us not having a recent family picture of them around the house. They're good when it comes to catching us by surprise.

Why should I have been surprised after having suspicions a couple weeks earlier, when I noticed our daughters mid-section pooching and thinking, "I'd bet all my money (which isn't much) on it, that she's pregnant.  I quickly put it on the back burner 'cause even then I was having a difficult time wrapping my mind around the idea they would have another child soon.  I thought, "Their life as farmers and parents to three is very busy now."  "What would it be like with another baby," I wondered.  Chaotic, that's what!  But blessed, I'm sure.

What tickles me is that the 3-yr. old son has the same expression as his daddy.  The oldest one has a kind of oh-well-it's-just-another-brother-or-sister look on her face, and the baby hasn't a clue of what will be hitting her in about eight months.  I usually feel somewhat sad for the baby having to adjust to a new sibling.  They've hardly had the time to capture their mommy's and daddy's hearts when they must move over to share their needs with another.  Is two years long enough to solidify in a child's mind that they are still the twinkle in their mom's and dad's eyes, or have they gotten enough of mom and dad to think, "oh, what a relief.  Now mom and dad will concentrate on someone else while get a break from their smothering so I can grow up?"  But what-if this baby turns out to be April's birthday gift on April 27, 2011??

Well, there you have it.  How my mind does go on in life's situations. I probably create most of my own troubles, hardly giving God a chance to calm me down to empower me with gratitude for all that life has to offer.  Yet, nothing's going to stop me from loving baby April in the next 8 months and thereafter to teach her she has a solid place in our world, being loved and loveable.  That's the way I've felt with each one, but as you know when a new baby comes into our lives he or she takes command of the whole family in a way we've hardly anticipated even though we've been through it several times before.  Oh dear, there I go again, borrowing trouble from the future.

I ask your prayers for Amy as she sludges through the fatigue and hormonal complexities of these first months of pregnancy.  I can only help her out a couple afternoons a week.  Pray for me to calm down and trust God to meet her needs through others.  Her mom-in-law lives much closer than me and is a big help.  Her hubby is like most at this time, wondering when this phase is going to be over.  He helps as much as he can.

They're into Fall harvest which is more involved than wheat harvest in the Spring.  It keeps the women busy preparing and taking lunch and supper out to the field and cleaning up afterwards.  It's hard work lugging all that stuff to and from the van, including buckling and unbuckling several children into the car seats.  Harvest demands long hours of the farmer when the farmer's wife is a harvest widow.  Our son-in-law is good to his family.  He takes at least one or both of the oldest out in the tractor or combine with him (air-conditioned cabs are a God-send), and takes time to tuck them into bed when he can.  The expectant father tends to have his stresses too, especially when there are one or more of the children restless at night and sleep is an illusive dream.  He needs prayer too.

When I go help our daughter I usually go mid-afternoon through bath and bedtime for the kids.  Pray for a divine strength to carry me through those strenuous hours.  As I always say, this too shall pass--maybe not having babies, but these early years requiring all the energy two parents, and two sets of grandparents, can handle. I don't know how families with ten or more kids do it!  It proves hard work doesn't kill us and that we keep going by the Grace of God, I'm sure.

That's my wish and prayer for all of you today, the Grace of God be with you.

About Being Offline

It's so great to be back online. I've spent the last couple of days catching up on my blogger friends. If I didn't have time to comment on each one I visited I'll try to do that the next time I stop by. You all are my online community and I've missed you.

What did I do the last three months I was offline? Luckily it was Spring and Summer which are always busy since our daughter married a farmer and is Mom to three lovely, active, children. I'll share some pictures below so you can get an idea of just how beautiful they are. Of course, I could be prejudiced since I'm their Nana!

Being offline was not as ugly as I had always imagined it might be. I wish I could say I started that book I've always threatened everyone I would write someday, telling our family secrets through imaginary characters or some other disguise. However, everyone is safe as not one sentence has been uttered on paper.

