School Again

Yesterday, early morning--there were flashing lights outside the front room windows. Now what? You guessed it--School started around here yesterday--Aug. 19-6:45 AM. What a deal! I can remember when we could milk the cows for dad--hang out the wash for mom --have breakfast and still catch the bus in time for school at 9 o'clock.

I know I'm living in the past and I have good rights too. One morning I got to school-- hung up my coat in the first part of the girl's bathroom, and was surprised to see I still had my apron on. I guess that was the original layered looked.

Most all the schools have air conditioning so it really doesn't matter if it's 95 degree outside or if it's snowing and 20 degrees outside the windows.

Found out yesterday that the lady who always helps with Immanuel Baptist church services held at Innisfree every Sunday morning, teaches school at Garfield.

Pray for a weather change

Boy--this year is the worst year I can remember since moving to Arkansas many years ago. Just read the long range forecast and there is not going to be a drastic weather change for us at this time.

It continues to be very hot and very dry. We do need rain badly. Won't have to mow for many moons if it stays this way.

Miranda is busy painting the duplex for Rich , in this heat, and doing a great job. She has a good day left , if all goes well, and then some time Rich plans on doing the trim for her.

Just thought I'd let you know just in case you don't keep up with us guys in
Ar.

Faith

Just ran across a great poem and decided to share it with you all again. Have done it before--but it is so powerful.

"The Beautiful Gift" by Grace Noll Crowell

What can a mother give her children
Greater today than this one great thing,
FAITH in an old, sweet, beautiful story,
A Star-- A Stable-- A New Born King?

Shining FAITH in the young lad, Jesus:
Lover of high, white things was HE:
Jesus--straight as a Lebanon cedar;
Jesus--clean as the winds from the sea.

FAITH in the young lad come to manhood;
Jesus, compassionate, tender and true-
OH, my children--what more glorious
Gift in the world can I give to you?

Carry it high like a lamp in the darkness
Hold it for warmth when the day is cold.
Keep it for joy when youth goes singing,
Clasp it for peace when you are old.

What can a Mother give her children
More than a Faith that will not dim?
Take it--my dear ones--hold it forever;
A lamp for a lifetime--FAITH in HIM.

Friends

This is the third time I am trying to get this off to you. Don't know what I do. One time I only got the picture printed and the next time I looked up and only had a blank page, so her goes again. If I don't make it this time I am going to crash this &*&**** thing.

I had the best week with Henrietta. She drove up alone, from Iowa on Sat. She had spent the night in Nevada, Mo. and left this am. and plans to spend the night some place in Mo. past Kansas City. She plans to be home early enough tomorrow to mow the lawn yet.

Wally never wanted to ride and see anything while he was here so this time we drove around some. We drove to Lake Atlanta--Pea Ridge(Nat. Park)--Jane Mo.--Evonne--Eureka Springs and the statue--Gather--etc. She really enjoyed Eureka Springs.

We visited a lot--played cards--Pinnacle--golf--kings in the corner--crazy rummy--rummy--etc. That was sure fun. We ate out some--sleep off and on--went to the wellness center--etc. and really enjoyed each other. He took a loose leaf notebook along with all of Wally's letter that he had written the while he was in the army during world war 2. That was so interesting. We enjoyed each other.

Dad had his 83. I must say he is going down hill rapidly, lately. He still likes to have me come, sit with and hold his hand but we carry on no conversation any more. He fell twice this past week. Both time he got bruised, but no serious injury. He is caring less about if his hair is combed, or if he is shaved. He wets a lot ( in depends a lot) and also in a wheel chair. This week he went all over the bathroom floor twice, went on the bed and floor by it--needed a change of clothes because of missing the stool--etc. He is not irritated at all lately and still just as sweet and pleasant as always. So too bad. He still likes to snoop and enjoys candies-cookies-etc. that people bring him.

This morning before Henrietta left we went to Steak and Shake for breakfast. Neither of us had been there before for breakfast. Was that good. I must go again. We had two scrambled eggs--four large stripes of bacon--two slices of toast--hash browns and all the coffee we wanted for only $4.99. She also gave me a beautiful arrangement of cut flowers. Do I ever appreciate them, She is a wonderful, thoughtful, caring person with a whole lot more stamina than what I have.

