A Typical Day At Work

Today when I got to work I went in and sat down in "my" chair. I always go in and sit down quietly for a while to see if I hear Judie. I don't want to barge in and wake her. I couldn't hear her moving, but her TV was blaring as usual. I waited a while and went to check on her. She was sitting on the side of the bed drinking her Mountain Dew. She is addicted to it I think. I said good morning several times, but she didn't hear me. Not wanting to startle her (as I sometimes do) I decided to go ahead and fix her breakfast. I fixed two pieces of sausage, two slices of toast, and an egg. I fixed her a new cold Mountain Dew. Then I took it all to her room. She was sound asleep. So, I took it back and covered it for later. Probably around 15 min later, she poked her head around the corner. I always very cheerfully say "good morning! How are you?" Sometimes she says "don't ask," and sometimes she says "wrong question." LOLOL Then we talk about how she is feeling, and she is always tired. She usually always says, "have you ever had days like that", and I always say, "yes I have!" She sat down and started eating her breakfast (after I warmed it up). 

Earlier I saw that Dennis had bought flea medicine for the dogs. I wanted to give them a bath before he put the med on because they were so dirty. I called him to make sure he hadn't used it yet, and he hadn't. I gave them both a bath while she was eating her breakfast.

Clean doggies:

Above is Heidi and below is Pugsley.

Pugsley is very old and Heidi is not far behind him. I love clean animals. I also trimmed around their eyes. Whew, it was hard work bending down to bathe them.

Dennis came home right as I finished. He had to get ready to go speak at the Halls Business Club. I had to wait til he left, and then I cleaned the bathroom. I also put the towels in the wash. Then I emptied the dishwasher and put in her breakfast dishes.

By this time Judie was going thru books that were in a box by her chair. She LOVES books! She has a bedroom full of books. She thinks a young guy stays in that room. Sometimes we go in that room, and she gooes thru the books. She thinks they belong to the guy that stays in there. I tell her over and over and over that they are her books, and the guy is gone. It is sad. I want her to know and enjoy the fact that they belong to her. Sometimes I bring small boxes of a few books to sit by her chair for her to look at. She usually doesn't remember from one time to the next that she has already gone thru them. 

She has a hard time reading now. I know she was an avid reader in her life, but now it is hard for her to keep up with the plot. This morning she was reading one of the books from the box. She chose a random page and told me a lady was about to have a baby. Later she read a line to me about a man seeing as a blind man with his hands holding the sides of a narrow wall. She has a lot of mysteries. It must have been an interesting mystery. I wish she could read like she used to. But, even if she can't comprehend the way she did before, she thrills to sort thru them.

Her lunch today was turkey/dressing/potatoes/peas banquet meal. It smelled so good. I ate a peanut butter/banana sandwich. I usually eat that every day. If I don't have a banana, I eat a peanut butter sandwich. After lunch Judie got very sleepy. Right when she closed her eyes, Dennis came back. He didn't stay long. He changed back to work clothes and went back to his Fruit and Berry Patch. As soon as he left, she fell asleep. I folded a load of towels and put them away. As I sat there while she slept, I got veeeerrry sleepy, but I didn't go to sleep.

Today while I was at work Liz (my niece) sent me this beautiful picture of her new haircut.

This is how long it was before she got it cut.

She is sending her hair to wigs for kids. That is a lot of gorgeous hair, but I love the short cut too. It is great for summer. She looks gorgeous.

Dennis got home around 4 and said, "you know what, it's hot out there. I tell ya what kid, I'm home now and you can leave or wait till 4:30." I said, "I'll leave now. Thank you." I stepped outside and it was soooo hot. My car temp. said 96*. 

I decided on the way home I would take a little nap before I fixed supper. Ryan had washed and folded clothes for me, so I was in good shape. He is such  a sweetheart, and it really helps that we are trying to buy him a car.;) I told him he should wash my car. My car was so dirty and I was embarrassed to drive it to those car lots with shiney cars. He told me he would detail it for me. Oh my y'all, he did an excellent job. I am so excited. 

He said he probably cleaned two years worth of dirt off of it, and that is probably right.

And finally, I always have to end my post with my grands. Nikki sent me this pic last night after they finished eating spaghetti for supper.

Ahhhh I love those spaghetti faces!! 

Today I am thankful:
1. That I got off early. Yaaaaaay!
2. That even tho' I have had to take care of a lot of things in my life, God has given me a son that is a tremendous help to me!
3. That I have nieces and nephews that I love and have a great relationship with. And I am thankful they love Jesus.

Till next time......

A Busy Weekend

Friday night Ryan and I made plans to go look at cars the next day. Ryan is needing a new (used) vehicle to drive to college. His truck just isn't reliable. The first place we went we found one that he really likes. It had lower mileage for a used vehicle and was in our price range.