With all that time on my hands I wanted to get rid of the clutter and unnecessary stuff around our home to reach my goal of living the simple life of a minimalist. But, alas, much of it is still staring me in the face when I wake up in the morning and go to bed at night. I keep wondering where I found the time to write a blog, check on friends and family in Facebook, and do research on the internet.

I could have made a dent in some of the books I've been intending to read, but I kept checking more out from the library and buying one or two from the thrift shops. Now I have to decide if I'm ever really going to read my collection and, if not, whether they're just clutter too. How dare I call my books clutter! Every book feels like a close friend whether I've read it or not. I fall in love with the cover or the subject, or the artwork and pictures inside. I find it excruciatingly hard to part with these dear friends. I guess that makes me a hopeless bibliophile. There, maybe I've finally accepted it, even though I may get teased and upbraided for all my books--I won't name any one of my loved ones who might do that; or who, when I'm in a shopping mall with them will vigorously steer me away from the bookstore. If I have to choose, I'd rather buy a book than eat.

Quite a bit of the time I was offline, I enjoyed studying the Bible. Our church pastoral team has been giving a sermon series on Romans 8, my favorite chapter in the whole Bible. When I'm having a difficult time in my life Paul's message of Christ loving me and redeeming me from sin, and then giving me His Spirit to be my comforter is what I cling to for keeping my faith intact. "Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." (v. 26) And then that joyful 28th verse: "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." God doesn't make junk (I borrowed that from somewhere), which is good to remember when I'm in the dumps. No matter how dirty and difficult life gets, I am right where God wants me to be. Looking back through the years, I can now see that He has made something good out of what happened. I'm so thankful to be reminded of God's incomparable love!

Enough dialogue for now. Here are those pictures I promised.

A couple of days in July, our daughter with her three came over to visit us and a friend of hers in Newton while husband and father went to St. Louis for a farm conference. It was hot enough to enjoy lots of water play.

Our oldest granddaughter, who will be in Kindergarten this year, came to spend a night with us. She came on Wednesday night and right away she said she was going to stay till Saturday. Those two and one-half days were some of the best Papa and I have had this summer. The first morning we ate breakfast at McDonalds. We stopped and bought fresh roasting ears from the Gaeddert Farm stand. But first we had to clean up our "messy driveway." Then we shucked the corn. I let her watch a movie she likes, "The Girl and the Fox." We went to the library and checked out several books to read and a triple rocker to share with brother and sis when she went home.

The next afternoon we went to the water park where our social butterfly had lots of fun with other children who also came to cool off. I know I need to write down more of the clever things she says, but they all come so fast and by then we've moved on to other things. We had to go back to the water park "one more time" on Saturday morning before I took her home.

The baby is trying to fill Daddy's shoes because she loves her daddy. Everytime the back door opens, no matter where she is, she yells, "Dada?"

Father's day we went to see our son and his girlfriend. Our son grilled the most delicious hamburgers and hotdogs. We brought the ice cream freezer and froze vanilla ice cream. Yum! They had just moved from their apartment to a roomy house.

Little brother has to wait his turn while Papa swings big sissy and little sis. It's hard being in the middle

Here is Little Miss Fancy Fanny chattering to whatever is out there.

Once upon a time there was a cute, furry bunny named Oreo. And then there wasn't. It's a sad story we won't go into right now.  Perhaps Old Earl, the farm dog, could offer a clue.  That's life on the farm.

Our lovely, sweet (most of the time) grandchildren.

If you get all three to sit still and smile at the same time, it's something of a miracle. It only happened with two-thirds of them this time. But you can see how they're all members of the same family. I wonder where they all got those blue eyes and blonde hair?

