CLAY AND WATTLES

IN SPITE OF...

2012-02-04T18:27:00.000-08:00

I finally gave up and gave in yesterday and went to the doctor for my back. I got an injection (muscle) and it really relieved the nerve pain. It's been a long time since I've had to have one of those, but it sure helped.

Also learned my blood pressure is not as good as I thought. Really thought I had it under control... but it was high again. So "we're" taking the bp med morning and evening - and this is just one dose - when I started out, I halved it because I was so tired taking the whole pill at one time. Now hopefully this will help and I'll "adapt" as we do when we have to take medications. Or try another one... I hate changing meds.

It rains about every other day and this was Rain Day. I slept really good because my back didn't hurt and ache every time I moved, and I thought about sleeping in, but got up and after a couple hours decided to go back to Corinth for the fabric (red/tangerine flowers below) for the twin rockers, and more large buttons for the pillow case ends. Paul drove and Oscar rode and slept in the back seat.

I had one of these pillow covers made from my earlier trip to Sher's, and asked her to send me more fabric from Quilting By the Bay. Just decided to get this done today.

These patterns won't go in the same room. One chair is in the "sea blue" room, which still needs updating in other ways... and one is in the den. I just loved the happiness of the pattern and color and knew this was it. After all it doesn't have to always be this - one chair that's going to be covered has had the same fabric on it for close to 50 years. (I'm saving it, using it for a mat/backing, and put copies of family pictures at holidays on it and framing it. I have pictures of probably three generations sitting in the old orange rocker. This will be an update for sure!) The blue plaid is in our bedroom. There was a time when I felt I had to stay with neutrals because they were easy to change out. But let's have some color now! "When I am old I shall wear purple..." And have tangerine chairs.

Tommy and Lucy...

My violet's babies. I brought a cutting from an African violet I had at work for years. I may have mentioned before that Violet lived in Carolyn's office because she preferred the light in there... Nevertheless, she has sprouted two tiny baby violets. I've let the girls back at Woodruff know so they can tell the grandmother Violet.

The sunny days coax the jonquils open. There are half a dozen open under trees in the shade. This is one of many coming up in a little plot Mama Nick had in the back yard. They're all over. Can hardly believe it's already been a "season." Being here last winter and spring occasionally, before moving, we saw the seasonal flowers and shrubs. And here they are again.

Sock-it-to-me cake I made last week and took to Tommy and Carol's for family supper. Was glad they all enjoyed it. L. O. Bishop, famous around here for wonderful BBQ had taken a whole pork shoulder to David and Sandra and they brought that for BBQ sandwiches and plates. Paul and I picked Aunt Ginny up next door and she rode the couple of miles with us to Tommy's.

The "Thank You" note was in this weeks Iuka paper (Tishomingo County News and Vidette, which I still call just the Vidette. That's all it was when we lived here before.) So many kindnesses and remembrances of Mama Nick. She was quiet, dignified and godly - and touched so many lives. Remembering some comments by people at visitation, a bit older than me and Paul, saying good things about her as a teacher so many years ago. One man said he got a paddling from her and got 10 licks! Wow! Wonder what on earth he did to get that! When we moved here I found a whole stack of her old grade books. Real treasures. Sometime I'll sit and look at the names - probably most of the county... Maybe next Rain Day.

RELAXING THE BACK

2012-02-01T10:40:00.000-08:00

Sunday I napped in the recliner. Sunday night I watched Masterpiece Theater in the recliner. Monday I could hardly move. Sciatica, degenerative disk, but it's been a while since I've had it to this extent. I carried on somewhat normally Monday and Tuesday - even went to Bren's for a while (learned interesting connection between Mama's family and my dad's through cousinship several times removed; will have to really "study on it" before I get the gist of it, and there are some generations' names missing)and Bible study last night. But by last night I was ready to come out of my skin. Since it was raining this morning I decided to stay in bed on the heating pad. It has helped tremendously. I've been reading the book club book The Hiding Place.

Aunt Ginny just brought 2 packages of Powell's homemade sausage. I'll make it into patties later and freeze individually.

SMALL TOWN USA

2012-01-28T15:15:00.000-08:00

Some friends of ours (one of Paul's classmates, his brother and mother) sent us a condolence card this week. I'm sure it still happens all over, but it is nice to be known by your town only. This is the way it came:

Harmony Methodist Church ladie's ministry held its annual retreat last night and this morning. Last night there were 139 or 140 and this morning about 100. Great attendance from all over the area. Aunt Ginny said the first year (this is the 8th) they had this there were about 35 women present. Our speakers gave talks about friendship - being one and having friends; and joy - a gift from God. I arrived before Carol (my sister-in-law) and sat at a table with three other ladies and the one I spoke to first happene to be one of my classmates! She actually recognized me before I did her! Jane lives in Burnsville, about 7 miles west of Iuka; her husband enjoys antique vehicles, too, and she invited us to come to one of their club meetings. So good to run into another of my classmates. We are so young, too! (This was our joke of the night.)

Last night I would not have had anyone ever to know it, but on the way home, I Got Lost. Yes, I took the wrong turn and just ho-humming along behind another vehicle thinking, wonder who they are on our county road... And... wait. a. minute. This is not The Lane! So I go on thinking I'll see something familiar, another county road marker (not east to see at night), and finally turned around... and took another wrong turn. Up. Down. No houses. Dark houses. Panicked, I called Paul - thank God for a signal, truly! I could just see me spending the night winding around those valley/hill county roads all up in the woods, lost, lost, lost... And I was seeing it first-hand! So he stayed on the phone with me until I found the "big" county road - the one with two stripes down the center and behold I came upon the Harmony Church sign again! I had made a big loop, watching my compass in the truck all the time. Paul would say, "You need to be going..." (whatever direction), and I was going the opposite. I got my bearings when I saw the Harmony sign and there was my beloved Lane, and yes, THIS is my road, and my house! My little dog! My husband! Paul said when I was at Sher's he drove all around the county roads back that way... in the day time. I told him he should try it at night. Not an experience I want to repeat. A truly terrible feeling, panic and lostness... And I thank God for getting me home safe, and for keeping my body and soul in His care! Now who did I recently tell I was really a country girl? But not a pioneer...

MORE RAIN

2012-01-26T16:46:00.000-08:00

I didn't sleep well last night and was going to stay in my jammies all day. I had the recurring dream - about driving into water, or near the water's edge. It's been a while since I've had it. It's disturbing, not exactly scary, but not pleasant either.

This morning I did paperwork, minutes for Women on Mission, worked on thank you note for the Vidette (newspaper), did some laundry. Paul has been sick the last couple of days with a cold and he absolutely rests, which is why he seems to get over pretty fast. He takes OTC cold medicine and sleeps. I'm sure working out in the yard set it off, regardless of what medical science says. He wasn't sick before. He worked sleeveless - it was a beautiful day, but then cooler in the evening.

Sandra called me about 1:00 and asked if I could go help finish cleaning Mama Nick's room out, so we did that. I'm so glad it wasn't me alone, because as Brenda says, "You have to touch and feel and ooh-ahh over everything." It took about an hour to finish. We left the recliner, chest and two tables for someone else to use. Carrington said they would be glad to have it as some don't have as much.

It's rained so much that below the house is standing in water again and surely all this will pack the dirt down well over the field line. I'll be glad to get it leveled so that huge long brown scar can start healing and growing green again.

Across my back feels as if someone tied a huge knot in it and Paul did massage some of it out a while ago. Bedtime for Bonzo pretty soon. Going to take an Aleve and get on heating pad for a bit.

Have been listening to my sister-in-law Carol's CD and it's so pretty. I don't tire of hearing the old gospel songs and some of the newer ones. She said there are plans to add a guitar track to it.

Tomorrow is a rest day. Tomorrow night is the retreat at Harmony; and Saturday morning. Even Aunt Ginny had to slow down last night and today. Before I went to sleep I felt so empty and I know it was missing Mama Nick, the time after all the busyness.

FLOWERS AND SHRUBS

2012-01-23T20:43:00.000-08:00

While Amy was here we went back to the cemetery and made pictures of Mama Nick's flowers. Her casket blanket was pink roses and buds, and stargazer lilies. Her favorite combination - pink and roses. Sandra did a good job with the blanket and granddaughters' spray to match.

Today was beautiful and spring-warm, so I asked Paul if we could pull up the old shrubs in front of the house. I suggested that Mike might help him and he brought his 4-wheel drive truck and come-along and pull up shrubs they did! Later Mike brought his flatbed trailer (and tractor, which they said they didn't use much) and they loaded all but one shrub onto it. He plans to feed the greenery (some kind of evergreen shrubs) to his goats and put the branches down his ditchbank - big root balls so they'll be some filler. The ground was wet, but soft and much easier to get them up than to wait for summer. It will soon be time to plant shrubs and I'm thinking about something with maroon or in that color family - nandina (has dark berries) is a pretty shrub. So is lorapetalum, more purple/fuschia, though. I thought about dark pink/red and white azales (Mississippi State colors!), and there is a type that blooms more than once a year. One huge shrub with a dense trunk had to be cut off, but I plan to make some kind of little garden around it - maybe a concrete figure on the stump. My petunias from Aunt Ginny are still green as they were protected under it and in flower pots through the cold days, and jonquils are coming up. The shrub has been encircled with bricks and I may leave those for sentimental reasons. I would like to have pavers or landscape timber enclosing the shrubs. Shutters and the old front screen door (yes, a screen door with a spring on it, and a hook, and bangs shut!) need to be painted and I'm thinking maroon or burgundy. It'll cheer up the buff brick. Just a pretty day with lots of outdoor plans. Oh - the one shrub we didn't have hauled off is small and we replanted it down in the back yard, in Mama Nick's memory.

Mid-day Paul, Amy and I cleaned out a little ditch below the house. It has a natural flow to the right-of-way ditch beside the county road. Pine straw had clogged it and there was a pond at the beginning of the low garden road that goes up through the pines.

This afternoon I went to Sandra's and got a few of the potted plants and a pretty picture with a poem that our church had sent for the funeral. I put it near the picture of Mama Nick we used at the visitation. She, Carol and I were all agreeable about dividing up the plants and other memorials. I got Sherron, Melanie and Jordan's pretty fern they sent; a pottery pitcher with an arrangement in it, and two other plants. I put a ring of foil around the tops so "perhaps" Lucy would be discouraged from digging. She has already been on top of the small china cabinet and in the Persian Shield plant I got from Charlotte last fall.

I will have flashbacks of the last several days for quite a while. Everyone has been so kind and loving. Three of our friends from Wynne came - Mike B, Jeff S, and Lynn B. Mike was Paul's former police chief (well, the city's) and retired; Jeff is the present chief and Lynn, the fire chief and they both were on Paul's staff as well. It meant so much to us that they came. Some of Paul, David and Tommy's cousins - on their dad's side - were there; also a man who introduced himself to me - Coy D - we had carpooled with some others when I worked at Tennessee River Pulp & Paper Company. I did remember him after he told me who he was. So many others I have not seen in decades; their familiar faces come into focus and I see the young boy or girl, or man or woman, now as gray or grayer than me!

Tomorrow is Young at Heart at church. We have a whole coconut cake someone made and brought us; I think I will take a good bit of that as my dessert. Spaghetti dinner tomorrow and some were assigned or volunteered to bring that; others will bring bread, salads and desserts. Tomorrow night our new Bible study begins - a Beth Moore study on James.

Life goes on... Mama Nick would want it to be so for us. She was never demanding, always generous, so sweet and glad to see us. I'll miss going by Carrington to see her. I hope I don't forget to stop in occasionally to see the other residents and workers. Some of her caretakers came to visitation and the funeral. I miss her here, at "her home" as I've said. I packed up food for Amy today, just like she used to do for us. Those square plastic freezer containers of fried corn, peas, cornbread, sock-it-to-me cake... She always wanted to be sure we had supper when we got back to Wynne. There have been so many changes in the last two years. I am not the same person I was two years ago. I can see a big change in Paul - all for the better - both of us. Country life agrees with us. Mama Nick was so happy we had bought her house, and we are so happy to be here. There is such a feeling of family and community; maybe that is just part of this being a small town, only about one-third the size of Wynne. We love it.

MAMA NICK

2012-01-22T09:21:00.000-08:00

My sweet mother-in-law passed away Friday, very peacefully, with family surrounding her. She had longed to go be with the Lord and her little frail body just finally released her sweet soul and spirit. I can only imagine how it must have been in those last breaths for her to know she was holding onto the Hand of her Saviour Jesus, and waving goodbye to those of us who were praying for her and each other. What a mystery of faith. What a great love she had for us, for God. What a greater love He has for all of us.

This was Mama Nick in her early twenties. Her granddaughters all have a striking resemblence to her. She was a beautiful Christian lady, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt.

When we bought her home here, she had life estate. We have felt at home all the time we've been here. Now it just feels different. It was indeed her home, and we will be good stewards of it. I can already tell her presence, though not physically in this house any more, is no longer here. She was still the mother, the home maker, the spirit of this place. We have a wonderful heritage through her life and in the memories we keep dear.

Mamie Leo Nichols

October 22, 1918 - January 20, 2012

A DAY WITH MIKE

2012-01-19T08:40:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was beautiful after days of rain and clouds. Mike called to see if I wanted to go to Selmer to see Morgan and Tyler, so I did. "If we can go to Lowe's when we come back (through Corinth)," I said.

"Must... rest... All this playing, trying to crawl and bouncing just wears me out."

Tyler is growing so fast - he's six months old and trying his best to get on all fours. I can't stand up with him, he's such a chunk. It would be bad for me and him! He's so good-natured and a happy baby. Mike and I stayed about an hour or so.

We drove back through Corinth, stopped at Pet Sense and got Oscar's Greenies. We ate lunch at Sweet Peppers. Warm sun on our table, just nice to visit. After lunch, a stop at Lowe's: I got the white light fixture - again. Trying to do something with the ceiling light in the bedroom. Now I'm thinking the larger wattage (the new bulbs) will fit, so the globe may be returned yet again. I also got Paul a rain gage and for me, two cans of a sagey green paint to spray white plastic stackable drawers in "my room." Mike got Marsha some ceramic tiles to use for coasters - glue thin cork on the back to prevent scratching. We got home about 3:30 or 4:00.

I went to Carrington to see Mama Nick, who isn't doing well at all. Hospice nurses have been with her - two whole days and one night, and now checking on her daily. Mama Nick was asleep and I just sat and had memories and prayed. It isn't going to be very long until she does indeed "go to see God." She is so ready; her little body is just worn out. Another treasure...

Yesterday morning I bathed Oscar, cleaned the cat box, did laundry, before Mike called. This morning I'm still in pj's and while I have things I need to do, I also need to do this.

I found a pretty sewing machine cover I want to make. I really want to spend about half a day in Hancock Fabrics and JoAnn's - but they're in Tupelo; the nearest Hobby Lobby is in Muscle Shoals. It'll be a bit before I make either trip. Staying close to home... I do have other things I could do. I have combined, organized and labeled all my craft supplies, brushes, paint, etc. and emptied half a dozen plastic shoe boxes; rearranged a book case beside my "circle" chair for a reading corner. Just therapeutic putzing. Seems my interest is just in getting things "staged" rather than doing altered books, etc. I do sew some. But I like to arrange things in my room - a diorama of sorts.

DRAW A NAME

2012-01-10T17:00:00.000-08:00

Monday at WMU (or WOM - Women on Mission as Women's Missionary Union is now known), we drew names for a mission outreach for this month. I know God put Frank Elizabeth's name in my hand. I had had her on my mind for a long time. Her son Tommy was one of Paul's classmates and I kept telling him he should go see him and her. Perfect opportunity for both of us. Today we went and took a loaf of bread (bread machine, but homemade nevertheless) and some of Matt's ham he brought Christmas (has been frozen and is delicious; we had some for supper last night). What a wonderful visit! Paul and Tommy caught up on a few years - just a few - so many have passed; I had a chance to visit with Mrs. D and Tommy. Tommy, Brenda, Nena P and I have been Facebooking about old families and family homes - namely the Woodley Home - for several days. I told Tommy that the history of Iuka interests me more than ever, of course, since we've moved back here. With all the graciousness of a 93 year-old Southern lady, Mrs. D told me to be sure to come back. She remembered Paul and I have met her one time, and still the grace and charm, the care for a guest's comfort was upper most in her mind. I hope to go back and visit. She is another treasure, so many of whom are going home to be with the Lord, and we must remember to anchor onto Him, and to keep Southern manners going! I know I enjoyed the visit and was blessed more than I could have thought when I drew her name.

Paul and I had eaten at the brand new McDonald's here for lunch and met two ladies who, of course, knew or were related to people we knew, namely Brenda and her brother John, and one each of my and Paul's classmates. (That's the "point" in one's life - the "class." The Class is the face of our clock, the starting and ending of a whole era that we always come back to.) Mike had tried to call me, went to voice mail, so he called Paul and met us there as we were leaving. He was delivering to me a cake carrier that Amy had asked Morgan to personalize for me. Morgan has a little cottage industry and uses her Cricut to personalize just about anything you need or want. She's also begun sewing. (It is Mo's Creations on Facebook.) What a sweet surprise from Amy - and with instructions for the colors to be maroon and white!

Other Things:

I returned an electric blanket I ordered - it had two 3-prong plugs and our outlets don't have the capacity for all that, not to mention the cords should not be run between the mattresses, but on the floor - where Lucy can find them and sure 'nuf electrocute herself. It did have dual controls and was plush, not fleece, very nice... but just too, too much. UPS picked up the box today. Amazon makes returns so easy! So I still have a $25 gift card/credit from Amy for Christmas... I did find an old e-blanket and the cord/control (not dual) to just warm the bed before getting in. These achey bones delight in being warmed immediately on going to bed! I don't sleep with the blanket on, though. Just toasting the sheets is enough.

Book club is Thursday and we'll be discussing The Crucible by Arthur Miller. I watched the movie and it helped with continuity. I couldn't get into the play - so many characters and I didn't read continously, so I would lose some train of thought or forget someone's role. Our next book is The Hiding Place, Corrie ten Boom, which I've read years and years ago, but which deeply touched me; I think I've read all her books. Also Thursday is my first "real" GFWC-MFWC (20th Century Club) meeting. We will meet in the old drug store building downtown (I remember the soda fountain and tables and chairs!), but there is something else there now - a member called it Cathy's, but not sure what it is - a beauty shop maybe? Friday the club is serving birthday cake to residents of Tishomingo Living Center; I volunteered to make one. If they need a layer cake (or stack cake) I can use my new carrier.

It's been rainy and very foggy here since Saturday - when I drove to town to see the movie at church, I had to creep along The Lane and Harmony Road, also in town. IBC showed (with rights) "Courageous." Mike came and went with me; Marsha got sick at the last minute. We enjoyed it - was very good with a challenge not only to men but to families. I also got to see another cousin - Uncle Spencer's (Slip's) son Wayne.

