Wednesday...rainy

Hi all! It is gloomy and rainy here, but not actually cold. It is suppose to be in the 60's tomorrow...yipee, skipee.
Mike and I went to the movies over lunch time today and saw "True Grit"...we both actually liked the movie. I had my reservations since I enjoyed the one with John Wayne so much.
All three boys are spending the night tomorrow night and then I am taking them to see "Yogi Bear" on Friday over lunch.
Hope you all are doing really well.

whew...

Well the tree is down and packed away...and all the decorations are boxed and put away. My Mom always said that the 27th...her birthday, was the day to take downt the tree when she was growing up and at bed time, Grandpa would say..."oh, Fleet...Happy Birthday!" Daddy always made this a very special day for Mom. As I have told you before, Mom thought she was born in 1917 and then she said after she was married...her Dad changed it to 1916. Fleta did some reasearch and everything she came up with was 1916. I think my gift to Mom today is to say "Happy 93rd Mom!'...I miss you so much!

Christmas Morning...

Merry Christmas to each and every one of my dear family. The kids and grandkids all came over for brunch around 10 AM, then we open gifts. The boys each really liked their MU wear. They all left around 1 PM...then clean up and long awaited naps. I sure hope all of you had a joyous day so far.

Everything almost in place

Yesterday I spent the entire day with Cindy....we just went to a lot of haunts that we love to go to...didn't spend hardly any money, but sure did have a fun day. We ate pizza at my favorite place over town.....IMO's. It was a real treat. We just laughed and giggled all day.
Today we are taking lunch into our older friends...Anna Mae and Dr. Bob. They are 88 and 90 years old. We try to have a lunch together each Christmas holiday. It was 3 years ago that their daughter and my good friend Nancy passed away. We have a really good time together and I think that Mike and I are going to receive a framed copy of one of her neat paintings...I have my fingers crossed. Anna Mae is a very accomplished artist and it would be a real dream to have one of her paintings.
The sun is semi-shinning....maybe the snow will not arrive until evening. We are suppose to to get hit with the snow starting tonight....ugh

Eggnog

I thought maybe Patsy would enjoy something to do with extra eggs.

The Holidays have started...

Today was Cindy and the kids last day of school. I'm really happy for all of them to have a really nice break. Cindy goes back Jan.2nd and the kids all go back Jan.3rd.
Cindy wrote to the corporate office of Quick Trip and ask if they would donate something for her students in her Housing Design class and they did send a certificate for each one to have a free hot chocolate. So...she asked the VP if she could walk with her kids down to Quick Trip since they were all done with their finals....so they all walked down (15 students) to Quick Trip and enjoyed a hot chocolate. These kids really have absolutely nothing and this was a big treat to them.
Tomorrow I'm going down to church with a couple of my friends and we are going to put the batteries in some flashlight candles that they use for Christmas Eve service. The special candles were donated by one of my Guild members in honor of her son that died 4 years ago. He was just 17 and died of cancer.

News from up North

This is the latest news from up north....Palin shot Rudolph. Hope you are enjoying all your family as we prepare for the up coming, beautiful celebration of Christmas. We actually had a skiff of snow this morning, but not enough to keep us from going to church.

Shopping Finished

I finished my shopping today...trying to take advantage of the last semi-warm day to finish.
Mike is going to drive up to Sqaw Creek tomorrow to see all the different waterfowl that have migrated to that point so far.
I will try to do my wrapping tomorrow...been working on cards...I don't have a clue how I use to get everything done when I worked. I surely must have been more organized back then.
Sisters.....I love to read your blogs every day....they make my day. Thank you and I love you all!

Better shots

This time I used the "real" camera and maybe you can get a better idea of the tree. I am really enjoying this one this year.

Tree is up

The tree is up...Cindy used the theme of old candy canes...picture does not do it justice...I took it with my iphone.

Major Announcement...

Just in case you missed the major announcement....Sarah Palin says she can beat President Obama in 2012.
Also.....the tea party is going to put Bristol as the Dancing With the Stars Champion.
Here is what I posted in my Facebook page...
Momma Grizzly = Cubette in the finals

Wow...I just may need to get a passport and get out of here!

Happy Grandma

Little Reed is a much waited for Grandson. I love this picture of Barb and Reed and it sure is a happy time.

Predictions

Here is a lovely email I got today from one of Mike's cousins......basically, they were correct....we got screwed!

Israelites

A friend of mine that works very hard for the Democrats told me today that she is strangely at peace. She really prays so much and she believes that God is in charge and knows that God delivered the Israelites and that he will deliver us also.
New analogy for me....I guess if we don't fall over a cliff, America will be fixed for our Grandkids and Great-Grankids.
You know that Missouri has now gone all red....they swept all of our county which has been Democratic. Ugh!!!!!!
Do you all know how crooked Blunt is?????

