A Quick Trip

Last week was a doozy. I only worked two days taking care of Judie, but it was still a very busy week. I worked cleaning Nana and Papaw's house Monday from around 2-5:30 (I think). Tuesday after work, I ran home, fixed supper, and then went to Nana's to finish cleaning their house. I think I worked till around 9PM. I was so tired but so relieved to get it finished.

I was planning to go stay with the grands Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night, so Nikki could come be with her Dad because he was having surgery. He has clogged veins in his legs, and they were supposed to take a good vein out of one leg and put it in the other leg (serious surgery). Wednesday night after work, l cooked chicken thighs and made several dishes of chicken casserole to take with me and leave here for Mark and Ryan to eat. I also made several dishes of meatloaf. Wednesday evening Nikki let me know I didn't have to get down there early on Thursday. She was planning to leave her house at 7PM.

Thursday afternoon I did a lot of grocery shopping. I came home, brought the groceries upstairs, put them away, and fixed supper. Then I packed my clothes, etc. I left my house a little after 5PM. It usually takes 1 1/2 hrs. to get there. It was cloudy and rainy. 

Traffic was not bad at all. I was really surprised. With it being cloudy, it got dark early. I don't really like to drive in the dark. It just isn't safe anymore. Oh that made me think of something funny....one evening Nikki forgot to get something she needed to fix supper. So she ran out around 6PM with the kids to get it. They are not used to being out at night (it was dark). Mason said their car needed to be home in the garage taking a nap. :) I love that Nikki doesn't get the kids out at night. When I see kids out at night I think, why do you not have your kids home getting ready for bed??

I got down there around seven, and they were eating supper. I sat down to talk, and Nikki kept saying she dreaded the drive (I didn't blame her). In a few minutes, she went to call her dad to tell him she was on her way. He told her they had rescheduled his appointment for Saturday because someone more serious needed surgery the next day. So she didn't have to go that night. 

That night I slept with Mason because Haley had to go to school the next day, and we thought it would be better for me to sleep with her when she was off from school. Ya'll, Mason was so hyper. He could not settle down to go to sleep. He was hopping all over the bed. And Haley couldn't get to sleep either. She kept coming into Mason's room. Andrew and Nikki's bedroom is under Mason's room. So, Andrew comes upstairs and asks why he is hearing running around as he is trying to get to sleep?? He tells them to stay in the bed! Mason hopped all over the bed. I knew he was going to get in trouble and it was killing me. I tried my best to calm him down. One time he thought he heard Andrew coming back up the steps and he went from standing to a fetal position with his eyes closed in a second. Bahaha  I would not have minded him being hyper. I just didn't want him to get in trouble.  Finally, I googled children books on my phone, and started reading books to him. In just a little bit, he was asleep. 

Haley came to our bed around 5AM and said she had a bad dream. I scooted over, so she could crawl in bed with us. I wrapped my arms around her and she settled down like she was going to sleep but she didn't. After about 15 min. she got up and she was sniffing. I thought she was crying and I said, "are you ok?" She said, "yes! My nose is just stuffy!" Haha She went back to her bed and went to sleep. 

I tell ya, I hardly got any sleep that night. I just could not go to sleep. The next morning, I was up around 7 and got ready. Haley gets up at 7:30, so I went upstairs and carried her back down. I thought she would be really tired, but she seemed ok. Mason woke in a little bit too. Oh, something else, I discovered the night before I had forgotten to bring my heart medication. Maybe that was why I couldn't settle down the night before?? Anyway, I told Nikki I was going to have to go home to get my medicine, and come back. She told me I should call to see if my dr. would call it in down there. 

Mason went with me to take Haley to school. We also picked up their neighbor Samuel. They live probably one minute from her school. I love that!! I dropped them off quickly and we were back home in no time. Mason didn't want to get out of the car, so I called my doctor's office to see if I could get my medicine. The receptionist told me to leave a message on the nurse line and they would get back to me later. That would not work!! I needed it then. 