Sunday we had a women's ministry dessert fellowship at church - tons of non-caloric, terrible things we forced ourselves to eat! I had made brownies and added chopped cherries, so they were a little moist. Charlotte made a gluten-free chocolate cake, which was delicious - baking can be done without wheat flour. She's allergic to wheat. We filled out surveys about our interests, participation, talents, where we'd best serve or want to be used. The younger ladies are organizing this, wanting all ages to get to know one another better.

Lucy is in my lap in a weirdly contrived posture - her neck is turned all the way back over her body, like a duck would sleep. As long as she's in my lap with I'm clicking away, she's happy. And she's warm on my lap.

Since we ate Angus burgers for lunch, I expect supper will be lighter. Mine will anyway. Paul has gone to a MS State alumni meeting at Homestead. Don't know whether he'll eat or not. Oscar has been fed. He knows the words supper and breakfast (as well as many others, some he chooses to ignore; I guess dogs can have selective hearing, too). Anything involving food, he's on it.

Saturday walk, before the fog:

The back yard has hundreds of these...

Bird's nest...

Worn board on old bird house...

The darkening woods...

Some kind of scales or fungus...

Tommy, Paul's brother, came and watched the Alabama/LSU game last night and I actually watched 99% of it. Expecting a tough battle, it was a little let-down, but still glad Alabama won, they being our near neighbor. Mike was happy, too.

Tommy brought me one of Carol's, his wife, CDs she had made. She'd always wanted to do one and finally did - at a studio in Muscle Shoals. I listened to it in "Amy's Room" while Paul and Tommy watched the start of the game. It is incredible! I just lay back on the bed and thanked God for such a sweet voice and His blessings, looking at the pattern in the "pink" room wallpaper and thinking about all this house has seen, all this family has seen, all the years... She has a wonderful voice with so much range and depth. Greg W accompanied her on piano, the only instrument; and on one song by voice. She accompanied herself (voice/mix) on one song - and I know just enough to say harmonized, though that's probably not right, and just shows my ignorance of music. But it was pretty. In fact, I asked for a half a dozen more copies to give to Amy, Sher and some others. Paul and I listened to it in the truck going to and from town today. One of the songs, not a gospel or worship song, was "Danny Boy," and I thought of my cousin Danny. JoAnn said that was "his" song. Danny passed away not long ago and it was especially moving.

So now off to find something... a bowl of cereal probably.

BEGINNING A NEW YEAR

2012-01-04T20:15:00.000-08:00

HaPpY NeW YeAr!!

New Year's Day... Sunday School, church, rest, church again. Short visit to Mama Nick's but she was sleeping so we didn't disturb her. AND, she has a TV in her room! Wonder upon wonders! It isn't hooked to cable, but she has some music DVDs. I think she'll enjoy it. Tommy did this for her; Paul and David tried for years but she just didn't want a TV. I'm so glad he got her to agree - finally! It'll be a lot of company to her.

Monday I made soup for Mike, Marsha, Morgan, Tyler (although he didn't have the soup). Steve and Debbie came; Tommy also, but he had eaten. After everyone else had left, he and Paul watched ballgames. I don't know how they keep up with who plays - it's one right after the other. I went to bed early because I had to get up...

Tuesday... and I drove Aunt Ginny to Memphis for a routine doctor's appointment. It was a beautiful day; she had the first appointment, we didn't have to wait long, the doctor took as much time as she needed (her blood pressure is better than mine!). We ate breakfast at Perkins nearby - Farmer's Omelette. She ate nearly all of hers, more than I ate of mine. This lady amazes me - at 90+ she can outdo me! Then we shopped at Coldwater Creek, stopped at Dillard's off Houston Levee, Barnes and Noble (for my winter Studio magazines), in Corinth for eyelet for another pillowcase - I liked the first one so well. She pumped gas. I tried, but she wouldn't have it - "Close the door so you'll stay warm in there." I really did try... It was cheaper in Burnsville than Corinth or Iuka. We got home around 4:00. I was cold all evening. Chilled. I suppose it was partly from the air in the car, partly just me being me. I put an extra blanket on the bed and went to sleep pretty quick.

Today I didn't do much. Some laundry - but didn't even put it away. I did make the bed. Took a nap in the "green" room - southwest corner of the house - warm and sunny.

Lately I've been close-up pictures of little things: wooden spools, old sewing notions; light - sun and shadows. My camera may be showing signs of wear - I can't imagine why - but it won't focus every time; I have to turn it off/on so it'll reset itself. Thinking maybe it's time for a digital SLR... Just thinking.

Paul had a routine check-up today for medicine refills and had gained some weight. It just about tizzed him out. I told him okay, don't gain any more, but don't lose what you've gained - I think the extra weight looks good on him. Of course, his labs will tell the tale... Hope all is well so he'll keep that weight on. As almost anyone who meets him knows and the subject of diet ever comes up - he can tell you how many carbs is in a biscuit. The holidays have sort of been free time, and I don't want his blood sugar to be out of control, but still nine little pounds on his tall frame makes a lot of difference. Plus, I think it's just muscle he's built up working outdoors so much.

Some little things:

COOPERATION

2011-12-29T18:41:00.000-08:00

I did not bribe them with tuna, salmon, fluffy mice or catnip... They just begged me to make their picture. I was making the bed and there they were, waiting...

And then, of course, I had to play with Photoshop... Watercolor

Cropped only - Lucy has both eyes open in this one.

WEARING PJs - A LOT

2011-12-28T18:10:00.000-08:00

I decided to get dressed early today since a couple of neighbors have caught me in pjs in the afternoon. In my defense, one lady is still working and the other is our aunt who "ran to town" on an errand and stopped by on her way home. Christmas night I just crashed and slept till mid-morning the next day. That day I did nothing and another good reason is that it rained all day long. Yesterday I took all the Christmas things down, carefully wrapped and packed all the ornaments, threw away the holly; Paul took the tree apart and all is back in the attic now.

Today is my youngest brother's birthday so I made him brownies to take to him this afternoon. Right now I should be - should be... those terrible words - washing sheets. It is sunny and I love sheets hung on the line. But wait... the line is down because they dug the trench under it for our field line. So no frozen fingers... I did wash the sheets. In a prior life I would have had to have that bed made back up, but there is tomorrow. I'm calling myself Scarlett again.

We did have a wonderful Christmas: Christmas Eve (pizza!) at Mike and Marsha's; breakfast at David and Sandra's. (Amy was so sick, though, and barely made it through, but by Christmas night was much better). We had dinner/supper at our house - chicken spaghetti, fresh green beans, corn pudding, desserts. Carol brought a big pot of chili. I was amazed how rested they seemed after their flight home from Hawaii just Christmas Eve! But then they are a good bit younger than we are... and slept fourteen hours. I have to brag on Oscar. He begged me to let him off the leash and he was good as gold with all the people around. Of course, no one looked at him directly or petted him, and he was happy to just be part of the crowd. Christmas evening Paul, Amy, Matt and I opened gifts before they went back to Memphis.

Highlights:

My help making a stocking for Amy.

All moving parts ready to go... and sew...

Forty-plus sayings when you mash this paw or that ear.

I know Morgan and Steven will love it. Tyler did!

Amy's "nap mat" from kindergarten that I used for a tree skirt.

Spinach/cheese pastry roll, before baking.

Tyler with Great Uncle Paul

Grandmommy and Granddaddy (brother Mike and sis-in-law Marsha) with Tyler.

Mama's picture behind Marsha.

Lapful of furry friends.

Matt with Marianna and Whitney, Christmas Breakfast, David & Sandra's.

Carol comforts Amy in the big easy chair. Maybe Carol was still a little sleepy...

Our house for afternoon Christmas dinner; Tommy, Paul, Aunt Ginny, Matt.

My old white china I've not used in years; Harmony House.

Christmas evening before Amy and Matt went back to Memphis.

He loved the housecoat Amy gave him. I'm wondering now if he took it off when they left...

Gift card. Paul took this and another he'd had "a couple of years" to Lowe's and bought a small chain saw for brush work.

Oscar was so good. And so tired.

These will go on the tree next year!

Sandra made each family an ornament.

Amy loved her bedside table.

She practically slept with her laptop in her bed, so maybe this will help.

Wonderful time with families. Thank You, Lord, for keeping us all safe and well. Thank You for Your Son Jesus, who makes Christmas what it is; help us keep it as it should be.

Thanks to everyone for all the cards and family pictures!

Happy New Year, in case I don't show up here again till next year!

MAKING A LIST, CHECKING IT TWICE...

2011-12-22T19:16:00.000-08:00

Pecan pie. Check.
Brownies. Check.
Vacuumed. Check.
Bathed Oscar. Check.
Nap.

I said, nap.

Nope - never got there, but spent the rainy afternoon channel surfing movie channels on TV. We have it free for three months. From what I've already seen, I would not pay to have it all the time.

I thought I'd clean the old stuff out of the DVR and accidentally deleted every good movie I'd recorded! Including The Lord of the Rings trilogy. And some other things. And now I can barely remember. So I guess I'm not too upset.

Found out some more cousins (Paul's) on his grandmother's side. One of my FB friend's grandfather was his grandmother's brother.

Tomorrow: Grocery shopping. Amy coming home tomorrow night I think. She will have three days off unless one of the other homes calls her.

So thankful I have time to space out my errands and cooking/baking. (One of my neighbors - same one who brought us the lemon cake - brought us a cinnamon cake today! And she's still working! And I was still in my PJ's. I told her every time she came I was a mess. She looked so festive in her red and green Christmas top and earrings, and there I was in my pink PJ's.

Tomorrow is mine and Paul's 43rd anniversary. We married in the church we attend now. I sit there sometimes and imagine us two starting out from that altar... How can it be such a short time ago?

Merry Christmas, everyone... Have had so many wonderful cards from old friends -seems a little strange that we won't be leaving here to "go home." But we are home. And our Wynne folks will always be "home" in our hearts. We love you all, near and far.

God is good all the time. All the time God is good.

GOLDEN GIRLS

2011-12-20T17:56:00.000-08:00

Best lunch today with some classmates! I think we all look pretty good to be 60+. Had a wonderful time, mostly laughing. Left to right: Fredda, the Iuka librarian; she recently married a guy from Paul's class (that's four of us '66-'68 couples I know of). We're in the 20th Century Club together; she's been a member for many years. Brenda R (pink) lives in Birmingham and is here for Christmas visiting family. She and I could talk for hours about our babies Precious, her little poodle, and Oscar. Brenda W (purple sweater) is like my sister - we've been VBFs for nearly 50 years! If walls could talk! Charlotte (white sweater) said she knew she would learn a lot today! She is Brenda W's husband's first cousin, graduated from another high school in the county, but is from Iuka and moved back to Iuka a few years ago. We're in Sunday School and go to Bible studies together, and sometimes movies... Somehow she is related to Paul's family on his mother's side. And me, on the far right.

We talked about everything from talking fast, to hearing fast, or not hearing fast, haircuts, retirements, cataracts, junior college classes and teachers, riding the bus to Northeast. The years just dropped away and we were kids again, but with a little more wisdom, a little less self-consciousness, and the ability to laugh at ourselves. Hope we can do this again soon. There are others who might be able to come next time. Facebook is a good way to spread the word about a good party!

I GO THROUGH A DOOR AND...

2011-12-19T20:04:00.000-08:00

It's true what they say about going through doors - it causes you to forget. I sometimes go from one room to another wondering why I am wandering around. I do find things to do in each room and usually end up carrying things from one end of the house to the other! For so many years I had to remember so many things at once. Paul wondered what it would feel like to be retired. "Mindless," I told him. It sometimes is pretty much true.

I'm not looking back at what I've written about. So since I wrote I think we've had the Christmas party at Carrington House where Mama Nick is. If so, the memory is still wonderful and I write about it again. There was entertainment by a lady who was singing when we left over 40 years ago (I bet she's tired); dancing by an octogenarian; a great meal with loads of delicious food brought by family members. Mama Nick was up and able to eat at the table with us and other friends we've known for years - Harold was married to my cousin Diane who died three years ago this month. His sister is Mama Nick's next-door neighbor. Tommy and Carol came. I know Mama Nick was glad we were there; she was so tired sitting up though and soon wanted to be helped back to her room.

Tommy, Carol and family have arrived safely in Hawaii, their "surprise" destination. Carol planned it all; the rest of the family knew they were going somewhere and what sort of clothes to take, but not really sure about where. I think maybe at the end they had it figured out. Tommy texted me this morning and said they must be going there because they were in Denver airport changing planes and at the Honolulu gate to board! They got there around 8:30 p.m. after traveling since 3:00 a.m. this morning. They are younger that we are and have teenagers. I hated to say anything about the jet lag coming back this way, so I didn't.

If things keep happening, our whole back yard will have been dug up. The men came today and trenched over 150 feet for new field line. They had to knock down a few trees to get the trencher in the woods, but it had to be done. It doesn't look bad. Another job for Paul: cutting up small trees and limbs. He said he'd probably need to get Mike to bring his chain saw again, a few were that big.

We took Aunt Ginny light-seeing tonight. One great light show was down a hilly gravel road (about like a roller coaster in the dark) but at the top of the hill - lights synchronized with a radio station where the homeowner told where to turn, how long the show would be, (not sure how they do that)Thousands of lights synchronized with Christmas music and boy did they blink! I couldn't look at the whole show - too strobey for me, but it was neat and the people who did it must have fun putting it together. As Aunt Ginny said, "You had to be going there to get there!" We had directions from Brenda.

Looking toward Christmas weekend, today I started cleaning house and made some more cookies. Tomorrow, lunch with Brenda and maybe a few others from our class. She and I try to have a Christmas lunch every year. How neat to be able to just drive to town this time on "just a weekday." Some years we would squeeze the hour or so in between being at my family's and Paul's.

Of course I miss my Buds in Arkansas. I talked to Becky this evening about old times, old friends, her family, mine, how we don't miss work. Carolyn, Norma and I were in touch by email this week. I know Wesley and his wife are expecting another baby. Ruby's dad passed away and her husband had surgery last week. Had a card from our dispatcher who retired on disability not long after I left. He always called me "Sister." Great encourager. Another Carolyn is getting ready to retire - the cashier I relieved practically the last year I worked. Many more cards from friends in Arkansas, people who retired years before I did, my wonderful lady who helped with housework for years.

Another year. Another year of blessings, surprises, more friends, more relatives, more fun, more peace. I pray it would be so for everyone.

Sitting here, I didn't even go through a real door - I just meandered around here in this writing room.

Holly from Aunt Ginny's abundant holly bushes.

SHER'S JACKET

2011-12-16T13:47:00.000-08:00

When I was at sister Sher's last fall, she and I shopped at Quilting by the Bay in Panama City. That's one of our routine stops. (We always, always miss the turn off the highway, see it too late, and come back around the block to it... Just by now another of our routines.) She and I found a cute jacket pattern and decided to make (I would make) jackets - so I made hers for Christmas, and she got me a new pair of spring-action Fiskars pinking shears.

Leaving my machine up; moved ironing board and iron in my work room. Next project: cushion covers. Then some prints for two old frames for the bedroom... But I digress...

I finished her jacket today. It's an individual's rendering, not Simplicity or McCall's, and in a nice package, with one sheet of directions. After all, it only had four pieces, including the two sleeves. I'm out of practice. But it's done, done, and done. It will be longer on her - I'm four inches taller than she is. I didn't put cuffs on it (she said if I could) because of the bell-shape of the sleeves. It's one of the "swing" jackets, made of batik. (Probably needs gently dry cleaned if it comes to that. For sure not dried in dryer.) It reminded us of sea shells. After I had it nearly finished I realized some of the pattern is hearts and butterflies, and they are upside down, but it isn't noticeable. Nice thing about batik. I'm mailing it to her tomorrow so she maybe can wear it for her Winter Solstice event. It also reminds me of clouds over the moon.

Our group didn't have birthday cake at the nursing home today; there was a mix-up in the scheduling - new staff. Rescheduled for January.

Tomorrow I plan to make sausage balls for the Carrington House party tomorrow night.

I'm glad I only have one big thing to think of at a time... What is it next week? Oh, lunch with Bren and Charlotte. And grocery shopping.

THEN WE DID SOME OTHER THINGS

2011-12-14T20:04:00.000-08:00

Saturday Paul and I left with others on the church bus going to Memphis to see the Singing Christmas Tree, which he had never seen and which I'd last seen 20 years ago. It was a fun trip with 20 people going, one teenage girl with her grandmother, but all the rest of us seniors, including an 88-year young senior! Our bus driver had done commercial bus driving for a living, so he was in good practice and did a great job. He and my Aunt Shirley went to school together until sixth grade and that's along about the time Goobie (grandma), Papa (grandpa), Shirley and Mama moved to Memphis. I think Uncle Charles had already been in the Navy by then. Anyway, Berlon wondered what had happened to little red-haired Shirley and asked if I had any pictures. Of course, I did and Sunday morning I took him some copies of ones that Goobie had gotten from Shirley over the years. I was sorry I didn't have any real recent ones. Berlon said he thought he had some of our family in his pictures, too, and would share with me.

Berlon is not someone we just met either - he and his wife owned and operated the motel across from the house where Paul and his family used to live. His son and Tommy had the exact same birthdays - month, day, year. He had great memories of Daddy Nick and some of the things they used to do together.

We ate at Picadilly's in Germantown before the performance at Bellevue. Excellent performance, music, and the Christmas message. It lasted a little over two hours. We got home between 7 and 8, but worried about Oscar not going outside all day. He was fine though and I didn't find any accidents. We didn't stop for anything to eat on the way home, which was probably good because we were gone at least eleven hours. That's a long time for a little pup to stand with his legs crossed.

I went to Sunday School and church but Paul had a sore throat. When I left church (they were having potluck after service, but I didn't stay since Paul was sick), just as I turned to go by and see Mama Nick, I began to have a migraine - the light aura. I suppose the Christmas lights, stages lights, almost strobe-like, from Saturday night had caught up with me. I went directly home, took medicine, went to bed and slept for three hours. Our adult Cantata was Sunday night, and we missed that as well.

Since the parade night (December 2) I've had sinus problems, too, what with the cold, scents (candle, potpourri), which may have also contributed to the migraine; so Monday after Women on Mission meeting I went to see Dr. Ben. I had no infection, and my teeth weren't sensitive when he pressed on them. This sinus pain happens just about every winter. Teeth sensitive to cold, nose sensitive to cold, skin sensitive to cold. By yesterday morning, though, I was better from that. But my blood pressure was elevated and Dr. Ben suggested I switch times I take my blood pressure medicine. I did yesterday (took it in the morning) and all day felt so tired, and heart skipping. I've taken my bp several times today and although it was a little high, nothing like it was in the doctor's office. So I've switched back to take it at night. I also got a pneumonia vaccine.

