February 8, 2015

Busy Day and Good Memories

February 8, 2015

This photo of my family was just a few months before my Dad passed away. 

 My sister Janet, me, Daddy, Mom, my sister Debra, and my brother Gordon. 

Today would have been my parents' 73rd wedding anniversary.  I am thankful for the amazing Dad that God gave to me.  Daddy was a peacemaker by nature and was a calm, kind, loving Dad.  He would have loved the great grandchildren born into the family after he passed away.  He would have loved each with the same steadfast love he had for his children and grandchildren.  We miss him and Mom misses him so much and has for the 20+ years since he died.  The memories of my Dad are good and the more I see how some fathers treat their children I am extra thankful for how Daddy treated us.  We knew he loved us!

When you have a father like I did, you find it much easier to trust God as your Heavenly Father.  You think of how your Dad would protect you, care for you needs, and never quit loving you or give up on you.  God is even more dependable and faithful.  It is easy for me to trust a loving Heavenly  Father.  For the many people in the world who have fathers who are not kind, and loving, lots of them have a warped picture of God when they compare God to their father.  If that is your situation, just think of the very best father you have ever known.  Think of how you wish your father had been, and view God through those conditions.  God loves you and has your best interests at heart.

This morning I was up just after 6:00.  I spent time on the computer, fixed breakfast, ate, worked in the kitchen and then Tiny wandered in looking tired.  I think I am keeping her up too late!  We just have too much to squeeze into the few remaining days she will be here.  She will be leaving Wednesday.  Too soon!  She and I left for church ahead of Ron since he was not ready when we were.  We had a good bunch in our Sunday School class (26).

I left class early to pick up Mom for church.  It was Boy Scout Sunday at church and a large group from the church school troop were there.  Our oldest two grandsons are Boy Scouts and were in uniform.  They are in a different troop. Church was good.  There was a very good sermon and then the Lord's Supper was served.

Following the service, we went with Jeff and his children and Tiny, to Wendy's as we often do on Sundays.  Jeff's wife Barb was out of town for the weekend.  The children were in good moods and we had a very good time.  Tiny got to see our grandchildren in action and each lived up to the billing I had given them.  The younger ones entertained us well.

It was getting close to 3:00 when we got home.  Ron ran an errand, Tiny took a nap, and I did a little cleaning and some computer reading (Facebook, AOL, etc.).

We had a spur-of-the-moment supper at our house with the Lawlers and Tiny.  We had some chicken salad and a green salad.  They brought potato salad and Cole slaw.  We had ice cream and they brought cake!  Wow!  What a yummy supper and delightful time visiting without all of the restaurant noises.

After we ate, we went to Lawler's house and saw the room they had just painted and all the other work they have done on the house.  We came home about 10:00 and I started on this blog.  I had put a stew in the oven for tomorrow and it was not done, so I worked for a while longer to give it extra time to cook.

Hearing today was a little noisy.  At Sunday School and church it was ok and also worked well at Wendy's, but it was not  good at Wendy's.  Too much noise.  All in all, it was a very good day.

February 7, 2015

Sunshine and Tree Trimming

February 7, 2015

A couple of great things happened this morning: I got to sleep until 8:00 and there was sunshine out my window.  We have had a damp, gray winter and it was so nice to see the sunshine today.  It was tempting to work in the yard, but I had things I wanted to do inside and I will wait a couple of more weeks to plant the things I want in the pots, hanging baskets, and dug-out logs.

Ron had an appointment this morning and left early.  Tiny got up about the time I was ready to put biscuits in the oven.  We had a lazy morning before getting to work on our quilt projects.  Mom called and she and Carmen were ready to come over.  Mom came to visit, and Carmen came to visit and clean house for me. 

When I went to pick them up, I took a photo of another house being demolished close to Mom's house.  It was a lovely home, but old and I will be interested to see what they replace it with in the future.  At Mom's house, her yardman had arrived to trim a couple of trees that she had that hung over the sidewalk. 

The man's method for trimming the tree left us all a little nervous, so we decided to wait until he had finished before we left.  He did a good job and I came home with the back of my vehicle full of sections of the biggest limb (like the one falling in the photo below), that I hope to use in some way in the yard.

After leaving Mom's house, we stopped at the grocery store and while I went in for a few things, Mom and Carmen walked to the bank on the far side of the parking lot for some exercise.  I picked them up at the bank when I finished.

At my house, Tiny sewed, I cut fabric and did a little sewing and fixed lunch.  We had a great lunch a couple of hours after we got home and then I fixed supper from some of the leftovers and a few other things before putting everything away.