Mason and I finally went inside and Nikki said I could go home. She said they had rescheduled her dad's appointment and she didn't know when it was. We were sad for Haley because she had made a list of plans for her and I to do that weekend. Plus, that night we were going to have a slumber party in her room. :( Nikki suggested I go eat lunch with her at school and explain I had to leave. I was able to spend a little time with Mason before I left.

I love Haley's school. Everyone there was so very nice. I had to go to the office to sign in before I could go to her classroom. The lady in the office knew who Haley was and she was bragging on her saying what a big help she was. I didn't know what she helped with, but it sure warmed my heart.

The lady took me to Haley's class. They were in a group on the floor learning about "th" sounds. I thought Haley would get so excited when she saw me, but she didn't. She just calmly walked to me and hugged me. Her teacher showed me where to sit to wait on her for lunch.

I LOVED sitting with her and her little classmates while they ate lunch. Those little kids are the cutest things. One little girl talked and talked to me. There was also a little boy that sat with her that is one of her best buds too. He wanted to be in the pic I took of Haley and me.

I thought it would be ok to post since it isn't a clear pic of him. Haley was telling me he is the one who taught her how to snap her fingers. 

Ya'll know I don't like having my picture taken, but after reading several articles about it, I realize someday it will be important for them to see me in pics with them. You can see I still can't fix my hair like the hairdresser did. Ahhh well.

Haley ate a wonderful lunch!! She ate a hog dog, apple, and fresh shredded carrots. 

Nikki said she thinks Haley usually just eats chips or something for lunch since no one is there to tell her to eat well. I think that is probably right for a lot of those kids.

She actually didn't wear this shirt to school. All of the kids were given a school shirt. They are doing some type of contest to encourage the kids to do well. Almost all the kids had school tshirt on.

I got a little tickled at Haley because Nikki sent three cookies for me to give her. The little boy in the picture above asked if he could have one. She said he could have a half of one. It was those wafer cookies so it was long. So, she gave him a half and he thought it tasted so good he wanted more. She would not give him more. I tried to talk her into giving him more but no way. She said he had chips (and she didn't). Oh my....kids! :)

When I left her school, I started home. Martha had been so disappointed that I was staying away this weekend because our church was having a weekend revival. I sing in a small group with her and Kevin and they wanted me there to sing. And she dreaded having to sit by herself. I called her as soon as I started home, and I said, "you are not going to believe this..I am on my way home." She was so so happy.

I was so tired when I got home, I didn't even unpack. I ate lunch and took a nap. When I woke, I only had time to fix supper, shower, and wash my hair. Ryan and I rode with Martha and Kevin to church. You know, when I have to go to church at night sometimes I really dread it. Then when I get in the service, it is so uplifting and encouraging. It makes me really glad that I came. 

Saturday I worked all day and Ryan and I went to church that night. It was a great service too. After church Martha and Kevin got us a milkshake from Chic-fa-la. I got strawberry and it was so so good!! Then Ryan and I sat in the car while she and Kevin did some grocery shopping at Kroger.

Today (Sunday) was a busy day with church too. This weekend revival has been wonderful. It gave me a renewing desire to walk/talk more with the Lord. I am very thankful for my church.

This afternoon I fixed a wonderful vegetable soup. I cooked onions and ground beef together. In another pot I put a tablespoon of "Better than Bouillon" Beef in a couple of cups of water. I cut up several carrots in that and cooked them while I fixed the beef. I drained the beef and then transferred the carrots to it, continually cooking. I added frozen peas and corn to the pot (around a cup each...I didn't measure anything). I poured a large can of diced tomatoes in a bowl and pureed it. Then I diced several potatoes into the tomato juice. I then poured that into the cooking pot and cooked  everything while I washed dishes. (ha!) It was probably 20-30 minutes. (I salted and peppered the meat and salted the potatoes too.) I also fixed corn muffins. It was soooo delicious. I fixed cookies for Ryan, and I ate some after supper tonight (which was soup leftovers). 

