[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: January 2017 A New Year Full of New Adventures #53833

Most of our ice melted off today; but still cold here. Jerry has gone to visit his Mom, and I feel badly about not going with him, but just didn’t want to get out in that cold today. We had a wonderful time with the family last night. I cooked what Neal asked for dinner, and he and Sarah really seemed to enjoy it. She went back in our bedroom and fed the baby before she left for work. She wasn’t back there too long; and I don’t think he was “full”; because he began to fuss right after she left, and he just doesn’t hardly ever do that unless he is hungry, and then he lets you know! He is growing so fast. He coos so much and you can actually see him trying to form words and sounds with his mouth. Gosh, I have really turned into one of those old ladies who goes on and on about her grandchild. Now all I need is one of those bumper stickers for my car that used to irritate me when I was young that said “ask me about my grandchild” in big letters. I could see worry and tiredness in Neals face, and in Sarahs’ so we just tried as best we could to assure them that when things in our life just seemed impossible to figure out that somehow whatever decision we made turned out allright and to try not to worry so much. I know, easier said than done, isn’t it?
So sorry you all are having sickness. Gosh, that whatever that you have contracted Adele sounds awful. I am glad your cold is doing some better, Gail, and if you can, just think about all of ladies being right there with you Colleen, when you have to see the doctor. I want to hear your stories of the broom and the buffalo again, and we have to get you all well so you can get back to chasing buffalo LOL I thought your story of having to literally pick up one of your puppy dogs and make him come inside from the freezing cold. Isn’t it something how some of them just don’t want to come inside and others have to be forced to go outside? But that was sweet that you were trying to protect him from the weather. Our three outside doggies all head for their dog houses on the porch before dark and don’t come back out until the sun is shining on the brick of the south side of the house. I always say I will not go through the hurt when we lose one by getting another, but we do. THey bring me comfort. Our cat just snuggles up between Jerry and my feet. You have a cat, don’t you Dianne? Ours in very spoiled, and a little on the chubby side, like me in the X size department. Speaking of clothes, did any of you see how expensive most of those LOGO pieces are? My DIL wears them, and they look so cute on her, but she if like a size 8. I am watching Amy Strand right now, and she just had a baby, and I think her whole body is smaller than one of my legs. But I sure do love to sparkle and decorate it as Jeanne would say. Gosh, I miss her, and her sense of humor. I love Angel and Patrick though. Sue you are so lucky to have met them. You are our celebrity!
Take care everyone. I hear Jerry raising the garage; so he will have lots of news, I’m sure. Please ask the good Lord to give me some extra strength as I face saying my goodbyes to Neal. There is just something about knowing your child is across town or across the country. We are going to miss him so much. I know he is a grown man and it makes me and Jerry so proud of his accomplishments and what a good husband and father he is, but this one really hurts. I tried so hard not to cry when he left last night; and was able to stay together until he was pulling down the drive. I know you all face some of the same hurts; so thanks for your understanding. Have a good evening. Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: January 2017 A New Year Full of New Adventures #53748

Just dropping in to say Hello to everyone. The snow is clearing off the main roads, but our backwoods country roads are still icy. I just won’t drive on them; but Jerry does. All those years of being an over the road truck driver and he has had to experience some really bad road conditions. I have spent many a day and night just terrified for him. I know he wishes he could just be healthy enough to still do this; but I am grateful to have him home instead of the other. He actually started to fall last night but I caught him. He was taking his pants off for bed and lost his balance, but I was right next to him and caught him. I know it scared him too. I have told him 1000 times to lean against the bed when he is taking his pants off, but you know men. I think he will be more careful now. He made me swear to secrecy and not tell any of the boys. So I will be watching him tonight and see if he really learned his lesson. I lectured him more than I should have afterward, but he needed it.
