Making Reservations

My daughter and I have been studying the summer calendar to determine when we want to take our family vacation together. We have arrived at some tentative dates, tentative because we don't know if the rv park will have any vacancies at the time we prefer to go. I called, but since we are retired military we have to wait until a certain number of days before travel to get out reservations done. We have to give the active military families first shot so I will wait a few days before trying again. We do have a certain place we enjoy camping at. With Hubby getting a third surgery soon, we also need to see how he will be recuperating. Oh, how we both dread this!

The egg business that the grands have going on is still thriving pretty well; however, all the customers that I know now have to eat lots of eggs before they will be ready for more. The grands are still saying they will save almost all of their money and that's a great idea. Of course, such things as a toy and perhaps a special snack will be absolutely necessary too, you know.

Do What You Gotta Do

Today, I had to visit my audiologist to have my hearing aids adjusted. Since I now have a second new pair, it will take several weeks to get them adjusted correctly. I understand that, even after they are correct for me, my hearing will change and more adjustments will need to be done. The batteries for these are more short-lived than the others too but at least these talk and tell me that the batteries are low. The others made a low-sounding beep which I could only hear sometimes; therefore, I would automatically change the batteries every Monday morning. Because these don't last as long, I will probably have to figure a schedule for changing these before I'm someplace where I cannot change them. Like tonight: the right one quit right in the middle of our practice.

Hubby went to the surgeon Monday for his consultation. It seems that we will be going through a third surgery on his shoulder next month. He is dreading this very much but feels that it will be the best in the long run to have it done soon. This will prohibit some of our travels but, as my wonderful, late brother-in-law whom we sorely miss, always said, "a man has to do what a man has to do."

Family Reunion Time

Yesterday was our annual family get-together. There are 5 of us children so we take turns being in charge. This year was the baby's of the family turn so we met at her home for good old Southern Barbecue, slaw, baked beans, chips, and some mighty fine desserts! I don't have to be in charge until 2112 since I had it in 2007. I don't mind taking my turn; however, you just can't feel free to enjoy everyone because you are too busy making sure that the dishes stay full. I think there 54 family members present (we were missing 18); now, this includes my parents' children and spouses, grandchildren and spouses, and great-grandchildren and one spouse (the next great-grandchild is due in July and the first great-great-grandchild is due next week). It looks like our family may soon hit 75 and if the older ones live longer enough, we may see 100!

The grands are still enjoying selling their eggs. I was sorry to learn that that sly old fox has come around the pen again and was able to get one of the hens. I don't know what they need to do to stop that guy!

Egg Business is Thriving

The grands are still enjoying checking their money cups to see how much they have earned selling their family's eggs. So far, they have $15 each. Their mom will be taking them to the bank soon to let them learn how to deposit; they won't need any help spending a little of it though. The boy says he will save $10 of it and I think that's great. What a wonderful lesson many of us can learn from these children. I have a back order for eggs right now but soon, all of my friends will have theirs and we may have to go out searching for new customers (or citizens, as the girl calls them).

Another week is almost gone already and I have so much I would like to do but I keep putting things off. I really want to get back to my scrapbooking, especially since I'm so very far behind with that. I do enjoy doing that but tend to only do it when we get the crowd together. I must start planning my days better. Retirement can really mess one up; we tend to get much less done that when we worked, mainly because we figure we have so much time on our hands that we can do it any time...not. Someday, yes, someday, I will get it all together. Right!

Latte with a Friend

Things have been so ... usual that I haven't even bothered to blog lately. I'm so happy that my 2 daughters are back home and safe after their nice trip to Europe. I was given the neatest surcees today too: the cutest little cuckoo clock magnet from Austria, and the most unique Christmas Tree ornaments that I will surely enjoy putting on my tree in a few months. I had been hoping for some different-looking ones and I love them. They were purchased in Germany and are so neat! Thanks, Daughter! I have enjoyed looking at the photos they took and am anxious to see the movies too.

Since my retirement, I have a friend who also retired, a year than I however. We try to get together at least every other month for a meal and a little shopping. She doesn't live in the same place as I, so we split the difference and each of us drives about 35 miles, or about 45 minutes. It's not too bad and I really enjoy seeing her. We have not been able to meet since my return from Florida so that means we haven't met since the first of December. I can't remember where we planned to meet but at some restaurant that has muffins that she enjoyed so much. We usually end our day together by going to Barnes & Nobles to enjoy the books and a cup of latte. I wish the prices there were not so high but what would a shopping/luncheon meeting day be like without time to enjoy a Latte with a special friend.

