LOVE FRIDAY NIGHTS!

Friday night is pizza night at our house.  Or I should say USUALLY pizza night!  Been that way since the kids were ... uhm, KIDS!  It's just the easy Friday night - it's almost Sabbath - meal.  (Of course we love pizza so we're up for pizza on just about any night - or day for that matter!).

So here I sit munching on a piece of Papa Murphy pizza and enjoying the quiet that a Sabbath brings.  It's even QUIETER than normal, because we don't have a TV on our main floor right now.  Generally we tune into 3ABN - a Christian TV station - and listen to that. 

With Thanksgiving right around the corner and vacation just around the next corner - things are shifting into a higher gear here!  At work - it is necessary to get as much done AHEAD of time so that while I'm gone it isn't piling up so much.  The UP side to that is that the days race by faster than you can imagine.  The DOWN side to that is that the days race by faster than you can imagine!

I've had a raw sore throat for 3 days now.  Prior to that I had a headache and scratchy/burning eyes for over a week.  The throat, at least tonight as I type, feels like it might be a bit better than earlier.  I didn't stay home from work, though there was a day or two that I was tempted.  But read the paragraph just above this one to know why it really wasn't even an option!  Therefore, all the other folks at work will be sore-throated when I am gone to visit Mickey.

Last Sunday was fun.  We had been invited to a baby shower.  We being Randy and I.  My cousin's daughter is going to have a baby in March.  They did the shower now, while she is back visiting from California.  It was a 'family' shower.  The guys went in the basement and talked and watched football while the girls figured out what kind of baby food was in each jar - the labels were gone, and other fun stuff.

Kim, one of my cousins had brought a TRIKE made from diapers.  It was so cute.  I'd seen cakes made from diapers.  But never a trike.  This Sunday I'm having a shower here at our house for a lady at church.  I decided to try my hand at it.  It looks sort of cute (Kim's looked better) - and mine feels like it wants to fall apart.  I need to figure out how to better secure the 'tires' together.  I don't think this three-wheeler would pass a state inspection!  NO LICENSE FOR YOU!!!!

Here is what it looks like now - I think I'll tune it up before Sunday:

  

We're so looking forward to having our little Jaimee come to Mama and Papa's house.  I guess we aren't the only ones missing someone.  Every night when she goes to bed they sing Jesus Loves Me - she knows the words and tune pretty good.  Last night she didn't sing the words.  But she sang "mama-mama-mama" to the tune of Jesus Loves Me.  Awww, right?  *LOL*

Hope your week was a good one! 

Love you all!  My feelings won't be hurt if you decide to drop me a newsy email letter, I promise! 

V

WHATEVER FLOATS YOUR BOAT!

We've needed a different '2nd' car for quite awhile.  The one Randy drives now, is one my mom had and replaced with her current car.   It's a white Mercury Mystique.  It's actually been a fairly good little car. It replaced a blue-ish Mercury Mystique (that used to be Jill and Mike's). 

Jill and Mike gave the blue-ish one to Ryan and Rhiannon shortly after they got married.  They drove it until they were a leery of driving it any longer -- seemed like one thing or the other always needed fixed.  Randy drove that car until it could barely motate down the road, then he got mom's.  And now the white Mystique is hobbling down the road with a shimmy and shudder, bleeding oil all the way ... hoping it survives to the end of the tank of gas!

Not being as adventurous as our son Nick (who flew to Washington state to meet his auto), or our daughter and son in law (who had a vehicle trucked up from Florida site unseen), or my brother Mark who went out east to pick up his new wheels.  All their deals had been secured via the internet and they've done pretty well with their aquisitions.  Still and all ...

Upon the recommendation of our friend and former pastor Steve Shaw, we called a fellow church member in Clinton.  He has a car repair shop and sells used autos.  We decided to trust his judgement and expertise.  Basically, all we wanted from a 2nd car (which would become our 'good' car - since our van is a 2003 with a ton of miles on it now!) - was some good life left in it, wheels and air conditioning!  So we put it into Roy's capable hands.  Told him we weren't in a HUGE rush - maybe within a month ...

Couple of days later Randy called me at work saying that Roy had found us a car at auction.  Roy was enthusiastic about it -- in good shape, pretty car, all the bells and whistles, etc. etc. (you know, stuff that puts a spark in the eye of the male of the species).  Randy told me the name of the car ... 2003 (same age as our 'old' van).

Not knowing exactly what it was I Googled the car ... Hmmm?  I started getting  a huge grin on my face as I began reading quotes in different articles like:

*  Grandpa has better taste than you think, and more leg room too!
*  Comfortable land yacht  (hence the 'whatever floats your boat ...')
*  This car's senior citizen demographic ...

I think you get the gist of what was going through my mind as I read about car.  Luxury all the way.  EVERY bell and EVERY whistle.  BIG and roomy (remember our family sports some taller people!).  Gas mileage that meets or exceeds the van.  And a good low price!  All that is great -- and seriously funny to me!

Nick agrees its nice, but also states that we've either definately finished the slide into 'old age' or dad (Randy) has become a pimp!  *LOL*  You hush Nicky-Jo!

We do like the car and hope it will take us many miles down the road of our 'golden years'!  It was kind of funny as we took a little spin in it - we're hunting around at the different features it has ... but the feature that tickled us both the most was that it had the little anchor things so we could hook a car seat in it for Jaimee!  What fun would ANY car be if we couldn't take our little girlie with us if/when we have the opportunity!

You know what?  God is SO good to us!  We are blessed to have a car that is pretty, comfy and runs.  And I think we're blessed to know that we are blessed.  THANK YOU GOD for answering prayers!

So my friends, at the end of another very busy week of lots of training (at my morning job) for new software that we got on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday -- which required full days down there and working the other job in the evenings, etc.   And again today a full day because someone was out of the office ... I say HAPPY SABBATH and may God bless!

ANOTHER WEEKEND ... ahhh!

First of all - for those of you who don't know, dad is in the hospital.  Like the bad daughter I am, I have NOT been to see him.  I plan to travel there tomorrow for a visit.  I love you dad (and mom) -- hard to tell, I know!

Here is a message mom sent to several (I assume, because it started out "Hi All"):

Want you to know Gene was doing much better laying there in VA. He hadn’t eaten a thing since Tuesday Noon. They want to clean him out and take tests to see if they can determine what is causing the diarrhea. Yet they think maybe his lack of strength was because he isn’t eating enough. He doesn’t want to eat, I always made him something for each meal or gave him a nutrition drink and yogurt or soymilk or juice of some sort in place of or with other food. Now they’re not giving him food at all and expect him to have firm enough bowel movement to test for the organisam that may be causing the diarrhea. That can’t happen without solid food, I don’t think anyway.



They tested him and found that he has MRSA and immediately removed him from the room he shared with another man, also, removed the other man from the room and went about cleaning the room. He is in a room by himself and they are very cautious handling him. Me too! Guess it is very contagious and can make a person very ill. I asked how he got it and they said maybe the hospital or anyone can be a carrier and not be ill. Who knows?

But I want you to know he is doing much better, more alert. Not sure about his walking as they haven’t tried that yet. Therapy will come in today, they say also a dietion will be in to see him today.


Must get ready and head up there now. Thank-you all for your prayers and concerns. They are heard and answered.

I have been praying for dad (and mom) - and I beg you to petition heaven on behalf of them both.

Last week after church we went to mom and dad's for lunch.  Had pizza, salad (very yummy Joy), ice cream cake and some other things.  Dad had turned 80 on the 29th and Bellie had turned '29' on the 30th!  Gail and John had an anniversary this month and I know there are November birthdays coming up (Darren ... HB2U!) 

The little kids put on their costumes for a little picture taking!  We had such nice pictures of them last year, so wanted it again this year!  Here is a picture from last year - so you can compare how much they've grown and changed in one year!  (I'll share this year's pics at the end -- so you keep reading!  *LOL*)  Anyway, I'm pretty sure I'm not prejudiced - but aren't they just about the cutest little folk ever!??