I wasn't sure I'd make it to Red Hat club lunch on Tuesday, but one of the ladies in church dreamed about me Sunday night and wondered if anyone had asked me (Jo had). Paul said I should go on. I did feel better yesterday so I went. I'm so glad I did! One of the members "won" Elvis at some other event, a door prize I think; so she shared her prize - his talent - with all of the ladies in Red Hat. The man who impersonated Elvis did a great job! Jack (?) Curtis lives in Tupelo (think of that) and he does a professional performance. He also does other country music singers (gave us a sample of Willie Nelson - spot on), and gospel singing. (I got to "sing" with him! ha and... gave him a peck on the cheek - and got one back! He had all us "mature ladies" swooning.There were almost 30 ladies there; lots of fun, laughter, good food. I plan to try to be a regular member. Dues are $5 a year, January to January, so I'm at the right time.

I had no idea I would add one more thing to my growing list of things to do, go to, enjoy. And I do enjoy them - I've met so many great folks - women and men - ran into another classmate at Walmart the other day. Love it, love it - so thankful, so blessed.

Today the DirecTV installer came and installed a cable, split, whatever he does, for a TV in the bedroom. Told Paul we could watch the Tonight Show again, since we don't have to work the next day, and the next.... Just something about a TV in the room. I do love the silence, the quietness of the woods around us, no traffic sounds, just occasional cars, the trucks from the county road department on the other side of the lane, the mail-lady, the school bus, the garbage truck on Tuesdays. All sort of white noise. But just a Boomer thing - TV - background noise, color and movement in the room. Like a stationary pet? Oscar, Lucy and Tommy provide noise, color and movement at times, especially in the mornings when everyone is getting up, at feeding time, and when one wants the already occupied spot in my lap.

Tomorrow I plan to take a ride with Aunt Ginny (!), to go get freshly made country sausage. Someone near Tishomingo makes it when the weather is right and they can "get pigs." She said, "You thought we were going to the boonies when we went to get the cutlery; just wait till you see where we're going tomorrow!"

Then I have a beauty shop appointment.

Then I need to start making my sister's Christmas gift, promised to her for Christmas when I was there in October.

Then... Well, Friday, help serve cake at one of the nursing homes. Saturday, potluck at the home where Mama Nick is...

I have already marked out all next week. I don't plan to do anything except buy groceries and get ready for Christmas dinner. I think brother Steve is planning to come. Mike and his family have extended family this year - a new baby (Morgan and Steven), a new daughter-in-law (Benjamin and Heather), and Marsha's family in Alabama. People going every direction. I'll check with Sandra to see if I can take anything for Christmas Breakfast at her and David's...

And then... maybe I can watch old movies on TV in the bedroom...

AROUND TOWN; DOWN THE LANE

2011-12-09T10:56:00.000-08:00

Early this morning I took Oscar to be groomed; he was very reluctant for me to leave him. In fact, he was shivering. Usually he goes right along with the groomer and is fine afer I leave. I didn't get a call so I'm sure everything is okay. This morning before we left he actually howled - something I've never heard him do before. Come to think of it, it is medicine day... Poor baby. It's usually in the afternoon when I give it to him anyway, so he'll be ready for it. I give it every other day for arthritis in his knee. The way my sinuses are feeling this morning, I'd howl, too, if I thought it would help.

When I got back home there were two trucks in the drive and I called Paul (at the coffee shop) and he said they were there to see about the septic tank, which has bubbled over. I'd been hearing "glubs" in the toilet tank and bowl but had not seen any actual bubbling up, but something was going on. So the two men were there to dig and will pump the tank out. I'm sure it has never been done before and Paul and I used more water than Mama Nick did. After 32 years I'm sure it's plumb full. Aunt Ginny said there is something (not Rid-X, although we do that once a month) you can put in every six month to make it work better. Uncle Wendell took care of theirs and their church's. On December 21 last year we had a new sewer line at the Wynne house; this year looks like Santa will be working in the back yard at the septic tank.

The frost was so heavy, sparkly and pretty this morning as I took O to Animal's Choice, and I had my little camera. Some scenes along the way, ending with our house (white/buff) in the pines at the end of the "lane."

I think this is an old church building; north of the park.

Remodeling, overlooking Mineral Springs Park.

One of the arches at the park; decorated by 20th Century Club members. To the right is the old Youth Center.

Barn on Harmony Road.

Beginning of he lane between Harmony Road and our road. We call it that - The Lane. It's a little over half a mile long and has small hills; a spring goal: walk it.

Old uninhabited house on The Lane. It's the house on the left above, barely visible through the trees, on the "corner."

Pond on The Lane.

Our house at the crossroads, end of The Lane.

ANOTHER BIRTHDAY

2011-12-08T17:55:00.000-08:00

HAPPY 7TH BIRTHDAY, OSCAR!!

Tomorrow is doggie spa day - he has gotten so shaggy, looks cute though. I don't want a lot cut - just neatened up. Too cold for a short cut. His arthritis medicine is due, as well as flea/tick, and heartworm. Happy Birthday, O!! You know your mommy and daddy love you!

Aunt Ginny and I got our chairs from the upholsterer today. This is mine! I love it! There was quite a lot of fabric left and I covered the old dresser bench. I'll have enough for at least one cushion for this room, too - my "play room." Hers is very pretty, too; a pale shade of rose pink almost the shade as her old one she has had for years and loves. Burnsville's Fabrics and More is a great place to go for upholstery fabric.

Paul went with Aunt Ginny to Florence to get her new glasses today. I went to book club; it was the Christmas party and we got our 2012 book list. I've read three of the books; the first one on the list is "The Crucible," a play by Arthur Miller, which I have not read. Poisonwood Bible is next September's. Of course, that would be one of the books I finally let go of... But Fredda does such a good job rounding up enough copies in advance for everyone to have a book to read. Lovely Bones is another I've read. Shelby Foote has one in there - April's is September, September. Looks like a well-rounded list. Lots of fun, and a great leader (Betty McKee), too. She loves history and books and makes the characters come to life.

O CHRISTMAS TREE!

2011-12-07T13:39:00.000-08:00

For once in many a year we have the tree up, lit and shining, early in the month!

Big Bird is leading Christmas carols. Kermit is peaking out; Amy said she had Miss Piggy but I don't recall seeing her in any of the boxes.

Lollipop effect. I almost gave myself a migraine playing with the camera and lights!

It snowed this morning. It has all melted.

Our Tree Topper - we've had "Jazzy Angel" since Amy was a little girl. Her halo of lights blinks on and off.

Tribute to Willie Wiredhand who helped make it possible for me to decorate the Christmas tree practically without frustration; as well as many other things.

I knew Lucy would find the tree eventually, but she hasn't bothered the decortions - yet. Mama made the blue and white cat with the curly tail.

Yesterday Paul and I went to Homestead for the Young at Heart Christmas party. Bobbie Counce (standing) sang; she has a beautiful voice and a beautiful story about her family of sisters being reunited several years ago.

Becky Walker (with mic) and Sue Kirby. Becky married Earl (Paul's class); I remember Sue from many years ago before we moved away from Iuka. Something about Sue reminds me of Teri; of course, Teri's mold was broken but still... Fun-loving, petite, blond, friendly. Becky was one of the first people to visit us when we came back home; she brought us a lemon pound cake and invited us to church.

Last night I attended my first 20th Century Club meeting - Christmas Party - at Ruth Ellen's (who is moving! :( ); we had lots of wonderful food, games, visiting, laughter. There are 14 in the club, a service club, one of a federation of women's clubs in Mississippi, if I have that right - GFWC - General Federation of Women's Clubs. Terrie Whitehurst, who was in Sherron's class, is the president. Some have been members over 50 years, and I'm the little newbie. An honor to be asked and "try" to follow in such foot steps of many women I've admired over my life - some of my high school teachers, one of my classmates, another's mother. Very humbling. They're very active - I hope I can keep up. Imagine all "Z" Oaks has done in 50+years... (She loved my cookies!)

I've been working on this several hours today, b/f between here and the kitchen, making cookies for library book club meeting tomorrow. I think we get our new list of books for 2012.

God is good all the time. All the time God is good.

FOUR, THREE, TWO

2011-12-04T18:56:00.000-08:00

When do the days of Christmas begin the countdown?

Today is Amy's birthday. Paul and I went to Memphis to take her to lunch and take her a birthday gift. I told her about this time (12:30 p.m.) 38 years ago I was counting her little fingers and toes. There is not another feeling like it - unless you have other fingers and toes to count, which we didn't. So hers were extra special and I'll never forget what that felt like. No mother does, I'm sure.

We had a good lunch at the Sidecar Cafe once again, but this time the service was fast. Amy had brought me and Paul two Christmas stockings with ornaments in them - little pet frames (I'll put Oscar, Lucy and Tommy's pictures in them) and three little ornament dolls representing her, me and Paul - the whole family. Sweet. And I can use the stockings on the mantel to see if Santa will leave anything in a few weeks!

It rained on us from about Highway 385 on to Germantown and same coming back. We stopped in Corinth and got a pre-lit Christmas tree at Walmart, plus some ornaments since we don't know where our tree is. Later on the way home I told Paul I remembered the tree from last year (Amy's) was in the box it came in at the foot of Mama Nick's bed for a long time. After that, I don't know what we did with it.

Yesterday I helped with the kids' Christmas party at the library. Fredda had it so well organized and it went great. There were kids and parents lined up to get in when I got there around 8:30. She said last year they had about 150; I think there were more this year. My game station was finding Santa's reindeer. Each child got a sheet of paper with pictures of the nine reindeer and then had to find matching pictures with numbers, write the number beside it's match, and return the sheet to me. Then their prize was a little bottle of bubbles. The sign said "Ages 7-12" but a lot of parents joined in the fun and helped wee ones. Great way to let children use the library or see it for the first time. Many Friends of the Library volunteers. Great Santa, too - I didn't even realize who it was till Paul told me - one of the men from the men's breakfast who left early to fulfill his Santa "helper" duties!

Friday night Paul and I went to the old Courthouse Museum to wait for the parade with Brenda, Cindy, Austin, Andrew and others, which turns south just past the courthouse, down by Mineral Springs Park, for judging. Naturally, I didn't get good night pictures, but some turned out okay. We met the son of one of Paul's classmates (nephew of one of mine). To think of Terry with grandkids! Like Rip Van Winkle - you move away, you move back, other people have gotten "old" or "mature" and you wonder how it happened these kids have grandkids! When the parade was within sight of the courthouse the kids rang the enclosed brass bell which still hangs inside, and rang it again when it was over. Great tradition! I asked Bren wonder how long it had been since we'd seen a parade together?

Looks as if Santa's reindeer have run amok... Car and street lights as we drove east on 72.

Old Tishomingo Courthouse Museum entrance. Paul...

On display at the museum.

Upstairs in the old court room. Paul and Dustin Lambert. The old coal stove is one from Oldham Baptist Church. May be the very one I remember warming to on Sunday mornings. Herbert Robinson faithfully started the fire before we got there on winter mornings.

On display at the museum...Sitting on the steps leading up to the court room. Very Best Friends since high school.

Bren and her oldest grandson Austin whose birthday it was Friday. He was 14 and is at least 6 feet tall already! This old safe weighs over a ton. The tall door behind Bren was from the old McDonald home which used to be located near our old high school.

Ring the bell! The parade has begun! Andrew, Bren's second grandson and Terry's granddaughters.The bell was also rung in the old days when a jury had reached its verdict.

One of the better night pictures, have no idea what the camera setting was. Just lots of lights on this float, I guess. Music was from Beverly Hillbillies; Granny looked like Granny!

One of the antique tractors. Alas, not Jim or David's (Bren's husband and son). My battery went kaput just after this. Alex, the youngest grandson rode with his dad. Most were antique John Deere. The boys love the JDs!

So those have been my last three days. This week is already booked except for tomorrow and I need to put that tree up, get some of my old ornaments from the attic, return the wrong window candles (cords and I meant to get battery-powered), figure out finger foods for two different occasions this week, deliver a plant to Mama Nick (a beautiful pink Christmas cactus for her room), do laundry and clean the bathrooms, make Sher's Christmas gift. At this moment those are the most pressing things. Tomorrow it'll be something else. I'm just thankful I have the time, health and enough energy to do them. I've loved it all. It's been fun having time to have fun.

Tomorrow is Five - but that's another day, Scarlett.

HOT CHOCOLATE

2011-11-30T19:11:00.000-08:00

Trip to the dentist went.... okay... It was a lower tooth and just a little place below a crown this time. I was near to having a panic attack. Oxygen? Okay, maybe a little. No... the little mask made me feel claustrophobic. I didn't panic though.I remained calm and quiet, but that little duck was sure paddling under the water! Dr. G knew I wasn't comfortable. My jaw just didn't get completely numb and although the anesthetic was a type that would not cause problems with my glaucoma, I still think it was systemic. Had to have two shots, too. I think part of it is just gettin' old. I don't like being flat on my back, with needles and drills in my mouth. (The doctor and assistant were wonderful - couldn't ask for better or more caring. It was totally me.) BTW, did you know if you take one aspirin the numbness will clear up faster?) I told Dr. G I would probably take "something" if I had to have another filling, which I hope I do not ever. Maybe I'll even try the gas, which always made me think I would be completely loopy, but which evidently does work well for a lot of people. I'm sure it wouldn't take much for me to spin out like a balloon let loose. I will try to keep that little sliver of a filling intact!

Once that was over, Paul and I went to Lowe's and Walmart. Got all that done. Then we stopped at Shell for coffee (him) and my coupon redemption for a cuppa hot chocolate. It was sooo good.

At home we unloaded everything, ate lunch, loaded up my chair and roll of fabric, went to Aunt Ginny's and loaded hers. (I told Paul we are getting to the point we need someone to help us!) Errands around town: delivered the chairs. (Paul went to school at Northeast with the upholsterer's brother...) Stopped at the computer store and they are ordering a new battery for the laptop. (Don't keep it plugged in when not in use. Other side of that question is, how do you charge it up? Anyway, it can be over-charged. But that battery is over two years old.) Mailed a package to Sher (had to be weighed); bought stamps. Went by the library and returned Rin Tin Tin; Fredda said be at the library about 8:30 Saturday morning. Last year they had about 150 kids. Wear red and a Christmas Santa hat if I have one. I don't. So they provide them. HOHOHO!

When we got home, we both took naps. Why is it I sleep so much better in the afternoon than I do at night? Maybe it's because the radio is on All. Night. Long. But after 43 years, I am half-way used to it. It used to go off on a timer. The sattelite radio never goes off, unless sometime during the night or wee morning hours I tell Paul to turn it off! But the nap was good.

Then I talked to Sher as I usually do as she drives home from work. She had been to the gym and yoga also; I think both. Supper was pretty simple: broccoli, baked potato, chicken cordon bleu (Sam's). Paul and I both talked to Amy and she's pretty sure she has tendonitis in both - both! - elbows. Poor girl - it's from all that body lifting - other peoples' bodies - and caskets. She loves her work; it takes a strong woman to do it, and she is strong; I just hope it isn't a severe or long-term repetitive/strain injury. Paul told here we were coming to take her out for her birthday lunch Sunday.

I'm sure I'm missing all the Christmas cartoon shows on TV. Why do they show them so early? But I have "Christmas Story" and "It's a Wonderful Life" on DVD. I also taped "Miracle on 34th Street" on Thanksgiving day.

Saving those for another cup of hot chocolate...

EARLY SNOW

2011-11-29T18:43:00.000-08:00

It was forecast and it arrived early this morning. Although it came down in big wet flakes several times and filled up shady areas, it didn't stay around long.

Aunt Ginny called and asked if I wanted to go to Burnsville with her to return some upholstery fabric and see what else they had suitable. Fabrics and More is a huge warehouse of a store with inexpensive fabric. Good fabric. Rolls and rolls of it. Not the warmest place in winter nor the coolest in summer, but today seemed about right. She found her material to cover a chair she's had for years and loves - a small rocker/recliner. And I found a piece that just caught my eye and I just knew... I had already decided to use another piece I had on a side chair that had been Paul's grandmother's; Sher and I talked about it when she was here and it was just right. But this is - like lollipops and happiness and will be great in my odd little room. The orange floral - it's probably been on this chair 40+ years. I think I'll ask the upholsterer to save the big pieces. Sure, and I need to stash those pieces somewhere so someone can find them in another 40 years and wonder why they were kept... So? It'll be okay. The fabric for the chair cost $16.02. Not sure what the man charges to do the work, but reasonable. There is also a dresser seat I'll cover with this if there's enough left and there should be - the chart said it'd take 3 yards and there was 3 3/4 there. Wish I could paint this room, but that's a huge project for another time. It may never get done because I for sure can't/won't move all this stuff in here again!

Tomorrow I have another filling done in Corinth; Paul is going with me. We'll go to Lowe's to return the light globe we didn't need after the light bulbs improved the lighting. I asked Aunt G if she needed anything from Walmart (Supercenter) and she asked for 2 bags of frozen 20-ct Pillsbury Southern Style Biscuits. She bakes a biscuit every morning for breakfast. I buy our cheeses there because it's cheaper and since Paul is going with me, I won't mind going there as much.

After tomorrow the holiday schedule of events will pick up considerably. Thursday night is our Sunday School class party; Friday night - the Christmas parade. I haven't seen an Iuka Christmas parade in nearly a half century! Wow! Amazing to even think that! Bren's husband Jim drives his antique tractor in it along with other of his club members. She and I (and Paul) will meet at the old courthouse museum and serve hot chocolate and cookies; we'll also be able to go up into the old court room and see about half the town from there. I'm sure Jay Bird Park gazebo will be lit as well as Mineral Springs Park with all its sidewalks and walkways lined with lights. Love it!

Saturday I plan to help with the kids' Christmas party at the library. I have Christmas cupcakes to make; I think I'll make an easy version of the Snickers ones, just regular cake mix and poke a little Snicker into the middle. No fancy frosting - just white with sprinkles. The party lasts a couple of hours so I'll stay and try to be of help.

Sunday is Amy's birthday and Paul said let's go take her out for lunch. It's her weekend to work, but she has to eat.

These last couple of days have been luxurious to just sit back and let the weather happen, not really having to get out; grazing on crunchy snacks, watching History channel or old movies, finishing a book (Rin Tin Tin - really good!).

Only one thing to "deal with" for now - I think it's the battery on the laptop. Kaput. It won't hold a charge and goes dead when it's unplugged. So it goes to town with us tomorrow along with my and Aunt G's chairs.

Listening to the soundtrack from "As Good As It Gets" - one of my favorite movies. Sort of melancholic, but skippy/happy music, dips and lilts. I'm sure there's a musical name for it, but I don't know it. I just like it.

JUST THE KINDA DAY...

2011-11-28T11:00:00.000-08:00

I told Aunt Ginny earlier that this is the kind of day I longed for when I was working: stay in my jammies till the notion struck me to do otherwise, read, doze, TV noise background. A day with just enough ice on the truck to excuse myself from any traveling. So soon after Thanksgiving, though, I hope it isn't a forecast of a bad winter.

