I just read my last post, wow, that seems so long ago. It was actually early Spring and so much has transpired since then. I don't think I can review everything right now, but I'll start where I am today.
I am back at the computer because my life has reached the point where I feel that God is telling me that I need to share with my friends and family how He is working in my life every moment of every day. I initially blogged because it helped me to feel connected to all my friends, neighbors and family members, even though ninety nine percent of those didn't ever read my blog. That was okay, because the few who did said they enjoyed it.
Eventually, I realized that my father-in-law got a kick out of reading it, after initially dismissing it because of all my Christian references. Anyway, he got hooked on it, so I continued keeping it up, because I knew he might absorb some of my strong faith in my God and His son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. If you read my last blog, you know that not only did my father-in-law pass away in January, but my mother-in-law passed only a matter of days later, in February. Needless to say, our lives became quite a bit more hectic with trips to Florida and taking care of so many end of life things with Mark's brothers. If you come to my house, you can get to know Mom and Dad Libby more, because we have so many of the things that they held dear and their belongings also help us to feel their presence surround us.
Okay, other stories of these past seven months will have to wait. Because today I have to share the story of my little dog, Taffy. My aunt Linda called me after I had mourned my first dog, Twinkles for months. Linda's dog, Misty had just had puppies and she knew the little cream colored one was just what I needed. For the first time since losing Twinkles, I felt a space opening up in my heart again for a little furball. I asked Mark and the kids what they thought about getting a new dog. Mark thought that we should get another Cocker Spaniel. Christina said it would be a great time to get a Pug. Dustin really liked the idea of a Corgi. So, I rephrased the question to, " Would ya'll like a new dog? Do you want this little dog from Linda or not?" It was unanimous. I called Linda back with the news and told her to start calling the creamed colored dog, Taffy, because I had always liked that name for a dog. She said Taffy it is and I started counting the days until she was old enough for Linda to bring her to me.
That was almost fifteen years ago. My little dog gave me so much I can't even begin to say, but that's only the beginning. When Taffy was six, remembering Twinkles loss, I decided that if anything happened to her, I wouldn't be able to stand it, if she left without my having something of her to help me heal. So, I breeded her with another little malti-poo that we knew and we had two puppies. My aunt Carol had recently lost her husband, my uncle Dean, so I promised her one of the puppies. That little puppy,Sassy, has kept my aunt Carol company as the most wonderful little companion for these years since my Uncle Dean has been gone.
After that first litter, I decided that providing needed puppies to family members and friends was my calling and little Pepper came into our lives. Five years, four litters and thirteen puppies later the comfort, joy and special friendships have blossomed with so many of my friends and family.
Taffy is gone now, she passed night before last at the age of fourteen years and ten months. She was mostly blind and deaf, but was always my little white shadow. I miss her terribly, but I'm okay because I have three other little white shadows with me ninety percent of the time. I thank God for preparing me and helping me to share the love and companionship of these little furballs with others. And, I know Taffy, with Twinkles, will be waiting for me when I finally go home. Take care and have a great day. luv, Susan
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Thursday, March 13, 2014
GOD'S AWESOME PROMISE OF SPRING
I am feeling so very blessed this morning. Even though it is frigid outside, the sun is shining and I saw so many signs of Spring when I was getting the mail and the paper. First, I heard a bird singing from the tree over our driveway. As I continued to look for the source of the melodious sound, I finally saw him atop a nearby tree. It was a bluebird!! Wow, that lifts my spirits so much I can hardly put it into words. Not only is it warm enough for them to start househunting for their future family, but they are coming back to my yard, even after the horrible experience of last summer.
I figured after that sighting, I would check the garden to see if any of my flower bulbs had dared to pop up through the frozen ground with their green sprouts. I was actually shocked to see evidence of all the daffodils, hyacinth and tulips pushing their way up through the soil. I am delighted to say the least.Thank you, God, for showing me the wondrous works of your hands.
As I read my Upperroom devotion for today, it was comforting to read one of my most favorite scriptures, Proverbs 3:1-6. The most familiar being verses five and six," Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight". The story with the scripture was wonderful. It was for those dealing with alcoholism or any addictions. I'm thankful not to have addictions, except to some foods, but it was a worthwhile read, as it is everyday.
