Hurried Note

It's late on this the last day of November, 2008. The past week has been wonderful. Everyone under one roof at the same time. Much more to be thankful for than I could write in a whole day.

I'm much too tired to spend time uploading pics and writing. I promise to post several of the almost 200 pics from the week along with a couple of stories that I think you'll enjoy.

I've been fighting the asthma 'thing' all week and am going back to my doctor tomorrow morning.

Just want everyone to know that I'm thinking of you and that I haven't disappeared.

Nana's House

No time for words - just passing along pics for other family and anyone else who might be interested.

Baby Hooper with Mommy (Sarah), Daddy (Buddy) and Cousin Maddie (Visiting from Phoenix)

Loadin the horse (Rick - Maddie's Daddy) - Jesse, James, Maddie and Dottie (stuffed doggie)

Trip underway. Maddie's Mommy (Judy) and James and Jessie's Mommy (Mary) watching the horse 'gallop' into the sunset. Well, sort of.

The party is in full swing.

Happy Thanksgiving to Everyone

Mission accomplished - well, I still have to clean the kitchen while I'm cooking tomorrow. That's no biggie. It's the most convenient time - while I'm waiting for the oven to "do its thing."

I'm going to an early morning bake sale (8 AM) and Harry will leave for Nashville around 11. I'm staying home. The car doesn't have enough room for four adults, an 18 month-old with her seat, and all the stuff they are traveling with. This is their first family trip aboard an aircraft and I suspect it will be memorable in more ways than one. We will be so happy to see them.

Meantime:

The little kid toys are cleaned, sorted and waiting for eager hands. The grownup games are higher on the shelf but ready for action when the time is right.

The easel with a white board and a blackboard is standing tall and braced for action. I cleaned the white board but James wanted to demonstrate his ability to make 2's. I decided to let them stand. A neighbor is down sizing and decided she didn't need to keep her well used bumper pool/poker/gaming table. It's now at my house just waiting for whatever happens next. It'll be a good extra eating table if games don't work out. The remote car's batteries are down and the charger is lacking some part (or broken). Maybe it'll look interesting enough to at least one of the kids for them to tell us what we need to buy to make it drivable again. This little car is one fast cookie.

. . . . . And last but not least. The snack cabinet is stocked. Don't tell me, let me guess. You spotted the almost empty cookie bin. It's for "flying saucers" (Vanilla Wafers) which I will buy while I'm on my bake sale run in the morning. Also, there is fodder for restocking the shelves - remember, we are having big kids/adults, too. Gotta keep them happy and sweet. I might add that the rules are still in effect for the little kids. Treats AFTER eating regular meals and then only an alloted amount.
Have I forgotten anything? Beds are fresh and clean - so are towels. Bathrooms ready for action. The master bath is a mess - but a clean mess. I hope to have it finished by Christmas.

I don't know how often I'll post for the next few days. Maybe everyday and maybe very little. But I won't forget my buddies and I'll be back as a regular soon.

New Development

Tomorrow is the big day! Judy and family are flying from Phoenix into Nashville, TN. Harry will pick them up in the afternoon when they arrive. They will be here late in the day and we'll be waiting with open arms. Let the fun begin.

I'm pretty much ready. Yesterday I went to a mega bake sale and will go to another early tomorrow. Both are being done by large churches and have loads of good stuff. I'm depending on the sales to take care of at least some of the cooking. Harry is doing a big barbecue one day and I'll 'do' Thanksgiving dinner. The rest will fall in place. No hassle, no fuss, no worry.

I finally went to my doctor last evening. This crud just seemed to be getting worse. Breathing was beginning to be a bit of a problem. No fever, not feeling sick, no pain except the usual, and no other symptoms except coughing and feeling that I wasn't getting enough air. I was shocked speechless when the doctor told me I was having a significant asthma attack. This is a new development. No one in my family ever had asthma and I'm really not familiar with it. Doctor said to just take the meds and get through the next two weeks. I should be significantly better by tomorrow. After that we'll do tests (whatever that means) to determine the cause and future treatment (if any is indicated). I ain't gonna Google this - I'd probably just lay down, moan, and groan if I did. As it is I feel fine.

The good news is that this is in no way a threat to anyone else. Based on the doctor it's not something the children or anyone else will 'catch'.

I'll post as much as I can during the next few days but I will think of you and pray that you are well and enjoying the first holiday of the season. I'll say in advance that I'm thankful for each of you, my blogging buddies.

Post in a Rush

I can't believe I've let my blog get so far behind. Here it is Wednesday already!

To catch up in few words:

I've been busy doing the things I must so I'll be in order for the holidays.

I'm almost caught up to my plan of action.

It's cold here in Hometown, USA - much colder than usual.

Galloping Crud (what I call these combo respiratory/stomach virus thingies) is clearing up nicely but it's been a pain in - well, various places.

I have an exciting two weeks ahead beginning with Judy and family arriving on Saturday.

I miss you, my friends. Please don't forget me. I think of you all and hope all is well in your corners of the world.

7 Weird Things About Me

Day late and a dollar short, as usual. C.A. tagged me with the following meme:

7 Weird Things about Me....
Which 7 should I tell you about? Hmmm. . . get ready. . .

1. I have a strange allergy to chocolate. It inebriates me - Yep, it affects me the way alcohol affects most folks. In other words, I'm a cheap drunk.

2. I hate to shop. Isn't that weird for someone who loves clothes and pretty things?

3. I like fruit yogurt as a dip for chips. It's the salty and sweet thing, I think.

4. Going to the dentist gives me nightmares. My dentist knows and I never have to face the ordeal without gas. Strangely - or lucky for me, I have sound strong teeth.

5. I prefer to be barefoot at home. Shoes are nice but they're for goin' places - not stayin' home.

6. I rarely sleep in the same place a full night. I tend to move from bed to sofa and back to bed. I carry my pillow with me.

7. I don't like rabbits. Yes, cute little bunnies almost turn my stomach. Strange but true. I'm not afraid of them - I just can't bear to think of touching one or having it touch me.

This doesn't look very good in print. I'm a weirdo! Please be my friend anyway.

I'm not tagging you but if you feel led to reveal your inner secrets let me know. I'd like to think I'm not the only strange person out here.

You Might be a Redneck if - - -

James went with me to re-stock the treat cabinet late today. Jesse went to music class and wasn't here to go with us. (Jesse went with me the time before.) James is a good shopper - he doesn't miss a thing. He also knows that you don't buy Pringles at the grocery - you go to Dollar General for them. Way to go, kid! We also waited until we got to Dollar General to buy flying saucers (vanilla wafers).

I'm still fighting the allergy 'thing' and wishing for a hard freeze to help clear the air. When James and I came out of the grocery I saw two women pointing at my car, shaking their heads, and laughing. Here's what they were pointing at:

You might be a redneck if you drive to the grocery with yard litter on your hood.

Enough said. Good night to all.