THE PHOTO SHOOT!

LAST NIGHT WE DID THE PHOTO SHOOT FOR THE "COMMIT FOR LIFE" BLOOD DRIVE CAMPAIGN! I WAS NERVOUS ALL DAY FOR SEVERAL REASONS, ONE, ACTUALLY HAVING TO FACE THE FACT THAT BOBBIE JO WOULD NOT BE PRESENT WITH THE FAMILY. I AM SURE SHE WAS THERE IN SPIRIT, BUT IT WAS SO HARD FOR ME TO KEEP A CHEERFUL DEMEANOR-I HAVE BECOME QUITE GOOD AT THAT NEVERTHELESS. I GOT UP EARLY AND WENT TO MY FAVORITE HAIRDRESSER AND ASKED HER TO HELP ME WITH A REALLY NICE STYLE. SHE MADE THE APPOINTMENT FOR 2:00 PM, SO I WENT BACK THEN. ALL DAY, I THOUGHT ABOUT BOBBIE'S MARTIN AND HOW HARD IT MUST BE FOR HIM TO HAVE TO FACE HER LOSS AS WELL. THE WHOLE FAMILY (EXCEPT FOR AARON'S FAMILY AS THEY ARE IN EL PASO, AND ROBBY AS HE COULD NOT GET OFF WORK) AND BOBBIE'S MARTIN WERE TO BE IN THE SHOOT. I WANTED TO LOOK ESPECIALLY NICE AS IT IS POSSIBLE THAT WE COULD BE ON A BILLBOARD, ON TV, IN A MAGAZINE OR IN A BROCHURE, AS WELL AS ON THE WALLS OF VARIOUS HOSPITALS. MY HAIRDRESSER DID MY HAIR IN AN UP-DO. IT WAS SO PRETTY, AND SURPRISING FOR ME TO ACTUALLY SEE MY HAIR LOOK SO GOOD. IT HAS GROWN PRETTY LONG, AND I WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE WITH LONG HAIR AFTER SEEING HOW NICE IT LOOKED LAST NIGHT. THE HAIRDRESSER IS VIETNAMESE, AND SHE IS SO CUTE. SHE ASKED WHAT I WANTED DONE, AND I TOLD HER TO DO SOMETHING FOR AN OLD LADY. THE GENTLEMAN IN THE CHAIR NEXT TO ME SAID, "OH? ARE YOU AN OLD LADY? IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE IT FROM HERE!" I LAUGHED AND TOLD HIM THANK YOU, BUT THIS IS WHAT 55 YEARS OLD LOOKS LIKE! THE HAIRDRESSER KEPT TELLING ME HOW HAPPY SHE WAS THAT I HAVE "BETTER" HAIR NOW, BECAUSE SHE WAS ALWAYS DOING WHAT SHE COULD TO MAKE MY THIN, SHORT HAIR HAVE MORE VOLUME. SHE CHATTERED AWAY AS SHE WAS CURLING AND TEASING AND DOING ALL SORTS OF SPRAYING- IT HAS BEEN MANY YEARS SINCE SOMEONE DID THAT FOR ME! SHE WENT ON AND ON ABOUT HOW "BABY FINE" MY HAIR WAS-THEN, SHE TOLD ME SHE WAS DONE AND SHOWED ME WHAT MY LOVELY HAIR LOOKED LIKE. IT WAS SO PRETTY! I WENT TO TOUCH A CURL AND SHE SAID, "NO NO! YOUR HAIR TOO BABY FINE! I GIVE YOU 5 HOURS TOPS AND IT COME DOWN AGAIN! DON'T TOUCH HAIR!" WELL, IT ACTUALLY STAYED UP FOR SEVEN HOURS AND I HAD TO TAKE IT DOWN WITH LOTS OF EFFORT. I BET IT WOULD STILL HAVE BEEN "UP" NEXT YEAR IF I HAD NOT TAKEN IT DOWN. SHE REALLY HAD IT "FIXED". I MUST HAVE PULLED ABOUT 30 SMALL BOBBIE PINS OUT! THEN I HAD TO WASH IT AND CONDITION IT TO GET THE TANGLES. IT IS BACK TO "BABY FINE" BUT FOR AWHILE, I WAS A GLAMOR PUSS!
JESSICA AND THE BOYS, BECKY, BOBBIE'S MARTIN AND DAD AND I WERE THERE TO BE PHOTOGRAPHED. WE WENT INTO A PROFESSIONAL STUDIO ALONG WITH DRINKS, COOKIES, FRUIT AND A HUGE BOWL OF CANDY. THE BOYS WERE ENTRANCED! THEY WANTED SOME OF EVERYTHING! WE WERE ALL WEARING BLUE SHIRTS AND WE HAD THE LIME GREEN "LYMPHOMA AWARENESS" PINS ON THEM. BECKY WAS HAIR AND MAKEUP PERFECT WHEN WE GOT THERE AND SO WAS JESSICA, SO THEY DID NOT NEED TO SEE THE MAKE-UP ARTIST. THEY TOLD ME TO GO TO THE MAKEUP ARTIST, AND SHE SAID I ONLY NEEDED A LITTLE "TOUCH-UP" AND I TOLD HER SHE WAS BEING KIND. SHE POWDERED ME AND DID MY EYES, AND THEN LIP GLOSS. I FELT BEAUTIFUL. AS IT WAS, I HAD MY HAIR DONE AND ONE OF MY VERY BEST CHURCH OUTFITS ON. I ALSO HAD ON A STRAND OF PEARLS THAT MARTIN HAD GIVEN ME, AND I WAS SO GLAD, BUT I WILL TELL YOU WHY LATER. THEN, SHE "POWDERED" THE MEN TO TAKE THE GLARE FROM THEIR FACES, AND EVEN THE LITTLE BOYS. THEY ALSO HAD THIER HAIR DONE, (SPECIAL HAIR WAX TO KEEP THE ROOSTER TAILS DOWN)AND THEN WE WERE READY. FIRST, BECKY WAS DONE BY HERSELF. THEY TOOK QUITE A FEW SHOTS OF HER, AND WE FOUND OUT LATER THAT SHE IS GOING TO BE A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE BLOOD CENTER! THEY WILL USE HER PICS FOR THAT, AND FOR THE CAMPAIGN. THEN WE ALL GOT TOGETHER AND WHAT SHOULD HAVE TAKEN A FEW MOMENTS, TOOK QUITE A WHILE, AS THE LITTLE BOYS COULD NOT QUITE GET IT THAT THEY COULD NOT "STICK THEIR TONGUE OUT, WIGGLE, PICK THEIR NOSES, BLINK, MAKE FACES, SCRATCH, OR LOOK BEHIND" THEM. FINALLY, WE GOT A GOOD POSE AND PICTURE. JAYBIRD HELD A LOVELY PICTURE OF HIS MAMA FOR THE SHOOT, AND THE SECOND ROUND OF PICS FEATURED HIM IN THE MIDDLE WITH THE PICTURE OF BOBBIE JO. THEN, THE PHOTOGRAPHER PRONOUNCED US DONE, AND WE DISBANDED, THE BOYS TO EAT SOME MORE GOODIES, AND THE MEN TO GET THE POWDER OFF OF THEIR FACES. BUT, BEFORE MY MARTIN COULD GET AWAY, I GRABBED HIS HAND AND ASKED THE PHOTOGRAPHER IF HE WOULD DO A FORMAL PIC OF MARTIN AND ME. THAT IS WHY I WAS SO GLAD THAT I HAD DRESSED UP FOR THE OCCASION. HE TOOK A COUPLE OF SHOTS OF US, AND SAID HE WAS PLEASED WITH THEM. THEY TOLD US THAT WE WOULD GET COPIES OF ALL OF THE PICS, ON A CD- AND I AM HOPING TO USE THE ONE OF MARTIN AND ME FOR THE FAMILY GALLERY OVER THE NEW FIREPLACE. THEN, WE EXCHANGED THANKS AND GRATITUDE TO THE CREW, AND OUT WE WENT. NOW, I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU ALL, BUT WHEN MY FAMILY FINISHES ANYTHING THAT WE ARE ALL TOGETHER FOR, THE SUBJECT OF DINNER ARISES. HOPEFUL FACES LOOKED TO DADDY, AND HE TOLD US TO CHOOSE A PLACE FOR DINNER. ROBBY JOINED US AND WE WENT TO A FAMILY RESTAURANT, WHERE EVERYONE, (BUT ME OF COURSE) ORDERED CHICKEN FRIED STEAKS, OR HAMBURGERS, ROAST BEEF OR PORKCHOPS, MASHED POTATOES, FRENCH FRIES, ROLLS, VEGETABLES AND ALL KINDS OF GOODIES. THANKS TO MY PROTEIN ALLERGIES, I HAD A "WONDERFUL" FRUIT PLATE. SPARKS FLEW FROM THE CUTLERY, AND EVERYONE HAD TO SHARE A BITE HERE AND THERE WITH EVERYONE ELSE. SOON, THE MOMENTUM SLOWED AS TUMMIES WERE GETTING FULL. THIS RESTAURANT REALLY PILES ON THE PORTIONS, SO THE PLATES STILL HAD LOTS OF FOOD ON THEM. WE THEN HAD THE DISCUSSION AS TO WHO WOULD TAKE THE LEFTOVERS FOR LUNCH THE NEXT DAY, AND TAKE-HOME BOXES WERE CUSTOM FILLED. I NOTICED THE GLEAM IN THE LITTLE BOY'S EYES, AND KNEW THAT I HAD TO ASK THE ULTIMATE QUESTION. "DESSERT?" THE ADULTS GROANED AND THE LITTLE BOYS NODDED VIGOROUSLY. THANKFULLY, WE GOT AWAY WITH TWO LARGE PIECES OF CAKE, WHICH SOON FOUND IT'S WAY INTO SEVERAL MOUTHS. IT IS FUNNY HOW YOU THINK YOU CANNOT EAT ANOTHER BITE, BUT WHEN A HUGE PIECE OF GERMAN CAKE IS SET BEFORE YOU, YOU FIND ROOM SOMEWHERE, EVEN IF FOR "JUST A TASTE". THEN, GRUNTING AND GROANING WITH FULL TUMMIES, WE PARTED TO FIND OUR WAY HOME IN THE DIFFERENT VEHICLES, EACH CUSTOM TAKE HOME BOX CAREFULLY TRANSPORTED. WHAT A WONDERFUL NIGHT IT WAS. HOW GRATEFUL I AM FOR MY FAMILY AND FOR BOBBIE'S MARTIN. I AM PLANNING A SIMILAR NIGHT IN THE NEAR FUTURE, WHEN BOBBIE JO'S HEADSTONE MARKER IS PLACED ON HER GRAVE. WE WILL ALL GATHER AT HER GRAVE TO MARK THE OCCASION AND THEN OF COURSE, WILL ALL GO FOR DINNER. AT LEAST I HAVE TIME TO SAVE FOR THAT, BUT I WILL LOVE SAVING EVERY PENNY. OUR MOST SPECIAL TIMES TOGETHER SEEM TO REVOLVE AROUND A HEARTY MEAL. WELL, AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED, THE MORE THE MERRIER! BETWEEN NOW AND THE END OF THE YEAR, I HAVE TO PLAN FOR SEVERAL SPECIAL DAYS. ELI'S BAPTISM IN SEPTEMBER, THE WHOLE FAMILY INCLUDING AARON'S FAMILY WILL BE HERE. LIBBY'S BABY SHOWER AT THE END OF AUGUST, AND THEN THE BIG DAY OF THE BIRTH AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER. THEN, THE NEW BABY'S BLESSING DAY, (WE ALWAYS PULL OUT ALL THE STOPS FOR BLESSING DAYS) AND BY THEN, BOBBIE JO'S GRAVE MARKER WILL BE IN PLACE AND THAT WILL BE A SPECIAL DAY AS WELL. ALL OF THIS IS IN ADDITION TO HALLOWEEN, THANKSGIVING (IN MY NEW DINING ROOM) AND CHRISTMAS! HOW HAPPY I AM TO HAVE SO MUCH TO LOOK FORWARD TO. AND YOU DO TOO, AS I WILL CHRONICLE EACH EVENT FOR ALL OF YOU! BY THE WAY, MORE AND MORE, I AM BEING ENCOURAGED TO WRITE MY BOOK ABOUT THE EVENTS OF MY LIFE, (SEEMS THAT MANY FEEL I HAVE SOMETHING TO WRITE ABOUT) AND SO I WILL GET STARTED ON THAT AS WELL. I AM GOING TO USE THE WRITINGS FROM THIS BLOG, SO, IN A WAY, I HAVE ALREADY STARTED AWHILE AGO. I WILL KEEP YOU INFORMED, AND I LOVE YOU ALL! LOVE, NANASEE