Saturday I went to see Steve, our youngest brother, and his horses. The cold front was drifting in and the wind was getting a little cooler. We had a good long visit, I showed him old pictures of him and Mike on their shiny red bicycles from around 1970 and promised to make copies of the ones he wanted. Picked up the picture order from before my trip to Sher's, 40 year-old+ negatives. I left him one of the two of them together, or I'd have it here. I've made the copies and may just mail them to him. Since the Oldham Bridge is closed for replacement (a sad day) and the railroad doesn't get in a hurry about such things, this would be much easier than taking the long way around. But even that isn't too bad - around Snowdown Road to Riner's Ridge and then to Oldham. But I want him to have them sooner than I'll be going back...

Steve with Misty (tan), Pete (roan) and Rocky (dog). Steve has really enjoyed feeding, petting and riding (or trying when they aren't spooky!). He takes a lot of time with them and they're good for him.

And then there are these black and white memories, my class of '66 Junior/Senior Banquet - we were Juniors, so this was 1965. Left to right, Sue, Joan, Shirley, DeAnna, Donna, Brenda.

Last night at church, each family placed an ornament on the sanctuary Christmas tree. Simple, sweet, quiet service with music, lighting candles, prayers and being together. I took a Pray Pottery cross I had. After service I spoke to a classmate Ann Rhodes Bishop whom I'd not seen in several years, probably since a reunion we both attended. Cute as ever. I also saw Sheila Hooker Thorne, a year or two younger than me, with her husband David. He's a Thorne relative, not direct, but something like grandfathers were cousins or such.

Tomorrow is Mama's birthday. She would have been 83. I can just hear her, "How did I get to be this old?" Well, Mama, now I'm asking the same question. I miss you so much. I especially missed you last night at church thinking how good it would have been to be able to go see you before we went home, or to have spent the Sunday afternoon with you. No need to hurry and pack or scurry off to see someone else before we left. You would be very proud of your kids. We are all well, I'd say content, safe, wrapped in that prayer you prayed for us all when you were in the hospital. I'm amazed more each time I think of it, how, so near Heaven's Gate you were, you lifted all your precious family to God, asking for His blessing and care for us. I would say He has answered your prayers.

LOVE YOU FOREVER

2011-11-24T19:44:00.000-08:00

Wonderful Thanksgiving at Aunt Ginny's house. So glad Amy was home, just wasn't long enough! She has to work tomorrow and then is off the weekend... So it goes. We were glad Mama Nick felt like being with us. It reminded me so much of the little book by the title Love You Forever.

We were all stuffed and after I came home with Paul and Amy and she packed up to go home, I went back to Aunt Ginny's to help her clean up. Really all I did was bring my dishes back home; she said she handwashes her china and crystal, which is smart and which I would do also if I ever used real china and crystal!

Somehow the cousins got on the topic of quantum physics - I think I asked if any of them knew the correct term for the repetitive patterns that go on infinitum, and if Marianna knew how long the DVDs of "Lord of the Rings" are (I asked to borrow sometime) - I'm not sure if anyone ever said, although some of the "uncut" movies are 4 hours long - but we laughed and joked about QP and parallel universes and the invented language of J.R.R. Tolkien. If there is another "me" out there somewhere, I hope she is as blessed as I am! I am here and now and this is just where I want to be - with fewer visits from Arthur. Thank You, Lord.

GETTING READY FOR FAMILY & FEASTING

2011-11-23T13:18:00.000-08:00

Aunt Ginny delegated Thanksgiving dishes to the nieces-in-law this year. Mine are sweet potato/apple/walnut casserole, with brown sugar, cinnamon and butter (a whole stick!), creamed potatoes, LeSeur peas for one of the nieces, cranberry sauce. I just told Paul I was through with preparation, but there are creamed potatoes to make in the morning. Surely that won't be difficult. Maybe I can manage that without burning them. I've burned my dish this week: pinto beans. Either I am losing it or I am just not used to my new stove. I prefer the latter. At least I know what kind of beans I burned. I do have to bake the sweet potatoes so the apples will cook. Deviled eggs are done. Why do chunks of white come off when you peel them? Most of the time I have good luck with that; I even resorted to reheating them and then peeling them. That seemed to help. I made the date/peanut butter goodies yesterday. (I took them to church the other night and Paul overheard someone say they were prunes, so they passed over them.) I may make a loaf of homemade bread in the morning in my breadmaker. It depends on how my neck is. I'm wearing a Thermacare on it today. Damp, cool weather.

I ordered some beeswax candles for Christmas, votives, one small pillar and two tapers. I was inspired by a magazine picture of crystal vases as a centerpiece and thought the candles would look nice in them. They're practically odorless and long-burning. Not cheap, but I won't use them all at once.

We have to find the boxes of Christmas stuff - tree and what ornaments Amy had. I think mine are in the attic; I think I threw a lot away - some of the old red balls, not the homemade ones. I want to have the flamingo strand of lights on it like last year. The ones someone left on the curb in front of Amy's...

Amy had a tire mishap this morning on the interstate - one of her tires blew out! She's okay, but had to buy a new tire. T-DOT helped her out. Thanks, T-DOT! (Tennessee Department of Transportation) She plans to come home tonight to prevent such hurry and trying to get here by 1:00 tomorrow. I don't have a thing cooked except one sweet potato that wouldn't fit in the casserole dish. Maybe I should go put on another pot of beans...

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Be safe, have fun, enjoy family, football, food and naps!

OUTSIDE - INSIDE

2011-11-21T20:32:00.000-08:00

Dirt work is finished for the garage/workshop. Now Paul is waiting for the foundation to be poured.

Pushing up stumps and roots.

Huge roots.

Paul will use the big mound of topsoil to fill in low places and mole tunnels...

Ready, leveled and waiting. Good ol' red clay dirt.

One of my projects this past week: dusted the whole house. It took all day and I didn't even get to the office. I couldn't get to the office. (Tonight it is much more straight. I put another steel shelf unit by the old entertainment center. Yes, it's wall-to-wall. Now the organizing and discarding, donating begins. Again. I told Sher I think my hobby is just creating vignettes and arranging things. I always have an excuse for not doing something with all these crafts! Julia Cameron's book How to Avoid Making Art) All the pictures over the sofa are Iuka scenes I had over the "fireplace" (gas insert) in Wynne. The big lamp is one of two of Amy's, and the yellow mums were some I found in a box of Mama's things. Sher gave me the small area rug. Eclectic. Home. Love it.

I moved this old dresser to the bathroom. It was in the office and I really wanted to use it for a sewing table, but I have another place for the machine. The shelving unit took its place in the office. Both bathrooms are narrow, but since we each use one, this suits the space just fine. We're not running over each other.

Thursday we're looking for Amy home for the day to be with everyone at Aunt Ginny's for Thanksgiving. Aunt G has delegated this year, as it should be, and makes it easier on everyone - especially her - she has done everything in the past. As she says, since she's turned 90 she believes she can make certain decisions. My dishes will be creamed and sweet potatoes, LeSeur Peas (for Jenni), and the cranberry sauce. I may make some deviled eggs; they were not even mentioned or thought of in the menu planning, but it's something we always had at Mama's. Also maybe some dates stuffed with peanut butter, rolled in regular sugar. Easy and good. It'll be great having everyone together again; I'm hoping Mama Nick will feel up to the trip of going to Aunt Ginny's.

Mama Nick asked Paul about the house and the work he's having done; I know she misses it. She said she wished she could see it. Maybe she can if she's up to it. I just don't want her to be upset because she can't be here, live here. It was pretty upsetting to her last Christmas when she came, before her last bad stroke. She hasn't walked in some time, but Tommy carried her to his car and gave her a ride around town recently. So sweet; made me think of the little book Love You Forever.

Next week is lining up to be very busy. Tuesday Aunt G and I are going to Muscle Shoals for her to buy new glasses and "poke around," if we want to. There is something every day after that I believe. Christmas parties - Sunday School - Young at Heart - 20th Century. December 10 the Y at H is going to Bellevue to the Singing Christmas Tree. That'll be fun - it's been 20 years since I've been and Paul hasn't ever.

Tomorrow I have to get Aunt G's cake plate back to her and maybe make those dates and boil some eggs. I have found that if I start early, it is much better and less stressful.

Finally, a couple of great black/white pictures Paul made in the early 1980's when he was taking a photography class at East Arkansas Community College (and processing the film - yes - film!)

David, Paul's brother; and their dad, Nick, sitting on the carport.

Amy thinking deep little-girl thoughts. I put this on Facebook today and she said she loved the barrette... The spots aren't tears, but where the picture had aged a little and the surface flecked away.

Paul did a great job; and he had beautiful subjects.

THANKSGIVING - COMMUNITY SERVICE

2011-11-16T13:45:00.000-08:00

Last night's community Thanksgiving service was wonderful! The more people I know, the more we go and are involved, the sweeter the fellowship becomes. Several churches participated in the services and we were especially blessed that Aunt Ginny was there as well as Paul's brother Tommy and his family. David and Sandra weren't able to attend - he had a meeting and couldn't be there. But - my cup surely "runneth over" that we have so many family members and family connections, on "his" side, or "my" side. Cousins, cousins of cousins...

We just barely got back from Memphis yesterday to get ready to go. My cardio check up was fine. I feel stronger and less "palpitational" than I have in a long time. (Not as many palpitations.) I can walk up the back steps without pulling myself up. ha I can walk up the driveway without being so breathless. I've lost weight, too.

We had lunch (Sidecae Cafe) with Amy and it was great food, though the service was slow. Paul, Amy and Aunt Ginny ate there last month when Paul took Aunt Ginny to her appointment. But so good seeing Amy, getting my hugs and kisses. She said she and Christie are still looking for a house to rent nearer where they work; Christie also works at Forrest Hill.

This afternoon a crew from the power company arrived to cut some trees that were under power lines and lo and behold one of Paul's classmates was one of the guys. (Their familiar uniforms are like a note from "home" - the same kind WECC guys had at one time, plus the caps, the way they wear their sunglasses on the caps, the hard hats - familiar - just good guys). If I'd known Eddie was one of them, I would have gone out to speak. But from my office window I just snapped a few pictures of this stage of the garage-building process and didn't recognize him. So I got Paul and Eddie unbeknownst to them. Eddie reminds me of a couple of the guys I used to work with - Carl and Teddy.

Can you believe it's already mid-afternoon? I think we'll finish the pizza for supper. This morning I finished backing up hundreds of pictures on my "Book" drive, and from my iPhone. I also started cleaning out the iPhone pictures, duplicates, fuzzies. It will get full after a while. I "need" to start back cleaning up this office, sorting through the box of clothes Sher brought me (that I'd given her sometime back - we swap back and forth), and finish emptying those last boxes from the horse shed.

Tomorrow I have to have the first of two fillings. Not big ol' huge ones, but still... It's been a while since I've had to have one, and these are really two replacements. May go to Lowe's to look for replacement light globe for an amber frosted one (fan kit) that just doesn't let much light through, and pick up a few things at Walmart, though that's the stop I most dread because of all the fluorescent lights, the bombardment of hollow noise (scanning beeps, etc.) and hugeness. I'm tempted to get a riding cart, like I did with Sher one night at the grocery store. My sciatica was bad and that's the only way I could go with her! I guess after the first time, the next time won't hurt my feelings so.

And... I was nominated and have been accepted into the GFWC-MFWC Iuka 20th Century Club. It's a volunteer organization and they do civic projects. I went to the 75th year anniversary reception recently and they have gorgeous scrapbooks. Looking back through them at all the familiar names and faces from when I was a young girl - some my high school teachers - thinking - what a legacy - what footsteps to follow. Very honored to be part of this. One of Sher's classmates is the current president.

I made a cairn from Cloverdale roadside rocks, from a recent trip back to the old place. Just saying: Who'da thunk it?

FOUR WEEKS

2011-11-14T15:06:00.000-08:00

I made my wonderful trip to Panama City for two weeks with Sherron and safely back home. I sure miss her.

She and I had one overnight at Driftwood Inn at Mexico Beach. The weather was great the whole time we were there and a day at seaside was perfect. I got some pretty good pictures; she had six 8x10's matted and framed (3 in each of 2 frames she already had). So I guess they were good. She told me to stop "qualifying" everything I say!

We went to see Aunt Margaret once together and twice JoAnn picked me up during the week to have lunch with her and visit.

I went to Sher's art group with her, we went to see a movie ("The Big Year"), she Bonnie and I went for Harvest Supper on the bay (the group of community gardeners, but open to the public), shopped, laughed, cooked; and I sewed for her - this time cushion covers for her outdoor furnitues - four big cushions, plus some bonuses thrown in - a small cushion cover, a clothespin bag and some kitchen towels. We went back to Quilting by the Bay - an annual event - for fabric.

Paul came for the weekend I came home; Sher had early Thanksgiving with Melanie, Kevin and Nate there, as well as Bonnie, her next-door neighbor.

I took my book club book Pillars of the Earth with me to read but didn't get very far in it. At the book club review back home, I made a silent vow to finish it, the review was so good. Then later I saw on one of the TV channels that the miniseries will be on beginning December 4! Sher went to Bonnie's sometime last year to see it because she didn't subscribe to the channel it was on. Now I suppose the distribution is to a wider audience.

I didn't unpack everything for almost two weeks and kept finding goodies I'd forgotten about: this morning it was a handful of coffee beans to put in one of the old dresser drawers (to take the musty smell out). Sher grinds her own coffee about two or three mornings a week, with steamed milk. I controlled myself and didn't buy a small coffee grinder. I have one cup every morning and it's easy to spoon in the grounds.

Paul and Mike went to Starkville Saturday evening - the ballgame (vs Alabama) was at 7 so it was after 1:00 a.m. when they got home. I'm glad Mike can go with him - traveling and football buddy.

So back to routine here and it's good to be home. Just about all the leaves have fallen and the woods are gray columns now. Tomorrow I have a routine check-up with cardio doctor. Paul is going with me. I hope we get back in time for the community Thanksgiving service and fellowship afterward. I'm learning names of people; yesterday I met a young(er) man from Oldham I haven't seen in probably 45 years. Frank is probably younger than Sher.

Amy may come home this weekend. I hope so. It's been a month at least since she was here. Then she's coming for Thanksgiving Day at Aunt Ginny's.

A few more boxes to unpack, more mementos, some I really would rather not put in the attic, but where? I can't put them all out. My Japanese teapot spout got broken (from Colby years ago), but of course I saved the pieces inside the pot thinking one day I'll superglue them together. (How many things did I and Mama and I - once a whole pottery lighthouse - glue back together, that Sher mailed from overseas! :) ) A 3-D puzzle.

Lucy is in my lap; it's almost 4:30; Oscar and I have had a short walk; the school bus has run; the big county road machinery is going back to the shop nearby (note: walk before 4:00!); it's almost time to make some supper.

Goes the day.

Sofa and chair cushion covers I made this year. Pillow covers, last year.

COMPANY COMING

2011-10-13T19:20:00.000-07:00

Sher is coming a day earlier than she first thought. Ben and Heather's wedding is at 4:00 Saturday and it would be pushing her to get here from Panama City same day. Amy texted me and said she will be here Saturday morning. Just happened to think: Jordan will sleep on the couch again, I guess. Just when you think two extra bedrooms is enough! ha

Paul has a cold or virus mostly likely - has had a chill since last night but has a temperature. No coughing or sniffles. I put an extra quilt on the bed, so I may be using one of the other bedrooms. I'm thinking he worked too hard in the cool fall air and burned too many little limbs and vines he has cleared out. Not likely he'll go to Starkville for the ballgame this Saturday.

Last night I worked at church in the kitchen helping serve food to to cast and other workers of the Final Destination revival presentation. I think I heard that 400 went through in groups of 35 maybe? When I left around 10:00 the kitchen was still "open" though Lynn was covering and storing food. We had planned to go tonight, but since the crowds have been so big, of course guests need to go through first, and Paul is sick, too.

I had my first ophthalmology appointment with a new doctor this morning in Corinth. He dilated my eyes; it was time for it; got some scans of optic nerves. Next time will do a field of vision test. Pressure in both eyes was 16, but he didn't do the second pressure check like Dr. Stank does and I didn't even think to ask him about it. I liked Dr. Wooten and his staff very much. It was cloudy when I left home, but sunny by the time I left his office, but I made it fine with my sunglasses and some old cataract sunglasses I had in the truck. Double shade.

The only stop I made was at Pet Sense for some Greenies for Oscar and big chew bones for Sally. They were out of his size in the bag and I got four of the individual ones; two medium sized bones and one large for Sal. (She made quick work of it, though - I should have gotten two of the large and a couple humongous - maybe dinosaur femurs!)

Oscar had a bad couple of days - first he got a haircut, which went fine - except he didn't want to keep his head still and the groomer miscut and therefore had to even things out. Well, he has no mustache. He has a pointy little face and big eyes. The very next day (yesterday) I discovered two small ticks near his eyes deep in that little pug his nose makes (second time this has happened) and I tried the hot match trick, but the one I could even see was apparently already dead. So I got the tweezers and tried to get it off him; got some, but could tell part of it was still in him. Just made it worse - how do you get something that tiny off a squirming dog? Called the vet and Paul took him at 4:00. An hour later, he came home with a limp dog; Oscar had had to be anesthetized. He wouldn't hold his head still - again. But Dr. Nunley got the things out and I'm to keep Neosporin on the places, plus give him antibiotic for 10 days. He was pretty funny waking up, shaky, wobbly, kept licking and moving his head back and forth probably seeing double, made me dizzy watching him, and shaking like he was wet, head to toe, over and over. Soooo.. The lesson here is - Oscar is a house dog. No more random running around in the yard. He was getting too big for his britches anyway and not coming when I called him, even with "bacon" bribes. We are still keeping him and Sal away from each other. I'm not sure if her ears pointed forward mean "I'm curious," or "I will eat you - you look small and rabbitty!" Oscar ignores her if they're far enough apart, but if they're near each other at the back door, they each try to eat through the glass from both sides. Not convenient to have to leash her each time he goes out, but for now... He's much more my baby again, too. It's as if being outdoors, he just lost his senses.

Since we've had a couple of slow rains, although short, the leaves are rapidly turning to beautiful colors and falling so fast I can hear them if I'm in the back yard. Aunt Ginny said she needed to put pine straw where her daylilies are planted to keep the grass down this spring. I would (we have plenty of pine straw) if I could remember where our daylilies are. I suppose I could look back at spring pictures and see... She is 90 years old. And I'm not. For shame.

I have mail to take to Mama Nick tomorrow, grocery shopping to do, make reservation at church for Singing Christmas Tree in December, finish cleaning the house. Paul has never been and it's been about 20 years since I have. (Why did I think a week was plenty long, on Monday? 'cause I wanted everything clean at one time.) There is still much to do in the office room, but it looks so much better. All cardboard boxes have been emptied, the last of the give-away books taken to the library, windows cleaned inside and out, storage shelves serving their purpose, bookcases filled to brimming, work table in the middle of the room - with nothing on it for a few minutes!

