Happy 3rd Heaven Anniversary, Mom

 

 

Three years, Mom!  I don't know where the time has gone.  I just wanted you to know how much you are missed.  You were such a beautiful woman and as you got older, the kids thought you looked like Queen Elizabeth.  Jessie still says "Queen" when she mentions you!

 

I miss the fact that you were adventuresome.  You were always game for doing most things at least once.  You always gave it your best. 

 

As life drew closer to the end, you were in a lot of back pain, yet you tried not to let it stop you from going out and doing things.  Especially shopping.  I miss shopping with you, because I liked to spend YOUR money and you always let me!  To a certain extent, that is. 

 

I miss our nightly phone calls.  I still come home from somewhere or when something happens,  I think: "Oh, I've got to tell Mom that!"  Even Jon shared with me the other day how he does the same thing: wanting to call you up and tell you something.  Knowing we can't do that any more hurts.

 

It's been said that everyone in Heaven is in their prime - 20's - 30's.  If so, you probably look like one of the pictures above.  The one by the water on vacation somewhere, or with you and dad holding me on your lap.  (The top left picture is Mom's high school graduation picture.)  However you look, I know you're having an awesome time.  I keep telling Jessie that you are RUNNING with Jake and playing ball with him.  No more back pain.  I imagine you must just love seeing and hearing again, too.  And, being able to smell.  Those senses you lost here on earth are yours to enjoy forever!  

 

Wish you were still here, but I know that you wouldn't want to be.  Until we are together again, throw a ball at Jake for me, too!  Love you, Mom, and miss you very much!

 

 

 

 

What An Awesome Day !!!

Jon went to church and Jess and I had a special breakfast upstairs.  I made scrambled eggs, bacon and toast with mandarin oranges and diet greet tea and orange juice for Jess, too.  That was after a bath for Jess.  She's the only person I know that laughs hysterically when I shave her legs, not that I'm around anyone that shaves their legs!  At least she doesn't scream like when I cut her toe nails or fingernails!

Church service today was exceptional.  All I could say after the service was, "Oh, my!"  The music, the sermon and communion was very special.

Diane and Randie met us at the Chinese Restaurant for lunch, and Chris and her boys were there, too!  We had a nice lunch together, went to the "zoo" and then came home.  We were going to play games (Di, Randie, Chris and me) but we just visited.  I suggested watching a movie, but we just visited.  That was very nice.

Di and Randie left earlier then Chris stayed and we visited longer.  In all, it was a very nice, awesome day.  PLUS, the sun was shining and there was NO SNOW!

Just An Ordinary Day

That was the theme of our SM Ladies gathering this afternoon. We talked about Bible characters where God met them doing the mundane and how it changed their lives.  We talked about being faithful in the little things of life.  Then several of us shared moments in our lives where we knew God spoke to us and what changed or what we did.  I felt that we needed a song but I couldn't think of one in the past several days.  However, one of the women said that God told her to bring her iPod and play a certain song.  It fit so perfectly.  It was by Kari Jobe and I've already forgotten the name of the song.  But it was perfect.  I so enjoy these times with my fellow Stephen Ministers and I look forward to our monthly gatherings.

Rachel hung out with Jess at home all day.  They did book work, coloring, crafts, and the usual.  I also told Jessie to take out all the shoes from the coat closet and empty it so that later I could put the boots away and organize the messy closet.  When I got home I looked at the pile of stuff all over the place and thought: "What was I thinking?"  It got done, but not until 8:45 p.m.

Jon went to breakfast then to the show to see Noah.  Very unbiblical and over the edge.  He just rolled his eyes. 

Two Rubbermaids Done and Mailed

I wasn't feeling as good as I did yesterday, but I still managed to finish the 2 rubbermaids and get them ready for shipping.  I also did a couple loads of wash and paperwork.

Jessie and Debbie went out to breakfast and came home for about a half hour.  Then they went to the Rec Center for Gym Time.  Debbie said Jessie was "in rare form!"  I take it she had a good time.  When they returned I was almost finished with getting things ready, they were home for another half hour then they went with me to the bank, McDonalds for a late lunch and the post office to mail the boxes.

Debbie did her paperwork then we sat in the living room and chatted for a couple hours.  We never get to just sit and talk and it was nice.  Jessie, however, wasn't too keen on that idea.  She kept saying, "Debbie?  Home now?"  She really doesn't like to share Debbie or Brenda. 