In my last blog I mentioned my father-in-law's hospital stay and his latest improvement. Sadly, Dad Libby had rough days ahead as the doctors found what I understood to be a perforated bowel. He was no longer able to eat, and surgery was not an option. He passed away one week after he had sat up and had his bowl of sherbert in bed.
All the Libby boys made it down to be with him and Mom in those weeks. I was able to stay on with Mom, who had daytime caregivers. I was there for over two weeks as she was actually getting stronger and able to walk a little more steadily with her walker, after getting physical therapy three times a week. Unfortunately, she came down with an aggressive urinary tract infection that apparently sent her body into some sort of septic shock. This happened the night of the Superbowl and I called her daytime caregiver to come extra early the following morning. After talking to her doctors office, she was taken to the ER and eventually put on a respirator. Mom was in the hospital and improved for six days, but then started declining on day seven. Hospice took over her care and she passed within hours after my last goodbye to her. It was only about 25 minutes after her son had left her bedside. Staying at Mom and Dad's house the last two weeks of my month long stay was very strange. I came home with my sister and brother-in-law, who had been vacationing nearby.
We will have a memorial service for them both, this summer, on Dad's beloved island of Vinalhaven. We will share our memories with their many friends, who spend their summers in Maine; with our large family of Libbys, who will gather for the occasion, and we will scatter their ashes somewhere over Old Harbor, where they spent many years of their retirement enjoying island life and each other. We will continue to miss them both dearly and are comforted knowing they're together and will be there to greet us when our time comes to join them in heaven. Thank you, God, for your awesome promise of eternal life.
I hope you are seeing the wonderful signs of Spring as I have been. Please, take care and stay warm. love, Susan
I figured after that sighting, I would check the garden to see if any of my flower bulbs had dared to pop up through the frozen ground with their green sprouts. I was actually shocked to see evidence of all the daffodils, hyacinth and tulips pushing their way up through the soil. I am delighted to say the least.Thank you, God, for showing me the wondrous works of your hands.
As I read my Upperroom devotion for today, it was comforting to read one of my most favorite scriptures, Proverbs 3:1-6. The most familiar being verses five and six," Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight". The story with the scripture was wonderful. It was for those dealing with alcoholism or any addictions. I'm thankful not to have addictions, except to some foods, but it was a worthwhile read, as it is everyday.
In my last blog I mentioned my father-in-law's hospital stay and his latest improvement. Sadly, Dad Libby had rough days ahead as the doctors found what I understood to be a perforated bowel. He was no longer able to eat, and surgery was not an option. He passed away one week after he had sat up and had his bowl of sherbert in bed.
All the Libby boys made it down to be with him and Mom in those weeks. I was able to stay on with Mom, who had daytime caregivers. I was there for over two weeks as she was actually getting stronger and able to walk a little more steadily with her walker, after getting physical therapy three times a week. Unfortunately, she came down with an aggressive urinary tract infection that apparently sent her body into some sort of septic shock. This happened the night of the Superbowl and I called her daytime caregiver to come extra early the following morning. After talking to her doctors office, she was taken to the ER and eventually put on a respirator. Mom was in the hospital and improved for six days, but then started declining on day seven. Hospice took over her care and she passed within hours after my last goodbye to her. It was only about 25 minutes after her son had left her bedside. Staying at Mom and Dad's house the last two weeks of my month long stay was very strange. I came home with my sister and brother-in-law, who had been vacationing nearby.
We will have a memorial service for them both, this summer, on Dad's beloved island of Vinalhaven. We will share our memories with their many friends, who spend their summers in Maine; with our large family of Libbys, who will gather for the occasion, and we will scatter their ashes somewhere over Old Harbor, where they spent many years of their retirement enjoying island life and each other. We will continue to miss them both dearly and are comforted knowing they're together and will be there to greet us when our time comes to join them in heaven. Thank you, God, for your awesome promise of eternal life.
I hope you are seeing the wonderful signs of Spring as I have been. Please, take care and stay warm. love, Susan
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
THAWING OUT
It seems the word for today is "thawing". Yes, we have been in the deep freeze for the past several days....I mean temperatures here in Central Kentucky and the rest of the country have been record lows in the single digits and below. Thankfully, though, we are headed for a heatwave and expect to reach back up to freezing and above today, with the trend heading upward over the next several days.