Media Blitz

It always warms me when one of my relatives makes a scene...in the paper that is. Here's a picture of our granddaughter coming in second in the pedal pull contest at the Marion County Fair. Her win qualifies her to compete in the petal pull at the State Fair in September. She wasn't half as excited as her parents and the rest of us. She didn't need to be coerced into doing this nor into doing the calf chasing contest. She says she's growing up to be Daddy's cowgirl. http://www.hillsborofreepress.com/content/view/18090181/31/>

Picture courtesy of Hillsboro Free Press

Our nephew recently made a big splash on the front page with this story: >http://www.hillsborofreepress.com/content/view/18089925/31/

Picture courtesy of Hillsboro Free Press

Picture caption: "As Tim Unruh watches, master chef Lynn Crawford offers cameraman Kristoff Roehon a sampling of Unruh’s cherry mousse during a break in filming for the Canadian Food Network show tentatively titled “Fearless Chef” in the Peter Paul Loewen House." Don Ratzlaff / Free Press

The Peter Paul Loewen House is widely known as the Adobe House Museum in Hillsboro, commemorating the settling of Mennonites from Russia in the Hillsboro area. Tim was wearing a beard for Hillsboro's 125th celebration which certainly gave him the authentic look of an 187o's Mennonite. However, it's not authentic that a Mennonite father would have cooked and baked, nor been a stay-at-home father. He's lucky to live in this era with the right to pursue his talents.

Here are excerpts from the article: "And he [Tim] did it all in the stark surroundings of the Peter Paul Loewen House, the traditional Russian clay brick house built in 1876. The show’s host, Lynn Crawford, most recently the executive chef at the five-star Four Seasons resort hotel in New York, and her camera crew of five were in Hillsboro to film part of an episode for a new show the Canadian Food Network is producing under the working title of 'Fearless Chef.'"

In addition to raving about his baking techniques, Crawford simply gushed as she sampled the Mennonite-ethnic New Year’s Cookies, mulberry-rhubarb pie and cherry mousse he had prepared in advance.

"I’ve eaten pie in some of the best restaurants anywhere, and this is absolutely the best I’ve ever had,” she said between bites.

"Such high praise could be hard to swallow for a person hoping to represent traditional Mennonite humility.
“I guess I was really surprised,” Unruh said about Crawford’s response. “Here you have this five-star chef—in my mind, that’s like the ultimate. She’s experienced everything—she went to chef school and is really well-trained. She was working at a famous hotel-resort.
“For her to compliment me like that... it was a good feeling.

"Filming at the Loewen House was only the first stage of a three-day experience for Unruh. That evening he was interviewed at his home for an additional hour.
But that wasn’t the end of it either. The traditional “feast” was to follow the next day.
“That ended up being at our house,” said Unruh, who also is a veteran horticulturalist who works a few hours a week for The Garden Center in Hillsboro.

"The new show will begin airing in Canada after the first of the year. Director Cheryl Zalameda said they hope they have done enough shooting in the United States that the program will be purchased also by the Food Network or Discovery Channel in this country.
Whatever the outcome, Unruh said the crew promised to send him a copy of the finished episode. But it isn’t likely that Unruh or his family will forget the experience anytime soon.
“For a small-town boy in Hillsboro to have this opportunity to learn something from—or just be in the presence of a famous chef—it was one of those opportunities that you can’t pass up,” Unruh said.
“I love cooking so much, and I wanted to learn as much from her as she was learning from me. It was a huge honor for me to have her here.” (End of quotes from the article).

Tim works parttime at the Loewen house. I hope you'll follow the link to the full article. It's so exciting to have Tim's talents shared with others. He and his wife and three sons live in his parents home, and another story is how they've furnished and decorated it with antiques.

Tomorrow or as soon as I can, I'll post pictures of Tim's garden I took last summer. The picture at the top of my blog is his inviting back porch. I want to sit down in that chair and have a quiet time.

Time Flies

Wow! I just gotta take some time here to post a recent picture or two of April, who will be 3 months this Monday, July 27th. What can I say but that she's a doll and a charmer--maybe I've said that before. What a blessing grandchildren are. I can't get enough of them. Have been going a couple of times a week to visit them, and also help out their mom, our daughter. I need to get here more often, and I think about it everyday and all my new friends here who have probably given up on me. I can't seem to stretch my time to encompass keeping up with family and friends on Facebook and writing on my Blog here. Well, enough groaning about keeping up with the times. Here's a couple of pictures.

That almost looks like a smirk. Naw, she's too young and innocent. But then, again, she's been looking at her silly Nana.

