Quick Note

I know this is a terrible picture, but I took it via Instagram. Sorry, I haven't been on the blog for a few days. But between my hip (killing me) and Tom's heart meds causing problems, I just haven't felt up to posting. sorry...

 

Yesterday Tom was very lethargic, short of breath and just couldn't do anything. We were going to our DIL's retirement of 30 years in the Air National Guard program, when Tom got very weak. He slept most of the day. We felt so bad not being able to go. sad... Then this morning, it was the same, I called his heart doctor and the doctor on call, said since he was short of breath and fatigued etc., I could bring him to the hospital of call 911 and have them assess him and take him to the hospital if necessary. Well, that is what we did and they chose to take him to the hospital to be checked out. My son had to come over and take me with our van up there. (bless him) Anyway, his heart rate was very high, so they put him on another heart medication, which brought the rate down and they sent him home. He slept most of day also. I will call his doctor in the morning and we'll see what he has to say.

 

I will try to keep you updated on him.

 

The Crash of 2000.....

Remember yesterday I told you I was going through some old pictures???...Well this is one of them that I found. It gave Tom goosebumbs remembering this day back in February of 2000.... Some of you remember this day too.. Tom had started the van to get it warmed up before I headed off to work..however the van took off and went through the back of the garage... What a difficult time this was in our lives...however we all did survive...smile...and we're thankful that we had front wheel drive...if it had been rear wheel he would have been on the deck...........

Just had to share this with you...Tom bought a new shovel and was trying it out yesterday when we got a dusting of new snow. He reminded me of a kid with a new toy... smile.......

Even though this was day 10 of being stuck in the house...I thought I'd step out to put the mail in the mailbox and this was the site I saw... Yes, fresh and crisp!! 

As I looked to the right this is what I saw...don't you just love the 'pink' for Breast Cancer recycle bin? And 'no' Tom wouldn't get a pink one for us..:( 

As you can see by the flag blowing in the wind it was about 8 degree's F.above zero, which meant the wind chills were below zero..so when I stepped back into the warmth of the house I was really glad I had 'cabin fever'...smile... Speaking of cabin fever...my cousin wrote to me last night and said maybe I should try having a cup of tea while listening to some soothing music to help..and yes it does!!!

We will be trying to get out again tomorrow.........I have Drs. appointments and several other things to do. I found out today we have to get a new router. So that will be one of our stops...so we will see how the day goes tomorrow....wish me luck!!!

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"The Many Thoughts of Grace"

July 15, 1936:

I didn't help Grandma as Hazel came. I did go over and help her wash the dishes as Hazel went home. A guy came and sold us "The Country Gentleman" . He said he wouldn't take the risk of putting it in my house as my name would be changed in five years. Melvin came  this afternoon. Gave him a piece of pie. Had 1 quart of ice cream tonight.

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"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ." Ephesians 1:3

more as it happens...............

A Year in Review 2010

 January

 February

 March

 April

 May

June 

July 


August

September

October

November

December

Thanks to my friend Dawn whose blog "May All Seasons Be Sweet to Thee" gave me this great idea to show pictures she has taken throughout the year and picked out a special one for each month.

I have been posting to this blog for almost a year now and have met so many wonderful people. What a fantastic network this is.... I love sharing my life, happenings, and pictures with all of you!

New Years Eve and here we are...sitting in front of the tube...smile.. Soon we will be watching a movie and enjoying each others company as always.. We have lucked out...our weather is not as bad as they had predicted, I believe we got about 3" of snow, instead of the 4 to 6 they were predicting! Tom just came in a little while ago from running the snow blower over the driveway and sidewalks!  However, I do hear the wind blowing so am sure by morning they will all be covered again!!  So we end this year and will begin a new one tomorrow... Wishing everyone a year filled with health, happiness, peace and God's love!

"The Many Thoughts of Grace"

July 1, 1936:

Cleaned up the house. Took Dad and Cecil Morey a drink. Got my pictures. Elaine came over tonight. We stood out in the moonlight and talked. Hear Bill J. is going to get even with me.

