My sister made me do it.

Today, December 28th I got an email from my sister. I had posted a blog on the 29 days of giving site on December 15th and it had been a long time since I post one here. Bev, this blog is for you

December 11-28, 2009

December 11, 2009

I was able to go outside today. The weather has warmed up considerably, the sun was shining and the wind was a gentle cold breeze. I wrapped up my muffler and leapt out into the sunshine. Well, leapt is not quit accurate, I limped out, but in my heart it was a leap.

We went to Wal-Mart. The first thing we did was have lunch. I kind of felt like a little kid I was so excited being out of the house. I chose the high table with the high chairs so that I could see over the partition and watch the people walk by. Our sandwich tasted heavenly. I finished every last bite.

Then we did our shopping. We spent way too much. I was spending like Paul was actually working. We finished up our meager Christmas shopping. My daughter-in-law would like to have some white chocolate chips sent over in the box so I bought those for her. It was sunny and bright when we walked into Wal-Mart. As we headed for home it was still clear, but only the stars were visible in the night sky.

I was very tired when I finally walked back through the door. The return through the door was not quite as triumphant as this afternoon, but I really enjoyed my time out.

We made plans to visit the grandsons and Trina on the 22nd while Ethel is here. Ethel was the lady that lent us the car while Trina was in our house in a hospital bed waiting for Andrew to be born. The boys and Trina have a special place in her heart. We will pick up Kathy the night before and then leave early in the morning for our Christmas visit.

We watched a movie and then checked our email and went to bed.

December 12, 2009

After lunch we left again to drive to Sedalia. That is where the nearest Dollar Tree Store is located. As we drove I drank in the scenery. I was awarded for my constant observation. On a post near the road, as if he had waited for me, was a regal red tail hawk. I love these birds. I saw several more hawks flying.

Both Paul and I are having mobility challenges right now. We made a deal. I would do the shopping at the Dollar Tree and he would run into Wal-Mart and take care of what had to be done in there. Dollar Tree was extremely busy. Their aisles are narrow and crowded, there is not room for two carts to pass with the extra displays that they have placed all over the store. I had to back up into a spot that was wider to allow someone to pass many times. But everyone was smiling. I saw a lady with wonderful lavender dangling earrings. I told her how much I liked her earrings. She told me why she bought them and that they were 15 years old. We had a nice chat in the aisle.

I was totally exhausted by the time I returned to the car. We drove back to town. The car was nice and warm so I was comfortable as Paul shopped. Paul bought some Kentucky Fried Chicken for dinner on the way home.

We ate dinner and it was good. Then Paul put the lights on the TV and I set the Santa on the table. I will finish the Santa scene and put up the nativity scene so it will at least look like Christmas. We get Kathy Monday so we will let her help trim the tree.

December 13, 2009

Today my baby is 32 years old. It really doesn’t seem possible that all those years have passed since Tim was born.

We just couldn’t get up and ready for church this morning. I couldn’t even blame the cold weather. It is clear up to 42, and it feels like 42.

Paul went to choir practice. It was the last one before the program. While he was gone I created the Santa scene in the living room. Every year this scene looks different. I use the same things in the scene every year. So now we have the tree up with lights and the Santa scene up.

Ethel’s niece called and made arrangements for us to meet in Liberty. We are very excited to have Ethel here for a while.

Another night of TV and computer watching.

December 14, 2009

Paul got up, got dressed and left for the campus to check on his enrollment. They still have not received the transcript from Portland Community College. He went to the school and came back before I even woke up.

Paul called the Portland Community College to find out when they would be mailing the transcript. They mailed it last week. So, soon this school will have it.

I took a nap. I was grumpy. When I got up I showered and dressed. We braved the cold and drove over to Tom’s to pick up Kathy. Tom is taking Sandy’s son to take the census bureau test in another town tomorrow and then Sandy’s office party is tomorrow night.

We stopped at Burger King to eat dinner and let Kathy play. The most bizarre thing happened when we walked into the play yard. A young boy about five started yelling at me. He followed me pointing his finger and screaming at me for being heavy. He yelled just look at your body. You are very fat. You have done this to your body. As he screamed and pointed his finger at me he just kept moving forward in a menacing way. I stood where I was and looked him in the eye. I said nothing but kept eye contact. This young child really has been exposed to some abusive behavior for him to be so aggressive toward a complete stranger. He backed down, no parent intervened. Kathy played on the maze until this child started to harass her, and then we took Kathy home. It was really sad to see what a home environment can do to a child.