Now that's a real smile, and when she's not too hungry or wanting a diaper change, this is what she does. I miss her, just looking at her pictures.

Here's all three. "Sissy," as little brother calls his big sister, big and little brother (being the middle child), and the babe.

Sissy and little bro being silly again! What will they think of next?

Having fun at the park while visiting Nana and Papa.

Okay, that will have to do till next time when I try to catch up on showing you pictures I took of old abandoned farm houses and other stuff I saw while visiting a friend in Republic County, Kansas. God be with you till we meet again.

New Grandbaby!

April Mae born April 26, 2009 at 3:38 a.m., 7 lbs., 12 ozs., 19 inches. Lots of dark hair--Nana took her hat off here so you could see some of it. She's a real cutie and already we can tell she's a sweet heart. Her mommy calls her "Sweet Pea." She looks a lot like her mommy when she was a baby.
(Ignore the dates as my camera was confused) More pictures below.

APRIL'S STORY:

Did I say in my last post we were expecting our third grandchild in May? We were pleasantly surprised when April Mae was born in April instead of May (her middle name is her other grandma's middle name and not the month). I think her middle name should have been Storm, or Stormie, as her dad, mom, sister, and brother arrived at the hospital during severe thunderstorms. Part of her labor stalled when all of the patients at Newton Medical Center had to sit out a tornado warning in the hospital hallways. Luckily, mom didn't have to deliver to an audience!

In so many ways, God was protecting them. Dean was scheduled to sing with the Mennonite Men's Chorus in Newton and was just getting ready to leave for the early rehearsal when mom felt a strange pressure in her belly, while loading the dishwasher after Sunday dinner. After calling the doctor it was decided she had better get to the hospital to check it out. Amy had her bag packed, but hadn't prepared bags for Alana and Derek who would come to stay at our house. I guess there was some frantic packing going on for the next hour or so. Plus, Alan and I were doing some hard praying that they would make it through the thunderstorms okay. Later, we found out they were just moments ahead of a downburst or straight-line winds that did quite a lot of damage in areas around the road they drove on to Newton.
Since the baby's due date was May 15, and Amy was scheduled to be induced on May 7, it was thought this would be a false start. When Alan and I were at Amy and Dean's house on Saturday, however, I knew there was no way this baby was going to wait to be delivered on May 7. Amy was so uncomfortable and the baby's position had obviously lowered.

Going back to the Sunday before, on April 19, Dean and Amy agonized a few days whether or not they would go to my sister's house in Paola for my family's Easter dinner, a two and a half hour drive. Dean would have to miss the first performance of the year of the Mennonite Men's Chorus at Bethany College in Lindsborg. He finally decided he had better accompany Amy to Paola in case she went into early labor, a highly unlikely prospect given the first two pregnancies, but not impossible as we were to find out.

I jokingly said to Alan on Saturday, the 25th, on the way home from spending the day with Amy, "Wouldn't it be something if Dean had to miss the Mennonite Men's Chorus performance in Newton tomorrow 'cause Amy might go into labor?" I'm not sure that, in the 15-18 years he's sung in the chorus, he has missed a performance. This year he missed both.

When we called our son, Mark, and his girlfriend, Tammy, at about 6 p.m. Sunday evening, Amy had dilated to 4 cm. When Tammy, who is an RN, heard that, she said, "She'll deliver within the next 12 hours. She was right, as April arrived at 3:38 a.m. Monday morning, almost exactly 12 hours from the time they arrived at the hospital. Amy called us around 5:00 a.m.

Praise God, it was so good to hear everyone was doing fine, though tired. These words from Psalm 71 came to mind: "You have taught me ever since I was young, and I still tell of your wonderful acts. Now that I am old and my hair is gray, do not abandon me, God! Be with me while I proclaim your power and might to all generations to come." (v. 17-18) I consider it a precious calling as Mother and Grandmother to pass on to our children and grandchildren the wonderful story of God's grace given to us through His Son, Jesus.

