June 14 - 18, 2016

Busy Week

June 14 - 18, 2016

Some how this busy week just slid past me without me keeping up on the blog entries.  My original reason for the blog had to do with hearing issues.  Basically now there are not major changes, but sometimes there will be small issues.  I continue to thank God when I am able to carry on a conversation with a customer at the office.  Of course it is good to hear my family and to carry on conversations with friends.  There are some events that make it more special to be able to hear.

In the last few days, Ron has been out of the office more often on jobs, so I need to be able to understand the customers.  One customer this week was a man probably around 60 years old who came in mostly to talk.  He showed me a small molded square he carries in his pocket.  On it was a cross and a scripture.  He said we gave it to him about 15 years ago.  He said he had gone to Iraq for 8 years after that, constantly carrying it in his pocket all the time.

After the 8 years of being employed as a contractor and working at the U. S. Embassy there, the stress caught up with him and he was sent home by a doctor who said he was suffering PTSD.  He spent a few years fighting the memories of his 8 years there even though he had not been in battle.  Now he is doing well and praising God for getting him through the rough times.  As you can tell, I love to hear these stories of God's grace, strength, and love.

The week at work for me, was mostly spent on clearing up the end of the previous month's accounting.  I had a couple of problems with the books that took a while to work out. 

Tuesday I took Mom to her lung doctor and on Friday I had an appointment with the dermatologist.  Both of us got good reports.  Thursday night we went to supper with our friends and Friday night to supper with Mom and then to grocery shopping with Mom. 

Ron goes to the nursing home where his mom is at least twice a day to check on her.  They will probably dismiss her about Thursday.  Ron will probably spend the nights there until he is comfortable with how she is doing. 

The zinnias are blooming beautifully.  So far I have picked over 260, cutting 60 today, and then making three flower arrangements.  The miniature roses are blooming well again.  I have about a dozen in an arrangement that I fixed this afternoon.  We have both been taking zinnias to our mothers and to the office.  I plan to take some to McAllen tomorrow.

Today I spent all afternoon in the kitchen baking.  I have a couple of cakes to take to McAllen for a Father's Day lunch with our son's family.  It will be good to see them. 

The birds have been very active in the yard today.  There are a lot of baby birds learning how to manage flying and eating at the bird feeders.  I like this young grackle.  He may be a baby, but he is big.

June 13, 2016

It Is Monday After All

June 13, 2016

A Bewick's Wren looking for brunch

Ron got me up as he was leaving to see his mother on his way to work.  It was one of those days that I could just not get moving.  Besides a bad headache, I had a back ache, too.  I did not go to the office until early afternoon. 

Ron left shortly after I got there to do some errands for his mother.  She continues to be doing well physically,but just doesn't have enough strength to get herself up from the bed or chair.  Don't know for sure how long it will be before she can do that. 

At the office I worked on some paper work and have more I need to get done tomorrow.  Thankfully on Friday I had straightened some folders in the file that we must have for our state license.  The man came to audit those files today before I got to the office, but I had shown them to Ron on Friday and he knew right where they were, and all was in order.  The man asked for something additional and Ron pulled that file and showed the man where the law said that file was correct.  Ron had actually printed out the law and had it in the file, and so the auditor for the state said, OK.  It is a real shame when Ron knows the rules better than they do.

The afternoon was a little quiet and since I had gone in so late, the day seemed very short.  Remember I mentioned that last week the man whose business had burned came in to the office?  I had done a very small kindness for him when he was there and today I got the nicest Thank You note from him.  How kind of him to take time to that when he must have so many things on his mind these days.

After work, I came home and Ron went to check on his mom.  I worked in the yard for a little bit.  I had stopped just before going to the office this afternoon, to take time to water Ron's zinnias.  Some of them were wilting. 

This evening I cut the open flowers and was about to pick about three dozen.  I made three arrangements: one was oranges and golds, one was red and yellow, and the third was pink, white, and purples.

Back in the house, I put some chicken breasts on to cook and fixed a lite supper for me.  Later after the chicken was done, I de-boned it so I can make some chicken salad tomorrow.  I had the kitchen about clean at one time this evening.  It just doesn't stay that way.

