And the week is all but gone...again......

You know how you look forward to something for a long time and when it finally gets here it just doesn't last long enough? That is what it's like for me when my kids all come for a weekend with us. The antibiotic Urgent Care of Durham gave me rocked! I mean really, after one dose (Page2 only got three doses) her fever was gone! She never ran a fever again. On Tuesday, I had Katarina and her two lovely children drop by because I had bought her something while I was down East with my dear friend. We went into an art gallery and I fell in love with the young woman's (mother of 3) style of painting. Her husband made the frames - we met her and their three children - such a sweet young family. When I saw the picture - the first person I a thought of was Katarina on so many levels. If you have read my past entries, you know she is a wonderful artist herself and when I looked at the representation of the man and woman in the pictures - I thought of her with her long hair. I also bought smaller picture for my niece's wedding gift. She and her hubby to be are getting married on the Sound at Jockey's Ridge at Outer Banks. She has long blonde hair and had her dress designed and custom made to her specifications. I can't wait to share pictures of her wedding. Page, Page2 and I drove out to the farm to visit with Ann, Boy and Biscuit. So much fun! Ann and Page had gifts for each other and of course for Boy, Biscuit and Page2. Boy really liked his gift (he can make different faces with his food) and hopefully it will help make eating more fun for him. If you want to enjoy a child who enjoys eating, just watch Biscuit - she loves everything from bland vegetables to sweets. They are both so sweet. Boy even made me a gift which I love and have sitting in my living room window. It is a dragonfly. People who know me well know how much I love the lovely dragonfly. As a matter of fact, Ann has a pillow I am seriously coveting. The one I bought years ago in Mystic Seaport, CT has faded from the many washings but I still love it. Of course the Page2/Boy connection is still going strong despite their age difference. I love the way Page2 plays with younger children. Page and I were so happy when Mae drove down to visit with us. Page has always felt so close to Mae - she has been in her company since before she was born. I spent a week with Mae and her girls at their beach cottage when I was pregnant. What fun times we have had there together. We took quite a few pictures on Thursday and some of them are too priceless. Especially the ones down at the creek when Page got a video of Page2 looking into the water about the time Boy threw something that splashed and Page2 screamed and jumped like a shot of electricity went through her. Of course everyone was howling. Check out the video at the end of this entry. I'm still challenged when it comes to videos on my Blog - sometimes they work and sometimes they don't. Ann and Page have been friends for over over 10 years now and I have enjoyed watching them through the years maintain that closeness while being so far apart. A dear older friend told me something way back in 1968 that I have never forgotten and it has proven to be true. Good friends can go years without seeing each other and yet when they meet again, it is as if no time has really passed. I love the energy between these two women and the love they have not only for each other but for those who belong to each other. Page2 got tons of pictures of Big Red and his harem of hens. Oh Yeah - he is definitely the king of his roost and knows how to strut his stuff. Since we were all so excited about the pretty chickens, it was even nicer when we were sent home with some really, really fresh eggs - Yum. On Friday, we relaxed and cleaned up a bit. Ann, Boy and Biscuit arrived early and the fun began. Kurt and Leah got off work early and came in next followed by Lee. I know - a lot of people for this little house but it has seen lots more than that. See where Biscuit is standing? Well she actually "walked" over to my chair from the door where she had 'walked" to look outside. Love the little fingerprints on that door. Look at the back of her head - don't you love the little flip of curls? And when you look into her eyes, you just fall into them. On Saturday, Page, Leah, Page2 and I went scoota-pootin (that's what my Mama called it). I love this flower Leah bought me from when she and Kurt were in Texas awhile back. The had a wonderful time. Big D cooked his famous BBQ chicken, slaw and creamed taters - Double Yum. I had made a chocolate pie earlier and everyone liked it (but me). It just wasn't up to par as Mama would say. Ann took the kids on home to be put to bed and Lee stayed and visited with us a bit. It was nice to have him with us - he is such a busy young man. Looking at his equally busy little boy brings back wonderful memories of when