CHRISTMAS 2010

It was a very lonely time, but so sick I really didn 't care. The nurses kept me company at night when I was too sick to sleep. I felt like I was near death's door and no body cared. Spent the whole christmas day by myself. The nurses felt sorry for me, so they came in my room every 15 minutes it seem like, to check on me.

If Jeanette had been here, I feel sure she would have kept me company with her comments and jokes. She was so sweet and funny, funny. I miss her so much.

I am not one of these people that has to be praised for what I do but would like my family to at least ( act ) like they care. I do so many special things for them, anytime they ask I try to accomodate them even if I don't feel like it. I always thought family was supose to be so loving and caring, but I guess I have failed them in some way to make them treat me the way they do. I tried to raise them to realize that family was so important.
I loved all my brothers and sisters, and yes things was not always peachy between us but the love was still there. You just have to learn to keep your distance when things is not quite right and eventially it will be OK again. It happen many times. I still try to keep the bond between us there, I try to have a dinner every year and there is always someone who does not feel the importance of to be there. I know I have one sister who lives far away and cannot come, but the ones who live short distances does not feel the importance of it. I know her desire is to be with us. We have spent a month with them the last three years and enjoyed it so much, we keep going back. They can only say I tried. This year I guess I will not have it, I have been too sick but I know no one is going to step up to the plate and take over and do it. We have another one missing this year and next year we do not know what it will hold for us. I tell them every year when I call, you better come because we are all getting older and health problems creeping up on us, one of us may not be here another year. Now we have two who have gone on to be with the Lord, out of eight. We are very fortinate to have spent a lot of years together.

When I am gone my kids will miss me, I know, but it will be too late for some of them to show me.I don't want a lot, just a hello. I could not make it without my oldest Nancy, she is so special to me. A wonderful daughter, mother and a grandmother. She has had a lot of hard knocks in life, but has come out a wonderful,caring person. Everyone who knows her recognizes that. God broke the mold when he made her, I don't know what happen to the rest.
I love my grandkids so much and they love me, so I am going to focus on them these coming years and not so much on my kids, that is some of them. I told Pam I could use some help after knee surgery, she came one day, because I ask her too, I needed to discuss finances with her, the only reason. One phone call in six weeks. None while in hospital either time, Tony, one visit only , either time, reason they had to meet someone at the airport and came early, no phone calls.
James he lives in Louisiana, five hours away. Was going to come, had cold I said no. I got phone calls.
YES I AM FEELING SORRY FOR MYSELF. LOL

In the hospital I met a lot of hurting hearts and made a lot of friends, some of which is becoming very special to me. So I can have a family of friends, and I do have a lot of friends that are very special to me. I am sending one of my nurses a bible like mine, she liked it so well.
I will keep doing the best that I can for as long as the Lord leaves me here. I am just me. You only heve one set of parents, love them with all your heart, even though you dont always see eye to eye.

GOD BLESS AND KEEP ALL OF YOU AND HAVE A WONDERFUL NEW YEAR.

LONG TIME COMING

I know it has been a long time since I posted, Have not been well and don't know if I will ever be again or not. So many things has happen since my last one, I will try to get you up to date. Have not even read any ones blog lately. Looking forward to 2011 maybe it will be better. I will try to finish this blog.


I got sick Dec. 21 at about 4 am. I got sick at my stomach, then diarrah, then come the blood. I poured blood all day. Coy had a Dr. appt for 2:45, did not know if I would be able to go with him or not. I called Nancy to see if she could meet him over there if I was not able. She thought I had a virus, I did not tell her what was going on. I did get to feeling better,not so sick at my stomach. We went on to the Dr. found out Coy needs a total shoulder, his rotator cuff is completely gone. We would have to see another Dr. They would call with an appointment. We came straight home from there. Nancy had hired a girl to come clean my house for my Christmas present and she was here finishing up when we returned. I was so sick, I came in and immediately went a laid down in the living room. I kept thinking the blood would stop, but it didn't. I still told no one how bad I was. I went to bed, got up on Wed. morning and I was no better as I knew that, it was all night. I called my gastro Dr. as soon as he opened, told the nurse what was going on and Dr. Hardin called me back personally, told me to come straight to the hospital, if I came to his office he would just have to send me somewhere else to get test run, so it would be better if I came straight to the Hospital, in which I did. I was there before 9:30. Was going to take shower and wash my hair before I went but he said no come now.

They run blood test of all kinds, hooked me up to IV, did a CT scan and admitted me.

Well when they admitted me I knew I had to tell someone where I was. So I finally called Nancy after I got in my room which was nearly time for her to get off work and I knew she would be calling me as she always does to check up on us. I told her not to come over, I would call her later. I guess she told some of the other kids Maranda called and said they was coming up, Rochell had to see some one as they was coming in on a plane and they was going to the airport.

I was so sick. As soon as I got sick the day before I begin my liquid diet. They kept me on it for 6 days. I was really getting weak. No energy. They did O&P and cultures the next day.

Dr. Hardin said he thought I had food poisioning that just completely made a mess out of my colon. I already had Diverticulum and that caused Diverticulitis and ulcerated colitis so I was in real bad shape and besides that I was dehydrated so they poured the liquids in me.

There I was laid up in the bed and needing to exercise my knee to keep it from getting stiff and didn't even feel like holding my head up. I slept a lot taking pain medicine, the pain was so bad.

I begin having water stools. That was bad and the odor was awful.

Thanks for everyone prayers, that is how I made it through. God is so Good. Sometimes he puts us through things so we can be a blessing to someone else.

TAKE FOR GRANITE

The things we take as a everyday thing may not be here tomorrow.

I talked with my brother-in- law and it is so sad some of the things he told me. How he loved to smell the bed where Jeanette lay, it smelled so good. He said he neglected to tell her enough how good she smelled. Now he misses that so much. He said Every night she took a bath and always put some cologne on, her favorite was ESTEE. Years ago she liked white linin but she told me several weeks ago she could not stand that smell anymore. She could not stand to pass someone in the store that had that on. Some nights it is so hard to go in the bedroom, that is where Jeanette was most of the time, he said. Her oxygen was in there.

Someone ask him why he was still wearing his wedding band, he told him he would probably always wear it, he was still married as far as he was concerned. She is still in my heart and will always be there. He had no intentions of looking for anyone else and there would never be another for him. He loved his wife with all his heart. Sometimes people is thoughtless or just plain don't care for others feelings.

We also talked about the two quilt tops Jeanette had just made one was a fan quilt she posted on her blog. He said that was going on his bed.When he gets ready I will take it to the quilting lady to be quilted. He was not ready to let go of anything of hers. He wanted to keep everything close to him.
He even laid the law down to the kids they better not bother anything that was theirs or hers, that was their home, he would help them get on their feet but he was not going to support them, they would have to get out on their own asap. If he found anything was missing it would be out the door. He gave them orders about keeping the house clean the beds stripped, carpet shampooing and vacuumed.
He is still having a hard time but seems to have a level head about what he expects out of life.
He will continue camping with the family and other things they enjoyed together.

Him and the kids are going to church, he said I had to find me another place to sit for now, could not sit where they usually sit together.
So many changes in his life, I am holding him up in my prayers, I know it has to be tough.
May God Richly Bless Him, He is a wonderful person.

SICK, SICK , SICK

I have been so sick since our return home. I had fever when we left California but I thought it was just stress. I got really sick the day of my Sister funeral. Fever at night, begin taking my antiobiotic but it did not work this time.
We took my sister Sue and David to Oklahoma on tuesday and I was getting sicker and sicker. We only stayed 1 night and planned to stay 2 or 3, but I needed to get home.
We went through Eureka Springs to visit our dear friend Vi. We had a wonderful visit talking about the past when we lived next door. Our church and all the people we was aquainted with. She kept asking about David and Sue and where they lived and would describe the exact place.
She sure missed all her friends but is ready to go and be with her Coy. She talkes about him a lot. It was so good to see her again. She is 91, probably not long left here on this old earth.

We was able to drive to Conway where we stayed for the night. Next morning we went to Coys ear doctor and then on to LR. I went by my urologist and they took a urine sample and made a culture. I was still taking the Cipro and had been since Saturday. Was not working. Drinking a lot of cranberry juice, buttermilk and eating yougurt. That is supose to be good for it. It didn't work either.
Monday they called the results, I have a bacterial infection that was resistent to Cipro, I needed a different kind of antiobiotic. They ordered me Doxycycline. I begin taking right away. Had fever and night sweats all night last night. Slept all day today. Do not feel well at all. I feel like my whole body is poisoned. It may be, going so long with a bladder infection.

Tomorrow I am going for my pre-testing for my knee surgery. I hope they pospone it but they told me yesterday it would not interfere with that. It is just I have so much I need to get done before and don't feel like doing anything. I have managed to get some of the clother put up. There is still a lot to do.
It is raining today but it has been so hot and dry we lost a lot of plants around the house.
It is going to turn cold one day so we bought some wood, Coy thinks he will be able to cut wood, I don't think so. He worked on the yard a little yesterday and every 10 minutes he was sitting in the house.
Have got to go and rest some more. GOD BLESS

RETURN HOME

I don't know if I can write or not with such heaviness in my heart it is very sad day for all of us.

Nancy picked us up at the air port and brought Maranda and Kiefer with her, she said it would be good for us and it was. Maranda hung onto me and said please don't be sad Mamaw, she said.

Please don't cry. She cannot stand to see my cry.

JUST VISITING

I went to the cemetary just to visit and talk with my baby sister. I miss her so much, we shared many happy moments. I know it is just her body there , she is resting in the arms of Jesus. Sometime I think of her there and am a little jealous, she is seeing heaven and her mansion before me. She said to me many times before we left if anything happen to her before we finished our vacation, do not cut it short to come back. She knew I would.