Reese (2)  Jaimee (8 mos.)  Dayton (3)



That night (last Saturday night) - we had a bonfire church social at our house.  Unfortunately, we seem to have lost about a tree a year average since we've lived here.  Well, maybe not quite that bad, but still 8 or 9 trees probably.  So we have a pile of wood, nicely dried and ready to go!  Our friend Kelly was in charge of the fire!  I think he could have been a pyromaniac if he hadn't chosen truck driving as a career!  He makes GOOD fires.  Big and hot.  A few friends, some weinie roasting sticks and some weinies ... we had us a bonfire.  Sang a few songs to see Sabbath out and then roasted and ate and talked.  The evening couldn't have been more beautiful.  I was so thankful.

Some folks came into the basement and karaoke'd with Bellie.  She got a new super karaoke system and has 2000+ songs to sing!  Josh, JoDe, and Reese stayed after the rest had gone.   We sat in the basement ... Ryan, Rhiannon, Randy and I with the Watsons ... it was so nice to sit there and visit with them.  We just love them to bits and pieces!  Tanner was doing a little polka or something inside his momma!  We were watching him move around while JoDe struggled for a comfy position.  (BTW he was overdue then and still hasn't made his appearance).  Here's what his mommy wrote today on Facebook (sorry I didn't ask first before sharing it JoDe Lee!)

Baby Boy, tenant, has 4 days in which he can gather his belongings and promptly vacate the premises. After which, he will be physically removed from the property. He's being evicted due to breech of contract and destruction of property. Expansions only to the FRONT of the house, w/in reasonable limits, were discussed. ...Not only have these limits been exceeded, but additions to the back of the house were also made.

Remodeling and gutting of the house were never approved, nor were changing the initial layout and base structure. And due to the property damage, there are now leaks in both the upper and lower levels of the home. Any further problems will result in immediate and forceful removal. I appreciate your cooperation. 

Sincerely,Mommy (your "landlord")

Back to Saturday night -- while we visited little Reese sat on my lap - she was very tired, but is such a nice little girl.  She had gotten some stickers when they went trick-or-treating.  They were small little 'fingernail' type ones.  She asked if she could put some on my fingers.  We both agreed they would look so pretty,  she finished up one hand and then the other.  Out of fingernails, she asked if she could put them on my forearm.  I told her sure, but then suggested she could put one on each button of my blouse.

She adhered one to the first button and then leaned very close ... maybe 8 or 10 inches from my face ... and said in a sweet little SERIOUS voice.  "You have to take them off before you wash your shirt.  You can not wash clothes with stickers on them.  You have to take them off first."  I didn't laugh outloud, but I was sure chuckling on the inside.  Such grown up advise from a little bit of a girl.  I had to wonder what experience taught her that lesson!

Speaking of cute cute cute -- you gotta love a call that says "I have to share a 'cute' with you.  Rhiannon was taking Jaimee to Target this week.  She told J she could bring her dolly and stroller to push around Target.  As they got in (or out) of the vehicle a plane flew over.  Rhiannon hears a little voice - "Hi pane, hi pane" - turning to look at J, she sees her sweet baby girl waving dolly's hand at the 'pane' and saying "hi pane'.  20 month old cuteness!

Next week will be a long one - with way too many working hours to fit into the average working week!  I'm being required to work full days at my morning job because we got new (whoo hoo!!) software and the guy will be here from New York to train us.  That plus my afternoon job that has a few things I HAVE to get done next week ... will make for some long days.  BUT I get extra hours -- and that will make for a better paycheck!  And that is ALWAYS fun!

So I know - "this is getting long Vonda, I have to go to the bathroom ... get to the end already!"   - so okay I'll say good bye and hope YOUR week was a good one - now hurry off and go potty!  *wink*

Later!  V

Oh yes ... hover your cursor over the pics for the titles.  I don't really think you need the titles, but you should read them just in case there is a quiz later or something!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BROTHER!

October 24th.  Over the last 2 weeks or so, my brother has come to my mind so many times.  I always think of him and custard - he loved custard.  It's been that way every year since he died.  Maybe it was that way even before he died.  I probably wasn't paying attention.  But now that he is gone - sigh - I do remember him a lot in October.  I miss him ... a whole bunch.

The weekend wasn't totally spent in melancholy thoughts - I had lots of JOY this weekend with my girls home.  Ryan had to work, so couldn't come - but Rhiannon and Jaimee did come back.  Jaimee's little Sabbath School class had special music and so Jaimee came back to sing with them.  She LOVES "school" and we were tickled to get to see all of our sweet little people take part ... Mark's little Dayton, Joy's little Reese, and my little Jaimee!

Jaimee, Reese, Cadence, Addie, Dayton and Sam

With Jaimee in our household - we had plenty of smiles, chuckles, cuddles and kisses.  It brings our house to LIFE.  Sabbath morning her mommy let her come into our bedroom and she popped into bed and cuddled down between us.  She loves her 'papa' so much!  I told her to climb up and sit on 'papa' - she leaned over and KISSED him!  Her 'papa' loves her too!

While she cuddled in our bed she noticed my mohair teddy bears around our room.  So we got her some of them to play with.  One of them had little tiny teddy bear glasses.  She took them off and tried putting them on herself.  Gaagas (aka glasses).  She loves glasses (and shoes).  When we got up I brought down a pair of $1 store reading glasses and went to the garage and broke out the lenses.  She LOVES her gaagas!

 

Our house has been torn up for a week, well it's pretty much ALWAYS torn up -- I wish I was a better housekeeper!  But our old linoleum and family room carpet had gotten really bad.  The dishwasher leaked and water got between the layers of our linoleum and caused it to turn grey plus years of gouges and scratches.  AND the carpet - well, carpet gets ugly and uglier with time and wear.  And this had gotten to UGLIEST. So it's all been replaced and once Randy gets the wood trim back around the baseboard and doorways we can put our furniture back into place.  Can't wait.

With the bonfire coming up this weekend I'm sure it will be a priority for him as well.  We have TONS to do this week.  But even with the project UNdone, it looks so much better!  We're pleased with the turnout so far! 

For the Goddard family -- I got this note from Aunt Lois (see below) ... so take note family!

Vonda,  Tammie and Denise have talked and would like to set our annual Thanksgiving planning dinner/meeting for this coming THursday night at the China Garden at 5:30. I am wondering if you would forward this to any and all interested (or not) people on your e-mail list. Thank you and hope to see you then.  al

Hope you have a super good week!

Love to all -- V

PS  In case you want to send a card or something -- dad's birthday is the 29th and Bellie's is the 30th!

MS. VONDA'S WILD RIDE

It's been a full and busy -- BEAUTIFUL WEATHER -- week!  Full and busy because I am taking off a few days next week to get some things done here at home.  Everyone at my a.m. job is feeling the same - we're just pooped.  And believe me - MY job is a cake walk compared to some of theirs.  I mean even I know that. 

Throughout the week I was skampering around trying to get enough done that I could take the few days off without letting anyone down, or making myself come back to a pile of stuff that should have been done.  Still will, but you know what I mean.  Wanted AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE done before I left.

We have been talking about needing new carpet in our family room since Jaimee was born.  It's pretty gross actually.  We've been here 13 years and it was here when we came.  Not sure how long it had been here before us.  AND the hard surface floor (kitchen, small dining room, closet, laundry, bathroom area) had gouges and scuffs and was discoloring (I thought it was where I put rugs on it, but it was not just there ... weird!) and then our dishwasher started leaking and that got under the vinyl and darkened it -- in about a 3 1/2' x 1' area right in front of it. 

So after much store shopping and hunting for what we want (talk to 10 sales people and you get 10 reasons why you shouldn't buy any carpet except the one they are holding in their hand).  Finally after internet and internet SHOPPING - we got the best deal we could find (saving overall about 40% -- maybe 30% -- but still saving a lot) we ordered from the same place we ordered our carpet when we lived on 5th Street.  Straight from Dalton Georgia -- carpet capital of the USofA!