he was only a little bit older at the beach. At that time, there was a screen door and if that door slammed with him running in and out one time, it slammed a hundred. No one really minded though - he was a very loved young man with three older sisters. We got up early on Saturday, put on baseball hats and hit the Farmer's Market. First stop was Daisy Cakes to order, pay for and reserve for later pickup our gourmet cupcakes and a nice raspberry/chocolate bread pudding. I bought some really nice flowers, We all fell in love with the little bunch of Poppies. The tulips I bought were already fragile to say the least - 3 of them broke before I could get them in a vase but I put them in smaller vases and they are pretty too. Page bought some unique pottery planters for a window sill. They are so cute. It was nice to have Keith and another young man stop by to see his "girls". We all adore Keith and he is one of our all-time favorite people in the world. He is so busy these days he has to really squeeze little bits of time in for everyone. I took this to show the two Azaleas my Mom planted here many, many years ago for me. Notice the two flowers - an older friend of mine gave them to me years ago too. They don't come back every year and so far they have been different colors. This is the first year they have been one of my favorite color for irises. I also purchased a wedding gift for a friend who will be getting married next month. It is something that is to be used by just the two of them. Need to find a box to wrap it in - it is fragile. Then we picked up some Duke Championship Tee Shirts for everyone and I went into The Play House while Page, Leah and Page2 went into one of our favorite shops on 9th Street - Vaguely Reminiscent. Page racked up on some cool tops and I bought a cool hard shell glass case for my prescription sunglasses. I blew my budget at The Play House - even bought myself a really big, weighted hula hoop that is supposed to be like working out (it is). Samantha liked everything I bought. Then we stopped in at Wellspring (Whole Foods) and picked up some goodies and headed home.I stole some time to switch my sewing kit to my new sewing basket. I bought it when I was down East. It was handwoven by women in Zimbabwe and is a sewing basket. I love it - pretty enough to leave out and big enough for the little bit of mending I do. The dancer in the background was a gift from Page. I love dancing -
especially ballet and modern. I used to subscribe to the American Dance Festival each year and take the kids to different performances. My friend and her daughter from HI introduced us to the ADF and our friendship has endured long absences and many miles. Because of the computer, I am able to keep up better with their goings- ons. As a matter of fact, I "snatched" a few picture they were in from FB. The first one is my friend with her son-in-law, the second is her gorgeous grandson and the third her beautiful daughter. You will notice the picture of the basket and dancer is below. Page was feeling pretty rough with allergies and didn't get much sleep on Saturday night at all. It didn't help that I coughed outrageously the entire night. Big D said I coughed all night long and I didn't want to respond, "I know, I was there" but I did think it. :-) I felt so bad for Page knowing she was going to have to fly home. She left some of her clothes in the washer and dryer so I'll be getting a large mailer sometime this week to send them to her. Leah also left a few odds and ends in the washer. Everyone got home safe and that is what matters. I had to share a picture of the four leaf clover Kurt found - my sister has a talent for finding these things as does Ann. I also have to share a picture of Page2 getting a bath. Love this little girl. I was so miserable with my own allergies and cough I called my doctor who called in a change in prescriptions for my BP meds (he doubled my dosage and we aren't sure it is what has caused my cough to linger so long) and Flonase. Not too sure about Flonase. Used it yesterday and had a killer headache all day. My face actually hurt just like a sinus infection. You will notice the kleenex on the bedside table - Big D took this picture to show that not only did I finally go to sleep this morning but Miya thought she would take advantage of that to find a nice perch to lay on. What is still bothering me is the cough. I was going to go in to see the doctor tomorrow but I already have an appointment for Thursday so I'm trying to hold on until then. I need relief from the cough - it is worse than it was back in December when I first started with it. The pharmacist said to give my new BP med a few days (another reason I waited) to see if it was them and the cough goes away. Well, it has been two days and I feel lousy. There - I said it. I feel lousy. I have been trying my best to not say it but the fact is I'm sick as a dawg a g a i n.