That was my busy week and weekend. Tomorrow I go back to work. I am so excited (NOT). Actually, I am very thankful for my job. I would just like to rest!! Judie has a dr. appt. tomorrow afternoon, so I should get off a little early. I hope so! 

Today I am very thankful for:

A revival at our church that gave me a greater desire in my walk with the Lord.

Being able to see my grand darlings and spend some time with them.

Ryan going to every revival service with me.

May you all be blessed and safe.

Till next time.....

Our Merry Christmas

We were blessed to have a wonderful Christmas! Mark and I both had to work half a day on Christmas eve. I had to go by the store on my way home and pick up some last minute things. Then when I got home, I made a breakfast casserole for the next morning. I had already made a lot of individual breakfast pizzas the night before. Ryan packed the car with gifts and our overnight bags, and we went to spend the night with Andrew, Nikki, and the grands.

Amazingly it was the best time to travel. I suppose a lot of families were gathered for Christmas, so traffic was very light. We got there around 8:30 (I think). My heart just overflowed with love and happiness to see my grandbabies and how happy they were to see us. We got lots of hugs and kisses.

That night I slept with Haley in her big bed, and Mason slept on a little cot beside me. That way, I could be sure they stayed in the room while Andrew and Nikki took care of the surprise stuff. Ryan slept in Mason's bed, and Mark slept upstairs in the guest room. It is the only room upstairs.

Haley and Mason watched "Mickey Mouse Christmas" before they went to sleep.

(Just a note: I realize these pictures are awful. I took them with my old phone. Andrew and Nikki got me an awesome camera for Christmas, so hopefully, my future pics will be better.)
It was after 11pm before they went to sleep. I think we were all excited to be together, and it was hard to settle down. Haley slept wonderful, but Mason woke in the night. After a little bit, he crawled in bed with us, and snuggled next to me. :) Haley was at the back of me and Mason was snuggled at the front. I was in grandbaby heaven. I cherished that time. It didn't matter if I went back to sleep, I just lay there relishing in the joy of being with them. I did go back to sleep tho', and Nikki woke us around 8:30 the next morning. We were all so sleepy.

Haley woke talking and raring to go. Mason, on the other hand, was grumpy and did not want to open any gifts. Mason sat on Papaw's lap while Haley opened gifts.



Haley opened all her gifts. She got wonderful presents f Nikki's Aunt Troy

Our First Snow Of 2017

This past weekend we got our first snow. I always get excited when they predict snow, and we are supposed to be at home. I am very blessed in my job because I told Dennis (my employer) I do not drive in the snow. I leave it to those who know how to. If it starts snowing, I will go home. He said if it snows, he will be home anyway. He is very understanding about it. So anyway, I wasn't too worried when I got up Friday and it was snowing. 

I got ready to go to work because the local news station said it was not going to be bad until that night. When I started to leave, our driveway and road were covered. I called Dennis to tell him I wasn't going to be there. He was fine with it.

I knew I needed to get the tree down, but I just felt overwhelmed by it. I had a quilt Dad's mom had made for me that was falling apart. I decided to fold it and sew all the edges together so nothing else could fall out (instead of taking down the tree). I was going to use it for a dog blanket for Zoe when she came in downstairs at night, but it felt so warm, I decided to keep it for myself. I gave her another one. Then Ryan ended up with it (of course). He is really a lot more cold natured than I am. 

Ryan went outside to take down the Christmas lights and decorations. 

Cruzer watched.

By that afternoon, the snow had melted on our road. I probably could have gone to work, but I didn't worry about it. I actually took a nap after lunch. I felt really bad afterwards, and found out my blood pressure was up. I also felt a little nauseous. It wasn't fun, I tell ya.

For supper I fixed hamburgers. After supper I gave Cruzer a good trim and a bath. I also put clean sheets on the beds, washed the dishes, and cleaned the bathroom. The day ended up being  a little productive, which made me feel better.

Friday night it snowed a couple of inches. 