Mom worked cross word puzzles, Carmen worked on the house and she and Mom made a banana cake that was perfect and is almost gone.  I finished the chicken salad and later in the afternoon took Mom and Carmen, chicken salad, and banana cake to Mom's house.  Tiny and I spent some time looking for some birds. We found a few and they were fun to photograph.

We found an assortment of ducks, White Herons, Snowy Egrets, a Great Blue Heron, and White Ibises in the areas where we looked.  Back at the house we had a little banana cake and then sewed for a while before having the chicken salad for supper.  It was a very good day.

February 6, 2015

A Lot of Activity 

Packed into One Day

February 6, 2015

Black-bellied Whistling Ducks

This morning we were up early and I was soon working in the kitchen after my shower.  Ron left for work a little early and shortly after that, Tiny arrived in the kitchen.  I went out in the yard to chase ducks away and to fill the ponds.  These ducks and I have an ongoing battle and they usually win.  They eat the birdseed, trample the yard, they are noisy, and their only redeeming quality is that they are pretty.  Tiny and I visited and before we knew it, it was time to go to the office where a friend of ours was picking her up so she could go to spend a few hours working with the Quilt Group.  They make quilts to give away to people for various occasions. 

They are waiting for me to go in the house so they can come back up in the yard.

While Tiny was with the Quilt Group, I was at the office working.  Ron left right away after I arrived at the office, to go on a job and I started filling hooks with key blanks.  Many were empty or nearly empty and I hung hundreds of them this morning.  I did a lot of walking back and forth to get them filled.  I need to spend more time on them soon, but I did get the main ones done today.

 Some chose to wait on the roof for me to go back inside instead of getting wet in the resaca.

 

When Ron got back, we both worked on some things that needed to be put away or cleared.  Then about 11:00 I left to go to Mom's house to get her to take her to a doctor's appointment.  The doctor's office had called her yesterday to tell her she needed to come in before he could refill a prescription that she would need in a few days.  We had to wait a while, but her doctor is very kind, considerate, and patient.  He wants Mom to regain her energy and strength and to eventually get off all the medications, but not so fast that she backslides on the great progress she is making.  I think he really has her best interests at heart.  Again, he spent about an hour with us and went over all her meds and made suggestions on how to adjust them to meet the specific needs.

When we left his office, we went to the pharmacy to leave copies of the two prescriptions and to get a few groceries for Mom at H.E.B.    Following that, I took her home and returned to my office.  Ron soon left on a couple of jobs and was gone most of the rest of the day.  While he was gone I had a good number of customers coming in for keys.  I will share with you about one of them.

The man who came in, is in law enforcement.  He is getting close to retirement age and we talked about the problems on our Southern border.  If you watch the news you may know that earlier this week there was a running gun battle across the river in Mexico with probably 2 gangs involved or the Mexican government troops and a gang.  It is hard to tell what goes on over there because the media is rather quiet on the subject other than telling people for the last few days not to go across in to Mexico! 

Friends standing in front of the Border Wall a couple of years ago.

This "Wall" separates the United States from Mexico.

Most of the news that got out about this battle was through the social media: Twitter, Facebook, etc.  People in Mexico were letting friends and family members in Mexico and the U.S. know what was happening.  It is a serious situation.  We do not feel the danger here in Brownsville, as it is rare that the problems "spill over" across the border, but it is so sad what the people in Mexico are going through who are not involved in the drug gangs but have their lives turned upside down by the criminal element.  We talked about the good and the bad of his job.

It was a great conversation and at some point I mentioned going deaf and having a Cochlear Implant.  He said he was astounded because he never would have guessed I had a hearing problem.  He said, "You are hearing me just fine."  I told him that it was only because of the Cochlear Implant and God's timing that I am able to hear him talking.  It was a good visit (never saw him before that I know of) and again I was reminded of how thankful I am to be able to hear conversations with strangers as well as with family and friends.

After the Quilt Group meeting, Tiny and our friend went to Harlingen to Picket Fence Quilt Shop and did a little shopping.  She met us at Luby's for supper with our friends the Lawlers and we had a nice long visit.  Once we got home Tiny worked on her quilt and I showed her some of my works in progress.

February 4 & 5, 2015

Two Good, Busy Days

February 4 & 5, 2015

You didn't get a blog yesterday because I was too busy, and here I am at the end of another busy, good day finding a few minutes for my blog.  It has been a good time with my friend and she will still be here for several more days. We have talked and talked, and done a lot of listening to each other.  It has been good for both of us.  We agreed tonight that the last two years for both of us have been challenging and not always to our liking, but we both know God is with us and our families are behind us helping in any ways that they can.

Tiny has been working on a quilt in red and white.  She now has all the blocks made and will start laying it out tomorrow.  I am eager to see the results.  I think I have worn her out.  She has headed to bed tonight and I will do the same soon.  She had dinner with a couple of friends this evening and Ron and I had supper with my mom and her helper, Carmen.

