Grandpa’s Boy
We had a full day in town but our reward was spending time with our Little Man. With all that happened here this year, we only got to see him twice. So he doesn’t really know us. He will be a year old in late December.
When we first got there, he cried every time he looked at us. Mama says he doesn’t like people in his house. He lives a perfect, quiet life on a hundred acre horse farm. However, once he got a good look at us and saw we were grandmas and grandpas, he got curious and pulled himself up to get a better look. His best toy was Grandpa’s bottle of pop. 🤗
Mr. FixIt is a magnet for babies. Our littles run and yell “PapPaw, PapPaw!” And he just melts. My sweetheart has the softest, kindest heart.
We drove back into town and decided to stop at a local diner for supper. We’ve always had such good meals there, but last night may not have been one of them. I don’t like to complain because I know what a tough business running a restaurant is. And any restaurant can have a bad night.
It’s getting cold here. It rained off and on all day yesterday and it will be down in the 20’s before we know it. We’ll finish cleaning out the camper today and put her away for the winter. It’s always a sad day to give it up. But, we have reservations to camp at the beach in late April, so we have much to look forward to!
Are you planning a big Thanksgiving? What’s your favorite dish to prepare? We aren’t having our meal till the 28th, so I still have time to play with recipes before then.
Till tomorrow, dear ones…
Ginny
“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”
Proverbs 17:22 NIV
#grandbabies #littles #babies #grandparents
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Under a Champagne Sky
I took the truck in to have the window replaced yesterday. It was a beautiful day. I went a little early so I could pick up a coffee to drink in the waiting room. When I was at the drive thru window, the barista said they had an extra Sweet Cream Vanilla Latte and did I want it. I took it to share with someone at the dealership.
I parked near the door and Adam, our friend and salesperson came out to greet me.
“What are you doing here? Your appointment isn’t till the 13th.”.
I showed him my phone with the appointment scheduled. He called the glass shop and sure enough, our appointment was yesterday at 3:00! Thank goodness, because I’m already catching myself in myriad mistakes on my calendar.
I settled into a comfy chair and got out my knitting. I haven’t worked on this sweater for a couple of weeks. I’m almost halfway through the first sleeve.
On the way home, I pulled into a lot to call a friend who is having some distressing health issues. If you will, please send up some prayers for our friends Linda and Jim. They’ve both had a really hard year.
Back on the road, I decided Chinese food sounded good for supper, so I pulled into Chef Chen’s and picked up our faves…Beef & Broccoli and Szechuan Shrimp. I didn’t have to cook or clean. On my way out of the restaurant, the sky was gorgeous! It felt like I was covered with a champagne sky that gradually turned to a deep orange. I didn’t care if the food was getting cold…this was a moment to remember.
Our evening was lowkey and easy. Good food, light TV, and my favorite beau. We go to town today…the last trip of the week. Our prize at the end of the day will be a visit with one of our little great grandchildren. Busy week but glad to be slipping into the weekend for a much needed rest!
Till tomorrow, dear ones…
Ginny
“Give us today our daily bread.”
Matthew 6:11 NIV
#friends #health #gods #beauty #godsbeauty
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Cowgirls and Stick Ponies
When I was a little girl, we didn’t have a lot of money. A lot of the toys (and clothes) we did get were hand-me-downs from my cousin. One summer, when we spent time at Grandma’s farm, she gave us all a stick pony. She must have scrimped and saved and did without so we could have those.
There were a couple of little cowboy hats and cap guns with holsters in that summer’s hand-me-down box because I remember playing cowboys and Indians for hours. We named our horses and crowded in front of the TV to watch Audie Murphy movies on Saturday afternoons. If we were really lucky, we’d get a popsicle or a cold glass of Kool-Aid. What fun we had!
At night, we tied our horses up to the bedpost so they’d be ready to ride in the morning. We woke up to the sound of the pump man getting the wells going all around us.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
Pretty soon Grandma stood at the bottom of the stairs and yelled up, “Rise and Shine! You’ve slept the day away!” We’d smelled our breakfast cooking on the stove. Oatmeal or Wheaties was the usual fare. Sometimes there would be oatmeal raisin cookies. Grandma always said if she had nothing else, she had oatmeal raisin cookies with cold milk. At least you wouldn’t go hungry. She said if it weren’t for her old dairy cow and cookies, her kids would have starved during the Great Depression.
Do you have a special memory of summer mornings at your grandparents’ house? A food, a smell, a special toy? Share with us…I’d love to hear about it!
Till tomorrow, dear ones…
Ginny
“Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.”
Proverbs 17:6 NIV
#StickPonies #cowboys #and #cowboysandcowgirls #cowboysandindians #oatmealraisin #cookies
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Congressional Medal of Honor
Mr. Fixit’s cousin-in-law was given the Congressional Medal of Honor for bravery during the Vietnam War. We were invited to the Commission Ceremony for the warship named in his honor but were unable to attend. We received a commemorative glossy newsletter in the mail yesterday showing us what we missed. What an incredible honor for a brave and dedicated hero. Congratulations again, Barney and Martha! May the USS Harvey C. Barnum, Jr. serve in our country’s defense for years to come.
