What a Day this Saturday has been!

We came back from the camper on Thursday because of severe storm warnings and I have no desire to be in a tin can if a tornado passes through!
Our Cindy is taking her Missouri Praxis test today and Kris is taking a huge auditor/computer tech test ~ so we had Sam last night to spend the night.
Cindy had punched in the wrong code for the test when she signed up, then had to wait and see if she could get into the test this afternoon on stand by. Kris took his 5 hour tests and came away very discouraged - he had been given the wrong practice information from his company.
Next - I went to Tanner's T Ball game with Sam trying to show him how much fun his cousin was having - then Tanner (age 4) was catching and got hit in the nose with a bat. To say the least, there was blood everywhere and Tanner was screaming in pain. Bottom line, Tanner's nose was x-rayed at the emergency room and it is not broken. Sam basically says right now when asked if he wants to play T Ball - NO Thanks!

Anna Mae and Her Arrowheads:

I finally figured out how to post pictures again - HOORAY!
Below is a photo of Anna Mae showing Mike some of her collection and explaining where she got each and every arrowhead. She is 78 years young and this Sunday we are going down to the Methodist College in Fayette, Mo and view her art exhibit at the college library.
Actually, I have adopted Anna Mae as my Mother now - she is just the most gracious, enthusiastic little person you would ever want to meet and she is as much of a "spit-fire" as my Mother use to be. Mom and Anna Mae would have been great friends.

Today is finally the last day of School!

Today I finished my last day as a long term-sub in 1st Grade. It actually was fun and I had a wonderful class. I just hated coming back from the camper to finish 3 hours this morning to make up for a snow day.
Sam lost his third tooth yesterday and he was all smiles for his last day of Kindergarten. No surprise, he has "mastered" all his Kindergarten objectives and was marked for being above grade level in Math and Reading - wonder what he would have accomplished if he had had a teacher that was willing to work with him. We survived his Kindergarten year and we have certainly put in a request for a better match for him for 1st Grade.
Happy Summer Break Sam, Paxton and Tanner~ I look forward to being with my grandsons and having a wonderful summer.

Sam is now a 1st Grader

America Needs a Sigh of Relief:

I had an outstanding Saturday afternoon - I went to hear Obama speak in KC yesterday. He is a charismatic speaker and one of the most profound things he said was - "America will sigh with relief when this man leaves the Presidency of America." If he is our candidate, I certainly won't have any problem voting for him - WOW. Edwards is still my first choice - we will certainly see how all this plays out.
Happy Mother's Day to each and every one of you!

Following in the foot steps:

I have taken up a new meaningful task that I think would make Grandma, Mom and Aunt Winnie proud. I have always enjoyed doing some simple craft sewing like cross stitch and applique - but here at this age I have taken up a new hobby. I have learned to do basic knitting and am now part of a small group at church called "Threads of Love". We are making prayer shawl's for those that are facing illness in our congregation and altho' mine may take a while to complete, it is one of the most satisfying things I have done in a long while. Today our Pastor blessed our work - no matter what the stage of our shawl. I think this is going to be a wonderful ministry.

I'm feeling my age:

I just thought I would post and let you all know that I am once again doing a long-term subbing job in 1st grade ~ thus the title, "I'm really feeling my age!"
Not sure when I will post in the near future, but I read all my cousin's blog's each day - you all keep me connected. I love each of you!

A Fun Day Planned:

We have been invited to lunch today to visit a dear friend and her husband. We are so honored to be asked to join them for lunch in their home because there is an added special bonus. The wife, 83 years young, has collected arrowheads her entire married life of 60 years and she is going to share her findings with us. Most of her valued collection is on loan to the Arrowrock Historical Society in Arrowrock Missouri - however her prized possessions are in her home. Mike is so excited he can hardly contain himself - he loves history so, and Missouri Native American History is a bonus plus!

Tonight My Man Spoke:

I hope each and everyone of you heard my candidate, John Edwards, speak on 60 minutes. Elizabeth was at his side and they spoke about the cancer and why they will continue to run for the Presidency of the great country. Together they have a message that I believe this bruised nation neeeds to hear. I pray for their strength, healing and courage!

Just Take My Word for it:

You will just have to take my word that spring is beginning to spring in KC!
Today it is 74 degrees outside and I have been working all day in the yard to clear away all the winter limb and sweet gum droppings ~ it has been wonderful.
Many birds have returned - I can't wait for the finches. I know the finches will be down at the camper when we go to open it up this weekend.
You have to take my word for all this ~ I have found posting pictures to be difficult and I just can't seem to get r' done!

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!