THE CAT IN THE TUB, THE DOG IN THE HOUSE, TREE STUMPS AND 20TH CENTURY SHOES TO FILL

2011-10-09T20:42:00.000-07:00

First the bad: I kept smelling this really acrid smell and finally found it - in the bathtub, under the nonskid mat I always rinse off. It was yellow and smelled to high heaven - I first noticed the odor a couple days ago but couldn't find the source. I think Tom-Tom peed in the tub. At least it was in the tub. Out went the bathmat, in went the Lysol. I'll have to see if TT follows up on his shenanigans. Wonder why he did that?

The good: a wonderful weekend. This has been a wonderful fall! Mike came yesterday, brought his 1961 Massey-Ferguson tractor and plow and tried to get stumps up where they had cut trees last week. He got a lot of roots dug up, but the trunk held firm. (Picture on Facebook; didn't have my big camera outside just then.) And he's been fighting a cold this week, too. We had hamburgers for lunch - in fact, same thing we had last week when he came! Maybe I should try for soup or chili.

Friday night Oscar kept us up half the night harumphing at dogs barking outside, or just outright barking. We could hear the dogs way off in the woods. Do guys still fox hunt or are these just werewolves? Yesterday morning we had acquired one of the dogs, or A Dog. We could not run it off. She persisted in being sweet-faced and had that little high-pitched "won't somebody love me" whine. Beautiful dog, fairly young, I'd say. I think a mix between German Shepherd and lab. Of course, Oscar had a meltdown. He had been feeling his oats by not coming when I called him anyway, so he was in the (dog) house most of the day yesterday. When we did got out (leashed) we saw very quickly these two would take some time establishing pack leader. (But I thought I was the pack leader...) Picture this: They start gnashing at each other, I start reeling Oscar in on his leash, lifting him airborn out of New Dog's way, at one point even swinging him in a semi-circle out of her readh. BUT she had on a halter, so he wasn't choked by his collar! Poor dog. But good grief, please get along! Although the stray is shy and sweet, she will definitely take up for herself and Oscar isn't having being #2. We didn't feed her but gave her water. I put a APB on FB, but no response. Our house is the nearest one to a crossroads, and this dog had no collar, so we're pretty sure she was abandoned. But she appears very healthy, well-fed with a good coat and skin. This morning Paul said, "Feed that dog." She had about a cup of O's dog food that he had refused to eat some time ago licked up in about 30 seconds. So, with that, it appears we have an outside dog. Paul calls her Sally, in memory of his dad's horse. We went to church and when we returned she was still there.

This afternoon I went to a reception one of the volunteer organizations had at the library (75th anniversary of the 20th Century Club) and on the way home went to Walmart for a dog collar. Sally let me put it on her; Paul leashed her and she bit at it once or twice, but submitted to it, while I took Oscar for a walk. I hate that he's not getting to run right now - he loves to so much. But he had to be reigned in anyway and who knows? Sally may be his guardian angel. He just doesn't know it.

The 20th Century Club has a long and distinguished history of vulunteer work in Iuka. My knowledge of it is sketchy at this point, but I think it is one of several organizations belonging to Mississippi Federation of Women's Clubs. I am honored to have been nominated for membership in Iuka's organization. It's a small group and some of its activities include food pantry, birthday parties at nursing homes, scholarships. It has some great scrapbooks from years past and looking through them briefly I saw pictures of one of my classmates who died young (Edna Earl), my business/typing teacher in high school (Mrs. Vickers), some members still active many years later, including another classmate (Fredda), who has been a member 20+ years. To me, this is another sort of wow moment. All these years I've seen their articles in the paper we got in Wynne, and this connects the past to the present; now I've been invited to follow in some of these - to me - giants' footsteps. This is like something out of Ya-Ya Sisterhood, or Steel Magnolias. A who'da thunk it moment...

Our revival is this weekend and 4 nights next week. It's different in that it is staged like a drama, with tours leading people through different scenes - to a Final Destination. We plan to go one night this week; the sanctuary is Heaven (all the pews were moved to the youth building), and the basement (which I didn't even know existed) is Hell. One day this week I took sandwich food, chips and bread to help feed the workers and cast. I am going to try to help in the kitchen at least one night this week.

I told my Sunday School class this morning I would be out for about four weeks, but I would be back. Sher will be here next Saturday through about Wednesday and I'm going home with her.

So here are a few pictures I made this week and weekend. The sunlight has been beautiful through the trees, grasses and wild flowers.

Lucy and Tommy, bookends.

Shades of Fall

Sally

Fallen pine cones

Pine Cathedral

County Road sign.

One of a gazillion vines that grows in the woods around the house.

Sally's house.

BEAUTIFUL AUTUMN

2011-10-03T18:12:00.000-07:00

Joyce Meyer on TV this morning said in our gratitude to God we should be able to say, "I love my life."

I do.

I suppose circumstances have a lot to do with it at this time of my life; but so be it - these are the circumstances: peace, quiet, less stress (practically none), solitude, fellowship, kinship, friendship. I know any one of these things can change in a moment's notice, but at this nanosecond in eternity on this earth, I love my life. I can see where all roads have led to this period of time in our lives and I'm grateful - even the not-so-good things that have happened - these make me take this quiet period of life less for granted, and the older I get the less I take for granted.

I hear Paul puttering around in the yard on the tractor, moving logs that he and Mike (Mike cut them actually, with his chain saw) cut and pushed over Saturday. Oscar barks at the rare vehicle that comes up the drive. He "harrumphs" at unknown small creatures moving around in the leaves. Cats nap on window sills in the sun, or on the special coverlet I have on the bed (to catch some of the hair!).

I visited a friend yesterday at the hospital who has also broken her leg about where I broke mine two years ago. "You think you won't get better, but you will!" "How long did it take you?" she asked. I told her I was back at work in three months. She is in the hospital rehab. My rehab took place under Dr Paul and Dr Amy! It probably would have been easier on them, but my friend is a bit older, not much, and has other health issues that need to be monitored. Yes, it will get better. You just take a day at a time.

So there was that.

And moving.

And moving.

And moving.

I've about finished, but not quite. Always some big job. But it doesn't stress me out. If I don't finish today I can finish tomorrow. The cleaning spray on the windows probably has dried, but it can be re-sprayed. Dust has returned and taken its place on the furniture, but I'll move it around again soon.

Yesterday afternoon I went to my nephew and new niece's wedding shower at their church. I had met Heather's mother previously but had no idea she was Heather's mom. Not long after, I met Heather and thought I had put two and two together. When we talked yesterday, she remembered seeing me before, too. Benjamin - with a wedding ring on - my goodness! She had registered at Target for a lot of red and black, so my gift was a zebra stripe shower curtain and matching hooks. Sher sent (via Target) a red Crock Pot. Someone had gotten them a set of red cookware. They actually married September 16 and the wedding is October 15. Sher will be here in time for it; Jordan is coming from Jackson, TN, I think. Missing will be Andy (I still call him Andy, though I didn't know until recently he goes by Steve, like his dad Steve. Too confusing! His name isn't even Andrew, but Stephen Anthony.) But we'll miss him, Erica and Kiley. And Mama. She would have loved knowing Benjamin had found his sweet little bride, and getting to know Steven (Morgan's Steven) and Tyler!

Too funny - sorry - but it appears that Jesus is blessing Heather's black towel! Or - reaching for it. (There are beautiful murals all around the fellowship hall. I didn't plan this picture, you know... :) )

Today I washed sheets and hung on the clothesline, Paul helped me put more plastic boxes in the attic, I dusted the den and living room, washed windows and tried some deeper cleaning on them (maybe Goof-off?), filled out the appliance warranties, paid some bills, put the new bedskirt on "Amy's" bed (the pink bedroom) - it's "red" old-fashioned ticking and looks perfect with her Potter Barn quilts she got when she was working at PB outlet (vintage pinks and reds).

The air conditioning men were here to repair the breaker on the new unit - actually to replace the old breakers, which just didn't hold up, so they installed new breakers outside. So we have regular heat now, with no emergency strips on and no gas heater on. But today was pleasant and I opened the den window for Lucy, who loves to sit on the sill, but who is now in my lap.

Tomorrow I have a dentist's appointment - a new dentist for the first time in 43 years. I sure will miss seeing Dr. Perkins, but I know Dr. Gann will be fine. She's in Corinth, in fact, probably in the same building that my new ophthalmologist is, near Magnolia Hospital. I need to stop at Belk's, Walmart Super Center and Lowe's; hopefully none will take long. Bible study is tomorrow night and I will need a nap for sure!

Eleven more days till Sher comes.

I'M HEEEERRRRE!

2011-09-26T18:29:00.000-07:00

Just haven't had time! Or motivation...? Plenty to write about, beautiful fall weather...

Driving Aunt Ginny to Memhis tomorrow for doctor appointments. Paul is going to a graveside service for the brother of one of our good friends from dating days. This morning Paul went to coffee shop and renewed some old friendships - came home beaming - remembrances and memories. Old times coming full circle.

Church is great; Bible study and group is great; book club - reading is going slow on my part. Lunches and a movie with friends. Charlotte and I saw "The Help" last week. Opening the bedroom window in the morning so Lucy can hear the birds, feel the breeze. I repainted Bully and finished him today. Paul is going to varnish him this time. He and Mike are going to Taledega races in October. Sher is coming October 15 and that's the wedding date for Benjamin and Heather (nephew and his wife), although they married September 16... Tyler is getting so big. Amy's roommate Kristie had her baby boy Aiden - so cute.

Trees below the house.

Time for bed. Have to be up early in the morning and to Memphis. Have to say that it seems like a really big trip after being here for two and a half months.

A FEW THINGS

2011-09-11T16:10:00.000-07:00

ALL the girls at the "cousin" lunch last week... L to R: me, Sherry, Salinda, Patsy, Brenda, Charlotte, Edwina.

Paul cleaning out underbrush... with a little help from his friend.

Gift from Amy and Matt last weekend...

Must be a little bulldog in there somewhere... Just lots more hair.

Living room is beginning to look like one, not a store room... Orange chair - doesn't stay. Was Paul's grandmother's and was upholstered in the '70's. Must've been great fabric, still good, though a little musty. Amy had the chair's twin for a long time and we have it now, too. Lotsa chairs!

Lucy is such a lady, so poised. Makes extra work dusting, but oh, well. They're a lot of company.

Old horse shed behind the house in the woods.

EASY WEATHER

2011-09-07T18:32:00.000-07:00

Amy and Matt were here for Labor Day weekend. So good to have them here, though I had a cold/sinus, and still have a cough hanging on.

Saturday I had roast/potatoes/carrots and all Amy's other faves ready when they got here, and Aunt Ginny came to eat supper with us. Sunday I got up to get ready for Sunday School and church, but just felt too bad. I made late breakfast and went back to bed for most of the afternoon. Amy and Matt visited Mama Nick and Matt's brother and his family. Monday I made spaghetti and Mike came to eat lunch with us. Marsha, Morgan and Tyler, Heather (Benjamin's fiance), and Heather's mom Cathy went to Tupelo to shop for a wedding dress for Heather. Morgan asked me if I made alterations and I said, oh, no - not to a wedding dress. I don't have a good place to sew yet anyway. It was nice to be asked, though.

Monday evening we all gathered at Paul's cousin Sammy's for an indoor cook-out since it was still raining. Jenni had to go back to school (MS State) so she wasn't there, but everyone else in the family was, I think. Well, except Mama Nick, who of course is not able. I think Matt really enjoyed the family and recognized many from Aunt Ginny's birthday pictures I'd shown him earlier. It is sooo good to be with family. This is what I've/we've missed for so many years. It's still such fun to hear family stories, make connections. In this small town, everyone is literally related in some way to everyone else, either by blood or marriage. In the days of yore, people didn't have the means to travel far and met their spouses at revivals, or at the local store, or some community event.

I did miss being in SS and church - I called our teacher and told her I wouldn't be there and why. Charlotte called and later in the week Nancy called to check on me.

Yesterday Paul and I went to Memphis for just a follow-up appointment with my gastro doctor, and get med refilled. (They have to see you once a year in order to write scrips.) That done, we ate at TGI Fridays and looked at Penneys for a comforter, which I didn't decide on. We went to Hobby Lobby for acrylic paints for Bully's makeover - he's so faded. This is perfect weather to repaint him and I may start tomorrow afternoon. (Tonight I put the comforter on Craigslist. Maybe I can sell it; I've given away a lot of stuff so it'd be nice to have one thing to sell!)

We are in "our" bedroom now and to Paul's delight - the satellite radio works in there without having to run the cord 50 feet or try to rig it up outside. He just sat it on the bedside table and pointed it south, and it works. Somewhat to my dismay, but I'm about used to it being on all night, believe it or not, after 40+ years. XM radio at least doesn't static and fade in and out like FM.

Planning on going to the Iuka Library book club meeting tomorrow. Bren said she'd meet me there 11:15. Really missed Bible study with Charlotte last night. Loving it here. When we were in Memphis, I told Paul there were sooo many cars! It's easy to piddle around here and I used to say Mississippi drivers just eased off the road when they went to turn; I can see how that happens. I've started doing it, too.aul has his garage corners staked. Mike said he'd help him cut and drag away the few trees in the way, mostly small pines, and pull up the stumps with his tractor. Paul would like to have the foundation poured before cold weather.

Speaking of which - it was 72 degrees today and just about perfect. The kind of temperature you can't even feel, you are just enveloped in it, floating in pleasantness.

FOUR THORNES

2011-09-02T13:56:00.000-07:00

I had lunch today with three cousins and three friends who might as well be related; in some way, we all are relatives. Salinda (from Memphis) and her family are spending some time at her dad's house (now her and Richard's) in Paden, which is about 20 miles from here. They needed groceries so came to Iuka today and we met at Homestead for lunch. Around the table left to right: me, Sherry (my cousin Salinda's niece, her sister's daughter-in-law), Salinda, Patsy, Brenda, Charlotte (Brenda married Charlotte's first cousin Jim), Edwina. Just made a party out of it! Great being together!

On the moving/working front this week: our new A/C-heating system was installed and has made a huge difference. Two new vents were added: one in the kitchen, one in the utility room. The back door was installed Tuesday, or was it Wednesday. The weeks and days are just flying by.

When they were working on the heat pump replacement, we used the two window units we have used before and which Amy had used. That's when this cold started. Some is allergies I know because of the dust I'm not able to reach yet! I dusted and vacuumed as far as I could reach today, and I've used Flonase and taken allergy medicine. I have one more thing to use and I really don't want to - the strong cough capsules. It's only when I lie down that I cough much.

Charlotte invited me and Paul to eat with her tonight, so we're going to her house to eat. Brenda said she and Jim would be there. Charlotte's dad Clay and Jim's dad Noel are brothers. Noel passed away several years ago. Mr. Clay is 88 - Bren said the longest living Whitfield male ever, she thought. I've seen Miss Earline at church when we went for Aunt Ginny's birthday a few weeks ago. We used to spend some time at their house when Bren, Charlotte, Martha and I ran around together.

Amy and Matt are coming tomorrow for the weekend. I'm putting a roast on tonight in the Crock Pot; plan to go to the grocery store in the morning for other things. It was just too hot this afternoon. We had a 5-minute downpour yesterday afternoon; just didn't last long enough nor cool things off much. We just haven't had much rain here, sort of like last summer. Leaves are already falling off trees. I looked at the allergy/pollen index for today and it was 10.3 out of 12.

PATIENCE

2011-08-24T15:03:00.000-07:00

Early morning, Saturday or Sunday.

Sunday afternoon I sat on the carport waiting for this fellow. I set my camera lens on zoom and action whatever it's called - and fired away when he came for his nectar.

I probably made a hundred or more pictures this way. It's amazing to see their precision, quickness and ability to fly backward!

Yesterday I way overdid, and last night I paid for it. So today my major job was going delivering sale items to Bren's for their youth rummage sale fundraiser, and to the grocery store. When I got to Bren's, Jim and his brother-in-law Bob were sitting under the shade trees, "guarding them," Jim said. I bummed some tomatoes from him. I'm still amazed I can just drive out to their house.

I logged in to my library account this afternoon. They do have passwords and PINs, they have 10c a day overdue fines, and you can look at your own account to see what's due, when, renew (if not past the due date), reserve, hold. It's a little different from Cross County's website, but works much the same way, except for the fines. I'm sure that helps in getting books returned on time. It was 10c a day when I worked there 40+ years ago!

My other major job today will be to cook supper in a few minutes.

YOUNG AT HEART

2011-08-23T17:25:00.000-07:00

A lot has happened since I wrote last.

Sunday morning Paul and I moved our church membershp from Wynne to Iuka Baptist. What a great feeling to look around the congregation and see so many familiar faces - Nancy B and I connected immediately and just beamed at each other. (Her mother and my grandmother were first cousins. If I said that before, well, there it is again... Just a sign of age or exuberance...) The last time Paul and I stood at that altar, we were getting married! We're having such a good time! In the evening service a quartet sang (Unity 4), Southern gospel, and there was ice cream and dessert afterward. Bren and her husband Jim came and we sat together, arm to arm, reading each other's thoughts at certain songs, holding so many memories together. She was my maid of honor at mine and Paul's wedding, too, so she was there at that altar.

Yesterday, we both worked pretty hard - the three huge end tables we and Mama Nick had had for 40 years went out. I'm looking for a coffee table and couple of end tables; have already chosen one online for near one window in the living room. Paul hauled the old tables to Goodwill in Corinth.

Some of this is excerpted from email to Bren tonight:

Busy, busy day today (Tuesday). Took Oscar to Nunley's Animal's Choice Veterinary Clinic - very impressed - I'm sure I've been by there, just never took notice - so neat, pretty. Nice staff, O looked great. Went by WM, got containers, yet again; was gonna get Aunt Ginny's bday pix done but machine broken. Went by PO but closed (open @ 9); then home, baked dessert for Young at Heart - went there for lunch, program; really good time - Tab (Paul's cousin's wife) and Bobbie Counce sang - some hymns, some old - like King of the Road! Linda Hester was there - we sat with her - she told about book club at library; will try to go next time; Jo Russell told me about WMU; she and her husband Tucker lived in LR early 60's. WMU meets one hour - no potluck. so that's 3 things I've already got going. Registered to vote. Went by Iuka Discount Furniture - saw Johnny S - looked at coffee table, end tables. Home, and Sandra came out, showed me quilt pieces she'd put together; got out all pix of Nichols family I knew of and sent home with her - David wants her to scan them, be easy to store on disks, easy to copy; I said, good, you can make me a copy if you will! He's all excited about the family pic I found - and it's Daddy Nick's mother's side of the family - Burns - not Nichols. He'd seen it before; Googled an aunt's name and found all the names! But their cousin Nan (all into genealogy) said she'd send a key, too. Talked to Edwina; will go next week and help her with scanning pix. Sher called; usually does when gets off work, we talk till she gets her walk done or gets home. Paul and I ate light supper - cheese/crackers/apple crumble I made.

Got all pic albums put away - at least all in same room; no one place big enough for all of them; that was a job. Not in date order, but at least they're put away. I know I keep thinking somewhat like I did at work - I always tried to have that day's work finished before I would go home, and that's not like that with moving. It is still there.