I have been laying low at home with the four dogs keeping warm and getting the house back to normal after the holidays. All the decorations, the greenery and white lights, the Christmas tree and decorations and the nativities are all back in their boxes and stashed away in their closet. Today Mark can push the sofa back against the door until around Thanksgiving and it will all start again.
We've been in close contact with Mark's brothers for the past week. Dad Libby went into the hospital with chest pains and he's really had a time of it. They were afraid he might not make it after a procedure to clear some sort of blockage or clot was put on hold, but God must have told Dad that it was not his time, yet. News from brothers Jeffrey and Scott on Sunday was that Dad came to and sat up swinging his arms and fists like a boxer , ready for his opponent. Mark was overcome with emotion telling me that his dad was sitting up in bed and eating sherbert. This was wonderful news after what we had been hearing the past two days.
And as 2013 came to it's close, I had been struggling with minor health issues and dog problems. Because I've been willing to take back dogs that didn't work out, there has been the issue of "accidents" appearing behind sofas and under tables. It's hard to discipline dogs when you aren't 100% sure who the guilty party is, so it continues to be a problem. This cleaning up after bad dogs has only been compounded by my recent (say, the last six months or so) lower back problems that occur whenever I stoop or bend. You can see that the combination of bad dogs and bad back pains can make for uncomfortable, to say the least, living conditions. I realize the cross I bear is light compared to the burdens of others, so I will try not to harp on my complaints.
We are continuing on with our Esther Bible Study that took a back seat when we began having advent studies with our minister's class. I am so thankful to have loving and forgiving students in my class who pick up the ball and run with it when I drop it by coming in late or missing a class for whatever reason.
As 2014 marches on, I am reminded that the days are getting longer and it won't be long before we're looking for the signs of Spring. I am so thankful to know we serve a loving, forgiving, compassionate God who loves us each so very much and is in control of our lives when we are willing to give that control to Him. I hope you are thawing out today and realizing that warmer days are ahead. Stay safe. luv, Susan
I have been laying low at home with the four dogs keeping warm and getting the house back to normal after the holidays. All the decorations, the greenery and white lights, the Christmas tree and decorations and the nativities are all back in their boxes and stashed away in their closet. Today Mark can push the sofa back against the door until around Thanksgiving and it will all start again.
We've been in close contact with Mark's brothers for the past week. Dad Libby went into the hospital with chest pains and he's really had a time of it. They were afraid he might not make it after a procedure to clear some sort of blockage or clot was put on hold, but God must have told Dad that it was not his time, yet. News from brothers Jeffrey and Scott on Sunday was that Dad came to and sat up swinging his arms and fists like a boxer , ready for his opponent. Mark was overcome with emotion telling me that his dad was sitting up in bed and eating sherbert. This was wonderful news after what we had been hearing the past two days.
And as 2013 came to it's close, I had been struggling with minor health issues and dog problems. Because I've been willing to take back dogs that didn't work out, there has been the issue of "accidents" appearing behind sofas and under tables. It's hard to discipline dogs when you aren't 100% sure who the guilty party is, so it continues to be a problem. This cleaning up after bad dogs has only been compounded by my recent (say, the last six months or so) lower back problems that occur whenever I stoop or bend. You can see that the combination of bad dogs and bad back pains can make for uncomfortable, to say the least, living conditions. I realize the cross I bear is light compared to the burdens of others, so I will try not to harp on my complaints.
We are continuing on with our Esther Bible Study that took a back seat when we began having advent studies with our minister's class. I am so thankful to have loving and forgiving students in my class who pick up the ball and run with it when I drop it by coming in late or missing a class for whatever reason.