New Family Member....

Late on Saturday Skip called me at the camper to tell me that Lisa (Jim's Oldest daughter) had her 1st baby really early. The baby wasn't due until Dec. 3rd....but he came really early by C section and weighed 4lb.6oz. Lisa and the baby are both doing fine...again via Skip's call this morning. Lisa and her husband named him Reed Wyatt Davis and all is going well this morning.

Celebrating

We actually took all three boys to the skating rink today. The kids had off school for teacher's meeting and tomorrow 12/12/10 our oldest grandson, Paxton, will be 12 years old. Mike said he was breaking new ground...he had avoided going to the roller rink for 47 years, but he really doesn't think he will need to return again soon. We had a great time...it was a rainy day, so this inside activity was just perfect.

Kris and Sam

We had a beautiful fall morning this Saturday. Sam and his Daddy shot off rockets this morning over in Parkville. They built their rockets from kits they bought at Hobby Lobby. Sam named his rocket....Previcide OTC 30 mg.capsul rocket. It really flew far and then landed way over in the Missouri River and sooo... he only got to shoot it once.

My new favorite saying....

I would rather have a root canal than listen to Sarah Palin speak.

Great Time

What a blessing to be well enough to attend my 50th HS reunion. Just returned home.....had a fantastic time. Still saw some people I don't know.....we had 240 of our 443 in attendance. I really think that is pretty good.

We feel Betrayed

Four years ago our nephew Jeffrey passed away...he was married and had two children.
Well...I heard from his stepmom that Jeff's wife Janie has written a book called "What Do You Do when your Nickname is Job".
This book is so full of lies about our nephew that we are just appauled. I have not read the whole thing, but his stepmom has. She is trying to profit from hateful lies and all the time calling herself a Christian.
I need you all to pray for us so that we can get through this without a major blow up...our own children were very close to Jeff and they are really upset.

Labor Day 2

Yesterday was another long work day....some how when you are retired, housework really seems like work. I worked hard on my wood floor, washed windows and finished with washing my car that Mike got really dirty in St.Louis last weekend.
Today I will be helping with a funeral dinner at church...then I will start to get the backpacks ready for assemble this Sat. morning. I also know for a whole year that the girls are coming the 2nd Sat. in September...but I just leave it to the last minute to get ready.
Next Tues. I am in charge of a huge auction....then maybe some fun!

Working Labor Day

This coming Sat. I have my Guild coming to assemble backpack for our adopted elementary school. So...I am adding to the brown and polishing kitchen cabinets. Where is the picnic today?

The Awesome Six

I'm sure glad this sweet family is pleased when I come to join them. They sure love to give each other a hard, funny time. I sure missed something by not have brothers or sisters...but I sure am proud to call this group my family.

Fun, Fun Time

We sure had a fun cousin reunion....I love it when we get together and laugh so much. I want to especially thank Fleta and George for hosting this gathering at their home!

Paul at the Stadium

Our son Paul went to the game on Sunday and represented his company. They do a lot of advertising for the "K"...I thought the picture turned out well.....I'm thinking that you do not need to ask which one is my son.

Police Stand Off

For 13 hours we had a police stand off at a house 2 doors away. We actually had SWAT lying in our front yard grass and out back of our house. Some "stupid" 19 year old out on parole, decided to break in this home with his girlfriend for a robbery. They caught the girlfriend right away...but 19 year old decided he wouldn't come out.
Well after 13 hours, the house riddled with holes from tear gas guns...the young man finally was apprehended...hiding in the closet.
It was really surreal around here!

Temperature Broke!!!

Finally today the temperature broke...it is 7 PM and Mike is going for a ride on his scooter....Yippee for cooler weather!

At Least another 12 hours

We finally did have rain last night, but they have extended this grizzly heat wave another 12 hours...which mean that this Saturday will read above 100 again with a heat index around 115. I guess I am just getting old and will never understand how Helen lives in this weather. It is just gastly and so unenjoyable to get out and even go to the store. Maybe tomorrow will be better and we can enjoy going to see our daughter and her family join a new church...we are so happy for them.

Zoo

Here are the boys outside the Penquin house...it was smelly!

Boys in St.Louis

St.Louis

Cindy, Kris, Sam, Mike, Tanner and myself are down in St.Louis. It is hotter than blue blazes here...just like home. We have been to the Science Center, Grant's Farm and the zoo...plus various places to shop. We are going back on Sunday and Cindy has to start school Monday, August 9th!

Cindy Working

We have been helping and working with Cindy getting her classroom ready. I couldn't resist taking this picture of her putting up poster. She had more nerve than I ever had. She made wonderful drapes for the window....next time I will take a picture of the window. They are a sage green paisley.