When we got home Kathy made herself at home on the couch all cozy with a pillow and a blanket. She found my new book and wanted me to read it. So while she held the book, with no pictures, I told her all about the Princess from the Mystical Land of Zoray. She loved it. I must have told her three stories about the princess before she closed her new favorite book.

Bev called me very late tonight, well at 2:20 am, but my rule is it is still tonight until I sleep. We got a chance to catch up a little. I was awake and in the office when she called.

Kathy had a really rough night. She tossed and turned and cried out several times. I was up with her until after 4:30.

December 15, 2009

Kathy was up very early this morning. She was in a very good mood, even though her night was so short. I got up with Kathy and fed her breakfast. She spent the morning watching Sesame Street and having me read her the Adventures of the Mystical Land of Zoray. When I finally put up my book, she would grab anything, a piece of paper or a note book to have me read another adventure.

She found some things to go on the tree. I now have several bows on the tree, a Christmas stocking and a little train and a 6 inch piece of red garland. I haven’t found my tree ornaments yet, but Kath was very creative when she took on the chore of decorating the tree.

When Paul finally got up he told me I could go to take a nap since I had been up all night. Well, I did get about three hours sleep. But I wasn’t tired so I decided to take a nap when Kathy went down for her nap.

When it was time for Kathy’s nap she slept only an hour. I took that hour to check my email. I was really quite surprised that I wasn’t sleepy, I should have been.

And so the day went along. Kathy was totally engrossed in the Mystical Land of Zoray; I just kept making up stories for her. She was sad when I took a break to make dinner. She really appreciated the work though. We had chicken strips, mashed potatoes and veggies. She ate so well and was still in a great mood.

This evening she enjoyed a Christmas movie and then went to bed, covered up and was asleep before Grandpa could get out of the room.

I went to bed around 11:30, got comfortable, made sure I was covered and went to sleep. Paul read for a while, but I didn’t care. I was slumbering.

December 16, 2009

We were all awake pretty early today. Paul went to get a priority box for me for the Grandkids in the Azores. I had checked with Barnes and Noble and they had the book that I wanted for my seven year old granddaughter. I was ready to send their package out.

Kathy took a short nap today and then we left to meet with Ethel and her family. We stopped at Barnes and Noble on the way. They didn’t have the book tonight that they had this morning. I am so sad. I haven’t decided what to do about it yet.

We met Ethel and her family in Liberty and had dinner. Kathy took one look at Ethel across the table and said OH IT’S DADDY. She sat in her chair for a while, content to just talk to Ethel. But as the wait for the food stretched out she became impatient and wanted to go and sit on Ethel’s lap. Ethel has a new best friend now. It really was a nice dinner, great conversation, good food and of course having Ethel around was wonderful.

On the way home from picking up Ethel we dropped Kathy off at home. She went in and said Hi and then sat on Ethel’s lap. She was a very tired little girl, so Tom excused her and she went to bed. Tom said she was asleep before he was out of the room.

When we got home we visited with Ethel for a long time. We had special visitors that were anxious to see Ethel too. We all went to bed tired but content.

December 17, 2009

We were so excited to go outside today. It was 55, felt like 55 degrees outside. I took my muffler because we planned to be gone all day, but I didn’t have to use it.

We drove to Knob Noster, saw our dream house. This is a very old 5 bedroom house with huge rooms. We peeked in the windows before and today we walked all around the house. It is so large. In the basement is a one bedroom apartment. Paul and I have just fallen in love with this old house. When you walk up on the big porch you feel the peace that must have abide in this home.

We drove around the outside boundaries of the air base. We had never done that before. The base is very large. To go on the base we would have to go to the visitor’s center and get Ethel approved for entry to the airbase. None of us felt like getting out of the car just then.

We went to Sedalia and I picked up a book for the red headed granddaughter. We had lunch at Subway Took Ethel over to see the hotel that has the Christmas trees.

Trina called and we changed the day that we are going to go over to see her. Now we are going on Monday.