As 2014 marches on, I am reminded that the days are getting longer and it won't be long before we're looking for the signs of Spring. I am so thankful to know we serve a loving, forgiving, compassionate God who loves us each so very much and is in control of our lives when we are willing to give that control to Him. I hope you are thawing out today and realizing that warmer days are ahead. Stay safe. luv, Susan
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Starting 2014 Out Right
Happy New Year and a belated Merry Christmas! I hope this 2014 is starting out wonderfully well for you and your family. Mark and I are looking forward to a great year together. Last night we were watching Texas A & M doing a really pitiful job against Duke in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl. Finally, at halftime, I decided I'd had enough of seeing Duke score each time they had the ball, so I turned it off and turned in for the year of 2013. I had wanted to see Johnny Football do his magic against Duke and really send them a packing. This was in no way how I wanted to celebrate the New Year, watching Duke win a bowl game. It also was what my 57 year old body was telling me to do, go to sleep. So, with two hours left in the old year, Mark and I turned in and when our dogs wanted to go out at 12:05, we woke long enough to wish each other a Happy New Year and turned the page to 2014.
I was absolutely surprised when Mark woke me early this morning to inform me that Johnny Football had actually done his magic and Texas A & M had beaten Duke. Wow, I enjoyed the highlights from SportsCenter and was happy that Duke didn't get to celebrate. I am a true Kentucky fan after all.
I got caught up in the Christmas and holiday preparations and never got back to blogging after Thanksgiving. I was also set back some after getting my gall bladder removed, so I'll use that as an excuse as well. I do hope you had a great Christmas, we did. I spent a lot of time with family and wouldn't change any of our wonderful holiday times spent together. Both my sisters do such a great job hosting us in their homes Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I don't see how they get it all done!!
The only problem I found with the Christmas season was all the commercials on TV promoting all the spending, spending, spending. It's really hard to concentrate and enjoy the true meaning of Christmas when the world media considers it simply a time to shop and spend. That's the end of my rant.
On December 26th, my UpperRoom reading talked about the women of Christmas. I was particularly taken with the verses in Luke about Mary and Joseph taking Jesus to the temple when he turned eight days old. A man, Simeon, who was described as righteous and devout, had been blessed with the Holy Spirit and it had been revealed to him that he would not die before seeing the Lord's Christ. When he saw Mary and Joseph bring Jesus to the temple at Jerusalem, he knew this was who had been revealed to him. He took the baby in his arms and praised God saying, "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for the revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people, Israel."
The current UpperRoom had the cover illustration of Simeon holding the baby Jesus. I just wanted to share this wonderful insight. I am so happy to read each day's selected reading and will continue to do so throughout 2014. My primary resolution each year is to grow closer to God and starting each morning with His word gets each day off on the right foot.
I hope you have a wonderful and safe 2014 starting off with a great first day. Take care and stay safe. love, Susan
I was absolutely surprised when Mark woke me early this morning to inform me that Johnny Football had actually done his magic and Texas A & M had beaten Duke. Wow, I enjoyed the highlights from SportsCenter and was happy that Duke didn't get to celebrate. I am a true Kentucky fan after all.
I got caught up in the Christmas and holiday preparations and never got back to blogging after Thanksgiving. I was also set back some after getting my gall bladder removed, so I'll use that as an excuse as well. I do hope you had a great Christmas, we did. I spent a lot of time with family and wouldn't change any of our wonderful holiday times spent together. Both my sisters do such a great job hosting us in their homes Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I don't see how they get it all done!!
The only problem I found with the Christmas season was all the commercials on TV promoting all the spending, spending, spending. It's really hard to concentrate and enjoy the true meaning of Christmas when the world media considers it simply a time to shop and spend. That's the end of my rant.
On December 26th, my UpperRoom reading talked about the women of Christmas. I was particularly taken with the verses in Luke about Mary and Joseph taking Jesus to the temple when he turned eight days old. A man, Simeon, who was described as righteous and devout, had been blessed with the Holy Spirit and it had been revealed to him that he would not die before seeing the Lord's Christ. When he saw Mary and Joseph bring Jesus to the temple at Jerusalem, he knew this was who had been revealed to him. He took the baby in his arms and praised God saying, "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for the revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people, Israel."
The current UpperRoom had the cover illustration of Simeon holding the baby Jesus. I just wanted to share this wonderful insight. I am so happy to read each day's selected reading and will continue to do so throughout 2014. My primary resolution each year is to grow closer to God and starting each morning with His word gets each day off on the right foot.
