Happy 81st birthday Dad

Yes, today is my Dad's 81st birtday. We are taking him out to dinner (again....we already celebrated with some of the family on Friday and more on Saturday)tonight to celebrate.

Mom had her first injection for her macular degeneration treatment. She has a big patch over her eye, just as a precaution, and has to use drops several times a day. This is the first of 3 injections and then they will do a laser treatment again.

July 29th

After weeks of trying to log back into this blog, I have finally figured out what is going on, and can begin to post again, which should make several of my friends very happy.

The trip to South Carolina was wonderful (gosh, it has been a long time since the last post). Sean, my son, and Andrea, his girlfriend and I spent a total of 4 long days in the car together and came back still speaking to each other, and liking each other. She is a wonderful girl and so much fun. Sean had a great time showing off all the sights, and I had a great time just vegging on the screened in porch and visiting with my Kindred Spirits.

Got back late Saturday afternoon and had to put my Dad in the hospital on Sunday morning. Another bout of internal bleeding and anemia. After 3 days and 2 units of blood, he was a new man and was able to come home. He hasn't seemed to bounce back as well as normal, and I am worried about him. He has a hard time catching his breath and is very tired all the time. The doctors don't seem to know what is causing the shortness of breath and we are looking into that again this week.

Mom is having the unpleasant experience of having injections in her eye starting this week. She have been diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration. These injections will, hopefully, stop any further damage. Please pray for her.

I have been busy finishing up a quilt top, which I am entering in our guild's quilt show in October. It will be the first time I have entered anything in a show, so I am kind of excited. I am also volunteering at my church one morning a week as a receptionist. It is really great to finally be able to do some things like that. Also am involved in a Beth Moore Bible Study on the Book of Daniel. Wow, what a wild ride that has been.

I promise to try to do better with my postings. Keep an eye on the blog, you never know.

I am seeing more and more why I am back in Texas. I don't know what my family has done without me....Just Kidding! A couple of weeks ago, I was with my sister-in-law while my brother was in the hospital having Prostrate surgery. (Be sure to have all the over fifty guys in your life get tested.) Yes, Pete had cancer, and they removed the prostrate. We will know in 7 weeks if he will have to have chemo or radiation treatments. Please keep him in your prayers.

Over the weekend, I had the privilege to attend the Zephyr, Texas High School reunion/homecoming with my parents. Dad graduated from there 65 years ago. There were only 12 students in his class...only 3 of which were guys. The 3 guys were the only ones able to make this year's reunion. It was quite an experience, and a lot of fun. I don't think too many of us get to attend the 65th reunion of our parent's graduation.

This week, I am dog sitting for my sister Pam and her husband Jack. Jack's Dad passed away last Thursday and they had to fly to New Jersey. My 12 year old niece, Dani, and I are in Round Rock taking care of Nick, who is a large collie.

I will be home Wednesday evening, have Thursday to turn around and Sean, Andrea and I leave Friday morning for Edisto Beach, just outside of Charleston, SC. I can't wait to see all my great friends that have been so supportive of me for so many years. I know that the Charleston YaYa needs this time at the beach so much more than the rest of us....and the rest of us need time with her. It will be a great time of rest, relaxation and good times.

Another incredible gift

God has given me another incredible gift. My bestest friend, "Charlestonyaya" received news today that the masses on her liver are not cancer. This is fantastic news, because just last Friday morning the doctors were sure that the masses were hard and probably malignant. But, the power of prayer was at work and they were not the hard masses that were expected and are not cancerous. We just have to find out what is going on with her liver, but in the meantime she/we will have a wonderful week together at Edisto Beach in South Carolina. I am so excited to be given this wonderful news, and the gift of our time together. I have a lot to do in the next week to get ready, but that is ok.....

Mom, Dad and I are traveling to Brownwood, TX this weekend to attend the 60+ (I can't remember how many) reunion/homecoming for Dad's high school. There were only 13 in his graduating class because so many of the guys had already gone off to war. 4 years ago all 13 were still living. I think that is just amazing because I doubt many of us can say the same about our high school classes. I hope they are all there again this year.

The garden continues to grow and grow and grow. I picked the first tomato this morning. The squash that got squashed the other day are ok, and so is Mom....just a little black and blue.

What a wonderful gift I have been given by my very dear friend. She is the one who talked me into starting a blog, and then she had it designed for me. I just wish I lived closer to her, so that I could be there to help with all the "stuff" she is going through. She knows I will pick up and go, if she needs me.

This has been a crazy week. My brother was diagnosed with Prostrate cancer a couple of weeks ago. He had surgery on Wednesday, and I was able to be there for him and to help his wife. Being able to be there for my family is one of the many reasons I have moved back to Texas. In the meantime, my above mentioned friend was going through all these medical tests, and not knowing what was going on. I am so grateful for her tremendous faith, and the seeds she has sown to make my faith grow. This week was also the 15th anniversary of the death of my husband. A real roller coaster of emotions went by this week.

God is so good. I had not been back home for more than a short time when I received word that my Mom had fallen in the garden. (I was at Walmart getting my brother's prescriptions.) Thankfully, she only bruised her elbow and a couple of squash plants. I guess we need to keep her out of the garden.

So, you can see, that I have been putting the pieces together all week, and entwining them with my faith in God to protect us all.