Hopefully the fun will begin soon.....

After many conversations with young mothers, nurses, Leah talking to their pediatrician, etc., etc., I finally said enough! Page2 has not had half a day or even a complete night without her fever spiking. Every time I think it is getting better - she is burning up and here comes more meds. Sher and I agreed that it was time to bring her in to rule out UTI, Strep and Ear Infection. Since Page2 was a "micro-preemie" her pain tolerance is very high. The one ear infection she had was so bad by the time they found it, there was pus in her ears. So they ruled out UTI, right ear looked okay, left ear was a little iffy and her throat was a little iffy and could be infection or from the major allergies she is suffering from. How do you spell pollen? It is covering everything like a blanket - hard to be outside for very long. It was so thick on our screened in porch and is even worse on our deck. It is like walking through yellow flour. Bottom line is they said her fever had been too high for much too long and they feel there is bacterial infection that needs to be taken care of. Because her weight is 46lbs - they gave me a bottle with 3 teaspoons of an antibiotic - one teaspoon a day - and they hope/feel it will take care of "it". So let me help you understand - 3 teaspoons of this little liquid medicine cost over $49.00. Hope it is the miracle we are looking for. Gail called today to check on Page and we agreed that I should have gone with my first gut instinct and taken her to the doctor sooner, however, this might not have shown up then. Oh well, hindsight is 20-20 isn't it? Page2 arrived a little late, something had to be fixed on the plane while they were on the runway in Atlanta and then they had to circle our airport until the light came on showing the landing gear was down. What did they do????? --- Lay-off the mechanics with seniority? That makes you feel warm and fuzzy doesn't it? She said the pilot was great though and told them the landing gear was definitely working but they would be getting some "free" flying time at no extra charge. You have to appreciate that sense of humor. I love to fly with a pilot who not only loves to fly, but loves to share that love with the passengers - it makes you feel much more comfortable than thinking someone is a unhappy employee flying your plane. After driving around the airport about 5 times, Page2 was sound asleep and I mean sound! She was snoring like a logger! Poor baby - so stuffed up. When Page got in the car, she felt so bad because Page2's little head was hanging over so she crawled in the back seat to support her. Page wanted Bullock's Barbecue and that was fine with us. We had a feast of BBQ, Slaw, Stew, hushpuppies, turnip greens, cabbage, baby lima beans - well, you get the picture. Their sweet tea is the bomb too but Page and I cracked at bottle of Kendall Jackson and it was nice. So Page2 is very happy to finally be tucked in bed with her beloved Page. I put all her meds, thermometer, water and tissues on the bedside table, cleaned and started the new Vaporizer in their room and dabbed the Vicks on her chest and soles of her feet. The steam may be making that little back room a little too hot for them - both Pages have heat sensitive internal thermometers. I'm trying to get some clothes washed and dried so I can have one less thing to worry about. Ann called and we are going out to be with her, Boy and Biscuit for most of the day after my medical appointment in the morning (I'm not looking forward to that but will suck up and "act" like a grown up). Hopefully we will get to see Mae tomorrow also.

Taxes, assembly parts, family and friends......

Been a little busy these days - not a bad thing. Last month did not go out with a bang - it was more like it "fizzled" away. Not sure what was going on with my body - it seems to be rebelling a little more than usual these days. Oh well - as Bette Davis said so eloquently, "getting old ain't for sissies" and it turns out, not for the faint of heart either. Haven't been in service since last Wednesday between headache and stomach issues or the stomach issues could have been part of the headache I guess. My wonderful "tax lady" came Friday and downloaded what I had finished in the books on the computer. I still had to pull things together that aren't in there and "finally" got those emailed to her Saturday. Can we spell Type A personality or should we just call it what it is - procrastination. Big D got home from his fishing trip Saturday afternoon and he was one tired old man. They went "outside" for two long days and on Friday night he said he was so tired he couldn't even "drink". You have to laugh at that. It really beat him up and he took a nice long nap after he got home. Leah called Saturday to let me know Page2 was running a fever. She started running a fever Friday evening when she rode to the assembly city with Leah's parents. Leah said they sat in the cafeteria most of Saturday to keep her away from other children. Roseanne and I rode up Sunday to pick up Page2 and to see her youngest daughter and her new hubby on an assembly part. All of Roseanne's children and grandchildren were there - it was so good to see P and K - P looking so handsome and healthy. Of course we all got to hold Rose a little bit - what a delicious little girl. Page kept saying she felt better but she was also loaded up with Tylenol. We had a nice lunch with everyone and visited some friends from VA and then loaded Page and her "stuff" into my car and headed home. After we got home, Page started saying she was cold so I took her temperature and it was 104.3 - okay - don't freak out!!! I called Lin (she has three little ones AND is a registered nurse and we figured out how much Tylenol I could give her - her weight is so under her age - you have to work it out somehow. She said there was a virus going around that is just a high fever. She got very, very hot during the night and I had to give her more. This morning, Rie picked up some liquid Motrin that should work better and so far today, it seems to be working faster and longer than the Tylenol. So nice having these young mothers in my life - they are up to date on how children are being treated for the new viruses that keep going around. Lin even called on her way up to pick up their children who have been with their great aunt this week. Such a sweet girl she is - so glad she is back in our congregation. Page2 spiked a fever again tonight and is now asleep. No service again tomorrow. Leah asked me to let her rest one whole day before getting her out and active and around other children. Poor baby....fevers make you feel so bad. On an upbeat note - Ann called to see when we will be available for Boy and Page2 to be together and we are definitely getting together either Thursday or Friday or BOTH! I can't wait to see Ann and Biscuit too - been too long. Hopefully, Page will be much better - would love to get out with Eileen all day Wednesday and for Page to be with me at least one day. Can't wait to see Page1 Wednesday evening - she definitely needs a break from work and I hope she will be able to relax. Leah told me tonight they should be able to get away a little early Friday night and that Kurt is really looking forward to fishing with BigD Saturday at the lake. To end this entry on a high note - I was disappointed that the pictures I took Saturday didn't turn out too well but I thought I would share one that Page2 took of Roseanne's grandson - what a cutie. He and Page entertained each other during lunch - I LOVE how Page can relate and enjoy children of all ages. How do you not love that face!!!