First they said 3 weeks for delivery.  Then they said - "it's been shipped" after only 1 week.  Then they said "it's sitting in a spot in St. Louis until the next delivery to your area NEXT WEEK".  Uff da!!  So it came last week on some day .. maybe Wednesday, no maybe Tuesday.  Not sure anymore.  The carpet layers came on Thursday and Friday and got the carpet all in.  They will be back on Monday to start the tiles.  That means this weekend we need to empty the laundry room, closet and pantries.  That's where they will start.

Right now it is almost impossible to SIT anywhere - all of our furniture is crowded into the front room and big dining room.  We did take our old chewed up (that's literal -- dog chewed it) sofa to the basement, so I guess I could go sit there.

I like the carpet so far -- hope we like the other hard surface floor (anything would be an improvement at this point!).

Friday my day off was not to watch the carpet layers, but to go to Des Moines for a regional gathering for Stampin' Up people.  Tammy P and I do the SU stuff to get our products discounted and to have fun.  Neither of us spend THAT much time doing any of it -- mostly it's a collecting thing.  All the stuff we have and don't use ... ahhhh though there is the POTENTIAL to make cool stuff!  And SOMETIMES we do.

Anyway Friday was the day. I was looking forward to it.  Before I left Randy checked the tires.  The back passenger one was a little low and he discovered a nail in it.  Even though I was already about 30 minutes later getting off than I wanted, I thought I better go get it plugged/patched or whatever.  It turned out to be whatever.  So about 40-45 minutes later I began my trek to Des Moines with a new tire.  Grrr!

Beautiful day.  Perfect driving weather.  There could have been a few less cars and trucks on the road to be GREAT traveling, but none-the-less it was good.  3/4 the way there-- I heard a clicking sound.  At first I thought it was something chinking together like maybe some coins in the coinholder, or ?? something like that.  But I noticed when I accelerated the clicking accelerated and got louder, when I let up the clicking wasn't as rapid or loud.  So I continued clicking along.

I was, at that point, glad I had replaced the tire and didn't have that AND the clicking to worry about.  I called Randy and he said it sounded to him (from the symptoms I described) like what it had done when we went to Lincoln awhile back.  At that time we discovered that the oil was TOO FULL.  (Even though the oil stick indicated that the oil was low-a little was added to bring it to FULL-and should have been okay.) 

So I clicked to a parking spot.  Went in (last one there I think) to the SU convention site.  Enjoyed what I saw and heard, but constantly thinking about the car and needing to get home.  And that Sabbath would start and ... so I left the thing an hour early.  Went to Walmart and had them change the oil (it was time anyway) and put a new filter, etc.  The clicking was gone and it ran perfectly all the way home.  It was STRESSFUL all day because of that.  I probably should have just stayed home.  But ... I didn't.  I'm so glad that God took care of me!

TANNER'S SHOWER

Saturday night after the meeting Wynter and Rhiannon went over to Fulton Place and began preparing for a baby shower for our new cousin/nephew/grandson Tanner!  He is due to make his appearance any time now.  I personally hope he stays put until either October 24 or 29 -- to commemorate either Marlon or dad (Gene)'s birthdays!  JoDe of course is hoping for ANY DAY prior to those dates!  I think she is about ready to be done!

Gr'ma Shirley (Hinkhouse) aka mom made a whole bunch of yummy sandwich spreads, apples and caramel, pickles (or tickles as Jaimee says), etc.  The cake the girls ordered was adorable with little dinosaurs.  And the decorations - well, with Wyn on the team of decorators you KNOW it's gonna be good.  And it was!  Very 'boy' - but still baby!

Our group wasn't huge, but it was a good group with relatives from both sides of the family and a couple of church family.  We had some games - baby bingo which both Reese and Jaimee liked playing.  While we were trying to get 'bingo' - they were having fun looking at their cards finding the objects. 

One was particularly difficult.  It was "cow rattle" ... which in and of itself is sort of weird.  Like WHOEVER heard of a COW rattle?  Maybe a rattle with a round end on it or ??? well, anything but a cow.  So to make it even more difficult - the COW rattle looked just like a PIG.  I kid you not.  So anyway - in some foreign country where they have never seen a cow OR a pig - they design baby shower bingo cards, don't you think?  *smile*

So here are some pictures from the shower.  Again you'll have to 'x' out the stupid little Super Poke Pets thing (below) in order to see the full picture. 

PLAID DRESSED DRUMMER

Burlington Coat Factory -- cutest kid's clothes and THE BEST PRICES!  I don't know how I ended up going there one day.  But there they were all those adorable outfits and AFFORDABLE prices.

Made a trip up there a week ago (with Randy in tow) and he HAD to buy her this little dress.  It was available in a green and this purple.  Since Jaimee was with (and Rhiannon) - Jaimee got to make the selection ... poople or green ... she chose poople.

Rhiannon put  her in it for church this week.  It was chilly in the a.m. so she had on little black tights and shiny little dressy shoes.  As the day got progressively warmer (edging over into the HOT category) the pieces came off.  Shoes, tights, sweater ...

Later going to the evening meeting her mommy threw on some ankle socks and her light up shoes. 

I brought J home from the meeting.  She and I were both tired.  But she was in the most fun mood every.  Smiling and chattery and pleasant.  Not at all like a tired baby can get. 

She discovered the long sticks that are to stir the 5 gallon pot of paint that I got Randy ... he's so excited ... and proceded to become a drummer.  I got LOTS of pictures.  I figured they might be the key to a lavish lifestyle for me in retirement ... providing she grows up to be a famous female drummer (and I have the 'remember when pictures' to sell to the paparazzi!)

Anyway - we had a good time.  A few minutes later I made the night-night suggestion again and she very willingly put down her sticks and we went up to bed!

Again you'll have to click the "x" on the stupid little advertisement at the bottom of the pictures.  Grrr.  Also you have to 'hover' on the pictures to get the captions.

THE THINGS WE DO FOR FUN!

My niece Maggie's school had a special day where people could dress up as "old" people. So Maggie ended up going in a most 'stylish' pair of glasses. Upon seeing her picture - I harked back to the 80's -- ahh those were the days!

For some odd reason I still have my glasses and I knew where to find them. (Amazing since I can't find my phone 1/2 the time and I use it every day!) I pulled them out and shot some cool glasses pics of myself to share with Maggie!

Next time Jaimee was around - she saw the the 'gaagaas' and had to try them on. I thought she looked pretty cute. She had a bit of a runny nose - but even with that ...

 

I wish I could remember where on the computer we had the scanned picture of Rhiannon in her glasses when she was a bitty girl. Looked very much like her little girlie.

DEVIL WEARS PRADA

Have you heard of this movie?  Well today our little Jaimee was sort of like that.  She had on a frilly little dress with a little white cardigan, white tights, patent 'leather' shoes, cute hair ... and was ready to tear people's faces off if they looked at her.  Oh my!  After potluck I came home first and we went right up to the bedroom where I put her jammies back on her and she snuggled right down in bed and we haven't heard a peep from her since. 

Some of you may know - others maybe not - but dad took a spill a couple weeks ago and broke (not cracked ... BROKE through ... four ribs).  Mom has been faithfully ministering to his needs since.   I know he is thankful for her love and devotion right now.  On a brighter note - the sore on his foot which was so near being amputated a few months ago is now about the diameter of a straw as opposed to the quarter sized / 1/4" deep wound they had been dealing with.  Praise God!

Green beans!  Aunt Jo and Uncle Paul were dropping by some fresh green beans to mom last week and I was fortunate enough to be there!  They sent me home with enough for a big pot of them.  We cooked them up last night and everyone was gobbling them down so fast because they were GOOD!  Yummy!!!

We've been having a series of meetings - just on Friday night, Saturday 11 o'clock service, Saturday evening and Sunday evening - for four weekends.  Our attendance has been good and the messages have been timely.  I've been praying the Holy Spirit work with all of us.  I am not so concerned that anyone join OUR church - but that they know the truth as the Bible states it, not as man interprets it.  Satan does a fantastic job of delivering truth with a smidge of lie -- which makes it all a lie, even though it mostly looks right. 