A Time to Think

For last year's words belong to last year's language. And next year's words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning.—T.S. Eliot
To Act
Leave behind the disappointments of the year and begin anew.
To Pray
Lord, light my way along Your path so that all I do leads me toward the destination You have in mind.

more as it happens in the new year...................

Today we woke up to a foggy morning...and nice temperatures! We even had some melting and now we are ready for the next storm!! Yes, they are saying we are to get a 'blizzard' tonight and tomorrow. Not the best way to end a year or to start a new one!!

Yesterday was a busy one...we took Rusty to the groomers..he was so happy! He just loves her and she knows it! And of course...when we picked him up he looked 'oh so handsome'!

After we dropped Rusty off..we headed to therapy and it really helped!!! As we were crossing the river I noticed just how cold and frozen it looked (and was..smile) 

 After lunch we picked up my friend Renee and headed to the new restaurant that we will be visiting with our Red Hat ladies next Friday! Sounds like we will be having a grand time..there is lots of room for us to roam around in and show off our stuff! smile... And 'oh ya..the food sounds amazing!' I know our ladies will just love it!

 Here are a few pictures our granddaughter took Christmas day in Huntsville, AL. Aren't they neat?? And I especially love the 'snowlady' below that her and her friend made.

"The Many Thoughts of Grace"

June 30, 1936:

Brother Paul's birthday. 14 years old.  Mama made cake. Paul N. is working here again. Came over to the house at noon, made me a halter, put it on and here came agent Donald James and a school teacher. Went to Luton, paid light bill. Saw Doyle, Bob, Paul and Melvin Wilson. Have some baby rabbits. Paul N. says he's coming over for dinner tomorrow. Asked me to go the night of the 4th. Bob drank some of my pop. 

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  Philippians 4:13

more as it happens.........

Tis the Season to be busy....

Isn't my Santa tea kettle just adorable??? Well, he is almost as adorable as my Red Hat Secret Sister is!! I had the best year...she showered me with all sorts of wonderful..fun gifts! And they were all usable, I have a beautiful picture frame with my family in it on the mantle, the spring accent pillow I displayed on the back of my couch until just recently..as I loved it so! There were little plates and napkins for different holidays, a fall throw which I still have on my chair right now, the list was never ending...until yesterday and then she topped the it off with this lovely Santa tea pot along with boxes of amazing teas!  

Here were some of the gifts I received yesterday... My goodness once I laid them all out on the table I was shocked by the wonderment of it all!! Love the fact that I have more ornaments for our tree, one of the ladies made those darling CHRISTmas stockings and then there were those cute little snowmen. Snowmen are one of my favorite things to collect, especially since you can keep them around for most of the winter!!

 Here I was just before we left to go Red Hatting... (see the picture frame on the mantle behind me??) The day was beautiful..temps outside were cool but the warmth inside just kept a glow on my face all night long!! The Stretch and Flex group were in another room at the same time...so we got ((hugs)) from some of them too... We really miss going to that program but until I get 'healed' up I have to stay away from doing a lot of 'stretching...and flexing'.. ~smile~ But I am determined to get back with my S & F friends!!!

Thursday we went out to our Lifelong Learning CHRISTmas Program at Western Iowa Tech. It was sooo much fun!! We sat with some friends and enjoyed some cookies (macadamia nut)..yummm my very favorite cookies, while Mike Langley sang CHRISTmas carols. Soon everyone was singing along and really enjoying themselves!! Then the WIT choir came in and sang to us...the music was Amazing!! All during this hour and a half they would stop just long enough to draw names for prizes..finally the BIG prize was to be drawn and guess who won a $50 gift certificate?? You got it....my "Lucky Tom"... ~smile~

Just had to share this picture of our blooming cactus! Tom got this for me several years ago and it bloomed like this and we so enjoyed it!! Then for the next couple of years it did nothing!!! We were kind of depressed but just kept waiting..~smile~ Last year it took off again and here we are again this year...~smile~ LOVE IT! 

Today Tom made brats for dinner... they were so good!! 

I made this "pumpkin cake" today, we will be taking it to our MS CHRISTmas potluck tomorrow! I always just love it..full of pumpkin, pecans and cake! It's very yummy this time of the year!