2 Entrepreneurs

My two little grands have gone into business: selling eggs. Actually, they didn't know they were going to become entrepreneurs it just happened when my sister-in-law wanted to buy some of their eggs. I told her she could just have them but she insisted on paying something. I said well just give the grands a little money for their banks and she thought that was a great idea. So, they made their first sale today. Now, something has started and I will be buying my eggs from them from now on. I also have another friend who wants some too but right now, they have sold out. Perhaps tomorrow, we will have another dozen or so. They are so cute when they walk over here with their basket/bucket full of eggs. With the business started, I suspect I will be cleaning a lot more eggs; the hens are really laying good now, to the tune of about a dozen a day. There's no way we can eat that many eggs but I must say you can't beat having fresh eggs! (the ones in the grocery stores are often 2 weeks old when they arrive!)

Keep it up, Grands! Remember, with all these huge spending programs, you are going to need a lot more money when you grow up!

Fear of Scams

I spent much of today at the audiologist's office. They had ordered new hearing aids for me so I had to go get fitted again. That takes a long time and I still don't think I have them right; I'm having too much background noises I think.

This afternoon, I received a call from one of my credit cards. Their purpose was to verify that there had been no fraudulent use taking place. When the company called, they wanted to know my social and, of course, I wouldn't give it to them. They said they understood and told me to call the carrier of the card. He didn't give me a number and I didn't ask; I already had the correct number. When I told the carrier what had happened, they said, wait and they would look my account up to see if there was anything suspicious on it. Then they saw where the company had indeed called to verify honest use of the card. They told me that I was wise to call even if, in this case, it was a legitimate call. I did verify that all was well (one of the things they questioned was use of the card about 2 hours prior to that at a service station where I filled up my gas tank. I'm impressed and I urge you to do the same thing should you get a similar call. It took only 5 minutes for me to be assured that I wasn't getting involved in some kind of scam of which I have a great fear.

Are Your Ears Working?

The other day, the granddaughter noticed my hearing aids for the first time. Of course, she wanted to know how they worked. I explained that the piece behind my ears was the actual hearing aid, that sound would travel through that down the small clear tube to my eardrum. She noticed everything about it and wondered if the sound bounced off my eardrum (Who told her about eardrums I wonder; she's only barely 6 and in kindergarten). Later, I was lying on the floor helping her little brother build a little K'Nex car that he got from the Easter Bunny. The girl came up, lay across my back, then somewhat loudly, asked, "Can you hear me down? Are you ears working?" Needless to say, I almost came up off the floor! It didn't hurt actually, just startled me. She is some little inquisitive girl who wants to test inventions! What will she do Thursday when we keep her all day; I'm ready to have some fun, that's for sure.

The Sweetest Children!

Our Easter Sunday went very well this morning. We had a delicious breakfast followed by a very nice Sunday School lesson. I was concerned that the class members wouldn't be that interested in the lesson (it was a lot of lecture type; however, each member did have some Scriptures to read). So many of the members did say that the lesson was meaningful for them and that was the goal, to reach them. I could never teach one second without the Lord's help; actually, He does all my planning for me and I just follow along. I thank Him for all He does for each of us every day. Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus and to feel His love and Grace.

This evening, we went to the lake where the grandkids and cousins are camping. We ate hamburgers cooked by my nephew (I didn't know he was such a great "griller"). The we built a fire and had S'mores. They are so much better over a campfire! We had to leave because the gates are locked at 8:00 PM and by then, it was 7:43. The 11 of my family members were then getting ready to watch a movie outside. (I hope they wrapped up real good and covered with blankets because it's supposed to be on the cook side tonight). The campfire will also knock off some of the chill.

I heard from my daughter again recently. We certainly do miss her but know she and our other daughter are having a great time in Europe. We miss the older daughter too but since she lives in another town 3 hours away, it seems like she is just at home and not here with us. If you are reading this, your hubby said both children are doing well and they slept very well at the lake last night. They are really enjoying spending time with their little cousins. (I witnessed that today). They are keeping up with their mom through the really neat booklet she made for them. After lunch today, they wrote down what the Easter bunny brought them and colored the pictures you had for them. They are the sweetest children I know!!

Blessed Because It's Easter

I missed having my grands today. They are with their dad at the lake nearby; they do love to camp. I don't think they had planned to go, but one of their cousins' dad said he was going early yesterday morning to get them campsites together. Being able to locate two side-by-side, they decided to go (they will probably celebrate Easter there with the Easter bunny arriving early tomorrow morning). I know they are having a fun time since there are 4 of their cousins there. All of them went out to lunch today but I was at the beauty shop and didn't know they would be in the local Andy's Burgers when I finished but my sister and her husband ran into them there. The grands' dad told me that they would be here for lunch tomorrow if they were invited and of course, they are.