Poem

"It is only a tiny rose,
A flower of God's design;
But I cannot unfold the petals
With these clumsy hands of mine.

The secret of unfolding flowers
Is not know to such as I,
GOD opens this flower so easily,
But in my hands they die.

If I cannot unfold a rosebud,
This flower of God's design,
Then how can I have the wisdom
To unfold this life of mine?

So I'll trust in God for leading
Each moment of my day.
I will look too God for guidance
In each step of the way.

The path that lies before me,
Only my Lord knows.
I'll trust God to unfold the moments,
Just as He unfold the rose."

Isn't this beautiful? In the last week I realize how blessed I am and safe in the arm of Jesus. Thanks for all the prayers. God is great.

Graduation

Congratulations to all of the graduates this year. Preschool--Eighth grade--High School and Graduate School. Sarah will be beginning kindergarten this fall. Jamie will be a freshman at Western . Kelsy will start college in Searcy planning on becoming a pharmacist, and Brett has become a Dr. of Theology this May and plans to find a college teaching job latter this year. Congratulations to each of you.

Friends

I've had a good time the past few weeks looking up friends I haven't seen for years. Of course they all have changed-but I've stayed the same. Really , they all look very good in my old eyeballs. None have become fat and sloppy-all are still kicking and best of all they all remained good friends

We have kept in touch at Christmas , but there is something about seeing them first hand. Some we went out to lunch, had coffee on their deck or just visited. All have had their share of hardship along the way--good and bad Dr. reports--some widows--but making the best of the daily routine.

Today I even got to meet the person who bought our old home in Bella Vista. A very nice man--goes to the Judson Baptist church where we used to go and a retired Postal worker. They remodeled the whole basement. Now a large library in the workshop. Tore out a whole wall and made a huge bedroom where the walk out door was. Added a sun room by the walk in door--redid the kitchen etc.

Must go see dad now. He is doing well and getting settled in nicely.

AFV

I should have had my camera ready to roll yesterday, but I didn't. Cindy came to town to get mulch and mow my lawn. The weather was nice ,but they predicted rain latter that afternoon and for the next couple of days. She asked if I wanted to come out and help her plant a few small free evergreens she got from a friend and help plant the garden before the rain came. Sounded good to me, so I went.

Got the trees set out--the garden planted--Rain clouds coming closer--spread most of the mulch--RAIN CLOUDS GETTING VERY HEAVY. The mulch was on Rich's truck and it had a large tire in the front of the bed, covered with mulch. Cindy got it uncovered and lifted it over the side of the truck and dropped it, but it didn't land flat. It rolled--rolled--rolled and then took a turn and started straight for the chicken coop. This is where the funny part took place. The door of the coop was open and the tire rolled right through the opened door and came to a stop when it hit the roost and shattered them. Cindy just laughed and (so did I). This would have made a good AFV shot.

She finished the mulch--took the truck and picked up the tire. There were a few sprinkles--she took in all the patio cushions--shut the windows--I left--got to the second curve on 127 and it just down poured. I stopped at the Reddick church where the cemetery is and waited until I could see again-got to the 73 turn off and the road was dry. We didn't get any rain in Rogers either, but at least Cindy's work was not in vain.

May it never happen again!!!!

Yesterday was not my day. In fact , it was one of the worst that ever happened to me. But nothing serious--not due to my senility--just queer.

After I had visited dad in the morning I decided to wash the car. I pulled in and decided I would just do my own washing instead of going through the automatic. I could save some money. I saw I needed quarters. I took the keys out of the ignition--laid them on the front seat--got out $3.00 from my billfold. Laid the billfold on the front seat on top of the keys. My cell phone was also in it--went around the corner -got $2.00 worth of quarters and went back to the car. Yep! It was locked.

Looked for the manager--no where. So I went up to a nice man two stalls down from me and asked him how I should handle this. "Do you know your kids cell # ?. No --it's all on the cell phone. Well, he was finished washing his old antique car , had some groceries in it, but he said "I'll take these home and then I'll take you to your friend who has your house key." Well--Debbie wasn't home, so he took me to ER where Cindy was working. He came in with me and stayed by me tell all was ok.