Nancy would take a day off from work and Jeanette would come over and we would quilt together. She said I did not like points in making a quilt so she would help me with it.
I had them over for supper a few weeks before we left. We played a game of dominoes. Tried to have a family gathering but it did not work out. I keep telling my brothers and sisters, one of us will be gone one of these days, so we better get together as often as we can. I have a gathering between Christmas and the first of every year here at my house, there is always one missing (Sue). This year there will definitely be three missing. I have tried to hold our family together as much as possible.

The tears are flowing while I am trying to write, have had many break downs, she would not want me to be so sad, but if it were me she would feel the same way. I really broke down after maranda left today, she does not like to see me cry. I have wanted to call her so many times, I have her phone # still in my phone. It is hard to erase.
REST IN PEACE MY DEAR SWEET SISTER

MY BABY SISTER JEANETTE

I have many things to write about, We just came off our trip to Canada, the Youkon, Alaska and California. But I can only think of the passing of my baby sister. It was such a shock to get the word. I have not been able to stop since we got home.
Wednesday morning October 6 we received the word of her passing. That was the day we was to return home. It was a bad triip being in a plane all day, not talking to anyone back here, only thinking of all the times we spent together.
Spent the whole day crying off and on.
When we landed in LR two of my grand kids was waiting with my daughter. It was so good to see family. Could not sleep that night.
Kept thinking of the last conversation I had with her that day. Had no idea it would be the last one.

I remember the day she was born, the day she came home from the hospital. She was so tiny, so sweet. Mother was not well, so my oldest brother and I had to take turns missing school to help out around the house, we was the oldest in the family. It was tough, had to work doubly hard to keep up our grades. Almost failed that year. Mother finally had to go get help and re-entered the hospital. Our grandmother on my dad's side came to stay with us. She became so mean to us, other arrangements had to be made. Mother was gone several weeks. Dad had to work and make a living. There was eight of us kids.
My job was mainly taking care of Jeanette. I even slept with her. We lived behind the Hope Pentecostal Church in Walter Donaldson.s house. All of us girls slept in the back room, which was very large ( there was 4 girls ) . Had lots of windows across the back and a sloped ceiling.
Jeanette and I always slept together next to the door of Mother and Dads room. I was her big sister and when I married we was very close, she begged me not to leave her. By that time we had been through many hardships. Lost our Dad to a heart attack. Jeanette was 5 years old then and we lived on Thornton place on Clust trail off 167. We lived in the curve on Hwy 35 going toward Benton when Dad had his first heart attack. We moved to Thornton place where he passed. He lived 2 years after his first attack.
Mother got down in her back and could not get out of bed for about a month, so My mothers sister and family had to come stay with us to help out, I don't think they stayed at night, maybe once in a while.
Jeanette was the youngest so she was with Dad every day and was very attached. She had a hard time dealing with the loss of her dad. She would sit in his lap a lot, which was most of the time, take walks with him during the day, while we was at school.
Mr. Johnson who lived past us, down the gravel road, stopped by every day. He always brought Jeanette a piece of candy and brought our mail to us. Him and daddy was very close. He was there visiting the morning God called Dad home. They always sit around the wood stove and shared stories of their life. He thought Jeanette was the sweetest thing he had ever met.

After every thing was settled Mother bought a house and from Duffie Jackson, we moved over on the Redfield cutoff road. I still shared a room with my 3 sisters. We had a much larger room there. Always had two beds. Rosie and Sue slept in one and Me and Jeanette one. I guess she slept with them after I got married and moved a way. Which was a year later. Moved to california. I have notes Jeanette wrote to me somewhere, will have to find them. She cried so much after I left. Letters from Mother told me how she missed me.

Now I am missing her in my life.

PACKING

Long time since I posted a whole month.
I have been packing for a month now and am just about finished. Today we cleaned floors and furniture, well some of it, I was just not in the mood. A lot of things to take care of. Went to bed early.

\We have left our church of over 30 years which has been very hard. Involved in lots of jobs there so we had to generate a resignation letter, which has not been easy. A lot of things has happen that there is no understanding . A lot of things we do not approve of so we have found us another place of worship. We have attended several churches even out of town. We do not feel like we can really be a part if we have to drive a long way to go to church. So we started attending the Full Gospel camp grounds. The pastor and his wife is so nice, not a lot go there but you just feel at home. The spirit of God was so strong Sunday night, it was so good to feel like worshipping with no binding spirits. Things are just not right at Hope, too many hurt feelings and one couple runs everything. Tells everyone what to do and how to do it, and never does anything them selves. So enough of that.

Back to packing , Hope I haven't forgot anything. A lot of medicine to take, just in case I need it. No getting anything on the boat, it will be too expensive. Packing for winter and summer takes a lot. We have to carry our coats on the boat, We are going to Alaska. It is surely cold up there.
So looking forward to it. It will be a beautiful triip. Then to spend time with my sister and Coys family. It will be so nice to spend some time with Jim kids, which is Coy's older brother. Hope they can get a little gathering to gether.
David and Sue's oldest son and his wife (Charles and Machelle ) will be meeting us in Seattle and take our summer suit case and keep it while we are on the cruise. They have taken off of work and will be taking us to sight see on thursday. We will arrive on Wednesday.
Got to go to bed God Bless and good night.

SHOWER AT MIDNIGHT

Coy got up at midnight showered, shaved and was going to get ready for church when he realized it was too early. I'm thilnking he is going to have to get rid of that ambien. He does strange things. Someone at 4 H meeting told us they begin to do strange things also.
Last night he pulled it off after 3 hours, he does not know. Some day I will write everything strange thing he does. Pray for us. It is trying times. God will take care of things, in his hands so in his time he will answer. GOD BLESS

HEARING AIDS ORDERED TODAY

Well we got up there got ears cleaned out, oh my what a hunk of wax in both ears. After that we was sitting there and Coy had his hearing aid out , the one that is left, he lost one of them and his glasses off, he wanted to read something on the wall so he put his hearing aid in to read LOL. He noticed what he had done and he even laughed. I tell you these McLemore boys are a hoot, they are always doing something. I guess that is to keep us girls laughing, Coy does not like to be laughed at, he is not as good natured as David, if I laughed at Coy like Sue does David he would be mad all the time. His strokes has really changed him a lot.
I still laugh and the kids are always laughing at the things he does. Got to go we are leaving for the park. Just a few days though. Coy has a Dr. appt thursday . He has to see a urologist
Oh by the way he got his new hearing aids that day the ones that fit behind the ear. I think they will be a lot better.

GOD BLESS

WHAT A MESS

It is a long story but oh what a mess. My trailer refregerator stop working, I do not know why, have not figured that out yet, going camping next week and I dont know if we will be able to use it or not. There was some frozen food in there and it was totally ruined. Coy had been out there nearlly every day but did not smell anything. Can't see, Can't hear and Can't even smell. He is in really bad shape. LOL I do not know why men does not notice anything. He knew there was a stream of stuff on floor, but didn't check to see what it was.


Kiefer went in the trailer and he really smelled when he came back in the house, so I ask him what he was doing, you really stink, He said I was in the trailer and he said there was some grease on the floor, Coy spoke up and said I was going to clean that up. I went out there and I could hardly stand the trailer. it smelled so bad. I was mad, So I begin empting it out. I was upset so I made a b igger mess trying to get all the bags out and in the trash.

Nancy drove up just in time to help us, even though she needed to go to water aerobics.

It is such a mess. we had fish, chicken, veggies and I dont know what else, nothing good.

We have got coffee all in it now I hope it works, if not I dont know what else to use. I used bleach, free breeze, soda, poured soda paste all in freezer and washed it out before putting other stuff in there. I still have soda setting in there in containers also. Something will have to work or there goes another insurance claim. LOL A frig cost about 4000 dollars for campers. We are going camping this weekend so we will find out.
GOD BLESS

MY CAR

Maranda programed my phone in the car so when I am in the car and the phone rings, I just punch my phone cymbal on the mirrow and I talk hands free. Now we have got to learn the navigation. It has a GPS built in and also a place to put in distress call with the push of a button. So many gadgets to learn.

Now I tell Coy when I let him drive ( which is not often )not to fool with the light switches. He does not drive very often, lhe gets so tired and runs out in front of cars, I dont know if he dont see them or just cant judge distance. Sue you will see how much he has gone down when we come out there.I wish we was staying a month instead of a week. Need to be out of Sheridan for a while so stressful living here.

Have got to go to bed a busy day, packing, Dr. appt. cleaning closets and just routine stuff. Have had a ear infection, staggery and just dont feel good.
GOD BLESS ALL, NEED YOUR PRAYERS

A LAUGH BUT NOT FUNNY

Friday coy went out to run to the store to get something when he got to the car, he came back in he forgot his phone, then he forgot what he was going for. He came back in to find his coke he just opened, left the car running all this time. We searched everywhere he might have set the coke down, could not find it. He went back to the car there was his coke in the car. The car had died and would not crank. Have not figured out that yet. He must have set there 5 minutes dranking his coke, scratching his head, he did not know what to do.
So he got out came back in the house then went and hooked the jumper cables from the truck, it cranked right away.
I think he left the lights on the night before, it has the automatic lights and I ask him not to fool with the light switch, but he don't mind very well, HAHA can't see ,can't hear so he pushes all kinds of buttons. This car has a lot of them, believe me. This is a typical day with us since he had his stroke. I really don't know how this is going to turn our, one day at a time.
GOD BLESS ALL

THIS AND THAT

OOPS It has been a long time where does the time slip awat too. Have had a busy summer and have not accomplished anything here at home. Things just keep pileing up. Need to clean out shed and do away with all my christmas stuff, no longer put up all those lights and yard decorations. Have got a lot of them. A lot of furniture to sell, desk Coy used when he was at the Lion stadtion, how many years ago, Nearly 50. Well the years are slipping away but we have really enjoyed the summer so far and cant wait until our cruise.