Wednesday and Thursday

Wednesday wasn't a good day for me.  I felt like crap, so I didn't do much but sit in my chair, take Tylenol and use my eye rice pack.

When I went to bed last night I was sure that I'd have to go to the doctor's, but today I woke feeling better.  Not great, but much better.  I've been taking extra Vitamin C and eating mandarins.  Guess they help!

I thought I'd share a picture of Jessie and how she gets herself blocked in with her Apples2Apples cards.  Just a bit of warning.  If you should be in the room, do NOT mess with the card arrangement.  It won't be pretty.

Today, Thursday, as I said earlier, I woke feeling better, so I got busy and packed 2 rubbermaids to mail to Lois tomorrow.  I also did a couple loads of wash and managed a nap.  Brenda and Jessie went to Meijer's, the Rec Center and went swimming then exercised.  Subway lunch, post office and home.  Jess had another great day.  I am so blessed that she has wonderful caregivers that get her out and doing things that stretch her a bit but allows her to grow in various areas.

Another Milestone

Jessie wasn't able to swim today so Brenda thought she'd take her to an AMC30 and see a movie.  Good idea, except we've only taken her to the Romeo Theatre which only has 2 theatre rooms and is the "old fashioned" walk down to your seat - not up stairs.  I suggested she try MJR because the front entrance looks like it is part of a mall entrance, and not so big. 

She managed to get her inside, get popcorn and pop and they sat on the ground level seating and Jess did pretty good.  It worked that there were only 2 other small groups of people in there also.  Again, another milestone for Jessie.  AND, when asking her if she'd like to go to that show again, she said, "YES!"  Way to go, Jessie!

She's almost 24 years old and STILL learning and doing new things.  So much for the experts who say that "learning ends around 12 years old!".  Like Jess would say, "STUPID PEOPLE!" 

Poor Baby Jon

That's what Jess says when she watches home videos and I've captured times when Jon was sick.  I could take another video of him today and you'd see another "poor baby Jon".  He managed to take my van and go to the doctor's and get medication for a sinus infection.  He feels horrible and looks like it, too!

On his way to the doctor's he dropped me off at the funeral home for our friend, Frank, who passed away last Thursday.  I hitched a ride with Julie and Ortha to the church for the luncheon and a ride home from Don and Laura.  No news on Jon's jeep yet.

Debbie and Jessie went out for Girls Day out and Debbie said they both had a great day.  They had lunch at Big Boy's and then shopped at Target. 

A Restful Day

There really isn't much to tell about today.  Jess and I just hung out for the most part.  I called the tow truck company and they came and got Jon's Jeep.  Chris came late afternoon and watched Jess while I went with Debbie to a funeral home for a friend.  I put a beef roast dinner in the crock pot and I think that was the highlight of my day.  Jon came home sick from work and will go to the doctor tomorrow.  Right now Jessie is singing Christmas songs along with Kid Songs on her iPad. 

You And Me

For years I have been trying to get Jessie to understand the concept of "you" and "me".  When I point to her she is "you" and when she points to me I am "you".  When I point to myself, I am "me" and when she points to herself she is "me".  It is complicated if you think about it.  Today I told her that Rachel was coming to spend the day with her but tomorrow it would be just "you and me."  Walking away she said, "you and me".  I immediately went to her and said, "That's right, Jess!  You and me."  She got this big grin on her face and pointed to me and then herself and said, "you and me."  I almost cried and she gave me a big hug and said "Thank you, Jesus".  

Tonight when Jon got home I heard the garage door go up but he didn't come in the house.  I went out to see what was wrong and he got out of his jeep, held up his keys and said, "My car won't shut off!" Nothing he did made a difference.  He called Road Side Service and they couldn't help him either.  No one would tow it running.  Finally someone suggested unhooking the battery.  Thanks goes to our neighbor and friend, Don, who came and showed Jon how to unhook the battery, which did shut off the vehicle.  Guess we'll be down to one car for awhile. 

Ladies Game Night

 Jessie had breakfast out then went to the Rec Center to play in the Gym before Gym class.  She wasn't as willing to participate today as she has been.  Jon went to the show this morning.  I stayed behind, nursed a headache and prepared for this evening.