There is a woodpecker nest in the same tree they have used the last few years and this afternoon with my Cochlear sound processor on, I was able to hear the baby bird fussing that the parents were not serving supper fast enough. 

June 12, 2016

Sunday Testimonies

 and Sad News on TV

June 12, 2016

This morning Ron got me up before he went to see his mother and then returned to get ready for church.  She is adjusting to the physical therapy at the rehab center.  She may be ready to go home soon and she is eager to be in her house.  We are eager to be sure she is capable of safely being in her own home.

Sunday School went well.  We had a good group but some couples were missing.  The church service focused on the young adult ministry.  They were in charge of the music and did an excellent job.  They shared testimonies of how they had come to the Lord.  Wow!  Great testimonies. 

For over 50 years our church has hosted groups that come from all over the United Sates to minister in this area.  Sometimes people wonder what comes of he youngsters who attend these Vacation Bible Schools, under tents all across town.  One of these testimonies answered that question.  The young man had no other church ties other than those VBS events and a church van that picked him up and brought him to our church for several years.  Then as a young adult he was going through a rough time and wondered who to turn to for help.  He remembered those VBS years and came to our church to search for answers.  He found the answers he was seeking and now is serving the Lord God that he heard about as a youngster.

There were several testimonies and then a skit.  Each testimony was unique and showed how young adults without God may be seeking and we need to share with them about the Lord or invite them to church.  There is a growing group of these young adults at our church - growing in numbers and in their relationship to the Lord.

After church we picked up some lunch and came home to eat.  Both of us were tired and took naps.  Ron had a meeting at the church late in the afternoon and I did a little work in the yard, watering the zinnias, transplanting some plants, and cleaning the windows to the sewing room.

Later I cut out some pieces to try to see how one set of fabrics would work for a quilt.  I was not real pleased with it so I am going to try another set.  Ron went to see his mother while I was sewing.

Ron had not seen any of the news about the mass shooting in Orlando, Florida.  It is amazing that one shooter did so much.  It did not seem logical.  Then I heard that there was only one exit - the front door.  The door in the back was padlocked.  In our business we know the laws in our state about things like that.  Often we get calls where the boss of a business will want a double cylinder deadbolt on the back door to keep employees from taking stolen items out the back.  In Texas you cannot put a padlock or deadbolt on an exit door.  We often have customers who get very angry when we refuse to do it.  Maybe now they understand why we won't. 

Ron's zinnia bed is full of blooming flowers again, but I did not cut any today.  There should be a big bunch to cut in the morning.  He is enjoying his flower bed as much as I am. 

June 10 & 11, 2016

3 Years Since My Cochlear Implant

June 10 & 11, 2016

On June 10, 2013 I was in Houston for my Cochlear Implant.  God had given me a peace about the surgery.  I was not scared, but was probably edgy with anticipation.  After having gone deaf the middle of January 2013, I was very fortunate to be able to have the surgery in a reasonable length of waiting time.  

Ron's zinnia patch

Normally when Cochlear Implant surgery is done, it is not activated until 3-4 weeks later, after basic healing has taken place.  We have nothing but praise for the outstanding surgeon I had, Dr. Joseph Chang.  He is a skilled surgeon and a very gentle, kind man.  We enjoyed our visits with him and would highly recommend him to anyone needing Cochlear surgery.  

God prepared the path ahead of us in so many ways.  We had good friends in Houston who opened their home to us any time we needed it.  Over the years that we have known them, they have lived in several different homes in Houston and the one they were in at the time of this surgery was not too far from the medical center.  

Our daughter-in-law, Vickey from New Mexico flew into Houston on the 11th and we were able to pick her up at the airport and bring her home with us when we were finished in Houston.  She spent about 10 days with me to help.  If you are a regular reader of this blog, you may recall that I broke my left elbow just 10 days before the Cochlear surgery so it was hard for me to do many things and it was a blessing to have Vickey here to help me.