FEEDING MISSIONARIES

I LOVE TO FEED MISSIONARIES. WE HAVE MANY MISSIONARIES IN OUR CHURCH, YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN WHO PAY THEIR OWN WAY TO SERVE FOR TWO YEARS TEACHING THE GOSPEL AND OFFERING HELP TO THOSE IN NEED. THESE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE JUST AVERAGE, COMING FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE. BECAUSE OF TWO MISSIONARIES AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH, I HAVE A LIFE THAT I COULD ONLY HAVE DREAMED OF.
NOW, WHY DO I LOVE TO FEED THEM? I GUESS I SEE AN OPPORTUNITY TO EASE THE WAY OF THESE YOUNG FOLK THAT DEDICATE ALL OF THEIR TIME TO HEAVENLY FATHER IN A PERIOD OF LIFE THAT IS USUALLY SPENT IN THE FIRST OF COLLEGE YEARS. THEY PUT THEIR LIFE ON HOLD AND GO OUT INTO THE WORLD WITHOUT EARNING ANY MONEY AND LEAVING THEIR FAMILIES. IT IS AN HONOR TO HAVE THEM IN MY HOME. THEY ARE ALL POLITE AND GRATEFUL FOR AN HOUR A WEEK TO SPEND TIME WITH EACH OTHER AND A SIMPLE MEAL. I LOVE TO FEEL THE SPIRIT OF THEIR DEDICATION AND LOVE FOR THE LORD.
I HAVE BEEN FEEDING MISSIONARIES FOR 34 YEARS. I HAD A GOOD RECORD OF ALMOST NEVER MISSING A WEEK, UNTIL I WAS ILL AND IT WAS HARDER AND THEN THE HURRICANE TOOK THE HOUSE AND I HAD NO PLACE TO SERVE THEM. BUT, I AM HOME NOW, AND EXCITED TO START OVER; FEEDING MISSIONARIES.
I HAVE SO MANY WONDERFUL STORIES OF MISSIONARIES THAT I HAVE MET OVER THE YEARS. SOME, I STILL KEEP IN TOUCH WITH. USUALLY THEY GO HOME AFTER THEIR MISSION AND FALL IN LOVE AND MARRY. THEY HAVE CHILDREN AND A CAREER. THEY PROBABLY FORGET ABOUT THE SMALL TIME THEY WERE HERE AND THAT IS OKAY. BUT OTHERS KEEP THE LIGHT OF FRIENDSHIP GLOWING AND MAKE AN EFFORT TO CALL AND WRITE AND TELL ME OF THEIR PROGRESS IN LIFE. THESE FRIENDSHIPS ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO ME.
I RECALL ONE YOUNG MAN, WHO WAS SO VERY CLUMSY. HE TRULY DIDN'T MEAN TO BE, BUT BELIEVE ME, HE WAS. WHILE I KNEW HIM AND HE HAD DINNERS WITH US, I LOST LAMPS, DISHES, A WINDOW AND A SCREEN DUE TO THE FACT THAT HE BROKE THEM. I DIDN'T WANT TO BE RUDE AND TELL HIM TO JUST SIT ON THE COUCH, BUT I WAS AFRAID TO LET HIM LOOSE AS I COULD NOT AFFORD TOO MUCH MORE OF HIS ENTHUSIASM. HE LOVED TO HELP WITH DINNER. TO MAKE THINGS EASIER, I WOULD HAVE EVERYTHING DONE BEFORE HE ARRIVED, SO ALL HE HAD TO DO WAS SIT DOWN AND EAT. ONE EVENING, I WASN'T QUITE DONE WITH DINNER WHEN THIS YOUNG MAN ARRIVED. HE JUMPED IN ASKING WHAT HE COULD DO TO HELP. I GOT THE PERFECT IDEA. AT THAT TIME IN MY LIFE, I WAS FREEZING ICE IN GALLON MILK JUGS, AND WOULD BREAK UP THE ICE AS I NEEDED IT. I GAVE HIM A LARGE WRENCH AND A GALLON OF ICE AND TOLD HIM TO GO AT IT. I MEAN, WHAT COULD GO WRONG? FAMOUS LAST WORDS! AS I WENT INTO THE OTHER ROOM TO SET THE LITTLE TABLE, I HEARD HIM POUNDING ON THE ICE. SUDDENLY, I HEARD A MELODIC "CHINK". UH-OH, THIS DID NOT SOUND GOOD! I WALKED INTO THE KITCHEN, AND SAW HIS FACE WHITE AND SCARED. "I'M SORRY SISTER SEE, I DIDN'T MEAN TO DO IT! HE SAID, POINTING TO THE SINK. I COULD NOT BELIEVE THE SIGHT THAT GREETED ME! THERE, BEFORE MY DISBELIVING EYES, WAS A BOTTOMLESS SINK WITH THE DRAIN PIPE STANDING ALONE. THE MISSIONARY TOLD ME THAT HE DID NOT HIT THE SINK, BUT WHEN HE HIT THE ICE, THE BOTTOM OF THE SINK JUST FELL OUT. GREAT, NOW I HAVE NO SINK. HE FELT SO BAD, BUT I ASSURED HIM THAT I DID NOT BLAME HIM. MARTIN LATER TOLD ME THAT THE VIBRATIONS FROM SLAMMING A LARGE WRENCH AGAINST ANYTHING IN THE SINK WOULD HAVE BROKEN THE BOTTOM OUT. SO, AS USUAL, IT MUST HAVE BEEN MY FAULT! ANOTHER TIME, AFTER WE MOVED TO THE COUNTRY, WE HAD A MISSIONARY THAT LOVED TO PLAY PRANKS. HE IS THE ONE I WROTE ABOUT THAT LOVED TO TEASE THE ROOSTER. AS I TOLD YOU, MARTIN LOCKED HIM IN THE CHICKEN YARD AND THE ROOSTER GOT HIM REALLY GOOD. YOU WOULD THINK THAT HE WOULD HAVE LEARNED, BUT OH, NO-AND WE HAD ANOTHER INCIDENT THAT I WON'T FORGET. IT WAS HALLOWEEN AND THIS MISSIONARY WANTED TO SPOOK THE KIDS. HE DECIDED TO HIDE BACK IN THE CHICKEN YARD AND JUMP OUT AND SCARE THE KIDS WHEN THEY WENT BACK THERE. THAT SOUNDED OKAY TO ME, AFTER ALL IT WAS HALLOWEEN- AND SO HE AND HIS COMPANION MISSIONARY WENT BACK INTO THE CHICKEN YARD TO WAIT. IT WAS GETTING DARK AND PERFECT FOR A SCARY PRANK. BEFORE LONG, THE KIDS WERE DRESSED UP AND READY TO GO OUT TRICK OR TREATING. I TOLD THEM THAT I NEEDED SOME EGGS FOR IN THE MORNING, AND WOULD THEY GO AND GATHER THEM. I TOLD THEM ALL TO GO TO CUT THE CHORE SHORT. BEFORE THEY COULD GET OUT THERE, I NOTICED THE MISSIONARIES COMING BACK UP TO THE HOUSE. I WENT AND ASKED THEM WHY, AND THEY SAID THEY WERE COMING IN OUT OF THE RAIN. I POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS NOT RAINING-AND THEY SAID, YES, IT WAS, THEY WERE GETTING RAINED ON UNDER THE TREE BRANCH WHERE THEY WERE HIDING. THEN I GOT A GOOD LOOK AT THEIR WHITE SHIRTS THAT WERE COVERED WITH SPLOTCHES OF SOMETHING. I REALIZED THAT THE "SOMETHING" WAS IN THEIR HAIR, ON THEIR SHIRTS, PANTS AND SHOES. WELL, I KNEW JUST EXACTLY WHERE THEY HAD BEEN HIDING. THEY HAD BEEN HIDING RIGHT UNDER THE BRANCHES WHERE THE CHICKENS LIKED TO ROOST! IT WAS NOT RAIN AT ALL, BUT CHICKEN DOODIE! CHICKEN DOODIE! I CRACKED UP, AND TOLD THEM THAT IT LOOKED LIKE THE PRANK WAS ON THEM! BEING CITY BOYS, I GUESS THEY DID NOT KNOW THAT YOU NEVER STAND UNDER A BUNCH OF ROOSTING CHICKENS- AT LEAST NOT IF YOU DON'T WANT TO BE COVERED! I HAD TO DRIVE THEM HOME, BUT I MADE THEM RIDE IN THE BED OF THE PICK-UP- I DIDN'T WANT TO SMELL THEM. THESE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE SO POLITE AND MANNERLY. ONE TIME I WAS TAKING A COUPLE OF MISSIONARIES TO THE BANK, AND WE WERE SITTING IN THE FRONT SEAT OF THE TRUCK. I LOOKED OVER AND SAW A LARGE BLACK ANT CRAWLING ON THE NECK OF THE ONE SEATED NEXT TO ME. I SMACKED IT SO THAT IT WOULD NOT BITE THE YOUNG MAN-BUT HE GASPED AND PUT HIS HEAD DOWN, WITH HIS FACE FLAMING RED. THE OTHER MISSIONARY ASKED WHY I HAD SLAPPED HIS PARTNER, AND I TOLD HIM ABOUT THE ANT. THE ONE I HAD SLAPPED MUMBLED, "OH, SISTER SEE, I THOUGHT THAT PERHAPS I WAS SITTING TOO CLOSE TO YOU!" GOOD GRIEF- POOR BOY, THOUGHT I SLAPPED HIM FOR GETTING FRESH! IT WAS FUNNY THOUGH. I GUESS I AM ON THIS TRAIN OF THOUGHT BECAUSE IT IS WEDNSDAY, AND WE HAD MISSIONARY LUNCH TODAY. I AM SO HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO FEED THEM AGAIN- AND I WILL TRY TO REMEMBER SOME MORE STORIES OF THE MANY YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN THAT HAVE PASSED THROUGH MY LIFE. TILL TOMORROW, LOVE, NANASEE

WHAT A CRAB-APPLE!

LETS SEE. IN THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS, WE HAVE HAD A FEW BUMPS IN THE ROAD. FIRST OF ALL, TWO DAYS AGO, BECKY WAS WASHING CLOTHES IN MY NEW WASHING MACHINE, AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. GOOD THING WE WERE HOME, WOULDN'T THAT BE WONDERFUL TO LOSE THE HOUSE TO FIRE AFTER WE WORKED AND WAITED ALMOST A YEAR TO GET BACK IN AFTER THE HURRICANE? THE REPAIR MAN CAME OUT AND IT WILL BE A WEEK BEFORE THE PART CAN BE PUT IN. IT WAS THE MAIN CONTROL BOARD THAT CAUGHT FIRE, SO THEY HAVE TO REPLACE IT. THANK GOODNESS FOR WARRANTIES. THEN, THE CATFISH GOT PAPA. HE IS A BIT CRABBY, BUT THEN I DON'T EXPECT ANY LESS; AFTER ALL HE IS A MAN. IT SEEMS THE KINDER I TRY TO BE, THE CRABBIER HE GETS. I THINK FROM NOW ON, UNTIL HE IS FEELING BETTER, I WILL JUST THROW THE FRESHLY POPPED BAG OF HOT, AROMATIC POPCORN TO HIM, INSTEAD OF LISTENING TO HIM COMPLAIN THAT "IT TOOK LONG ENOUGH" AND "I CAN'T EAT POPCORN WITHOUT AN ICY COKE YOU KNOW!" OH YES, THIS MORNING WHEN I ASKED WHAT I COULD FIX FOR HIS BREAKFAST, HE TOLD ME HE DIDN'T KNOW. SO I SUGGESTED EGGS, SAUSAGE, TOAST AND GRITS. HE SAID, "NO, JUST GET ME SOME CEREAL." I ASKED HIM IF HE WANTED FROSTED RICE KRISPIES OR CORN POPS AND HE TOLD ME THE RICE KRISPIES. I MADE A NICE BOWL OF CEREAL, BROUGHT COLD ORANGE JUICE AND SERVED IT TO HIM IN THE BEDROOM WHILE HE SAT IN HIS RECLINER WATCHING A HOUSE RENOVATION SHOW. I GAVE HIM HIS PILLS AND FED HIS DOG. THEN, I WENT AND TOOK THE DISHES BACK INTO THE KITCHEN AND MADE SURE HE HAD ENOUGH TO DRINK WHILE HE WATCHED TV. I HAD TO COOK FOR ROCKY, (HE IS OUR DOG ON A VERY SPECIAL DIET, AND SO I STARTED A BIG POT WITH GROUND CHICKEN, YOGURT, CARROTS, GARLIC, EGGS, BONE POWDER, COD LIVER OIL AND BREWERS YEAST. PEE-YEW! AREN'T I A GOOD WIFE? IS THERE ANY MORE I COULD DO FOR HIM? SO, WHEN OUR FRIEND RUSTY ASKED HOW HE WAS DOING, HE SNAPPED, "ALL I GOT FOR BREAKFAST WAS A LOUSY BOWL OF COLD CEREAL!" DID HE MENTION THAT I OFFERED TO MAKE HIS FAVORITE BREAKFAST? COOK FOR HIS DOG? WAIT ON HIM? NO, HE DID NOT! SO I SWEETLY SAID, "MARTIN, YOU GOT MORE THAN COLD CEREAL THIS MORNING, YOU GOT YOUR PILLS TOO!" AND I LEFT IT AT THAT. IT WON'T LAST LONG, THIS CRABBY INVALID MOOD OF HIS. LATER TODAY, WE WENT TO SAM'S CLUB TO HELP OUR FRIEND RUSTY GET SOME SHELVING THAT IS RATHER HEAVY. MARTIN WENT WITH US, AND REFUSED TO RIDE IN A CART. HE LEFT HIS CRUTCHES AT HOME. JUST LIKE A MAN! I HAD AN ALTERNATE REASON FOR GOING WITH THEM TO SAM'S, I FOUND A LOVELY SIDEBOARD TO MATCH MY NEW DINING ROOM SET AND I WANTED TO GET IT. MARTIN CRABBED AND CRABBED, AND REALLY HURT MY FEELINGS, AND I FINALLY HAD ENOUGH. I JUST LEFT HIM STANDING THERE IN FRONT OF THE FURNITURE AISLE- I WAS AFRAID I WAS GOING TO SAY SOMETHING UGLY TO HIM. SO, OFF I WENT TO FIND SOME RAISIN BREAD, AND JUST TAKE THE TOUR OF SAM'S. THE NEXT THING I NOTICE, IS MARTIN WHEELING THE SIDEBOARD DOWN THE AISLE LOOKING FOR ME. I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO THINK, SO I KEPT MY THOUGHTS TO MYSELF. IT TURNS OUT THAT WHILE MARTIN WAS STANDING NEXT TO THE SIDEBOARD WHILE I WALKED OFF, A LADY ASKED HIM IF HE WAS GOING TO BUY IT. SHE WENT ON AND TOLD HIM THAT SHE WANTED IT, BECAUSE SHE HAD SEEN THE SAME ONE AT ANOTHER FURNITURE STORE AND I COST 1500.00. THIS ONE ONLY COST 489.00 AND SHE WAS CHAMPING AT THE BIT TO GET IT AWAY FROM MARTIN. HE TOLD HER THAT HE WAS BUYING IT FOR ME, AND THEN HE LOADED IT UP TO CART IT OFF. WELL ALL I CAN SAY IS, GOD BLESS THAT POOR WOMAN. MARTIN CANNOT RESIST A BARGAIN ANYMORE THAN I CAN- AND IF THAT IS WHAT IT TAKES TO GET HIM TO SEE IT MY WAY, THEN GOOD! THE ONLY PROBLEM IS THAT THE SIDEBOARD IS HEAVY! MARTIN AND RUSTY WERE GRUNTING LIKE HOGS TRYING TO GET IT INTO THE HOUSE- AND ALL THE WHILE MARTIN WAS CARPING ABOUT HOW HE WAS HURT BY A CATFISH, AND LOOK AT HIM WRESTLING WITH A HEAVY PIECE OF FURNITURE. I ALMOST TOLD HIM WHERE HE COULD PUT THAT HEAVY PIECE OF FURNITURE, BUT IT LOOKS MUCH NICER WHERE I PUT IT! (I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE HAD MORE FUN SHOVING IT WHERE I WANTED TO TELL HIM TO SHOVE IT THOUGH). SO, THE DAY IS AT AN END, MARTIN IS SLOWLY RECOVERING FROM THE CATFISH, I CANNOT DO THE LAUNDRY, BUT I WILL BE ABLE TO IN A WEEK, AND I DO HAVE A REALLY LOVELY SIDEBOARD TO GRACE MY DINING ROOM AND SHOW OFF THE NEW CHINA. I GUESS THINGS ARE NOT SO BAD AFTER ALL! I AM GOING TO BE EXTRA NICE TO CRABBY, EVEN IF HE DOESN'T APPRECIATE IT. AFTER ALL, HOW OFTEN DOES A MAN SPEAR HIMSELF WITH A HUGE CATFISH? MORE TOMORROW, LOVE, NANASEE

THE FISH CAUGHT PAPA!