It was certainly God's grace, showered on me through friend's prayers, that brought me through last week. Anticipating the amount of energy I would need to care for Alana and Derek, and wanting it to be a joyful and blessed time of helping Amy and her family adjust to the addition of April to the family, I wondered how I would manage. But why did I spend one minute concerning myself with the details? The week went great one moment, one hour, one day at a time. The neuropathy pain that so often keeps me from enjoying daily life took a backseat to the joy of having April Mae join the family circle, and of caring for the family's needs as they adjust to the added responsibilities. I came home yesterday, May 3, feeling exceptionally tired, but fine otherwise.

We're so very thankful Dean and Amy are Christian parents who are teaching Alana, Derek, and April to know about, and love, God and Jesus. Each morning Alana and Derek listen as Mommy read's a children's Bible story, Daddy read's a Bible verse, and prayer is said before each meal and again at bedtime. One of Alana's favorite songs is "I have the Joy of Jesus in My Heart." It warms my heart to hear her sing it.

Now, it's time for some pictures. I may get carried away and start with some from Easter to the present.

Easter Sunday we met Mark & Tammy at the Flying J in Emporia, halfway between them and us. The Flying J is actually a busy truck stop but has an inexpensive, good-food buffet. We found out it probably wasn't busy because it was the first day for the "No Smoking" law in Emporia.

On the way to Paola, April 19, we drove through the Kansas Flint Hills right after "burn week," when they burn off the old growth to make room for new. It's quite a sight to see the blackened hills. By now, after the rains we've had, it will be green and lovely. I hope we drive to Topeka soon, to see Mark and Tammy, so we can drive through the hills blooming with wild flowers.

Cousins: Our daughter, Amy, is the uncomfortable one sitting on the right. Nancy Miller, standing center, Alissa Unruh, standing left, and from left to right: Savannah Unruh, Hannah Miller, Rachel Miller, & Avery Unruh.

Savannah, Rachel, and Hannah entertained us with their beautiful singing.

The day went much too quickly.

We missed our dear nephew, David, Savannah's dad, who passed away suddenly in January at age 39.

Corey Miller relaxes while the three youngest family members work out a toy dilemma: Madilyn McCool (my sister's great granddaughter), Derek and Alana Suderman, our two grandchildren at that time.




My sister, Jean McCool, admires her youngest greatgrandson, Hunter McCool, with our sister, Mary Jane Funk. Mary Jane's daughter, Denise White and husband, Jim, live in Las Vegas with their children, Kurt and Alexa. Unfortunately, we only see them about once a year.

L-R: Our sister-in-law, Edith Unruh (mother of the late David Unruh), Sisters Mary Jane Funk, Jean McCool, and Moi. We have some great times, just we four meeting at Jean's house, during the summer when we can enjoy antique shopping, eating out or cooking together, going for walks, and being silly "girls" again.

Back home on Sunday, the 26th, we're having fun in the basement waiting out the tornado warning. Alana and Derek like to ride the hobby horse. Alana named him Honey Pie, after Strawberry Shortcakes's horse. Derek is hanging on, but he gets on and rides Honey Pie by himself.

There's always time for snacks at Papa and Nana's house. We usually have Whales and raisins, grapes, cheese, or apple slices. Animal crackers are a big hit as well. There are always plenty of toys, crumbs, and other messes to clean up after Alana and Derek go home. These are the small things that store up precious memories for the years to come.

Big sister and brother are wearing their "billboard" shirts. Mommy made sure she packed them (the date should be the 27th on this pic). They were excited before sis was born about having a baby brother or sister. On our way from the hospital to our house I asked Alana what the baby's name would be if she had a sister. "Anita," she said. I asked, "What if it's a baby brother?"

"I don't know," she said, "but it has to start with a D."

Proud Daddy with his boy and girls. Derek, at two, is a little young to express his opinion about what he'll be when he grows up. Alana, 4, on the other hand, is going to be a cowgirl and ride a horse so she can round up cattle for her daddy. On Saturday, May 2, they put on their cowboy hats and boots and went out to watch Daddy work cattle with Grandpa and Grandma Suderman.