I know it is blurry but you can kinda tell it is a nice looking car. We went to two more car lots and the only other one we found we were interested in was this red one:

It costs several thousand dollars more, and Ryan doesn't like the color. It is a newer model and still has a warranty. We are planning to pursue getting the grey one if it all works out. I have prayed and prayed about it and Martha has helped me pray too. :) I do not want to make a mistake because I understand we don't know much about it. Ryan checked everything he knew to check and sent pictures to Andrew about everything he had concerns about. 

While we were out looking at cars, we also went to McKays used books, movies, etc. That place was completely packed with people. Ryan was looking for a game they didn't have, so we left quickly. I think we left the last dealership around 4:30. We went to two grocery stores and then went by Martha's to show them the pictures of the cars and see what they thought of them. 

Oh, I have something funny to tell you all. Martha gave me an envelope with money in it. Every year when they go on vacation I take care of their cats. She insists on giving me money for it. I tell her and tell her I don't want money, but she tries to make me feel like it will make her feel so awful if I don't take it. So I have to take it. Ugh! Sisters!!! Ok to the funny part. Jared put on the envelope "Susan's police bribery money"

BAHAHAH! She said he had written something worse and she made him change it. It probably said something about drugs. He is such a mess. 

Ryan and I left to go home. I was so exhausted. I bet I have typed that a million times on my blog. Ha! I'm always saying I am so exhausted. Anyway, before we got home, Martha called and wanted to know if we wanted to go to the Red Robin. The Red Robin is probably my favorite restaurant. I didn't want to go because I was so tired but of course, Ryan wanted to go. So, guess what, we went.

 google pic

I am so glad wedid because we had a fabulous time. The food was as delicious as always. I had a banzai GF burger. I'm going to see if I can fine a pic of it.

 google pic

It was so good and the fries were delicious too. We had such a great time talking and laughing. I love them so much!!! 

When we left the restaurant, Kevin took us for a drive. It was so enjoyable. He has worked in so many areas of town because of his job, so he takes us to fantastic places. We went to the richest neighborhood in town. It is fun to look at all the big houses.

I loved seeing the beautiful landscaping. 

A lot of the houses were on the river, and we saw across the river way on top of a hill this big house overlooking the river.

I told them I would be afraid I would sleepwalk and walk off the cliff. Kevin said I would have to handcuff myself to the bed. Ha!

They had a beautiful park, and an enclosed, fenced area for the dogs to run without leashes.

After that Kevin drove us around downtown. 

It is so enjoyable not to have to worry about driving and just being able to look around and people watch. Kevin is the best!!! He drove us around when he really wasn't feeling well. He is so awesome!! We had such a great time.

Today, Sunday, was a usual Sunday which consists of church twice and a nap. Kevin always preaches a wonderful message. I take notes a lot of times so I can remember the message, but today I didn't. I don't have a good memory. 

Something funny happened tonight at church. There was a crazy wasp that somehow got into the sanctuary. It seemed mad and was flying near people. It flew to the window at the end of our pew, so I slipped out quickly and mashed it with a book. As soon as I picked up the book, it flew away and was madder than ever! Martha was afraid it was going to sting Ryan because he was closest to it. Well, we kept dodging it until it flew back to that window again. So, I tried again to smash it with a book. But, this time I didn't pick up the book for a minute to make sure it was dead. I heard it trying to fly under the book! What to do.... I whispered to Ryan to give me a kleenex. He scrambled trying to find one but couldn't. Martha hurried to the bathroom and got a towel for me. I slowly moved the book and smashed it with the towel. Then I took it and flushed it down the toilet. Kevin said when Martha got me the towel Kurt (that sits beside him next to the pulpit) said, "see, two are better than one." hahaha 

Last week we had several storms. 

Before one of the storms, the wind blew the trees at the back of my house.

I don't know if this was the storm, but a lady got killed by a falling tree. So sad. There were a lot of trees down, and Kevin had to work a lot of hours to supervise getting the power back on. I love the rain, but not the damage.

And finally, an update on the kiddos. Haley has a loose tooth. And, she is so excited about it. She wanted to call everyone to let them know. :) She is the sweetest. She is so excited for the tooth fairy to come see her, but Nikki says it will be a while. It is just a little loose. Here she is with her lollipop tongue.

She is just too cute!!! 

I ordered Mason's birthday present and I can't wait to get it to show you all. Their birthday's are coming soon. Sometimes I wish time could just stand still. I love them at this age. Well, actually, I love them at every age.

Ok, I'm off to bed. I have been very productive tonight and I have all the dishes washed, two shirts ironed for tomorrow, and Mark's lunch packed. 

Today I am thankful 

1. That Ryan and I were able to find some good prospects for him a car.

2. That we were able to go out with my family and have a great time.

3. For the freedom to worship and serve God. I am very concerned for our country.

Till next time...