Anyway I've been the registration person for the series which has been fun.  I've enjoyed meeting and greeting people and making sure they have their materials and handouts.  Randy has been video taping the meetings - and will be recording a number of sets of them so people can buy them if they want them after the meetings.  It keeps him busy - as it is a fairly time consuming thing. 

Rhiannon and Wynter have been holding the kid's portion of the meetings.  I think they make a really great team - and I've been proud of them for taking it on and seeing it through.  Now that Rhiannon and Ryan are in the Chicago area - she has continued to come home for the weekend to do the program.  Of course we're happy for any excuse that brings them back here!!!

We had a sad event in our family history.  The oldest of all of the Goddard cousins died this week from complications of his diabetes (hateful disease).  Even though we don't see each other often - in some cases for decades I'm guessing - there is a certain part of me (and probably other cousins as well) that feels this hole in the fabric of our family.  My love and sympathy goes out to each member of Rich's family.  I know he was loved.  There were three young men standing side by side at the casket - all were looking at him and one was thumbing through Rich's small worn Bible.  It was a poignant.

And like all of "those" occassions - the bad part is partially offset by the enjoyment of seeing and reconnecting with family you have neglected to keep in touch with.  I loved seeing Aunt Elda Mae, Kevin and Kerry and Joan and Valerie and Jean and Mike (even though you DO look so young ... I thought he was one of the cousin's kids) and Duke and Lisa and I'm not sure if I saw Vickie or not ... I think so.  And then Tammy and Bill, LuAnn and Murray and Aunt Rhea and Paul ... and meeting (or re-meeting) spouses and ... well, truly it was super to see you all.

I think one of the things I like most about MY life is that I am from a big family!  One of 50 cousins and probably countless 2nd cousins, etc. (or whatever they are called -- to me it's just "family"!)
I know I've just let you all down so badly (I'm KIDDING!) by not posting pictures lately - so here is a mini-slide show.  The captions will kind of tell the story!

With that I'll say ... toodles!  Love to all!
V

You'll have to 'click' the little X on the super poke pets thing ... sorry.

MEMORABLE DAY IN LUDKE-VILLE

Well - I have to share this! It's been a MOST memorable day here in Ludke-ville! *LOL*

The kids finished packing up their truck last night - and headed out this a.m. to unload it in Orland Park, IL. (I continue to let my son-in-law know that this is a bad decision - for me! - he continues to ignore me. I don't know if he realizes how much I love having them near us and how he is driving me to an early grave ... people have died from broken hearts you know ... are you feeling guilty Ryan?  *smile*)

Anyway 'pa-pa' and 'ma-ma' (our Jaimee given names) - were in charge of the now 19 month old girlie.

I heard her wake up so picked her out of her bed and brought her in ours so we could snuggle. We turned on the TV to public TV and watched for ... about 7 3/4 minutes. Then we had 'no more monkies jumpin' on the bed' time. Then she and I got up and had some oatmeal.

'Ma-ma' gave her a bottle of juice -- she doesn't get a bottle (which reminds me I better wash the evidence and put it away). She sat all snuggly with me for a long time. Then I went potty - and she sat on her potty (made me take her diaper off). After that she kept wanting to go back in and sit on her potty. Kept saying 'poopy' (weak stomached folks fast forward) so I sat her on the potty with no pants. She sat a long time.

She got up and ran around, tiny naked bottom! Then she'd go sit some more. Up and down, up and down. When she was sitting she wanted me to sit there also and keep her company - so I did. Finally she shooshed me out the door. It was funny. She didn't want me IN there anymore.

But she kept popping up and looking out the door to make sure 'ma-ma' was standing close by. We did this about 1/2 dozen times ... 'ma-ma?' and back she'd go to sit. Finally she came out and instead of saying 'ma-ma?' she said "poopy". And sure enough it was her first ever potty in a potty!

Of course we called mommy to tell her - so mommy could make over her accomplishment. We called daddy (he was in a different vehicle). And then we took a picture and printed it off so she could show 'pa-pa' and Nick and mommy and daddy when they come home. She is very pleased with her picture (which I will spare you!  I hear her mom posted it on Facebook.  She's going to HATE you when she's grown up, you know!)

So yes, a monumental day in Ludke-ville!

And the day continued to be a great day with her - she's been extra good. We got NOTHING accomplished, but who cares?!

The marrieds got home in time for the meeting to start tonight - and when we got home after the meeting Jaimee showed her 'poopy picture' to her mommy and daddy (everyone praising the accomplishment that they missed this morning).  Then she wanted her diaper off and she went in and went pee-pee on the potty. 

What a proud - proud ... and did I mention ...  MONUMENTAL day in Ludke-ville!

Hope you had a great weekend!

IN THE SUMMER TIME WHEN THE WEATHER IS HOT!

Wow!  July was the last time I blogged?!!  I knew it had been awhile, but even I was shocked when I saw HOW long!

And so here I sit enjoying fresh evening air with a crispness that reminds me of fall.  Can it be that the days of triple digit heat and (high) double digit humidity are over and behind us already?  If not, it soon will be.

Our summer included:

COUNTY FAIR!  We had a church booth featuring our church school.  I got to make balloon animals.  Before next year comes I think I will teach myself a few things.  I'd never made ANY balloon creatures before arriving at our booth.  It was FUN.  Would have been MORE fun if I'd had a clue what I was doing.  Abby Paul had helped with a VBS in Alaska where they did some - so she was our instructor!

JAIMEE TIME!  When the kids arrived at the beginning of summer we had a hectic mess.  Gradually over a bit of time (and lots of work by my daughter) - things became 'normal' here.  Randy and I have SO enjoyed having that tiny girl here.  Hearing her sweet voice saying 'Pa-pa!!' or 'Ma-ma!!' is like music.  She's had some rough times mostly because her little mouth decided to sprout all sorts of molars and other teeth this summer.  But those times are usually a few days - and then the happy little girlie returns.  She has been so much fun!  We took a walk with her to the arboretum and as we walked along, we discovered our shadow!  It did exactly what we did!  And it was both amazing and fun!

JOB CHANGE TIME!  Nick left his employment with Aaron's and has gone to work up in Iowa City at Riverside.  While it's a longer drive he only has to do it 3 or 4 times a week and makes as much or more $$ than he did in more days and hours here.

YARD SALES!  I can't remember how many yard sales we did this summer.  Probably not as many as it seemed.  But in an effort to make room for two families to live together, it was necessary to rid ourselves of some things!  Whew!  It always feels good to get things cleaned out a bit.  We got rid of the pool table and I think I have a buyer for the air hockey table.  So we will get our basement repurposed for other types of living soon.  I think we want to repaint the floor down there before we do much.  It's been a few years since I painted the floor.

In getting ready for one of the sales, Ryan hopped out of the back of the truck and hurt his ankle.  Turns out he cracked it.  No casts required, but hobbled for awhile.  I think he is doing okay now, as he has been paintball shooting and other things.

DAD AND MOM ... July and August were tough on both of them.  Dad has had an open sore on his foot for almost a year now.  Mom has nursed it and nursed it.  When dad began feeling very ill and weak, he ws taken to the VA hospital and admitted.  Infection.  They did that a couple of times.  When they sent dad home he took home an intravaneous IV to feed antibiotics.  That actually caused some problems to his kidneys, so they had to change it up.  The wonderful thing about this all was that at one point mom took dad in - and they were going to cut off a portion of his foot (at best) and up to his knee (most probably).  Prayer warriors around the country sent petitions heavenward on behalf of his situation.  When they went in - after some tests and consultations - the doctors decided that the wound was healing and they were NOT going to do an amputation at all.  He did go home with a huge wound on his foot.  They cut down into the bone and cleaned out bad flesh.  The opening was probably as round as a quarter and probably quarter of an inch deep.  When mom cleaned it out - she touched bone.  Now she says the wound is about as big around as her pinky finger tip and she only cleans flesh - no bone.  God is HEALING him.  Keep dad on your prayer list.  It would be wonderful, if after a year of fighting this - he and mom could be relieved of this stress.