4th Month, 13th Tuesday of 2010 and TAXES.....

Yep - it is that time of year - Tax Time. Last year I was determined I was going to stay on top of things and it has been my worst year so far. Our lovely bookkeeper stopped by today to download our books and I promised to get the rest of the information to her by the end of the weekend. I really have to live up to that promise since I'll be picking Page2 up Sunday for the week. I didn't make it to the meeting tonight - started out feeling pretty good and by the afternoon could tell something just wasn't right. Combination headache - stomach upset. Hope it doesn't last long - was looking forward to a long day tomorrow. That isn't going to happen now since the Cable Guy is due to be here between 8 and 10AM! Big D called to say they had a good day of fishing at the coast and he promised he would call me at 7:30AM so that at least I'll be awake when he comes. Eileen is going to drop her Mom off at her house and come by and hopefully we will be able to meet up with the group - if I feel better that is. I listened on the phone and Rie did a great job on her interview and demonstration. Keith also did an excellent job with the Bible Highlights - good meeting - hard to pay attention but enjoyed hearing another new song and discovering once again how badly I sing. The day was gorgeous - only went out once to get the paper but it was nice. Going to be in the 80's for the next few days - means it is going to go from Spring to Summer - just like that. Some of the new developments in our territory have natural places in them - in this particular spot, we like to stop to see if the turtles are sunning themselves. If you click on the picture you can see them all lined up. We also see deer in this area and are looking forward to things turning green again. Of course there are signs of Spring everywhere you look. I took these on Wednesday - it was such a nice day with the warm sun and cool breeze. Was hoping we would have more of those days before it gets into the 80's. Oh well - it could be a lot worse so I'll stop belly-aching. I noticed a lot of moss in different areas - why do I love moss so much? Any little patch of it makes my heart smile.

