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It's a rainy day in NE Aabama.  Cool but not unplesant.  Everyone here is doing better.  Keith is getting stronger every day and everyone is releasing the tension we felt for several days.

I think I posted that Keith's path reports were good.  God showed us mercy and allowed us to go forward with happy hearts.

I don't have anything much to write about so I thought that I'd attach this little ditty that I received in email this morning.  You may have already seen it a hundred times but here it is anyway.

> APHORISM: A SHORT, POINTED SENTENCE THAT EXPRESSES A WISE OR CLEVER OBSERVATION OR A GENERAL TRUTH.
>
> 1. The nicest thing about the future is . . . that it always starts tomorrow.
>
> 2. Money will buy a fine dog, but only kindness will make him wag his tail.
>
> 3. If you don't have a sense of humor, you probably don't have any sense at all.
>
> 4. Seat belts are not as confining as wheelchairs.
>
> 5. A good time to keep your mouth shut is when you're in deep water.
>
> 6. How come it takes so little time for a child who is afraid of the dark to become a teenager who wants to stay out all night?
>
> 7. Business conventions are important. . .because they demonstrate how many people a company can operate without.
>
> 8. Why is it that at class reunions you feel younger than everyone else looks?
>
> 9. Scratch a cat . . . and you will have a permanent job.
>
> 10. No one has more driving ambition than the teenage boy who wants to buy a car.
>
> 11. There are no new sins; the old ones just get more publicity.
>
> 12. There are worse things than getting a call for a wrong number at 4 a.m. - like, it could be the right number.
>
> 13. No one ever says "It's only a game" when their team is winning.
>
> 14. I've reached the age where 'happy hour' is a nap.
>
> 15. Be careful about reading the fine print. . . . there's no way you're going to like it.
>
> 16. The trouble with bucket seats is that not everybody has the same size bucket.
>
> 17. Do you realize that, in about 40 years, we'll have thousands of old ladies running around with tattoos? > (And rap music will be the Golden Oldies!)
>
> 18. Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comfortable to cry in a Cadillac than in a Yugo.
>
> 19. After 60, if you don't wake up aching in every joint, you're probably dead.
>
> 20. Always be yourself because the people that matter don't mind . . . . and the ones that mind don't matter.
>
> 21. Life isn't tied with a bow . . . . . . . .. but it's still a gift.

Have a happy day.

Good News in Our World

We really do appreciate the prayers that have been offered on behalf of our son Keith and his family.  The pathology reports are back and we have been blessed with wonderful news.  The cancer was successfully removed from his bladder along with a portion of the bladder's lining.  The tumor was cancer but the margins were clear.  The doctor told Keith that they would discuss future plans at the appointment on Tuesday. 

Keith is doing pretty good given the procedure and stress.  He came here yesterday for Sunday gathering but didn't stay very long.  I don't think he understands that surgery is more than just the procedure.  There's a recovery period from the stress and medical stuff.

I'm painting one of our bedrooms.  It's my first big project in over two years.  It's enjoyable to see the paint go up but I'm one tired old gal. 

Later, my friends

Yesterday's Outcome

Just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for the prayers.  Keith came through the surgery very well.  The surgeon said that from all visual appearances the growth wasn't a more aggressive type and probably not cause future issues.  Of course the mass and tissue were it was attached were sent to pathology.  The results will not be back until early next week.  Keith is home, as comfortable as can be expected, and in good spirits.  For now, the outcome is very good. 

I had trouble getting to sleep last night.  My mind just wouldn't shut down and every muscle in my body was ready to spring.  I saw 3:22 a.m. on the clock.  I woke up at around 9:30 and feel much better than I have for the past few days. 

We are thankful for the outcome of the surgery and praying that the pathology reports are exactly as the surgeon expected.

Once again, thank you for caring and your prayers.

Another Crisis to Face

The boys fall break was the week before Columbus Day and they took their parents to Panama City Beach for five days.  Below is a picture Daddy took of Mommy and the boys.  Left to right:  James, Jesse, and Mary. 

This is a pic Keith took yesterday of himself and Jesse.  They built a camp fire in their fire pit and cooked lunch after church and before coming to our house.



Jesse is as tall as me (5'1") at nine years old.  It's probably not unusual for a nine year old to be that tall.  I just notice it because I'm short.  Very few folks are short as me.

The news from our corner of the world isn't great.  Keith is undergoing surgery on Wednesday of this week for cancer.  We're all concerned and praying for a good outcome.  Beyond that, we just have to leave it in the hands of a higher power.  We would appreciate all thoughts/prayers for the best outcome possible.  I'm pretty worried but doing well. 

Since I really can't think of anything else to say, I'll sign off for now.