Lots of people we know are going the same time, surely some will be on the same ship with us.
Found out the lady we do business with at the credit union is going the same time we are but dont know the exact ship she will be on.

THANK THE LORD FOR THE RAIN. Could not sleep this morning got up before 5 set out on the porch and watched it rain. It washes everything so clean. That is what God has been doing to me lately. I have so much to be thankful for and God is so good.

Kiefer had surgery last Wed on his knee. He was involved in a 4 wheeler wreck, he was thrown off the back. He got a busted lip, a broke tooth. messed up knee with a chip of bone broke off the tibia. So thankful it was not any worse than that. Thursday he was at my house and we babied him all day and he had so much pain, gave him his pain med every 4 hours so that helped a lot. When Tony came and picked him up and he had to get up off the couch, he begin to cry ( I know how painful it is, I begin to cry) I even gave him a urnal so he would not have to get up and go to the bathroom. He liked that. He even added up the ml for the day. lol
GOD BLESS ALL

BLUEGRASS FESTIVALS

It was an experience to attemd a blue grass festival it was fun and so enjoyable. We heard so much gospel. We went to Adona for a week and before it started on Wed. night the campers would have what they called jam sessiona. That was so interesting. There was about 4 jam sessions every night and some during the day. That was about as interesting as the night performances. Roy my brother came up on tuesday and played and sang with some of the jammers, it was so good to see him perticipate, he didn't even know they had them until I got him to come up. It is within 25 miles of his house. We had a fish fry , they brought the fish, croppie and brim. We cooked hush puppies and fried potatoes, macaroni salad. It was so good.
I wanted him to meet Carl Gene, he plays and sings but they had to return home that day for business purpose. He owns trucks.
Some of Roy's and Fayes friends came up also. We enjoyed the visit.

From Adona we went and spent a couple of night with Roy and Faye, and then went and picked up our trailer and took it on over to Waldron and set it up and went home for 5 days. Then we returned back up to attend the festival of Turkey Track. There was many groups there and about 1500 trailers, maybe more.
Maranda was with us and she got aquainted with some of the young singers and was invited to tour their motor home. It was big and Red. He was 11 also and was teaching her the cords on the guitar, she is very interested in music and I hope she persues it. She begged me to buy her a banjo, but I am afraid she will not keep it up, or I would.

From there we stopped at Lake Quachita and was ther 5 days, we got to camp on the water at the end of a camp area, totally private. That was good also.
Today we went to Emerson to the Purple Hull Pea festival with Nancy and Larry, and that was a wonderful day. Next year I am planning on entering the pea shelling contest, I think I shell peas pretty fast. So We will see.
The tiller races was good. They did not have home made ice cream this year.
They did have a bake-off. They has mex caserold with peas, pea jelly, pea cobbler, but did not taste it. What I ate was good.

We are home for a while, I don't know how long. September will be here before we know it.
Got to go more later.
GOD BLESS

CAR SHOPPING

We have been car shopping since last Wednesday. We tried out a Dodge Caravan for a week and decided we needed the power doors. Loved the car and the color,(RED) but just not what we needed.. Can you believe we are getting rid of the Van, I can't either but it is gone.

We came through Benton and tried out some more cars we found the perfect one I think.

It is White well it is called cool vanilla, isn't that sharp. I told them when I went on the parking lot I did not want a white or black car. WELL that was not so. That is what we ended up with.
I like it so far but we will be leaving tomorrow for blue grass festival so we will not be driving it much. It is a Chrysler Town and Country, fully loaded, has everything power. The doors are all power, adjustible brake and excellerator peddles. Has a DVD player with head phones, now what did old people like us want with that, grand kids maybe. It has leather seats with stow and go, all seats folds in floor. The only thing is we have to wear seat belts all will ding if not fastened.
We also have heated seats, now why would anyone want that, well I may find out with them being leather and here in Arkansas.
I know it drives better than the Van.
The van served us well for over 15 years and many miles. No major expense on it. Tires and Brakes mostly.

GOD BLESS

MARANDA'S BIRTHDAY

My good ness where has these 11 years gone. It does not seem like it has been not time since she was so tiny. I never know what to do on the kids birthday or what to give them. I will have her this coming week, her so call parents have plans so they needed somewhere for her to stay.
School is out tuesday, she will have to miss the last two days, we are leaving to go to a Blue Grass Festival up near Petit Jean saturday morning. We will not be back until the following week. So she will be with us unless they come get her. So I will do something special with her. Rochell called Sat and wanted to know if we wanted to eat pizza at Mazzio's sunday with them for her birthday, I was a little shocked, didn't invite no one else. I baked her a cake so we did. It was kinda nice. Rochell has not hardly spoke since March when I couldn't take Maranda to Dr. and she had too. Easter , she did not speak at all, Her and Tony was here about 30 minutes and they left, they just needed to drop the kids off.
AS we was sitting eating we discussed what day we would go out to eat this week. She did not remember that tuesday when we was eating, I nearly always take them out to eat or they come over one evening. It was going to be Tuesday instead of thursday this week. I was going to pick them up after school and at 5 we would go eat and then take them home. While we was eating she called and chewed us all out for them not coming home and doing their chores before we went to eat. Needless to say our whole meal was ruined and they eat very little. Oh well that is Rochell.

Also she got a note in January about Maranda not being able to see, her eyes needed to be checked again. She has still not taken care of that so I made her an appt. I should have months ago, but they told me they was going to take care of the kids. Well words don/t mean a thing you have to be a do'er. So today I called Rochell and told her I made her an appt. I said she has not been since april of last year. she said I know, ( I wanted to say a lot more but I didn't ) so I ask her if she wanted to take her or could I. She informed me that Her and Tony was leaving at 8 in the morning and I didn't know they was going anywhere. She said they would leave Maranda bag on the porch and we could pick it up later.
I want to move away from them so bad but the kids needs me here close, I think I make life a little easier, I dont really know. Maybe harder, by living here. We are too old and too much accumulation to move.

Enough of my complaining and rambling. I just hate those two kids has such a bad home life. Kiefer said he was going to live with his memaw, which is his mothers mother. It is a weird situation. Tony needs to step up and be a DAD to his kids. Pray for him
GOD BLESS ALL

SUNDAY

I look forward to Sunday, it is my day of relaxing, I love music and the choir singing old songs. I enjoy just praising God in his santuary. So many people just don't realize we are living in the last days' We watched end time movies and the bible is being fulfilled every day and we are just about to the end.
On Sunday in Gods house I have a peace inside me I usually don't have. Depression is a terrible thing to have. There are days that is just not right.
Since Coy had his stroke, he doesn't know what he is doing or saying some days. I have to explain every detail and some times he cannot understand the very simple things. It is real hard to explain. He wants to argue about everything. I try not to argue with him but I feel I have to tell him the way it really is. It is so strange to have him like that. I have to really watch his medicine, nearly every day he will get the bottles down and go over what he is to take when. I fixed his medicing in seperate boxes marked morning and evening. He never knows what day it is so I try to tell him every morning what day it is so he will take the right day, that does not even work. He resents me trying to help him keep things in order. What do I do? Somebody please tell me. Some days I just want to run away. He might think it is Sunday two or three morning a week, he gets up getting ready to go to church. I ask him where he is going, he will reply it is Sunday isn't it , No it is so and so. My nerves are no good anyway. I wish everyday was Sunday, I wish everyday was Sunday, maybe I could handle everything better.

Well enough of my rambling. I need your prayers.
GOD BLESS ALL

GARDEN DAY

It is only 9 am on thursday morning, have got things done today. Picked turnip green, washed and on cooking. They smell so good. Picked onions got them cleaned and washed. Coy carried our preacher some greens and onions. Got apricots on to make baked pies with my wonderful pie crust mix from California. I am about to run out. Don't know if the store is going to ordser it or not. They are carring a lot of the other products made by this company so maybe, before I am out. I have also made a macaroni salad. Having company tonight. My baby sister is supose to come over and she loves my macaroni salad. I made enough she can carry a bowl home with her. I am also fixing chicken breast smothered in french fried onions and cream of chicken soup. We will have to have some corn bread with that also. Sounds like a good meal to me.
I could not believe how out Garden had grew while we was gone. We need to plant okra, the ground is warm but it is also wet. And supose to get rain today. Maybe it will skip us and go
north.
This has been a wonderful day so far. And will continue to be if I can keep my attitude in the right place and not think about the things that goes on around me.
Planning on going to aeobics at 4, I have got to get started back. It helps my knees so much and also keeps my feet and legs from swelling in the summer.

I have got to remember how good God has been to us and all the things he has done.

It is 10 am I think I will have breakfast,
corn bread, turnip greens, green onion and a glass of milk, Don't that sound like a good breakfast. does to me. That is my schedule for today.
GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU

LAUNDRY, LAUNDRY AND MORE LAUNDRY

I have so much laundry even though I wore some outfits 2 days. Towels and dish towels, sheets. I have finally got all of it done, just a few things to press, I try not to have much to press, don't like that. Mainly Coys shirts.
We had a wonderful time and ready to go again.
Carried my sewing machine, my extra one that is, I had no thread. Got it all ready one morning, set up my table and no thread. I had even picked out what I was going to work on. Had it all laid out. I have packed it now so next time I will have it.
I am anxious to go to blue grass festival the last of this month. It will be so good. There is a different group going this time. Four couples I think. Maybe more. In June we will be going to Branson and stay in a Condo. Lots of things planned this summer.
I know our plans can change so fast. Gods plans are not ours.