I hope you have a wonderful and safe 2014 starting off with a great first day. Take care and stay safe. love, Susan
Thursday, November 21, 2013
THE SECOND GRADE REBELLION
Mrs. Higgins second grade class, at Greenbriar Elementary School, was not a happy group this mid-November morning. I remember a lot of slamming of locker doors as we stomped around creating the most disgruntled group of unhappy rebels who wanted to create some sort of revolution that morning. How could we be treated so unfairly? As the stark reality of the situation sunk in, we just wanted to be as difficult a group of seven year olds that we could possibly be. We were being treated unjustly and we were not going to just behave accordingly as we normally would.
What had happened? Why were we so angry? We had just learned that we, the entire group of secondgraders at this Fort Worth school would not be attending the parade to be held downtown later in the morning. Of course, the classes older than us, were boarding buses and going to see President John F. Kennedy and his wife, first lady, Jackie Kennedy as they left their hotel and proceded on to the airport for the rest of their Texas journey. My sister, Kathy, a fourth grader, was going to get to see him. My parents planned on finding a spot on the parade route and seeing him and Jackie as well. I believed my teen sister, Pam would also be there.
All of this seemed so unbelieveably unfair! I loved President Kennedy and Jackie so much. I don't even remember having a president until him. I had wished to be part of their family. They were perfect. Their children were perfect. They had the perfect life and because of them, we had the perfect country. I wanted to see them so much! When I found out the rest of the school was going to go see him, I was furious. I don't remember if I actually led the civil disobedience of slamming lockers and stomping feet, but, I was sure making my disapproval of this situation known.
I think Mrs. Higgins, who seemed to be a very sweet, kind and gentle white haired teacher eventually got her little band of bad kids under control and cooled the heated rebellion as we went on with our day.
I only remember that eventually, we were told that we were dismissing early. As I met my mom at the car out front of my school building she told me that our handsome, perfect president was dead. I was devastated. The next four days were spent in front of the TV mourning this larger than life man. I had never lost any one before. This was really hard to take. The unbearable grief just seemed to go on and on. Life as I had known it was over.
I remember going with my family, over to Dallas, to tour Dealy Plaza and see all the flowers that had been placed in his memory. I also remember eventually going to see where Lee Harvey Oswald was buried. I remember being sad for a long time. My perfect world was shattered.
Today, fifty years later, I have learned that John F. Kennedy was not perfect. His family was not perfect, neither was our country at that time. I've watched and continue to be saddened whenever a new Kennedy death occurs. I don't know how they can carry on in a family that sees so much death and loss as the years unfold.
As Thanksgiving rolls around again, I am so thankful for my family and the many ways God has blessed us through the years. I just wanted to share my little story of my memories from fifty years ago. I hope you have a wonderful day. Stay safe. luv, Susan
What had happened? Why were we so angry? We had just learned that we, the entire group of secondgraders at this Fort Worth school would not be attending the parade to be held downtown later in the morning. Of course, the classes older than us, were boarding buses and going to see President John F. Kennedy and his wife, first lady, Jackie Kennedy as they left their hotel and proceded on to the airport for the rest of their Texas journey. My sister, Kathy, a fourth grader, was going to get to see him. My parents planned on finding a spot on the parade route and seeing him and Jackie as well. I believed my teen sister, Pam would also be there.
All of this seemed so unbelieveably unfair! I loved President Kennedy and Jackie so much. I don't even remember having a president until him. I had wished to be part of their family. They were perfect. Their children were perfect. They had the perfect life and because of them, we had the perfect country. I wanted to see them so much! When I found out the rest of the school was going to go see him, I was furious. I don't remember if I actually led the civil disobedience of slamming lockers and stomping feet, but, I was sure making my disapproval of this situation known.
I think Mrs. Higgins, who seemed to be a very sweet, kind and gentle white haired teacher eventually got her little band of bad kids under control and cooled the heated rebellion as we went on with our day.
I only remember that eventually, we were told that we were dismissing early. As I met my mom at the car out front of my school building she told me that our handsome, perfect president was dead. I was devastated. The next four days were spent in front of the TV mourning this larger than life man. I had never lost any one before. This was really hard to take. The unbearable grief just seemed to go on and on. Life as I had known it was over.
I remember going with my family, over to Dallas, to tour Dealy Plaza and see all the flowers that had been placed in his memory. I also remember eventually going to see where Lee Harvey Oswald was buried. I remember being sad for a long time. My perfect world was shattered.