Sher reminded me of saying on phone book several yrs ago - probably 20 - "Mississippi - It's Like Coming Home!" and it is!!

And for the first time in my life today someone told me I - I! - was outgoing!!! She said, you and your husband are both outgoing... what a praise to God! If not for Him!! A lot of the deeply buried/forgotten memories of life in this little town are coming back to me when I talk to folks. It's like a flower opening up to the sun; I know that maybe sounds trite, but it's the way I feel - coming home. I've always loved the verse about God putting the solitary in families. He did it when we moved to Wynne - what a wonderful family of friends there; and He's done it again, bringing us back to family here. Maybe this is the "honeymoon" of the move; maybe the new will wear off. I hope not. I hope I never cease to be surprised at being warmed by the love of these people and the "feel" of this place.

Thank you, God, for your grace - I look back especially two years ago when I was still at work, and You literally "hung in there with me!" Amazing grace! Thank You for these happy, relaxing times with Paul, family and friends.

NICHOLS FAMILY PICTURE

2011-08-20T10:47:00.000-07:00

To Nan -

This is the picture I found. If you can't copy it from here, let me know and I'll print one off and send it to you! This will probably be too small; enlarging loses resolution...

(Paul's dad is fourth from left on top row. )

BOOKS AND PENS AND NOTEBOOKS, OH MY!

2011-08-18T19:11:00.000-07:00

Tara said she gets her love of pens and notebooks from me... I remember we were somewhere together years ago - Sam's maybe - and we got notebooks alike with fake green ostrich covers. I'm sure we got packs of pens or colored pencils or Flairs or something to write with, as if we were so deprived...

I read her blog tonight, catching up. Sweet story about Emmy asking about her Yia Yia (Teri), here. Really good pictures of Emmy, too. Love her colored high tops (b/w picture). The Bible storybook... I unpacked one I had just like it, and it's lying here beside the computer... Sweet to know they're reading it together. Miss Teri so much - she would have been such a fun grandma.

So this morning Paul said he'd like to get the carport cleaned off (what's left of it!). He had enclosed half of it for his garage stuff. There were still boxes of books, kitchen things, even a few boxes of Amy's sitting under plastic cover. In came the boxes of books; I sorted through them. The once half decent looking den and kitchen again looked as if we had just moved in. Well... We had. And out went the boxes of books - discards - someone else can enjoy them, or if the library shelves them, I can check them out and save my shelf space.

Paul put together a rack of steel shelves in the "office" closet. It'll help store things like printer paper, CDs, scrapbook supplies... That whole room look sooo big and seemed humongous in my mind before we got here and put things in it. Now I can hardly walk around in it, but it just takes time. Do I repeat that really often? We've been here a month today.

I got my hair cut today - Bren recommended Janie - and she did a great job. She "got" my hair - the waves and cowlicks. Nice cut and styled it, too. Amy was going to have hers cut Saturday by Gale, but then she texted me and said it had been an exhausting week and she's not coming this weekend. I don't blame her. One day they had three to prep, then four removals I think. Some days are slow, but some are not.

Tonight we split an Oreo Sonic Blast for dessert; I sat on the swept carport and listened to the stillness of dusk, squirrels chewing birdseed, and things rustling in the grass. Then the cicadas started up loudly; Oscar heard something suspicious in the edge of the woods and took off to tackle it. I called him back and he actually obeyed. We went in; I turned off lights, came in here to turn off the radio (on the computer - WRVR), and so here I am. Checking blogs.

Back to the books tomorrow. Maybe. Could be a day off.

Time to go to bed.

NATURE STUDIES

2011-08-15T19:51:00.000-07:00

I asked Paul this morning when I got up why he wasn't outside. "It's cold!" It was! Sixty-four degrees - no humidity. Absolutely wonderful! Lately the humidity and heat have kept me indoors so much; I have a coughing spell when the humidity hits me.

I don't imagine all the dust in the house has anything to do with it... I do spot clean, but it isn't easy when everything isn't in place. This morning we made a small start on the boxes on the carport. I unloaded three of those and a couple or three already in the "office." It's the worst. I did make lots of progress in the den which is den/kitchen, some things found their places and I hung a few pictures.

But I spent some time outdoors today, besides hanging sheets to dry. God's creations were busy and beautiful.

The old plank bridge over the little gulley that the girls used to walk over through the woods to Aunt Ginny's house.

Another pathway behind the house.

A daisy?

Gorgeous butterfly... Summer wanes...

HEARTBEAT OF HOME

2011-08-14T19:59:00.000-07:00

In church this morning I heard the Southern Railroad train blowing at the crossings a couple of blocks away. In seconds, the floor of the church began to pulse in a steady thrum. At first I couldn't think what it could be, not associating the sound and the movement right away - an earthquake? No one seemed alarmed at all. Then I realized - it was the train clicking its way down the track, shaking the ground all the way up the street to church.

Paul's cousin and her husband, Glenda and Emory Jones, met us in the foyer of the church and we went to our Sunday School classes this morning. Immediately I felt at home - there was Glenda, Charlotte Vines came in - my old friend from high school days, although she graduated from Burnsville; Nancy Brinkley - the daughtor of my teen years mentor, Willard and Herbert Robinson. She looks and sounds just like her mother - I thought I would cry, and felt like that teenager way back when, as soon as she prayed later in the class. Willard's voice! Time just turned back! And there was Peggy Thorne - I asked her which Thorne? Hosea! My cousin! He looked me up later in the sanctuary; we didn't get to talk much today, but I want to visit with him some more. Some years ago we exchanged Christmas cards and then just gradually lost touch.

I don't know if everyone has these kinds of feelings when they move "back home." Gratitude, welcomed, gathered in, like a sigh, arms of a whole community and every connected cousin and cousin-in-law you can imagine, not to mention brothers and their families, just open wide for you. You know they're as glad to see you as you are to see them. In a community this size (about 2900) it would be very easy to know just about everyone if you've lived here all your life, which we, of course, have not. But no longer than we did, the roots are here and we can feel them pushing further down into the rich soil of the families. I'm thankful for Brenda telling me histories, connections. For 40+ years I've heard about the people, now I'm finally getting to know the people. How many emails have we exchanged over the years with her telling me about this one and that one; or reading obituaries in the paper we continued to receive... Or birth and wedding announcements, decades passing and the children of our classmates recognizable, then their grandchildren only if we read the lineage, the grandparents' names, sometimes the surname making them recognizable.

I will hear Paul talking to men at church who are welcoming us - "You don't know who I am, do you?" (He recognizes many of them.) And they are surprised when he tells them; they grin and shake his hand and I know they have flashbacks to the younger days, just like we do.

Yesterday one of our "near" neighbors, about 3 miles away, brought a cake to us. Her husband Earl (who graduated with Paul) had invited Paul to his class a couple of weeks ago and that's where he went today; and Emory is in Earl's class, too. The cake is delicious lemon. I took Mama Nick some today for lunch when we stopped by to see her after church. Paul's brother David came by also and we got to visit with him.

I'm going backward here through the last few days... Friday night Paul and I ate with my brother Mike and his wife Marsha. She was kinda tired from babysitting - they'd had Tyler overnight while Morgan and Steven had a date night. Not being used to nocturnal squeaks and grunts from a baby, she didn't sleep very well and was up quite a bit. But it was good for Morgan and Steven to go out, though she did call the grandparents a couple of times to check in. And of course Marsha loved it - I don't think Mike got up with him, though! This time...

So it goes - many boxes still to unpack, but beginning to look like home. The TV stand Paul and I put together Thursday night just about got me; I finally had to just quit and go to bed. I said never again will I assemble a piece of furniture. But already I've looked at end tables for the living room. I think we'll first look at the furniture store here for something. He finished the cabinet and made adjustments to the drawer Friday morning; meanwhile I nursed my aching back from being down in the floor, holding cabinet parts and such, like I was 36 and not 63!

Every chance she gets, Lucy comes to help me check email, Facebook and write here.

No, Lucy, I didn't ask for a binder clip! You're gonna get your head stuck!

(She didn't. And the binder clip she pawed out is, of course, on the floor.)

FOUR DAYS

2011-08-09T20:40:00.000-07:00

Another birthday recognition I need to make: my wonderful friend Becky with whom I worked over twenty years - on August 12! Happy Birthday, Beck!

I've hardly slowed down since Friday.

I began Saturday's dinner by putting a roast on Friday night; Amy got here around 1:30 Saturday and I had everything ready to eat. Mike, Marsha, Morgan, Steven and little Tyler came and Amy got to see Tyler for the first time. Oh, he's growing so! Everyone enjoyed the veggies I got at Bren's Thursday night, especially Amy, who doesn't get "home-cooking" that often! I was glad I'd made my Snickers cupcakes for Aunt Ginny's party on Friday afternoon. Time just got away and we were busy with other things. (It's nice to have that extra fridge; I think I said that. But it sure is handy. Probably not energy efficient, but the point is... it's handy.)

Amy went to visit Mama Nick in the afternoon. Saturday evening we went through boxes and Amy got extras of cleaning supplies and things she could use. Made me feel much better - something she could use, plus freed up some space. (I must stop watching HGTV because those people on there have nothing but tables, cushions and lamps. There are no keepsakes and goofy things sitting around wondering where to go - and I don't mean people!)

Sunday morning we went to Harmony Methodist Church for Aunt Ginny's 90th birthday recognition - there were flowers from nieces and nephews, announcement from the pulpit and in the bulletin. She looked wonderful as always and at her post - handing out bulletins at the front door. Paul, Amy and I; David, Jenni and Jess were there. After church we went by to see Mama Nick and she seemed very pleased to have three of her granddaughters as well as the rest of us there.

At two we went to David and Sandra's and all the Broughton family was there with only two exceptions. Of course, we were sorry Mama Nick couldn't be there, but there were 25 present plus Sandra's daughters and granddaughter! Wonderful time! Aunt Ginny made a little "speech" and said how much she enjoyed it, and that it was the first time since we would go to Mother Ruth and Daddy Lee's (her and Mama Nick's parents) for Christmas that we'd all been together. From Paul, David, Tommy, Glenda and Sammy there was a whole generation of girls, now Tara and Lynn have three little boys under age six! Talk about energy! I shared on Facebook the Kodak link. At right is Jo, seated; standing left to right: Jessica, Jennifer, Aunt Ginny, Amy, Whitney, Marianna, Lynn and Tara. Sister-pairs are beside one another, except Amy and Jo who are "onlies." These are Aunt Ginny's great nieces. Another thing on my to do list: Get Aunt Ginny some prints - she doesn't have a computer. We took a little red rocking chair to David's that we found in the attic; Sandra said Jenni remembered it as hers, or sitting in it at Mama Nick's when MN babysat her. Tommy saw it and said, "Daddy Lee made that for me and I drilled a hole in the arm!" We wondered where the hole had come from. I said they'd just have to share the chair. It stayed at David's. It's been through at least two generations. Paul didn't think it was homemade, but we thought maybe broom handles had been used for the back posts.

Nieces Sandra, Tab, Glenda, Pat, Carol. Glenda is Aunt Ginny's brother's daughter. The rest of us are nieces-in-law, but we know she's our own aunt anyway.

Nephews: Emory, Glenda's husband; Sammy, Glenda's brother; Tommy (Carol), Paul (moi), and David (Sandra), all brothers.

Aunt Ginny with the youngest - Caleb, standing/left, Cohen, behind Aunt Ginny (brothers; Tara's); Corey (Lynn's).

Heath (Tara) and Brandon (Lynn).

Aunt Velma with Aunt Ginny - sisters-in-law. Velma is Glenda and Sammy's mother.

Sandra could hardly wait to see the butterfly squares.

Yesterday Paul went to Wynne to close our lock boxes, and also retrieve my Social Security card which was in one of them. It is something I had to have to get my Mississippi driver's license. (If I repeat, I'm so sorry - I've emailed some of this to other friends...) It rained here in the afternoon and I got quite a lot unpacked. But all I've accomplished is getting the boxes out of the house. It's still so cluttered. I look back at some pictures I made of Wynne house and wonder why??? It just accumulates! I hope I don't want to put all those things back out. I just can't. I have set some "keepsakes" around, and wonder what I'll do with the rest of them. Probably pack them back up, put them in the attic and let someone else find them in another generation, just as we have (some of Mother Ruth's things - pictures, possibly a sewing basket or two, glassware; nothing very valuable except for sentimental reasons.) The greatest finds were quilts - two were quilted onto 100 pound fertilizer sacks, pretty heavy, rough fabric, but nothing was wasted - these were probably at least eighty years old. Two were salvageable; the others had to be thrown away, they were so old. There was one quilt top and another stack of 26 squares (appliqued butterflies) that I gave Sandra because I knew she'd get them pieced and/or quilted. So he went to Wynne, I stayed here and putzed.

Today we went to Tupelo to get our driver's licenses. Tupelo because... he had a CDL and Corinth could not issue a regular license if one had a CDL, even though he didn't want another CDL... Anyway, we did have what we needed, didn't have to wait terribly long and got decent enough pictures made. If the license plates didn't make it official, the DLs did! We ate at Wendy's (chicken salads - those are really good), and then went to Lowe's to get prices on appliances - stove, refrigerator and dishwasher. Next stop - Sears - comparative shopping. So far Lowe's has Sears beat, but we'll see what this weekend's "special" offers. I've debated stainless steel or white and think I'm going with white: the age and style of the house; I'm afraid stainless steel will show fingerprints and scratches too badly; less expensive.

We had FEMA paperwork to complete once we got home - in quadruplicate - information to look up in the house file. Got that done and ready to mail tomorrow. I asked Paul what tomorrow's project is: "Putting up those other light fixtures."

Tomorrow is Edwina's birthday. Bren had cataract surgery today. I need to take Mama Nick's mail to her. I haven't talked to Aunt Ginny today. Oscar needs a bath. One wants a changing and thank goodness one is NOT on the way...

Since I saw this cartoon, I've thought it hilarious. Used to think it only applied to work, but no...

LESSONS IN GIVING UP PACKRATTERY

2011-08-05T20:12:00.000-07:00

This is big birthday month - yesterday Sherron's, today Tommy's (Paul's brother), Sunday is Neall's, Tuesday Aunt Ginny's, Nate's on the 17th, Richard's on the 17th; Bren has lots of family birthdays this month. Happy birthday everyone!

I seem to recall friends telling me that I would get everything unpacked and put away; it just takes time. And I've heard stories of people who have moved who never got everything unpacked. I'm beginning to think we fall into the latter category.

Oh, we have made huge progress and found many treasures (everyday glassware, some pictures, blue canning jars, quilt tops and pieces), and I lovingly and carefully wash the glasses or little saucers (as Brenda would say, feel it and ooh over it :) ), and put them on the counter - which really is quite small, actually. And then I get into a project like today's, baking cupcakes (Snickers!), and everything is in the way. And into the Goodwill box it goes. Five little juice glasses, two pairs, one odd; plastic containers (Take Alongs). No more plastic food containers, please! It took us three mornings to get the attic cleaned out and then I labeled all the plastic bins of Amy's dolls, doll clothes, high school stuff, some of my stuff and stacked it neatly up there. As I may have said, plastic bags will turn to ash over time. Maybe the plastic bins will last longer... This is only one little load of what came out of our now attic. And I'm just saying again - if you have space, you will use it. How do people feel who have no stuff sitting around? I mean, they probably have a life, don't they? A well preserved quilt top - in a plastic bag which disintegrated when I took the fabric out; Sandra will get it quilted and it'll be a beautiful keepsake. Paul's grandmother probably pieced this. Seems every generation has things unfinished, and that another generation will enjoy.

Simplicity - a bowl Paul made in school, found after ages in the attic.

Ah, but just outside the door are photo ops such as these:

*****

My new Mississippi tag is TSU 684. It's official. Paul got all four of our vehicles' tags at once, 682, 683, 684. The antique truck tag will be mailed (permanent like in AR). Now if getting driver's license were so simple. We have to have our Social Security cards, and guess where mine is? In a lockbox in Wynne! Why we didn't empty our lockboxes I do not know. Guess it didn't seem pressing, didn't know we'd need anything, could go back on a visit and get that done. Knowing Paul, he will be up at 6 a.m. Monday morning to make that trip and get our driver's licenses changed over to Mississippi. They still have car inspections here, which amounts to paying $5 for a sticker, for which the attendant asks to see your driver's license, odometer reading, and tag number. You don't even have to honk your horn any more, or turn your lights or blinkers on and off!

Aunt Ginny and I went to a visitation at the funeral home here for one of her friends and distant cousin (Joyce Robertson) and I saw a few folks I remembered, after being introduced to them. I did recognize one lady, but couldn't think of her name till AG told me. Sitting there, looking at people who I wondered if I knew them or not, I did think - people, just people everywhere you go - with souls, good hearts. These could very well be Wynne folks with different lives, faces, relatives. I really missed Wynne folks at that moment, but God seemed to reassure me that indeed, they are all kin and kinfolks but with different lives.

Afterward, we stopped by Velma's and visited her for about 30 minutes. Velma is Aunt G and Mama Nick's sister-in-law. She told me she'd been in the family 60 years and still didn't know all the relatives. AND she has always lived here. So I'm really starting from scratch. (She has a pretty 40" wide GE stove, which is what I'll need when ours is replaced. Because of the width, she said it had to be ordered. I was pretty sure that would be the case.)

I did bake the cupcakes in Mama Nick's oven, with the temperature turned down slightly and the baking time reduced a couple of minutes. They turned out fine. I forgot to put the Snickers in the final eight, but it was still batter-y enough so I slid out the pan and stuck them in. Paul and I each had one for dessert tonight. The recipe made 32, so I'm glad I didn't dump in double the ingredients. That'll be plenty.

Amy is supposed to be home tomorrow; I told her by lunch time - I'm putting on a roast in the crock pot tonight and cooking all those great veggies Bren gave me last night - okra, squash, peas; also tomatoes. I'll clear off the dining room table long enough to sit down to eat!

HIGH GEAR

2011-08-02T19:40:00.000-07:00

This morning Paul's and my goal was to begin getting boxes out of Amy's room, putting what we could of her belongings out of our Wynne attic (dolls, high school stuff) up in the Iuka attic. I'm gradually transferring all to plastic bins, which should bake nicely up there, since it's about 200 degrees. But we just worked this morning and Paul handed down or threw down about one-third of what's up there. We didn't get anything of hers put up, but quite a bit taken down. Previously he had said there wasn't much, but there is; oh, yes indeedy, there is. The cardboard boxes have baked to the brittleness of old veneer, plastic bags have turned to ash. I salvaged a couple of quilts which are iffy, and one quilt top (never quilted); a pretty glass serving platter, a Corning Visions casserole dish. Paul found some odd little tools; there were a couple of boxes of Tommy's old school notebooks and some school annuals. Sandra is going to look at the quilts to see if they're worth trying to save. Paul said, "Throw them away, like we need some more quilts!" "But they are art and a lot of work!" "We have enough art," he sighed, throwing his arm over his eyes as he lay on the couch. He knows it's useless... But I have to say I have "let go" of a lot of stuff. I'm sure when I get to my old letters and notebooks it will be easier to go through them.