BEFORE I BEGIN TODAY, I WANT TO LET YOU ALL KNOW THAT I WON THE LOVELY CHINA SET ON EBAY THAT I WANTED SO BADLY. IT IS BEAUTIFUL AND I AM VERY EXCITED TO RECEIVE IT. IT WILL LOOK PERFECT IN MY CHINA HUTCH.
NOW, I HAVE A STORY FOR YOU. AS MOST OF YOU KNOW, PAPA LOVES TO FISH. HE GOES AT ANY OPPORTUNITY. I NEVER COMPLAIN, AS HE WORKS ALL THE TIME AND HAS FINALLY FINISHED THE HOUSE AFTER THE HURRICANE. I AM GLAD TO SEE THE SPARKLE IN HIS EYE WHEN HE IS HEADING OUT THE DOOR TO GO FISHING. I BELIEVE THAT IF FISH COULD LIVE IN THE TOILET, WE WOULD NEVER BE ABLE TO GET IN THE BATHROOM! PAPA IS A BRAVE FISHERMAN. HE CATCHES AND RELEASES SHARKS AND OTHER DANGEROUS FISH, HANDLES SPIKEY LIVE SHRIMP, (I ALWAYS GET POKED BY THEM) TAKES THE FISH OFF THE HOOKS FOR EVERYONE AND HANDLES THE STINGRAYS WHEN WE CATCH THEM. THEIR TAILS CAN DELIVER A TERRIBLE STING IF YOU ARE NOT CAREFUL, AND PAPA ALWAYS TELLS US TO STEP BACK AND HE WILL TAKE CARE OF THEM.
TODAY, PAPA GOT UP VERY EARLY, PICKED UP JAYBIRD AND HIS DAD OWEN AND HEADED OUT TO THE BAY IN THE BOAT. I NEVER WORRY ABOUT PAPA OR ANYONE WITH HIM WHEN HE IS FISHING, HE ALWAYS ADHERES TO THE RULES OF SAFETY RELIGIOUSLY. SO, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS GETTING TO BE AFTERNOON, I DIDN'T THINK MUCH ABOUT THE FISHERMEN STAYING OUT. THEN THE PHONE RANG. I WAS AT SAM'S CLUB AND WAS GLAD THAT PAPA WAS CALLING-I WANTED TO KNOW WHAT TO MAKE FOR SUPPER. HE DIDN'T SAY HELLO, JUST,"CALL THE DOCTOR AND GET ME IN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE." THAT REALLY SCARED ME, AND I BEGAN TO QUESTION HIM AS TO WHY HE NEEDED TO GO TO THE DOCTOR. WELL, IT SEEMS THAT HE HAD CAUGHT A HUGE CATFISH FROM THE BAY. WE DON'T KEEP BAY CATFISH, THEY EAT TRASH AND DON'T TASTE GOOD. PAPA ALWAYS THROWS THEM BACK, BUT TO GET A CATFISH OFF THE HOOK IS A TRICKY THING. FOR ONE THING, THEY HAVE A HUGE SPIKEY FIN ON THE TOP OF THEIR BACKS, AND IF THEY CAN, THEY WILL STAB YOU WITH IT. PAPA KNOWS HOW TO AVOID THE FIN, BUT AS HE WAS TRYING TO UNHOOK THE CATFISH, IT FLIPPED ITSELF, THE HOOK CAME OUT AND IT SLIPPED OUT OF PAPA'S HANDS. WHEN THE FISH FLIPPED AND PAPA DROPPED IT, IT LANDED UPSIDE DOWN ON THE TOP OF PAPA'S FOOT, AND THE LARGE FIN WENT RIGHT THROUGH PAPA'S SHOE AND CLEAR THROUGH HIS FOOT. THE FISH WAS TRAPPED AND WAS FLIPPING AND FLOPPING, PAPA WAS SHOUTING AND SWEARING, JARED WAS STARING AT THE SQUIRTING BLOOD AND OWEN SAID THAT HE TOOK THE DAY OFF TO FISH, NOT TO WORK! (OWEN IS AN EMT). PAPA REACHED DOWN, TOOK THE FISH BY IT'S BACK AND TOLD OWEN AND JAYBIRD THAT HE WAS GOING TO HAVE TO PULL IT OUT. SO, WITH A MIGHTY TWIST AND A YANK, HE PULLED THAT SQUIRMING SLIMEY HORROR OUT OF HIS FOOT AND WHILE CURSING A BLUE STREAK THREW IT AS FAR AS HE COULD BACK INTO THE BAY. BY NOW, THE BLOOD WAS REALLY GOING, AND EACH TIME HE MOVED HIS FOOT, IT WOULD GUSH MORE. NOW, DO YOU THINK THAT PAPA WOULD COME ON HOME AND GO TO THE HOSPITAL? OF COURSE NOT, AFTER ALL THE FISH WERE BITING, SO HE APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE HOLE, PROPPED HIS FOOT UP ON THE ICE COOLER AND WENT BACK TO FISHING. HIS FOOT KEPT BLEEDING, IT WAS GETTING ALL OVER THE BOAT, AND BOY HE GOT A MOUTHFUL FROM ME, I CAN TELL YOU. BUT, HE WAS SAFELY OUT OF MY REACH, AND SAID HE WOULD BE IN PRETTY SOON. FINALLY, OWEN DROVE HIM TO AN EMERGENCY CENTER WHERE THEY TOOK X-RAYS OF HIS FOOT AND CHECKED HIM OUT. POOR PAPA, CANNOT USE HIS FOOT FOR THE NEXT FIVE DAYS, IS ON CRUTCHES, GOT TWO SHOTS AND TWO ANTIBIOTICS AND WORSE OF ALL, CANNOT GO FISHING TOMORROW! I BET THAT CAT FISH HAS GOT A STORY OF HIS OWN TO TELL, HOW HE FOUGHT AND BEAT A HUMAN! I WILL HAVE TO WAIT ON PAPA FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS, HE IS SO SAD. I MEAN, HE WILL ACTUALLY HAVE TO MISS A FEW DAYS OF FISHING! SO, TOMORROW I WILL BAKE SOME COOKIES FOR PAPA, WATCH A FEW HOURS OF HOME REPAIR TV, THEN SOME WESTERNS AND DO MY BEST TO BE "CHEERFUL NURSE". PAPA IS PERFECT TO ME, BUT HE IS A ROTTEN PATIENT. I LOVE HIM ANYWAY, LOVE, NANASEE

SOMETIMES YOU JUST HAVE TO SHOW THEM

WELL, AS I EXCITEDLY REPORTED LAST POST, OUR LOVELY HOME IS PRETTY MUCH FINISHES. I HAVE A LOVELY DINING ROOM, WITH TABLE AND MATCHING HUTCH. MARTIN PUT IN A LOVELY PICTURE WINDOW AS WELL, AND A WOODEN FLOOR. IT IS PERFECT. PERFECT, EXCEPT FOR ONE THING; I HAVE NO CHINA FOR THE HUTCH. ORIGINALLY, I HAD PURCHASED FIESTAWARE TO USE IN THE DINING ROOM. MARTIN WARNED ME THAT IT WOULD BE TOO CASUAL FOR THE ROOM HE IMAGINED, BUT I COULD'N'T SEE IT THAT WAY AND BOUGHT A WHOLE SET FOR 10 OF VARIOUS COLORS WITH LOTS OF SERVEWARE. IT IS TRULY A BEAUTIFUL SET, BUT, MARTIN WAS RIGHT AND IT IS NOT SUITABLE FOR MY LOVELY DINING ROOM. WHAT TO DO?! I AM NOT REALLY A FORMAL CHINA SORT OF LADY, BUT I DECIDED TO LOOK AROUND TO SEE WHAT WAS AVAILABLE ON MY OLD FRIEND EBAY. I FOUND A FABULOUS SET, COMPLETE WITH EVERYTHING RIGHT DOWN TO THE CANDLESTICKS FOR THE COST OF 300.00. IT IS A LOVELY ANTIQUE ROSE PATTERN AND RIMMED IN GOLD. GOSH, I JUST LOVE IT! I SHOWED IT TO MARTIN, AND HIS RESPONSE WAS, "I DON'T LIKE IT". HE DIDN'T EVER REALLY LOOK AT IT! NOW HOLD ON MISTER, YOU DON'T HAVE TO LIKE IT, YOU WON'T EVEN NOTICE IT WHILE YOU ARE SCARFING TURKEY AND STUFFING ONCE A YEAR. HE SUGGESTED THAT I JUST GET A FEW PIECES TO "DISPLAY" AND FORGO THE RITUAL OF SETTING A NICE TABLE FOR HOLIDAYS. HE WAS SO BENEVOLENT IN HIS SUGGESTION, HE EVEN TOLD ME I COULD HAVE CHINET DISPOSABLE PLATES FROM NOW ON. THIS IS HUGE COMING FROM HIM, HE ALWAYS BUYS THE REALLY THIN CHEAP PAPER PLATES THAT YOU HAVE TO USE 3 AT A TIME SO THEY WON'T LEAK THROUGH. WELL BUDDY, SINCE I HAVE FINALLY CROSSED THE ROAD TO REAL CHINA, CHINET JUST WON'T DUE. HE HAD A SOLUTION. LETS GO SHOPPING FOR CHINA AND PICK OUT A PATTERN TOGETHER. OKAY, TODAY, WE DID JUST THAT. NO, I KNEW THAT HE HAD NO IDEA OF THE COST OF FINE CHINA, BUT I DECIDED TO STEP BACK AND LET HIM DISCOVER IT FOR HIMSELF. WE ONLY MADE ONE STOP, AT BED BATH AND BEYOND. I WISELY SUGGESTED THAT HE PICK OUT THE PATTERN, AS HE WAS SO WISE AT THESE THINGS. I WATCHED HIM PALE AS HE SAW THE PRICES FOR ONLY A PLACE SETTING. ABOUT THE FIFTH SETTING, HE STARTED TO BREAK A SWEAT. HE FURTIVELY GLANCED MY WAY, AND I SMILED WITH "GRATITUDE" AT HIS EFFORTS TO GRACIOUSLY FILL OUR CHINA HUTCH. HE FINALLY MADE THE ROUNDS AT THE STORE, AND CAME BACK TO WHERE I WAS VISITING WITH THE LADY THAT RUNS THE WEDDING REGISTER. "UH, SWEETIE, HOW MANY PLACE SETTINGS DO WE NEED?"HE ASKED. "OH, USUALLY YOU GET SETTINGS FOR TWELVE, BUT I ONLY WANT SETTINGS FOR EIGHT"I BRIGHTLY ANSWERED. THE LADY I WAS TALKING TO TOLD MARTIN HOW SPECIAL HE WAS TO TAKE THE TIME TO SHOP FOR CHINA. SHE WANTED TO KNOW IF HE HAD FOUND A PATTERN HE LIKED. NOW, AFTER 37 YEARS OF MARRIAGE TO MARTIN, I CAN READ HIM LIKE A BOOK, EVEN FROM BEHIND. THE HAIRS ON HIS HEAD WERE TWITCHING, AND THIS MEANS HE IS FINANCIALLY SHOCKED. HE MUMBLED SOMETHING ALONG THE LINES OF HE HAD NOT REALLY SEEN ANYTHING HE REALLY LIKED, MEANING, HE COULD NOT BELIEVE THE PRICES! TRULY, ONE PATTERN WAS 425.00 A PLACE SETTING! THE LADY ASKED IF I HAD A PATTERN IN MIND. I TOLD HER THAT I HAD FOUND A HAVILLAND MOSS ROSE SET THAT I REALLY LOVED. SHE TOLD ME IT WAS A RARE PATTERN, AND VERY EXPENSIVE. I TOLD HER IN FRONT OF MARTIN THAT THE SET WAS ONLY 300.00 AND SHE GASPED, "IF YOU DON'T WANT IT I WILL TAKE IT, NO, I WILL STEAL IT AT THAT PRICE!" MARTIN GAVE ME A LOOK THAT SAID, "MAYBE I HAVE SOMETHING HERE". I DECIDED HE HAD HAD ENOUGH, SO, TO GET HIM OFF THE HOOK, I LED HIM TO ANOTHER PART OF THE STORE SO HE COULD DECOMPRESS. HE SUGGESTED THAT WE LOOK AT THE CASUAL DINNERWEAR. "UH, NO, YOU ARE THE ONE WHO DEMANDED FORMAL CHINA" I REMINDED HIM. SO, I LED HIM FROM THE STORE, A BROKEN AND FRIGHTENED MAN. I LET HIM STEW FOR JUST A MOMENT MORE. AND GENTLY REMINDED HIM OF THE LOVELY PATTERN THAT I HAD FOUND ON EBAY. IT HAD SERVICE FOR 8 PLACE SETTINGS, SUGAR, CREAMER, TEAPOT, SALT AND PEPPER SHAKERS, A BUTTER DISH, 3 SERVING PLATTERS, 3 SERVING BOWLS AND A LOVELY SOUP TUREEN. WITH A LOOK OF APPRECIATION ON HIS FACE, HE SUGGESTED THAT WE LOOK AT IT TOGETHER WHEN WE GOT HOME. LET ME TELL YOU, HE DRAGGED ME TO THE COMPUTER TO FIND THIS SET AS SOON AS HE JUMPED OUT OF THE TRUCK. "HURRY AND FIND IT, SOMEONE ELSE MAY GET IT" HE SAID AS HE DRAGGED ME DOWN THE HALL. WELL, TO SWEETEN THE DEAL, I TOOK MY TIME ON EBAY. BUT THEN, THERE IT WAS, THE FABULOUS CHINA, AND MARTIN SHOVED ME OUT OF THE WAY TO GET A GOOD LOOK. "DO YOU MEAN TO TELL ME THAT YOU GET ALL OF THIS STUFF FOR ONLY 300.00? AND LOOK, IT SAYS SHIPPING IS INCLUDED" HE GUSHED. THEN, WITH A SUSPICIOUS LOOK, HE WANTED TO KNOW WHY IT WAS SUCH A GOOD DEAL. I EXPLAINED THAT IT IS A PATTERN THAT IS OLD-FASHIONED, SOMETHING POPULAR IN THE '50'S AND THAT TODAY, LADIES WANTED A MORE MODERN LOOK. I ALSO TOLD HIM THAT I WAS AN OLD-FASHIONED KIND OF GAL, AND REALLY LOVED THE PATTERN. "WELL, BID ON IT!" HE SNAPPED. "DON'T LET IT GET AWAY!" I TOLD HIM THAT I WOULD DO MY BEST AND KISSED HIM FOR BEING SO SENSITIVE TO MY NEEDS. HE WALKED A LITTLE TALLER AS HE LEFT MY OFFICE, AND I HELD IN MY SNICKER UNTIL HE WAS OUT OF HEARING.
NOW WHY COULDN'T HE HAVE JUST TRUSTED ME IN THE FIRST PLACE? I DON'T THINK MEN ARE BIOLOGICALLY CAPABLE OF BLIND TRUST IN THE FEMALE SPECIES. I AM GLAD THAT WE HAD THE "CHINA EXPERIENCE" TODAY, SO THAT MARTIN COULD SEE FOR HIMSELF THE COST. SO, DEAR READERS, I HAVE BID ON THE SET OF HAVILLAND MOSS ROSE CHINA, AND HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL TOMORROW AT 2:38 PM TO SEE IF I AM THE WINNING BIDDER. WISH ME LUCK, I REALLY WANT THIS SET. I LOVE BEING A WOMAN. IN MY LONG-LIVED 55 YEARS, I HAVE LEARNED ONE THING IN DEALING WITH THE MALE SPECIES. JUST MAKE SURE THEY THINK IT IS THEIR IDEA, AND YOU CAN GET ANYTHING FROM THEM! I WILL LET YOU KNOW TOMORROW IF I WON THE SET, OH, AND A FEW PRAYERS WOULDN'T HURT EITHER! LOVE, NANASEE

I HAVE A LOVELY HOME ONCE AGAIN

IT HAS BEEN ALMOST A YEAR. THE HURRICANE TURNED OUR LIVES UPSIDE DOWN, AND WE LOST MOST EVERYTHING WE HAD. FOR ALMOST ONE YEAR, MY HOME HAS BEEN A WRECK. FIRST THE HURRICANE, THE DAMAGE FROM THE HURRICANE AND THE CLEAN-UP. THEN, HAVING TO LIVE WITH BOBBIE JO FOR MONTHS, AND THEN MOVING INTO OUR LITTLE APARTMENT OFF THE GARAGE. IT WAS A LITTLE HONEYMOON COTTAGE, BUT THEN, IT BECAME A SYMBOL OF OUR BROKEN HEARTS. OUR LITTLE COTTAGE BECAME A HOSPITAL ROOM FOR OUR DEAR DAUGHTER. THEN, SHE PASSED ON FROM US- AND WE DECIDED THAT IT WAS TOO DIFFICULT TO CONTINUE TO LIVE IN THE GARAGE APARTMENT. WE MOVED INTO OUR PARTIALLY FINISHED HOUSE, AND FOR MONTHS I HAVE STEPPED OVER LADDERS, PAINT, BUILDING MATERIALS AND SO MUCH MORE. I HAVE CONTINUALLY BRUSHED WHITE DUST FROM EVERY SURFACE, OVER AND OVER SO THAT I COULD COOK IN MY VERY DUSTY KITCHEN. BUT I AM NOT COMPLAINING, MY SWEETIE HAS LITERALLY WORKED HIS TUKUS OFF, (HE HAS LOST OVER 30LBS IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS) AND TODAY- WELL, TODAY I HAVE A LOVELY NEW HOME. A HOME FOR EVERYONE TO FEEL THE LOVING SPIRIT OF HEAVENLY FATHER, A HOME TO COME AND EAT COOKIES AND MILK, A HOME TO SHARE MY LOVE WITH AS MANY AS I CAN. I HOPE THAT FRIENDS AND FAMILY WILL COME TO SEE ME, AND FEEL WELCOME. I WILL FEED MISSIONARIES EACH WEEK, AND GRANDSON'S (AND GRANDAUGHTERS TOO, WHEN THEY VISIT) WILL HAVE ALL THE POPSICLES AND GOODIES THAT I CAN KEEP. I COULD GO ON AND ON, BUT THE MAIN REASON I AM SO THANKFUL TO HAVE MY HOME BACK IS THAT I HAVE ROOM TO MOVE AND BE HAPPY. AND I AM HAPPY. I TOOK EACH COOKIE JAR FRIEND AND DUSTED THEM OFF AND PUT THEM IN THE SPECIAL CABNET MARTIN BOUGHT ME TO SHOW THEM OFF. THEY ARE SO CUTE AND I HAVE THEM BY THE FRONT DOOR TO WELCOME EVERYBODY. BY THE WAY, I MISSED YESTERDAY BLOGGING AS I TOO, WAS WORKING MY TUKUS OFF- FIGURATIVELY OF COURSE, IT IS THE SAME SIZE AS USUAL! SO, I WILL TELL YOU MORE WHEN I CAN TAKE SOME TIME TO WRITE. RIGHT NOW, I HAVE BLURRY VISION BECAUSE I AM POOPED! TILL TOMORROW, LOVE, NANASEE