You can see the grass is poking thru the snow in the yard. That is not our dog, btw. Cruzer went nuts when he saw him. The dog wanted to play and put his bottom in the air and would kinda jump on his from paws. Cruzer was having none of it, and it finally ran off. 

By the afternoon, our road was clear.

I was so excited to find out that Haley and Mason got snow at their house. It wasn't much, but it was enough for them the play in.

They couldn't find their gloves, so Nikki had them put socks on their hands and put plastic baggies over the top. It worked great!

The next one is my very favorite!

If you notice behind Mason is a big hill going down to the other houses. Haley and some of the neighbor kids slid down that hill. I asked Nikki if she got a picture, and she said no, she was too busy freaking out a bit watching so she didn't crash into the porch like her friend Nathan did. Mason didn't slide because he got some snow down the back of his pants and he was done!! :) By the time Haley came inside, she was worn out.

Look at those little red cheeks and nose. Nikki thought she would fall asleep, but she didn't.

Saturday afternoon I finally took down my Christmas tree. I noticed when I got everything out of the plastic totes to put up the tree at the first of the season, it smelled a little dusty. So, I covered everything in double plastic, and then put it in the totes to keep the dust out. Maybe next year there won't be any dust.

The tree:

Ornaments organized in red, green, and gold:

                                      

And the topper bow:

After I got everything into the totes, Ryan took them downstairs and put them under the steps. I vacuumed the whole house, swept, and mopped the kitchen. I was so happy to have that job accomplished.

Sunday our church was cancelled due to the cold and snow. Monday morning I woke Ryan when I was about to leave for work because our driveway was covered and I knew I couldn't get the car out. He thought it would drive right out, but no way. We worked and worked scraping a little here and there. He got it halfway up, but it would not go over that last hump. We had just about decided to give up, and I was going to call Dennis, when the neighbor came to help. I had never met him, but I had met his wife. They moved into the house that "Grandmother" (my friend) used to live in. He was the sweetest thing!! He put salt in the tracts and Ryan drove that car right out. We thanked and thanked him. He said it was his pleasure. So so sweet. 

Monday afternoon I sent Ryan a message to tell him to scrape off the bottom of the driveway. He told me it was fine. I told him send me a pic, and this is what I got.

Those bottom tracks head right toward the woods. I told him to go scrape it off, so he cleaned off some tracks for me. When I got home, I still made him drive the car down to the garage. I was just too scared to do it. I am getting old, and more nervous. This is what the bottom of the driveway looked like when I got home. I took this from the back deck.

Almost all the roads were dry, and my driveway was still icy. 

Haley had to go back to school Monday after her Christmas break. She got to go in late because of the snow. It was just Nikki and Mason, so Nikki took them out to breakfast.

That boy just melts my heart. He is the sweetest, most loving, naughty little darling. Nikki was texting me one night telling me he came back downstairs for "one more hug".  As they were cuddling a second, she was rubbing her eye and he said, "what's wrong?". And she said there was something in her eye. He said, "I'll get it." She said no that's ok and he said, "no I can get it, my hands are tiny. I can get any stuff out of eyes, really." LOLOL Kids are the best!

Once recently he got in trouble and Nikki made him put his nose in the corner of the fridge and wall (like we did in school). You know how they tape those refrigerator instructions to the back, well he told Nikki he read those instructions, and it said don't put your face or hands in that area. Bahahahah 

Nikki said it was just a little while after they dropped Haley at school that Mason wanted to go back and get her. He is precious!!

In other news, on the spur of the moment, I decided to get my hair cut last week. When I showed her the picture I wanted, (that I had gotten off the internet), she got so excited. They decided to take a before and after pic to put on the website. I didn't want them to take a pic of my face.

It really is the same color in all the photos, just different lighting. I cannot get the back to do like that yet. When I blowdry it up, part of it goes up and part of it lays down. My hair is very heavy and thick. I don't mind tho, I like it just layered too. It is so much easier and quicker to fix. I have cut my hair for years, so it feels good to have a real cut!