Spoke to Neal today. He said they will be staying in today since it is still so cold. I know he has missed his little family. He was sort of whispering so he told me Colin was asleep in his lap. What a precious time this is for him. They are coming over tomorrow night for dinner. Sarah has to work tomorrow night so she will go on to work from here and he and itty bit will stay and visit with us and Joey. You can bet I will be making lots of pictures. LOL
So sorry you have to go for more tests Colleen, but I am going to pray that this test will give the right doctor the answer you need to help you feel lots better. And go ahead and let Ron fuss at them for putting you through so much. Sometimes they need to hear that. It is so easy to forget how this is unless you are going through it yourself. I have always told my nurses to put themselves in the patients place and think of this (whatever they might be doing) as if they were the one it was being done to and how they would feel. Prayers coming your way.
Jerry just told me that we are out of eggs and he wants breakfast for dinner; so he is going to the store. Guess I better get off of here and see if we need anything else while he is there. Take care everyone, and will talk to you soon. Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: January 2017 A New Year Full of New Adventures #53731

We have snow here today. This is kind of rare for Tennessee, at least our part of the state. I know you ladies who see this a lot would laugh at all the confusion and running around these folks; including me; do at the first hint of a snow flake. LOL Sarah worked last night; but another nurse she works with lives in their same apartment complex, and Sarah rode with her to and from. Neal was worried; but they did fine. Neal kept Mr. Colin last night; this was his first night alone with the baby. Colin was a sweet boy, and only woke up once for a feeding and change. When we went out to dinner the other evening with her parents, I saw Neal kissing Colin and playing with his little feet. It was so sweet to see them finally together after these 3 months being apart. Neal was in Air Traffic Controller school; and his initial assigned airport is Napa. We have just made ourselves available for any time or anything they may need us for; and we knew he and Sarah would need time to really think about how they would be handling their move. Right now; according to Neal the plan is to have this container thing come to their apt. and they will store everything up in there except the absolute necessities, and it will be shipped to California as soon as they get and apartment. It takes Sarah about 6 weeks to get her nursing license ready to be used in CA. so she and the baby will stay here until that is ready and fly out there then. I am so happy for them. This is something that Neal is so interested in, and Jerry and I plan on having visits per this computer regularly. LOL Honestly, I just can’t wrap my mind or my heart around how much I know I will miss them; but he has worked so hard for this; and I have to be grateful for this opportunity for them, and make myself put on my brave face once again; for their sakes.
I have lots of the Thomas Piccone ornaments as well. It takes me SO long to put them back in their little indentations, but I just love them. They remind me of old times. I always laugh at me and Jerry trying to fit an ornament in the wrong hole. It seems like it should be so simple; but I thought it was just us. ha ha I remember once that Joan Rivers sold a metal tree that held her egg ornaments. I wanted it so badly for my eggs, but it sold out in a flash, and there was no wait list. I guess I should try to google it and see if someone has one for sale. I just love to see someone besides me in a Quacker shirt. It happens so rarely though. You would think as many of us as there is that you would see more people. One lady did quack at me once in Florida. I was thrilled. Little Colin loves my shirts. He is a real Quacker. The more sparkles the better for him. Bet your grands love them too.
I guess it is a good thing it doesn’t snow that often here, girl
s. Jerry stayed in bed until almost noon today. He woke up about 8, fed Auto Kitty, who promptly got back in bed and snuggled afterward (Auto Kitty, not Jerry) but Jerry did get back in bed with a big cup of coffee for him, hot chocolate for me, and his computer, and he played on his computer all morning. I got up and showered, put clean pj’s back on, and we all just snuggled in and watched the snow. I put a crock pot of soup on and later today will have some crusty bread and warm soup.
Hope you feel better soon, Colleen and Gail. Bless your heart, Colleen, I know you want to just open the front door and give this sickness a swift kick out the door and tell it to stay away! Gail, are you having problems with your sinus/respiratory issues now? Take care. A good remedy for chest congestion is deep breaths; so have Piper just do her little cute things, and her acts, and you will get lots of deep breaths laughing at her cuteness and that will keep your chest clear. I have meant to ask you Adele, how is Garys brother now? I know this must be so hard on Gary. I will be praying for all of you all, and for those in your families who are sick or having surgeries. So much going on with all our families.
