TTTS awareness week

Finally, I get to do something to help. I was 1400 miles away when my daughter went through the most horrifying pregnancy ever. She was excited to find out she was having twins, but too soon found out they had TTTS. It is a helpless feeling to know that the only thing available to you is fasting and prayer. It will build your faith tremendously. And, I never fasted and prayed so hard and sincere. We got our sweet little twins, James and Miles. Because of the good Lord, the tenacity of their mother, and the kind thoughts and prayers of church friends, co-workers, relatives and anyone who would listen to our plight, they survived.

What did I get out of it besides two new grandson's. A true testimony of fasting and prayer, an undisputable knowledge that God does watch over us and loves us, and miracles do happen. Read her blog at brossettelewis.blogspot.com

Twilight

Went to see the movie "Twilight" last evening. Pretty good, even Clyde liked it. The scenery was beautiful, and action fast. She looked perfect for the part and he was...different. Handsome yet, strange. I guess that is good acting. There was something about his eyebrows, to plucked and shaped????? Eye's were nice. The northwest coast is somewhere I've never been and would love to see someday. We are expecting missionaries tonight for Jambalaya and they will help me trim the Christmas tree and wrap presents. It will help me out and with some Christmas music going in the background, maybe get them in the Christmas spirit, too. They are far from home, traditions, and family.

Black Friday

Well, I made it to the store by 6:10. Unfortunately, (tee hee) Clyde had a sore throat and needed to stay home on medication. I met Donna Cagle and friends on their way out. What time did she get there, 4AM? I went straight to the children's department and made a killing. I calmly gathered my doorbuster items and wandered around, picking at this and that. The fact that it had started raining cats and dogs about 3AM might have slowed those other ninny's down. Things picked up about 7AM and it began to get crowded. After my second load to the truck (a hearty shopper can only carry so much) I gave in and came home to spread my trophys on the floor for poor old sick Clyde to see. Well done, my good and faithful bargain hunter.

Turkey Day 2008

We had a nice Thanksgiving. Mike, Barb, and Casey and Kristen, Chrissy, Mrs. B and Amber and Ben and Lisa Whittington came. I made the Turkey, dressing, leasuer peas, corn on cob and my second stab at cabbage. Bam made her broccoli rice casserole, it's always good. Kristin brought a cream cheese and sausage casserole, yum. Barb brought that cranberry jello salad and a real salad, sweet potatoes, and turnip greens. We had homemade chocolate chip cookies, a Boston cream cake,2 pecan pies, a coconut pie, isn't that enough?? Oh and my newlywed new neighbors brought over some jumbo shimp. YUM!

What a feast we had. It was good to see everyone but felt like there was a hole in the festivities. Randy, he was missed. He was such a wonderful, kind, christian fellow. I miss him. If the world could strive a little harder to be like hi, what a place this would be.

Chrissy has changed nursing homes. She's over off Linwood and Interloop. I should try harder to see her more often.

The "cousins" on this side are really growing. Emma is adorable and maybe one day she'll let me hold her. She's just out of the hospital with a staph infection. Brooks and beau look like little clones and are so boy.

All in all, we had a pleasant day. Played Skipbo with Mike, Lisa, and Barb. I plan to go shopping in the morning "Black Friday" bargains. Wish me luck...

We had a splendid time

Saturday we had the Stake Youth Missionary Training Academy. It was fantastic! I enjoyed myself all day. I went to the classes prepared for the youth, upkeep of self while on a mission, Spirituality, Preparing now for your mission, Blessing given and received from a mission. I spoke in the opening exercises and recounted the Hattie and Larkin Bounds story and how our membership got started in the church for our family in 1926. Later we had workshops and then I had to cut out to get 30 pizza's for dinner. I took Clyde's hatchback Tribute, thank goodness. They brought them out 4 at a time, I'd open, they'd place them in, I'd close the hatchback. By the time they were all in and ready to go, the Tribute was ALL FOGGED UP! I couldn't see a thing. Should I roll the window down and let the cool air chill them, or make it back across the street the best I could? I chose both. While gone Lauren and Cori taught them a new line dance. After the pizza's were wolfed , we went in for a Fireside. Luke and Bro. Lawson put on two man play to the tune of "Saturday's Warriors". Lauren and Rocky spoke and then the music selection that I was in charge of, was sang very sweetly by Elder Tunes "The Promise" by Afterglow. I then had to leave to go to Margerite Wenk's suprise 70th birthday party. There was a big crowd . We then went back to the dance for another hour. All in all, it was a fabulous day. Tis is Cori Platt, one of my crazy best friends.