Memorial - 108 Publishers - 289 attended

The moon was gorgeous and I had to reflect on how it must have looked all those many years ago when Jesus was being questioned by Pilate. Keith's dad gave our talk and did a wonderful job as he always does. Eileen was excited because it was at last year's Memorial that she had decided for sure she was coming back. This sweet young man has become a little friendlier with me lately I'm happy to say. He even asked to work with me in service one day and we all enjoyed him very much. He is such an active little thing but smart as a whip. All of Geri's children were present except for one son. It was so nice seeing her looking like she felt okay. She has been having some significant health issues lately. I have been listening for her comments at the meetings since 1967 (except for the years we were assigned to another congregation). Such a faithful sister. I also caught a snapshot of two of her granddaughters and a great nephew. A young sister, Gail and Keith provided flowers for the front and back of the KH. Ger usually does this but ran away to California with Rue for the week and will be attending the Memorial there. The back of the little girl with long curly hair is one of her great granddaughters. She is such a pretty and sweet little girl. Her mother is the twin sister of the young woman with short hair and the Chesire Cat smile. One of the reasons she is smiling is she has been looking forward to a week in a gorgeous chalet in the mountains next week. She and her family have had their share of sickness (her oldest son still had a slight fever) but hopefully the trip will be just what they all need. The beautiful young woman with the two little girls is the daughter of Ger's nephew who lived with her and her family after his Mom died. I was happy to see all of them at the Memorial too since I know they have all been sick several times this year. I'll have to say it has been a rough year for sickness for everyone - as soon as a family gets over one thing, something else makes its way through everyone Eileen and I are both captivated by this young woman - she always look so pretty - great hair and style about her. Of course her daughters are going to be as pretty as she is. I had to get one of Keith with his grandmother and then of course one with me. What a special young man - I have totally enjoyed getting to know him over the years and watch him mature into such a special man. I also had to get one of the beautiful Lil - what a special lady. Love her smile, love her wit, love her strength and faith and especially her love of the true God she found so late in life. After the Memorial,I rode with Rie and her family and we met Ran and Lin with their family at Goodberry's. Yum - Heath Bar Concrete. It was a little chilly but the kids had a ball and we couldn't stop looking at the moon on the way home. One of Ran's co-workers and his wife came to the Memorial and we had an opportunity to answer some of their questions. We'll see what comes of that. I've really been missing Roseanne since she started her new job. I think she is going to really like it once she is completely trained and up to speed. I told the sister she works for that I hadn't realized how often I emailed her or talked on the phone with her at her other job. There were some real down times in that job when she was the only one in the shop, she was caught up with her record keeping and there weren't any customers. I didn't even realize she had gone to the Memorial with her son and his family until I saw the pictures so I snatched one. Sorry Katarina - had to have it. I brightened it up a little. Look at that pretty little girl.

Writer, Author, Novelist.......

My oldest sister is all of the above. She sent me one of the first books she wrote many years ago and it takes place in the little town my Mother spent most of her youth in. As a matter of fact, my mother and three older sisters were living there when I was born and I lived there for a few years myself. So even though my Mom's Mother moved elsewhere, whenever Mama talked about "going down home" , it was either this little place or one close by. She never moved her membership from the little church she attended. My first memory of being in a church was there - standing beside my Mom as we stood up to sing and then her holding my hand while she bowed her head and closed her eyes - then I looked around and everyone else had their heads bowed and their eyes closed and I remember thinking - "what are they doing?". I know people still have a hard time believing this but I was extremely timid when I was young and very seldom left my Mama's side (would hang onto her skirt) whenever we left the safety of home and even then if someone different came into our home. I have found in reading my sister's book that it makes a lot of memories come flooding back. She wants me to make sure her burial plot is still where she selected it at that little church so I think I'll be making a little ride down there real soon. I may see if my children want to go with me since they will be here soon. That would be a nice little trip for us to take together. I told my older sister that my Page at one time wanted to interview all my sisters and write down our memories but two of my sisters were adamant about not wanting to. Then I told her she should write down all her memories and she thought it was a good idea. I may try to do the same thing - maybe between the two of us, we can come up with enough for our grandchildren to know more about where and who they came from - mostly the good but also the disappointments so they will understand that life is made up of both. Sounds like a plan

Memorial - 2010

We meet tonight at the KH for the Memorial - it would have been my 43rd, however, I missed my 39th when I broke my arm. I was walking into the facility we had rented when I tripped on a piece of jagged concrete. Since I never made it through the door - officially, this is my 42nd Memorial. We finished our invitation campaign today except for a few we are personally following up with to make sure they are coming. It has been a gorgeous day - cool breeze, bright sunny skies and warm sun. I can't wait to see the huge full moon tonight. It is the only religious celebration we observe as we were commanded to do by Jesus. I miss my children all the time especially when we have special meetings, assemblies and/or conventions. But I miss them so much more during this season. I have them on my mind constantly throughout the whole day into the night. Knowing how much I have always loved my children, it brings home so much clearer how much Jehovah and his son love the world of mankind - even in it's sinful condition. Knowing that Jesus was the very first creation, the only "thing" or "person" created directly by his Father thereby making him the "only-begotten" son - it brings home the depth of the sacrifice - to watch his beloved Son be beaten, spit upon and reviled and then having huge nails tear through his hands and feet and hung up with two criminals to be humilated and tortured and all because of how much the Son and the Father love us - unworthy, ungrateful, sinful mankind. I pray my children will reflect upon the sacrifice during this time also. To know that for the first time since the beginning of all creation, Jehovah did not have his Son in existence for part of three days -- And that my dear loved ones is what you call - unselfish love.