Back at home Paul picked up a Papa Murphy’s pizza for dinner. We were ready to sit and eat and watch Christmas movies. Our doorbell rang. We have never heard the doorbell before, we weren’t sure if it was our door or something on TV.

When I went to answer the door, no one was there but there was a box of food on the porch. Someone had given us a turkey, all the fixings for a Christmas meal and a $20 Wal-Mart gift card in a Christmas card. It really was a special surprise for us tonight.

I packed the gifts for the Grandkids in Azores. Paul and I worked on Bev’s gift. I wrote a few more adventures from the Land of Zoray for Kathy the next time she is here.

Bev called and we talked. She almost had a fire in her house today. She was protected, the second time this year, from a tragedy

I am off to bed, it has been a great day.

December 18, 2009

It was a very cold day. Ethel and I stayed home when Paul headed to the store.

It is always interesting when Paul goes to the store alone. I gave him a list and reminded him what the balance in the checking account was. I asked him to be careful. Silly me. He came home with three of everything. He bought two $5 movies, Adams Family Values and Footloose. He left a few dollars in the bank. Our plans for the rest of the week have been canceled.

We watched Christmas movies with Ethel tonight.

December 19, 2009

My fleece mask came and it is cold outside. I got to go out anyway. I look pretty funny in my new black mask, but my breath stays warm and I have a little bit more freedom when choosing to go out on a frigid day.

Ethel stayed home while we ran errands. When we got home we watched Christmas movies with Ethel. Ethel really likes her movies.

December 20, 2009

Today was the Christmas program at church. Paul sang in the choir. The program was wonderful. We stayed for the entire block today. It was a good day.

We went to Odessa to pick up Kathy. Tom loves to visit with Ethel. We had a quick but great visit at their house. When we got home we ate.

We watched Christmas movies with Ethel.

Went to bed early

December 21, 2009

We got up and got ready to leave for Brent’s house and then Trina’s place. We took the baby stuff for Drew’s new baby with us and bookmarks for the girls in the family and rubix cube for the boys.

Saw Brent at his house. He is looking very good. His brother, his girlfriend, her sister and her sister’s 2 year old daughter ended up without a place to stay. Brent let them move in to his house. His landlord has a bigger house that will be available soon, so they will be moving there soon.

Kathy loves Brent. She was very happy to see him. The bonus of a little 2 year old to play with just made her so excited. Ethel was glad to see Brent too. The last time she saw him, he was shorter than she was.

We always carry something to make sandwiches with when we travel here. So we made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and visited.

We gave Brent, the little girl and her mom their presents. I didn’t spend any money on Christmas this year. I had a few things put away and I found them just before. So everyone got a cheap little present.

Just before we left a friend of Brent’s came in with a huge pit-bull. This dog loves little kids. Now, Kathy was thrilled. She had her cousin Brent, a playmate, peanut butter sandwich and a dog. We let her play for just a little and then it was time to go.

Next we went to Trina’s. Brian, Drew, Jessica and Davie were there.

I had made Twilight Saga bookmarks for Trina and all of the girls. I was so excited about the present, I couldn’t wait. I gave the bookmarks to Trina. She loved them. She put her favorite on the refrigerator. I let all of the girls have their bookmarks. The boys had all gone out to check the river levels.

We had a great visit. Trina fed us all sandwiches to hold us until dinner. We watch a movie and visited with the kids.

When it was finally dinner time we enjoyed a great ham dinner. I had brought my pink cloud. That always makes everyone at Trina’s happy.

Just before we left we gave the boys their Rubix cubes. They loved them. They started playing with them right away and it kept them interested for quite a while.

Kathy had a very busy day and was asleep shortly after we left. Both Ethel and I dozed off and on all the way home. It had been a very good day.

We finally pulled into the driveway at midnight. We fed Kathy a snack and sent her off to bed, and we followed her example.

December 22, 2009

We were all very tired. Kathy slept until 10:00. I fed her and we got ready to take her home.

I actually had a teaching moment with Kathy in the office today. She came in and wanted to smudge me. I let her and then I smudged her. I told her to go smudge Grandpa. Then she wanted to work with the tuning fork. She just wanted me to be all better. I actually explained a few things to her and she took everything in.

We took Kathy home and visited with Tom a few minutes. Then we drove home. Paul went into Wal-Mart and got the few things we needed.