Mom is such a wonderful worker and caregiver.  I know dad appreciates that - and at least as far as I am concerned, I am in AWE of her giving spirit.

WORK WORK WORK - Summer is my busy time at my afternoon job.  Annual recertifications take up most of the summer months.  Never mind that it also seems that it is time when everyone decides to move and also when auditors, investors, and inspectors seem to come around to do their work.  AND the person who works afternoons at City Hall - to my mornings went on a 2 week vacation which I was happy to cover for (more hours!!!) - but on the other hand ... it meant some long, long days when I would go to my afternoon job after doing a full day at my a.m. job.  But I am SO thankful for a job(s).  So not really complaining.

DRYER DECEASED -  The dryer we've had for a dozen years finally had to be replaced at the beginning of August.  It still heated.  But there was a rubber thing inside (that's the technical term for what was wrong, in case you were wondering) that was getting shaved off somehow and then those little shaved things were melting and adhering to the clothes so when you took your clothing out of the dryer, it looked like you had been assaulted by a chocolate bar.  The cost to repair mirrored the cost to replace.  Nick was still at Aaron's and we were able to get a very good 'employee' discount.

SHELTER IN THE TIME OF STORM(s) -  We have been deluged with rain and storms this summer.  Not so much in the last few weeks, as earlier on.  In all these years at my afternoon job, this is the first time I have had to spend time in the lower level of our building (at work) with my residents.  They are so precious - they don't understand.  And when they said that a tornado had been spotted near Muscatine, they were certain that meant it was headed straight to their building.  In our own yard, we lost more limbs this year.  Our backyard has so many fewer trees than it did a few years ago.  In our front year, because of all of the rain, and a perpetual puddle in one area -- we now have a little spot where there is no grass because it just couldn't hold it's breath any longer and it drowned.

TOOTH FAIRY ALERT - We've been looking for the tooth fairy this summer.  Not only because of all that Jaimee has sprouted, but poor 'Pa-pa' was eating an Arby's sandwich of all things!  And he bit down on something hard.  The tooth HURT bad.  He went a couple of days later he went to the dentist, but they didn't find anything wrong.  It settled down some, but then FLARED big time.   On a Sabbath morning he was in such pain that we tried to call his dentist thinking they'd be in on Sabbath a.m.  NOPE.  Called his doctor thinking the same thing.  NOPE!  Ended up at going to an Urgent Care Walk In place.  WHAT a JOKE!  Left about an hour and 1/2 later - we left with no pain relief.  It's still bugging him, though he has been back to the dentist and they still don't find anything. 

AUNT NITA - My dad's sister Juanita - aka Aunt Nita came to visit this summer.  She is so pleasant and nice to visit with.  It was Randy's and my privilege to pick her up at the airport and enjoy a meal at Maid-Rite with her.  With the busy time this summer, I didn't get time to invite people in for a get-together, but mom did and naturally it was so much better than anything I could have offered.  (BTW - Kathy I still don't have your email address ... Aunt Nita - can you forward this and get her email for me.  Not sure what happened.)

CHICAGO TRIP -  Rhiannon and I have had several opportunities to get away for a weekend over the years.  Its always been fun.  We tried it this year again - and it was probably NOT the best trip there we've ever had.  On the other hand inspite of it not being the best trip, there were good times like walking along Lake Michigan - the water was beautiful.  The day was marvelous and it was relaxing.  Baby J loved playing in the fountain at Millenium Park.  That was about an hour of pure unadulterated JOY as far as she was concerned ... at least until she was knocked flat by a speeding little boy who didn't see her in his pathway.  She really got knocked down hard and cried and cried!  Eventually she came around and enjoyed the fountain some more, but a bit more cautious of speeding children.

BURGLARIZED, NOT ROBBED - I learned last week that it is NOT robbery when someone cuts the screen out of your livingroom window and comes in and takes your flat screen TV, remote control, and manual.  It is BURGLARY.  Our friend Barbara had just this thing happen to her.  She didn't wake up - yes! she was sleeping in the next room.  Her little dog didn't wake up either.  I think her guardian angel was plugging their ears!  What if they had come out and surprized the BURGLAR?  We know they had something sharp to cut the screen ... bad things could have happened.

MOVE OVER!  Starting last Thursday the guys loaded up all of the stuff for our Loud Thunder camp meeting.  Then Friday they unloaded and set up camp.  At home we were cooking and getting ready for the event in our 'womanly' way.  Saturday night was breaking camp and unloading back at the school and church.  Sunday a good group of us went to Aledo (twenty-some miles into Illinois) and moved the belongings of a church couple to their new apartment in Muscatine.  That was the a.m.  In the afternoon - we headed to Bennett (twenty-some miles north of Muscatine) to move the Pastor and his wife to their home in Muscatine.  It was in the nineties.  Everyone was pooped at the end of the day.  Monday and Tuesday both I was feeling it in my joints and bones.  Boy I am OLD!  And I didn't work as hard as some.  The GUYS lifted and hauled stuff upstairs and down ... HEAVY stuff.  Glad that is done.

STAMPING TIME Next weekend is our all day stamping event at the church school.  We only do this 3 or 4 times a year and the last time was in JULY.  So there is another way to see how much time has elapsed.  I look forward to this day.  I hope everyone who comes brings a project they are going to work on.  I think that makes it more fun for everyone!  I know that I like having time just to myself to think and create without a lot of distraction.  My creativity works better then!  Thursday night is our monthly stamping night (which is different than our all day event) ... so I better think about what project to work on for that night!  Fortunately I have a three day weekend to think about it.

I think it is time for me to let you get back to your life.  I am sorry to go on and on.  Take care - let us hear from YOU!  Abbie and Jill ... I haven't forgotten that I said I'd send that bag.  I still will!  PROMISE!

Love to all!  And especially welcome home to Mark and Bellie who arrived home to Muscatine from their other home clear over there in the Philipines.  They'd been there for 3 weeks and got home today.

IS YOUR BURDEN HEAVY?

Heartbreak. I spent 4 hours with a lady who lives in my building today. She was so teary and sad (she's always got a sadness to her - I often think of her as Eeyore - from Winnie the Pooh). We talked a LOT. She lost her mom to cancer when she was 9 -- said her mom was dying as long as she can remember her mom, she remembers having to give her mom enemas. Can you image? A child? Dad died at about 10. At some point she was in an orphanage. Then stayed with an aunt who died when she was 16.

I'm not a psychologist - but I know she has deep deep problems, that part isn't a secret - but I couldn't help but feel that her life sort of ended before she even got started. It's like she never moved past those traumatic losses, and those losses were 3 1/2 to 4 decades ago. 

Pray for her - we talked about Jesus and she says she believes. She likes music she said (you talk about a LOT of stuff in that amount of time). She wishes she knew her Bible more. She had an abortion and feels guilty about it I told her Jesus would forgive that.  I talked to her about Paul and how he murdered Christians, but yet became such a 'warrior' on God's behalf ... A FORGIVEN warrior.  Something told me I needed to come home and get my scripture song CD's and give them to her. I did. I now pray that the words in those scriptures - put to music - will speak to her and be a salve to her wounds.

Pray also for a friend of mine who will be having surgery on the 9th. They believe (she said 90%) that she has cancer. I am praying for a miracle on her behalf, please join me.  I believe with my entire being that God heals.  I also believe that He knows the beginning from the end and that all WILL be to His glory.

Oh - the sadness of the world weighs on us sometimes, doesn't it?

The joy is there too -- like when I finally got off work at 8 p.m. tonight and drove up in front of my house a few minutes later ... a teeny little girl was walking outside with her mommy and daddy. When she saw my van she came FLYING to the car. She knew Gram(me) was home and we hadn't seen each other the whole entire day!  Little arms and legs wrapped around me - and happy little smiley face and jabbery voice ... this is awesome having her here.