This morning Dennis called me early and said this would be a good day for me to take off. We had discussed what day I should take off this week, and he said it didn't matter. Well, when we woke up to rain this morning, he knew he could not work at his farm. So, instead of going to take care of Judie, I went to clean Nana and Papaw's house. 

Nana is doing wonderful. As I was working upstairs today, I heard the therapist getting so excited at her progress. I am so very thankful for her improvement. I worked very very very very hard today (ha!). I got more accomplished than I usually do. Sometimes I pray, "Let me be amazed at how much I get done today," and today, I was amazed!!!! Lord willing, I am supposed to go spend the night with Haley and Mason next Thursday and Friday so Nikki can stay with her dad when he has surgery. I am stressed to get Nana's house clean before I go.

I am going to have to stop and get ready for bed. The three things I am thankful for today are:

1. That Nana has recovered so well.

2. That I got so much accomplished cleaning.

3. That my blood pressure seems to have come down, and I am not nauseated.

And of course, I am always thankful for my family and friends.

Till next time......

Random Things To Remember

Since this is the start of the new year, I decided to post things I want to remember but didn't blog about last year. As in life, some of it is sad, but hopefully the happy outweighs the sad. I think in life the things you focus on determines if you are happy or sad (and having God, of course, changes everything). 

The first thing I am going to blog about is Nana falling. In August 2016 (I think it was) Nana was going upstairs to her bedroom one night to go to bed. Her toe got hung up on the rug on the first landing and she fell. She kinda rolled like a ball down the stairs, and landed on all fours. She remembers yelling, "RJ, I have fallen," and then she blacked out. She broke her neck and a bone in her back. She had surgery to fuse her neck back together and was in intensive care for several weeks. She then progressed to a nursing home where they did physical therapy on her for several months. It truly is a miracle how far she has recovered. She is now at home. She is in a wheelchair and has to have assistance with a lot of things but it is amazing how she is progressing. The physical therapists still come out to do her therapy and Tim (Mark's brother) works with her when they are not there. She is now standing a little by herself. 

While she was in the hospital, her family was with her constantly. When she moved to the nursing home, they stayed with her until she went to sleep at night, and then they left (they were not allowed to stay overnight). I would feel so sorry for Mark because he was the only one with a full time job. And he would have to get off work and drive over 25 miles to stay with her. He usually stayed two or three evenings a week, and then a couple of shifts on the weekend. I am so happy she is home. She doesn't remember anything from the time she passed out until she was in the nursing home. It is such a wonder that she is 87 years old and has recovered from a broken neck. God is so good to us.

Nana came home from the nursing home in November, which was happy, but we lost my Aunt Dorotha.

 Old pic

She became bedridden but was still so cheerful when I visited. Martha, Kevin, and I went to see her a few weeks before she passed, and she had gone down a lot. She still tried to be cheerful and carry on a conversation, but I was the only one able to understand a lot of what she said. It was so sad.

Martha and I were so heartbroken when she passed. She was alone at the nursing home, and was gone when they checked on her. What a horrible way to die. It just breaks our hearts!!

We only had a graveside service for her and she was buried next to Mamaw and Papaw up on a hill in Pigeon Forge ( Dad's family grew up in Seviervillle) Martha, Kevin and I sang, and then Kevin spoke. Mary and her family sang after that and we all sang a song to end the service. It was achingly beautiful. It was so cold, that it was hard to be out there for long. The wind whipped around on that hill and it felt like ice. I had not worn a coat because I am so hot natured. Kevin had a wool coat besides his regular suit coat, so he let me wear the wool coat. I was snug as a bug in a rug. I could not have stood the wind otherwise.

Dorotha never married, and lived most of her life in Roam, GA. She was a nurse for the workers at a box manufacturing plant (I think). She loved to read romance books, and had hundreds and hundreds of them. She usually had a cheerful personality, and traveled a lot when she was younger. 

