Tribute to Valence

Patsy just posted that Valence Powell passed last week and that really makes me sad.
Valance was such an upbeat person and really had found happiness in Nevada with Steve Jones after the love of her life Gene passed away.
She always kept in touch and loved all of the Powell's so much ~ I was always told that Mom and Gene were the same age and they really use to have fun as kids.

March is an Interesting Month:

So many different things have happened to me in March. It is a season for change~the strong winds can attest to that today and yesterday.
When I taught Pre-school, I always taught a color of the month and March ended up being "black" month. I have faced family deaths in March and I also faced cancer in March.
So..... what has turned March around for me?
My grandson Samuel born on March 7th!
Today we went to the Autistic Specialist and we visited and talked with him for 2 hours.
He made us feel so good - he actually understands our special guy and gave us a great direction for Sam. We felt so good that he sees the same child we know and understand, and not the child that his teacher tries to make everyone believe that he is.
By the time we finished our visit we were uplifted and actually excited that the Dr. is going to write the principal and tell him about his upset with the teacher - we didn't have to say a word about the teacher, she hung herself with her report to the Dr. So - maybe I should just paint March with a rainbow now!

I'm Dreaming of Florida Again!

Just finished shoveling 5" of snow out of the driveway - the "SnowPlow Man" came by and gave me the dirtest look - oh my gosh, I was throwing snow out into the street!
I wanted to shout at him - "look buster, this is not what I normally do for a living --I have to get my husband to therapy today - what do you want me to do with the snow that is down by the street - I sure as heck can't carry it away".
Have I told all of you that Trout Season starts March 1st - now for that I wouldn't mind chopping the ice.
I have just been in too long, but oh how I appreciate the Dogwood picture Betty and the fact that our precious Patsy is home!

Sunshine all around.....

Today was a day of good news. We went to the Wound Specialist, and he said that Mike's knee looks really good and that we should just continue being careful and using the immobilizer. The wound is healing and we are going to be careful and not have any set backs......
The other fabulous news is that Patsy is scheduled to come home on Thursday....
Isn't prayer fabulous!!!!
The next news is that I really think the American People are going to stand up and say "No" to Bush... we do not need to lose one more American life in a civil war struggle. His arrogance is absolutely unbelievable!

For My Dearest Patsy....

I received word last night that my dear cousin Patsy is gravely ill.....please, if you are reading my blog lift a prayer for Patsy. I believe God hears our prayers and that God know what is best for each of his children.
A suggested prayer:
Loving God, we pray that Patsy may be comforted in her
suffering and made whole.
When she is afraid, give her courage;
When she feels weak, grant her your strength;
When she is afflicted, give her patience;
When she feels pain, provide her your peace.
In the name of Jesus Christ we pray.
Amen

Welcome to the Gladstone Snow Palace...

Our snow started yesterday around two in the afternoon and finished this morning around 9am. It is a beautiful snow and also a wet snow that is great for making snowmen.
Our son Paul has already been over and cleared the driveway and front steps....
I thought there might be some of you that hadn't seen a pretty snowfall for awhile.....so here it is in all it's glory. The tree you see by the railing is our beautiful Chinese Maple that I shared earlier on the blog in it's beautiful red splendor.

Today we had a little set back....

We went to the Dr. this morning with great expectations, but they certainly were dashed. Yesterday Mike was dismissed by his home therapist and he was to start outpatient therapy next Monday. Well...his wound right over his knee cap is not closing, so he has been put in an leg brace and he is to be very careful for the next 10 days. Thank goodness there is no infection, but not being able to move the knee after he has worked so hard is a real bummer!
We will go see a specialist for wound care next Wednesday... I told Mike that I would have his wound in good shape by the time we see the specialist, so maybe we won't even have to go and spend all that money. Soooo....... please lift Mike up in your prayers for a healing. Thanks you all!

If I had a wish today.....

If I had a wish today, I think I would like to change places with Helen. I just finished the topper of all topper nonsense jobs. I just came in from chopping ice off of 1/2 my double driveway so that I can get out this afternoon and go get Mike's pain medicine.
Actually, I am kind of proud of myself - I'm 64 years old and I didn't have a heart attack!
Once again, I wonder what my life would have been like if I could pick up seashells every day and walk quietly on the beach......