Moving Right Along

Things have been busy here.  Harry and I went to Memphis for a reef keepers shin-dig but not to Beal Street.  Darn it all.  He said it would be too much for me.  Never mind the facts - I just wanted to listen to the blues.

I've been working towards re-doing the room that was left open (not empty) when Joe moved out.  Progress is very slow - but progress is movement in the right direction.  I'm concentrating on the closet right now.  It has a new coat of paint (walls and trim), carpet removed, tack strip out (Harry did that for me), and toe moulding removed.  I still have to paint the baseboards; clean old paint off the toe moulding and put a new finish on it; and clean the hardwood.  Then I'll have an empty space ready for organizer, racks, and cubbies.  For me, a closet is the hardest thing to re-do. 

The boys and their parents went to the beach for fall break.  Jesse came back  with a bad case of swimmer's ear.  Tomorrow he'll see the doctor and we'll go from there.  Jesse just turned nine and Keith will turn eight at the end of the month.  Jesse is tall as me now and James isn't far behind him.  How time does fly!!!  Everyone, please note that grandchildren seem to grow up much faster than your own kids.  Take every opportunity to spend time with them,

Kitty has been such a good girl since her foray into the linen closet that I canceled the lump of coal.

Take care and enjoy every moment.  My best to everyone.

NOT Just Another Day

Last post was 9 August - It's already 22 Sep.  Have I been silent that long?  Yes, I guess I have.  Just goes to prove that nothing - absolutely nothing - worth writing about ever happens in my world.

It's nothing earth shattering, but let me tell you about the kitty that is getting a lump of coal in her stocking this Christmas.

Night before last said kitty decided to sleep against my shoulder and half on my pillow.  I woke up at 3:30 uncomfortable and aggravated.  I got up, made coffee and began my day.  (I've been making window coverings for one of our bedrooms.)  Because I was wrapped up in my project and because I'm not at all opposed to leaving our bed unmade I didn't look at the bed until we were ready for bed.  Yuck!!  Cat hair all over my pillow and sheets.  No way was I sleeping in that mess.  I stripped the sheets and went to the linen closet for fresh sheets.  That's when the drama began.

Now, I always thought that my linen closet was probably the neatest closet in the house.  I proudly opened the door and reached in.  Nothing looked the way it should.  Not really, anyway.  At a glance all was well but on closer inspection I realized that everything was pushed to the front of shelves.  The sheets seemed to be in disarray at the back of shelves.  Blankets were lumpy.  You get the picture.  The kitty-in-disgrace had been opening the door, climbing behind stacks of linen, and leaving copious cat hair behind.  When one place was haired over she just moved to a clean place and repeated the process.  At some point, she fluffed blankets, curled up on them, and added another layer of warmth.  (I did have a set of clean king sheets in my donation stash because they are not a fit for our thick mattress.  Just one of the things to be thankful for.)

I have to admit that since I've gotten lazy I have been stripping the bed when I get up, washing the bedding during the day, and putting it back on the bed before bedtime.  No folding sheets.  Good deal, huh?

Today I took everything out of the linen closet.  Sorted all the sets, washed part of them, and readied a sizable donation of almost new sheet sets.  I have way too many double bed sets and only one double bed.  I'm keeping three sets and donating nine.  The donations are ready to go.  Tomorrow I wash, fold, and return the rest of my linen to the closet.  I might add that Miss Kitty, will not be able to open the door in the future. 

That was my day.  How was yours?

Short Trip

Finally something I can blog about!!!

Harry and I had a couple of trips planned.   I became worried that I wouldn't "hold-up" to make the trips since I still have some residual issues.  I told Harry about my concerns and we put our plans on hold until I felt more confident about travel. 

On Wednesday, early afternoon, Harry turned from his computer and asked me why we didn't do a "trial run" to the coast.  He thought we should leave on Saturday.  I guess he didn't want to give me a chance to worry myself out of a short trip.  Long story made short; we drove down to Ft Walton Beach, FL, on Saturday and came home on Monday.  The trip worked out just fine.  Harry told me that I did "real good" "better than (he) expected."

I did so enjoy getting away for a couple of days and seeing different scenery.  Unfortunately, there was a wide band of algae on and in the water next to the beach.  It wasn't an issue for us because we only intended to enjoy time watching the waves and relaxing.  We also went to the Gulfarium and met several reef enthusiasts.  The reef tank there was large and full of fish - not many coral -but hundreds of reef fish.

Of course, we left the cat at our house.  Joe and Keith saw to the reef tank chores and made  the cat feel loved.   Kitty made her displeasure known by sleeping (and leaving kitty fur) in places that she knows she isn't allowed to be.   At least she didn't throw up anywhere or ignore her litter box. 

It was a good weekend for the old farts.  We hope to travel more.

A big "HELLO" to all my blogging friends.  Hope you are doing well.