That was today ...

Over the 4th we had LOTS of fireworks and fun.  Drove up to JoDe and Josh's house in Davenport for supper - they grilled (love grilled vege-chik patties!!) and we all brought some stuff to add to the feast.  I made a couple of things that turned out pretty tasty - or at least people liked them.  A pasta salad and smores dessert!

Not very often do I have requested recipes ... but here you go for the Bow Tie Pasta Salad ...  YOU ASKED!

BOW TIE PASTA SALAD
Prep Time 20 minutes


1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
½ teaspoon dried basil leaves
1/3 cup prepared Italian salad dressing
3 cups (6 ounces) bow tie (farfalle) pasta, uncooked
20 pitted ripe olives
16 cherry tomatoes
1 medium cucumber
1 ounce fresh Parmesan cheese, grated (¼ cup)
Salt and ground black pepper (if desired)

1. In Small Bowl, mix mustard and basil with Whisk. Gradually stir in dressing and whisk until smooth. Set aside.

2. In 4-Qt. Casserole, cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Rinse with cold water and drain well. Place pasta in bowl.

3. While pasta is cooking, prepare the vegetables. Cut olives and cherry tomatoes in half.

4. Cut cucumber in half lengthwise. Remove seeds of each cucumber half. Place cucumber halves, cut side down, on cutting board. Remove thin strips of peel by running a fork down side to create a striped effect. Cut cucumber halves crosswise into slices.

5. Add olives, cherry tomatoes and cucumbers to pasta in bowl. Pour dressing over pasta mixture and mix lightly.

6. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over salad and mix lightly. Cover bowl with lid and refrigerate 30-60 minutes. Before serving, sprinkle salad with a little salt and pepper, if desired. Makes 8 servings.

We went to fireworks in Davenport -- a fruitless attempt to meld 4 or 5 cars full of people into one group of fireworks viewers!  Not sure where everyone actually ended up - we parked in a big dirt lot and walked to the river front where we had a nice grassy spot to watch. 
 
July 4th was a special day!  Mark came over with Holly and Zach.  We get to see Zach often, which we love!  But we hadn't seen Holly in a very long time.  It was so nice to see her (thank you Holly for making time in your visit back here to come see us - we love you! ... oh you too Zachary!!!  I know you were thinking it!) and catch up a bit.  Hoping you can be here for Turkey-day too!
 
Then Nick, Rhiannon, Ryan, Jaimee, Randy and I went to the parade.  We joked as we drove that we should go to our old 5th Street house and walk down (we were so close to it then!) - and ended up parking at the alley of our old block!  On the way back it's sort of 'up' hill.  I saw an old man pushing a big lady up the hill in a wheelchair!  I told the guys to come help him -  he looked like he was about to expire as he was pushing!  Poor Randy ended up pushing her all the way up the up the hill by himself.  He was so sweaty and stinky!  I was proud of him for doing that kind thing.
 
Well, it's getting later and later!  I needed to go down and finish my card project tonight - but will do it tomorrow sometime!  Thursday is our monthly stamping night.  I have a couple of projects I think are pretty.  Well - one isn't totally done, but it's mostly created.  I still need to cut the pieces for the 2nd project.
 
Remember that Jesus is coming soon.  We need to make that our central theme!  At least I do! 
 
Love to all of you!!!

TOE's WOEs

Woe is me ... woe is me ... screams my little pinky toe.

As you know we're doin' a little creative rearranging in our house these last couple of weeks.  This included moving a fairly large TV (not a flat screen plasma TV silly, a BIG tube type TV) from it's perch safe a-top a dresser in a bedroom to a temporary spot on our bedroom floor.

Fast forward 2 days and nights.  Mother Nature called to me ... "Von!!! oh Vonda!!! -- it's 3 a.m. time to ... ".  So up I get, and begin my trek to the bathroom.  B--OING!!!  Suddenly my toe or toes (remember I was walking in my sleep, sorta) met up with that huge honkin' TV there in the dark.  I remember thinking ... "that's gonna hurt".  Went potty, back to bed ...

Now, you young-uns won't understand this part until ... later!  But there are days when this hurts or that hurts and you sorta get to the point where you acknowledge "hmm?  this is today's pain-o-the-day" and on you go.  All the next morning my foot hurt.  I'm just thinking the sore foot was the pain-o-the-day.

UNTIL I get to my afternoon office where I often will kick off my shoes under my desk.  Well, FLIP! goes the shoe and OUCH! went the foot.  I took the first look at the ailing foot and suddenly the purpleness reminded me "HEY!! I kicked a TV last night!  I was right, it IS gonna hurt!"  (Der!)

So I march on (that's funny, isn't it?  marching on a sore toe?) through life.  Kicking and banging my poor little pinky toe on everything in site (and some not in site).

And then yesterday afternoon ... (der!-- I'll just PRE-'der myself here!) ... I had to run pick up something at home* and deliver it to one of my group homes.  I had to run to the store and get some WD-40 to help one of my visually impaired residents find the key hole on her door so she could get in (yes, even I don't understand how WD-40 helps her FIND a key hole). 

Then I put WD-40 in all the locks at Fulton Place - 22 doors, not counting closets and stuff.  ALL THE WHILE ... I'm thinking MAN!  my toe REALLY hurts today.  Limp-limp-LIMP.

Finally I'm done with all this running around and walk into my office.  I look down as I go to kick off my sandal.  There is my poor purple pinky toe poking OUT of my sandal.  Somehow his swollen little toe-body apparently didn't fit smoothly into my sandal as I slipped it on earlier and popped out the side where he was hanging on for dear life through the whole ordeal of the afternoon.

I wonder how many people saw my toe in woe and didn't even mention -- "hey lady? you know you're 'sposed to put ALL your toes in your sandal?  not just  a few?"  (Really now, if you saw that you'd say -- how dorky is that woman anyway?)

You can't imagine how much better a purple pinky toe can feel once it's not poking outside of a sandal and being sawed at by a piece of leather strap every step you take.

So how's stuff at YOUR house?

Love and kisses to all!

*PS  The TV is gone now -- the thing I had to run home for was the remote control.  We gave it to a young man who is moving into one of the group homes and needed a TV. 

FROM HOUSES TO MOUSES ... and mouse's houses?

Here is a recipe!


1 house (over) full with stuff (some good, some junque ... but thankfully big!)
1 other house full with stuff (its all newer stuff - so not so much junque as 1st house)
4 dogs
3 men
2 women
1 adorably sweet little girl

Mix it all together with rain water, dirt, backaches, headaches, and tired muscles.
Sometimes short tempers - (Add a little more rain water to it just for good measure.)
Stir and mix - pushing and pulling until everything fits into one container (aka house).

Sprinkle with even yet more rain.

Here you have a a wonderful mix of everything and the beginning of an adventure!


No, the process hasn't been easy. I know that especially the marrieds are sick to death of the shuffle and not knowing where their things are. But each day it shows progress. Rhiannon has worked herself silly cleaning and making a little bit of a nest for themselves. I don't hate any part of it - except for maybe the dog hair everywhere. But with two housefuls of vacuum cleaners there, we should be able to keep it at bay.

Like I said, Rhiannon has been working so hard. She pulled apart her entire bedroom and did walls, and surfaces and shampooed the carpet. She did the same with our family room. It was SOOOOooo bad. I knew it was, I just hadn't faced the HOW BAD part square on. I think having the windows open during the summer and the corn burning heat - has dirtied things up a lot. (Plus not having attentive house owners hasn't helped!)

My husband is going to be in BIG trouble though. If not by me, then by his daughter. He loves to buy those nasty marrow bones from the grocery store butcher department and give them to the dogs. The DOGS love them. MmmmmMMMmmMMMM! But then you have these awful things in the house. It's always been bad - but now that the carpets have been shampooed I was REALLY mad (yes, MAD) when I saw some on the floor last night. If I wanted a dead cow on the floor of my house, I'd butcher one myself.   RANDY!!! 