Real Winter Blaaaaahs!

We are now waiting for phase III. We really got by pretty well through the first two phases, but we are certainly stuck inside. The church parking lot was so slick that I did even try to venture out. I have stayed ahead of the ice on one side of my driveway - so, if I have to I could get out. The kids have been great about checking on us (but somehow that really makes me feel old!)
Most all of KC has kept heat and electricity and my one outlet is blogging. At this point I may be boring, but it is keeping my sanity for now.
My real blessing is that I am not living down at the camper - it is frozen over and they have lost electricity.

Sleet, Sleet - Go Away!

As you all know I have been on a very short leash since the knee surgery, but at least, I could get out and go to the store or to Walmart. Actually, they are so close I guess I could walk in the sleet today, but really have no desire to be out in this mess. They say it will come in three different waves and we are now starting phase II. Soooo - I guess I won't even be able to go to church tomorrow.
When my Dad passed away, we had the opportunity to move to Florida instead of Mom coming up to KC. On days like today, I often wonder how different our lives would have been had we lived in Floriday - it sure is a daydream for me because I love Florida just as much as my parents did. Too bad, so sad ~ Mike does not like Florida. I would much rather be picking up seashells instead of casting out "ice-Melt"!

The Maples

This is probably a picture many of you have seen, but I just got it back from Suzie. I had forgotten all about this one. Skip gave it to me after Aunt Winnie passed away. She had written on the back the names of each one. I can not get over how much my Mom looked like Grandma Powell. Let me know if you want the names~

Can you name this bunch?

Quiet Start to '07

I am quite sure last night was the first New Year's Eve we didn't ring in for the last 40 years. We actually went to bed at 10:30 ~ then were awaken with sounds like cannons by celebrating neighbors. We actually just giggled and said "Happy New Year" and promptly fell back asleep.
Mike is doing really well this time round with his knee, however, still housebound with visiting nurse and therapy everyday.
Sam will spend the night because he doesn't have school on the 2nd and his Mom has to be at her school.
Our big adventure will be Wednesday when I take Mike to the Dr. for the first time since surgery. I really think all will go well and he will have his staples removed and maybe he will start outpatient therapy.
My leash is a little short right now - but by this summer he should be able to fly fish with me and that sure will make all this bionic stuff worth while.
I am really proud of him for getting this second one done, it really is a rough surgery.

Can you guess who the 3 cousins are that will be on Medicare in 2007?

Paul and Sue Bockelman/2006

Celelbrating Family

Wow - did we ever have a fantastic visit last evening. It was so fun to catch up on our lives.
Sue is living in North Carolina where they are renting a home until June 1st, then they are moving into a home they bought in Charlotte. Their new home will be only 13 miles from their daughter and her family which now includes a darling little girl named Sophie.
Their son Joe lives back here in the area as well as Paul's family - so we were delighted that we were included in their whirlwind tour.
She had called Tommie up in Alaska for her 64th birthday this month - Tommie's husband is not doing very well health wise. Tommie's daughter Teresa now lives over in England with her husband and they sound like life is really good for them.

Sue and Winnie/2006

Happy Birthday MOM!

Today my best friend would be either 89 or 90~depending on which records you go by. Mom was brought up believing that she was born in 1917, then Grandpa changed the year when he sent everyone Bibles for Christmas to 1916.
I am who I am today because of my Mom. She was such a role model and super friend!
To best describe "Fleet" you would use words like, adoring wife, wonderful Mom, sister, friend, aunt, Christian leader, Democrat, awesome Bridge player and a star basketball player for S of O. The descriptions I just listed are what she most wanted to be remembered.
She was such an awesome friend and I miss her each and every day. I especially miss her today because as she was growing up, her birthday would usually be forgotten until it was bed time and someone would say - like the "Waltons"- hey, today is Fleta's birthday - Happy Birthday Fleta.
Dad changed all that and we always had a special day for Mom on the 27th - it was never a day to take down the Christmas tree. So today my tree is shinning brightly since I awoke and this evening my cousin Susie is coming to visit and we shall all remember the lady we loved so much!