We will soon be going to a 'fish fry'. Am hoping to see some of our friends there too!! Let me know what is going on with you today!

Oh don't you just love the *snow* falling ever so softly on my page? When I was on the Prairie Flower Farm blog today I saw she had it and she had a LINK for anyone to get! It's really easy to upload if you'd like to have it on your page!

"The Many Thoughts of Grace"

June 8, 1936:

We washed today. Mama helped. Hoed my flower beds and planted some flowers. Watched the chickens.

June 9, 1936:

Ironed this morning. Fixed my dress (like Elaine's). Put the buttons on my white dress. I had a chill tonight went to bed early. Crabb's came down and bought our colt for $75.

June 10, 1936:

I stayed in bed until later. Finally got up and took care of the chickens. Had an old "agent" here today. Was to be back between 7--9. Mama and I locked the door. Elaine came and couldn't get in. She was here until about 12.

"Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always."

1 Chronicles 16:11

More as it happens...........

Beautiful Sunrise......

This is what we woke up to this morning! Isn't it pretty?? Love all the blues and pinks in the sky! However our day ended with a cloudy sky...and rain south of here. It was a busy day...Tom finished mowing up the leaves in the yard and winterizing the equipment. Lawn mower is put to rest for the winter..I worked on the South Bottom's Bugle and got a lot done! My Aunt from South Dakota called, it was so nice to hear from her! I told her about Mom's diary..she was married to Mom's brother Paul, so she told me a few things about Mom and her family. Always nice to hear from someone who was there!! ~smile~ Apparently Mom's granddad managed a 6,000 acres ranch! Now that was a big ranch!  Must be why they always called it the "Luton ranch." Anyway, it was a great visit!!! Then Susan Branch was on a radio talk show "Pat Sloan's Creative Talk Show", we had been Twittering all morning. She was so excited about doing the show. We all told her she would be fine and we'd all be listening..smile.. Well, she did wonderful as you can hear if you want to listen to the interview http://toginet.com/shows/creativetalkradio. And best of all she said, she wanted to do a 'shout out' to her Twitter girlfriends!!! There were like 6 or 7 of us that she mentioned! Yes, she shouted out to me "Gert"...what a high I have been on all afternoon! ha 

"The Many Thoughts of Grace"

May 26, 1936:
I ironed the morning. I worked on my scrapbook this afternoon. Mama is still sick.

"And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the lord and may please him in every way; bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God." Colossians 1:10 

more as it happens.............

Dolley Madison

Today we went to Western Iowa Tech to a Lifelong Learning Program and watched a lively presentation by local storyteller and historian Pat Day which lifted the lid on the wife of James Madison, fourth president of the United States. But Dolley Madison wasn't merely a president's wife or a social hotess--the likes of a 19th-century Martha Stewart. She was a brilliant and consummaate politician who saved Congress from dissolving when our nation was at its most fragile. Pat was in costume as you can see...   

These are some of clothes that Dolley Madison wore in her lifetime. A Quaker's bonnet, a shawl, the white dress was of very thin material adorned with beads.  

 A replica of the 'then' White House...

After the presentation I got these pictures of Dolley and me....I told her I wanted it for my blog! That seemed to impress her...ha

Today was another 'cold' day, but at least we didn't have those 50 mph winds. Yesterday I forgot how bone chilling cold these temps can be and only wore a light jacket...today however, I not only wore my winter coat...I wore my gloves and scarf....ha Yesterday we went out to Best Buy to get a cover for my IPod...they found just the right one...then she grabbed one off the shelf that was still in a sealed box! And she said she would put the one back in the box!!  When we got home...she had grabbed the 'wrong' one...I was so bummed!!  We had to run back out there (all the way across town) and when we told them the problem, one of their associates took us back to where they were and there it was still laying open and out of the box. *She hadn't put it  back in the box like she said she would...ha That's the way help is today!  Anyway...we finally got the right one!!! And I love it!!

"The Many Thoughts of Grace"

May 3, 1936:

The Morey girls were here. Melvin came we went to South Ravine. We had fun roasting weiners. Went to the show "Anything Goes". Bing Crosby

It is one of my sources of happiness never to desire a knowledge of other people's business.