Cindy called Rich and fortunately he was in Rogers getting a hair cut. He came--took me home--unlocked the house door--I got the extra car key--He drove me back to the car wash, and all was well. By this time I had missed lunch and it was time to get back to dad and watch the MASTERS.

Rich suggested I get another car key --a magnetic box and put it under the car someplace. So I did. Got a new car key and house key. So when I got home I tried the house key--it worked. Tried the car key--it worked---BUT set off the panic whistle. I stopped, so I thought all was well. WRONG.

I opened the car door to go to dad--the PANIC whistle went off again. I tried everything. Couldn't do a thing. Called Rich--he didn't know exactly what to say. Called Gt. He told me to get out my manual and it would walk me through it. RIGHT. Thanks Gt. I might have been bald by now if it wasn't for you.

Looking Good

Just got one of those urgent e-mails that had to be sent off to seven other friends as soon as possible and not to break the chain. Then at exactly 11.29 tomorrow morning someone would call me with something very important that I wanted to hear , so I didn't.

The flowering trees are all just beautiful now. In a week the dogwoods should be also. The red buds are already this week. Rich mowed the lawn Sat. for me. It wasn't that long, but shaggy.

Sunday, being EASTER, I took dad out to church. He enjoyed that very much. We went to a Ref. church that has started in Bentonville. After church they had Brunch and they asked us to stay , so we did. It was very nice. Someone had taken french toast. It was good. It had been baked , then sliced and a frosting like stuff was layered on it and the top layer then returned. They had used thick Texas toast.

Dad has been a little more confused this past week. You know how he likes to repair stuff-well, he didn't. One day he fiddled with the wall heater and broke off the knob to regulate it. Then the stool needed attention and he broke the plastic arm that goes from the handle to the float release. He has packed his walker seat full , I don't know how many times, but he is depressed now, because his job is finished there and now he has to pay for the room to stay living there and he doesn't have any money.

I still have devotions with him each morning. Then each afternoon I play golf with him, which means playing my hand and his and seeing to it he wins a lot. He really enjoys doing that. At night I watch Wheel of Fortune and get him to bed about 7. One day I got some filled doughnuts and had lunch with him. Also I make nibble mix for him, and he eats a lot of that. I use about 6 different kids colored cereals--white chips--m and m's--butterscotch chips-- 3 kinds of yogurt balls--raisin's--dried cherries--dried raspberry's--sunflower seed--marshmallow's and all that kind of good stuff.

Brother Wally flew home from Az. by Air VAC. They are moving him to Pleasant Acres in Hull today. He did walk a ways yesterday with a walker, but his heart is very poor. He is a WONDER BOY.

GOD IS GOOD.

Happy Easter

Christmas and Easter---two chapters of the same book.

Without Christmas , there wouldn't be a EASTER. And without the resurrection, this day would be just another day.

Christmas and Easter are the most joyful celebrations of the year for the Christian. In the first, we celebrate the incarnation. In the second we celebrate Jesus resurrection. "HE IS NOT HERE, BUT HE IS RISEN!"

Which is the most important? Both are essential-and both are clear evidence of the Father's love for us. Have a Blessed Easter.

The weather is beautiful. They do predict rain for Fri. and Sat., but back in the near 80's for Sunday. Rich is putting new spark plugs on the mower and sharpening the blades- so all is well.

Bells On Plam Sunday

On that first Palm Sunday, Jesus the KING entered Jerusalem on a lowly donkey. Before He could come as a King to reign, He had to come as a Savior to die. Throughout HIs life on earth, Jesus was a man of striking contrast----reflecting both His genuine humanity and His full deity.

Jesus, Who is the Bread of Life began His ministry hungering. He who is the
Water of Life ended His ministry thirsting. Christ hungered as a man, yet feed the the hungry as God. He was weary, yet He is our rest. He paid tribute, yet He is the KIng. He was called a devil, but He cast out demons. He prayed, yet He heard prayer. He wept, and He dries our tears. He was sold for 30 pieces of silver, yet He redeems sinners. He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, yet He is the Good Shepherd. He gave HIS Life, and by dying He destroyed death. " ALLELUIA WHAT A SAVIOR."

On this lovely Sabbath morning
While the church bells sweetly ring,
There's a message in their chiming:
They proclaim to us a KING.

They are telling of the SAVIOR
As He braved that throng-packed street.
Of the psalm bough gladly offered--
Carpet for small donkey feet.