Today, fifty years later, I have learned that John F. Kennedy was not perfect. His family was not perfect, neither was our country at that time. I've watched and continue to be saddened whenever a new Kennedy death occurs. I don't know how they can carry on in a family that sees so much death and loss as the years unfold.
As Thanksgiving rolls around again, I am so thankful for my family and the many ways God has blessed us through the years. I just wanted to share my little story of my memories from fifty years ago. I hope you have a wonderful day. Stay safe. luv, Susan
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
HAPPY BELATED VETERANS DAY !!
After rereading my last blog posting, I realized that I made several mistakes, so I'll probably try to correct them when I figure out how to do that. I just want to clarify the most glaring of those mistakes.....my parents had previously had four grandsons before Christina was born. Those grandsons included Darren, Shawn, Dustin and Evan. What was I thinking? In addition to their one granddaughter, they eventually got their fifth grandson, Ryan. Yes, believe it or not, my mom and dad, Roy D. and Betty Six have six grandchildren, how appropriate! So, now that I have cleared that up, I will continue.
Yesterday was a pretty typical Monday for me. I routinely go to the Amen House to help with the sorting and distribution at our multi-church and community supported food and clothing bank. I really enjoy this volunteer job and work with some of the most awesome people I've ever met. I usually do some grocery shopping, but decided to skip that because Mark is on vacation this week due to hunting season. When I arrived home, he was beside himself as he pointed out the large buck hanging from the rafters in our garage. I'm thankful to have the prospect of meat in the freezer for the winter, but I don't share in the enthusiasm regarding the kill. We actually have some very different views concerning this, but I won't go into that now.
I usually meet with some of my high school former classmates and lifelong friends the first Monday of each month, but we didn't meet the actual first Monday of the month due to a well known health screening I had scheduled for the first Tuesday of the month. I'll not go into that either. Anyway, we were going to meet for our monthly get together, but first, we had plans to check out a facility for our upcoming 40th year class reunion for our PHS Class of 1974. It was fun to check out the Barr House in Paris for this upcoming special event. The Barr family had three sons and lived in an exquisite mansion not far from downtown Paris. The youngest, Robbie, is a couple years older than my classmates and I. He actually graduated from high school with my older sister, Kathy. Because we are from a small town and an even smaller school, I knew this family pretty well.
We met Robbie at his now beautifully restored house, which his mom did begin catering and entertaining in some years ago. The tour and discussion went well and we'll probably be having our reunion there. Afterwards, my friends, Marti, Janice and I met up at Perico's for our monthly meeting. We always have a great time getting together and getting caught up on what's been going on the past month in our lives. In addition to that, we are now firming up the plans for the reunion. I usually get some sort of Mexican seafood dish, but decided to try something different when I read about a particular dish that contained oranges with a marinated pork loin. It wasn't exactly what I expected, but I enjoyed it, none the less.
Everything was fine, til I got home and decided to finish up some of the ice cream that I had bought for Christina's birthday. I should have known better, because I've already had two episodes that my doctor thinks may be esophageal spasms, from eating something fatty followed by something really cold. Long story, short, I had one of those extremely painful spasms and I now know that I have to be more careful about my eating habits, and it's also time to resume my walking. I got the message.
I also want to try to blog more often as there are some issues that I want to discuss. One of them concerns my church, the United Methodist Church. They are needing to make some decisions concerning gay marriage and I know it is going to really shake up my local congregation, as well as the entire Methodist membership. I have very strong views on this subject, as I know many in my congregation have the complete opposite view. I pray that God protects our love and respect for one another during what might be a difficult period of time ahead. But, for now, I want to wish my Dad and Dad-in-law a belated Happy Veterans Day yesterday. I love you both!
Take care and stay safe. luv, Susan
Yesterday was a pretty typical Monday for me. I routinely go to the Amen House to help with the sorting and distribution at our multi-church and community supported food and clothing bank. I really enjoy this volunteer job and work with some of the most awesome people I've ever met. I usually do some grocery shopping, but decided to skip that because Mark is on vacation this week due to hunting season. When I arrived home, he was beside himself as he pointed out the large buck hanging from the rafters in our garage. I'm thankful to have the prospect of meat in the freezer for the winter, but I don't share in the enthusiasm regarding the kill. We actually have some very different views concerning this, but I won't go into that now.