Beau's birthday

Had a busy weekend. It started out with me giving the house a super cleaning. Afterwords, I worked on a quilt that is long overdue. Then grocery shopping and Making Turkey, dressing and giblet gravy for a church linger longer. Sunday we went to Beau Brossette's 1st birthday party. Same list of characters. All a little older.

Halloween at Crown

Had fun day at work. Several of us dressed in costume. It seemed like an all day party with some work mixed in. Tonight we had maybe 100 kids come by the house. We sat in lawn chairs (swatting mosquito's). Yeah, it's the south and we have the little critters most the year. Our newest neighbors, Natalie and Joey made us sugar cookies that looked like pumpkins, but were then off to see their niece in another neighborhood. Not the same old Halloween extravaganza we used to have. Here are a few lab pictures.

Ozark Trip

Well, we had an interesting weekend. Just to get away we went to Arkansas. We visited 3 different parks.
1. Daisy State Park- we WON'T be camping there. Although quite beautiful, (pines, clean, perfect weather) the camp is located on a steep ridge extending into the lake.. with the narrow road on top. You would have to carry down all your camping equiptment and then lug it all the way back up. Campsites were near the lake but, na-da. One look at the ramp where you launch your boat blew me away. The steepness of it scared me WITLESS! I was climbing the cab of the truck. Get me outta here! I wondered how many boats, trailers, and trucks were at the bottom of that lake.
2. Shady Lake State Park. Okay, nice campsites, bathhouses. Didn't see a whole lot, I was driving. Shady is right. The down side was there is a 3 mile drive from paved road and it's only one lane. It is graded so that if you meet someone coming the other way, your in real trouble, and yes is is in the Ozark mountians, steep sides. A little freaky for a flatlander.
3. Albert's Pike- Holy Moly, I've hit the motherload. It's magnificent! A little piece of Utah. Exposed rock cliffs and all. A moment of silence, please.... After a lovely ride through the canyon walls , outside of Langly, AR. I just had to soak it in. I had heard it was pretty, but I didn't expect this calm, peaceful feeling. I could have stayed there 2 weeks. That's the amount you are allowed to stay at a time. I wonder how many people they have to throw out.

We also visited "Crater of Diamonds" State Park. The only park you can pay a fee and go in and dig for diamond to your hearts content. They have a nice visitor's center and a water slide area for the kids. Inside, you can buy all kinds of rocks (again, I'm in heaven) or tee shirts or jewelry. They have movies that explain how to sift the dirt and equiptment to buy. We drove down the road a bit to a rock shop, looking for better prices, and a lady working there told us about her grandpa. He worked the mines 50 years ago for the family that owned the land. She had found a huge diamond of good quality years ago. They have recently graded the hillside and now the diamonds are suppose to be easier to fine. (Rather than a bunch of pock marks in the dirt.) maybe we'll go there if we ever have visitors who like camping.

But we are home, cleaning, washing clothes, and preparing for work in the morning. All good things must come to an end.

Off to Arkansas

We have never really explored Arkansas. We have no relatives there and Dallas has always been our entertainment mecca. So, we want something new. Arkansas has some beautiful byways and scenic mountians I hear. looks like in the morning we will head up to Mena, to see Queen Willamina mountian, then to Daisy State Park where they have clear lakes where you can see the stone bottoms. (we are scoping this out for future campsites) I don't like Louisiana lakes, they have mushy gooey bottoms that you can't see because of the yucky dark water and who knows what kind of creepy crawlers are down there. Here, if I need, I go to the gym to swim. From there, we plan to continue to Hot Springs. They have SPA'S. So, to two people that are much in need of a get-a-way, this sounds great. The leaves will be pretty , too.