Take care everyone. Keep warm. Barbara
Diane, you are young at heart; not sure how I get things so mixed up. ha ha But do love your pictures. They always make me smile.

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: January 2017 A New Year Full of New Adventures #53593

Hope you all are all well today and having a good day. Gloomy gray skies today; but no rain so far. You all make me feel like the Grinch about all your Christmas decorations. This was such an unusual time this year that all I put out was the porcelin tree with the lights on each tip like I had when I was a child that the Q sold in July; and my Christmas Angel on one side and the old time Santa statue with the deer and little forrest animals all around him that winds up and plays Christmas songs on the other side of the tree. So it only took just a few minutes to pack everything back in its boxes. Next Christmas; if the family can just all be together I plan on going all out; so I will make up for this year. Little Colin loved the lights shining on the tree. He is reaching out now and grasping at things. He is beginning to drool; so there is a little tooth hiding in there somewhere waiting for the right time to pop out. I know the children have so many people they want to be able to see or at the very least talk to before they make their move. Jerry and me are just playing it by ear and having them keep us in the loop as they can. I am hoping Sarah will take a travel nursing assignment for a few months; since the company she chooses to work for will provide them furnished housing; and most assignments are for 12-16 weeks, and that would give them a good amount of time to decide where they will want to live on a more permanent basis; and for her to decide which hospital she will want to be at if any. She said over here the other night that she is not sure she is even going to go back to work; but even though Jerry looked wide eyed at that statement; he kept his mouth shut which I have asked him to do; except to offer help when asked or to speak to Neal on things like driving conditions and what ever Neal might have questions about. And you are right Gail; this move will give Jerry and me a reason to go to California and add some adventure to our lives. I just have to get some doctor who I trust to tell me it is definitely okay for me to fly. They have been so wishy washy about this that it kept us from being at Buddys retirement, and that was so heartbreaking to miss this. I don’t know why no one will commit to a definitive answer but it is definitely something I want to know and I expect someone to have an answer. I feel like you do Colleen, just tell me for goodness sake. If I can’t fly then let me know so I can look for other means. I just know we don’t plan on going a year or more without seeing them.
I heard from Debbie as well, and was happy that I did. I really miss her, and the interesting stories she would share with us. But I know her health comes first, and if it hurts her to look down at the computer than she shouldn’t. It just made me feel so good to know she is okay and thinking of us. Did we ever figure out how long we have been chatting with one another? And now with Sue retired she has more time to visit, and Adele has so many great stories and DD with her wonderful pictures. I meant to ask you DD if you don’t mind, are you in your 20’s or so; since I think I am the oldie on here. If so; it is so nice to have a young in age perspective since all of us are definitely young at heart. Sarahs Mom told the waiter at the restaurant the other night that she isn’t “old” enough for senior citizen discount right after her husband asked for his if they honor it. I think she is about 55. So she is quite a bit younger than I am. I think back on how hard I was working when I was her age, and I am not ready to go back there. I enjoy my afternoon nap and a good book; which usually puts me right off into my nap. LOL By the was, I was given a Christmas treat from one of my neighbors and it was so good it is almost addictive. It only has 2 ingredients, a box of graham cracker little squares cereal and melted bag of white chocolate. You mix the two together, let it cool, and break it into bite sized pieces. It was SO good, I just couldn’t believe it. I had to give it away to Joey because I found my hand constantly in that plastic candy/cookie bucket she had brought it in. So I think your grands would like it.