Ladies Ministry at our church is up and "running" and tonight we had our second game night.  There were only 25 women present, but everyone had a fun time of playing games, eating and meeting new friends.  One of our women, Diane, game a very touching devotional on friendship.  I'm thrilled to be a part of this new ministry and look forward to our next Ladies Event on May 30. 

Is It Time To Go To Bed Yet?

For the past several nights I have been extremely tired.  My eyes are even burning.  Obviously I needed a nap earlier today but didn't get one.]

I left the house at 9:00 for Bible Study and didn't return home until 3:30 p.m.  Jon picked me up from Bible Study after a special luncheon and we went to the Apple Store and he bought himself an iPad Air.  Now each of us have our own iPads.  He's thrilled with his new purchase.

We had dessert at Max and Erma's, went to church to check on a few things, collected our mail and finally went home.  Brenda and Jessie also had a long day out.  They went grocery shopping, to the Gym to try to get Jessie interested in the exercise equipment, McDonald's and then bowling.  I'm sure Brenda is looking forward to her pillow soon, too. 

Oh, yes.  By the way, today is National Down Syndrome Day 3 21. 

A Hard Couple Of Days

It's 11:25 p.m., all is well and I'm on my way upstairs.  It's just been a couple of difficult days and I really am too tired to blog.  Check in tomorrow night.

She Did What?

If I hadn't seen the picture, I'm not sure I would have even believed Brenda when she said that Jessie got on one of the exercise machines at the Gym today after swimming.  That was a miracle.  I was going to post the picture tonight but for some reason it didn't save properly, so I'll have to try it again tomorrow.  I'm so pleased that Brenda got Jess do get on it and pump her legs - at least for a little bit.  I know she never would have done it for me.

Happy St. Patrick's Day ...

especially to my Irish friend, Mary.  We had breakfast together and visited.  It was the first time since October that we've talked for a length of time. As always, Mary was dressed up and her outfit included a green sweater and  a special Irish pin.

Girls Day Out included Debbie, Jessie, Kylee and me.  Kylee didn't have school so she came over and helped me put away my snowmen.  I've been bringing them upstairs every time I go up.  Slowly but surely they "all" went upstairs.  We packaged them up after I went through the boxes and got rid of a lot of ones I've decided not to keep.  We made one final sweep of the downstairs to make sure we had them all.  While Kylee was helping me make corn muffin pancakes for dinner she spotted a snowman tea pot - right on the kitchen counter.  When she left I found a snowman light and a snowman candy dish.  I guess I better find another box to put them in. 

Saturday and Sunday

This morning while I was eating breakfast I began to wonder if I blogged last night.  I remembered being on the computer doing payroll and mail, but couldn't recall any words that I might have typed.  Sometimes I wonder about myself.  Apparently I did not, so now you're stuck with two days of reading:

Yesterday Rachel came and watched Jessie while Jon and I went out to the post office, breakfast, the bank, Home Depot, Penney's at Lakeside and Kee's Pets.  Rachel and Jessie met Jane for lunch at their usual Saturday lunch place:  Ocean Breeze.  Then they went to the Used Book Store. 

Today Jon went to the first service and I just made it to the second.  It was very good today.  My Thursday's Bible Study is by Priscilla Shier (Tony Evans' daughter) and the topic is Gideon.  Pastor Mick began a 4-week series on King David.  Gideon was met by God in a wine press and David was brought out from watching the sheep to be anointed as King.  People look at each other and determine what kind of person he/she is by their looks and maybe their profession, but I am thankful that God looks upon the heart.  Even though I am 61 years old, I know that God is calling me to do something special for Him.  I still have enough life in me to give to Him to accomplish His calling.

Jon, Jess and I went to the Hamlin Pub for a fish and chip lunch.  They have great food and usually not too many kids.  Unfortunately, there was a squealer at a gathering in their banquet room and the dad kept bringing him out to the bar/eating area.  Jess got a little up tight.  Plus, workers were going in and out putting up a huge tent on the side of the building for tomorrow's celebration.  They even open at 7:00 a.m. tomorrow.  I can't imagine a bar opening at 7 in the morning for ... what ... green eggs and ham?  Green orange juice?  What ever it will be, we will not be anywhere near that place tomorrow.