While I am on sad subjects, I will go ahead and blog about Silas. Silas was Mark's sister's son. He was the cutest thing ever growing up, and he and Andrew hung out together a few times. When he was in high school, for some reason his mom transferred him to the school where she was working. It is the school she, Mark, and Tim graduated from as well. But, it is now considered a rough school. To make a long story short, Silas somehow got in with the wrong crowd, and got addicted to pain killers. He ended up in jail several times and had gotten out recently. He was in rehabilitation in Nashville before he was to be released to come home for good. He had spent Thanksgiving with his family here and had gone back. 

One night before Christmas, he went out while at the rehabilitation center (I think they had to be in at a certain time). When he came back, he was sick and throwing up. The next morning, he didn't get up, and when they went to check on him, he was passed away. I don't know any of the details or if anything I am writing is right. I just know it is completely, unbelievably heartwrenching!!! 

Mark called me at work one day, and said, "Susan, I have some very bad news." I thought he had lost his job, but I couldn't understand because he had just gotten a bonus for being a good employee. Then he said, "Silas committed suicide." It was so hard to take and keep from falling apart at work. The truth is, we don't really know what happened, but it isn't our business anyways. All I know is that it felt unbearable to walk beside that casket and see that young, nice looking man. Tami and I hugged and just bawled!! It was heartbreaking. Ryan and I stayed for the funeral and I watched as Tami received the guests. She cried the whole time and kept her hand on his chest a lot of the time. He has two little kids. Such a sad time for them. My heart aches for little kids that hurt. 

Ok, now for some good news. Ryan made straight A's for his first semester in college. I seriously think he should be taking harder subjects, but he thinks he knows what he wants to do. I am really proud of him, tho. He has had a job last semester at the college working with the recycling. He had to flatten boxes and collect coke cans from the recycling bins. Next semester, he is supposed to start working in the office as well. I am so happy about that. I love that he will be getting that experience. 

Haley is doing well in school too. Her teacher called Nikki to tell her Haley is so far ahead, she was going to try to advance her to first grade. There are some type of lesson they do in cognitive skills. In kindergarten the go thru lesson seven. Haley is on lesson seventeen. She ended up not being able to skip a grade because all the first grade classes were full. I am glad it didn't work out. I would much rather Haley be at the top of her kindergarten class than at the bottom of the first grade class. It will keep her confidence up to work well. 

Haley can read so good. She and Mason spent the night with us a couple weekends ago and she read, "Are You My Mother". Mark wanted me to notice how she even changes her voice for the different characters. :) I'm a little sad because now I can't read books to them. If I start to read, she says, "I'll read it" because she loves to read too. I am thrilled she can read so well, but I kinda miss reading to them. Haha 

I'm sure there are other things I am forgetting, but if I think of something else, I will edit this post. I am going to do a few more posts from 2016, but this is the random stuff.

I am so thankful Nana is home, and Ryan and Haley are doing so well in school. I pray for their schooling all the time, and it is a blessing for those prayers to be answered. 

Till next time...

Labor Day

This morning I got up late. I actually woke around 8 but I lounged in bed till after 9. I made a to do list, read my Bible, and prayed. 

Mark was getting ready to go to the nursing home to be with Nana. 

The first thing I did was wash dishes from last night. Then I made a big bowl of potato salad. As I was making that, I fried bacon for Ryan. Ryan didn't want the bacon, so I put it in the potato salad. It didn't taste too good because it was turkey bacon. :(  Ahh well, I will know next time.

After Mark left, I got ready to go outside and work. I love working outside. Whenever I have a day at home, I try to work outside at least part of the day. Today I trimmed the bushes and added mulch at the side of them. 

I also replanted a liriope grass to the front landscaping to fill a blank spot. It was really hot today. I think it got up to 89, which isn't as bad as the 90's we have been having. But, I still was sweating like crazy. I also weedeated around Zoe's pen in the back and blew all the grass, dirt, and rocks off the driveway. I think I work outside around 3 hours. 