I know I am in a sappy kind of mood with all the changes in our lives taking place right now; but I just want to take the opportunity to thank each and every one of you for being so supportive, encouraging, and kind to me over these years that we have been talking to one another. There have been so many times that your words have meant more than I could ever say, and even though I have never had the privilege to meet you all in person, I have felt the love and sincerity across the miles. I have cried with you, laughed with you, and shared your lives through your words. One of the greatest lessons I learned from the stroke was how fragile our time can be; and how I want to make sure that I let people who are important in my life know how important they are to me. So, thank you all for being you and being my true friends. From my heart, Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: January 2017 A New Year Full of New Adventures #53534

Hello everyone. Warm here today with storm warnings out and raining. This has been such an unusual winter; but at this point in our life, it’s kind of like normal. Have news for you all. Neal did pass his school; which is a blessing since it was SO hard; but then the other news is this means he has to go wherever he is assigned and that is Napa California. They only give him until January 20th to be there to start work on the 22nd. He drove home on New Years Eve and as of right now we have absolutely no idea what day they will be leaving, but it will be very soon. So we need prayers for their safe trip and that we will all face these new changes in our lives. Sarahs parents and Jerry and me and Lisa went out to dinner with them last night to Shogun resturant where they cook the meal at this big hot stove like thing in the middle of where you are sitting, and do tricks with the knives they are using and such. We had a wonderful time, but it was all I could do to hold it together. Joey had to work. He is going over to their apartment tonight. I know he has already volunteered to drive with Neal or to drive Sarahs car to help him. So many decisions for them to make; and so little time to do it. They seem like they are going to break the lease on their apartment; and all go together. Of course, Jerry and I are beside ourselves with worry for them to be moving across country in the middle of the winter. Jerry has asked me to please hold it together as much as I possibly can for Neals sake; since we both know he really doesn’t want to live so far away from all of us and she from all of her family. And I can’t even begin to talk about how much we will miss our little Colin. He was just so sweet this weekend, and I just cuddled and snuggled with him as much as I could. I know I have so much to be grateful for but my heart is breaking. So girls, these next few weeks will be difficult and we need all the good thoughts coming our way to help our son and his little family, and help us to do as we need to do.
Well, I hope you all are doing well, and Gail hope you are feeling better. Let’s all do the best we can to make our new year a healthy good year for us all. Take care my good friends. Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: It's December! Happy Holidays Everyone! #53291

Hello fun and faithful friends! Who else can I say would wait on this ole’ country girl to finally get around to writing to you all. Have SO much to tell you all; but will do it in pieces, or your heads would be spinning. I will start by saying, we all are okay. We did have one fall from Maw Maw; but she is okay/had a small cut above her eye and by the next day her right knee was swollen; so we got it x-rayed; and it was good. They have a mobile service that comes out there and does the xray. She was on her way out of the bathroom and she fell. One of the aides was with her, but she was giving her some privacy and getting her clothes ready for the day, and thats when she fell. We wanted to have her for Christmas; but that didn’t work out since her knee was swollen. Sure hope all of you all had wonderful holidays. We ate steak from the grill that day since it was about 70 that day and that is what Joey said he really wanted. Did I tell you all that Lisa came with him? Well, everything went fine. I had ordered her some PJ’s so that was good. She had gotten Joey some kind of Play Station thing and he loved it. He had gotten her a beautiful tri-colored gold necklace. It just sparkled. I thought it was beautiful. He came up the next day and asked to talk to me and Jerry. He told us that he was wondering how we would feel if he and Lisa moved in together? He said he loves her, and they have been doing so good together. He told us that he is scared of not doing the right thing, but he is just as scared of looking up one day and realizing that Lisa really is the true love of his life. We just sat and listened; which is SO hard for Jerry but I have begged him to just let him talk if he ever comes to us about them. So, we said son, this is completely your decision, and you should follow your head and your heart, and we support his decision. He said to us that this feels like the right thing to do, so since then it is like none of these YEARS of worry and confusion has just gone poof. And so far; so good. So pray for them that this will bring them the peace and love they have searched for and waste no more of their lives.