As soon as we got home Jon got me set in his room and I watched a movie he taped for me.  That was a nice change.  Then I came down to be with Jess while he went up. I read until it got too dark to read when Jess remembered she hadn't had dinner.  Since it was after 8:00 she just had a bowl of cereal and I ate an English muffin with PB.

The past 2 days have been very nice.  Oh, and I also got an e-mail from Lois that she arrived in Port-au-Prince safe and sound and her luggage arrived with her.  Today's e-mail said that the roosters and dogs woke her at 4:00 a.m.   She will fly home to La Pointe on Tuesday. 

A Full Day Of Paperwork !!!

Yup.  I buckled down and spent about 6 hours doing paperwork.  All of Jessie's paperwork is done and filed away.  Jon helped me put stuff to file in piles and part of that got done.  Tonight I just need to write out some checks and I'll be almost caught up.  It feels good to have accomplished so much.  I also washed clothes and continued to take snowmen upstairs to be put away until next January.

Jessie and Debbie went to Benny's for breakfast!  Then they did some errands and then went to the Rec Center for Gym class.  Jess had a good day.

Jon was very excited to have today off. He went out to breakfast then went to the show to see "300".  He came home and worked on his fish tanks, got a phone call from his best friend and later received another call from a friend and went to the range to shoot.  He had a great day. 

Time With "My" Girls

Brenda and Jess went to Meijer's, McDonald's for lunch then bowling.  Their usual day for Thursday's. 

Rox picked me up for Bible study then afterward we went to lunch.  I shoveled part of the driveway and the back sidewalk from the porch steps to the back door.  I really like to shovel snow.  I know that sounds nuts, but I do.  I could only do it for so long since my back started hurting.  A half hour of sitting down when finished was all I needed and my back was OK again. 

Around 2:30 Kylee and Lynzee came to visit me.  Kylee is going on a Missions Trip to Haiti in April with a team from her church.  She came to pick up our pop cans/bottles that would go for some of her support.  My girls spent 2 hours with me.  I am so blessed that they look forward to spending time with me.  I count them and their mom, Julie, part of my family.

We talked about a lot.  Lynzee (13) shared this picture with me.  Both girls are Black Belts in Karate, and Lynzee has just competed for her second degree Black Belt.  That's her in the picture breaking 2 boards with her feet. Being ignorant of Karate I asked her how she got into that position.  She said she ran, jumped, kicked the boards and landed on her feet. 

I'm in awe of the things these girls can do.  Kylee (17) is now playing tennis instead of going on in Karate.  She's a good player.  She's also in Band in High School and she's taking college classes at Macomb in the afternoons.  Lynzee has received all A's on her report card all year, and is Mrs. Pugh in her school's play of Annie. Both have newspaper routes. I sound like a bragging Grandma, don't I? 

Jon just got home and he said that they over scheduled for tomorrow so he volunteered not to work.  I told him: "I'm so sorry.  Now you'll have a 4-day weekend."  He was all smiles!

Let It Snow ... Let It Snow ... Let it Snow ...

NOOOOOOO !!!!  NO MORE !!!!  I agree that it is really beautiful and we're close to breaking a record, but I'm really not liking all this snowy weather.  I decided when I opened up my blinds this morning and groaned looking out each window (11 downstairs) that I was going to reclose them.  Then I was going to turn up the heat to 80 degrees.  Put on summer clothes and sandals.  Have a picnic lunch on the floor (well, maybe a tray table) and move to the music of the Beach Boys.  Yup.  That's what I was gonna do. Did I do it? 

No - I did paperwork, made a few business calls, washed clothes and followed Jessie around the house.  For some reason she was pretty happy today except for a few outbursts of yelling at me.  Jon cleaned off his jeep and the front walk, but it was useless to do much more since the wind was blowing so hard.  He spent most of his day on the computer or in his bedroom watching movies. 

I made lasagna for dinner.  I can't remember the last time I made it.  Has to be 10-15 years or more.  Jon liked it but Jess didn't.  I expected her not to because of the texture.  She ate a bowl of cereal after her salad and garlic toast.  I have quite a few pieces that I'm freezing for another dinner. 