GOD BLESS ALL

UNEXPECTED NEWS

Got home had a visitor, Pam, she was here to announce she had got married to a young guy she had known several years before, he has been in prison but I can't hold that against him. Hope he learned his lesson. I ask him lots of questions about his past. I gave them my blessing and welcomed him into our crazy, mixed up family. No different than any other family, just know about ours not every one else.
I just want happiness for my kids and for them to serve the Lord, He is coming soon, I know we have heard that all all lives, but it will happen. He can call us away any time, it pays to be ready in season and out.

GOD BLESS ALL

CAMPING WITH FRIENDS

We had a wonderful time, there was 4 campers of us folks. We set around the fire and watched movies about the end-time. Scary but true. It is going to be awful for those left behind. We also watched Left behind series. I have some of the books. We also watched Code 2 which is so real and the things that is happening today. These people had to real and study the Bible to know these things was going to happen.

We was up there Sunday afternoon and it was a beautiful day, a relaxing evening for us. Nothing special. We did not set up a lot of stuff because we knew it would be just the two of us. George and Margie came on Monday , Sharon and Homer, Carl Gene and Diane came on wednesday.
By the weekend it was so windy and some bad hair days for all of us. Sharon and Homer had all their kids and grand kids up, we had Kiefer, Had a fish fry and I made home made ice cream with Peach cobbler. In other words we feasted. The weather was so nice
Friday night was a rough one, storms everywhere, we received calls for Sheridan up until about 1:30. It missed us, we was praying all of us in campers.
Saturday night was the same thing, the wind blew so hard but the storm was on both sides of us and our camp was in the middle. Hardly any wind at all.
Maranda was worried and no service to call her and did not leave the camper. She sent text and said. Mamaw have you been watching the news and where r u. I felt so sorry for her. I call the next morning.
Had to take Kiefer back to meet Tony in Pine Bluff sunday aat 1:30 Just made it, he wanted to fish as long as he could. He learned to snag fish with a 14 foot pole. Had a great time. Did not want to go home. That is a wonderful place to take kids they are assured they will catch something and he caught a lot, cat fish, carp which are not edible but fun to catch. Serval cat fish and a gar. Lots of skip jacks which are small but fun to catch.
GOD BLESS ALL

CAMPING

WE will be camping for 2 weeks will not be posting. We are looking forward to it, I hope it goes well, We camp with our Church group.
MAY GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU AND PRAY FOR US

MAKING MEMORIES

Making memories is what life is all about, I have been talking to Maranda about that. That is what Coy and I did this weekend. He does not remember much but I do, someday I may not.

That is why I am writing, my sister has encourged me to do that and everyone should. I did not realize that until I have got old and all these things come back to you. But in years to come they will probably not be in your memory, so read about them later even thou you may not remember they are your memories as in the movie The Note.

Moments of time, precious moments, I want to remember always even though I won't. Still I can capture things in my past that is so precious like the time we went to Tyler Texas to see Oral Roberts. I was sick the whole time but it was a joyous time. We cooked beans every day in a house someone let us stay in while we was there, no furniture but a refrigerator and stove and that is all we needed. We had some cots. As we was traveling down there we slept in a park on benches, that was even nice. We did not care we was going somewhere very important.
I remember the family picture we took and that is the last one we had together. Our dad passed away the next spring. I love to look at that picture.
That is the dress we bought when I got sick in Pine Bluff, and fainted in the store. I had strep throat and was really sick. daddy carried me out of the store, I don't know how but I remember he did. God really blessed out trip. Memories, make them every moment you get, it is so important to have memories of family and friends. When you loose a family member that is all you have left, pictures tell a lot. Just go through them and reminence. It is fun and so enjoyab le.

GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU UNTIL NEXT TIME.

HIGHLIGHT OF OUR TRIP

We looked up Vi, Went the back way to Eureka Springs and Berryville, Missed our turn to Berryville so we drove thru Eureka Springs, to Berryville, We called Tommy, Vi brother's house, got no answer, so I remembered Gerry Swofford had built her house and so we called him to find out where she was if she was still living. Thinking she would be there in Berryville, but she was not, she was in a nursing home at Holiday Island before you get into Eureka Springs. So we had to drive all the way back, where we just came from. It was worth it when we got there and saw her and she recognized us when we went into the room and begin talking with her. She really looks good, gained some weight especially in her legs and lower body, but that is not being able to get around very good. She walks with her walker but not very well.

We set and visited with her a good while, we talked about old times when we lived next door. She talked about our little dog that climed the fence when he would see Coy our in the pasture. She mentioned the little black pig, Coys pot belly pig that would nurse the cows. The chickens ans so many other things she remembered. I am so glad her memory was good that day, It was just ment to be for us to see her that day. She begged us to spend the night, to ask them to move a bed in there so we could spend the night. She ask repeatedly. I tried to tell her we couldn't. I wish we had stayed in Eureka and went back the next morning, but I needed to get home. My diverticulum was giving me fits. It broke my heart, she just cried, the tears just rolled. She kept asking how we found her. We repeated over and over which I didn't mind, just being with her was so good. I just hugged and hugged her.
She told me old friends stop by and tucks me in bed, the tears was just rolling, she said how can I sleep now after visiting with you all. I said a prayer and we left, it was hard, so hard, she is a precious lady.
I am praying God will keep her until we can get back up there and take some old pictures.

Have got to go to bed, GOD BLESS and keep all my love ones, it makes me sad to think of all my love ones and some so far away. Will write more on visit later.

TRAVELING

We went traveling this weekend, well we left thursday. We originally planned to just go somewhere for a couple of days, we took clothes, snacks and drinks, just riding and stopping when we wanted, well we ended up in Branson and what a good time we had. We got up there about 4 pm. after fooling around other places, going. We immediately went to the Branson Landing and set and watched the water, the Branson Princess which is a large boat. It turned around and never moved backward or forward. So big and it carries many passengers. It is a tour boat. Watching the water fountains is so beautiful and relaxing. We walked down and got us an ice cream and set there. It was just nice strolling up and down the streets of that miniture city. We went back to our motel, but we stopped and ate at Denny's first, hadn't ate all day, just snacked.
Next morning we had a tour right there in the motel, No high pressure, just no and that was it. We got 4 days and 3 nights out of that + 75 dollars, purchased in 2005. Have got 2 more on that one. We went shopping in Tanger Mall for a little while. Then VF merchants mall and got Coy some jeans, we can get Lee jeans for like 8 dollars a pair. We got 4 pair.
We went on another vacation seminar and got 4 show tickets for 10 dollars each. We went to the Ballnobbers at 8 pm that evening . But befor that we was going to eat a light supper, I order a baked potato and Coy ordered a Sub sandwich at the Ballnobbers restaurant, but we never got out food, we set for 30 to 45 minutes and the show was going to start at 7:30 so we went to pay for our tea and told them what happen, he said I am sorry you don't owe me nothing.
Next morning we got up, ate breakfast there at the motel, included in the price of the room, not in no hurry, we had to 2 p.m. before out next show begin, this time we went to the Country Music Jamboree in the 76 mall. They was so good and relaxing also. So So funny, we laughed until we hurt. 2 and 1/2 hours of comedy. So good for us. We got out of there, drove to Lambert's to eat and got back just in time to go to our next show which was NOAH. It was so good and amazing how they put that together. We agreed to another vacation presentation for the tickets for that show. We got back a few minutes late so we set at the very top, That is the perfect place. We could see everything. When it first started and God was calling Noah, it seem so real. All the animals was real and they had every kind upon this earth, I think. You was surrounded with seens, like you was on the boat, the thunder and lighning , rain sound so real.
I was so amazing, I want to see it again. With that we get to stay in a condo in June for 1 week in Branson and a week in Nashville. That will be so nice.
Got to go to bed.
GOD BLESS

SATURDAY, BEAUTIFUL DAY

It is so beautiful outside but I have to bake a cake for some friends of ours that lost their daughter to stomach cancer. I also got a bucket of chicken and sent down there.
Coy and I got ourside and planted me an herb bed, I hope it grows to be a giant. I have started to use more herbs in my salads and othe things also. I love to smell basil. I also like cilantro in salads, green salads, watermelon salads and others. It taste wonderful in anything with purple onion. I have learned how to keep my herbs in frig longer. Clear plastic container with plenty of room in it and a tight fitting lid.
Coy got out and tilled a little again, only he tilled up where I planted a row of wild flowers, oh well maybe some will come up. I planted some in the canes, or where they use to be.I came in and he was on the back porch sitting in the recliner, he said I could not make it any further. I said I see that. We are both wore out, and don't see any time to rest until after Sunday.
Later we will be going to Little Rock and visit Squirt, friend of Tony's, that had the wreck.

He is looking better. Since Tony could not go I told him we would. So we did and while we was up there we ate at outback steak house. It was nice and relaxing. We came home I had to finish the church bulletin and then I am going to bed. Coy has already gone, he goes early and earlier every night.
Well my bulletin is finished so I will say good night and GOD BLESS

UNEXPECTED HOSPITAL DAY

Tony had surgery on his hiney today. He had a boil come up between his cheeks. Rochell had to work so Coy and I took him and he had surgery today. Rochell had to work it is prom weekend and she makes lots of money , probably her biggest money making of the year. She will be working all day today. Her daughter will be going to prom, they put out lots of money on her, her dress cost about 800 to 1000. I don't know where they get it , but they do. Was expecting to be there and home by noon, it was 4:30 or 5 before we got home. He had taken his antiobiotic with 2 swallows of tea and the put him second on the list. So it was afternoon before they started. One anethesiologist got upset because of the post ponement. The Dr. was also upset,. He wanted to get that done, Tony was in so much pain. He has a hole the size of a golfball that has to be packed twice a day. I don't know how he will work and may not. That is two of their hands our of commission for a while. Steven is supose to leave and go turkey hunting for a week monday. Well maybe not.