These pictures are beyond me....

I woke up this morning and our street was lined with small American flags. A young man (32) died in Afgahistan this last week and he was buried this morning...the young man lived up the street. The team of Harley riders attends every buriel and protects the family against the crazy people picket the service with the most horrible signs about the soldier hating God or they are HOMO's....they are so very disgraceful.

We've Got Our Act Together...So, here is the blog

This has certainly been the week of Dr's. Tuesday I tried to do the phone thing...get blood draw orders taken care of over the phone as my surgeon wants me to do blood work every 3 months like the schedule for the scope thingie. Well...of course, I could not accomplish that over the phone, so I went for an appointment and accomplished the same thing I was trying to do over the phone. I went to the vampire this morning, after fasting for 14 hours.

Cindy called a little while ago...she had recieved Sam's enrollment form for next year....she was just livid....you either mark....Latino/Hispanic or Not Latino/Hispanic. She said she was surprised that she didn't have to request a special form because they are English speaking white folk!

Dr. Appointment

Went to the Dr. this morning for my 3 month check....all clear. I will be going every 3 months for the next 2 years. I think I am now on Helen's schedule.

What a Glorious Night...

The bottom picture is sunrise this morning....the other picture are of people from my church. Our team was named "Courage over Fear" and we achieved the Gold Level. The weather was fantastic....somehow the heat went away for these 12 hours. God is Glorious!

Northland Relay for Life

I will be walking in the Survivor walk at 7:00 PM....I church is sponsoring a team. I sure hope it cools off a little before then....they say a pretty good storm is coming through pretty soon.

City Market

Cindy and I made it to downtown City Market by 7:30 AM....our first trip this year. My cousins have made me so hungry for home grown vegetables. We buy mostly from the Amish...their's look like home grown. Yum Yum for dinner tonight. Greenbeans, corn, tomatoes and potato salad. Have no idea what meat we will have.

Home Again

Hi all.....Hope you all have big plans for tomorrow. Cindy is having us up to their house to eat...then we will watch Samuel shoot off a few fireworks.
We just got home about an hour ago....had luck fishing. It was beautiful down at the camper.

Hugs, Hugs, Hugs

The boys arrived around 9:30 last night.....hugs, hugs and more hugs. Praise the Lord!

Biggest Scare....

Mike and I are sitting here with Samuel waiting for Dawn to bring the two boys. Paul just called and said they were almost in a horrible wreck out on I70....an 18 wheeler came straight at Dawn from the opposite direction. The median cable is what saved her and she was not in a wreck. She and the boys were really shook up....Grandma here about had a heart attack. She will be here in about an hour....Praise and Thank You Good Lord!

Betty....

Happy Birthday Betty! Hope it has been great and I sure like seeing those four kids of yours.....maybe I will get the hang of uploading from my new camera...they are so cute.

Sister - in-law

I just talked to my sister in law this evening....she is married to my husbands oldest brother. I don't know why they always want to gig me about politics, but she said that it is not BP fault about the cleanup mess. Every thing is on Obama because he won't give permission to clean up efforts.
They will never get over "Bushie's" catastrophe with Katrina and they are really mean spirited about the whole thing......I would not fight about it...I just said, I don't care whose fault is is....it is my ocean and it is really messed up. Also, as an aside....I will not buy BP gas.

Camper

I'm finally feeling well enough that we can open the camper. I will take it easy.

Good News

We have been so concerned for about the last 2 months.....Cindy learned that she was a displaced teacher. In other words, we knew she had a job....but until 4:00 this afternoon, she didn't know where. There were 35 teachers displaced.
Well....she got the great news today that she will be a full time Home Economics teacher at North Kansas City High School. This has really been her dream since she was a little girl.
Cindy has been teaching Home Economics in a middle school.
I'll tell you....this is almost the 11th hour. The last day of school is May28th.
Yeah for Cindy!!!!!

Canoe

I have been hollowing out a canoe for several weeks now. We live on a hill......but with rain, rain, rain and more rain......I think eventually the rain will require a canoe.

Thinking "Mother"

We just returned from Sunday School class and our topic was.....What is the thing you most remember about your Mother teaching you?
Mine was easy....Faith and a wonderful sense of humor.

Our teacher had grown up Mormon, but had moved away from the Utah teachings long ago. She is one of 14 kids and always remembers her Mom not be judgemental and that she always felt welcome to come home. Her favorite story about her Mom.....her Mom had purchased he tomb stone long before she passed away. So....they were all ancious to see what it would say. It said...Corria yielded Alpha and Omega. She had certainly thought long and hard that she didn't want her husband's name or her father's name. She was a woman ahead of her time.

Mother's day is always a day of remembering for me......I certainly miss those that have gone on before us. I remember with a smile!