Oh, I almost forgot....I also cut the extension cord in half and had to use another one.

I did it as I was trimming the first bushes. I saw sparks and thought, "oh no, now I won't be able to finish!" But thankfully, it was the extension cord instead of the trimmer. I just got another one. Ryan says he thinks he can fix it.

When I finished, I just wanted to come in and take a nap. I felt so tired but I was too dirty. I had to give Cruzer a trim and bath before I took a bath. Otherwise, I would get dirty all over again. It took forever to get him trimmed, bathed and the bathtub washed for me to bathe. By the time I finished, it was time to start supper. I shucked/silked corn on the cob and fried hamburgers. I was so glad I had already fixed the potato salad.

Ryan and I always eat a lettuce burger because it is gluten free. Everything was so delicious (except the potato salad). I peeled cantaloupe for dessert. I have already washed dishes and fixed Mark's lunch for tomorrow. I gave Ryan the choice of either washing dishes or running up and down the steps to take care of the laundry. He chose the laundry. Today while I worked outside, he vacuumed the house and folded the towels. It really helped a lot.

Andrew and Nikki and the babies are on vacation at the beach. She sent me the best pictures today. I love getting pictures of them having a great time.

I think I will have some of these framed. I love them!

It makes me want to be there with them!! Andrew is very sick. He has an upper respiratory infection and ear infection. I hope he can feel better to enjoy it before the vacation is over.

And finally, last week Andrew bought a new truck. I always worry when they buy a big item, but it sure is nice.

Today I am thankful:

1. I was able to work outside. 

2. We are blessed to have wonderful food to eat.

3. I am able to talk to God all during the day as I am working. If I am worried, happy, or requesting something, He is always there for me. 

Be blessed and safe. Till next time...

Journaling Life

Last week was a really busy week. I love when I can accomplish a lot, but it seems when I am accomplishing something in one area, another area is going to pot. Ahhh, tis' life. Tuesday I got off early because Judie had an appt. I went to the nursing home to see my Aunt Dorotha, who is 92 years old (I think).

She is precious! We had the best talk, and I really enjoyed it. She is losing her memory, but does well for her age. I want to try harder to see her more often.

I got home early and wanted to mow. Ryan had been sick and was working on college homework. Anytime I can be working outside, I am happy. The weekend before I had been working in my landscaping.

I got the yard mowed and weedeated.

It was so hot outside, I really worried about passing out. When I stopped to take a break, I could feel prickles all over the top of my head. But, I kept pushing, and I made it. One day I took a pic of my car thermometer.

100 degrees!!! I can't wait till Fall.

Thursday I went to Andrew and Nikki's. I was supposed to get there around 1:45PM, but traffic was at a standstill and barely moving for miles!

When I got further up the road,  I saw there had been an accident with a police car. I don't know what happened. I wasn't able to go with Nikki to pick up Mason at preschool. 

Mason goes to preschool Tuesday and Thursday. This was his first day.

Although he is doing wonderful, thank God, these pics make my heart weep. This is the great view out his school window.

It is at a church, and this weekend he was telling me about a church song they sing, which made my heart so happy!

I did get there in time to go get Haley from school, but I forgot my phone to take pics. This was her first day.

It isn't too clear because I took a phone pic of a pic. She is doing wonderful too, thank God! One thing I love about her school is that the teacher sends pics of them to the parents during the day, and progress reports of how they are doing.

A great thing about today's technology. I blurred the other faces because I don't want to randomly post pics of other people's kids. 

Since the first day of school, she has grown up so much! She lost a tooth.

And then a few days later, she lost another tooth!

My babies are quickly growing up! "sniff, sniff"

I didn't take any pics while I was there, but Mason took a few. :)

He took a really good pic of Nikki. She is so pretty!!

She was sticking her tongue out and he said, "no silly face!!" (I think). Hahahaha

I left before dark that evening because I am trying to be more careful after our incident the other night. It was still daylight when I got home. When I got off the interstate at home, this is what came marching from the side of the road.