Long day, We was there by nine this morning. Tony told someone they needed to put me on the nascar driver list. Took picture of him in his cute little surgical cap, that was funny.

Check engine light kept coming on , I just kept praying the van would be OK until we got there. it was. I didn't say a word. I told Coy to check oil and water, well it was out of water and I said you need to put some in, he said it has enough for now. He put some oil in, It didn't have water. It got really hot going home, I just kept driving, turned air off and it cooled down. Our van needs a lot of tender loving care and it is not getting it. Coy can do nothing anymore and gets upset if he has too. We got to Tonys and I told him to put some water in. He did, it was dry. "THANK YOU LORD FOR GETTING US HOME." Tony was needing to just rest. He has not had any kind of surgery since he was about 14, cut his hand on a lawn mower blade and spent 3 days in hospital then. So he did not realize how zonked he would feel. Got there and all those kids and he put them to work picking up in the house. That Kiefer and Maranda, she got the clothes put up the nurse was coming by later.


We went and got lunch, blackeyed peas and cornbread, good good.
Afternoon we got popcorn and drank some water.
GOD BLESS

GRAND PAW AND GRAND MA

I begin thinking about them again this morning and wanted to write some more. They was beautiful people in our lives and we made many memories, even though we was kids and never thought about making memories. Never remember anyone saying that to us.

I loved to watch grand pa use his eye glass to repair clocks and watches. It was so facination to see that little blackrim around his head with the black bulb like piece over his eye. I wonder who ended up with it, and I hope they cherish it. I have looked for one in antique stores, have not found one yet. Still looking so if any one finds one let me know. I wish I had a picture of him with it on, but there was not many pictures taken back then.

SLEEP TEST

I don't know what to expect today for his test, find out soon. Got him to Little Rock and he was the only man taking the test last night. I said I hope we are not in a ward. He has a real nice big room, by his-self. I left about 9:30 last night and came home. My energy has gone, I hope I can endure all the going. I just want to rest.

Got up got all my ironing done, picked up the house before we went to for consult. They said we have an opening tonight do you want to go, I said yea! well take it.

Coy got upset yesterday because he wanted to go look at motor homes. He was so tired he didn't want to stay out of the recliner. kept trying to get him to get on the mower and get all those sweet gum balls out of the yard in back. he would work 10 minutes and back in the recliner.But he wanted to go some where. LOL I am going to get him back in the pool, maybe today, that will help. I need to, my legs have started swelling and as long as I go to pool, they don't swell.
At least they feel better since I got injections in my knees, monday. I can walk, I was barely going they hurt so bad. I got back on my aleve twice a day. I could barely make it to rooms in hospital and there is no place to stop and rest in those long halls of hospitals.

The pollen is terrible here, supose to rain tonight, I hope it does and wash some of it away.
I left my windows up on porch and it is yellow a little. The patio is completely yellow and front porch also.
Well I guess you are tired of my rattling so I will close and go through bills before I go back to L.R. this morning. They said it might take 2 nights, I don't think so he has it pretty bad.
GOD BLESS ALL

ANOTHER DR. DAY

Well we missed prayer meeting tonight, but we done what we needed to do today and visited the sick in between Dr. appt. Three Dr.s and Three people in hospital we visited. It was a very long day, I could not sleep last night, up at 11:20 again at 4:10 it was a long night.
Get results tomorrow I guess.

Buena Benefield fell and cracked her hip it had to have some screws and she has altzhemiers disease also and has been very combative, she is little but strong as an OX as Melissa put it. she stayed all night with her. she had to get a male nurse to come help her.

Joyce Smith has a vericose vein to rupture and she lost over half of her blood before EMT got there to stop the bleeding.

Squirt is not doing well, his lungs are full of fluid, had to put him back on the vent,and do a treck.

Keep praying for everyone. The devil sure is attacking the pentecostal people, He is coming soon and our test has just begun.
Heard Uncle Henry, fruit stand owner is back in the hospital, have not heard.
Keep us all in your prayers.
GOD BLESS

BUSY DAY

We had a very busy day, but a blessed day.
Got to the Dr. office about 9 am, went and got Coy's blood drawn, it was a long walk over to the hospital, we thought it was in the same building as the office, no it was across in the hospital.
We got that done, walked back, but a shorter route than we had went, it was beautiful outside and a nice walk. Grabbed a muffin ate it fast, went back to the scan floor, didn't even get papers filled out( you know you always have papers to fill out no matter how many times you have been there, HA) until they called us back. It took about an hour for them to do both scans, He still has the MRA to have done, I don't know where yet. The tech told us she did not see anything alarming so we could leave, Dr. Greer would be calling us the first of the week with results. She said we would not be leaving if she had seen anything. that was good news.
We left met Nancy at AT&T store to get new phone, mine is going out. Got phone and got Coy also, the Dr. suggested getting a basic easy to use in case he got lost or just plain forgot where he is at. He could call 911 or a number. He did not want one.
We went to Sam's and came home. One hour later we went to Fordyce for dinner with the church group. Came back and played dominoes, He is back to his old self as far as talking and joking around, but not in other ways yet, but God has answered a prayer. A week ago I led him up front and had everyone to pray, and ever since he has improved a little every day. God is our healer and a prayer answering God. It was enjoyable to play. He gets really tired, but he did not get frustrated as he usually does. Thank God is my testimony today. It was a good day.
GOD BLESS AND GOOD NIGHT

HEART AND BRAIN TEST TODAY

They are going to do a brain MRA test today We have to be there at 10:45. Also he is doing a heart echo and something else. Maybe we will get the rest of the story. I really appreciate the way his Dr. is just getting right on this and getting things done. He has not wasted any time since we seen him the first time.
Coy is so irritable and cranky, I had rather just let him sit and watch TV than have him up and trying to do things. He gets so frustrated. He has broke so many dishes just putting the dishes up from dish washer. He is wore out doing nothing. praying and siging every breath. We tried to work out side a little yesterday but he just don't have the strength. I told him to go inside and rest. We did. I took the kids to eat pizza and attended a outdoor play of the ressurection. It was so good and seem so real. He went to the play, and really enjoyed it, not to eat pizza. He can't stand a lot of racket. Kiefer has settled down a lot, Maranda and Briauna is so roudy and has so much fun together.
Now I know that is what was wrong with him all summer and we just could not work together.
We have always done everything together outside and in..
With God's help we will get through this and he will get better.We will just have to change our life style I am making him eat better, starting off with a good breakfast every morning. I told him he had starved his brain, not eating.
It is supose to be beautiful Sunday, all the kids will be over and he will probably go inside and watch TV or play games on the computer. That will be OK
GOD BLESS ALL

TEST RESULTS TODAY I HOPE

I hope we get some answers today. we see the Dr at 3:45. He called this morning.


I looked at Nancy's blog I was surprised no one enjoyed my acting. It was jun and I know I look like a cow on stage, but these days I need every laugh I can get even if it is at myself.

Well we got results and better than we thought. He has had a vascular stroke, in fact he has had many. The doctor showed us on the mri that he has had many but this one was worse than the others. He is doing more test on his brain and his heart. He had a problem with his heart in October and went to heart doctor in January. They found his heart had extra beets but no other problems was he having then. He was having dizzy spells but was not connected with his heart, but now they know it is. We will also have a sleep aptinea test and that could cause his strokes. He said when he has a dizzy spell he is having a stroke. He is going to try to prevent him from having the big one he said. It is scary but better than dimentia as we thought because that is the way he acted. He will not get his momory back he has already lost and may loose more, but is going to try to prevent that.
He is better this week but he still does not know what day it is and ask often every day. I have fixed him a calendar and he is suppose to mark each day off, circle in morning and mark that day off the next morning with an x and circle that day. Well he can't even do that very well, He marked April 1 and April 2, he gets so frustrated trying to get things straight in his mind .
He got very upset today because I told him he didn't need to be lifting on a TV. I try to tell him what has happen, but I don't think he knows. He says he is fine and he's not.
It is so frustrating to me but he does not realize he is different, or there is anything wrong.

Our lives has really changed. Need a head light put in the car,already been stopped once by police. our yard needs cleaned,so much to do, my knees are so bad, I can't do much. He does not have the energy or strength. Going to dr and get injections Monday. I hope it will help.

Keep us in your prayers we will appreciate it. Things are going to get better. Keep you informed.
GOD BLESS AND GOOD NIGHT

FUN DAY

We drove to Hot Springs for an overview of our investments. They are doing very good, and checked to see how much money we could draw out without penalty for our cruise in September.

There was enough and more, thank goodness. God always knows what you need and he knew we need another trip. We will possibly get to see Charles and his family in Washington. Hope so, looking forward to that, so long since we seen them. It will be great.
Then we drove up to degray, Shouse Ford and visited some friends that was camping for spring break with their grandson. we got there early and we just sit by the lake and watched the water.
That is so relaxing to us. Then we all drove into Hot Springs and ate at Ryan's then played putt-putt golf. It was a great day. We drove back to camp visited for a while and came home, We took out time and drove slow and enjoyed the lake.and sight seeing. It was a great day.
GOD BLESS ALL

BETTER BEAUTIFUL DAY

Last night I got an e-mail that immediately made me feel better, Tony and family have gone on a cruise to Mexico and Kiefer wrote on my facebook he missed me. I didn't think they would even think of me. We have become very close in the recent weeks, we sit and talk about things as we have never before. He is 13 not and is growing up.