Neal finished his school today, and passed, thankfully. He was so worried last night; because they test for 3 days, and he didn’t do very well on one part of it, and it could keep him from getting the job if he did one more thing wrong. Now we have to find out where they will be assigned to. It could be anywhere in the US. But he has worked so hard; it would have devasted him if he had not made it through there. So our prayers were answered there. The downside is of course, we will have little Colin moving off away from us. I don’t even have to tell you all how hard this is; but this is a time when I know that I have to do what is right for our son since he is doing what is right for his family. I will catch you all up on our time while he has been away another day. You all know that is a story all in itself.
Sure hope you all have been well. There is so much flu and bronchitis going around here. I did see that you had tests done, Colleen. I am so sorry you had that panic attack in the machine. You have endured so much. Prayers for you and better health in the new year. Gail, is your foot aching more in this cold weather, and your knee and back, Adele? I know poor Jerrys back surely does.
Did you all get the new Dreamjeannes? I got a pair in black. I really wanted to get the white, too for summer, but got Jerrys Mom a pair in medium denim. I know she will love them. She wears a small. Everytime I order something for me and her in the same order; I know the people there think I have messed up with the sizes being so different, hers a small and mine, shall we say, X marks the spot. LOL When I hold hers up next to mine its like the size of one of the legs of mine. I had a friend that I haven;t heard from in years send me a card this Christmas, and I was commenting to Jerry how nice it was to hear from her, and the only thing inside was a photo of her and her husband showing her “new body” that looks like she has either lost about 200 pounds or had major gastric bypass surgery in the last 5 years. No “how are you and Jerry, hope you all are doing good, just a glossy 4×6 of Merry Christmas from Kim and Larry and the date. If the date ever comes when I would be small, I would not stick my remade boobies out and put my hand on my new hip that was hidden away for years, and send it to someone fat.
Take care, everyone. I will be thinking of you all with the new year rolls in. It is our night to watch “Its a wonderful life” with Jimmy Stewart. We watch the ball drop, and go back to the movie. That is, if we are still awake. ha ha Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: It's December! Happy Holidays Everyone! #52743

Hello from the FREEZING state of Tenn. to the more frigid North, East, and Northwest. We are just like popcicles here. We had such bad storms, tornadoes all around us last night, but thankfully we made it through. I went to bed fully dressed again last night. Jerry laughs at me, but I keep my shoes, purse, medicines all right by the bed and stay dressed until the “all clear” is given. He was concerned too since we went from over 70 to down to 20 in the matter of just a few hours. I was so worried about you too Colleen, since I knew you were right in the path as well. Hope you all are all okay. Please take care on all that ice and snow. You are so right about how it is funny to see someone take a tumble, but you know that they will feel the effects for a while. Jerry and I help each other up steps and such. It is a real sight. I keep thinking of the old saying I’ve heard for years “the blind leading the blind” and think that people must be saying, I don’t know what is wrong with those two but I hope we don’t catch it. LOL
I am trying to finish boxing the out of town gifts today, that should have been sent last week, but we had such a busy week. Each day brought something we had not planned on, and we just kept getting further and further behind. I think it is sweet that Piper wanted macaroni and cheese for her birthday. She is so sweet. That is one thing I just love about children; you just never know what to expect.
Sarah called us Friday night and asked us to come watch Colin for “two hours” from 9-11 am the next morning after she got home from work. I asked her to please let me keep him all night and then we could let her come in from work (you know they still have the apartment upstairs) and sleep and we could keep him down here with us and let her rest, but she said no, that he has to sleep in his own bed and her Mother will be spending the night with him. So, I put my best face on that I could, and said we would love to be with him and would see them at 9 in the morning. It is SO hard for Jerry to be showered, dressed, and going before about 10 at the earliest, his poor back has to have some time to get going, but he got up while I was in the shower trying to let him rest as long as I could, and started shaving and got ready. He was really hurting by the time we got home, but he said there was no way he was going to have me driving those 35 miles to her apartment with the storms being predicted, and how I don’t see good when I am driving in the rain, so he went and helped me. It was raining pretty hard by the time we left; so I am glad he went with me, but it hurt him so much. We had such a wonderful time with Colin. I love him more than words can say. He just laughed and laughed and talked to us. I feel so bad for Neal that he has had to miss such a wonderful time of watching him grow these 3 months, but Neal will be home in a little over 2 weeks, and then we will see where they will be moving too. I am like Scarlett in Gone with the Wind, “I will think about that tomorrow”. I bet all you little and not so little grands are anxious for the big day. The little children in stores here are so excited. They just run from toy to toy.