Thursday's Disaster

Wednesday Matt came over to help Ryan work on the ditch. They worked a while, and when they took a break Matt called to see if an adviser was available at their college. They told him there was one there, so they got ready and went to get their schedules. He and Ryan got their schedules for the fall semester. I am so excited. Ryan went ahead and spent the night with Matt instead of coming home.

The next morning as I was leaving for work, I hurried and put Zoe outside with food and water. She stays in the basement at night. I noticed that Cruzer had pooped right near her pen, so I got a shovel to move it. Evidently I didn't put the shovel back in the corner as far as I should. After I backed the car out, I shut the door. Or, I should say "tried" to shut the door. It came down on the shovel handle and fell off the hinges. I couldn't believe it!

I didn't know if I should stay home and try to fix it (crazy thinking because there was no way I could fix it) or go to work to make money to buy a new one. I hurried to work, of course. I waited a while and texted Ryan to tell him to go home and fix it. He said he would but they didn't get there till around 4. 

He was shocked it was so bad.

Ryan kept telling me we were going to have to buy a new door. I said just TRY to fix it. 

I got home a little later and tried to help him and Matt put it back together. It was a miracle, I tell ya, but we got it back as good as new (not as good as new, of course). He and Matt did the hard part.

I helped hold it. It was so heavy. Ryan took it apart and we put half on. Then we put the other half and they connected them together. It was a miracle they were able to fix it. Thank God!

Matt and Ryan work a lot together. One day Mary sent me these pics of them working on Matt's truck.

I think they changed his wheel bearings. I really can't remember but I know it was something major. And they got it fixed!! I'm so proud of them.

I am thankful for:
1. Matt and Ryan's friendship and that they can help each other.
2. The garage door is fixed!!!!
3. Ryan and Matt got their schedules for college

Till next time.....

Spending Time with the Grands

Last Wednesday I went to Andrew and Nikki's. Andrew had to work, so I watched the grands while Nikki went to the dentist. I dearly love spending time with them.

I told them I would take them outside, but I had to cook the pasta first. I fixed chicken bacon lo mein but waited til I got there to fix the pasta. I have been fixing this so much when I go, but they seem to love it. I guess they will let me know when they get tired of it. :)

As soon as we got outside, we got the little pools out. I bought them little pools because they hardly stay in the pool. They usually just play in the water and run around. 

Nikki came home, and then left again to pick up Toby. He had an appt. to get his nails trimmed and a bath. He was so happy to be home. He loves his mommy Haley.

He kept me company while the kids played.

They played a long time in the pool.

They pretended playing with cars, dirt, and water. As I sat there, I thought about how I loved watching them outside with the sun shining and birds singing. I felt so blessed!

Haley brought me a milk shake.

She is the sweetest thing!! I pretended to drink it. ;)

We stayed outside a long time, and then they got hungry. We went in and I got them both a bowl of chicken lo mein. They ate wonderful and then had a piece of cheesecake pie I brought. It made me feel so good to know their little tummies were full. One of the ways I show love is to fix food for the ones I love. I guess that is why I love that they enjoyed it. Nikki loved it too. I love cooking for them.

We also spent time in Mason's room playing with knex. I can't tell you how much I love spending time with them. I know ya'll probably get tired of me saying that, but I can't help it. I just feel so full of love when I am even blogging about them. Ahhh the joys of being a grandparent. 

When we were in Mason's room, I heard it thunder. I hurried to get everything together to leave. I didn't want to get caught in a storm.  As I was driving, I could see it was on the way toward me.

The closer it got, the more I dreaded driving in it.

It rained most of the way home but never got too bad. Although I love rain most of the time, I hate driving in it. By the time I got home, the sun was peeking out.

You can't tell, but it was really beautiful. I was so thankful to make it home safely again. 

Week before last, while I was in Bible School, I kept the kids at my house while Nikki prepared her mom's bedroom for her to come home from the hospital. Bless Nikki's mom's heart! She broke her hip about a year ago, and then fell a few weeks ago and broke the other one. She has really been thru a rough time, but I think she is getting better. Nikki's dad fell too and broke some ribs. He had to be hospitalized because he had blood in his lungs. It was a hard time for Nikki and the kids.

I was so happy to have the kids here. They played outside in the water here too. I try to get them outside as much as possible. That is what summer is all about when you are kids. :) I didn't have a swim suit for either one of them, but it is private at the back of my house. So, it didn't matter.

They had fun swinging also.

Ryan stopped working to spend time with the kids.

Ryan doesn't realize he should cherish every minute with them. Ya don't realize these things until you get older. I'm glad I have these pictures to remember the good times we have together.

I am so thankful 
1. That the babies got to spend time at my house. It had been a while.
2. Ryan was able to spend time with the babies too.
3. Nikki's mom and dad both got to come home from the hospital and are doing better.

Till next time....