Here I am, 3 years later and as I spent time in the yard today I was very conscious of the various sounds I was hearing.  Even while in the house, I heard the yardman mowing the front yard.  Some sounds I hear, but can't identify, or can't tell where they are coming from.  I asked Ron to confirm that I was hearing the yardman.  I heard the birds.  There was a Chachalaca that came into the backyard this afternoon and he was very noisy.  Chachalacas are large, loud birds.  

Yesterday was a good day at the office.  I spent time doing a little filing and paid some bills.  Late in the afternoon I  took a deposit to the bank.  After work I picked Mom up for supper.  We went to Pepe's and it was very nice.  Following supper Ron left to go see his mom and I took my mom so we could both do our grocery shopping.  

Yesterday and today were warm and muggy, but I think today was the worst.  At one point Ron had been working and came in to cool off.  That is unusual for him.  Normally the heat does not bother him, but when I checked the weather, it was our temperature was 89 with a heat index of 106!  That is hot!  I worked in the yard off and on all day, but came in often to keep cool.  

Ron's zinnia patch continues to do well.  Today I picked 20+ flowers and that brings me to over 80 in about a week.  Ron's mother  has an arrangement at the rehab center, I took one to my mom, I have two at the office and two here at home.  

This morning I got my hair cut and then came home to work in the yard.  I had spent some time before going to my hair dresser, cleaning the dining room.  I did a good bit of reading today and made a big pot of soup for supper.  I did some laundry and folded some I had done previously. 

June 9, 2016

A Good Day at the Office

June 9, 2016

Another zinnia  

Ron and I are enjoying them

Last night Ron asked if I wanted him to wake me this morning.  I asked him to wake me but not to make me get up.  If I was too sleepy I was going back to sleep.  I was and I did.  I was still sleepy so I quickly returned to sleep for 3 more hours.  Once I got up I felt better than I have lately.  I ate breakfast before showering and then finished getting ready for work only to realize that I could not find the car keys. 

Last night I picked up Mom's car to use while mine was in for a new water pump.  I could not find her keys.  Finally found the key and remote under the recliner.  I have no idea how it got there but I was just glad to find it.

It was not too long after I got to the office that Ron left to go up the valley on a job.  The afternoon was not real busy, but I had several customers and had time to talk to a couple of them.  One was the man who owns the store that burned last week.  We had a good long talk.  He has not decided what to do.  He had done everything possible to protect his place including a check list he goes through everyday before leaving and had just had a fire inspection the previous month.  It looks like the fire started outside the building.  It is so sad when you spend your life building up your business and then you lose it in a matter of hours.

Fire last week

Another customer was talking so fast I just could not understand him.  When I was finally able to explain to him that I just could not understand him when he talked so fast, he tried to slow down.  Old habits die hard.  He would do well for one sentence and then was back at full speed ahead.  By the time he left we were both laughing about how different speech patterns are in different parts of the country. 

Ron and I had supper with the friends we cancelled out on last night.  I had to lock up the office since he had been up the valley and just met me at the restaurant.  After supper we returned Mom's car to her and he headed to visit his mom and I headed home. 

It came up for discussion at supper that at the two places we had evening meals in San Antonio, I had no trouble hearing while just about everywhere in Brownsville gives me trouble.  I did not use the microphone in San Antonio, but have to here in Brownsville.  Part of the problem is the number of restaurants that have installed television sets and many play music.  Interesting.

June 7 & 8, 2016

Time to Come Home

June 7 & 8, 2016

Ron's zinnia flower bed

 

Tuesday morning, we slept a little late.  The motel we have stayed at on our last two trips to San Antonio isn't too far from our son's house (maybe 5 - 10 minutes depending on traffic).  We like the location: across the street from a mall, one exit from the high school where our daughter-in-law teaches, and there is a Bar-B-Q restaurant right in front of the motel.  Sounds like some good planning.

On the horizon, you can see several rain showers

We went to the Bar-B-Q place for breakfast.  I enjoy their brisket tacos for breakfast, or lunch, or supper.  After enjoying a relaxing breakfast we loaded the car, checkout out, and went shopping.  I was able to find some more work clothes.  Just before heading home Ron took me to a quilt shop for some last minute shopping.  He left me there longer than I expected so I had more shopping time than I needed.  I did more shopping than I needed. 