The Commissioning of the USS Harvey C. Barnum, Jr.: A Ship Named for a Medal of Honor Hero - Congressional Medal of Honor Society www.cmohs.org/news-even…
Other news…
I received a picture of my Bubby yesterday and he looks so much happier now. He’s enjoying therapy, eating better, and has a much brighter outlook.
Pumpkin’s trip to the vet. Poor thing. When you put her in the carrier and head to town, she can’t make it through the second turn in the road before she does her business. As you may well imagine, vet days are always an odoriferous experience. They think she has the same thing she had two years ago…crystals in her bladder. She was dehydrated but didn’t have a fever. The vet treated her with two injections…an antibiotic and an anti inflammatory and switched her food. If she doesn’t get better in a couple of days, it could be something worse. We’ll have to wait and see. She was pretty perky when we got home.
Speaking of getting home, Mr. FixIt asked me to bring the wagon out to the driveway to carry the kitty litter in. I came in the house, put some things on the kitchen counter and headed back out. I came around the kitchen island, caught my tow and fell headlong into the wall …kinda like an upright faceplant. I sat on the floor for a bit, my head ringing. Finally I got up and Mr. FixIt came in wondering why I hadn’t brought the wagon out. He felt terrible when he found out I hurt myself. I think I’ll be sore today, but no worse for the wear. I’m just glad I didn’t break my glasses!
This is one of those weeks where I have to go to town every day but Friday. You know how much I LOVE that, right? I shouldn’t complain, though. We are better off physically than a lot of people our age.
Till tomorrow, dear ones…
Ginny
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
Psalms 119:105 NIV
#ussharveycbarnumjr #CongressionalMedal #congressionalmedalofhonor
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Good News and Guilty Pleasures
First, the good news. My brother is doing well at the rehab hospital! The therapists are already working with him. Bubby loves it there and was excited to have a view of the mountains out his window. I’m so relieved!
After a worrisome couple of weeks, I settled into my Big Red Chair with my RYZE and my fuzzy blanket. It was time for family phone calls, a little genealogy, and cooking videos on YouTube. Last night I watched videos about…guess what? Yep, sourdough and cinnamon rolls! There were two that were intriguing…Sourdough with Roasted Beets and Feta and these ginormous rolls with different flavors. The sourdough was gorgeous. The rolls were Korean Street food. They bake twice a day and it looked like that’s their only offering. They were like our cinnamon rolls, but they had extravagant fillings, toppings, and sauces. I think I gained ten pounds watching!
We take Pumpkin Kitty to the vet this morning so I had to cut this short.
As I was writing this, it made me think of Grandma’s letters. We only lived 40 miles apart and saw each other most weekends but still she’d send a newsy letter at least once a week. I miss that. I still have many of her letters. It made me think about my blog. It’s kinda like writing letters to my family. I hope you all feel like they are letters from “home.” That proverbial, all inclusive home place where you can talk comfortably over a cup of coffee when you’re together.
I hope you had a good weekend!
Till tomorrow, dear ones…
Ginny
“Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.”
1 Chronicles 16:24 NIV
#letters #family #goodnews #GoodNews
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Brrrrrrr….
Our high was only 47° yesterday! It was our first really chilly day where we had to have the stove on in the family room. Every winter it’s the same thing. The batteries need changed in the gas stove. They tell the stove when to turn the gas on and off, I guess. There was a time when I tore things apart to figure out how they work. Now? Meh. As long as it keeps us warm, I’m good.
Mr. FixIt got down on the floor trying to change those batteries. He worked on them for a while, then he handed them off to me. My fingers are smaller and work better.
I hope I’m not coming down with something. I hurt all over yesterday and I could NOT get warm. I hope it’s better today! I don’t have time to get sick.
Pumpkin Kitty has to go to the vet tomorrow morning. She has a urinary thing going on like she had two years ago. We’ll get her all fixed up in no time.
In the meantime, I dove under the covers early last night so I could get warm. I’ll be back with you tomorrow!
Till then, dear ones…
Ginny
“For no word from God will ever fail.””
Luke 1:37 NIV
#coldweather #cold #fireplace
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Over and Over and Over Again
I told Mr. FixIt yesterday that I can work in that kitchen for eight or more hours a day and have it all to do the next day. I am convinced that dishes reproduce if left alone long enough.
I woke up long before Mr. FixIt. And before the power came back on. As predicted, the estimated time to come back on was 6:00 but it didn’t come back on till about 9:45. By that time, I had some bread dough rising and was cleaning up. Settling in with my coffee was my top priority at that point.
Of course, there was breakfast to cook by the time Mr. FixIt made his way into the kitchen. Time for breakfast! We had some sourdough that was getting a little stale, so I made French toast. I still had some of that butchers cut bacon we got the other day at Sam’s. It took me back to the days I lived in England. We didn’t have a lot of money so dining out was pure luxury. There was a little restaurant down by the canal bridge that served breakfast. We always got what was called a grill. An egg, a couple of thick slices of back bacon, a couple of “bangers” (English sausages), peas and a healthy stack of “chips.” I swear, they served fries with everything!