Daddy's girls, at home and doing fine.

Loving and admiring little sis, "Apa," as Derek says.

The best time of all is at the end of the day, when Daddy's in from the farmwork, Mommy's got the dishes done, baths taken, and all can sit down together for a story, cup of milk, then brush teeth and get tucked into bed. Derek sometimes sneaks out of bed and spends a little extra time by himself with Daddy and Mommy. Alana loves her stuffed animals who spend the night with her.

In Psalms 127:3, 4 we read: "Behold, children are a gift of the Lord; the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth." So true.

We've been blessed twice, first with a son and daughter, and now our grandchildren. Since I have so much to learn yet about life, it's hard for me to think of myself as a grandmother. But everything I've experienced and learned up to this point could not have prepared me for the joy I'm experiencing in our grandchildren.

Long Time Passing

It's been two years since I added anything to my blog spot. I can't believe it's been that long! So much has happened I hardly know where to begin to catch up. I've changed the look of the blog and like it much better. I've added some of my favorite bloggers and other interesting links. I highly recommend them.

When I last wrote we had one grandchild, a precious girl who is now 3 1/2 years old and just started going to preschool. She's an intelligent and a happy, precocious, presence in our lives. I'm often reminded how carefree childhood can be, and I'm relearning how to have more of a sense of humor, how to be spontaneous, how to have fun in everything we do, and how to live each day at a time. I know some of these very things I love about her are likely frustrating to her parents...she gets too enthusiastic in hugging her little brother, she babbles on to anyone who will listen and we never have to guess what she's thinking because she thinks out loud, and she has spurts of energy where she runs wildly around the house neighing like a horse. She likes to help set the table, cut up watermelon or honeydew with a plastic knife, but she doesn't always like to pick up and put toys away anymore. She's perfect company for anyone who may be feeling a bit lonely.

Her little brother joined the family in January, 2007. He has the same blue eyes, but blonder hair than his sister (he's what you call a real towhead), is quieter, and keeps most of his thoughts to himself. But his face is a dead giveaway as to what he's feeling or thinking. He lights up my day with the sunniest smile, a smaller imitation of his sister. His pout almost breaks my heart, and he seems to know it. I often find him in a pensive mood but he won't tell me what he's thinking. Of course, he hasn't learned all the words he needs to talk to us, but I have a feeling even when he has a good handle on language he will still keep a lot of things to himself. He takes more risks than his big sister, a lot of times because he's trying to keep up with her, but isn't old enough to do what she's doing. He raises quite a fuss when we won't let him do what could be quite harmful to him. He sits quietly reading a book or building a tower with Legos, that is if his sister doesn't interrupt him. Then it's time for Nana to read a book with one or both to help diffuse over-enthusiastic sibling rivalry.

Being a Nana is more wonderful than I ever imagined it would be. Even on days when my chronic pain is at it's worst, just getting a call from my daughter which often includes a hello from Alana or Derek helps me forget what's bothering me. Hours of pain are erased when I spend time playing with, and caring for, our grandchildren. It's afterwards that I groan, moan, and limp around like an injured horse (who's lost its neigh), and complain to my hubby, Papa, that I can't budge another inch. But it's all worth it. Yes, and yes, grandchildren are real gifts from God, and also our children, who are the first blessing. But sometimes I've wished it could be lived backwards...if we would have our grandchildren first (I know, it's impossible), then we could hopefully enjoy our children as much as we now do our grandchildren. I remember it was the sense of responsibility, perfectionism, and constant vigilance to protect them that hindered me from just letting go and enjoying the moments each day, week, month, and year.

I'm not saying I didn't enjoy our son and daughter. There was real joy in those times of spontaneous connection in the moment. There was a feeling of great reward when they responded to our love which included times of discipline and consequences not to their liking. We all survived those times and we had fun in spite of them. I just hope that our children mostly forget the struggles and remember the good times. Going to the pizza place in Spring to celebrate the beginning of Summer. Going back to the pizza place and shopping for school needs and clothes in Fall. Having popcorn and watching a rented movie on a stormy winter's night. I especially want them to know we have always loved, and always will love them. I think our relationships have evolved more to a friendship level now. At least that is my hope. Is it possible to stop being a parent, or a child of parents? Hopefully, we can reach a level of maturity where we put those roles in perspective and let go to experience and enjoy each other as the individuals we are.