I also got an e-mail from a classmate that was beautiful. WHISPERS IS THE NAME I e-mailed it to each of you, read and listen to it.
GOD tries to get in touch with us in so many ways, I am better about listening and cherishing each touch. The beauty of a butterfly, a lady bug that just hangs around, bees that buzz around
flowers blooming blowing in the wins, even a mushroom, or toad stools as we use to call them, popping up out of the ground. Maranda and I watched one last summer pop up, every day we would watch it. We took pictures. she loves nature. We found a giant one last year. So beautiful all laced with ruffles, tried to preserve it or dry it, but couldn't. We was going to watch it grow but someone pulled it up. It was already about 1-1/2 feet across. There is so much beauty in the world if we only look for it. I AM LOOKING
This is a much better day today, I am feeling the effects of no thyroid medicine, that is probably the problem. I am doubling up on my B-complex so I will maybe feel better.
Tomorrow Coy goes for all his test.We will probably be gone all day. Be there at 7:45
GOD IS GOOD

A DOWN DAY

Today is not a good day, a lonesome day. I can't put my finger on it but I feel realy low.


I never thought one of my kids could make me so unhappy.


We got to watching this movie called. The long way Home an old man who felt like he didn't belong anywhere,kids made him sell his home after their mother died, do away with his wood work shop so he ran away. That is the way I feel today. Just would like to run away and never look back.

Then we begin watching Annie's Point and she was a old woman who her son wanted her to move in closer in an apartment with not much to do. She said this is my home, I don't want to leave it. So she got her grand daughter and ran away going to Annie's point to release the ashes of her husband. This was their favorite spot. It was just as beautiful as when she last seen it.

Every time she talked to her son she would say don't sell my home.


Wouldn't that be wonderful if someday my grand daughter's would go on a road trip with me.

That will probably never happen, but I can dream.


I guess we will sell this house and move and when we moved here I thought this would be our last home, well things change and I just need to be happy and I can't living here anymore. I need to get Coy well and believing he will be, need to just find out the problem. We love our home and have put a lot into it to make it comfortable when we get really old and can't get around very well. Plenty of open space and wood floors to role a wheel chair on. I remember how mother struggled with her chair with so much furniture and carpet, until we ripped it up and went back to her hard wood floors.

All I want to do is cry today. A wimpy day as Sue says. Nothing specific, just sad.


Well I know I have done a lot of rambling today, forgive me, I have just got a lot on my mind.


GOD BLESS ALL

A DAY WITH MY SISTER

It was a wonderful day, I made a pot of soup, a pan of cornbread and lemon bars for lunch. They came over to put a sewing machine cabinet together. I knew Coy would not be able to get it together so I ask CW if he would. It was a very good visit. We went thru quilt material and she finished my quilt, she sure is a help to me. She put pointy triangles all around the quilt. It is so pretty. I love yellow.
She told Sue, I didn't like points, well maybe not. Hadn't thought about it. I love to be with her, she is funny and exciting.
We got to talking about our kids yesterday and ended up crying. See our kids are not perfect like some of the others. Their's is not either just dont want to admit it. We all have faults, me especially and I know it. I am really trying to wake up and smell the roses and give the roses while I live. I have changed my way of thinking lately. Like when I danced on the stage the other night, that was so not like me. Coy and I need to have more fun and enjoy life a little more. Just us two or at least with adults, we are getting too old to bear the burdens of small children and their attitudes and wanting to do so many things. Go here Go there. Don't get me wrong I love my grand kids very very much, just can't handle things like I use too.
We need to be more relaxed.

GOD BLESS ALL

ANOTHER DAY

We have no promise of tomorrow so we better make the best of today.

I love the sunshine, My sister can tell you that. I really enjoyed it today. It was near 70 and just a beautiful day. Set on the patio smelled the aroma of the bradford pear trees. They smell so good. My tulip tree is in full bloom and it is in front of the pear which is full of white blooms, It is so pretty , coming down the street it gives a beautiful back ground to the tulip tree. I checked out my shrubs to see if they was putting on buds. Nancy got me a red japanese maple last year, I am just waiting for it to come out. They are a beautiful color. Daffadil are in bloom every where in my yard, they have multiplied and there is lots of them this year. Spring is here, but the weaether man says we will have a rough weekend, snow and some freeze for north arkansas and oklahoma.
If it thunders in december it will snow in march always works, just mark it down.
It has done that for the last 3 years.
EVERYONE HAVE A BLESSED DAY , LIVE TODAY AS IF IT WERE YOUR LAST. GOD WILL BLESS YOU

TODAY

Coy got up getting ready to go to Dr. again today I told him to get his work clothes on today and work in the garden, hunt your seed up, plan what you are going to plant. You are not watching TV all day today. So we worked out in the yard today, I cannot do much because of my knees, they hurt so bad when I walk a lot. I want to buy a golf cart, easy on, easy off. If I would learn to wear tenny shoes with a cushion in them, it would be better. I hate wearing shoes. I am an arky when it comes to wearing shoes. I have very ugly feet the worst I have ever seen. Toes crooked, I need to have them fixed, but things keep coming up so I haven't yet. They are getting worse every day. Shoes do not fit right so I don't wear any. I cannot stand for my feet to hurt.
It is beautiful here and warm, if the wind was not blowing so hard. So windy.
Well I will say good night and talk tomorrow.
GOD BLESS ALL

DR. APPOINTMENT

Before we went to Dr. today Pam had a Dr. appt. They sent her to the Hospital with pneumonia.

Her lungs has nodules in them caused by a deposit of bacteria and don't have enough breathing compacity anyway and when she gets sick with upper respiratory, she really don't. Will know something about her tomorrow. They have done MRI, X-Rays and has scheduled her to lower GI because of diarrhea she has had for a while.

Well we went to see a Dr. Beasley, never heard of him before, but really liked him. He is getting on the ball and is going to find out what is going on with Coy. He has ordered all kinds of test. Complete blood work up, MRI w/wo contrast. He named off several things it could be. It could be a B-12 definiency, hadn't thought of that, it could be delpression, it could be seizures. He said he thought he was having a kind of seizure, when he would stand or stair off into space. He said he seen one spot in his brain that he did not understand, the CT was not too clear that is why he has ordered a MRI W/WO. It will give him a clear picture. He has ordered all kinds of blood test, things I have never heard of before. He is also going to do blood gases. We go the 23 of march which is next tuesday. He is even orderin RA, ANA,CPK which is unusual test. These are all neuropathy test. He is also going to get his records from the wreck in 91 when he rolled his truck 4 or 5 times. Dr Simpson there in Pine Bluff has those.
I really like him, he is black, but very good and thorough, he spent over an hour and half with us. He said we gave him a lot of things to go on. I told him everything I could think of the way things has changed. He goes the 6th of April for sleep aptima test. I think he has that.
Just keep us in your prayers we need it physically and mentally, I am not too stable anyway.
Will post as we know anything.

With God's help we will make it through.
GOD BLESS ALL

SCAN FELL THRU

There was no scan to day, had dranked some coffee and was still on my medication. I was not told these things so I have to wait 6 more weeks, but maybe for a reason, everything halppens for a reason.
They have got it rescheduled for the 27 of april. Maybe I can still walk across the room by then.
I have done without my thyroid medicine before. I do not want to even get up and here it is springtime and no energy, maybe cancel it until winter, I don't know.
Coy and his problem, we will not be able to stand each other. We just about can't now, what will it be like then.
Well enough rambling and talking what might be, wait and see. Have a wonderful day and
GOD BLESS ALL

BIG DAY

Coy's Birthday at the Church was a big success. The kids all showed up. He kept going to the door after church and peeking in , He made the remark someone was having a birthday party.
It was him of course.
When we got to the church about 1:50 he walked in and stood around and Maranda got him by the hand and showed him the cake with his name on it, He read it and made no comment.
Didn't act surprised, I do not know what he was thinking. Everyone begin gathering in and we had enough food to feed an army. We had enough that the church came over and ate after church.
We had the tables decorated in all colors, spider man table cloth, a carebear tablecloth, whistles or horns and crown hats on the tables. Balloons hanging everywhere, that was Nancy that took care of that. I would have never been able to do all that without her help. Pam got sick and could not help. Another lady in our church was going to help and got sick and had to go home. She cried because she had to leave, she wanted to help so bad. We have very dear friends in that church, that are genuine like we had there. We still feel very close tho them out there. Still miss them after all these years.
Harold had his head shaved again, his hair is still dead so he cut it off. Roy is cripple, he has a hugh knot on his knee and will not go see about it. Edward and Joann was supose to be there but did not show up. Rosie and Rodney did not come. Jeanette and CW came, Harold and Mae, Roy amd Faye. It was so good. Our kids was all there and some of the grand kids. Some of the older ones had to work. I love James's boys, I just don't get to see them very often. They are polite and has always got a hug for me. They are not smart talking and always nice spoken to everyone.
I could not make it without Nancy, she is my rock along with Jesus when I need some one.
I guess I have rambled on enough so I will say good night and go to bed.
GOD BLESS ALL

DAY BEFORE BIG DAY

There is so much to do today, go to sams, bake cake ,go to church set up tables, do bulletin and many other things. Looking forward to seeing everyone who comes. I don't know exactly how many. My brothers and sisters and their families, church, friends,and many more are invited.
Hope we have a good turn-out.
GOD BLESS ALL

THURSDAY NIGHT SHOW

I have got to tell you about this, it is so funny.We attended a theatre in Hot Springs called Ray Lynn, at the expense and invite of our investment company. This singer called himself Bufford Presley. He was escorted in a limosine with 2 body guards. He came in the theatre, came down the isle and begin singing some of Elvis songs. I don't even what songs he sung. His body guards came and got me and escorted me on stage. I was so embarressed but I went. It was kinda fun, Sue I thought of you and the Bobby Vinton show in Branson, The lights was so bright I could not see the audience, thank goodness. He first put a scarf around my neck and took me by the hand. He begin singing and quit playing his guitar. He begin slinging his feet out one at a time, one, one way and then the other side. I joined in, which was so surprised I did, That is so not me. But maybe it is time I came out of my shell and begin to do some things that is totally not me. HA HA.