I went by the butcher shop and bought a ton of huge soup bones for our puppy dogs to chew on and help keep them warm. I have some cooking right now. He left quite a bit of meat on them. All of our outside doggies can eat the big soup bones. Auto Kitty has his preference of what he wlll and will not eat. Speaking of him, he is right in front of the wood stove just sleeping away. I have on my muk luks and he is right in front of the warmth.
Do you all have anything special you are hoping for this year? Colleen, Ron is just like Jerry getting you that spagetti thing. Just what we need, something else to sit on a shelf. I hope you do get a kitchenaide mixer. I don’t have one, but would love one. I have dropped so many hints. Jerry has this saying “just go get whatever you want and say that is my present to you” and even though it makes so much sense, because he is usually not very good at picking out something I would like, it just takes the surprise element out of it, and so this year, so far, I don’t have anything “from him to me” . I see things I like but then by the time I have thought of all the other things for the family, I have forgotten about me. But poor Jerry won’t have too much to brag about this year. So far; all I have for him is tee shirts, and those bare naked underwear they sell at Deluth Trading company. I am like you ladies, I get so sick of seeing that couple in those two bath tubs out in the middle of no where advertizing the Magic Pill. All I thought of was, how did they get warm water in those tubs to keep those people from getting so cold? Now isn’t that romantic? LOL
Well, will have to get busy in spite of the fact a nap is calling my name. I have a pot of soup on the stove and need to make some warm bread to go with it. I am hungry for some cookies or something sweet; so will have to figure that one out as I go along. Take care everyone, be careful, try to stay warm, and we’ll talk soon. Happy Holidays to all. Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: It's December! Happy Holidays Everyone! #52512

So good to hear from everyone. It sounds like you all are really busy in the Christmas/Hannakah spirit. I know from watching the weather that all of us are getting the craziest weather, and now we are in line for the “polar vortex” or whatever that term they used that meant to me that it is going to be absolutely freezing here and all over. Gail, I can just imagine you and Greg putting up your ornaments and was thinking the whole time of Currier and Ives. I am such a slush puppy when it comes to things like that. I love the idea of sitting in our library with the crackling fire and the cider and good friends. Then I think of the Smiths’ little Charlie Brown tree, and how no one can seem to locate or remember where they put the decorations. LOL And the finger pointing that follows is epic. Finally someone locates the missing ornaments and treasures from Christmas pasts of little cut out from construction paper angels, and trees with the glue and cotton balls and glitter still holding on somehow. I love those most of all. I know you all have special decorations that you have had for years and mean so much to you all too. Paw Paw Smith gave me a globe with geese and glitter like snow that is a music globe, years ago, and I pack that away each year so carefully. I love to play the music and think of him each year. So, I wish all of you the happiest of holidays this year, and you all make some of the happiest memories you have ever made this year. Dianne, I hope you are able to visit with your good friends this year, and the weather co-operates for you. Sounds like a good day that you have planned.
Adele, I think you and Gail have touched on a vital point about Joey and Lisa. I really have not thought through all of this, that mabey, just mabey, Joey IS still in love with Lisa and she with him, and the puppy dogs are just part of her plan to HAVE to come back out here and though her persistance, she will somehow, someway pull him back into her life where she feels he should be. I cannot think of any other reason that she would hold on for so long to what she would have to see is not right. I sat Jerry down just a couple of days ago, and had this very conversation with him. I do know this, love will propel a person to do things that other people say what and why about. So I have just prayed that God would lead them in the right direction and do the right thing for them. So I asked Jerry to just , as hard as it might be for him, to say to BOTH of them when he sees them, how much faith he has in them to know what they need to do, and for us to remember to treat them as the adults they both are, even when they may be making a mistake, and that unless it is heaven forbid, life threathening, to let them learn and grow in their own way. So wish us the best on this.