Dad has changed me over to the new computer, and all my genealogy and pictures are on the old. (Slows it dawn too much) He says we can switch back and forth with the internet. If I get some hot shots this weekend, I'll have to make him prove it.

Fall is officially here

Well, The Red River Revel came and went. It did not make a lot of money this year, everone is holding off to see what happens with the economy. We planned to go, but the night we were going, Clyde had to work late. No big deal, I was tired, too. We opted for Olive Garden. ? Are all eating establishments out of their minds. The pile all this food on your plate and then have to pay for carry-out containers... WAIT! It's me that pays for it. I guess the mark-up is so huge, the more they pile up there, the more they make. It's enough to make you want to eat at home.
It is rainning outside, you know, one of those good old pouring Southern rains. A little lightening and thunder. I love listening to it fall from the roof. It's getting cooler each day and now the rain will wash away the pollen and ragweed. Everyone will feel great for a few weeks and then the virus' will start.
Just got home from a Stake YW/YM meeting. We are planning the "Missionary Training Conference", the youth are having in November. Sounds like some excellent speakers and activities. I have to find someone who can sing, and find that "Afterglow song about missionaries and I knew you before and I'll find you...... also I'm assigned to come up with some menu's for dinner that day. We have lots of money in our budget.....sounds like it will be tasty.

Showdown on aisle 12

Thursday night I got the rare chance to go to Walmart by myself. I was tired and wanted to get through fast. I started at the back of the store and worked my way forward. I could hear toddlers whinning all over the store, almost every other aisle. I don't mean wimpering, I mean uncontrolable deep misery unnecessary whinning. No parent seemed to care. By the time I got to the frozen foods I'd had enough of the incessant howling of one dude and under my breath I said:

Did someone go out and collect all the whiney kids in Shreveport and bring them to Walmart tonight?????

some skinny, weathered, bleached woman- THAT'S MY GRANDCHILD!

(if she was in this aisle, her daughter was with the baby, two for one odds, someone could sooth this poor child)

gentle sweet me- Sounds like he's tryng to tell you he wants to go to bed. (it's 8:30)

some skinny......................... -You were a baby once, I just bet you were.

gentle sweet me -(couldn't help myself) ya know, I bet I was.........

some skinny.........................-$^*((*&&^%$#$@#^%$&*&)(*&)

school marmish woman shopper- (opens freezer door, sticks her head in and dies laughing)

gentle sweet me - GET OVER IT!!!!!

My friends at work say I should stay out of Walmart late at night.

before you do-gooder mom's jump me, it was past bathtime, and bedtime for this fellow.

Y-IKE-S

Ike hasn't been a big thriller either. It was more windy than Gustav,and more leaves and branches down but not such a show. Broadmoor had it's electricity out, so did grandma B. We watched the weather reports and read my new book "The Mountian Meadow Massace", played on the computer and cleaned house. No guest either from Houston. Galveston looks awful. I was suppose to go up to New Boston, TX. in the morning for their conference, but due to gas prices spiking and weather travel issues, that's cancelled. Dad and I went to the new "Longhorn" steakhouse for dinner. The wind almost for my big umbrella. It was a quite atmosphere and I really liked the place. I had soup, skewered grilled shrimp and rice and veggies.
It's suppose to be windy and raining till midnight...good sleeping weather.

Pleasant weekend

Clyde went on a Youth Temple Trip Saturday. I had the whole day to myself. I enjoyed getting up when I wanted, and not being rushed. I took all the time I wanted getting the house cleaned. Wasn't much to do since it was cleaned in preparation for Gustav visitors. I went shopping for Becky a gift and grocery shopping. How nice it was not to have someone pulling the buggy. I watched "The Devil Wears Prada" and took a nap. Dinner was a grilled hamburger patty and mac & cheese and a salad (with the best home grown tomato ever). we picked up some "Olive Garden" dressing a few weeks back, so yum... great evening meal.