A Very Busy Day

I had a Stephen Ministry Leaders' Meeting this morning followed by a physical exam at the doctor's office, required by my insurance.  I had lunch by myself at Benny's, which just reopened yesterday after 6 months of cleaning because of a kitchen fire.  I came home and the house was so quiet.  I sat in my chair upstairs, closed my eyes and listened to the quiet house.  That was so nice ... until,  I heard the next door lady come home with her grand kids and was yelling at them.  Next the garbage truck came barreling down the street, slamming on brakes when they reached the next garbage containers.  Not to mention the bang caused by the canisters being dumped.  Oh, well.  A few minutes of quiet was nice.

Brenda and Jess went to the Rec. Center and went swimming.  Lunch at Subway then shopping.  Jon and Lois had a date afternoon.  They went to see "Non-Stop" then had a very nice lunch at Uno Chicago Grill.  When they arrived back home Lois and I had our last prayer time together for awhile as she leaves for Haiti on Saturday morning.  It was hard not to cry as we hugged good bye. 

I told Jessie that when spring gets here and there's no snow on the ground, she'll be picking up dog poop for a week.  She immediately responded:  "OH, DEAR!"  Well, she won't be doing it anytime soon as we are expecting many inches of snow tonight and through tomorrow afternoon.  We'll see how accurate the weather forecasters are this time. 

Snow All Done?

Poor Jess.  She's SO anxious to get in the backyard and swing in her hammock.  We went to lunch with Debbie at Chili's and she began to yell and said:  "Mom!  Look!  Snow All Done!"  What she was pointing to was GRASS - although it was rather brown, it was still grass.  She's going to have a hard time come Wednesday morning if we get our predicted 5-8" of snow.  She is so done with winter - as well as all of us. 

A Quiet Sunday - Sort Of

Jess and I had our breakfast upstairs then came down and I did a couple loads of clothes because I was a little behind in washing.  Jess and I sat down on the couch, got my iPad, sang Christian Kids Songs, prayed and watched parts of Pastor Ed's and Pastor Mick's past sermons.  Our own little church service.

Later in the afternoon Chris came by to help me fold and stuff Lois' prayer letter.  Unfortunately, she wasn't feeling well and coughed quite a bit - which set Jessie off and she screamed a lot.  I sure wish I knew why coughing triggers screaming for her.  That's why I titled this blog "A Quiet  Sunday - Sort Of". 

It's off to bed early for all of us because we are all tired.  Losing an hour's sleep really does make a difference.  Pleasant dreams.

Dear Bill:

Today's your anniversary.  You've been in Heaven now for 2 years.  It's been a very long 2 years for the kids and me, but since there is no time in Heaven, it's just been ... well, ... short I guess.  I know that you are having a great time being in the presence of Jesus, your Dad, Larry, and all the others you have known that have gone ahead. 

We are doing fine.  Just as we shared with each other before you died, we knew that the same God that got you through your cancer would get the kids and I through life without you.  He's been faithful, but life is not the same.  You are GREATLY missed.

Jessie talks about you all the time.  She puts on home videos and we see and hear you quite often.  Sometimes if I close my eyes I imagine you're in the room.  Other times it magnifies my loss and the tears flow and my heart hurts. 

I don't know if you can watch us or even if you have "time", but I believe you'd be pleased at how well we have done.  Your son is an awesome young man.  He's taken on a lot of responsibility.  You'd be so pleased and impressed with the garden that he made last year.  He dedicated it to you. 

What do I miss the most about you?  I miss your presence.  I miss your intelligence and your humor.  Because you were quiet, not many people knew that you had a wonderful sense of humor.  You loved to laugh and have a good time.  I miss our daily hugs and kisses.  I miss hearing you say, "I Love You."  To put it in just a few short words, I just MISS YOU.  You were truly my knight in shining armor (even though you kept saying you were beginning to tarnish), and this damsel still loves you with her whole heart, and always will.   

Forever and Always,
Love,
Nan

PS  If you get a chance, tell my Mom HI for me.  The kids and I miss her a lot, too.  I keep telling Jessie that she is running and playing ball with Jake. 

A Birthday Celebration

Jon and I went to breakfast with Debbie and Jessie because Kelly (Jessie's Case Worker) brought papers I had to sign.  Unfortunately, Kelly was sick and didn't stay to eat with us. 