I HAVE SOME EXCITING NEWS, (AT LEAST IT IS TO ME)! THE HOUSE IS 98% DONE! WELL, NOT QUITE THAT MUCH, AS WE STILL HAVE TO DO THE MASTER BATHROOM, BUT THE BIG STUFF IN THE MASTER BATH HAS BEEN DONE AND WE REALLY ONLY NEED TO ADD THE TOILET, SINK AND SHOWER. THE WALLS ALL OVER THE HOUSE ARE FINISHED-EVERYTHING IS READY TO MOVE THE FURNITURE INTO PLACE. MONDAY A CLEANING LADY WILL COME AND CLEAN AND SCRUB, DUST AND POLISH, AND THEN, WE PUT THE FIREPLACE INTO PLACE AND THE FURNITURE IN THE LIVING ROOM. AFTER THAT, IT WILL BE NEW LIGHT FIXTURES, BUT SINCE WE HAVE LIGHT FIXTURES ALREADY, I CAN WAIT FOR THE NEW ONES. TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH, I DON'T KNOW HOW TO FEEL. IT HAS BEEN SO VERY LONG SINCE THE HURRICANE, AND YET IT FEELS LIKE ONLY YESTERDAY. I WAS SO COMPLACENT BEFORE THE HURRICANE, I TOOK MY LOVELY HOME FOR GRANTED, BUT NOW I REALIZE HOW QUICKLY I CAN LOSE IT ALL AGAIN, AND I PROMISE TO BE MORE APPRECIATIVE. I WANT TO SHARE MY HOME WITH FAMILY, FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES. I WANT MY HOME TO BE A PLACE WHERE THE SPIRIT CAN BE ENJOYED. MY COOKIE JAR WILL BE FULL AT ALL TIMES, AND MY BLESSINGS FREELY SHARED.
I AM GOING TO COOK. I AM SO TIRED OF EATING OUT. I DO APPRECIATE THE AFFLUENCE THAT HEAVENLY FATHER HAS AFFORDED US TO BE ABLE TO DO SO, BUT I WANT TO HAVE MY KITCHEN SCENTED WITH THE SPICES OF LIFE. THIS MORNING, THE SMELL OF BACON WAFTED THROUGH THE HOUSE. LIKE MICE AFTER A LONG, COLD NIGHT, MY FAMILY CAME, ONE BY ONE INTO THE KITCHEN TO SEE WHAT THAT LONG REMEMBERED SMELL WAS. THE SMELL OF CAKE IN THE OVEN, AS WELL AS CORNBREAD, FRIED PORK CHOPS AND OTHER COUNTRY COOKIN' DELICACYS WILL ONCE AGAIN PERMEATE THIS HOUSEHOLD. THERE ARE SO MANY OTHER SMELLS THAT BRING HAPPY MEMORIES, SWEET POTATO PIE, SUGAR COOKIES, POT ROAST, HOME-MADE BREAD, AND ON AND ON. I WILL NEVER AGAIN TAKE FOR GRANTED THE ABILITY TO COOK OR THE AVAILABLILITY OF THE INGREDIENTS FOR GOOD MEALS. I HOPE MY FAMILY FEELS THE SAME WAY, AS THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE TO EAT AT HOME FROM NOW ON.
THE FUNNIEST THING HAPPENED YESTERDAY- AS MARTIN WAS VIGOROUSLY ATTACKING THE WALLS TO FINISH THE HOUSE, HE HAD A MISHAP. HE LIKES TO SPATTER THE WALLS WITH TEXTURE, WHICH IS SHEET ROCK MUD WITH TINY LITTLE PARTICLES IN IT. YOU SPRAY IT ON, AND WHEN IT DRIES, YOU PAINT AND THE WALLS LOOK WONDERFUL. WELL, THE TEXTURE GUN IS A TOOL WITH A LARGE HOPPER TO POUR THE MUD INTO AND AN AIR GUN THAT SPRAYS THE MUD OUT THROUGH A NOZZLE. YOU SPRAY AND WAVE THE GUN AND THE TEXTURE GOES ON EVENLY. (HOPEFULLY). WELL, POOR MARTIN WAS TRYING TO GET DONE, AND HE OVERFILLED THE HOPPER. IT WAS FILLED TO THE TOP WITH LIQUID TEXTURE, AND WHEN MARTIN REACHED TO SPRAY NEAR THE CEILING, THE MUD IN THE HOPPER SLOPPED OVER THE TOP ALL OVER MARTIN'S HEAD, SHOULDERS, BACK AND TUMMY. I SUDDENLY FELT MUD SPRAY OVER MY ARMS AND INTO MY HAIR, BUT NOT MUCH. I WONDERED HOW HE COULD HAVE MISSED THE TARGET ENOUGH TO SPRAY ME. I DIDN'T REALIZE AT FIRST WHAT HAPPENED, I JUST HEARD THE PROFANITY, BUT IT WAS RATHER GARBLED. MY JOB WAS TO HOLD A BOARD TO PROTECT A DOOR FROM GETTING SPRAYED, SO I WASN'T LOOKING AT MARTIN. WHEN THE SPRAY GUN STOPPED, I TURNED TO SEE WHY, AND GOT A REAL SHOCK. THERE STOOD A 6FOOT 5INCH FIGURE THAT LOOKED LIKE THE STAY-PUFT MARSHMALLOW MAN. ALL I COULD SEE WAS WHITE GOO AND A PAIR OF LEGS IN JEANS. POOR BABY WAS JUST COVERED! LIKE THE GOOD SPOUSE I AM, I WAITED UNTIL I TURNED AROUND TO EXPLODE WITH LAUGHTER. TRYING TO COMPOSE MYSELF, I TURNED BACK AROUND ONLY TO SEE A PAIR OF EYES BLINKING THROUGH WHITE MUD. HIS FURRY BEARD WAS COVERED AS WELL, BUT IT MADE A LOVELY PATTERN. THE MUD HAD POURED DOWN OVER MARTIN, THE DOG FOOD KEEPER BEHIND HIM AND ONTO THE FLOOR. I ASKED HIM IF HE NEEDED HELP, AND HE TOLD ME IF I COULD COLLECT MYSELF, HE COULD USE SOME HELP WITH THE HOSE OUTSIDE. WE WASHED OFF AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, AND RATHER THAN GETTING IN A NATURAL STATE OUTSIDE, I MADE HIM GO TO THE SHOWER WITH HIS CLOTHES TO FINISH WASHING OFF THE MUD. IT TOOK QUITE A WHILE, BUT WE GOT HIM CLEAN. I HAD FORGOTTEN HOW MUCH FUN IT WAS TO CLEAN UP AFTER A MUD FIGHT, AND ALTHOUGH THIS WAS NOT A MUD FIGHT, (AT LEAST NOT BETWEEN MARTIN AND ME, I CANNOT SPEAK FOR THE HOPPER) THE RESULT WAS THE SAME. THE SAD PART IS THAT I DID NOT GET THE CAMERA TO RECORD THE EVENT. AT LEAST I WILL FOREVER REMEMBER THE DAY HE CLOBBERED HIMSELF WITH WHITE SHEET ROCK MUD-I WILL REMEMBER BECAUSE THE DOOR I WAS TRYING TO PROTECT WAS THE DOOR TO THE LAUNDRY ROOM, AND I DO LAUNDRY EVERY DAY!
I AM GRATEFUL FOR A SENSE OF HUMOR. I AM GRATEFUL TOO, THAT MARTIN HAS A SENSE OF HUMOR. WITHOUT IT, WE WOULD BE IN A SORRY STATE, OR WOULD HAVE POSSIBLY KILLED EACH OTHER BY NOW. INSTEAD, WE LAUGH AT THE MEMORIES, SO THAT THEY ARE NOT DISASTERS, BUT SOMETHING TO SHARE. SOMETHING TO TAKE INTO ETERNITY WITH US. MORE TOMORROW, LOVE NANASEE

MAMA AT THE MALL

I JUST WOKE FROM A NAP, (GOSH, I WISH I COULD SLEEP AT NIGHT LIKE THAT) AND WAS THINKING ABOUT SUMMER WHEN THE KIDS WERE LITTLE. I REMEMBER ONE HOT SUMMER DAY, I TOOK THE KIDS TO THE MALL, JUST TO HANG OUT AND MAYBE GET SOME PIZZA-YOU KNOW, "MOM, I'M BORED, WHAT CAN WE DO SORT OF THING". WE WERE WALKING THROUGH THE MALL, LOOKING AT THE SITES AND JUST DRINKING IN THE EXPERIENCE. IN THE NEAR DISTANCE, I HEARD A LITTLE CHILD JUST SCREAMING HIS HEAD OFF, AND BECAME CONCERNED. I HURRIED A BIT FASTER TOWARD THE DISTURBANCE, ONLY TO FIND A MOTHER EATING AN ICE CREAM CONE AND HER LITTLE BOY SCREAMING. I'M TELLING YOU THAT LITTLE BOY WAS REALLY GOING AT IT, AND CONCERNED, I ASKED THE MOTHER IF HER LITTLE BOY WAS ALRIGHT. SHE TOLD ME HE WAS ONLY SCREAMING BECAUSE HE WANTED A BITE OF HER ICE CREAM. WELL! I COULDN'T BELIEVE THAT SHE WOULD JUST IGNORE HIM! TRYING TO CALM MY TEMPER, (AFTER ALL, MY KIDS WERE WITH ME) I ASKED HER WHY SHE WOULDN'T GIVE HIM A TASTE OF HER ICE CREAM. SHE TOLD ME THAT HE WAS DIABETIC AND SHOULDN'T HAVE ANY. AGAIN, (FORCED CALM THIS TIME) I ASKED HER WHY SHE WAS EATING IT IN FRONT OF HIM. SHE TOLD ME IN A VERY PROFANE WAY TO MIND MY OWN BUSINESS. MY KIDS LOOKED AT EACH OTHER AND I ACTUALLY HEARD ONE SAY, "UH-OH, STAND BACK". I DON'T KNOW WHERE IT CAME FROM, BUT I WALKED UP CLOSE TO HER AND, LICKING MY FINGER MAKING IT GOOD AND WET, POKED IT CLEAR UP TO THE THIRD JOINT RIGHT INTO HER ICE CREAM. "WHOOPS!" I SAID. "HOW CLUMSY OF ME!" THEN, I GAVE HER A LOOK THAT SAID, "BRING IT BABE-LET'S SEE WHAT YOU GOT!" SHE GAVE ME A LOOK OF INCREDUALITY, AND STOOD UP, THEN SLAMMED HER ICE CREAM INTO THE TRASH. AS SHE WALKED AWAY, I CASUALLY LICKED THE ICE CREAM FROM MY FINGER AND SMILED AT HER. I BELIEVE I HEARD ANOTHER PROFANITY FROM HER, BUT MY KIDS WERE LAUGHING SO HARD IT DIDN'T MATTER. I REALIZED AFTER THAT THAT I GUESS I COULD HAVE GOTTEN INTO SOME TROUBLE, BUT MY DEFENSE WAS GOING TO BE THAT I JUST SLIPPED AND ACCIDENTALLY POKED HER STUPID ICE CREAM. I WOULD HAVE GRACIOUSLY PURCHASED HER ANOTHER- AND I AM SURE THAT THAT ONE WOULD HAVE GONE ASTRAY AS WELL. NOTHING HAPPENED, EXCEPT I FELT BETTER FOR THE LITTLE BOY.
ANOTHER TIME, BOBBIE JO WAS WITH ME SCHOOL SHOPPING. SHE HAD EARNED SOME MONEY AND ASKED ME IF I WANTED SOME LUNCH. I JOKINGLY TOLD HER I WANTED THE BIGGEST HAMBURGER MEAL, AND SHE DIDN'T QUITE GET MY SENSE OF HUMOR. SHE WHIPPED AROUND AND BEGAN TO STALK OFF AWAY FROM ME. NOW, BOBBIE JO WAS WEARING A LITTLE SHORT SKIRT AND A RATHER TINY TOP, YOU KNOW, SUMMER CLOTHES, BUT THOSE THAT I DIDN'T EXACTLY APPROVE OF. SHE LITTLE 14 YEAR-OLD FIGURE WAS NEAR PERFECT, SHE HAD FLOWING WHITE BLONDE HAIR, BLUE EYES AND A SWITCH TO HER WALK THAT TURNED A FEW HEADS. AS SHE STALKED AWAY FROM ME, I BEGAN TO TRY TO CATCH UP TO HER TO APOLOGIZE. HER LITTLE SKIRT WAS FLIPPING BACK AND FORTH AND SHE PASSED A FOUNTAIN THAT HAD TWO VERY LARGE, WELL DRESSED YOUNG MEN SITTING ON THE EDGE, WATCHING THE MALL TRAFFIC. THESE TWO YOUNG MEN PERKED UP AS THEY SAW BOBBIE JO APPROACHING, AND WERE REALLY TAKING NOTICE OF HER. I DON'T KNOW WHY, BUT THE IMPRESSION THAT I GOT FROM THESE GUYS WERE THAT THEY MAY HAVE BEEN PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES. BOBBIE JO PROBABLY DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THAT THEY WERE OGLING HER, SHE JUST KEPT WALKING. JUST ABOUT THE TIME I GOT CLOSE TO THEM, I HEARD ONE OF THEM SAY,"MAN, I SURE WOULD LOVE SOME OF THAT SWEET STUFF!" OH, MY GOSH. I FELT LIKE SOMEONE HAD BLASTED A BOMB OFF IN MY BRAIN. WITHOUT EVEN THINKING, I STOMPED OVER TO THOSE GUYS, BUNCHED UP MY FIST AND SHOVED IT RIGHT UNDER THEIR NOSES. "HOW'D YOU LIKE SOME OF SWEET STUFF'S MAMA BUSTER?!!! BOY, YOU WOULD NOT BELIEVE THE FRIGHT, SHOCK AND AMAZEMENT ON THEIR FACES. "UUUHH, I DIDN'T KNOW HER MAMA WAS HERE" STAMMERED ONE OF THEM. THE OTHER ONE WAS TRYING NOT TO GO OVER BACKWARDS INTO THE FOUNTAIN. I YELLED AT THE ONE, "WELL, HER MAMA IS RIGHT HERE, AND IF YOU EVER WANT TO CHEW AGAIN, YOU BETTER LEARN TO KEEP YOUR FILTHY MOUTHS SHUT!!!!" HE ACTUALLY SAID, "YES, MAAM. I'M SORRY." I SAID, "YOU BETTER BE BUDDY, SHE IS JAIL BAIT!" THE MALL PATRONS FOR SEVERAL FEET IN EVERY DIRECTION HAD STOPPED TO WATCH THE COMMOTION, AND OF COURSE BOBBIE JO WAS WATCHING FROM A DISTANCE WITH A MORTIFIED LOOK ON HER FACE. A SECURITY GUARD CAME OVER TO SEE IF THERE WAS TROUBLE. I ASSURED HIM THAT ALL WAS WELL, AND WITH ONE LAST, "FILTHY AN IMAL"LOOK AT THOSE GUYS, WENT ON MY WAY. I CAUGHT UP TO BOBBIE JO, AND SHE SAID, "MAMA, I CAN'T TAKE YOU ANYWHERE!" I LAUGHED AND TOLD HER SHE BETTER TAKE ME FROM NOW ON, SO THAT I COULD WATCH HER BACK!
ANOTHER TIME AT THE MALL AT CHRISTMAS TIME, WE HAD JUST FINISHED EATING PIZZA AS USUAL, AND IT WAS JUST MARTIN AND ME. AS WE WERE LEAVING THE FOOD COURT TO SHOP, MARTIN HAD WALKED AHEAD OF ME. I NOTICED A COMMOTION JUST TO THE RIGHT OF ME AND I SAW A WOMAN AND A MAN WAVING AND GESTURING WITH VIGOR. I REALIZED THAT THEY WERE TWO DEAF PEOPLE AND THEY WERE FIGHTING IN SIGN LANGUAGE. NOW, NORMALLY, I WOULD NOT EVEN PAY ATTENTION TO A COUPLE ARGUING, BUT I HAD NEVER SEEN AN ARGUMENT IN SIGN LANGUAGE AND OF COURSE IT CAUGHT MY ATTENTION. THEY WERE REALLY GOING AT IT, AND I CALLED MARTIN (THE COUPLE COULDN'T HEAR ME) AND GOT HIS ATTENTION. HE WALKED BACK AND I SHOWED HIM THE COUPLE FIGHTING. HE LOOKED AT ME AND TOLD ME THAT IT WAS PRETTY RUDE OF ME TO EVEN MAKE A POINT OF IT, ESPECIALLY AS THEY WERE DEAF. I TOLD HIM THAT HE DID NOT HAVE TO BE SUCH A STICK-IN-THE-MUD, AND TURNED HIM SO HE COULD SEE THEM WAVING AND CARRYING ON. JUST AS HE TURNED TO SEE THEM, THE WOMAN PICKED UP A CONTAINER OF MUSTARD AND THREW IT AT THE MAN. HE NEATLY DUCKED, AND I SWEAR THAT MUSTARD HIT MARTIN IN THE CHEST AND SPLATTERED ALL OVER HIS NECK AND FACE. (WHEW, THAT COULD HAVE BEEN ME!) THANK GOODNESS I HAD THE FORESIGHT TO MAKE SURE HE WAS LOOKING AT THEM IN FRONT OF ME! WHEN THE WOMAN SAW THAT SHE HAD HIT MARTIN WITH THE MUSTARD, SHE TOOK OFF, WITH THE MAN FOLLOWING. I, OF COURSE, WAS SCREAMING LAUGHING- IT WAS JUST MARTIN'S LUCK TO GET PLOWED WITH MUSTARD THE ONE AND ONLY TIME IN HIS LIFE WHEN HE WAS TRYING TO BE POLITE! THE DATE SORT OF WENT DOWNHILL AFTER THAT, AT LEAST FOR HIM. I COULDN'T STOP SNICKERING- BUT THEN I NEVER CAN.
YES, I HAVE HAS SOME LITTLE INCIDENCES AT THE MALL, BUT WHAT IS EXPERIENCE FOR IF NOT TO MAKE OUR LIVES A BIT RICHER? EACH DAY IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A MEMORY- TOMORROW I WILL TELL YOU MORE! LOVE, NANASEE

MY VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

I LOVE BIRTHDAYS. ACTUALLY, I AM SO VERY HAPPY TO EVEN HAVE A BIRTHDAY. I HAVE LIVED 13 YEARS PAST THE TIME IT WAS ASSUMED THAT I COULD NOT LIVE MUCH LONGER. SO, THIS MORNING, I AWOKE, VERY HAPPY TO BE 55 YEARS OLD. EACH BIRTHDAY, MARTIN TAKES ME TO THE WAFFLE HOUSE TO HAVE A PECAN WAFFLE. TODAY, SOMETHING TRULY WONDERFUL HAPPENED THERE.