I usually meet with some of my high school former classmates and lifelong friends the first Monday of each month, but we didn't meet the actual first Monday of the month due to a well known health screening I had scheduled for the first Tuesday of the month. I'll not go into that either. Anyway, we were going to meet for our monthly get together, but first, we had plans to check out a facility for our upcoming 40th year class reunion for our PHS Class of 1974. It was fun to check out the Barr House in Paris for this upcoming special event. The Barr family had three sons and lived in an exquisite mansion not far from downtown Paris. The youngest, Robbie, is a couple years older than my classmates and I. He actually graduated from high school with my older sister, Kathy. Because we are from a small town and an even smaller school, I knew this family pretty well.
We met Robbie at his now beautifully restored house, which his mom did begin catering and entertaining in some years ago. The tour and discussion went well and we'll probably be having our reunion there. Afterwards, my friends, Marti, Janice and I met up at Perico's for our monthly meeting. We always have a great time getting together and getting caught up on what's been going on the past month in our lives. In addition to that, we are now firming up the plans for the reunion. I usually get some sort of Mexican seafood dish, but decided to try something different when I read about a particular dish that contained oranges with a marinated pork loin. It wasn't exactly what I expected, but I enjoyed it, none the less.
Everything was fine, til I got home and decided to finish up some of the ice cream that I had bought for Christina's birthday. I should have known better, because I've already had two episodes that my doctor thinks may be esophageal spasms, from eating something fatty followed by something really cold. Long story, short, I had one of those extremely painful spasms and I now know that I have to be more careful about my eating habits, and it's also time to resume my walking. I got the message.
I also want to try to blog more often as there are some issues that I want to discuss. One of them concerns my church, the United Methodist Church. They are needing to make some decisions concerning gay marriage and I know it is going to really shake up my local congregation, as well as the entire Methodist membership. I have very strong views on this subject, as I know many in my congregation have the complete opposite view. I pray that God protects our love and respect for one another during what might be a difficult period of time ahead. But, for now, I want to wish my Dad and Dad-in-law a belated Happy Veterans Day yesterday. I love you both!
Take care and stay safe. luv, Susan
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
THIRTY YEARS AGO TODAY
Today is my daughter's thirtieth birthday. It doesn't seem like it's been a full 30 years ago, but I know it has. On that day, she decided to come really early, like sometime around three or four in the early morning. We had been so diligent in securing a loving neighbor to come over and stay with our sixteen and a half month old, Dustin, in case our trip to the hospital came during the middle of the night. Neighbor Janice was ready to run two houses down whenever the possible middle of the night call came. My parents were going to be there soon, as well. Then Janice told me that they would be leaving for the cape on Friday. I figured since my parents would be there Saturday morning, we would be good for just a half a day and night. You can only imagine how unhappy I was to awake in the middle of the night having contractions that were finally too strong to ignore.
The time must have been around 3:30 and I hadn't secured a back up with any of my neighbors. The only person I could think of was Dustin's godmother, Debi, who was nearly 40 miles away. She suggested I call her currently separated from husband, who was only 20 miles away. After a frantic call to him and no answer, and another to Debi, who said let it ring and ring because he's a deep sleeper, we finally had Norman on the way. I was trying all those tricks to lighten the pain, lying on your back.....nope. Sitting upright in a chair.....nope. Finally, I just paced around and hoped Norman got there soon.
We called the hospital who informed us that my obstetrician was unavailable and they'd wait til I was examined at the hospital before disturbing the on call doctor. This delivery, it seems, was becoming a little more stressful than we had planned for our second child, which we expected, without doubt, to be a boy. My mom and dad, after having three grandsons, wanted a granddaughter so much, I just knew that would jinx us into having another boy. I actually thought two boys and then a girl would be the ideal family.
The drive to the hospital was uneventful, even though Mark was hoping for a policeman to pull us over so he could say "my wife's having a baby", and get a police escort to Putnam Regional Hospital. When I stepped into the elevator with the waiting maternity ward nurses to escort me, they asked if my contractions were coming within regular intervals, which they weren't. I lied that they were because I was afraid they'd send me home.......and I knew this was it.