Dolley Madison


more as it happens........

Perm day........

This is what we woke up to this morning... I think I will get up bright and early everyday, if it looks like this..~smile~

On our way out of town this morning.........

The colors are starting to change.....

Farm building on our way to get my perm..........

Don't you just love our friends front yard???

Another house I spotted along the way........

Today we went to get my perm, which I desperately needed, and just in time for our pictures we're having taken tomorrow. Then we have a dinner to go to tomorrow night. Like I told you ....this was going to be a busy week!! And now the continuation of Mom's diary..

"The Many Thoughts of Grace"

February 8, 1936:

Still at the girls. Have been having some time playing cards, dominoes, and checkers. Hear Charlie H. thinks I can beat Vera if I'd only try.

When I see your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and stars that you set in place

more as it happens................

10-10-10...

We woke up to this beautiful sunrise this morning..I was running around looking for my camera!! ~smile~

Raw Apple Cake

1 c. sugar
1/2 c. shortening
1 egg
1 1/2 c. flour
1/2 tbsp. cinnamon
1/2 tbsp. soda
1/2 c. warm coffee
2 c. raw apples, peeled and diced
     Mix in order given. Sprinkle top with the following mixture before putting in oven:
1/2 c. brown sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 c. chopped nuts
     Bake at 350 for 30 min. in 9 x 13 pan. My family favorite, so I double the recipe and use a sheet cake pan.  ---Betty Brandt

Finally made the cake today. I made it in two smaller pans instead of a 9x13, so we could eat one and  freeze the other one to eat later. It seems like at this age, we don't eat as much as we use to, and when I make a big pan it gets stale before we get it ate!

"The Many Thoughts of Grace"

February 5, 1936:
This is my birthday, am 18 years old. Had party tonight. Those present were: Wilfred, Allen, Cecil, Dayrle, Melvin, Madline, Aunt Ruth, Elaine, Sadie, Muzzet, Bernadine, Paul and I. Had fruit salad, angel food coconut marshmellows. Dad brought home candy. Played games told fortunes. Melvin couldn't get car started.
* just a note of interest: Mom's best friend was Elaine, Elaine's  brother was Melvin. Mom's brother's name is Paul. Mom had not met my dad Jack yet!

more as it happens..........

Busy Doctor Day............

Thought you'd enjoy seeing this shot of the train bridge with a train going over it!

 As we were heading to the Doctors office this morning and were running a little late...it seems to never fail, we got behind a garbage truck, that was taking up the whole street. They soon pulled over at the next stop to let us go by.  We hurried as quickly as the speed limit would allow.~smile~ However, when we got there the Doctor was running late, due to a schedule mix up. Back when I called for the appointment I had asked if I'd have to fast..they said 'no'. Then when the the Docotor came in he asked if I were fasting and of course I had to say "no".  He said they could take my blood anyway and would see how it turned out! Good we hope.....

 On our way home we stopped and got the van washed! It was in dire need of it and like I told Tom, I needed it clean if I was going to be taking pictures out of it.. ~smile~

 Then we headed out to the Mall, Tom had his annual check up for his eyes.  While we were there I wanted to get a picture of this mural at the Dairy Queen in the Food Court! Cool huh??

While Tom was getting his eyes checked I went over to Barnes & Noble and got Susan Branch's "Girlfriends Forever" book! I was so excited to find it. Then headed down to Bath & Body Works to get some new oil for our burner. They had 'carmel apple' and 'creamy pumpkin', they smell so much like Fall. Can't wait to burn them! I headed back to see if Tom was done or not! They were and were setting up an appointment for another Doctor since he has a catarct! So keep him in your prayers! Will write more about this when we hear what the specialist has to say.

Before we left the Mall I told Tom we needed to have a couple small Pumpkin Latte's from Barnes & Noble. When I plopped down over $7 he about flipped out...ha We also got our rings cleaned and am having my pinkie rings (which I loose all the time) resized and went to JC Penney's and got some new clothes for our pictures we're having taken next week. I think Tom's reconsidering taking me to the Mall with him...ha  See what happens when he gets me out of the house...~smile~

more as it happens..........