Also the show was so comical. It was fun, funny and good singing. We will be going back.One guy came crawling down the isle and came over to Nancy and was looking at her legs. The guy on stage told him to go on and leave them people along. He got up and said them legs hasn't seen a razor in months. But of course he could not see her legs, she had on pants.
That was so funny.

GOD BLESS ALL

COY'S BIRTHDAY

MARCH 10,2010
I ask him did he want to do anything special today, he said no, just sleep. So he did, I baked his favorite cake and invited some friends over to cake and ice cream. He did not even question why I was fixing things up. That is how out of it he is these days. He sits by his self most of the time. I think he has had a stroke or he is having mini strokes because his mouth is drawn side ways sometimes. His strength is totally gone and he has always been so strong. God knows the problem and he is our healer. I can't even to begin to tell you the strange things he does. Last night we went to Hot Springs, Nancy and I went to rest room and left him in the hall way, holding my purse, when we came out he was gone, he had already gone to the car across the street. I have got to watch, leaving him alone. He left my purse sitting in a chair in the waiting room at the hospital. I had to run to the car to get something, I needed, He will not go in the store, he says he had rather sit in the car. It is so strange the things he does.I ask him tonight if he knew there was something going on, or was he depressed. He said nothing was wrong. I explained to him about the spot on the brain they found on his CT. He acts like he doesn't know that he is different.

After church wednesday night, we walked in the house and smelled the coffee. It smelled so good. My sister taught me how good fresh ground coffee is, we grind our own now. Sister Swiger said "Sis this coffee is so good." We have an automatic coffeemaker which is so nice, we set it every night so it will be ready when we awake. The cake was a white cake with tangy orange icing and coconut. We had 4 couples here besides us. It was so nice. They stayed until 11:30
We are having a big party at church Sunday, drive on over all of you. It is going to be fun and interesting.
We have gathered up table cloths, napkins, candles, plates, cups left from the grand kids birthdays over the years, to use on the tables and eating out of. I think it is a wonderful idea.
After all he is a 70 year old grand*pa. I have party hats, baloons, whistles that you blow out and in, you know what I am talking about. So it is going to be fun.
Nancy has made DVD of redwoods and our 50th wedding anniversary, and family pictures to be shown. We will also have the books on display.
I have been baking cream puffs to fill with chicken and ham salad, also we will have all types of crackers, dips, chips, cookies,cake and ice cream. If I have time tomorrow I am making cinnamon rolls. every one is pitching in to help.
Have got to go to bed good night.
GOD BLESS ALL

ONE MORE VALLEY

Well there is always a mountain after we walk through the valley, reminds me of that song

That song has been on my heart today. We have had so much to pray about this year, I mean in 12 months.God is still our anchor and He is in control. These things is just another hump in the road.

Songs mean so much to me, most of the time a song is my prayer. I don't mean to complain but the devil has beat and kicked us around enough. We have got to stand up and tell him that. OK we are God's children and just back off.

ONE MORE VALLEY

Cause you've got one more valley one more hill

And you've got one more trial one more tear

One more curve in life's road

One more mile left to go

You can lay down your heavy load

When I'm tossed on life's sea

And the waves cover me

And the dark clouds won't

Let the sunshine thru

Then a voice seems to say

Child there'll be a brighter day

Dont allow the storm

To hide sweet heavens view

Dont let satan see your tears

Learn to smile between your fears

Hold your head up high

And give the world a smile

Just be faithful all the way

To be worth it all someday

MID-SOUTH QUARTET CONVENTION

It was a blessing to be in gospel singing this weekend. We went to Roy and Faye this weekend. I always enjoy being up there, I just go in and make myself at home. We did not get to go until Sat. morning. We had a lovely trip up, the sun was warm and shining so bright. We left for church at 3:30 we wanted to make sure we got a good seat and we did. We really got blessed.
Sunday we went to church with them, I love their church the people are so friendly and their pastor tells it like it is. He preached on gambling and I'm sure he is having a hard time dealing with the lottery in arkansas. He is totally against any type of gambling and he let his congregation know it.
After church we played dominoes with some friends of theirs.
Monday we drove to Russeville and went to Leonards hardware, it is so big. Lots of their stuff is so old so you can find things other hardware stores may not have. Drove back to their house, went an visited with JR. and came on home. Got home about 7 pm.
I hate to see JR in the shape he is in, He stays in bed most of the time now, hardly ever gets up at all. His wife sure does take care of him. He has lost all his hair from the chemo.
Tonight is a sleepless night, I have a sinus infection and my nose will not leave me alone.
Got some medicine today but it is not working yet.
Coy and I both went to Dr. today. I am having a thyroid panel done and after results she is doing a scan. Our Dr. is finally back in the office.
Well I guess I will try to go back to bed and maybe get some sleep. good night
GOD BLESS ALL

BLESSINGS FROM GOD

Half a century ago+two simple words declared a truth that's planted in our hearts. And every time the flag is raised-we've been honored to repeat the phrase. So the world will know we are Under God. America's been blessed Under God. Brought through every trial and test. We are sheltered by the mercies He chose to give. In Privilege and abundance this nation lives
Under God Freedom has survived--Under God We need to recognize.
We're dependent on His goodness- indebted to his care
Maybe more than any people anytime or anywhere, Still our only hope and prayer--is
UNDER GOD
When we pledge allegiance now it's Under God. These words have shaped the land that we hold dear. Some insist it's not allowed to acknowledge that we need Him now, But it has never been so clear to me, just how much we need him. I want His presence in my life everyday, I cherish his wonders he puts before us to enjoy, flowers, birds, blue sky and even rain clouds.
We have to have the rain to have all the others. So without the Lord by our side we would be like the flowers without rain. We would wither and die. I want to make Gods word a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. We have to have his word hid in our heart so sin cannot enter.
Your word has given us a path to travel, it is up to us to follow it, by reading you word.

GOD BLESS ALL

MY SISTER AND HER STUMBLING BLOCKS

She is a real warrior and handles things like one. I would be falling apart and here she is going through things no one else in our family has gone through. She is a real trooper and one I have come to love so much and really enjoy being with. We loved our vacations with them for the past 2 years and made memories we will never forget. That is what life is all about is making memories because that is all you have left. We need to make every day, every minute count.
Life is a challenge and there was 8 of us kids and we have all faced things different in our life.
We all handle things different and difficult times has come in all of our lives. We was raised in a christian home. Our dad was a real believer in living right. He was very strict as to how we wore our hair, how we dressed, how we talked and what we said.He made sure we went to church.
God has been good to all of us. But when one hurts we all hurt with them. That is what family is all about.
Sometimes we try to handle things instead of letting God handle them for us. When we do it ourselves it usually does not turn out right. God is our keeper,our guide, our refuge, our rock to lean on. He gave his life for us, and sacrificed everything that we might have life and have it more abundantly.
I pray everyday for the Lord to help me handle things the way he wants me too.

Sue I pray the Lord help you through the challenges you will face today, tomorrow and all the days to come.
GOD BLESS YOU

PUTTING FINAL TOUCHES IN PLACE

Well things are just about to be put in place, and at least eveything will be clean.
Wwe put furniture back in place yesterday and begin putting all my books back and try to get my desk back in order. Can't find anything. The rooms look so much bigger with the wood floors.
Today I have got to get the church bulletin done, we are going to my brother's tomorrow morning and going to gospel singing. We will probably be up there until monday. We have business meeting and can copy them tonight. We will be leaving early in the morning.

GOD BLESS ALL

CLEANING, PAINTING,LAYING FLOOR

Well things are coming together. We got the dining floor down last night, guess what there is flaws in the wood. Looks like it did not have the final coat of polish. The guys did not notice and the light has to be just right to see it. Coy has run to lowe's at Bryant to see what they will say, and they said it is the way they are making them now, where they are not so slick. They gave us a 15% discount if we would keep it, since we already have one floor down. Well that will be OK that is the closest thing to matching the other we already have down to anything we have found anywhere and believe me , we have looked every where, I hate shopping and I have done too much of it lately. Only certain stores carry that pergo flooring.

Well we have got the painting done and the furniture moved back in the dining room, so tomorrow we will tear the other room carpet out. We will begin taking the staples and tack strips up our of the floor. We have the heaviest furniture in the living room. We have an old wood school desk and our couch is very heavy. It has recliners on each end, I guess that is why it is so heavy. I guess we will have to take the drawers out of the desk to move it.
I guess I better go to bed I am so tired and I slept about 2 hours this afternoon. It has rained all day and still raining tonight.

GOD BLESS ALL

OUTING AFTER CHURCH

SUNDAY
Some of the seniors wanted to go to Cracker Barrel for lunch sunday so we took the church van, loaded up and left for Bryant. It was packed full, a wait of 45 minutes. When we came out it was snowing, it was beautiful, big flakes and snowed on us all the way home. We went the long way around, Coy missed his turn as usual. We went all the way through Benton.

It snowed until we went to church. When church was over it had quit. The cold north wind was really blowing. We have had flurries all day and cold wind.

MONDAY
The Master cleaners finally came today and packed up things, washed walls and steamed cleaned the couch. The front living room wall needs to be painted, the wall paper in dining room needs to be replaced, but I'm not going to do all that, it would not clean very well. Paint the living room maybe.
I already had the front room mostly done, all pictures, book shelf packed up, everything cleaned, coffee table and end tables put in bedroom. When they moved TV stand out it looked like a rat den, chips, candy paper, tapes and who knows what else. This is the kids room, computer room and sewing room. You don't know whats lurking under things that never get moved. It is too heavy to be moving out and cleaning. Under the couch was perfectly clean and under all other furniture. I have always cleaned under things. Use to move everything and change every week. No longer to much work.
I had a dear friend, before she moved that said, I sweep my trash under my furniture but you are the cleanest house keeper I ever saw. She came and helped me one day. She said don't you ever move anything in my house. It want be clean.