Sarah and the baby had a great time at the party the other night. She said that everyone just loved the baby. I know it made Neal so proud to know that his job that he had to leave to go to this training, still want his little family to come and enjoy the holidays with them. I love the company Neal worked with. Sarah won’t be able to go to Oklahoma for Christmas; so we will just have their little holiday here when Neal gets home. He has big tests right after Christmas; so he will be studying a lot.
Take care everyone, and bundle up. Will talk soon. I have to go put my Muklucks on. My feet are freezing! Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: It's December! Happy Holidays Everyone! #52333

It is SO cold here today. I feel sort of bad to complain since I know that you all face really cold in your areas. Lisa is here today. Jerry and I saw her out back by the pond with all the dogs; playing with them for about two hours. We never saw Joey. I feel that sometimes she is using this doggie as her excuse to have to be here. Joey has offered to find him a really good home with the blood hound society people; but no way from Lisa. Are you all ever faced with a problem that no matter what you think to do it is immediately blocked. Again, I really think this is all part of a “bigger plan” for this goal she has set up. On it goes.
I called Sarah last night to check on her and the baby. I was thinking he had to get his 4 month shots yesterday; but when she called me back today she said it is next week. She also said the air ambulance folks have called and asked her and the baby to a Christmas party they are having at the zoo tomorrow night. She was worried about taking the baby out in this cold; but I said I would check with the baby doctor if she is really concerned, but I know she could bundle him up really well, and leave if she felt he was getting too cold. I know she wants to go, and I offered to keep him so she could go, but she said no, she knows the people want to see the baby. Neal reminded us today that is almost certain that he will not be stationed in Memphis when he finishes his school; but we just keep reassuring him that as much as we love and would miss them so much, that we know he is doing what he feels is best for his family, and we are proud of him for this. I am really having a hard time with this, but I know in my heart that I don’t want to give him something to worry about since he already has so much on his plate right now. I just have to make myself keep my emotions in check, and put on my “brave” face. Jerry said he is proud of me so I guess it is working.
Colleen, I like your idea of just gathering them all up in one room and bopping them on the head and telling them to straighten up. LOL I did order Neal some Honey Baked Ham and sides today to have sent to him for Christmas; and I will be sending him a package of cookies he loves, and some homemade fudge. So that should help feel a little more like home to him.
Girls, I have been SO sleepy everyday around 3 o’clock. Our kitty cat has been waking us up every morning around 5 to be fed, and by the time I get back to bed, go to the bathroom, take a drink of OJ and some medicine for achy bones; I am awake. I lie there for a couple of hours then drift back off until about 8 something. Jerry has decided we need a new bed. Do you all have any recommendations? We have a Nautilus that we bought several years ago, but I think it is just getting too old. It is one of those you adjust the air coils on each side individually. We invested a lot in it at the time.
Jerry and I are going to his Mom’s Christmas party at the home this week, and then the next day we are driving to Jackson Tn to meet his brother and our SIL for lunch. Then the next day, we go to the doctor for our check up. So we have a pretty full week. Oh, then we have packages to mail off. I bet you all have lots to do too. I know your grands must be getting so excited for Santa to make his appearance. I love the look on their faces. Any special toys of their wish lists for this year? I decided to start a tradition of getting Collin a new ornament each year and writing a little message on it from Jerry and me on it. Hopefully he will save them and keep them to remember us by as years go by. I surely do love that little fellow. He smells so sweet and I love to hold him up close to me and just feel his little body up against me. Guess I better close for now. Thank you all for your prayers. That means so much to me. Take care and have a wonderful Sunday. Hugs, Barbara

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