FANTASTIC NEWS!!!!

We went to the Dr. today and I got fantastic news. All margins are clear and path report excellent. I have no energy, but now I know things are going to be good for awhile...I don't have to go back until the middle of July......Hip, Hip, Hooray!!
How's that for a birthday present Patsy?

The painting arrived

Aunt Winnie's original painting of the farm arrived at my house on Saturday. Much to my surprise, Skip drove up to KC to see me. It was a fun surprise and our kids came over for dinner on Saturday evening. I was delighted that Skip spent the night.
When I looked close at the painting I was surprised to see Grandpa's old car in the garage, Grandpa walking on the road in front of the garage and Grandma standing on the porch. What a blessing to have that memory come back in such a beautiful and meaningful way.

Prep today and tonight....

Prep has been a bummer today, but I just showered and I think the worst is over. I only went through 3 outfits......
Thanks for all you paryers and concerns.....this shall soon be "behind" me. I will certainly be glad to have it over and on my way to recovery. I love you all!

Sam the Man

Sam and his family were just here to help with the remodeling. Paul has been working on the center bathroom.....whew, what a job!

Welcom to Spring

KC Spring = 8" Snow!

Woods......Edwards

Since both things are in the south.....I wonder if Woods could ask Edwards to caddie for him at the Master's. Seems like a matched pair to me.
I just wish I could figure out how to copy pictures from the web to my blog....I can only do the way Patsy originally showed me to print my stuff from Picasa

Who's Calling?

I've always had this simple way of know who is on the other end of the phone. If someone says....Winnie Jo, I know it's Mom's side of the family. If someone says....Winnie, I know it is someone here in KC. If someone says....Jo, it is my Dad's side of the family. If someone says.....Win, I know it's my High School Friends. However, if someone says.....JoBob, it has to be either Skip's family or Jim's family. As a matter of fact, Skip's oldest son Jimmy just found our last summer that my name was Winnie.
I absolutely could not trace who called me from the hospital yesterday....I talked to camp ground owner(Wade) last night and made sure he was all right. I told him it was probably a bill collecter from 2 years ago when I had to take Mike to hospital over in Lebanon. I just told Wade that I would give them his number and let them collect whatever it was.

Flip - Flop Weather

What a glorious Sunday! Third day in a row that it has been above 50....almost all the snow is finally gone. I drove for the first time since Feb. 3rd...it will be wonderful when I can put the top down. Also, saw a whole flock of robins today...spring has to be close.

The Sun is Shinning...

The sun is shinning, my pitty party is over....so now I start a new adventure of recovery. I have every confidence that I will get past this and maybe everything will be over in May. Thanks for all your prayers, concern and love.

Being quiet...

I'm just being quiet and waited on. Today is Wednesday, and they still do not have my lab report.

Still no answer

They did not have my lab report this morning...so, now I know I won't hear until next week.

Finally, right meds

I have been having a great deal of pain and hives from meds. They gave me the meds I told them I had taken, but I must have built up an intolerance to codeine. We finally got everything straighted out yesterday and now I have Darvacet to take with my antibiotic. Today has been a good day of sleeping and neighbors have brought in food. I still do not have the results of lab/path reports yet. Thanks so much for all your concern and prayers.

I'm Home!

It is 12;30 on Saturday and I am home!
Yesterday was a very long day and so was Prep-Day on Thursday.
I actually got into the operating room only 15 minutes late and that was a wonderful surprise.
My tumor was large, but he got it all out. He feels good that it is not cancer, but we will have to wait until the lab report comes back and I do not have an estimated time on that.
I am now house bound until March 1st....but this whole mess is over. I am ever so thankful that everything was scheduled quickly.
Thank you all so much for your love, care, prayers and concern....I love you sisters!

Hip, Hip, Hooray!

Today is a great day....I am an adopted sister! Thanks, Helen...my calendar came this afternoon right in the middle of all my yucky preperation for tomorrows surgery. It really gave me a very warm feeling and it is greatly appreciated.
My surgery is tomorrow at 2:45...sure hope we do not have to drive through a lot of snow to get over to Kansas. Cindy is taking off tomorrow...so she will be with Mike.
Again...thanks for all your love, caring and prayers. It's really neat to have sisters!

Preparing for Friday....

We to the hospital today and did my pre-operative lab work. Wish I could wrap my brain around having this surgery on Friday....I should be home on Saturday. Then...I will be housebound until March 1st.

Here is Sam's entry

Sam chose a blue Dodge Dakota for his entry. It wasn't the most Ario-dynamic, but it flew down the track rather well.

Pinewood Derby...2010

Sam had a great time at his pinewood derby yesterday. He took 3rd overall and was very happy. Isn't he growing up?