When Debbie and Jessie left to go to the Rec Center for Gym class, Jon and I went to Bad Brad's to celebrate Diane and Randie's birthday.  Randie's was last month and Diane's is next week.  We treated them to lunch then they came back to the house for several hours to visit.  We figured out that the last time we were together was Christmas.  That's pathetic!!!  They only live a half hour away, but when it was a convenient day to visit either the weather was terrible or someone was sick.  It was SOOOO nice to be with them. 

Jessie's Moment With Bill

Brenda and Jess went grocery shopping, McDonald's for lunch, bowling and stopped at several stores for other necessary things.  While they were in the medical supply place in Romeo, Brenda was talking with a friend when she realized that Jessie noticed a hospital bed with a chair close to it.  Jess left her side and went to get the chair, put it next to the bed, sat down on it, put her hand on the bed and seemed to be carrying on a conversation.  Brenda said that she couldn't understand what she said, but she was clearly talking to someone. 

I was shocked when she told me this story.  I started to cry and told her that there is a story behind her actions and I went upstairs and got a picture that I had to put away because it has been too hard to look at.  Both Jessie and I would sit next to Bill's bed and just hold his hand when he wasn't feeling well.  Just so that we could be near him and let him know we cared.  Below is the picture I took of Jess and Bill on January 18, 2012:

Brenda stared at the picture and said that Jessie put the chair exactly as it is in the picture.  I wonder if she was talking to her daddy today.  Maybe telling him how much she misses him?  She's been talking about Bill every day now for quite some time. (Saturday will be the 2nd year anniversary of his death.)  As soon as she got home this afternoon she put on home videos and we've been watching Bill for hours.  Sometimes it's good for me to see and hear him.  Most of the time it just reminds me of his forever absence from this earth.  That's hard.

My To Do's Outnumber My Want To's

Do you ever feel that way?  I look around my house and look at everything that I need to do:  cleaning, sorting, washing, cooking, paperwork, etc.  Then I look at the things I want to do: scrapbooking, reading, taking a nap, nothing. There's a battle going on in my mind.  So far the to do's are overtaking my want to's.  Bummer.

Lois came this morning and we worked on various projects after we had our prayer time.  Debbie and Jessie went to KFC and bought us their dollar bbq pulled chicken sandwiches for us for lunch.  When Lois left I did paperwork then went to the post office, the bank, Walgreen's and Kohl's to pay my bill.  Seriously, I didn't leave the front check out area. 

A Usual Tuesday

Brenda and Debbie went swimming, Subway and the Library.  Jon worked and I had the "Healthy Girlfriends" over for Chapter 7 of our book.  All 4 of us were able to be here and it was a fun, informative time.  This week's chapter discussion was on good posture, either sitting, standing or lying down.  Very interesting.

I was going to do some paperwork after lunch but decided to sit and rest.  Made a quick dinner and met a couple ladies from church to discuss the newly formed Ladies Ministry at church for a couple hours.  Rachel was with Jess until Jon got home. 

Here are answers to Becky's questions

I received today regarding the rubbermaids

that I send to Lois in Haiti:

Why do you have to make a hole in the containers?  Rubbermaid lids (we use the Rough tote ones)snap down but there needs to be a way to make it harder for someone to steal the stuff inside.  Zip ties are used to secure the lid to the rubbermaids and tightened so that it makes it quite hard to open.  (That goes for Lois, too.  When she gets her boxes she needs to disinfect them then spends quite a bit of time getting the lids off!). 

What kind of things do you all send?  If Lois were to live in the Capital of Haiti, she would have access to most anything she needed for her personal use or ministry.  Being in the north of Haiti in a small town, items need to be shipped in.  If she buys in the closest town, items cost more than she could afford. When she buys on line and sends then to me or when she is home, she purchases items for herself that she feels she would need for at least a year, such as clothes, toiletries, some foods, etc.  She also buys quite a lot of  items that are used in the Child Evangelism ministry she is involved in.  All the rubbermaids are cleaned and reused in the CEF office for storage, or sold to other people who need reliable storage containers. 

An Added Note:  Shipping companies have changed over the years and sometimes the rubbermaids would take 3-6 months to arrive in her port. (Can you imagine realizing you forgot something, or ran out of it early, and then had to wait months for it to arrive?)   The current ship's owner has a much quicker turn around and she has gotten boxes in a little over a month or two.  That is a real blessing.