Yesterday early in the morning, Tiny went with me as I took my mom to her physical therapy doctor's office.  She was scheduled for a couple of tests to see how the nerves in her legs are functioning.  They found some slight deterioration, but nothing serious.  The tests were not as uncomfortable as we had expected and she did very well.  We took her home and then got to the office in time for lunch.  Ron was out all afternoon and I got several things done that needed my attention.  Tiny continued working on her quilt.

Tiny and I made a quick stop at Wal-Mart on the way home.  Mom needed a rake so Carmen could rake the leaves.  She had been asking for one.  Once we got home we warmed some pinto beans I had prepared earlier and I made cornbread and that is what we had for supper.  It was great.  All three of us loved it. 

Today we were up early again and got to the office a little after 9:00 and Ron was in and out all day on jobs.  I worked on bookkeeping items and made a deposit which I took to the bank after work.  Tiny again worked on her quilt.  I was very busy with customers and was up and down all afternoon especially.  It was good to be busy, but I think I am tired.

Mom trying to translate the menu into Spanish for Carmen

Late in the afternoon, a friend came to take Tiny for an evening in their home.  Meanwhile  I went to the bank, picked up Mom and Carmen, went to pay a bill, and we went to Jason's Deli for supper.

She must have done well since Carmen made a great choice for supper.

 Decision made

Ron knows how to make a lovely bowl of ice cream for me.

Once we got home, Ron and I chatted for a while and then I went to the sewing room for the rest of the evening.  Hearing yesterday was hard, but today it went well.  Many people continue to ask how long our business has been open (76 years). 

February 3, 2015

Quilting Fun

February 3, 2015

Two Black-bellied Whistling Ducks and one White Ibis

Today started wet and chilly.  Tonight is cold and pouring rain.  The day has been mostly cold and drippy, but this evening we have had some heavy showers.  On the way to the office this morning I took Tiny to spend the day with a friend from church and the quilt group.  They had a great visit and made some progress on their quilt projects.  As I pulled away from my friend's house I spotted about 75 of the Whistling Ducks across the street and a couple of White Ibises.  What a bunch!  Some thought I might have food and headed my way.

Hungry Ducks

As soon as I got to the office, Ron prepared to leave for a job at the other end of the valley.  He was gone until just before closing time this afternoon.  I did some cleaning this morning and made so great progress.  I had lots of customers to wait on and some interesting conversations.  One lady who looked to be in the mid-thirties said she is 51 and come to the United States as a migrant worker with her family at 9 years of age.  She worked in the fields from that age until 21 and has been a housekeeper ever since.  She was a delight to chat with.

A small portion of the flock of ducks

The most interesting customer was a man who will have to come back tomorrow for Ron to help him with his unique need and I told Ron he will fully enjoy working for the man.  We shared a lot of laughs.  He has a great outlook and had some great stories to share.  Both of these customers were a blessing to listen to.  Both had worked hard for many years but had terrific attitudes.  The woman who is a house keeper, has some aches and pains, but has an amazing outlook and credits God for taking care of her.  I was glad to get to talk to them.  I have missed much in the years when my hearing was so bad, but like the house keeper, I want to have a good outlook and enjoy the good times.

White Ibis

While Ron was up the valley, he was able to have lunch with our son Jeff in McAllen.  They used to try to meet for breakfast once a week when Jeff worked here in town, but have had very little time since he started working in McAllen, to sit down and visit together.

Our grandson

Our oldest grandson came in this afternoon and helped me until almost closing time.  I was glad to have him there and he had a great visit with a retired policeman who was sharing stories with him about things he has learned in life.  Maybe since it was cold and wet, customers were not eager to go back outside, and stayed to visit.

The drive home

After work I stopped to pick up supper.  Ron was at his Mom's and Tiny was with our friend.  I ate and then worked on the sewing room before the quilt group arrived.  One friend did not come due to having a bad cold.  The rest were here along with Tiny and Carmen, so there were 7 of us, each working on our own projects.

Carmen worked on the hand work on a scarf I was making.

Mom read, while Tiny cut red and white squares.

Katrina worked on a scarf.

Dolores worked on some quilt squares.

Gayla had to leave early to help a friend.

I added 6 more blocks to my quilt project. 

It was a good, productive day and I enjoyed it a lot. I must get to bed.  I have to take Mom to a doctor's appointment early tomorrow morning. 

February 2, 2015

Finally Spending Time

 at the Sewing Machine

February 2, 2015

The scraps from tonight's quilt blocks

Today started out wet, windy, and cool.  By early evening, it got chilly but had dried up.  I was up early this morning and worked in the kitchen, made coffee and had my shower and breakfast early.  I spent just a little time in the yard as I hung the hummingbird feeders, freshly filled.  Tiny and I left for the office about 9:30 after we got our lunches made.  During the morning, I worked on the end of the month reports and by lunch time they were all done.  Tiny had brought fabric for a project and she ironed and cut the fabric into squares during the morning. 