Pretty clouds on the way home

 

The trip home was more relaxing than the one up there.  The traffic was lighter and the weather was fine.  We had some rain on the way up  but only sprinkles on the way home.  Ron asked if I would go with him to see his mom on the way home so he would not have to get back out once he got home.  I agreed and we had a nice visit.  She is looking much better and is feeling good.  They are preparing to move her to a rehab facility for a couple of weeks.

Once we got home we unloaded the car and I think we both went to sleep early.  It was a great weekend, but we were tired.  Ron did all the driving, so I know he had to be exhausted.

One of the many windmill farms along the coast in South Texas

 

Wednesday morning Ron went by the rehab/hospital  before going to the office.  I eventually got to the office but continued to be exhausted.  I accomplished very little.  We had planned to go out to eat with friends, but the hospital called Ron that they were going to move his mom that evening, so he cancelled our plans and went there while I went to see my mom and to see if she needed groceries.  She said she could wait until Friday night.

I came home from her house and unpacked and worked in the kitchen for a while.  I did a little housework and a couple of loads of laundry.  It was very late by the time Ron got home. 

Zinnia

 

While Ron and I were out of town, the zinnias he had planted started really blooming well.  I picked a dozen the night we got home and another dozen the next evening.  During the afternoon we had about 3/4 of an inch of rain Wednesday and the yard needed it. 

Zinnia

June 5 - June 6, 2016

An Anniversary and A Graduation

June 5 - June 6, 2016

The senior class of about 600 students

Our son and daughter-in-law's nephew is one of the graduates.

 

Sunday was our 51st wedding anniversary.  Last year we celebrated our 50th anniversary a little late with all of the family gathering in early August for a  long weekend in the Texas Hill Country.  This year we celebrated quietly in San Antonio, Texas.  We went to Sunday School in the morning and I left early from class to go get my mom for church.  After I got her to the auditorium, Ron and I left and headed to San Antonio.

Our son David and his wife Diana live in San Antonio and have been raising Diana's niece and nephew for several years.  Her nephew was graduating from high school Monday evening and we made the trip in order to be there for the graduation.  Sunday evening several of the family gathered for a late supper at McAlisters (a Soup and Sandwich shop).  There were 9 of us there for supper.  We had a good time and good food.

Diana's nephew getting his diploma

 

It was late when we got back to the motel, but it had been a very nice evening.  Most of the group was going for frozen yogurt, but our son had some things to take care of for his part time job and he was starting a new job with the school district the next morning, so he had much to do.  Ron and I had been through a long day and we were tired, so we skipped the frozen yogurt.

Monday morning we went to the Bill Miller B-B-Q for breakfast and then started shopping.  I needed some work clothes and I had Ron let me off at North Star Mall where I spent a long time shopping and bought very little.  We had lunch at the food court there before heading to another mall where I continued my search for work clothes.  I did have more success there and  we made a couple of other stops before going to join everyone at 4:30 at the Chili's at the Quarry Shopping Center for an early supper before graduation.

Singing the school song

 

There were 20 of us for supper.  Diana's family was all there:  her parents, her sister and three brothers along with their spouses and children.  The visiting was good, the food was good, the service was very slow.  Diana and the graduate left early and the rest of barely got out in time to get to graduation on time.  Traffic was heavy and then they were using the "wand" to check people before entering the Alamo Dome, along with checking back packs, purses, camera bags, etc.  But we managed to make it just as they were about ready to start.

There were around 600 graduates, so it took a while, but they did a good job of keeping the line moving.  We were all very proud of Diana's nephew graduating and being in the National Honor Society and having achieved many awards this past year in Academic Decathlon. 

Throwing hats after the ceremony 

 

Following the ceremony, we took pictures, visited, and then David took us back to pick up our car at the Quarry.  Ron and I returned to the motel while Dave took his nephew to the school where the seniors were meeting to be bused to a place for an all night lock-in, filled with fun and food.  Our daughter-in-law who teaches at that school would be working there all night.