Rubbermaids To Haiti

 

 

Yesterday I mentioned that I'd try to find a picture of the type of boat that Lois' rubbermaids are shipped to Haiti.  Although the Lady Lotmore is not used anymore, I'm sure the ship is quite like this one. 

The second picture is of the inside with all the goods piled up high.  To get the idea of depth, there is a man in the lower right of the picture down in the hole with the boxes.  Blue shirt, red cap.  I guess on this trip over, the rubbermaids were not on top!



Thank You Debbie And Jessie For Dinner!

I left the house this morning at 8:45 a.m. and didn't get home until 4:45 p.m.  I was out all day with Lois running errands.  What a nice surprise I had when I got home and saw that the "girls" made chili and coleslaw for supper, along with Chibatta cheesy bread.  What a gift that was.  Thanks, Debbie, for instructing Jessie in how to make our dinner.  Jess ate 2 bowls of chili.  She won't even eat one of mine!

Jon's been pretty much resting these past 4 days that he had off.  He's needed it.  However, around noon he went to the range and got some shooting time in.  I was jealous.  We will have to plan a time when I can go, too!  Thanks, Jon, too, for the loads of wash you did!  I have great kids. 

A Bowl Of Ice Cream For Dinner

Oh, my.  Today was such a busy day.  I don't like Sunday's to be like this, but it was necessary.  First I went to church after Jon came home from church.  Our Spiritual Growth Conference Speaker spoke this morning.  I liked his sermon this morning the best of all his talks.  It was a great service.  It felt so good for me to be in church 3 days in a row.  Each time I got to see different people that I haven't seen in quite some time. 

Lois, Ortha, Jon, Jess and I went to Hong Kong Restaurant for lunch.  It was such fun to watch Jess attack her meal.  She LOVES chicken.  She LOVES rice.  She LOVES bread/buns.  There's not one thing served to her that she doesn't like there. She kept shaking her head in enjoyment, as if she were saying: "Mmmmm um mmmmmm um mmmmm!"

I dropped the kids off at home and went back to Lois' and finished packing the last 2 rubbermaids to be shipped to Haiti.  It is a long, complicated process and takes hours to do even one box.  Before anything is packed, holes need to be drilled through the lid and container. The Rubbermaid is then lined with 2 very large black garbage bags.  Next items are placed just so (I'm a very good packer, if I do say so myself!).  A list must also be made of each item in case of damage or loss of goods.  When packing is done, each garbage bag is sealed at opposite ends.  The lid is placed on top and each hole is filled with a zip tie that is cut and taped to prevent cuts to postal workers.  Then the entire lid is reinforced with tape where ever there might be a hole.  Address the lid, give the box a number and take it to the post office.  It goes from here to Miami by the USPO then it is put on an open aired ship to Haiti.  If I think of it for tomorrow's blog, I'll post a picture of the kind of ship that sails to Haiti.  All boxes are subject to wherever they are placed on the ship.  Either at the bottom of a huge pile or on top where ocean elements are numerous. 

By the time I got home and tried to clean up the kitchen from last night's dinner dishes that were still in the sink, I wanted something to eat.  I was going to make myself a grilled cheese and tomato sandwich, but it was too late for that AND ice cream.  So, I settled for ice cream for dinner.  I'm happy. 

Happy March 1

The Spiritual Life Conference began this morning at 8:15 with a continental breakfast but I didn't make it there until 8:30, which was really OK.  I had plenty of time to eat a donut and banana before the speaker began at 9:00.  He finished a little after 11:00. 

I called Jon and he met me for lunch at Leo's.  From there he went to Kee's Pets again and I came home to rest a bit.  I was going to go to Lois' at 1:30 p.m. and finish packing but my friend, Laura, called.  She had fallen on the ice and needed help getting to Urgent Care.  Luckily she had no broken bones.  Just a very sore right knee and left wrist. 

By the time I got her home and got home myself I was too tired to go pack.  Rachel was here all day to be with Jessie and after she left Chris called and wanted to visit.  She stayed for several hours and we had a good chat and she shared dinner with us.

We're in for several more inches of snow tonight and tomorrow morning.  Doreen said it's my fault since the only Sunday's it snows are the Sunday's I get to go to church.  WELL !!!!!