We will be enjoying a nice breakfast at church in the morning. It is tradition for the men to cook a delicious breakfast for the church members and guests. We really have some great cooks, too; they not only cook, they clean up afterwards! I always look forward to this special fellowship.

There are so many things about Easter that makes it special; but, no matter what, the greatest thing about Easter was the Jesus arose from the grave after being crucified for our sins. What a burden He must have felt upon Him as He suffered for all mankind! And none of us is worthy of His love and forgiveness. It so upsets me when I hear of folks have Spring Egg Hunts and Spring Holiday. This day belongs to our Savior and we need to remember His love and compassion, His unfailing Grace greater than all our sins! Oh, what a Savior!

Snowbirds Have Problems too

I have had a busy week again. Keeping the grandkids has been a real treat. I really love to listen and watch them. Today, I had to finish my preparations for my Sunday School lesson which I have to teach. The lesson is the Easter Story, of course, and everyone in my class probably know more about it than I do; I have tried to look at it from a different perspective and hope they will get something out of it; I did learn some things as I prepared the lesson. I probably learn more than they do when I teach.

I have talked with some of my snowbird friends and learned that some are having health issues now: one had a heart attack and 3 stints put in; another had 2 hernias repaired; and another fell off his bike while in Florida and messed up his shoulder (he had surgery on his right shoulder last summer and now will have surgery on his left shoulder). No matter where one lives, everyone has problems to deal with. I hope these friends will soon be well.

Up Early Again

I had to arise early again this morning to greet the grands. How can they be so wide-eyed and bushy tailed before 7:00 AM, I wonder. They enjoyed sitting in the kitchen, the girl eating her orange and the boy eating a breakfast poptart, watching Educational television (Barney I think). The girl wanted juice and the boy wanted chocolate milk this morning. They always say thanks when you give them anything (well trained kiddies by their very attentive mom, whom the boy misses a lot). I'm taking them to meet their teacher who then carries them on to school. She just lives a few houses away. They chose to ride back home with her today in lieu of my picking them up in the car riders' line at school. I think they feel that it's a bigger treat to be able to ride home with their teacher. The boy is full of cold this morning but he seems to have it under control.

After I dropped them off, I met a friend for a very early breakfast, so early for me, in fact, that I couldn't even eat much of it (now that's a change!). Oh well, I can handle it one day; after all, it's not every day that I get to spend a few minutes with the grands and listen as they "educate" me on the ways of their world.

The Slack is Back

After a week of getting ready for a scrap-a-thon two baby showers, a trip to the surgeon with hubby, etc., etc., I think I may be back on the air, at least as much as possible. I still have several things in the works to take care of. First, I need to get my Sunday School lesson ready to teach and that's no easy task; second, I'm trying to work up a couple of drafts for a church summer trip and that, too, is a difficult task when we have been on so many trips already. It takes a lot of planning to come up with something that will be different and appealing to many ages, at an affordable price. Any suggestions?

Speaking of the baby shower for my granddaughter and my daughter-in-law, I believe that it was a success; both moms were excited about their gifts. One of my nieces brought her three-year-old son with her to the shower and he was very well-behaved. The next day, at his preschool, his teacher asked him what he did over the weekend, he told them that he went to a baby shower. When they asked him who was having a baby, he thought a moment. Not really understanding but knowing that he was at my house, he informed them that I, a 70-year-old, was going to have a baby. Well, that has been laughed about by Hubby and me along with everyone else who has been told, and that is many! What comes out of children's mouths is so funny sometimes.

I had to pick up my six-year-old grands this afternoon. On the ride home, the two were discussing colors of Easter eggs and Easter baskets. The girl rattled off many different colors, ending with periwinkle! I asked her what color that was so she explained that "it is a mixture of purple and blue with maybe a bit of white in it!" I cannot get over her vocabulary or her thoughts! How cute these grands are!!

How Delightful!

When the kids came over to greet us the other day, I was so excited to finally get a big hug from them. The girl came running in and jumped in my arms (Fortunately, I was seated) and she seemed just as excited as I was! She was so cute! After a few minutes of sharing with her, Clay, who had climbed on PaPa's lap, wrapped his sweet arms around me while the girl lavished her affection upon PaPa. They were so cute and made me so thrilled to be home. Our daughter told me that, when she told the kids that we were returning home after a very long trip South, the girl, with her most interesting vocabulary, exclaimed, "How Delightful!". She tickles me so much! I can't wait to see what she will share with me that will keep me in stitches. What a joy those two grands are!