Speaking of dead. One of Mickey and Minnie's country cousins came to visit us. I knew because on my ever-so-cluttered craft table there was EVIDENCE (ewww!) that he had been there. I got FOUR mousetraps and TWO containers of DeCon (don't mess with me!!!) and put the mousetraps out around the floor of the basement and sat the DeCon high out of the other furry beasts' reach.

It was not long before all of the traps had been snapped. WOW! We must have more than ONE country cousin there. Randy reset them and very soon we had one fat mouse snagged and dead. YEAHHHHHH!!!!! Found out also that when Ryan vacuuming in the basement he snapped off the traps.  Soooo anyway now I'm just hoping that one fat mouse and one dorky son-in-law (I love you anyway Ryan!!!!) is all that is visiting.

The fun part is that we get to see our sweet Jaimee every single day. She has been a wonderful little trouper through it all. As long as she has Mommy and Daddy (aka RYAN ... which she says 'oh-so-clearly' ... RYAN!!!) she seems to be happy. She's not bothered by the ifs/whens/whys/ and wherefors of her little life as long as she has them ... and food.

I love my kitchen sink! It is the perfect size to fill up with water and plop her tiny little booty in and let her play and get cleaned off.  Nothing cuter than a little soft skinned naked baby bottom!

We were happy to see Aunt Nita - though with our wild schedules we didn't plan anything at our house for when she was here. We picked her up at the airport and made a stop at a Maid-Rite for lunch. Aunt Nita says there are two things she has to do when she comes to Iowa - one being Maid-Rite and the other being to eat a pork tenderloin. Mom had us down to her house for one of her magnificent meals. I can't even tell you all the yummy stuff that she had. I'm really hungry right now - so everything sounds excellent. She made a 'maid-rite' type burger from vegetarian burger and it was scrumdillyishus!! And mom ... I want your shortcake recipe. Nick ate the shortcakes plain that I brought home because they were so good. Anyway - Aunt Nita's visit is over and she has returned to California with a trip to see Kathy's new house and to go camping with Marjie and Kelly. I'm sure there will be a stop to see her grandbabies too.

I do have to ask ... Aunt Nita?  You sent a note today that said, "Had a great visit with almost all the family in Iowa..."  Just wondering which ones you didn't have a great visit with!!!  *smile*  (I make myself chuckle!)

Got a phone call today from the dentist.  I lost a humongous filling in a back tooth on Friday I think it was.  Didn't hurt - but needed to get myself in and get it fixed.  The appt. was set for Thursday.  So anyway the phone rang and it was the dentist's office.  They had a cancellation and did I want to come in today instead.  (Well, NO - I don't want to come at ALL!!!)  But I said "sure!!!" and off I went - arriving at their office about 10 minutes later.  Got my tooth fixed and a new filling in another.  They said it was loose or cracked ... so we did it all while I was there.  Dr. Lawhead is so good and his assistant Brigette is great too.  I so HATE dental work.

So ... Sharon? You said there hadn't been a Ludke-ville in awhile. Have I rambled on and on (and on) long enough yet? Hope you are enjoying all the activity and hard work of cooking for all those people at camp. I'm sure they are blessed by having some great meals! Did I mention I'm really hungry ... ???
She's cooking for groups of up to 200 people at a time at a camp over in Illinois!

Joy ... don't go.   (That was just in case you said to yourself ... 'if one more person says don't go - I'll take it as a sign to stay here!'  I don't want you to leave.  :(

Howdeez to everyone else ... been thinking of Lisa, Paul, Dava, Josh, Glo and boys!!!! We need to get together in Iowa City sometime!

Josie darling -- I hope you can stay infection free until they can get your tubes in your ears. You poor little dolly.  (This is Randy's sister's little girl ... she's had such a bad time with sore ears.)

LATER ALL!!!

PS I love my new phone. It's so cool. I have so much yet to learn about it but WOW it's neat. And now that I have the red cover ... it's just as darling as my sweet little berry phone. (Thank you RL for putting the cover on it!!  I still miss my berry phone - but since it's screen was 1/3 broken I had to say SO LONG little berry!

Time for bed or at least getting READY for bed!

GRANDBABIES

Randy and I were wishing our marrieds were closer tonight.  We said that we would get in our car, drive there and take that baby and bring her to our house for the night. 

But they aren't closer.  In fact they are FARTHER.  They are spending the week down in Arkansas visiting with Ryan's family. 

I hope she doesn't use up all her cute and sweet while she is down there!

HONEY & OAT BLENDERS

Okay - okay ... this blog thing has a space for a TITLE.  I'm munching on a cup of Honey & Oat Blenders (with almonds!) so ... there you go.  (BTW - this is pretty good cereal.  And I'm not much of a cereal eater!  Of course I didn't add milk, that disgusting white liquid ... eww!)  This cereal comes in the bags of  'knock-off' cereals in WalMart's cereal aisle!

I took the day off from work today so I could be at the hospital with mom.  However, since they sent dad home until Monday - that foiled my plan!  And I don't have the phone number of the other gal, so was unable to contact her to say I could come in afterall ... so I had a day here!

I planted the rest of my flowers.  I went with mostly red geraniums this year.  They seem to be heat and draught tolerant about as much as any flower ... and since I'm often not the best plant mom ... it's a good choice (I hope!).  I have a few petunias and marigolds in one big planter.  I also planted some kinda purply perennials.  Oops -- you know I think I threw away the little stick that told me what they were.  Oh no.

I made a card.  I'm the world's slowest card maker.  Of course my efforts are a bit hindered because my craft area is a monster mess.  There is a ping-pong table for a work table.  I'm telling you this because if you went down there and looked ... you wouldn't know what kind of table was there.  It's so piled high with 'stuff'.  It takes about 4x longer to do anything when you can't find anything to do something with!

Then I finally made good on my promise to make signage for the Adventist Community Center.  Randy helped me and together we made a good team and it probably only took about 3 -4 hours start to finish to get it set up in the computer, cut on the cutter, weeded, masked and put in place!  Drive by the ACS and take a look!  There signage on the windows in the back too. 

It feels GOOD to have that done.  And I have signs sitting out front of the ACS telling about our Sandwiches and Praise Singing thing tomorrow too!  Hopefully we'll have a few folks show up and enjoy a grilled cheese sandwich and some songs tomorrow.  It's open to the public at 1103 East 9th Street from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on the 4th Saturday (tomorrow) of the month.

So now it is bedtime.  But first (I hope you don't mind mom) I want to include a portion of the email mom sent to some of us to update us on dad's condition.  Please continue to pray for a miracle of healing for dad.  This diabetis is a nasty demon!  (She wrote this on Thursday evening.)

Good Evening,

Yes, we are back home.

We met with the surgeon this morning and when we were finished talking with him it was pretty much decided that the best way to go was to have the amputation just below the knee. He showed me that there were two dams or blockages in the artery to the foot one is in the upper part of the leg and the other is down in the lower part. He couldn't be sure that the blood would get to the foot to heal if they only took off the toes, but was certain it would heal if they took off just below the knee and then at sometime would do a by pass on the upper leg. I even thought he said maybe do the bypass before the amputation. The date was set for tomorrow. They wanted us to go down to vascular Lab and have an ultrasound of the vessels again before they decided for sure. So we went and had that done and then it was time for lunch and they had every room full of patients when we came back so they thought we should go eat so we went to the cafeteria and went right back. We waited and waited and waited. Finally a couple of Doctors came in and said they had a new plan. They were going to postpone the surgery till Monday the 24th of May. Also, had come to the decison that they should should try to save the leg. So they were going to do a balloon and push open the artery to allow more blood flood to go down to the foot and possibly put a stint in and then they are going to amputate the toe end of the foot. It doesn't really make much sense to me but they were happy with their new plan. The surgeon didn't come back in with them but they said he went along with this new plan. It was 4:30pm by the time we finished with them and then we had to do all the pre-opt stuff because we would be the first operation in the morning so we had to be there at 5 :00 am on Monday morning. It was After 6:00 when we got out of the VA. I hadn't gotten groceries for sometime so thought I'd better get some so I didn't have to go in tomorrow and do that. So glad to have that done too. Well, it was after 8:00 by the time we got home. I don't know why things are working out the way they are, but I only hope and pray it is the way the Good Lord wants it to be.