Went to see Mrs.B. Friday night. She ask quitely, "will I lose all my memory?" I guess that would be pretty scary. She is wearing a patch the Dr. gave her to stop the progress of her dementia. She enjoyed the chicken we brought and Clyde helped her pay some bills. Casey and Amber and families are going to visit her this evening. She hasn't seen the babies since Randy died. It's ashame we all stay so busy.

Big Whoop...

Well for al the preparations, Hurricane Gustav was a big phuttt! Minden and Monroe got the worst weather. I'm not too sad, but we missed Rita because we were in Utah.

Jason Lang was made our new supervisor today. He had first day pickys. He'll wark out, though.

My grandaughter started school yesterday, boy, how I remember those days. So full of excitement and wonder.

Clyde took Mrs. B to the doctor twice today. She missed her appt. yesterday for labs, and insisted they were today. They squeezed her in and then rushed her results so Clyde could drive her over again for her assigned appt. Today at 2:15. She did find out she has moderate dementia. Ohhhh, it gonna be a fun ride.

Nothing but hurricane news

We have the day off for Labor Day and the only thing on T.V. is weather reports. No one has called about housing, and at this late date I suppose things are covered. We batten down the hatches this morning in the yard and went to Walmart to buy a few snacks and some more water. We shouldn't get any bad weather till late this evening and storms about midnight. We replaced the screens on the den picture windows in case electricity goes out and we have no air-conditioning. I've noticed the clouds have covered the Sun. I'll try to take some pictures later on to post.

Hurricane's a coming!

Only a few minutes to blog. Hurricane Gustav is on it's way. We are going to church today and will probably be assigned some guest from the Lake Charles area. They will probably stay a few days. At least the house is spotless . Groceries are few, (don't want to lose them like in the freezer during Rita and Katrina). All I'm worried about is DOGS. I don't want no dogs on my carpet whizzing. But, I can hardly refuse someone who may lose everything but that mangy pet. We prayed hard last night the hurricane would weaken. At least the State seems better prepared. Gotta go.

At Donna Cagle's on the 4th of July

Found this picture of Clyde and I at Donna 's for the 4th of July. Had a great time, felt good to be among old friens.

Changes in my day

Well, I was all geared up to have lap-band surgery and I had to put the "hold" on it. I had everything from the insurance to the time off at work scheduled and then most the testing and preparation done. The closer I got the more I wantd todo it. I was scared, but willing to dive off into it. I realized it was a lifetime decision, no going back. But, it was so necessary. I'm kinda in morning now. It want be but about 2 months, and I know I can make it. I am having a few other pesky problems that the surgery would take care of. So maybe I can gear myself up again.

Abby and Manda's tuition is paid as of last wek. I know Abby is ready to finish, seems like she's been working hard for so long. She is my #3 daughter and is majoring in Construction Management. Sounds odd for a girl, but she really likes what she is doing and learning. Manda, my #4 daughter is undecided in her major and just now going back to school after a 3 year absence. She is taking a light semester to get herself back into the school scene. Kelly #1 daughter and Libby #2 daughter have their degree's and are married with children.

Had a nice weekend. Took Mrs. Brossette out to eat at Picadilly and saw the Ron Bradfords. Then Saturday, I worked on my talk for aux. meeting at church. Then to the meeting to give it and then to the adult session. Afterwards we went to Carrabba's with the Morrissey's and Dan Glass's. I had an Italian salad and Manicotti. Uch, up several times last night. I eat very little meat because of digestion problems. Oh! and I got my hair cut short.

4th of July

Looks like it is going to be a great one. Lauren stopped by and gave me some gifts she needed wrapped for girls camp next week. It talking, she invited us to Donna Cagle's house for Barbeque and swim, and fireworks. The morning will start with a pancake breakfast at the church at 9am. Then, if we are home in time the neighborhood parade will start at 10 am. Then I have to cook ribs and make a fruit salad. We'll be at Donna C's by 4pm. Lotsa kids will be there. I'm really looking forward to spending time with the gang.

me at my most reserved

A new beginning

So, I'll try blogging. Everyone else has one. Maybe I'll discover I'm not sooo boring.