And jars. I asked Paul if they ate a lot of mayonnaise or if his mother asked people to save them for her. She canned so much food, jellies, in her life. I kept one of each kind of "real" canning jar (Kerr, Mason, Ball), and will take the rest to Bren. There was a ton of old plastic freezer containers, too. I could only imagine all the work Mama Nick did over the years. One yellow, brittle note had written on it: "jelly 75 up at Leo's." No idea. 75 jars? 75 cents?

This afternoon I discovered (or Bren added me) a group on Facebook "You Know You Grew Up in Iuka If...." and was a goner. It was too hot to do anything else; we had worked hard this morning. So I've been remembering the good old days off and on this afternoon. Woodall Mountain (highest point in MS) right here in Iuka; Curtis's Drug Store; Claude Curtis's hamburgers; new school/old school; who worked where in town when they were in school; Cutshall's furniture store which included caskets on the top floor (furniture stores used to carry caskets, and furniture makes built them); favorite teachers; where we were when JFK was shot; who streaked through town; the Jack n Jill hang-out; Pan Am Cafe; Southland service station - not gas station, but service... Lots of fun.

Two men from Iuka Baptist came to follow-up on our attendance Sunday. One man lives down the road from us, our county road. Very nice.

Tomorrow I just must go "out town," as Mama used to say. Have to get that paper notarized; we're out of cheese and milk. I want to take some Beanie Babies to the hospital: Bren said they can use them on the floor and in the ER; take her jars, or take them to her house if Jim's there. Some books need to go to the library, and I have some to take to Carol, along with Tommy's things. My truck is full and I have to make room for other things. That should keep me busy. (What will occupy my time when we get moved in?? Maybe I can use my library card!) About the time we get a path through a room, something else takes the place of what we put up or got rid of. It's one thing to move into an empty house; quite another to move in on top of someone else's possessions and knowing how to handle distribution, what to get rid of. So far all has gone well. It just takes time.

Paul washed his Camaro today...

Oh, and the kitchen, friend TBC, is coming along. I was trying to get the new fan/light fixture we put up, but it's so bright here. The fan makes a lot of difference. The A/C vent in the kitchen needs to be enlarged. Small things tend to find their homes in the kitchen window and I need to do something about that. But that's what makes it become home, I guess.

CONNECTIONS

2011-07-31T18:19:00.000-07:00

Morgan brought Tyler to see Grandmommy (Marsha) and Granddaddy (Mike), and Marsha called to let us know they were there. The pictures I made are on my phone. Can't believe I didn't take my camera. (Can't believe I cooked chicken today to put on a homemade pizza, then forgot to put it on there! Or yes, maybe I can...) Marsha's sister and mother came while we were there to get their share of sugars - he's such a sweet baby and the grands can't get enough of him. (Paul and I are grands - aunt and uncle...) I'm glad we get to see him more than a couple of times a year! I thought it was so cute that Morgan said, "I understand it all now." Paul asked her what and she said she realized what it means to be on the other side - being a parent, knowing her parents did know what they were talking about!

Yesterday evening we had a good shower and Paul came in from the carport (what's left of it since half is covered utility/storage and half is uncovered storage), and said there was a turtle in the yard. Or maybe a terrapin. I texted Amy about it. "What's a terrapin?" she wanted to know. Poor child. Her parents have never explained it is a kind of turtle. Isn't it? I didn't Google it. But isn't that the one that if it bites you it won't let go until it thunders? I didn't get near - it had already thundered! He sure has an intense red eye - like the raptor in "Jurassic Park!" This was made with zoom lens. Thirty minutes later, he had "run" off.

Last night I like to wore myself plumb out unloading books and putting them in shelves. I got a few boxes for the Friends of the Library, and a few for the nieces to go through if they want. It feels good to let go. I'm glad I can at least donate them. If I haven't read them by now... Just crazy.

Paul and I went to church at Iuka Baptist this morning and it was great. We sat with Aunt Velma. Velma's husband was James L., who was/is Mama Nick and Aunt Ginny's brother, in whose store Paul worked when he was a kid. Velma's children are Sammy and Glenda. Charlotte was there, Brenda's husband's cousin; people we knew in school, though Paul knew more than I did. But it was great being back. There was a guest preacher - the county association minister - and his text was from Luke! Brother Matt would have been so happy!

Other than at least one wedding, this is the first time Paul and I have been there together since we married! I looked at the door Brenda and I walked through, on the side we were sitting on, and the door on the opposite side of the room from which Paul and Frank emerged, and thought how scared silly I was that night! I know Glenda played music for us (she still plays in church); I remember Mama being there, but not the boys, not Sher; barely Paul's parents... I don't know who all was there in fact. I'm sure all the families, but we have few pictures. But it "stuck," for here we are almost 43 years later, coming home together. Poor dear - think of all the chicken I've forgotten to put on his pizzas over the years, and he still loves me...

After church we stopped to see Mama Nick and David was there; we stayed about 40 minutes visiting and it was near the residents' lunch time. Mama Nick wasn't feeling too chipper today, but said she wanted to get up to eat. At home, Paul and I had sandwiches for lunch and napped.

We're about to get boxes sorted out into like kinds of things. I told David to come see us and he said there wasn't a place to sit! I said we had seating areas now and also a pathway to the bathrooms! It's coming along. I really do better at night - I seem to have more energy - but then I always have. I overdid it last night though and had to take an extra heart rythym pill around 2 a.m. Don't know why it races so at that hour of the morning; just skips during the day but will race at night... Something to ask cardio doc about next time. I plan to go to bed earlier tonight.

The den... Really would like to paint this sometime soon to lighten it up! Paul's old recliner (the brown one) needs to be replaced, or reupholstered. It's been done once. Everything on the baker's rack is temporary, not much has found its permanent home yet.

Lucy is in here pestering me about something. Her food is on a box so Oscar won't get it. But she keeps climbing all around and over me, sitting and staring at me. If cats could talk...

PROGRESS

2011-07-29T08:45:00.000-07:00

The second week here has flown by!

Three days we had workers under the house, repairing some floor boards and adding beams for stability. There were only three and should have been five, originally. While they were in their claustrophobic space hammering, which upset Oscar because he didn't know which way to search, they looked at the air conditioning duct work - which all needs to be replaced. But we know we don't put new wine in old wineskins - so we may as well have the whole system replaced. We got a quote and waiting on another one. I mean, after all, it's only a thirty-two year old heat pump - air and heat - which was rare in 1979 with new construction. The windows also need some work because they are double-paned and many have lost their seal. Replace panes or replace windows...

We made another loop yesterday evening around some likely houses Bitty would have gone to, but no sign of her. Poor old thing. She may show up, but I've about given up.

Paul was breaking down boxes this morning to take - somewhere. We don't know where yet. My sisters-in-law and two of my nieces came yesterday and helped very much by taking some things they could use or find homes for. I had breakfast with Bren, went to the bank. Our Iuka paper started coming to our new addess; the Progress will start August 1. (Did I say we can listen to KWYN on computers? So we're keeping up as well as we can.) Paul and I replaced a light fixture in the office - "my room." We got the filing cabinets in the office, bookcases situated (no books placed yet) - I am about to get over my love affair with books and plan to take lots to the library for Friends of the Library resale. Other furniture is finding their homes around the house and at least one more table, maybe two, are going out. Did I say this house is about twice the size of our Wynne house?? Yes, you definitely fill up any space you have.

When Paul gets his garage started, I've already requested an add-on of about two and a half feet for storage bins, plus a small cedar closet to change out seasonal clothes.

We have more things to take to Goodwill, a list for Lowe's which includes a fan/light for over the kitchen cart and a fixture for the "green room," the one we always used. The one in there is a western themed "lantern." I can take the green wallpaper for a while, but the light has to be updated!

Sandra has planned a small party for Aunt Ginny's 90th birthday - it's August 9 - and we'll have it at her and David's house on the 7th. I plan to make my Snickers cupcakes if I can get the temperature right on this old stove. It cooks way faster than mine did. They're a little time consuming, so I'll have to set aside the Saturday before to bake them.

We're making progress; there are still a lot of boxes, but many have been emptied and the rooms are beginning to take the shape of their intented purposes.

Gotta go finish the Green Room...

CAPTIVATION

2011-07-25T19:28:00.000-07:00

Yesterday afternoon Paul and I went to visit Mama Nick for a while. She seems to be doing well and was conversing very well yesterday. Some days she feels like sitting up for a while and other days, not. She asked if we were getting moved in, so although weak, she knows we're in the process of moving and getting settled in. Some days she's a bit confused, but for the most part we can carry on conversations. Occasionally I get a big smile and laugh from her.

We went to brother Mike's afterward - Marsha is home after her week-long stay with new parents (their daughter Morgan and her husband Steven) and new little grandson Tyler. Mike said it's amazing how much he changed in just one week!

A couple of weeks ago Mike bought two goats and has since acquired two more. At least the new ones are Nubian - the last two he bought. I always want to know what animals' names are and these are: Big One, Freckles, Goldie, and Ears. Ears looks like Jar Jar Binks from Star Wars. We walked around Mike's garden and saw his pretty watermelons, some are ready; we got a small one. Also some cucumbers and an egg plant which I plan to fry like green tomatoes. Marsha said you couldn't tell the difference. Can you tell which one is Ears?? Goldie is on the left, both pictures; Ears on the right. I think.

Mike and I watching the goats.

This is Big One and Freckles.

When we went to Mike's we went around Oldham Road going across the little bridge near the house where Goobie and I lived many years ago. I remember going to that bridge with our granddaddy (Papa) throwing rocks in when I was 6 or 7, so some of the bridge is almost 50 years old, maybe even older. When we went, the road bed was timber; it's since been paved over and is in bad shape now. This big dragline will help bring it up to the 21st century. I remember making pictures of the creek below with the first little Instamatic camera I had. Such a big ol' machine for such a little ol' bridge. To the far right you can barely see the little white house we lived in. This was a gravel road then... We were just over the creek from the railroad and passing trains would make the windows rattle. Since this was a crossing, the trains always blew their whistles - two longs, a short, and a long. We hardly ever heard them, though, as we were so used to them.

My errands today: took laptop for virus protection update. The man who owns the Computer Store in Iuka was a NASA scientist who worked at Yellow Creek when the solid rocket fuel project was going on. He decided to stay in Iuka when YC shut down and opened his computer place. I also took a box of fabrics to Sandra for quilts and she showed me the next patterns she was using, also a couple of quilts she had made, I know one pieced by hand. Some unpacking, but not a lot; I pulled my middle back and it's been burning all day. I can't imagine how I did that!

Brenda came this afternoon bearing the fruits (veggies) of their labor - a huge basket of fresh veggies - tomatoes, okra, cucumbers, peppers, jars of hot slaw and relish, a jar of Jimmy's honey, a container of zinnias from her yard, and a rose bush she had started from a cutting. So good to sit and visit. How many times when we were girls we would talk about living next door to each other! Well, around 6 or 7 miles apart isn't so bad! Such good talk! She's a wonderful storyteller, knows everybody in the county. Then she and Paul talked about retirement and when they started working and about James L's store where Paul worked. People would send their lists to the store, they'd fill the orders and deliver them around town! (Susan, wish they would do that now! Internet shopping takes all the charm out of it!) Paul did that! I knew he worked at the store, but I didn't know he delivered groceries to the customers. He was 15! Wow! Can't wait to get these two great minds together for some more memories and things I didn't know! Bren's been here all her life, and Paul lived here from age 9 until he went to Mississippi State.

At night before I go to sleep, I think of Wynne and friends there. That's when I'm still enough to really think about how everything was - and is. Friends will always be friends. God has blessed me so in friends and family. When I retired it was a chapter I willingly closed; and this move was anticipated, too. These events seem almost like dreams and will for a long time. I told Bren today I could hardly look at old pictures. Me! The one who constantly takes and keeps and duplicates and shares pictures! It's just that I don't know where the time goes. How did Amy grow up so fast? Where did 37 years in the same house go; 43 years in the same town? Cameras capture the moments. Hearts capture the love and the memories.

This is another wonderful chapter in our lives.

Note: Paul told me to make this correction - the distance that the movers had to walk up the driveway was about 200 feet, not 50! More bravo to them!

FASTER THAN DIAL-UP, YOU SAY?

2011-07-24T12:32:00.000-07:00

I know I shouldn't let it bother me, but I'm so used to AT&T DSL that the satellite internet we have is more than a little aggravating. I've called four times in the last two days about the speed. Yesterday it was something about their gateway in Laredo, TX, which is our satellite I guess. Today everything is okay on their end and" go to this website to run a speed test." How should I know what I'm looking for? The rep told me, but the numbers looked nothing like what he said. Well, a slower pace... But not for internet, please.

Meanwhile this morning, the butterflies began taking over the lily bush. This is only one of dozens of Swallowtails that visit two of these bushes in the back yard. We rarely saw butterflies, at least in town, in Wynne. But we never had a lily bush, either!

I've made quite a bit of progress in the kitchen. My sister-in-law Sandra came yesterday and got the rest of the quilts and some dishes. There's a set of china she's going to get for one of the J girls when I get around to putting mine up in the cabinet, switching them out. These egg boxes from Hay's Grocery sure came in handy. These are all gone now, unpacked - we can use the little kitchen cart again.

Bitty has not returned. Amy said when I least expect it, she will stroll up to the house. I sure hope so.

Everything (cats and Oscar) and everyone else (Paul) are napping. We'll go visit Mama Nick for a while this afternoon when we stir around again. He worked outside this morning clearing shrubs from around the air conditioning unit. (We do plan to go to church, just didn't today.) I think I'll go start back on the den now and see if I can make some progress. I don't know where we had all this stuff. Everyone tells me the boxes will eventually all go away. But I'd better go help them.

The Low Garden, lily bush on the left.

FRIDAY ALREADY

2011-07-22T05:17:00.000-07:00

The rain we had yesterday afternoon was most welcome. However, it blew in both ends of the carport and had us scrambling to cover boxes! I even took down a shower curtain to drape over those on the south end. It did cool things off a lot and I don't think any damage was done. My brother Steve is supposed to come get our two old TVs, microwave, and some other things; I hope he does today - that'll free up a little space.

The kitchen is my goal today. I decided to re-paper some shelves, but I had to take some things out of the cabinets anyway. I sign my name dotting and crossing as I go, if that tells you something about me - I want it all done the first time. But when I got up this morning, everything I left sitting there was still there! We went to bed at 7:30 last night. I will just have to go back and cross some Ts later...

Aunt Ginny will be by at 10:00 this morning to take me to get tomatoes. Bless her heart - I love her to death - but I'm glad we don't have far to go. I would rather be a little queezy than hurt her feelings about her rapid stop/start driving. If she offers for me to drive, I'll take her up on it.

Paul has been up since 4:30. I'm going now and cook real breakfast, which we have taken to eating - it lasts longer than a honey bun, for the work we've been doing! Real country sausage, biscuit (not homemade, but good) and eggs. A working hand's breakfast!

Hope you all have a great day.

Oh, by the way - when I work up this morning, I'm sure Tommy-Cat had either thrown up or peed on my side of the bed. At least it was all wet and no "food." A lovely awakening. I'm thinking the bedroom is gonna have to be off limits to them! Ha! Cats do what they want to! If I close the door, Oscar can't get in, and he is allowed. And Bitty has not come home. I asked around yesterday but no one had seen her... Animals... Amy, you owe me big time.

AND WE HAVE INTERNET...

2011-07-20T20:30:00.000-07:00

...and WiFi.

But Bitty disappeared into the woods.

Our last day in Wynne - Monday - was so busy I didn't have time to cry except when Beth and Zack stopped to say goodbye and she and I both teared up. Tommy, Matt and Jeremy were at our house at 7:00, began loading Tommy's 24-foot trailer and were finished by 1:30 I think. I cleaned each room behind them as they emptied it. At noon, Paul and I went to the bank to sign papers and that took about 15 minutes, tops. A few other people stopped by, some I knew, some I didn't. Lynn Blake came to tell us goodbye one last time. By 2:30 we had the truck and our small trailer loaded and were going "home" to Iuka.

Bitty was so good all day. We put her in Oscar's kennel - the big wire one - and she was fine except when the vacuum cleaner was on. We put her in the pet carrier and she was fine - never a mew. She rode perfectly the whole way. Once here, I put cat food under her nose for a good sniff so she'd know where it was, let her out of the kennel, and she strolled down the back yard into the woods. She's been gone 48 hours. I hope she is only exploring and isn't lost or some creature of the woods - an owl, coyote (are they around here?) or dog hasn't got her. She's so frail in the summer what with shedding and her age - what in animal years if she's 15. Really old. There was a beam of sunlight through the woods and I watched, calling her all the time, until she meandered on through the trees, seeming to just disappear into the sunlight. If she's not back in the morning I plan to visit neighbors to see if anyone has seen her. We can't see a single neighbor, but they are nearby.

We saw four of our neighbors walking yesterday evening with a large black dog below our driveway on the paved road. Oscar was outside and saw the dog, too. Oscar attacked, running all the way down the driveway and just tearing into the poor animal. It looked like Big Dog was subdued and had given up, trying to get away from Whirling Dervish, but Oscar was panting like a race horse, and one of the boys picked him up! I was walking as fast as I could (I can't/don't run any more) toward this scene and called out for him not to put O down because he might bite him! "Let me take him from you!" It worked, or else Oscar was so proud of himself he didn't know anyone had him.

Yesterday morning, I went into town to make a couple of address changes, check in at the post office, and get my library card! The librarian Fredda and I graduated same class and it was good to see her. I've seen her on visits, but it was especially nice to be an official card-holder and have her explain their internet access and book club meetings. I asked if they take donations (they do) and told her I had books to donate - my new mission. As if I haven't already cleaned out so many.

But we had more boxes than furniture and it seems the furniture multiplied once inside the house. Tommy Hess, Matt (his son, 12 years old - worked all day with them!), and Jeremy were in Iuka at 9:30 and worked until 5:30 with a short lunch break. The load in the 24-foot trailer was so heavy that Tommy couldn't back it up the driveway until some was unloaded. It's about a 50-foot driveway. They dollied and hauled (in Paul's small wagon attached to his riding mower) many loads, many trips up that driveway. It isn't steep, but it's a definite incline and it was hot! Thank goodness for a little cloud cover occasionally. I was so impressed with the way they worked - no one ever lost their temper, not one stressed out. They are excellent at their profession. Paul's brother Tommy came in the afternoon and helped some. By the afternoon, though, they had enough weight off the truck he could finally get it backed up closer to the house.

Nearing the end of the move. I was amazed how these guys were able to lift, carry and maneuver these big pieces of furniture.