We thank all of you for your earnest prayers and ask that you contiue to pray for his fast recovery. Of course we'd like a miracle healing but most of all God's Will be done.


To God Be the Glory, Great Things He Hath Done!

Shirley

Congratulations to Alana on your college graduation this year! 

Congratulations to Scarlett on your pre-K graduation!  (and for learning to do a somersault this week!)

NOW I'm headed to bed! HAPPY SABBATH!

A GREAT WEEKEND for 'Pa and ME!

HOVER YOUR CURSOR OVER THE PICTURES!

It's late and I have been thinking about bed for about 6 1/2 hours!  So not going to stay up too much longer!

Rhiannon and Jaimee came to visit us this weekend.  Ryan stayed behind to study - finals are this week and he wants to ace them!  Study-study-study!

Sabbath we went to church and then potluck.  In the afternoon we had small group.  We went to Lynn Tavener's house.  She had knee surgery earlier in the week and we knew she wouldn't be up to getting out.  She graciously allowed us to be there.  I could tell by the end of the time that she was getting very uncomfortable.  Our small group was the LONGEST we've had I think!  We're reading DESIRE OF AGES and this chapter was very long!  We only read part of the accompanying verses - we'll do the rest next week.

Saturday night we had family in for pancakes and to watch the video of mom's birthday party.  (Aunt Lois, I have a copy for you!  I'll get it to you soon.)  It was a noisy ordeal with a ton of people in the room here - plus the video had a lot of noise in the background too.  But it turned out REALLY well and I know we all enjoyed it.  THANKS Rhiannon for your work on this!

After several of the people left - some of us watched THE BLIND SIDE.  We enjoyed it.  JoDe, Josh, Reese and Tearney left before it was totally over.  I know JoDe and Josh had seen it before, not sure about Tearney.  So she might not know how it ends!  Refreshing to see a movie that didn't depend on vulgarity or nudity and sex to make a film.

Got a call in the night Saturday night - Nick had some car problems and needed some help pushing/lifting his car from being stuck.  Randy woke me up.  I had taken Ambien to sleep and I knew I was going somewhere but not sure where!  When we got there they put ME in the car to drive it while the guys lifted/pushed.  One of Nick's friends had responded to his plea for help - so it was the three guys doing the muscle.  Didn't seem like it took too long to remedy the problem.  Came home and went back to sleep!  *LOL*

Now speaking of sleep -- better get going.  Need my beauty rest you know!

FULL WEEKEND!

Weekends just fly by. And this one has been no exception. It was a nice full weekend.

Yesterday - Sabbath - before we went to church I put some patties in the oven with some mushroom soup over the top. Turned the oven on low, so we had patties, corn and mashed taters (instant)for lunch.  This was a recipe for patties that I made from scratch (and did the recipe wrong - duh!) But they tasted fine! Here is the recipe I started with:

CHICKEN FRIED STEAKS
1 1/2 c. gluten flour                                      1/2 c. rice flour
2 c. water                                                      6 Tbsp. Braggs liquid aminos
1 - 2 Tbsp. granulated garlic                         2 Tbsp. powdered onion
2 Tbsp. beefless base                                    2 c. bread crumbs
1 tsp. sea salt                                                2 c. flour
1 pkg. tofu, any kind                                    1 c. soy milk


1. Combine water, soy sauce and beefless base. In a separate bowl, combine gluten flour, rice flour, onion and garlic. Mix soy sauce mixture into the dry ingredients, adding more gluten flour or water as needed to make a soft dough.

2. Form into patties and place on parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 6 - 7 minutes on each side.

3. Blend soy milk and tofu until smooth. Drop prepared patties into water seasoned with a little beefless or chicken-style base. Remove patties from water one at a time and coat patties with flour on both sides, then dip into soy milk and tofu mixture. Dip into bread crumbs on both sides, then fry in a little oil until golden brown. Serve with vegetables, potatoes and gravy.


Mark Anthony

What I did wrong was put the bread crumbs into the dry ingredients in step one.  So they were drier than they probably should have been.  AND NOW I have a left over thing of tofu.  I'm not a big tofu user, but maybe I need to find some kind of good recipe for a block of firm tofu.

After church we ate.  I read a little bit and then tried to nap a short while.  Not real successful between Randy, the phone and the dogs - but I tried! 

We had Grilled Cheese Ministry Sabbath afternoon at our Community Service Center.  That is a nice program of singing and serving a grilled cheese sandwich to visitors.  We had 7 people the first time, 0 the second and 1 yesterday.  (When I say those numbers I refer to people that weren't part of the regular group.)  We are thrilled to have guests because we just want to spread the good news of Jesus with people.

Following the GCM (above) we went to the SDA Davenport church.  They had a group there called FOLK MOUNTAIN GOSPEL.  Dean Wooten and his sister Sharon rode along with us.  (It was raining cats and dogs!)  We got there in plenty of time and SURPRISE ... we learned that FOLK MOUNTAIN GOSPEL is 1/2 of of the group SIMPLY HIS who we have listened to their concerts 1/2 dozen times.
The daughter of the other couple had a serious brain bleed last summer and requires lots of care and help, so they don't travel as much right now as they used to. 

I don't think we would have gone all that way in the rain had we known we'd seen them before.  Actually I don't think the rain would have been a factor -- we wouldn't have gone.  They are good, don't get me wrong - just that we've seen them!  They play some interesting instruments like the zither, hammered dulcimer, psaltry and seems like something else. 

Today Randy played tennis early.  I HATE when he plays tennis on Sunday morning.  Sunday is the ONLY day of the week that I don't have a place to go and time I have to be there.  I generally don't sleep in terribly late, but it's nice to get up at 7:30 or 8:30 and not have been disturbed.  Oh well.  It doesn't really matter in the big scheme of things.

When I got up today I decided to wash our bedding.  As I removed the sheets and was moving around the bedroom it occurred to me that our blinds were WAY gross dirty.  So I took them down and put them into the tub to soak a bit.  I took the laundry down to the machine and realized that the laundry room blinds were also WAY gross dirty.  So I brought them up to the tub and they also got cleaned. Of course I had to do the ones off the window in the bedroom bathroom so they matched!  (I have purposely NOT looked at any other blinds!)

I also took apart the fan we use in our bedroom window all summer.  I think we've had it 2 or 3 summers and it runs a LOT.  While noticing all the WAY gross dirty stuff - that fan also waved its red flag in my direction!  That took WAY more time than the silly old fan is worth.  It will probably fritz out now at the beginning of summer!  It at least looks better for the time being.  (I couldn't get the side pieces back on it - we don't use them anyway - PLUS I had an extra screw!)

Took a break mid-afternoon and went to the Muscatine Art Center.  In the music room, the Pearl City Players were doing their REMINISCE WITH RADIO show.  Since one of my co-workers got me involved (by basically volunteering me to do their promotional materials) I thought it would be fun to at least go see what it was all about.  We bought our tickets and enjoyed a 2 hour show.  Our bottoms were happy to have it over because they have very small HARD chairs to sit on.  And seating was cheek to cheek if ya know what I mean!  *wink*

Cousin Kathy - Congrats on the purchase of a new (to you) home! It looks really REALLY nice. I'm happy for you and wish you many years of happiness. She said there is evidence of God's leading from start to finish, so hope to hear that story!
Lisa in CB ... Hi!!!  
Rick - glad you are home and hope the healing continues.  Rhiannon and I are very intrigued by the vegan thing.  Keep us posted!

Gonna run - not sure if I'll get any scrapbooking done tonight or not.  Creativity is best used before you've cleaned lots of stuff and worn yourself out!

Have a good week!