Coy has Dr. appt tomorrow. We are going by and pick up flooring and blinds. It is an odd size so I don't think I will be able to find them, custom maid possibly.

I am ready to get my house back in order. I hate the tumbled look, even though it will be clean.

Lamp shade will have to be replaced, cannot be cleaned. They even cleaned all our air ducts.

Smells good in her today, not the smoky smell.

GOD BLESS ALL

KIEFER'S BIRTHDAY

Maranda spent the night so we baked Kiefer cake friday night. She wanted to decorate it, so Saturday we decorated his cake thinking we woild have it about 1 pm but that all changed. Tony and Rochelle could not come until later after she got through fixing hair. I could not have cake and ice cream and not invite them too. I just cannot do things like that. So I told them to call about 30 minutes before they could come. I was making home made ice cream. Kiefer had been wanting some for several weeks. When he walked in at the door I wish I had my camera ready and on the door, the smile on his face when he heard the ice cream freezer going was worth it all. He was smiling from ear to ear. It was good, we put candles on his cake that keeps lighting. He was surprised when they kept igniting. I ask him if he did not have enough wind to blow them out. He finally realized what it was so he took his finger and pinched the top of them. I also told him I decorated it for valentine's day and I had put two little heart stick ups saying be my valentine on it. The ice cream and cake was so good. He ate 2 big helpings of ice cream.
Tony had called and told Maranda for us to come eat pizza with them about 4, I was undecided but since she was here and they was already at the pizza place, and she wanted to go. we went. It was OK. I am so up tight when I am around them. Trying very hard not to feel that and am a lot better than I was.

Tony text me last night and ask me if he could put our floor down, I wanted to ask if he knew it was me he was calling, but I didn't. I text him this morning and ask how much money we would owe him and he said nothing. He must have had a lick on the head lately. I wanted to ask why would you want to do this to someone you don't even like.
Nancy realized why he is doing this, he has that friend living with him now and wants to make out like he is helping us and paying us back. A big front maybe but I can always hope he is making a change toward us.

Should I ask why or leave it alone and hope for the best. I know God can change things.
They have put me through so much, I will never be the same, my nerves are shot.

GOD BLESS ALL

WINTER WONDERLAND

Yesterday we went to the church with another couple and got the church cleaned and came home ate lunch, then some dear friends of ours called and we went over and played games. We played golf with cards. played once before, it was fun. We also played dominoes. We always have to play dominoes. We spent about 8 hours over there. She baked brownies and drank hot chocolate and coffee. It was fun, this is a fun couple to be with. They have a fire place also and that made it more enjoyable.

Today we woke up to a winter wonderland, no ice just a white snow covered trees, grass and it is beautiful. I love the way the snow stacks up on the tree limbs, it just keeps piling up.
We enjoyed a bowl of snow ice cream for breakfast. It was so good, I put a bowl out on the grill last night and brought it in this morning and made ice cream. Roy, my brother called last night and told me to be sure and not get any of that yellow snow. We have no animals like dogs running loose in town thank goodness. We have lots of birds, but I knew they would not be fllying at night. So it was clean as it could be coming from ourside. Have I made you envious yet. That is the first time we have done that in a few years. It was a perfect snow.

I have lots of pictures to put on my blog but lately I cannot get them to go on there, but will keep trying.
Well it is afternoon and the snow is all gone. It was beautiful while it lasted.

I got a little work done today, cleaning I mean, the cleaning people was supose to be here this week and they have not. Coy and I got all the pictures off the walls, the desk moved out so they can clean the wall behind it. We also got the end tables and coffee tables cleaned and moved in the other room. Most of the front room is cleaned out. Next we will start on the dining room.
Have got flooring picked out all we have to do is go pick up. Sliding doors ordered, so things are coming together, maybe another month and everything will be done.

Well the sun is shining very bright out there, but tomorrow night here it comes again, maybe a dusting of snow.

Bye for now and GOD BLESS

BEAUTIFUL DAY

Today is beautiful, cold and windy. The sun is so bright and not a cloud in the sky. The temp will not get above freezing today and the wind chill factor is lower than that. God blesses us in so many ways.
If we look hard enough we can see beauty in any thing and any situation. The trees are clean and glistening in the bright sunshine. But when it is windy, we see the results of the wind, but not the wind. To me that is amazing. The trees are beautiful in the wind especially when they are clean.
God has given us so much beauty to enjoy, but sometimes we are so bogged down in our self and feelings we fail to enjoy it. I am going to change that because there is beauty everywhere and beauty in everyone if we look hard enough, sometimes we have to look really, really hard. It may be just the way they smile or look at you. Maybe it is something they may do for someone else. Just look for it, it is there somewhere.
GOD BLESS ALL AND HAVE A BEAUTIFUL DAY

ANOTHER ICY SNOWY DAY

When we arose out of bed this morning we found another dreary day and they say it is going to be like this all week. It was cloudy yesterday most of the day. A little sunshine in the afternoon but windy and cold.
I was hoping they would come in and get everything packed up so we could get our floors down.
We are going to go with Pergo laminate flooring. The living room is hardwood, so we may have it refinished, depending how it looks when we pull the carpet up. I guess I will get some of my stuff packed especially in the bookshelf. I don't want them going through my personal papers and books.
This is a mess, I hate it, am not in the mood to have my house in such a dis-array. Nothing in its place and if it is , so piled up with other stuff from other rooms. So there you go.
We need to sow our red clover in the front on the hill side, but if we do it will just get washed in the ditch and someone else will reap the benefits of it. It is so pretty along the road sides here in arkansas.
We also need to plow our garden and do some things outside, but the weather just will not co-operate. We are not the only ones it it all over the world.
End time is on it's way. But we still have to plan for the future even though our future may be short. Just live from day to day as if it is your last. Be ready to meet the Lord when he calls.

GOD BLESS ALL

THE DAYS OF OUR LIFE

This life is just memories, you have to make memories because some day that is all you have of your love ones, friends, relatives and just passer bys you meet on the street , or in the park, at a store, your neighbors, checkers at the store or anyone you might meet in this life.
Life is but a flash, here I am almost 70 where did the years go.
I want to spend more time with my family, my brothers and sisters. They mean so much to me and just to hear their voice is so dear to me.
We have all grown older now and our kids grown and got their own lives and families so we are forgoten somewhat. So we rely on our brothers and sisters as they are somewhat alone also.
We have more time to do nothing or accomplish something. I always said when I retire I wanted to get back to quilting, and my sister Sue got all of us started back at that, they are so warm and beautiful even though they are not perfectly sewed and every stitch is not perfectly shaped. Just to think that is somethig you have accomplished.
Spread it out on your bed and be thankful you can still sew, get out of bed, walk around, cook, and do a little house cleaning. That is not so important anymore because you want to do something to leave behind for your family to remember because that is all they will have when you are gone. Some will appreciate it and some will not. Some will go back in time some will not.
Harlod and Mae drops in every once in a while, I love it and enjoy their visit so much.

So brothers and sisters stick around as long as I do or even longer because we have a lot of catching up to do.
I LOVE ALL OF YOU AND GOD BLESS

MY GRANDPA

I loved it when we would go and visit when they was making sorghum syrup. Chewing on the sorghum canes was so good. It was very interesting to watch the old mules go round and round to grind the canes. That is when they lived by a creek and we got to go swimming a lot, it had a rope swing. I remember the milk cow they had there, she was so gentle, Joyce and I milked, that was my first experience at milking a cow. It was kinda fun. You had to make sure your hands was not cold If they was you would probably get kicked. We always had to carry a bucket of warm water to wash her bag before we milked.
They had fields all around them that they planted every year, they planted corn, sorghum, peas and a regular garden for vegestables. They always had plenty of potatoes, we was there during potato digging time usually and came home with some. All the kids had to pick them up. They was dug with mules and turning plow. They stored them usually under the house for keeping.

When we would leave we traveled through an open field that was their road out.
We did not live in Sheridan at that time. I believe we lived in Fordyce.They moved from there to an open place, their house set on a hill. They had a large silo in the back of their house. It held food for the animals for the winter.
One year one of the boys, Hugh, Junior or Richard got tired of planting corn and burried the rest in a hold, well when it came up guess what, someone was in deep trouble. Corn in a pile and skips in rows. Some rows no corn at all.
I remember they had an old victrola, we played records, in the summer we would move it to the porch and turn it up as loud as it would go. The boys in the fields liked that.

Last year we took a trip down to Sparkman with Edward, my older brother. It was a good day, the house they lived in still stands. We walked up to it, had to climb a fence to get to it. We looked inside, through the window. I remembered Grandma and Grandpa bed in the corner. He had a string from the light in the ceiling to his bed, to turn the light on and off. That is the way he always fixed the lights. That way he was in the bed and didn't have to stumble around in the dark to find the bed. No such things as switches then. No such things as night lights ourside either. The fireplace was still standing. I had a lot of remenising that day.

We visited the Garner place, the Stafford place, went by Harvey's place and walked around. The barn, the smoke house where they cured their meat. We set on the porch and just went back in time. Harvey is my Grandpa's brother. Grandma Ella lived there until she died. Harvey and Grandpa mother. Sweet Lady. Have to write about her someday. Lots of memories.
The last time we visited Uncle Harvey, Coy and I took Brother Sharp and Mother down there, Boy did we hear some tales that day. House was cold all around except by the fire place, that is where we set the whold 3 or 4 hours. J.D. wife was there. J.D. is Harveys son. He had died and his wife was taking care of Harvey. He did not live long after that.
I know I have rambled a lot but when you get to thinking, all kinds of things comes to your mind.
You have to write it then or you forget your thoughts.
Good night for now and GOD BLESS