On the lighter side: Kansas has had a mild and wet summer. Having grown up on the farm and having a farmer for a son-in-law I find that the growing seasons still influence my life. I love Spring and Fall, especially Spring since I was born in April, and Spring is a life-enriching time. Everything is reborn in Spring. As a child I loved summer. School was out, and I could bask in the long sunny days as I read a book or helped my mom freeze or can garden produce. Any hot weekend was an occasion for home-made ice cream served with angel food cake, lemonade and iced tea. Chewing on ice cubes while reading or working was a pleasant way to cool down. It still is a pleasant way to cool down, but better than ice cubes are the low-cal, low-sugar fruit smoothies I make to subdue a hot day. Mmm-Mmm!

I like Fall because it's a time to slow down and think. Cool, rainy afternoons are just right for catching up on journal writing, setting goals and planning, considering what I can do on those cold winter days when snow keeps me housebound. Will I attempt to get out my scrapbooking materials and finally finish the album I began soon after Alana was born and is still only half done? Maybe I'll write that short story or start a novel. Saturdays might be spent baking some bread or cinnamon rolls to warm up the kitchen and enjoy the scents that remind me of pleasant memories from the past. It's time to get out the full-spectrum lamp that I can sit under while I read or work on the computer to drive away the gloom of SAD. That's the main thing I dread about winter--the short and cloudy days that keep away the sunshine which I absolutely need to feel happy.

I guess I can always come to my blog here and surf the links and favorite other blog spots to drive away the gloom. I'm feeling better already because I have something to look forward to. I wonder if anyone will read this blog and find something that speaks to their heart and will inspire them to share or comment so we can carry on a conversation about life? I can only hope and pray that will happen.

Life Goes On

John Lennon said, "Life goes on while we're making other plans." That's how this blog has been going. I can't believe it's been more than three weeks since my last post. I had the best intentions to post at least once or twice a week. Last week I had a post all ready to publish and then lost it in the publishing process. Grrrr! Computers. My computer! It gives me this "Can't find server" message all the time. From now on I've got to remember to save my post before I publish. It seems like the third time I click it finally gets through whatever is hanging it up. I'm sure there's a way to fix it if I would take the time to find out how.

Meanwhile, we've entered a heat wave here in Kansas and, from what it looks like, most of the rest of the United States as well. We need a larger bird bath so I don't have to go out more than a couple of times a day to refresh it. I have two in the backyard and one in the front yard. The grackles, bluejays, and doves get in, many as three to four at a time, and splash out half the water soon after I've refilled it. This afternoon there were about two dozen grackles, doves, jays, sparrows, and finches all feeding together in the shade of the Autumn Blaze tree we planted a couple years ago. You know it's hot when different species of birds congregate together in the shade, hold their wings away from their bodies, and have their bills open.

Reminds me of how we spent our summers on the farm without air conditioning. After lunch we'd cease all our activities and read or take a nap. Mother would put a large square fan in an open window and pump up a bucket of cold water from the cistern. She would soak a clean gunny sack in the bucket, bring it up dripping and hang it on the outside of the window behind the fan. That was the closest we came to an air conditioner or a water cooler. Prior to doing that we'd carry pails of water to pour under the trees near the chicken house where the chickens had a cool spot to rest. The cattle would submerge themselves in the pond up to their stomachs. We probably poured some water under a few bushes so the dog and cats had a cool spot for their afternoon siesta. Our farm was a rather primitive operation during the fifties. The only running water we had was if we ran from the well with a pail of water in each hand like Jack and Jill. Needless to say, working on the farm kept us out of trouble.