Now the church bells mount in volume
That the whole wide world may hear
Of that wondrous coronation--
Each Hosanna--every Cheer!

That Time Again!

Tomorrow is officially spring----but the weathermen do not talk that way. COLD_SNOW_NASTY! I found a poem in one of moms OLD Ideal Magazines which I thought was worth sharing.

THAT TIME AGAIN!

Lift up your hearts men, rejoice and sing,
At last we've come to the first day of spring.

Bid fond farewell to the ice and snow,
Get out the lawn mower, rake and hoe.

Old man winter has gone on his way,
And spring, we hope, is here to stay.

The first spring flowers have burst forth,
The wild geese are winging their way to the north.

The lark and the bluebird sing out their praise,
For this wonderful spring and the warm sunny days.

Clean up the yard and pick up the trash,
Get out the ladder and remove the sash.

Wash all the windows, the back and front doors,
Clean off the walks and scrub the porch floors.

Remember the early bird catches the worm,
So let's get it done before the next storm!


Not a very eventful week-all about the same. Took Pugsley to see Dad. He loved that. Stayed about an hour. He is getting therapy on his legs to see if they can be strengthened at all. Hard for him to walk too far and to get up.

Just remember---

The longer we live, the more that we know,
Old age is the time for wisdom too show.
Who knows how much good some word we might say,
Could do for that one who's wondered away?

Save Electricity

YES- Tomorrow the clock jumps ahead 1 hour and we are suppose to be saving money by using less electricity because of it.

I had a naughty dog today. Kelsey stayed over night last night. She had to work and then be at some school event in Springdale early this morning-so she came here--took a shower - and left on time. That #$%^&*I()_dog ran out when she was carrying her arm full to the car and ran across the street. I was still in my house coat and slipper-but ran (walked) after him. Of course he would not listen to me. The neighbors (Birch) were just leaving to go to the horse races at Hot Springs- they saw it all -got out of there car and help me for (about 15 mins). Finally one kid got him-but not by the leash) Pugsly kept running-made him trip-(he didn't get dirty tho) they leashed him --and I got him home safely. Was I mad? YES!!! I put him out side the rest of the day and feed him tonight after I came home from dad. I had been home earlier--but disregarded that #$%^&*() dog. He's free if any one wants him.

Cindy and Sarah took me bowling this week. I didn't do well, (needless to say). Cindy beat me by 1 point and Sarah came in third by 4 points (if that tells you any thing. It was fun tho. Used an 8 lb. ball and yet each time it sounded like it was going to come through the floor. Went home and bowled a 220 on the computer-so will just stick to that.Sure had a good time tho.

It is nasty out this week--blaw--damp--windy--low 40's--gray and what else can I say. Flowers are beginning to bloom and this next Sat. is SPRING.

All in all dad's week has not been good. Came there one day and he had his underwear and after shave packed in his sq. Kleenex box. There were still Kleenex in it--how he did that-I do not know. --- Another time he wasn't going to work that day. He was tired and was going to sleep.---Then once he had his walker seat just packed to the gills with--magazine, Bible, groom and clean-pre shave-comb-ppj's--razor-charger T shirt-towel-you name it--it was in there. He wasn't asking to go home-just keeping everything neat and clean. Charlie at his table is loosing his eye site and he feels so bad for him-but Dan is in his condition (Says foolish things and does silly things (if his wife isn't there) and dad thinks he is so dumb. And so the days go.

Don't forget--"GOD IS SO GREAT".

No coat weather

Just have to make the most of it---but the weather man out did itself this week. We are already in the no coat weather and those young wipper snappers are all running around in shorts. Yes I said shorts!!!!

They are predicting the possiblity of some rain Mon. and Tues. --but we are not anticipating floods lke N.D. and Ia. are already making plans for.

SJ had a good week with it's ups and downs- but that is to be expected like it has been for some time already. I took him outdoors one day, but the wind was too strong for him. I took him to church this morning. We had communion with real wine. He enjoyed doing that very much. I ate Sat. noon lunch with him. He can't understand why I don't eat all my meals with him. (They do get good food and generally lots of it. ) He seldom eats it all. Took Pugsly to see him on Tues. (Pugsly was a good boy this time). One day a group sang and played western music. He really liked that. Another day a band from the Beaver Lake area came, and he enjoyed that also. He went to exercises one day and DID NOT LIKE THAT. He sat in Angelo's place at the table one morning and Angelo was not happy about that and had the nurses move him. He talked about that for about 3 days. And so the week went.