As the first maternity nurse examined me, she said to the second one that she wanted her to examine me without giving her exam results. The second performed her exam and said, "She's ten!", to which the previous nurse blurted out,"That's what I thought, but I wanted confirmation!" Both nursed agreed they had never had anyone come in at ten before. For those of you who might not know what that means, it means that I was totally dilated and ready to give birth. So, they hurriedly called the doctor and told me I'd have to wait on him. He just happened to be the Chief of Staff, on call that night. It didn't seem like that long before this elegantly dressed man appeared in the doorway to receive the latest info on his patient. After he again disappeared,Mark and I asked if he had been called away from some gala event. They said he always dressed like that.....wow. Next time he appeared in the typical doctor scrubs and said I could finally push. Seconds later, he said that he'd give her a 10, which I knew to be her apgar score, meaning she was perfect on that first overall health shorthand checkup. I already knew she had good lungs because she came out screaming. When he said it's a girl, I could not believe it. I was thrilled beyond words.
We called my folks , who were getting packed to leave the house, and told them they had a new baby granddaughter. They were elated. I don't remember much after that except that everyone was relieved and exhausted. When I asked the doctor about the apgar score, he acted like he didn't know what I was talking about. I know they don't like to discuss those, but I'm 100% sure that he said she was a 10. You know what? She's still a 10. She's the most perfect daughter that she could possibly be. Happy 30th Birthday, Christina!
Everyone have a wonderful and safe day. luv, Susan
The time must have been around 3:30 and I hadn't secured a back up with any of my neighbors. The only person I could think of was Dustin's godmother, Debi, who was nearly 40 miles away. She suggested I call her currently separated from husband, who was only 20 miles away. After a frantic call to him and no answer, and another to Debi, who said let it ring and ring because he's a deep sleeper, we finally had Norman on the way. I was trying all those tricks to lighten the pain, lying on your back.....nope. Sitting upright in a chair.....nope. Finally, I just paced around and hoped Norman got there soon.
We called the hospital who informed us that my obstetrician was unavailable and they'd wait til I was examined at the hospital before disturbing the on call doctor. This delivery, it seems, was becoming a little more stressful than we had planned for our second child, which we expected, without doubt, to be a boy. My mom and dad, after having three grandsons, wanted a granddaughter so much, I just knew that would jinx us into having another boy. I actually thought two boys and then a girl would be the ideal family.
The drive to the hospital was uneventful, even though Mark was hoping for a policeman to pull us over so he could say "my wife's having a baby", and get a police escort to Putnam Regional Hospital. When I stepped into the elevator with the waiting maternity ward nurses to escort me, they asked if my contractions were coming within regular intervals, which they weren't. I lied that they were because I was afraid they'd send me home.......and I knew this was it.
As the first maternity nurse examined me, she said to the second one that she wanted her to examine me without giving her exam results. The second performed her exam and said, "She's ten!", to which the previous nurse blurted out,"That's what I thought, but I wanted confirmation!" Both nursed agreed they had never had anyone come in at ten before. For those of you who might not know what that means, it means that I was totally dilated and ready to give birth. So, they hurriedly called the doctor and told me I'd have to wait on him. He just happened to be the Chief of Staff, on call that night. It didn't seem like that long before this elegantly dressed man appeared in the doorway to receive the latest info on his patient. After he again disappeared,Mark and I asked if he had been called away from some gala event. They said he always dressed like that.....wow. Next time he appeared in the typical doctor scrubs and said I could finally push. Seconds later, he said that he'd give her a 10, which I knew to be her apgar score, meaning she was perfect on that first overall health shorthand checkup. I already knew she had good lungs because she came out screaming. When he said it's a girl, I could not believe it. I was thrilled beyond words.
We called my folks , who were getting packed to leave the house, and told them they had a new baby granddaughter. They were elated. I don't remember much after that except that everyone was relieved and exhausted. When I asked the doctor about the apgar score, he acted like he didn't know what I was talking about. I know they don't like to discuss those, but I'm 100% sure that he said she was a 10. You know what? She's still a 10. She's the most perfect daughter that she could possibly be. Happy 30th Birthday, Christina!
Everyone have a wonderful and safe day. luv, Susan
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