AS I WALKED IN, I TOLD THE WAITRESSES, (WHOM I HAVE GOTTEN TO KNOW RATHER WELL SINCE I HAVE HAD TO EAT OUT OFTEN DUE TO MY WRECKED HOUSE) THAT IT WAS MY BIRTHDAY. ONE LOVELY WAITRESS IN PARTICULAR, WHO IS RATHER ELDERLY, WAS TICKLED AND SHE PUT A SONG ON THE JUKEBOX THAT WAFFLE HOUSE PLAYS FOR IT'S BIRTHDAY CUSTOMERS. SHE AND I KIND OF DANCED AROUND AND CUT UP SOME, AND THEN AT THE END OF THE SONG, IT SAYS, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU BABY!" I THEN POINTED TO HER AND REPEATED, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU BABY!" AND WE BOTH LAUGHED. BREAKFAST WENT ON, AND SOON TWO CUSTOMERS THAT WERE SITTING AT THE BREAKFAST BAR GOT UP TO LEAVE. THEY LEFT THEIR MONEY FOR THE BILL ON THE BAR WITH A SURPRISE FOR MY DEAR WAITRESS FRIEND. TO HER IMMENSE SURPRISE, THEY LEFT HER A 100.00 TIP AND A LITTLE NOTE THAT SAID, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU BABY". THEY MUST HAVE THOUGHT THAT IT WAS HER BIRTHDAY! SHE WAS SO VERY HAPPY, AND COULD NOT GET OVER THE FACT THAT THEY HAD LEFT SUCH A LARGE TIP FOR HER. I SO ENJOYED SEEING HER HAPPINESS, IT WAS THE VERY BEST BIRTHDAY GIFT FOR ME. THEN, SOMETHING ELSE QUITE SPECIAL HAPPENED TODAY. FOR SOME TIME, I HAVE BEEN PUTTING OFF GETTING BOBBIE JO'S GRAVE MARKER BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY PLACES TO GET ONE WITH SO MANY VARYING PRICES. I HAD PUT THE MONEY BACK, SO THAT WAS NOT A PROBLEM, BUT I DIDN'T WANT TO GET ROOKED INTO PAYING MORE THAN I HAD TO. WELL, TODAY, AS WE WERE DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY, I NOTICED A PLACE I HAD NEVER BEFORE SEEN. IT WAS A SMALL MONUMENT COMPANY, AND I ASKED MARTIN TO LET ME GO INSIDE TO FIND OUT THE PRICES. I WAS VERY SURPRISED TO LEARN THAT I COULD SAVE SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS BY PURCHASING THERE, AND WENT OUT TO THE TRUCK TO TELL MARTIN THAT I WANTED TO PURCHASE THE MARKER RIGHT THEN. PROBLEM WAS THOUGH, THAT JAYBIRD WAS WITH US AND I WAS WORRIED THAT HE WOULD BE UPSET IF WE BOUGHT IT IN FRONT OF HIM. I ASKED HIM IF HE WANTED TO GO WITH ME, AND HE SAID HE DIDN'T KNOW. I THEN TOLD HIM HE COULD SIT IN THE LOBBY, I WOULDN'T BE LONG, AND HE COULD HAVE A COKE WHILE HE WAITED. HE SAID OKAY, AND WE WENT INTO THE OFFICE. IT WASN'T LONG BEFORE I NOTICED HIS BLONDE HEAD PEEKING INTO THE DOORWAY, AND I ASKED HIS OPINION OF THE COLOR OF GRANITE HE MIGHT LIKE. HE WALKED ALL THE WAY IN AND SAT NEXT TO ME. HE ASKED WHAT ELSE WE WOULD PUT ON IT, AND I ASKED WHAT HE THOUGHT WE SHOULD DO. HE NOTICED THAT THE BRONZE PART OF THE MONUMENT COULD HAVE ROSES, AND HE WANTED ROSES FOR HIS MAMA. I AGREED, AND THEN TOLD HIM HE COULD CHOOSE OTHER ASPECTS OF THE MONUMENT IF HE WANTED TO. HE ASKED IF HE COULD PUT SOMETHING TO DO WITH BASEBALL ON THE MONUMENT. I SAID, YES, OF COURSE, AND HE OPENED A CATALOG WITH SEVERAL PAGES OF SPORTS EMBLEMS. AFTER A MOMENT, HE CHOSE AN EMBLEM WITH A BASEBALL DIAMOND, EACH CORNER HAVING ONE OF A BASEBALL, A GLOVE, A HAT AND A BAT. I ASKED HIM WHAT HE WOULD LIKE THE MARKER TO SAY. HE SAID, "NANA, PUT BELOVED MOTHER ON IT". SO, I ORDERED THAT. ALL IN ALL, JAYBIRD DESIGNED HIS MAMA'S GRAVE MARKER BY HIMSELF. I THINK HE FELT VERY GOOD THAT HE WAS ABLE TO, AND CAN TELL OTHERS THAT HE DID SO. IT WAS SUCH A SPECIAL MOMENT FOR MARTIN AND I, TO SEE HIM PARTICIPATE IN SUCH AN IMPORTANT PART OF HIS MAMA'S PASSING. WHEN THE MARKER IS PUT INTO PLACE, THE FAMILY WILL GO AND PLACE FLOWERS IN THE VASE. IT WILL TAKE ABOUT TWO MONTHS TO HAVE IT READY, SO IT IS SOMETHING I CAN PLAN FOR. ALL DAY LOVING FRIENDS AND FAMILY CAME BY TO BRING SURPRISES TO ME. I FEEL SO LOVED AND CARED FOR. MY SWEETHEART GAVE ME MY FIRST PAIR OF DIAMOND STUD EARRINGS, AND HE EVEN MADE SURE THAT THEY HAVE SCREW-ON BACKS SO THAT I WON'T LOSE THEM. HE IS ALWAYS CAREFUL TO WAIT FOR THE RIGHT MOMENT TO GIVE SOMETHING LIKE THAT. HE IS SO SWEET. WE THEN HAD DINNER WITH THE FAMILY AT A RESTAURANT THAT I REALLY LIKE. IT WAS MEXICAN, AND OF COURSE I HAD TO WEAR A SOMBRERO FOR THE BIRTHDAY SONG. THERE WAS YUMMY CAKE, BUT NO ICE CREAM AS I CANNOT EAT ICE CREAM. THE LAST AND MOST WONDERFUL SURPRISE CAME WHEN MARTIN TOLD ME TO COME AND LOOK AT SOMETHING. I WALKED TOWARD THE KITCHEN WITH HIM, AND TO MY SURPRISE, HE AND RUSTY(A DEAR CLOSE FRIEND OF OURS) HAD FINISHED THE DINING ROOM! THERE WAS THE LOVELY DINING TABLE WITH SEATING FOR EIGHT, THE GLEAMING WOODEN FLOOR AND THE GORGEOUS MATCHING CHINA HUTCH. I SCREAMED. (WITH DELIGHT.) IN ALL MY 55 YEARS, I HAVE NEVER HAD A DINING ROOM OF MY OWN. IT IS SO LOVELY, AND MARTIN TOLD ME THAT WE HAVE TO GO AND FIND SOME LOVELY CHINA TO GO IN THE HUTCH. I SAT AT THE TABLE, AND IMAGINED THE THANKSGIVING TURKEY IN THE MIDDLE, AND THEN I SAW THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN THE LOVELY PICTURE WINDOW. OH, MY DREAMS HAVE COME TRUE. HOLIDAYS WILL BE SO WONDERFUL, NOT THAT THEY HAVENT' ALWAYS BEEN, BUT NOW, I HAVE A LOVELY AND GRACIOUS DINING ROOM TO SERVE MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS. YES, I HAVE HAD A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY. THANK YOU EVERY ONE. I LOVE YOU ALL. LOVE, NANASEE

I THOUGHT OF BOBBIE JO TODAY

YES, I THOUGHT OF BOBBIE JO TODAY, BUT THEN I DO EVERYDAY, SEVERAL TIMES A DAY. I AM AT THE GRIEVING PROCESS POINT WHERE YOU SOMETIMES FIND YOURSELF WANTING TO PICK UP THE PHONE AND CALL YOUR LOVED ONE, EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE GONE.
I AM PLANNING A HOUSEWARMING PARTY FOR A PRECIOUS COUPLE WHO ARE BUYING THEIR FIRST HOUSE AND EXPECTING THEIR FIRST BABY IN OCTOBER. AS I CONSIDERED WHAT TO SERVE, I THOUGHT "WELL, I'LL JUST CALL BOBBIE JO, SHE ALWAYS DOES SO VERY WELL AT THESE THINGS". SHE WOULD BE TALKING ABOUT CRAB PUFFS, OR, A NEW RECIPE SHE JUST SAW IN A MAGAZINE, WHAT COLOR TO MAKE THE CAKE, WHAT KIND OF DECORATIONS TO DO, EVEN HOW TO DO THE INVITATIONS. GOSH, I CAN'T CALL HER. AND, WHEN TALKING ABOUT THE WONDERFUL BASEBALL SEASON FOR JAYBIRD AND HIS TEAM (THE KNIGHTS), I WANT TO SEE HOW MANY GREAT PICTURES BOBBIE JO TOOK DURING THE TOURNAMENT. PICTURES OF THE BOYS AT BAT. JAYBIRD AND MARTIN. JAYBIRD CATCHING, SPITTING SUNFLOWER SEEDS, DRINKING GATORADE. NO PICTURES FROM HER THOUGH. I WAS PICKING OUT SOME PAINT TODAY, AND I THOUGHT, "BOBBIE JO WON'T LIKE THIS, SHE NEVER LIKES ANYTHING THAT I PICK OUT", BUT, I DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THAT ANYMORE EITHER. TO TELL THE TRUTH, I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE HER TELL ME HOW MY PAINT CHOICES ARE AWFUL. IF I COULD HAVE THE CHANCE, I WOULD LET HER PICK OUT THE PAINT AND BE GLAD TO DO IT. I WANT TO DRIVE TO LA MARQUE TX AND VISIT HER AT HER HOUSE-LISTEN TO HER BRAG ON HER FRUIT TREES AND HER DOGS. TOMORROW IS MY BIRTHDAY, AND I WANT TO HEAR HER ARGUE ABOUT WHERE WE SHOULD HAVE DINNER. I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD MISS THINGS LIKE THAT, BUT I DO. I MISS HER. I MISS OTTO TOO. IF I DIDN'T HAVE A SURE TESTAMONY OF THE ETERNITY OF FAMILIES AND LIFE, I DON'T THINK I COULD GO ON MYSELF. IT IS TOO EASY TO BECOME WEEPY WHEN THINKING ABOUT HOW LIFE HAS "CRAPPED" ON ME, BUT FORTUNATELY, I RECOGNIZE SELF-PITY WHEN IT ATTACKS, AND AM ABLE TO PULL MYSELF OUT OF IT MUCH QUICKER THESE DAYS. WHEN I WOULD FEEL SORRY FOR MYSELF, BOBBIE JO WOULD SNAP AT ME TO "PULL IT TOGETHER!" I REMEMBER ONE MORNING, I GOT UP AND GOT THE SOY MILK OUT OF THE FRIDGE. SOY MILK IS REALLY VERY GOOD, BUT ON THIS PARTICULAR MORNING, I BEGAN TO FEEL SORRY FOR MYSELF THAT I EVEN HAD TO DRINK SOY MILK AND NOT REAL MILK. I WATCHED THE TAN COLORED MILK STREAM INTO MY CEREAL BOWL FROM THE CARTON, AND SUDDENLY IT OCCURRED TO MY HOW UNFAIR THAT IT IS THAT I HAVE TO DRINK SOY. I BEGAN TO QUIETLY SNIFFLE INTO MY CEREAL, WHEN BOBBIE JO CAME INTO THE KITCHEN. "WHAT ARE YOU BAWLING ABOUT?" SHE ASKED IN HER USUAL "CARING" WAY. THAT JUST LIT THE FIRE TO THE DYNAMITE. "I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO DRINK THIS CRAP YOU KNOW, I MISS REAL MILK, I MISS EGGS, AND I MISS MEAT. I WANT PORK CHOPS, I WANT FRIED CHICKEN AND I WANT A STEAK. IT IS NOT FAIR! I AM A GOOD PERSON, AND I WANT TO EAT A BRISKET! BRING ON THE BIG MACS, BRING ON THE WHOPPERS. I DON'T WANT TO DRINK BROWN MILK!!!!" ( I CAN EAT NO DIARY, MEAT OR EGGS DUE TO E-COLI POISONING, IT DAMAGED MY DIGESTIVE TRACK). BY NOW, I HAD REALLY WORKED MYSELF UP INTO A WATERFALL OF SELF-PITY AND WAS SOBBING INTO A DISH TOWEL. MARTIN CAME IN AND ASKED WHAT HAD HAPPENED. "WHAT DID YOU DO TO YOUR MOTHER NOW?" HE ASKED BOBBIE JO. WITH AN INCREDULOUS EXPRESSION, SHE SAID, "I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING! SHE IS BAWLING OVER BROWN MILK!" MARTIN ALWAYS KNOWS WHEN IT WISE TO RETREAT- AND THAT IS WHAT HE DID. WELL, FOR THE REST OF THE DAY, EVERYTIME BOBBIE JO SPOKE TO SOMEONE, SHE HAD TO REPEAT THE "BROWN MILK" STORY. BY THE END OF THE DAY, WE WERE ALL LAUGHING, AND MARTIN SUGGESTED THAT THE NEXT TIME I FELT SORRY FOR MYSELF OVER BROWN MILK, I SIMPLY GET A CARTON OF CHOCOLATE SOY AND GET OVER MYSELF. IT IS THINGS LIKE THIS THAT I MISS THE MOST. WELL, MAYBE HER BONY HUGS, (HER ELBOWS COULD DO SOME REAL DAMAGE), OR MAYBE HER WONDERFUL WAY OF MAKING UP TO ME WITH A PIE OR SOMETHING EQUALLY DISTRACTING. I GUESS I JUST MISS IT ALL, EVERYDAY, WHEN I THINK OF BOBBIE JO. LOVE, NANASEE