When we finished our lunches, Ron left on some jobs and of course that is when all the customers came in.  Much of the morning had been quiet, and as soon as he left, it got busy.  Tiny continued work on the squares she had cut, marking the sewing lines on them.  When I was not with customers, I was balancing some Petty Cash accounts, etc.

Tiny is studying the instructions to my quilt project. 

 Her cut squares are in front of her.

Tiny and I left the office a little early and went by my mom's for a visit and to see how she was doing.  She was feeling very good today and enjoyed the visit.  Then on the way home we picked up some supper and had some great chicken.  As soon as the kitchen was clean, we moved to the sewing room where we spent the rest of the evening, each working on our own projects.  I have so many "in progress" items and have needed a little pushing. 

 The project I chose to start working on this evening.

I pulled out some blocks I made a year or more ago.  Tiny and I had been together at the Houston International Quilt Festival in fall of 2013and had seen this particular pattern but decided not to buy it.  After she flew home, I returned to the festival and bought the pattern, and it was that pattern I had used on the blocks.  We both voiced our opinions on the pattern and my project.  I think with her encouragement, I will make it larger than originally planned.  I got six blocks made tonight.

Working on my blocks

Ron had stayed late at the office to work.  The evening was relaxing and productive for Tiny and for me.  I just need someone around to keep pushing me!

 More fabric that I could use in this project.  

These are 1030s reproductions fabrics.

Oh, I had one customer this afternoon who was VERY hard of hearing.  Sometimes I could not be sure if he really could not hear, or if he just didn't like my answers.  I had to yell and still I don't think he got everything.  If he could have heard me, I might have suggested a Cochlear Implant.  I had other customers waiting, so could not take the time to make suggestions to him.

February 1, 2015

Super Bowl Sunday

February 1, 2015

The day started with a super sunrise and just continued to be a wonderful day.  The most super bowl at my house today was a super bowl of broccoli soup for lunch.  The game was on and the game was good, but I watched very little of it.  I ended up napping most of the first half and a little before it started.

This morning I was up early and did a little work in the sewing room, clearing the design walls to get ready for projects that Tiny and I hope to work on this week.  I am not sure how much we will get done.  We have not turned on either of the machines yet.  We are still catching up on visiting.

We went to Sunday School and church.  We had a good bunch in class, with several Winter Texan friends in attendance.  My friend Tiny had been in the class for many years while she and her husband lived here and everyone was so glad to see her. 

Mom was not quite ready when I arrived to pick her up for church and that was just as well because it gave me time to remember that I had a sack of groceries in the car for her.  She and I got to church in plenty of time and visited with several people.

One of the couples I visited with are Winter Texans and I am so sorry to hear they may have to leave and go home.  The reason has nothing to do with problems back home, but with the problem of finding a doctor here to meet the wife's specific medical needs.  I am saddened to know that doctors are not willing to take on the hard cases.  She takes a medication that helps her problem, but to continue it, she must see the doctor once a month.  None of them here are willing to take her on and continue that medication.  This is a time in life when they are free to travel, but are now being tied down to staying close to home and their doctor.

The church service was good and it was good again to see so many who were eager to visit with my friend.  She and her husband were very active in the church before he retired and they moved away.  Then he passed away a couple of years ago and they are both missed in the church.  Two of our grandchildren were in church sitting with me.  It is always a blessing to sit with them and I  will miss them so much when the time comes for them to move.  We still don't know when that time will be, but when ever it is, it is going to be hard.

After church we came home and made broccoli soup for lunch and it was delicious!  We all enjoyed it with some crescent rolls.  We had some good visiting around the table.  A while after lunch, Tiny and I both decided we could use naps.  She went off to the guest room for a short nap and I curled up in the recliner for what turned into a 3 hour nap.  Ugh!  I hate it when I sleep that long.

As I woke, I could see Tiny was enjoying the Super Bowl on TV and after a bit, she was ready to make a sandwich for her supper.  I decided to go to Walgreen's for milk and bread and came back to find Ron and Tiny watching the Super Bowl together and enjoying a good game.  I made my sandwich and joined them. 

All in all, it was a relaxing day.  Tiny and I visited until late in the evening and still aren't caught up.  It will take more time.  I am glad she will be for a while.  Isn't it great to have friends where you can pick up where you left off in the conversations?  Tiny is soft spoken, so it is hard to hear her and she has had to repeat a lot of things.  Thankfully, she is willing to do that over and over.