It was another night of TV watching with Ethel.

While I was meditating and getting ready to teach Ethel tomorrow I decided to lead a grief meditation. I read a few grief meditations on line, all of them excellent, but just not exactly what I needed. I finally took what I needed from 3 different meditations and added touches of my own.

December 23, 2009

Ethel asked for us to teach her Reiki level one, and today is the day. Ethel lost her husband 4 years ago. She has put up so many walls of defense that she just couldn’t grieve.

I lead a balancing meditation at the beginning of class. Paul does most of the teaching; I add a thought or ten when I feel I should. Then in the middle of the class I lead the grief meditation. It really touched Paul, but Ethel still has so many defenses up that I think she stopped participating in the meditation half way through.

All in all it was a good class. Paul took us out to eat after class. No one felt like cooking.

December 24, 2009

Ethel was excited to be going home today. Even though we stayed up late talking she was up bright and early. She got her laundry done and packed yesterday, so she was really ready to go.

We left about noon. Ethel treated us to lunch at Bob Evans. We all ate breakfast. The omelet’s there are, what is that word I am looking for, oh yeah, yummy.

Paul got a picture of Melissa and the girls from Michael on his phone. He and Michael chatted for a little while. It was a very good present for Paul today.

The weather was beginning to be menacing. The wind was whipping the flags around and temperature dropped. We took Ethel to the Visitor’s Center in Independence. Paul dropped us off by the door and parked the car. When he came in he told us that the hand rail had ice on it already. When we got inside my legs just aren’t working well, so I stayed in the lobby and rested while Paul and Ethel went on the tour. There is a small Christus, only about 15 feet high in the lobby. I just lost myself in the calm of the room and the peace that was there. It seemed to be a very good way to spend some time on Christmas Eve.

By the time the tour was finished the roads were getting icy. We had planned to go to one more place, but there wasn’t time with the bad driving conditions. We drove to the airport. We dropped Ethel off at the curb and then went to park. It was starting to snow. Paul went in to the airport to make sure that Ethel was all checked in and that her flight was going to be able to take off.

We headed towards Odessa and outside it was a full blown storm now. We drove 30-40 miles per hour along the freeway. The snow was blowing causing bad visibility. The road was icy with snow covering the ice. We saw many wrecks along the way

Just as we got about 15 minutes away from Tom and Sandy’s house, we pulled out of the storm. No snow or ice on the road yet. We decided that we could take a few minutes to stop and exchange gifts with Tom, Sandy and Kathy.

I had promised Sandy’s dogs a gift too. I know that sounds kind of funny but they come meet me every time I come into the house. I actually bought some dog toys for them but when it was time to leave today, I couldn’t find them. So I had a small present for each of the adults, but nothing for the dogs today.

Sandy had all kinds of goodies to eat. She made a lot of candy, and I love candy. She made fudge, and sausage and cheese sauce for chips. We had a summer sausage and crackers. We shared our feast when Sandy’s son came in and said that the snow had arrived.

We exchanged our gifts. Sandy and Tom gave us a certificate for 12 housecleaning days. We take Kathy and go somewhere with her, they clean the house. This is a very good gift. Then we took off for home. The trip home was ok, just starting to snow and the wind wasn’t bad yet. We pulled into Wal-Mart to get a few essentials, but it was already closed and wouldn’t open until Saturday.

We drove into the driveway and hurried into our warm cuddly house. We had been gone from the house for over 9 hours and we were tired, besides Santa was going to come soon.

Before bed Paul had to drag the garbage can down our steep slippery drive way. I was pretty worried, but the can was full, actually over full, and garbage was going to be picked up in the morning.

Ethel called when she landed in Portland. She was on the last flight out of KCI. She had no trouble in Denver and flew out of there on time. She was glad to be home away from the frigid weather, but she promised to come back sometime.

December 25, 2009

Today was Christmas. We had a WHITE CHRISTMAS. It also was a cold Christmas.

Tim called and told us that the kids wanted to talk to us on Skype. We spent about 2 hours chatting with the kids. They showed us what came in their stockings and some of their presents. This is a great gift to us, getting to watch the kids enjoy Christmas. The 5 year old boy got a scooter for Christmas and he demonstrated his skills right there on the kitchen floor. I am still smiling.