Our son plays drums and percussion in a pop/rock band. They are recording a CD right now, and from what I've heard I'm impressed, especially with the drummer. They are also getting more gigs as people in their area get acquainted with them. This has been his dream for a long time. There's a link, "Son's Band," in the sidebar here. Click on it and have a listen.

I'm still losing weight, a pound at a time (one or two a week). Being 50 lbs. lighter feels so much better. Being lighter doesn't make a difference on the neuropathy pain in my hands and feet. But otherwise, I keep feeling better as I follow the healthy diabetic diet. It's frustrating not to be able to walk as much as I'd like. Never having learned to swim (I tried and sank like a rock) my fear of the water keeps me out of the pool, which would be the most ideal type of exercise. I must say I really enjoy taking up less space in the world. Another plus is that I don't sweat nearly as much as I used to in summer. A good life-change diet is the US pyramid diet. Here's a link if you want to start following it, if not to lose weight, than to start feeling better and being more healthy: http://www.mypyramid.gov

Is housework exciting? It can be, especially since I finally quit procastinating and started cleaning out the spare bedroom closet. Moved everything out, threw away, gave away and opened up enough space to put the cedar chest under the hanging clothes. At least now I know what's in there. There's more to go through but it's in containers that will take me just a few minutes when I have some extra time.

Our daughter and hubby are taking a few days vacation from the farm. I'm going to stay with our 16-month old granddaughter at their house. I'm looking forward to having lots of fun as our toddler is active and inquisitive. Yesterday when we visited she was playing ball with me. She went a few feet away and squatted like a catcher and pointed right to the spot between her feet and said, "Ball, ball." --put the ball right here. I think she's watched some of her cousins play softball. Is it just me, or is she a very smart and clever 16 month old?? I'm really enamoured with how observant she is of what we're doing and picks up on how to do everyday things we take for granted, but are a big growth step for her. She's great at imitating others which means we all have to watch what we do and say because we're always under observation. Her dad and mom said they're starting to spell words. Aha! I love it when that kind of history repeats itself.

The garden is finally producing. I planted four tomatoes and three hills of cucumbers. Some of the cukes were bitter until we started watering everyday. The plants certainly have taken off and if the heat doesn't kill them we'll have many more of the tasty burpless vegetable. Nothing is more delicious than fresh home-grown vegetables. Bought some sweet corn from a local farmer which are super eatin'. All too soon the summer will be over and wel'll be back to frozen or canned food. We like to make a cool salad with cut-up cucumbers and tomatoes. Mix in a little sugar, vinegar, salt and pepper to suit your taste and enjoy. Some people like to put cream with that, but I like it without. Others add some ranch dressing.

I'm so excited! As a lover of bluegrass music, I can never seem to get enough as there are few radio stations in our area that broadcast it. Our local college radio station plays bluegrass every Saturday and Sunday afternoon, and one of the country/western stations sprinkles in a bluegrass song here and there. But now I found several bluegrass radio stations on the internet that I can listen to on the computer all day and all night long! Here's a link to one of the best: http://bluegrassradio.org/ Oh, wow, that good ole' bluegrass harmony with the banjo, fiddle, mandolin, and bass accompaniment. The best bluegrass music, to me, is gospel. Many of the people who play and sing bluegrass music got their start singing as a family or in a church choir. But that's a whole other story for another time--how I grew up with music and finally got to sing and play bass in a bluegrass band.

I'd like to share the words of a favorite bluegrass song we used to sing. It's usually sung acappella. If I can find a recording of it on the net I'll put up a link.

Green Pastures
Troubles and trials often betray us
Causing the weary body to stray
But we shall walk beside the still waters
With the good shepherd leading the way

Chorus: Going up home to live in green pastures
Where we shall live and die never more
Even the Lord will be in that number
When we have reached that heavenly shore

Those who have strayed were sought by the master
He who once gave his life for the sheep
Out on the mountain still He is searching
Bringing them in forever to keep

We will not heed the voice of a stranger
For he would lead us on to despair
Following on with Jesus our savior
We shall all reach that country so fair

Author: na
Version: Stanley Brothers

"For we were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls." I Peter 2:25