SUNDAY

IT IS SUNDAY TODAY. I WENT TO CHURCH. THAT IS THE HIGHLIGHT OF MY WEEK. I SAW SOME NEW PEOPLE, AND WELCOMED THEM. I SAW ANOTHER YOUNG MAN THAT I HAVE WATCHED GROW SINCE HE WAS LITTLE. HE TOWERS OVER ME NOW. I HUGGED A FRIEND THAT I DON'T GET TO SEE NEAR OFTEN ENOUGH. ANOTHER FRIEND MADE ME FEEL SO LOVED, SHE ALWAYS DOES. SHE IS SO GRACIOUS, AND SHE DOESN'T EVEN KNOW IT. SOMETIMES I LIKE TO BE WITH HER, AS IT MAKES ME FEEL THE SAME WAY I FEEL WHEN I AM NEAR SOME LOVELY JEWLERY OR A YUMMY DESSERT. ANOTHER FRIEND TALKED TO ME AND SHARED SOME OF HER LIFE. A YOUNG MAMA TOOK HER LITTLE ONE OUT IN THE HALL AND WAS PATIENT WITH HER. A MAN THAT HAS HAD GREAT STRUGGLES IN HIS LIFE WAS SMILING AS USUAL, AND OF COURSE THAT RUBBED OFF ON ME. MY GRANDSON GAVE ME A HUGE HUG. I GOT TO HOLD A PRECIOUS BABY. ANOTHER LOVING FRIEND HAD HER GRANDSONS WITH HER, AND SHE WAS JUST RADIANT. OTHER YOUNG MAMAS HAD THEIR CHILDREN AND OTHER'S TOO. ONE OF THE DADDYS LOOKED FRUSTRATED, BUT WHEN I SHOOK HIS HAND, HE SMILED AND WAS SO HANDSOME. ANOTHER DEAR FRIEND OFFERED ME SOME FRESH YARD EGGS. STILL ANOTHER LOVELY SISTER WAS KIND TO AN ELDERLY SISTER, PATIENTLY HELPING HER OUT OF THE CHAPEL AFTER THE SERVICE. THE BISHOP IS LIKE A LOVE MAGNET, HE IS ALWAYS SO LOVING AND KIND, AND TODAY I SPOKE TO HIM JUST SO THAT I COULD FEEL HIS GOODNESS. ONE OF THE YOUNG GIRLS SMILED AT ME AND MADE ME FEEL LIKE SHE REALLY LOVES ME. ANOTHER YOUNG MAN HELD THE DOOR FOR ME. THE BATHROOM WAS CLEAN AND NICE WHEN I WENT IN, THE MUSIC WAS LOVELY, AND THE SACRAMENT BREAD WAS FRESH AND SWEET. I SAT NEXT TO DEAR FRIENDS THAT LOVE ME. MY DAUGHTER SMILED AT ME AND SHARED A SWEET STORY. I GAVE MARTIN A BIG KISS WHEN HE DROPPED ME OFF, AND HE LOVED IT. WE TALKED ABOUT ALL OF US WHO HAVE BIRTHDAYS IN JULY, AND DECIDED TO HAVE A LUNCH FOR EVERYONE. I BEGAN TO PLAN A HOUSEWARMING FOR A YOUNG COUPLE WHO HAVE JUST BOUGHT THEIR FIRST HOUSE, AND THEY HAVE A BABY ON THE WAY. WE ALSO PLANNED THE MOVE FOR THEM, AND MANY OF THE CHURCH MEMBERS VOLUNTEERED TO COME AND HELP THEM MOVE. WE DECIDED TO MAKE LOTS OF FOOD FOR THE VOLUNTEERS, SANDWICHES, COOKIES, LEMONADE. SOME OF MY LOVING FRIENDS PATIENTLY LISTENED AS I BRAGGED ON OUR WONDERFUL BASEBALL VICTORY, SMILING AND NODDING IN JUST THE RIGHT PLACES. THEY WERE SO HAPPY FOR JAYBIRD AND ALL THE BOYS. OH, AND THE SERVICE WAS VERY NICE. YES, I WENT TO CHURCH TODAY, AND AS USUAL, PLUGGED IN MY SPIRITUAL BATTERIES FOR YET ANOTHER WEEK. YOU SEE, CHURCH FOR ME IS NOT JUST AN HOUR LONG SERVICE, AND THEN OUT AND HOME. CHURCH FOR ME IS LIFE. I ONLY HAVE TO WAIT FOR 6 MORE DAYS, AND THEN I GET TO GO TO CHURCH AGAIN. IN THE MEANTIME, I WILL READ MY SCRIPTURES, HOPING TO KEEP THE SPIRIT STRONG IN MY HEART. I WILL CALL SOME OF MY FRIENDS, AND OTHERS TO TELL THEM OF THE LOVELY DAY I HAD TODAY. I WILL HOPEFULLY TALK TO MY GRANDMOTHER AND LOVING STEP-MAMA IN OKLAHOMA, ALSO MY SON, HIS WIFE SARAH AND THEIR PRECIOUS CHILDREN. I WILL BATHE ROCKY, LOVE LUCKY(HE WILL ONE YEAR OLD ON TUESDAY), AND LOVE AND BE GOOD TO MY SWEETHEART. MY HOME WILL FINALLY BE DONE SOON, AND THEN I CAN DEVOTE MORE TIME TO KEEPING MY LOVELY HOME INVITING AND WELCOMING TO ALL WHO ENTER. THE LAST WEDNSDAY OF THE MONTH, I WILL ONCE AGAIN WELCOME THE MISSIONARIES TO HAVE LUNCH WITH ME. IT HAS BEEN ALMOST A YEAR SINCE I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FEED THEM WITH THE HURRICANE, LOSS OF MY HOUSE, AND THE PASSING OF BOBBIE JO. BEFORE THE HURRICANE, I HAD BEEN FEEDING THE MISSIONARIES FOR 33 YEARS EACH WEEK IF POSSIBLE. NOW, I CAN START AGAIN, BUT THIS TIME I HAVE A DINING ROOM TO PUT THEM IN. ANYWAY, WHAT I AM TRYING TO SAY IN THIS ROUNDABOUT WAY, IS THAT I HAVE A PERFECT AND WONDERFUL LIFE-AND I BELIEVE IT IS ALL BECAUSE I GET TO GO TO CHURCH ON SUNDAY. LOVE, NANASEE

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!

TODAY, JAYBIRDS BASEBALL TEAM, THE BAY AREA KNIGHTS, WON THE BASEBALL WORLD SERIES! NOT ONLY THAT, THEY ARE UNDEFEATED! WHAT FUN IT WAS TO SEE THEM PLAY ALL WEEK, TO TRIUMPH WHEN THEY WERE BEHIND, TO TREAT EACH OTHER SO WELL AND PLAY SO WELL TOGETHER. IT IS A STUDY IN SPORTSMANSHIP AND FAIR PLAY. UFORTUNATELY, THERE WERE OTHER TEAMS WHO'S MOMS WERE HECKLING OUR PLAYERS, SCREAMING UGLY SLOGANS, TRYING TO DISTRACT OUR BOYS. IT DIDN'T WORK THOUGH, BECAUSE THE BOYS HAVE TREMENDOUS SELF-CONFIDENCE IN THEIR ABILITY TO PLAY TOGETHER AND BACK EACH OTHER UP. I WAS ASHAMED AND SADDENED TO HEAR GROWN PEOPLE TALK TO OUR PLAYERS LIKE THAT. DURING THIS PARTICULAR GAME, WE WERE BEHIND QUITE A BIT AT FIRST, AND IT COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS, BUT AS I WATCHED THE LITTLE BOYS PLAY, I REALIZED THAT THEY WOULD DO ALL THEY COULD TO PULL IT OUT WITHOUT BLAMING EACH OTHER OR GIVING FAULT. THE OTHER TEAM'S PARENTS WERE SHOUTING DISCOURAGING WORDS AND SAYING THINGS LIKE, "DROP IT, DROP IT, DROP THE BALL!" I FELT THAT IT WAS SO TRASHY THE WAY THEY WERE ACTING, AND I KNEW THAT THEIR SONS PROBABLY DID NOT KNOW THE MEANING OF GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP. IT WAS SO HOT TOO, BUT OUR BOYS PLAYED ON AND ON, IGNORING THE TAUNTS AND MEAN REMARKS. I CAN ATTRIBUTE THEIR WONDERFUL ABILITY AND ATTITUDE TO THEIR COACHES, WHO ALWAYS BUILD THE BOYS UP AND MAKE THEM FEEL SPECIAL. THIS IS NOT TO SAY THEY ARE SOFT ON THE BOYS, BUT INDEED, MAKE THE BOYS WANT TO DO THEIR BEST AND NOT LET THE OTHER PLAYERS DOWN. EACH OF THESE WONDERFUL BOYS WILL BE SOMETHING SUCCESSFUL AND SPECIAL WHEN THEY GROW UP. IT IS APPARENT ALREADY THAT THEY HAVE A WONDERFUL WORK ETHIC, DEDICATION AND DETERMINATION TO SUCCEED. WHEN THEY FALL, THEY GET BACK UP. WHEN THEY WIN, THEY ARE HUMBLE AND GRATEFUL. I THINK THE BEST THING ABOUT THE COACHING STAFF IS THAT THEY START EACH GAME WITH A PRAYER WITH THE BOYS. THEY DO NOT PRAY TO WIN, BUT ONLY TO REMEMBER THEIR TRAINING AND TO BE KIND TO EACH OTHER. HOW CAN A TEAM LIKE THIS BE ANYTHING BUT A WINNER? BOBBIE JO WAS SUCH A PART OF THIS TEAM, IT WAS SO IMPORTANT TO HER THAT THE BOYS KNOW THAT SHE LOVED THEM. I KNOW THAT SHE WAS THERE TODAY, CHEERING THEM ON AND WISHING THEM WELL. GOSH, WE MISS HER SO MUCH AT THE GAMES, SCREAMING, JUMPING, CHEERING AND LAUGHING. SHE ALWAYS MADE SURE THERE WERE WET CLOTHS TO KEEP THE BOYS COOL, FOOD AND DRINKS FOR THEM AND THAT JAYBIRD HAD EVERYTHING HE NEEDED. SHE MADE WONDERFUL BANNERS TOO, REALLY VERY ARTISTIC. NOW, IT TAKES LOTS OF US TO FILL HER SHOES, BUT I HAVE TO SAY THAT HER SISTERS, PEANUT AND SISSY ARE GIVING THEIR ALL. THE BOYS LEARED TO SHARE WITH EACH OTHER BECAUSE BOBBIE JO GAVE THEM A SENSE OF COMMUNITY, ALLOWING EACH OF THEM TO SHARE AS NEEDED. SHE SO LOVED THIS TEAM AND THESE BOYS. SOME OF THESE BOYS HAVE PLAYED TOGETHER SINCE THEY WERE 5 YEARS OLD, AND THEY HAVE SEEN GREAT IMPROVEMENT AND SUCCESS. BOBBIE JO IS SMILING AND HAPPY TODAY, HER BOYS ARE THE WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS! TILL TOMORROW, LOVE, NANASEE

AN OVERSIGHT

IT IS IMPORTANT FOR ME TO MENTION THAT OUR FAMILY WOULD NOT HAVE EVEN KNOWN THAT THE BLOOD CENTER WANTED TO USE US IF IT HADN'T BEEN FOR MY DAUGHTER BECKY. SHE ORGANIZED A BLOOD DRIVE AT HER JOB, AND WAS IN TOUCH WITH THE DIRECTOR. AFTER DISCUSSING BOBBIE JO, THE DIRECTOR WAS VERY INTERESTED AND ASKED IF SOMEONE IN THE FAMILY WOULD WRITE ABOUT BOBBIE JO. IF THEY LIKED THE STORY, THEY WOULD CONSIDER USING US IN THE 2010 COMMIT FOR LIFE CAMPAIGN. SO, BECKY TOLD ME TO DO MY BEST, AND SUBMIT IT AND I DID. THANK GOODNESS THEY DID LIKE IT, AND WE ARE GOING TO BE IN THE CAMPAIGN. SO, CUDOS TO BECKY!
ONE OF THE MOST SPECIAL TIMES IN MY LIFE WAS WHEN I WAS PUBLISHED BY OUR CHURCH MAGAZINE, THE ENSIGN. AFTER MY SON OTTO DIED, I WAS SO BEREFT AS, SINCE HE HAD BEEN KILLED SUDDENLY, I FELT THAT I HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO SAY GOODBYE TO HIM. I ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT IF I COULD JUST SEE HIM ONE MORE TIME, I COULD TELL HIM THAT I LOVED HIM AND MAYBE I WOULD FEEL BETTER. MONTHS WENT BY, AND STILL I PRAYED EACH NIGHT THAT SOMEHOW I COULD GET IN TOUCH WITH OTTO. I SUPPOSED THAT I THOUGHT THAT HE WOULD COME TO ME IN A DREAM OR SOMETHING, ISN'T IT JUST HUMAN NATURE TO ORDER THE GOOD LORD TO DO SOMETHING LIKE DEMAND A VISIT FROM A LOST LOVED ONE? BUT, THE DREAM OR VISIT NEVER OCCURRED. ONE DAY I WAS VISITING A FRIEND WHO HAD ALSO HAD A SON KILLED. HER SON HAD BEEN GONE FOR MANY YEARS, AND I ASKED IF SHE HAD EVER SEEN HIM OR VISITED HIM IN A DREAM. SHE TOLD ME THAT SHE HAD SEEN HIM SEVERAL TIMES, BUT HE NEVER LOOKED AT HER, AND SHE KNEW THAT IF HE MADE DIRECT CONTACT WITH HER IT WOULD BE TO CALL HER TO COME HOME WITH HIM. SHE WARNED ME, "YOU MAY SPEAK TO OTTO SOMETIME, BUT PERHAPS HE TOO, WILL BE CALLING YOU TO COME HOME WITH HIM." I THOUGHT ABOUT THIS OVER AND OVER. THAT CERTAINLY WAS NOT THE RESULT I WAS LOOKING FOR! THAT NIGHT I WAS READING MY SCRIPTURES, AND WAS READING ABOUT THE WIFE OF JOSEPH SMITH. HER NAME WAS EMMA. SHE WAS A GOOD AND FAITHFUL WOMAN, BUT SHE WAS UPSET THAT SOME SPIRITUAL THINGS HAD NOT BEEN REVEALED TO HER. THIS INCIDENT WAS RECORDED IN ONE OF OUR BOOKS OF SCRIPTURE NAMED THE "DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS" WHICH I DO BELIEVE AND CONSIDER TRUE SCRIPTURE AND REVELATION FROM THE LORD. A PASSAGE LEAPT OUT TO ME, STUNNING ME WITH ITS RELIVANCE. THE LORD TOLD EMMA NOT TO WORRY ABOUT THOSE THINGS WHICH SHE HAD NOT SEEN, FOR HE WOULD SHOW THEM TO HER IN HIS OWN DUE TIME. THIS STRUCK MY HEART SO DEEPLY- I SHOULD NOT WORRY ABOUT SEEING OR TALKING TO OTTO ON MY TERMS, BUT TO TRUST THAT I WOULD SEE AND TALK TO HIM ONE DAY- BUT ON THE LORD'S TERMS, NOT MINE. I SUDDENLY FELT GREAT PEACE; I KNEW THAT OTTO LIVED IN HEAVEN, HE WAS NOT GONE FOREVER AND ONE DAY WE WOULD BE TOGETHER AGAIN. IF IT TOOK MY LEAVING THE EARTH TO SEE HIM, THEN I WOULD BE HAPPY TO WAIT UNTIL THEN. AFTER THIS EXPERIENCE, I STOPPED BEGGING FOR CONTACT WITH OTTO. I HAD PEACE. THEN, ONE NIGHT NOT EVEN A WEEK LATER, I DREAMED THAT SOMEONE WAS AT THE DOOR. I ANSWERED THE DOOR, AND TO MY SHOCK AND JOY, THERE STOOD MY DEAR SON OTTO. IN THE DREAM, WE FELL INTO EACH OTHERS ARMS, WITH SO MUCH JOY. I CLEARLY REMEMBER MY HEART POUNDING WITH EMOTION AS I HELD MY SON. THEN, I BEGAN TO ASK QUESTIONS. WHAT WAS HEAVEN LIKE? WHAT DID HE DO IN HEAVEN? WHO WAS WITH HIM? ON AND ON. THE FUNNY THING IS, I DON'T REMEMBER THE ANSWERS. I AWOKE WITH SUCH JOY AND TEARS ON MY FACE. I TOLD MARTIN ABOUT THE DREAM, AND HE WAS HAPPY FOR ME. THE NEXT NIGHT AND THE NEXT FOR ABOUT A WEEK, I DREAMED OF OTTO. HE WAS HAPPY, I KNOW THAT, AND HE WANTED ME TO KNOW THAT HE WAS OKAY. THEN, THE LAST DREAM I HAD OF HIM CAME TO AN END, AND I KNEW THAT I WOULD NOT SEE HIM FOR QUITE AWHILE. AS HE WENT TO THE DOOR, HE TOOK ME IN HIS ARMS AND KISSED MY CHEEK. HE THEN TENDERLY WHISPERED IN MY EAR, "MAMA, PLEASE REMEMBER, IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE SPIRIT OF GOD WITH YOU, I CAN'T BE HERE EITHER. DON'T FORGET MAMA, I LOVE YOU". AND, HE WAS GONE. I HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN THOSE PRECIOUS WORDS OF FAREWELL, NOT GOODBYE, BECAUSE HE IS WITH ME OFTEN ALTHOUGH I DO NOT SEE HIM.
I WROTE OF THIS EXPERIENCE AND THE MAGAZINE PUBLISHED MY STORY. IT WAS SO SPECIAL TO ME TO BE ABLE TO SHARE WITH OTHERS ON SUCH A LARGE SCALE. I LOVE TO WRITE, AND WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO WRITE IN SUCH A MANNER THAT OTHERS MAY BE COMFORTED IN SOME WAY.
YES, I HAVE BEEN FACED WITH CRIPPLING GRIEF OVER THE DEATHS OF TWO OF MY CHILDREN. WITH EACH PASSING, I THOUGHT THAT I WAS STRONG ENOUGH TO FACE THE CHALLENGE, BUT THE HUMAN MIND IS A FUNNY THING. THE GRIEF DOES NOT GO AWAY, YOU JUST RECOGNIZE IT AND DEAL WITH IT ONE DAY AT A TIME. I DON'T THINK THERE IS ENOUGH STRENGT TO DEAL WITH THE CHALLENGE OUTRIGHT. THEN, WHEN YOU THINK THAT YOU CANNOT TAKE ANOTHER BREATH, WHEN YOUR HEART LITERALLY HURTS YOU, SOMETHING SWEET AND PRECIOUS TAKES PLACE TO REMIND YOU OF THE TREMENDOUS BLESSING OF LIFE. SOMETIMES IT IS JUST TO WATCH A BASEBALL GAME AND SEE THE JOY OF A LITTLE BOY GETTING TO FIRST BASE. SOMETIMES, IT IS THE LOOK ON A CHILD'S FACE AS THEY SLURP INTO A SNO-CONE. SOMETIMES, IT IS THE FEELING OF PEACE AND FULLMENT WHEN YOU PRAY, BECAUSE YOU KNOW YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN YOUR GRIEF. IT COULD BE THE VOICE OF A FRIEND ON THE PHONE, A KISS FROM YOUR PUPPY, A FLOWER IN THE YARD. HEAVENLY FATHER KNOWS THAT WE FACE GRIEF EACH DAY, AND YET, HE MAKES SURE THAT WE ARE SURROUNDED WITH THE REMINDERS THAT LIFE IS SWEET AND PRECIOUS. I AM CERTAINLY GLAD FOR THAT. MORE TOMORROW, LOVE, NANASEE