Spring is coming --only 13 more days. Don't forget-- daylight saving times begins the 14th. Razorbacks lost again --so that is the end of their season.

Really!!!

Tomorrow is MARCH and that means spring begins this month. According to all those I talked to yesterday--no one is sorry SPRING is coming. My tulips are well on the way to prove that. The Bartlett pear trees and others are full of buds--but that doesn't mean we won't get any more crazy weather.

We did not have much going on for us this week. Dad had two visitors, I wasn't there either time, but neither was from our church. They both called and said they had visited him. Cindy took me along to the Jones center in Springdale , to watch her and Sarah ice skate at an indoor rink. That was great. Both did well. Sarah skated all alone a number of times.

Have a nice bit of advice from "Our Daily Bread" in closing. "When you're tempted to lose patience with another, Think how patient God has been with You."

Excuse the 2009 on the shamrock.

Sisters

We were happy to have had, Rog and Harriet stop in on their way home from a month's stay in Alabama (Golf Shores) I believe, right next to Fl. Rog. still plays crossword puzzles and she shops antique malls--to each their own. I had way to much food again ( as usual) but she took some home since they will come home to an empty frig. Sunday we went to the Homes church services and then Rog helped me take dad out and we took a short ride around Lake Atlantus--and then to Back yard burger. Dad enjoyed it all so much and everything was all new to him. He had never been to any of these places before. They left this morning around 10 and should be home for sure, by now.

We have had a very nice week. Rain--sunshine--clouds--warmer weather, You name it, we had it. Dad and I watched a few DVD's. "Buffalo Girls"- "Color of Purple". He had good days and bad, but all in all, it was good.

Valentines Day

This is Sunday- Feb. 14. You will never believe it, but I've already had church and it's only 2:30 in the morning. I went to bed so early last night and now I am wide awake. I just turned on Pensacola Fl. " Rejoice in the Lord " College Campus Services and it was wonderful. He spoke on Prov. 9--"A Prov. of Two Women" One is named "Wisdom" and the other "Foolish". Never heard that passage explained so well before. Believe me--Just follow and believe Wisdom.

We've had a good week. Sentner and I have watched 2 DVD's--Wheel of Fortune--3 Razorbacks games--had 2 meals together--gone to Church services--and ate plenty of snacks. Sentner had a hair cut in the Innisfree beauty shop--had his toe nails trimed--got 2 boxes of Valtenine candy--had lots of company. Evonne-Lanette-James-Ellie-Cindy-Sarah-Pugsly-Kelsy-Duston- Francis- (then from church) Roy- Rv- Gwen- Lois-Tammy- and Gary They also had a Valentines party where a king and queen got selected. The king was Charlie who sits at his table at meal times. ( A guy that reads Lamor books all the time--is very quite- wears a baseball hat every where- is all there -- Eats like a horse and cleans his plate each meal.)

I had a good week also. Sarah came over two times--Ev-Lanette -James-Ellie and Cindy came --help set up my new living quarters ( which I just love dearly). But that wasn't all, they then took me out for lunch for my Valentines. We went to a Mexican cafe "Maries" it was very good. I never know what to order at those cafe's though. Also had lunch with a friend ,Frances. We went to Sprindale to "AQ Chicken". It was very good also. Just haven't got one thing to complain about, not even the weather. It was a good week.

Now, I didn't send cards out this year.--but a very Happy Valentines to you all. Love each and evey one of you. Have a nice day.

Finally

It's me. I have not posted for a long time and thought I'd just drop a line.

Dad and I watched the Razorbacks play yesterday afternoon. It was a good game--behind- ahead- tied- back and forth-- back and forth--overtime and finally we won.

Today we went to church together at the home. I plan to do so for some time and make it feel like Sunday to him. We had a very good sermon from the Immanuel Baptist Church here in Rogers. I think they are all volunteer lay people.

Enjoy the day. They predict snow for us 4 days out of the 7days next week. Maybe up to 8" again. We will be fine if the lights stay on.