Today Paul and I dove in and got some boxes unpacked, the den TV hooked up (another call to DirecTV - always nice assistants to talk with), because it was a different TV than the one we had there before. The Wild Blue tech came (actually DirecTV personnel do their installations for them), and we have internet and WiFi. I did have to call D-Link to get the WiFi set up, which was about the most stress I've had all day. I wasn't fast enough, or the tech was ready to go home. She finally slowed down long enough for me to find what she was telling me. But it's fine - we are "connected."

So I'm sitting in "my" room, the one with the hundred boxes in the middle of the sunken floor (which has to be jacked up - you can definitely see a downward slope), but I've learned other folks have had to do the same thing.

And last Saturday! We went to see our new grand-nephew Tyler! He was born July 12. This is Morgan and Steven's first baby, my brother Mike and his wife Marsha's first grandbaby. Just a doll.

Tonight we had squash and cucumbers from a neighbor's garden. Jeanette brought them by and that's exactly all what we had for supper, with biscuits.

The other two cats are fine; they know when someone is here and hide until "their people" are the only ones around. We have to tether Oscar when most people come. He just needs to destress. He's learning though.

There are more lightening bugs here that I've seen in half a century. They're beautiful! Talk about a fairyland down in the back yard!

I found a tick (unattached) on me last night... That's getting real personal. I check Oscar regularly. Now I'll start checking myself! Becky said ticks were bad around their house and they had to have their yard sprayed. We plan to, or sprinkled with granules, something... I can almost stand spiders more than ticks, and I hate spiders.

It seems strange to hear the TV from so far away at the other end of this house.

I hope Bitty is okay. She was Amy's kitten, then went to Mama's for a while, but essentially we've had her for 15 years. She comes to the back door morning and evening for her bit of canned cat food. I stand here on the carport and yell, "Treat," for she always came for that word. If anyone hears me through these woods, they will think the new neighbor has lost her mind or that's a strange name for a dog. I console myself by thinking, God knows exactly where she is. I'm hopeful, but if she doesn't come back, she will have disappeared on a sunbeam.

Meanwhile, these two don't seem to be on great terms... They at least should "face off!"

IT'S MY PARTY...

2011-07-11T06:22:00.000-07:00

...and I'll cry if I want to.

So many good wishes from friends - can't even begin to name them individually. The office Buds gave me and Paul a get-together going-away "soire" last Thursday. I wanted to cry, but I didn't... The City gave Paul a reception at City Hall last Thursday afternoon. I wanted to cry, but... (Note here: the departments gave him a wonderful generator - someone said it would light up the whole town of Iuka! Indeed! We shouldn't be hot or cold in case of power outages! Thank You!!) Yesterday in church I cried a little, looking around at the sanctuary, the stained glass windows, the choir, the people: "forsake not the assembling of yourselves together." It was all about all the wonderful memories, connections, friendships - church really is a church home. In Sunday School I did cry. We have shared so much over the years and are a close bunch of "girls," have been through so much together, prayed for each other, loved each other, laughed and cried together.

After church Paul and I ate at Kelley's, fortunate enough to see several couples we could visit with a bit; then we came home and collapsed for naps after eating from the fabulous buffet.

Saturday night we - Paul - had taken everything out of the attic and mostly I went through what was salvageable and reboxed the contents. So many of Amy's dolls and stuffed animals, high school papers, notebooks, Argentina trip memorabilia, letters, cards. Some of the boxes had almost caved in, the tape was dry and curling, dusty. I went to Walmart and got some more plastic boxes for the dolls - ET, Big Bird, the one that blew Bubble Yum gum (rubber, and the "bubble gum" had dried in the poor baby's mouth), doll clothes, boyfriend boxes; old patterns (including the Vogue pattern for my wedding dress - $3.00! Quite a lot in 1968 when Simplicity and McCall's were maybe 65c!). (Sometime last year Mama Nick told me and Amy she had cleaned out some things including letters I had written to her over the years. Amy and I looked at each other and - just looked at each other... But yesterday some of those letters were returned to me! There were notebooks of printed letters (I almost always wrote them on the computer) to her and to my Mama - packrat that I am, I had saved them in that way. Call it an obsession, but family history, genealogy, stories, have always meant so much to me. I can throw away an 1970's hair dryer (helmet style) but not letters to and from family.

We can hardly walk for boxes, but the attic was the last frontier. All I lack is the freezer, which I've cleaned out, and the refrigerator. I plan to share the contents with a friend if she can use anything, and take the rest to Iuka - the blueberries from Killough's, the pecans from Joe's handy tree just over the fence.

Never thought I would miss a stove, but I actually miss it just being there. The buyer came Friday and got it. I'll be glad to get somewhat organized at the new house - it will take a long time for things to find their new homes. This weekend we have to make room in closets, two need to be painted, and I wish my great painter sister were there to do it, but she won't be back until spring. I have used a couple of chairs long enough to know they don't "fit" us - one is a small recliner and the seat is not deep enough for our long legs! I'm sure there will be another trip to the Salvation Army store.

The Chamber of Commerce in hosting a reception for Paul (he was on the Chamber Board) Tuesday evening from 4-6 at the Tech Center, just before the last Council meeting over which Paul will preside. We'll say our goodbyes, make some individual stops around town, and time draws to a close on this era of our lives. I've mostly expressed my feelings about leaving friends here, but I know Paul feels the same way. While I worked in Forrest City all but a year of my working life, he has been here and knows 99% of everyone in Wynne, not to mention the county and the state! He has loved both his careers - teaching and being mayor, no doubt about it.

Now I have deliveries to make - to the Workshop and to Miss Ermaline for the Mission Sale this fall. Look for information about that - I know there will be some nice wool jackets for sale!

I told someone in SS yesterday we would have satellite internet and she said, "Good luck with that," having it herself. Hopefully all will go smoothly. I may be gone for a little while, but plan to let you know about Iuka, Iooka, Iukse - it's been spelled so many ways and it really is easy - our Indian Chief! "The city of Iuka was named after Chief Iuka, pronounced eye-you-ka, which is actually a contraction for the longer name of Ish-ta-ki-yu-ka-tubbe. The Chief was an endorser for the Treaty of Pontotoc Creek, dated October 20, 1832."

I'm glad it was shortened to Iuka - I'm not even sure how to pronounce the longer name!

...AND THE DISH RAN AWAY WITH THE SPOON

2011-07-07T06:43:00.000-07:00

We (Paul) sold our old stove yesterday and I polished it within an inch of it's life. Who wouldn't want this pretty old stove? It's going to a new home and I wanted it to look pretty and it does. I made hamburgers on it last night for me and Paul, told him that was our last cooked meal on that stove, really in this house, I suppose...

Then I started packing everything else in the kitchen - pans, dishes, all the little things you think you might need in a two week interim before moving. You don't. You need only a few things. A plate, cup, fork, spoon. One pan, one spatula. To live very simply, that is all you need. I'm reminded daily that we have a huge abundance of things we don't need, and most of it, truth be told, have no attachment to, or even want when it comes down to it.

After our hamburgers, we split a Sonic Oreo Blast. He found a plastic spoon in his truck; I got one of the measuring spoons off the ring it was on and that's what we ate with. The measuring spoons had escaped being packed as yet, only reason they were handy.

Tuesday I went to Women on Mission and it was so good to be with "sisters." I know there will be other "sisters" in Iuka, but these ladies I have known - most of them - ever since we've lived here, gone through teen years with our daughters with some, bought the BPW birthday calendar from one, taught GA's with one, just gotten to know them even better since I retired and have time to spend doing things like this.

Today is lunch with the TB's (Travelin' Buddies), Jean, Carol and Charlene. Tonight a small going away get together at some friend's home. Tomorrow - reception at City Hall. Next Tuesday afternoon a reception at the Tech Center.

How much I love Wynne and its people. Yes, bittersweet to move. But ready to move on to this adventure of our retirement years. So glad Paul decided to retire. We may get on each other's nerves, but at least we'll have plenty of room to go off by ourselves for a while - he on his riding mower and potentially two acres to mow, hack and clear out underbrush; me to Bren's house, or "My Room," or a walk over to Aunt Ginny's!

Now to go and round up stray spoons...

BUILDING PLAYHOUSES

2011-07-01T08:16:00.000-07:00

This trip and two more, the third being the final...

We have all these appliances - my stove is quite old. In fact it is the only stove we've owned and it's very sentimental to me. It works just fine - all the eyes work, the oven works. Right now there is no fluorescent bulb in the back, but it works; and the outlet on the back of the stove doesn't work at all. Other than that it's a jewel. I didn't know they even made these any more - it's a 40" with two storage drawers - one on the side and one on the bottom. So many birthday cakes, cookies, cupcakes, cornbread muffins - mostly I baked in it, I suppose. Paul's mother's is just like it - actually, it is his grandmother's - Mother Ruth's. Mama Nick preferred it over the one she had and so our really old ranges have been cooking away all these years. I don't recall that we bought ours based on the one she had - it just fit the space we had for it.

But... I found that these 40" ranges do exist - and with self-cleaning ovens! Great! They don't come cheap, but if my first stove lasted 37 years, think how old I'll be and unable to cook probably when - if - I get a new one! 100! One model even has a small side oven where mine has a storage drawer. I think that'd be icing on the cake! Anyway, they are very pretty "old-fashioned" looking and that's sort of what I was going for. Since we'll have a "country home" I want to keep it looking somewhat that way - not to say there won't be updates and improvements, but this stove... It just has the look of mine - plain and just functional - but is more modern... With digital oven controls...

The other immediate appliances I'm looking at are a new refrigerator and dishwasher. Mama Nick's fridge doesn't have an icemaker. I remember when we got our first fridge with icemaker - nothing could have made Paul happier! He could hardly wait! Now I feel that way about one with ice/water in the door! And a pull out freezer in the bottom! We had to buy a new clothes washer before Christmas (for Iuka house), and the dryer there still works (the hole where you put in clothese is about the size of a medium pizza), and of course, there is the clothesline. But we'll have our own dryer to replace it when the time comes. We will have no carport left because of appliances sitting around, until we can get them installed. But we may have our old stove sold - parting is such sweet sorrow... The good thing is that I get to "make my playhouse," as Sher and I call it from childhood days.

Did anyone else, when you were kids, sweep away all the limbs and leaves and use sticks for room walls and make playhouses in the woods? We "recycled" tin cans for our dishes - the can itself, and those sharp-edged lids for plates and saucers... We never got "lockjaw"... I guess our immune systems were strong then.

RAINY DAY

2011-06-28T06:35:00.000-07:00

Blessed, cooling rain. The thunder sounds to comforting, like a mother mumbling to her children, giving us a refreshing time, saying that she loves us and it will be okay. That background voice like you hear in the Charlie Brown cartoons. Not exactly sure what she's saying, but the voice is there. Really, the voice of God.

Last night I went through the clothes that were hanging in the attic and got a boxful for Sher, many more pieces for Women on Mission (need to find out where to take them), and several summer tops and capris I have not had time to look for this year. I did make some progress. Paul said the attic has "a lot of stuff" in it. Yes...

I finally finished my last library book I had checked out: The Saturday Big Tent Wedding by Alexander McCall Smith, one of the No. 1 Detective Agency books. They are so soothing and quietly philosophical. Precious Romatswe is a wonderful character, as they all are. So this will be the last book read from our wonderful Cross County Library. One of the first things I want to do is get a library card at the Iuka Library. (I worked there summers and some during high school - the librarian then, Mrs. Anne Byrd, recently passed away at 96! She was a wonderful boss.)

Norma called yesterday on her way, with some others from the office, to Cindy Holland's sister-in-law's visitation and funeral. She was Cindy's husband John's sister. I had seen the obituary, but I didn't connect the families. I had not even dressed for the day (meaning still in pjs) when she called.

Supposed to be going down to the Woodruff office to get boxes (time for them to mail bills and always have nice boxes), so need to get up and get motivated. Think I'll stop and get some donuts...

COUNTDOWN

2011-06-21T10:12:00.000-07:00

Saturday when I got back to Wynne I went straight to bed for a nap, then to Forrest City for Donna's visitation. I'm so glad I came home. It seemed surreal, though. Still hasn't completely registered that she is not with us any more. But - she is with Jesus and that is the comfort. Carolyn was sick and not able to go to either visitation or the funeral (Sunday) and Norma had just pushed herself till she could hardly go, also taking medication for bronchitis and/or laryngitis. It is so good to have friends to hold onto in bad times, and hold we did, literally. The slideshow had many pictures of us girls together at Woodruff, along with Donna's family and other friends, times we would all go out to eat, Christmas parties, Goodie Days at work, "just because" I or one of us had a camera in hand. One of Donna and me with identical tops on we wore the same day... Sunday there was hardly sitting room in the chapel (Morgan's), but it was a beautiful service. I just about lost it when the lady sang "Beaulah Land," which was sung at her husband Evertt's funeral. We went on to the cemetery at Palestine where Evertt, her first husband is buried.

Norma, me, Donna, Becky, at Donna's retirement party. The swing was one of her retirement gifts.

Christmas party at Mike's, 2008; Donna is third from right in red shirt

Christmas at Mazzio's, 2008 or '09; Donna just behind Santa's right, in red sweater.

When we get settled again, I'll have to look back at the really old pictures. She worked at Woodruff 35 years and retired in 2007, so we were together quite a long time, as most of us have been fortunate enough to have been.

Paul and I are going to Iuka this weekend, and Oscar, but not the cats. They'll be fine for two days. I don't want to hear Tommy's crying!

The thermostat (Iuka) was installed and it made a huge improvement! John C added a little freon and taped up a hole in the old unit casing. We know it'll have to be replaced soon; that's on our growing to-do list. The house there is looking more liveable than this one, although it isn't too bad, just getting that vacated look.

We've had so many well wishes and we're greatful for so many wonderful friends here. You don't live in a city for 42 years and not be sad to leave the people. Wynne is wonderful; Arkansas is wonderful. We've lived here 2/3 of our lives! I visited with Shelby yesterday, my Sunday School teacher, and told her that God "put the solitary (us) in families" - all our church family, our many friends from school, Woodruff, city and state friends and acquaintenances. It has been a blessing and a privilege for us to be here and for Wynne to put their trust and faith in Paul to govern the city for twelve-plus years. I'm amazed to look back and see God's hand so graciously providing and blessing us. And it has been grace - unmerited favor. Who would have thought two little Mississippians from that quiet little town would be so fortunate? Okay, I can't do this. I can't and won't say "goodbye!" Just - until next time.

I will continue the blog; and thank you all so much for taking time out of your lives to check on ours... We love you.

IN THE PAST 2 WEEKS

2011-06-16T20:49:00.000-07:00

I have been in Iuka almost 2 weeks. Sister Sher was here last week and that girl can FOCUS! She can also lift boxes! We had carpets cleaned, cleared a lot out of rooms, she painted the kitchen. I miss her! I'll be ready for my October visit to her house after all this packing and moving.

Paul's successor was elected the fourteenth - Bob Stacy - and I think he'll do a fine job.

Today I had terribly sad news-my good friend and former co-worker Donna Tarbutton was killed in a one car accident today. She was on her way to her son and daughter-in-law's home in Little Rock and planned to fly to Arizona Monday to visit her daughter and her family. Donna was always a great friend and encouragement to me and we were part of that sweet work family, going through many joys and sorrows over the years. She loved life and lived it to the fullest. We will miss her.

Today I stayed busy as usual and finished assembling a kitchen cart. Sher and I looked at them
online and I ordered through Amazon. I wrangled it around in the floor and Tommy (Paul's brother) came by after work and turned it upright for me. It's a great addition and adds some division between the kitchen and den.

I have HGTV on all day for breaks, background noise and tips!

Mama Nick remains about the same. Some days she feels like sitting up for several hours, other days not.

Oscar enjoys outdoors but I have had to remove a couple of ticks from him. Horrible little creatures. I give him flea/tick med every month. The yard needs some kind of treatment.

And the air conditioning guy is coming tomorrow to check the thermostat. It cools great; but has to be turned up/down manually.

Since I'm doing this on iPhone there's no telling what it will look like.. So I apologize for misspelled words, etc.

ANOTHER BIG STEP...

2011-06-02T06:49:00.000-07:00

The packing has gone well this week. I mentally check off the rooms...there are odds and ends scattered around the house. Keep? Not keep? A little silk magnolia blossom I gave Mama years ago... Had it in the give-away box, took it out. Made a picture of it. Put it back on the bookshelf. I'm too sentimental. Is there such a thing as too? Probably. Anyway, I have too much stuff. I'm sure once at Two Acres (temporary name since I'm not really saying "home" yet), I'll see where and how everything fits. There will probably be much more thant goes to Goodwill - there's a nice one in Corinth.

Paul is going to enclose half the double carport to keep his garage contents temporarily, until he can get a garage/workshop built. That's his big project, while mine is a new refrigerator, stove, dishwasher and sofa for the living room. The refrigerator and stove are not just essential right now, but I remember when we got a fridge with an icemaker! What a happy day! Mama Nick's fridge doesn't have one, not even a place for one, but ice trays... So three nice appliances and a new sofa... that would tide me over for a while.

I'm glad sister Sher will be there for a week - she's good at spatial projects, color... Our main concern will be "my" room (office/studio) - stripping wallpaper and possibly painting, if we get that far. It has to be cleaned out first and I hope the "boys" will be able to help this weekend, getting furniture and other items they may want. It's the nature of this whole endeavor - moving Mama Nick's things, going through them.

We have carefully considered everything we've packed and more importantly discarded. The old plastic containers went out right away. Aprons, purses, table linens - packed. China and flatware - washed. She has given her blessings and has told us more than once how glad she is that we'll be there, that we wanted to buy the house. In her situation, I would want someone to take care of all that for me, know it was being handled well and with respect, and that's what we've tried to do. She is not well, but she is aware, and as long as possible, I want her to know we're doing the best we can and taking care of her lifetime of belongings. Near the end of any lifetime (actually very likely) it doesn't matter. For the days I've packed and packed, there have been times I've actually felt ill and like I wanted to throw it all out - it is just things, after all. But the memories attached to them, people, places, times. Those are priceless. We should just thank God we have had those people, places and time.

Today's work will include getting my little truck packed with things I'm taking this weekend. Paul will have room in his truck also. Then there are two cats and Oscar. The cats will get travel anxiety drops - Dr. Smith said give five drops each about 30 minutes before we leave. Plus their nice big potty, which will be packed easily enough and it's big enough to hold something else, not a cat - there are two carriers for them. I got some pan liners and can just lift out the litter tomorrow before we go, wash out and load up. (You know, if it had wheels we could pull it - I've said it does look like a small camper trailer.)

Amy's job is going great; her apartment situation and roommate are working out well. She's staying busy and has had after-hours work at the other funeral home she works for. (This was not a problem with her full-time employer; they discussed it.) There was an air conditioning problem yesterday, she said, but maintenance responded right away, so hopefully they didn't have to sleep in the heat.

I'm going to the courthouse today to apply for absentee ballot. I suppose this mayoral election will be the last one I will vote in. I will just be getting back to Wynne and don't want to risk missing an opportunity to vote. I haven't moved my residency yet!! Just my stuff!