COMMIT FOR LIFE

WELL, I HAVE SOME EXCITING NEWS! OUR FAMILY HAS BEEN CHOSEN TO PARTICIPATE IN THE "COMMIT FOR LIFE" CAMPAIGN FOR THE YEAR 2010. WE ARE TO GO TO A PHOTO SHOOT FOR OUR PICS FOR THE CAMPAIGN ON JULY 30! I WROTE A STORY FOR THE SOUTHWEST REGIONAL BLOOD BANK, AND THE LIKED IT AND ASKED IF THEY COULD USE IT FOR THEIR CAMPAIGN NEXT YEAR. THE FOLLOWING IS A COPY OF THE STORY I WROTE:

Bobbie Jo Marie See Rezineck was certainly unique. She was the mama of a 10year old son named Jared. She was tall, blonde, had crystal blue eyes and a determination for life. She was in love with a man named Martin, and every day was a gift in her opinion. She was a baseball mom, never missing a game for her son or any other little guy on the team. She baked cookies and bought gallons of Gatorade, making sure that each little boy had plenty to eat and drink so they could do their best during each baseball game. She is loved by so many.
On September 12, 2008, her life took a dramatic turn. Hurricane Ike blew through and destroyed her parent’s home. Her home with Martin was spared, but Bobbie Jo, in typical fashion, cared for her parent’s welfare. She and Jared, along with her parents, sisters and nephews evacuated in the face of the storm. Because of the extensive damage to the area, it was decided to send Jared and Joselli, her mom, to El Paso to stay with her brother and his family until further notice. Bobbie Jo came home with her dad, also named Martin, to begin salvaging what they could from the wreckage.
The work was back-breaking, but Bobbie Jo was a demon, working , scrubbing and lifting, carrying and moving, and crying over mementos that meant so much to everyone. She did not know why she was so very tired, but attributed it to the work, heat and humidity. Finally, it was decided that no more could be done, and after 10 days, her mother and Jared were brought home to live with her dad in Bobbie and Martin’s home.
As the weeks went by, Bobbie Jo did not feel any better, and kept it to herself that she felt so bad. Close to Thanksgiving, she finally admitted to her mother that she felt tired and nauseous all the time. Concerned, Joselli asked her how long it had been going on, and Bobbie Jo told her she had been feeling badly since the hurricane. “Well, you worked so hard, I guess you have just worn yourself down” said her mother. With all the commotion over insurance claims and recovery, Bobbie Jo put off going to the doctor. She felt she would feel better in time anyway, and didn’t feel an immediate need to go. Her parents moved back to their home, living in temporary housing while trying to get the house repaired.
In the early part of December, the family got another shock. Jessica, Bobbie Jo’s sister, delivered a little boy early and stillborn. Bobbie Jo wanted so much to comfort her sister in her grief, and took upon herself the funeral arrangements. She had begun to feel worse, even vomiting on occasion, but didn’t acknowledge it, as her sister and family needed her help. Once again, she was everywhere, doing everything, and not considering her own condition.
Christmas came, and Bobbie Jo held a Christmas Eve party in her home. She finally admitted to her mother that she felt very sick, and was concerned. The day after Christmas came, and Bobbie told her mother that she could not get up, and needed help. Aaron, Bobbie’s brother was visiting for Christmas, and Joselli asked him to examine Bobbie as he was a doctor. Upon a quick exam, he pulled Joselli into the other room and told her to get Bobbie to the hospital right away. He felt she was very ill.
She was indeed very ill, before long after many extensive tests, and on December 29th, it was discovered that Bobbie Jo had a very aggressive form of leukemia. Bobbie Jo was told that she may have as little as three months to live. The shock was incredible; Bobbie Jo was always so strong. How could this have happened to her? Fortunately Bobbie Jo was able to be admitted to M.D. Anderson cancer hospital for another opinion and possible treatment.
Upon admission to M.D. Anderson, the tests were repeated and the diagnosis came back not leukemia but a very aggressive form of lymphoma. It was agreed that treatment would begin immediately. Fearfully, Joselli asked if Bobbie Jo even had a chance, and was told that she should never give up. Along with the chemotherapy, Bobbie Jo would need lots of blood and platelets, and Joselli could help by getting friends, family and the community to donate as much as possible. Because of the generous supply of blood and platelets available to the blood center, Bobbie Jo was able to be kept alive for the chemotherapy. At first, it seemed that she was improving. She was even able to come home for awhile, returning each day for shots. The family was overjoyed, and they continued to pray and ask anyone who could to donate blood. A friend at church organized a blood drive that brought in 128 pints of blood in Bobbie Jo’s name. Rebecca, her baby sister, organized another blood drive at her corporation and got a large donation as well. At the time, it seemed that we would be able to keep our precious Bobbie Jo.
One day, near the end of January, Joselli and Martin wrapped Bobbie Jo up in her gloves, face mask and yellow gown to keep her from getting exposed to anything, and took her shopping. She whizzed around in a motorized scooter, picking out clothing and having a wonderful time. They didn’t stay too long, and then took Bobbie Jo to her favorite restaurant for lunch. While we were there, Bobbie Jo looked at her dad and told him that she didn’t feel well. She lay down with her head on his shoulder. The next day, Bobbie Jo could not seem to wake up and was taken to the hospital. She was immediately given blood and told she would have to stay for awhile. From there, her condition worsened dramatically. Over the next two weeks, she was given many units of blood and platelets but could not bring up her blood counts. She underwent two more sessions of chemotherapy, but to no avail.
On February 21st, 2009 the family gave Bobbie Jo a birthday party at the hospital. Many friends, family and loved ones attended, and her dad Martin provided a large bar-b-que, as that was Bobbie Jo’s favorite. She was so very ill, and when the Happy Birthday song was sung, Joselli went into another room and sobbed. She felt it would be the last time they would sing Happy Birthday to Bobbie Jo.
Day after day, blood was given, unit after unit. There is no way to know who and how many gave so generously, but because of them, Bobbie Jo continued to live. Finally, it was clear that no other treatment would help her, and on March 3rd 2009, Bobbie Jo was transferred to a hospice center. It was there, 10 days later that Bobbie Jo died quietly, surrounded by loving family, her fiancé martin and her precious son Jared.
We had her for 76 days longer than we would have if not for all the generous donations of blood, given by those who will never know Bobbie Jo, but will hopefully know that their sacrifice did indeed help someone. Our gratitude is eternal for the gift that was given us as well, time to say goodbye, time to love, time to be with our precious daughter, mother, fiancé, sister, granddaughter and aunt. The little baseball boys miss her terribly. We all do. Thanks to those who gave their blood, we had time to be with her for a bit longer.

SO, THERE IT IS, THE STORY YOU HAVE FOLLOWED WITH ME. AS SOON AS I KNOW MORE, I WILL FILL YOU IN. TILL TOMORROW, LOVE, NANASEE

WHY HAVE WE BEEN SO BLESSED?

I HAVE JUST COME IN FROM A BASEBALL GAME THAT WE DROVE ABOUT 50 MILES TO WATCH. HAD TO GO THOUGH, IT WAS FOR JAYBIRD, AND THE WHOLE AVAILABLE FAMILY WAS THERE. I SAT THERE WATCHING JAYBIRD PLAY AND THOUGHT ABOUT WHEN MY LITTLE ONES PLAYED SPORTS. BECKY IS THE ONE WHO LOVED SOFTBALL, AND SHE WAS REALLY GOOD- THE BOYS LOVED FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL AND FISHING, AND BOBBIE JO PLAYED BASKETBALL. I AM TRYING TO REMEMBER WHAT SISSY LIKED TO PLAY, BUT TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH, SHE IS A PERFORMER AND DID HER BEST IN THE DANCE TEAM IN HIGH SCHOOL. TONIGHT, AS USUAL, PAPA OPENED HIS WALLET FOR MANY TRIPS TO THE SNACK BAR. THERE WAS A TIME WHEN WE WOULD HAVE HAD TO REALLY THINK ABOUT THE COST OF SNACK BAR TREATS, AND CAREFULLY MEASURE OUT THE CHANGE FOR EACH CHILD. IT IS NOT THAT WAY NOW, AND I EVEN HAVE TO REMIND PAPA THAT HIS POCKETS ARE NOT BOTTOMLESS! HE JUST GRINS AND TELLS ME THAT IT WILL BE ONLY A SHORT TIME UNTIL THE GRANDCHILDREN ARE GROWN, AND THEN WE CAN THINK ABOUT NOT GOING TO THE SNACK BAR. (ALTHOUGH BY THEN, WE WILL BE WATCHING THE GAMES OF OUR GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN, AND STILL GOING TO THE SNACK BAR!)

WHY HAVE WE BEEN SO BLESSED?

WHEN OUR CHILDREN WERE LITTLE, WE HAD TO WATCH EVERY PENNY. NOW, WE GO OUT TO EAT WAY TOO OFTEN, BUT BACK THEN, GOING OUT WAS INDEED A TREAT. I REMEMBER A CHICKEN RESTAURANT THAT WE LOVED, AND WENT TO ON OCCASION. THE MANAGER'S NAME WAS ANNIE, AND SHE LOVED OUR FAMILY. IT NEVER FAILED THAT AFTER WE GOT HOME WITH OUR ORDER, SHE HAD SNEAKED IN SOME EXTRA PIECES OF CHICKEN FOR NO COST. ONCE, I ASKED HER WHY, AND SHE SAID THAT GOOD CHILDREN LIKE OURS DESERVED TO EAT CHICKEN WITHOUT WORRYING WHETHER OR NOT THERE WOULD BE ENOUGH FOR EVERYONE. I HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN THAT. ON PAYDAY, DAD WOULD GO TO OUR FAVORITE PIZZA PLACE AT THE MALL AND GET A PIZZA FOR THE FAMILY. THIS WAS AND IS THE BEST PIZZA I HAVE EVER HAD, AND ONCE IN A WHILE, WE TAKE THE TRIP BACK JUST TO GET A BITE AGAIN. NOW, THE OWNER OF THIS PIZZA PLACE HAD KIDS ABOUT THE SAME AGE AS OURS. HE KNEW THAT DAD COULD ONLY COME IN TWICE A MONTH ON PAYDAY- AND LOOKED FORWARD TO TALKING TO DAD WHEN HE CAME IN. THEY TALKED ABOUT ALL KINDS OF THINGS, AND HAD A GOOD FRIENDSHIP. HE ALWAYS GAVE US MORE PIZZA THAN WE HAD PAID FOR, A LARGE PIE FOR A MEDIUM PRICE, OR, A CUSTOMER ORDERED ONE AND DIDN'T PICK IT UP-WOULD DAD LIKE IT FOR THE KIDS? THE YEARS WENT BY, BUT THEY STILL REMEMBER US, AND GIVE US THE "ROYAL" TREATMENT WHEN WE GO. BUT THAT IS NOT WHY WE GO, IT IS BECAUSE OF THE MEMORIES FORGED OVER THE YEARS. THEIR KIDS ARE GROWN NOW, BUT THEY WORK THERE INSTEAD OF THEIR PARENTS, AND THEY TELL US OF HOW THEIR PARENTS WERE SO IMPRESSED WITH OUR CHILDREN. EVEN THOUGH WE STRUGGLED FINANCIALLY, THERE WERE TIMES WHEN I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE WHAT WE HAD. WHEN I GREW A GARDEN, I SHARED THE PRODUCE, AND SEEMED TO ALWAYS HAVE MORE THAN I NEEDED. I SHARED THE EGGS FROM THE CHICKENS, AND WHEN WE BUTCHERED THE PIGS, THE HISPANIC FAMILIES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OFFERED TO HELP IF WE WOULD GIVE THEM THE "LEFTOVERS". LEFTOVERS WERE THE HEAD, INSIDES, FEET AND SKIN. I WAS GLAD TO NOT HAVE TO DISPOSE OF THEM, AND GLADLY GAVE THEM AWAY. ON HALLOWEEN, WE ALWAYS HAD EXTRA CANDY TO GIVE OUT. WE STRUGGLED, TRUE, BUT WE WERE SO MUCH BETTER OFF THAN THE HISPANIC FAMILIES THAT LIVED IN THE TRAILER PARK AT THE END OF THE STREET. THEY TRULY HAD VERY LITTLE, AND THEY THOUGHT WE WERE THE "RICH PEOPLE" ON THE STREET. IF ONLY THEY KNEW. I HAVE TO ADMIT, THAT AS MARTIN AND I HAVE MATURED, WE HAVE PROSPERED. I SAY THIS WITH HUMILITY AND THANKS, ESPECIALLY SINCE I KNOW HOW FRAGILE THE GOOD TIMES CAN BE. I NEVER TAKE THINGS LIKE THIS FOR GRANTED ANYMORE. I REMEMBER CUTTING A WHOLE CHICKEN INTO 4 MEALS-AND GRATEFUL TO BE ABLE TO DO SO. TODAY, I BUY FROZEN CHICKEN BREASTS LIKE EVERYONE ELSE-BUT I DON'T FORGET JUST HOW FAR A CHICKEN CAN GO IF IT HAS TO. I HOPE THAT EVERYONE CAN REALIZE HOW MANY BLESSINGS THEY HAVE. I HOPE THAT THE AFFLUENCE AND PROSPERITY THAT MOST PEOPLE I KNOW ARE SOMETHING THAT THESE FRIENDS AND FAMILY ARE GRATEFUL FOR. I DON'T EVER WANT TO GO BACK TO THE DAYS WHEN I CULLED THROUGH BOXES OF PRODUCE TO FINE THE "GOOD STUFF" TO TAKE HOME TO MY FAMILY TO SAVE SOME CHANGE, BUT IF I EVER HAVE TO, I WILL BE GRATEFULL THEN AS WELL. I BARELY REMEMBER GOING TO THE DAY-OLD BREAD STORE TO GET BARGAIN CUPCAKES AND OTHER GOODIES, BUT I DO REMEMBER THE JOY IN FINDING A BARGAIN AND THE MULTITUDE OF YUMMIES THAT I WAS ABLE TO PROVIDE. THESE DAYS, I HAVE TO TELL MYSELF NO, THAT I DON'T NEED TO FILL THE HOUSE WITH GOODIES, (FOR ALL THE GOOD IT DOES, AFTER ALL, I STILL HAVE LITTLE TUMMIES TO FILL) AND OF COURSE, I GIVE IN TO THE "HAPPY NANA" PART OF ME THAT REALIZES THAT IF HEAVENLY FATHER HAS GIVEN ME A WAY TO SHARE, THEN SHARE I WILL. AFTER ALL, WHEN I HAVE LEFT THIS WORLD, I WANT TO BE REMEMBERED AS THE NANA THAT HAD GOODIES IN HER PURSE FOR ANYONE WHO NEEDED ONE. (AND WE ALL NEED ONE!) I GUESS WHAT I AM TRYING TO SAY, IS THAT SINCE I HAVE BEEN SO EXPONENTIALLY BLESSED IN MY LIFETIME, I SHOULD FIND JOY IN SHARING THOSE BLESSINGS. I REALLY DO, AND PRAY EACH DAY FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO FIND SOMEONE TO PASS FATHER'S BLESSINGS ALONG TO. I KNOW I CANNOT SAVE THE WORLD, BUT I CAN MAKE A VERY SMALL PART OF IT BETTER FOR A FEW. AND, ISN'T THAT WHERE TRUE JOY LIES? YOU CAN'T PUT A PRICE ON THAT! TILL TOMORROW, LOVE, NANASEE