I put the turkey on to roast and we just spent the day watching Christmas movies and talking to the kids on the phone. Paul called Laverne and Violette.

It was a very good day. We were snowed in, but we were connected to our family. The snow is like a silencer. We heard very little noise from the street. I heard the garbage truck and only about 2 cars all day long.

December 26, 2009

Throughout the morning we watched the roads. A few cars went by our house. After the snow plow went by we decided to try to go to the store. This weather is supposed to last a few more days. We needed a few things, but mainly we needed to go out of the house.

Paul hazarded the walk down the driveway to get the mail and bring the garbage can back to our backyard. While he was out he started the car and got all of the snow off of the windshield.
He came in to tell me all was ready for our venture out of the house.

I really love my fleece mask, but I look pretty funny with it on. But it keeps my breath warm and it doesn’t fall off like the muffler does. It actually lets me go out in cold weather a little easier. The snow had drifted onto the back step and around the gate. Paul led the way and I followed in his footsteps to the car. The car was nice and toasty when I got in.

Going down the driveway was no problem. We made it to the store driving slowly. It was snowing again though. Paul and I ate at Subway before shopping. Then we got necessities for the next couple of days. When we were ready to leave the temperature had taken a drop and it was snowing. Paul took the groceries to the car and then brought the car to the front door of the store for me. This frigid weather takes a toll on my body. My legs just give out.

The snow was coming down pretty hard on the way home. When we got to the house Paul tried pulling into the driveway. We got into the driveway and could go no further. Paul backed straight out of the driveway and then tried again. We got most of the way up the steep slope. We could have left the car there on the incline, but Paul wanted to try one more time.

So he backed down the hill, straight out into the street and took a running start. At the top of the driveway we started to fishtail. I wasn’t really worried until the house was inches away from the car. Yikes. Paul managed to straighten up the car and we stopped on the level where we usually park. While we were still in the car we made the decision not to go to church tomorrow since it was going to snow all night.

When we got into the house we got a phone call from a friend at church. This man goes to Civil War Reenactments with Trina. He called Trina to get our phone number. He wanted us to know that church had been cancelled. The guilt for staying home on a snow day was removed with that call. This guy really went the extra mile to inform us of the cancelation.

I checked my email and I had an email with the same information. We were well informed even though we are so new to the congregation.

We watched TV and played on our computers. My sister text me and asked for Reiki. Paul and I sent that to her before we went to bed.

December 27, 2009

It was so bright out this morning when we woke up. The sun was shining on the white snow, everything was glistening. It had snowed during the night.

It was a very quiet day. I talked to Tom and Ted. Paul talked to Laverne. We watched TV. We sent Reiki.

Snow days are only exciting when you can go out to play in the snow.

December 28, 2009

It was so pretty today. We opened all of the blinds and let the sunshine fill our house. I have really little windows. To see outside, I have to stand by them. I can lean by elbows on the sill and watch the winter wonderland.

The road in front of the house was almost clear. We are on the corner and the road going along the side of the house was completely clear. The sky was a brilliant blue contrasted against the glistening white snow. All the trees are bare and stark. I can see several blocks down the street. This is view that is hidden during the summer by the leaves.

Paul and I checked the weather report. It is supposed to snow again tomorrow. So we took off to the store. It really was a necessary trip, but we wanted out of the house and that was a destination for us.

The store was packed. I guess we weren’t the only ones with cabin fever. We picked up a few things and headed for home. The moon was visible in the clear sky as we drove up the drive way. Paul brought the groceries in and I put them away while he was clearing off the backyard step and sidewalk.

In the back of the house, because we are near the top of the hill, we can sit at the kitchen table and see our neighbor’s house, the church on the street above us and traffic if there is any going by. As we sat eating lunch we watched as the clouds rushed in. Our glorious bright day changed to a gloomy dark day in minutes. We were very thankful that we were able to go out during the best part of the day.

I got an email from Bev. NO BLOG SINCE THE 15TH!!!!! I caught up my blog and now you are all up to date with me.

I got an email from my red-headed granddaughter. She said. I love you grandma. I will take the time to send her a nice long email.

Tonight Paul and I are going to watch TV, play on the computer and watch it snow.