I got some good news yesterday…my Bubby was transferred to a wonderful rehab facility yesterday. I talked with him before the transport arrived and he sounded SO much better. He understands he has to stay there and work hard in PT to get stronger. I’m preparing to get some little things together to send him care packages to cheer him up and help him pass the time. I am much relieved!
We’re getting a few light showers this weekend and may have frost over the next few nights. I feel like I can breathe a little easier knowing my brother is getting good care and he’s happier.
I hope you have the opportunity to do something that uplifts you this weekend!
Till tomorrow, dear ones…
Ginny
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Galatians 6:9 NIV
#breadbaking #breadmaking #family #changes
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Ring Around the Rosy
As we head into the weekend, the stress and worry about my brother is taking its toll. They called me today to talk him down. He was very upset because the paperwork process was taking too long. It turns out, the people who needed to get that paperwork done all had Covid, too. It’s been going around in Colorado, apparently. I called and talked with him and his hospital case worker and helped him understand what was going on. He’s happier now knowing things are moving forward.
All this being said, I have a stress headache, our power is going out at 10:00 for a planned outage and supposedly will come back on at 6:00am. We’ll see.
Bubby gets moved to the rehab facility today. Please continue praying for him as he makes this move.
I headed to bed early.
Till tomorrow, dear ones…
Ginny
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”
2 Timothy 2:15 NIV
#PT #rehab #family #selfcare
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Patience
My roses have staying power. They still look soft and sweet and beautiful. They’re not in a hurry to droop and wither…their petals falling away signaling an end.
They offer me a lesson in patience and perseverance.
My brother is still in a kind of holding pattern waiting for the paperwork needed to transfer him to the skilled nursing facility. His case worker has been out of the office this week. Hopefully he’s back by Friday so we can get this show on the road.
Patience is not my strong suit. I want it all and I want it now, please. Too many years as a privileged doctor’s wife, I suppose. My brother and I both seem to have inherited this trait from our mom.
I used to pray for patience. Then I realized whatever I prayed for, God gives me opportunities to practice that trait I need help with. Now I just pray for what is needed and let go of the tail of that particular kite
Speaking of pretty flowers, look at those beauties. They’re on the fifth or sixth day now and still so soft and pretty. They’re actually getting more beautiful every day! Maybe that’s what God wants us to do…slow down and hand Him the reins. He reminds us who is really in control.
I went back out to the camper again last night. It very well may be the last night out there till spring. We’re heading into cool and rainy weather in the next day or so.
Till tomorrow, dear ones…
Ginny
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.””
Joshua 1:9 NIV
#Camping #weather #change #seasonsofchange
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Schottzie
For as long as I can remember, my brother has LOVED the Cincinnati Reds. They’ve always been THE team! My bubby could quote statistics for any player, any year.
Growing up in WV meant we weren’t all that far from Cincinnati mileage wise, but we might as well have lived on the moon. A trip to see the Reds was a luxury taken only once when we were kids. I was about 13 and had terrible anticipatory anxiety so I begged my mom to let me stay home. She finally gave in and I thought I was a big cheese. Turned out, I was a big chicken. A terrible thunderstorm blew in and lightning hit the transformer across the street. It about scared me to death. I hid under my bed till I heard the key in the door!
But, I digress.
Bubby had Reds sheets, curtains, hats and t-shirts. But his most precious memento was a stuffed Schottzie. I don’t remember if he got it at the game or a birthday, but he has slept with that thing all his life.
I want to say I brought it with us when we moved him to Colorado, but I cannot swear to it. There have been many things along the way that somehow grow legs. With him being in the hospital, I looked online to find a replacement. I looked for a vintage one but the only one I found was $100 bucks. I’ll keep looking though, because I’d love to surprise him with one!
I’m happy to say he continues to feel better, but his condition has regressed so much. The physical therapists evaluated him and feel he could benefit from a stint in rehab. I FaceTimed him last night and explained everything to him in terms he could understand.
I made the mistake of using the comparison of “an older person breaking a hip and going to ‘the PT place’ to get lots of therapy so they could regain their strength.” That led to a twenty minute conversation with questions like, “Where are your hips?” “Are everyone’s hips in the same place?” I had Destiny show him where your hips are. “He said, “Do hips keep growing?”
Only for some of us, my man.
I finally lassoed him and got the conversation circled back to rehab and I feel confident he understands now.
I am going over to the skilled nursing facility a couple miles from us today to see if he could come here. It all depends on funding. We’ll have to see. Please pray for the wisdom to make the right choices and no matter which way this goes, my sweet bubby will be happy, safe, and well cared for.
The weather has turned a little warmer so I slept in the camper last night. SO fun. I’ll probably get to stay out there one more night then the cold sets in again.
Till tomorrow, dear ones…
Ginny
“Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone.”
Psalms 71:9 NIV
#elder #care #eldercare #skilled #nursing #skillednursingcare
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