THOSE GREEN EYES

THROUGH ALL THE YEARS SINCE I HAVE MET MARTIN, ONE THING HAS NEVER CHANGED. HIS GREEN EYES. YES, THEY ARE A BIT OLDER, AND OF COURSE MUCH WISER, BUT STILL FULL OF LOVE. RIGHT NOW, THEY HAVE MUCH PAIN IN THEM, PERHAPS THEY ARE A BIT CLOUDY, AND CERTAINLY THEY SHOW THAT MARTIN MISSES BOBBIE JO. BUT, AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT, THOSE GREEN EYES LIGHT UP AT THE SIGHT OF ONE OF HIS GRANDSONS, HIS GERMAN SHEPHERD ROCKY, A BOWL OF ICE CREAM, A GAME OF DOMINOES, A PLATE OF KING CRAB LEGS, BUT MOSTLY, THEY LIGHT UP WHEN THEY SEE ME. SOMETIMES, WHEN I AM NOT LOOKING, THOSE GREEN EYES ARE WATCHING ME. WATCHING ME COOK, READ, FOLD LAUNDRY OR ANY NUMBER OF THINGS. SOMETIMES, THOSE GREEN EYES LOOK ANXIOUSLY FOR A SMILE FROM ME WHEN MARTIN HAS BEEN OUT FISHING AND FORGOTTEN THAT HE HAD PROMISED TO TAKE ME SOMEWHERE. MAYBE HE DID SOMETHING TO UPSET ME, OR SAID SOMETHING TO HURT ME. (HE SWEARS THAT HE WOULD NEVER DO THAT!) BUT IN THOSE MOMENTS, A SPARK OF ANXIOUSNESS APPEARS. SOMETIMES THEY LOOK WITH ANTICIPATION AT THE KITCHEN FIRST THING IN THE MORNING, HOPING TO SEE SOME SAUSAGE, EGGS AND GRITS BEING PREPARED FOR HIS BREAKFAST, OR WHEN HE COMES IN AT NIGHT, HOPING FOR A TREAT OR SNACK. SOMETIMES, I SEE HUMOR IN THOSE GREEN EYES, AS MARTIN WATCHES ME STRUGGLE INTO MY PANTY HOSE, STAGGER OUT OF BED FIRST THING IN THE MORNING, OR TRYING TO GIVE THE DOG OR CAT THEIR VITAMINS OR MEDS. I SEE THOSE GREEN EYES GLOW WITH PATIENCE AS MARTIN ANSWERS YET AGAIN, "WHY?" FROM ONE OF THE GRANDSONS. I SEE THOSE GREEN EYES GLOW WITH PRIDE AS MARTIN INTERRACTS WITH HIS CHILDREN, BEING TENDER WITH BECKY, FISHING WITH AARON OR JOKING AROUND WITH SISSY. THOSE GREEN EYES USED TO RELISH THE ARGUMENTS WITH BOBBIE JO, WATCHING HER PAINT WITH HIM OR WORK ON THE HOUSE. THOSE EYES DO SO MUCH AND MEAN SO MUCH, BUT, THEY MEAN THE MOST TO ME. MORE THAN ANYONE, THEY ARE MEANT FOR ME. TO HELP ME THROUGH THIS LIFE WHEN PAIN SLAMS ME, GRIEF TRIES TO BREAK ME, SADNESS TRIES TO CRIPPLE ME. WHEN ILLNESS TRIES TO STOP ME, ANGER GETS IN MY WAY, OR DISSAPOINTMENT BRINGS ME DOWN, I LOOK FOR THOSE GREEN EYES AND SEE ENCOURAGEMENT AND LOVE, AND MOST OF ALL, CONFIDENCE IN ME. IT IS FUNNY, AFTER 37 YEARS OF LOOKING INTO THOSE GREEN EYES, I DO NOT NOTICE THE SLIGHT DROOP OF THE LEFT EYELID THAT HAS APPEARED, NOR DO I NOTICE THE BUSHY EYEBROWS THAT ARE A MARK OF ADVANCING AGE. AROUND THOSE EYES, THERE ARE SMALL AGE SPOTS, A FEW WRINKLES AND A MOLE OR TWO. ALL I SEE IS THE GREEN OF A PAIR OF EYES THAT LOVE ME BEYOND MEASURE. HOW CAN TWO ORBS THAT HAVE NO REAL EXPRESSION, HAVE SO MUCH EXPRESSION? THE COLOR HAS NOT CHANGED, THE GREEN IS STILL BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL. I HATE TO SEE THOSE GREEN EYES FILL WITH TEARS. IT HAPPENS MORE OFTEN THESE DAYS, AS THOUGH IT IS TOO HARD TO TRY TO STOP THEM. THE TEARS MAKE THE GREEN OF HIS EYES MORE CRYSTALLINE, BUT THAT IS BEAUTY THAT I DO NOT WISH TO SEE. HIS EYES ARE THE FIRST HINT WHEN HE IS PICKING ON SOMEONE, THEY JUST HAVE TO LOOK AND TELL THAT HE IS ONLY HAVING FUN. WHEN WE WERE YOUNG, HIS GREEN EYES BLAZED WITH PASSION AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT-NOW, THE PASSION IS STILL THERE, BUT IT IS A STEADY FIRE, NOT SO MUCH A BLAZE. IT TICKLES ME THAT HE THINKS I AM SEXY. I DO NOT. HE LOVES MY NIGHTIES, AND HIS EYES LIGHT AND GLOW WHEN I DON ONE-THE GLOW IS BECAUSE HE KNOWS I WANT TO PLEASE HIM. I SEEM TO PLEASE HIM OFTEN, BUT NOW, THE PLEASURE IS BECAUSE HIS SOCKS ARE MATCHED IN HIS DRAWERS, HIS FEET GET RUBBED ON THE SPUR OF THE MOMENT, BECAUSE THERE IS A SWEET POTATO PIE COMING OUT OF THE OVEN, OR MAYBE BECAUSE I SPEND A FEW EXTRA MINUTES SCRATCHING ROCKY'S TUMMY. I DO THINGS TO PLEASE HIM, NOT BECAUSE I HAVE TO OR ARE FORCED TO, BUT BECAUSE I WANT TO. MY REWARD IS THE LOOK IN THOSE GREEN EYES, THE LOOK OF APPRECIATION AND LOVE. I LOOK FORWARD TO AN ETERNITY OF SEEING HIS GREEN EYES, SHINE WITH LOVE, PASSION, COURAGE, APPRECIATION, HUMOR AND CARE. HIS EYES ARE THE ONE CONSTANT THAT I HAVE ALWAYS HAD TO ANCHOR ON-EVEN IN THE MOMENT THAT I THOUGHT I WAS SAYING GOODBYE FOR THE LAST TIME, BEFORE MY SURGERY FOR WHAT WAS CONSIDERED A TERMINAL ILLNESS, I FOCUSED ON HIS EYES AS I WAS ROLLED DOWN THE HALL. I DON'T KNOW HOW HE CONSIDERS MY EYES, MAYBE NOT AT ALL. BUT I KNOW THAT HIS GREEN EYES ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO ME. BY THE WAY, NONE OF THE CHILDREN HAVE GREEN EYES. WHAT A SHAME! LOVE, NANASEE

STILL ON VACATION!

WELL, I AM SORT OF BACK, AT LEAST I AM HOME, BUT I AM STILL ON VACATION AS I AM NOT GOING TO KEEP THE BOYS FOR AWHILE. MARTIN WILL USE THE HIATUS TIME TO FINISH THE HOUSE. IT IS AMAZING HOW MANY DISRUPTIONS YOU CAN HAVE AND NOT EVEN KNOW IT. IT WILL SOON BE A YEAR AND WE ARE STILL NOT QUITE THROUGH. IT TOOK FOREVER TO GET OUR INSURANCE CLAIM SETTLED, THEN BOBBIE JO WAS SO ILL, AND THEN WE GOT STARTED, BUT MARTIN WON'T GET HELP, (I DON'T WANT TO PUSH), HE FEELS THAT HE CAN DO IT BY HIMSELF. SO, I ASKED HIM TO GET GOING SO THAT I CAN FEEL COMPLETE. HE IS GOING TO FINISH AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE, MY NERVES ARE BECOMING FRAYED MORE AND MORE EACH TIME I HAVE TO WALK THROUGH A LIVING ROOM PILED HIGH WITH FURNITURE, AND A DINING ROOM FILLED WITH BUILDING MATERIALS. OKAY, I AM GOING TO STOP WHINING, I AM BETTER THAN THIS!
WE HAD A LOT OF FUN WHILE WE WERE GONE. WE WENT TO LOUISIANA, SPENT A DAY AND A HALF THERE AND THEN DROVE TO CANTON TEXAS WHERE THERE IS A HUGE, (AND I DO MEAN HUGE) FLEA MARKET THE FIRST OF EACH MONTH. IT IS SO BIG THAT MARTIN AND I SPLURGED AND RENTED SCOOTERS, (OLD PEOPLE CARTS) TO DRIVE AROUND. GOOD THING TOO, IT WAS SO HOT AND PROBABLY 15 ACRES OF FLEA MARKET TO COVER. WE FOUND SOME WONDERFUL GOODIES TOO. FIRST, WE FOUND THE PERFECT MANTLE CLOCK TO GO ON THE NEW FIREPLACE MANTLE. DOING SOME RESEARCH, I FOUND THAT IT IS A WESTMINSTER CHIME CLOCK MADE BY, UH, WELL, I FORGOT HIS NAME, BUT IT IS A REALLY NICE ANTIQUE CLOCK. IT WAS ONLY 50.00! THEN, WE BOUGHT A LARGE TEXAS STAR TO GO ON THE PATIO WALL OUTSIDE BETWEEN THE IRON ROCKING CHAIRS. AFTER THAT, WE FOUND A GREAT PATIO BISTRO SET, MADE OF WOOD, SO NICE, WITH LOTS OF FANNY ROOM AND BAR HEIGHT. SPEEDING PAST ANOTHER BOOTH, MARTIN SAW A GRANDFATHER CLOCK THAT TURNED OUT TO BE JUST THE HOUSING OF A GRANDFATHER CLOCK. IT WAS ONLY 20.00, AND NOW MARTIN IS GOING TO GET THE MOVEMENT TO MAKE IT INTO A GRANDFATHER CLOCK. (GOSH, DOESN'T HE HAVE ENOUGH TO DO?) SOMEHOW, HE BALANCED THAT HUGE THING ON HIS SCOOTER, HOLDING ON TO IT, AND RACED BACK TO WHERE WE COULD STORE IT UNTIL WE FINISHED SHOPPING. EVERYONE WAS STARING AND POINTING AS HE SPED BY, AND ALL I COULD DO IS JUST LAUGH. I TOOK A PICTURE OF HIM AND HIS CLOCK, IT IS SOMETHING I WILL ALWAYS TREASURE, AS IT IS THE PERFECT EXAMPLE OF MARTIN INGENUITY! FINALLY, WE FOUND A CAST IRON LONG HORN BELL THAT LOOKS LIKE THE HEAD OF A LONG HORN STEER AND HAD A BELL RINGER, SORT OF LIKE A DINNER BELL ON THE COW RANGE! THAT WILL BE OUR NEW BACK DOOR BELL. WE HAD BAKED POTATOES ON A PATIO TABLE IN THE MIDDLE OF EVERYTHING, AND REALLY HAD AN ANNIVERSARY TO REMEMBER. OH! I FORGOT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING! MARTIN BOUGHT ME A COOKIE JAR! AFTER HE CRABBED AT ME TO STOP BUYING THEM, HE GOES AND BUYS ONE FOR ME HIMSELF! IT IS A GINGERBREAD BOY. SOMETIMES THAT MAN IS ALL BARK AND NO BITE. WE FINALLY DECIDED THAT WE HAD HAD ALL THE FUN WE COULD STAND, AND DROVE HOME THROUGH THE TEXAS COUNTRYSIDE. IT WAS WONDERFUL, THE CHURCHES, THE HOUSES, THE CATTLE AND STORES. WE ATE CHEETOES AND DRANK SODA, TOLD JOKES AND SHARED MEMORIES. WHILE WE WERE TRAVELING, I DEVELOPED A SORE THROAT AND MISSED CHURCH TODAY. I GUESS I AM VERY TIRED OF DRIVING, BUT WE DID HAVE SO MUCH FUN. SO, STARTING MONDAY MORNING, WE ARE GOING TO EXPIDITE THE HOUSE REPAIRS SO THAT WE CAN HAVE OUR HOME BACK IN ONE PIECE AGAIN. I CAN'T WAIT. I AM TRYING TO BE PATIENT, BUT IT HAS BEEN A LONG TIME. WE HAD THOUGHT TO GO TO EL PASO TO SEE AARON AND THE FAMILY,AND THEN ON TO OAKLAND TO SEE OUR OTHER FAMILY, BUT I REALLY AM NOT UP TO ANOTHER LONG DRIVE RIGHT NOW. SO, I AM GOING TO STAY HERE WITH MY HONEY, DO "GOFER"THINGS FOR HIM, COOK NICE MEALS FOR US, AND PLAY WITH ROCKY AND LUCKY. I REALIZE THAT I HAVE GOTTEN AWAY FROM OUR LOVE STORY FOR QUITE SOME TIME NOW, AND I WILL TRY TO GET BACK TO IT. IT IS JUST THAT IN THE LAST 10 YEARS, SO MUCH HAS HAPPENED AND YET SO MUCH IS THE SAME. SUFFICE IT TO SAY FOR NOW, THAT WE HAVE CELEBRATED 37 YEARS TOGETHER, THOSE TWO YOUNG KIDS WHO MARRIED SO QUICKLY AND STRUGGLED SO VERY MUCH-I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR THE STRUGGLES, THE JOYS,THE AFFLUENCE AND THE BLESSINGS. I FEEL THAT I WILL HAVE GOOD NEWS SOON, I JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT IT WILL BE. (YOU KNOW THAT FEELING WHEN SOMETHING REALLY SPECIAL IS GOING TO HAPPEN?) ANYWAY, UNTIL TOMORROW, LOVE, NANASEE