That was sooo cool, except for the back one was limping a bit. It made me sad for it.

Yesterday (Saturday) I met Nikki and picked up the kids, so she could get some things done before they left for the beach. I LOVED seeing them. I just want to soak up every loving minute with them. 

After they ate lunch, we went outside. They always love that. I have been meaning to buy some play clothes for them while they are at my house. They get wet and dirty. I had some shirts for Haley, but nothing for Masey. So, I just put on one of her shirts backwards, so it wouldn't bother him that he was wearing her shirt. He didn't complain, but Haley said, "it's still purple." Hahaha

Masey LOVES to swing. I think it is his favorite thing to do. Nikki put him in a swing when he was an infant, and I think that is why he loves it so much.

See his little toes in the air? He is trying to swing himself, but I am pushing him too. I sit and push them in the swing, and I love it! Notice his backward shirt? ;)

Toby decided he wanted to lay on my chest to watch them too.

We say he is my grand doggie, and he is the sweetest thing. 

While Masey swung, Haley played in the water.

I love her beautiful smile and messy hair!!

Then it was her turn in the swing.

She is such a little stinker; she filled the squirt gun, so she could squirt Mason as she was swinging.

He said, "no Haley." So, I told him he had to tell her without smiling. (I try to keep arguments at bay). So, he tried to tell her without smiling.

He tried to stick out his lip.

Hahahaha!

She finally ran out of water, and Mason didn't worry about getting wet any longer.

Haley wanted him to spray water on her as she swung.

She got tired of swinging, and they played. 

Mason was the car wash.

They also made mud pies.

We were outside a couple of hours, I think, and I called Ryan and told him to fill the bath tub. We all went upstairs and I gave them a bath and washed their hair. afterwards, Mark rode them his back (horse style) up and down the hall and on his shoulders. They had a blast. Then it was time for me to take them to meet Nikki at her mom and dad's. I loved spending time with them. I love them so. so much!!! I have prayed and prayed for them to have a safe wonderful trip to the beach this week.

This morning (Sunday) Mark went early to the nursing home to stay with his mom (I am going to have to write a post about that). Ryan and I went to church. When we came home, I made several chicken casseroles from chicken I cooked yesterday.

Chicken casserole is Ryan's favorite, so I fixed several to put in the freezer. 

This afternoon I took a nap, and tonight I sat on the back deck. It was wonderful to listen to the bugs and birds singing. We didn't have church tonight because we had communion this morning and it was a longer service.

Last weekend was our "homecoming" at church. It is where we have an invited preacher, sometimes singers too, and lunch afterwards. Martha has been having health problems (pray for her), but she felt like she may be able to go Sunday. I went up Saturday night for us to practice singing. 

I love her house!

This is her den that she recently redecorated (before she got sick).

I love it! The colors are so pretty!!

I got to see the notes Jared was studying for a test.

It is amazing that he understands this. He is studying Microbiology (I think). He is the only one in his class of friends that has stuck with the hard degree in college. The others dropped to an easier degree. He works so hard at it, and I pray he is blessed with a wonderful job when he graduates.

I also got to see what Jared got for his birthday. I wish I had taken a picture of the new mic and recording equipment he got because it was so cool. He also got several fantastic smelling shaving soaps and colognes.

He had so many more that I didn't take pics of, but I'm telling you, they all smelled amazing. He sprayed a little of the cologne on my arm, and I smelled it all night. It was the most soft, wonderful, woodsy smell. I can't explain it. It was the cologne that goes to the soap of the top pic. ^ I want to buy some for myself. Hahaha

Ok, finally, this is my sweet welcome every day when I come home.

See how she is smiling and happy to see me?

She is my sweetheart!

I am thankful Andrew and his family made it safely to the beach. I pray they have a safe week.

I am thankful for a relaxing evening that I got to enjoy being outside.

I am thankful I don't have to go to work tomorrow because it is Labor Day. Yay!!!!!!

Till next time....