I Am Very Much Back in Scottsboro, AL

On to the next thing.

Tasks, tasks, tasks.

Responsibilities.

Daily living.

In order to have the thing we most want we have to "do".   - and for me, what I want on this day, it is.....

1.  My children with me.

2.  A well-groomed yard.

3.  Clean Sheets.

4.  Giving to Best Friends.

5.  Healthy Food in the Pantry.

6.  Less Clutter.

7.  Fig Preserves for today.

and other things....

but it means getting the thing done.

Sooooooo........

I have a very abundant Fig Tree.  This is its first year to have lots of fruit - enough that I need to do something with it so that it will not be thrown out.

I made fig preserves this morning.  YAY!!  Mother used to make the best Fig Preserves.  I didn't know they were so easy.  Mom, you're busted!  I thought it would be so hard.  

Laura Beth and John and Ada are travelling to Scottsboro tomorrow....just when we thought they weren't.  I can't wait to see them and get my hands on John.  They will be here so briefly but it's worth it to me and I plan to meet LB halfway to intercept Ada so that the trip won't be so harrowing for Laura Beth.  (This is my idea, not Laura Beth's - to meet her - I just want to encourage her travels here to S'boro - I remember those long trips home - with babies)

We have a very fun baby shower on Saturday for Esther's little girl Charlotte.  She writes about her at the place I just highlighted, and if you missed that you can go here to read her great posts regarding the upcoming arrival of precious Charlotte in late August.  I get so excited when I see she's put up a new post.

Sheets have been washed - just have to get them on the beds.

And.... I need to cut grass - I WANT to cut grass - so will have to go get gasoline and pick up 2 wrapped gifts at  Gina's and Grapevine in Scottsboro.  Oh - and my prescription at CVS.

TASKS, tasks, tasks.  Is that where we get tsk, tsk, tsk?  Here in the south we say that.  I guess we say tsk over tasks.  Silly.

I've already been to WalMart and needed available healthy and desirable food for the girls and myself....and the grandchildren.

So - very active day - but I want to get to my yard.

Let me close.  Things to do.  Sarah is on her way here.  Kate will be coming home tomorrow - and Laura Beth and the children - and Ann is probably as glad as I am to have her sisters here in town.

KEEN-wah

Today I'll share how I love Quinoa.

I have had it before, and liked it, but had not made it a staple.

We had dinner with friends the other night and I wanted to eat the whole bowl of their Quinoa, the way they had prepared it.

I heard her husband ask, as I was conversing with another guest, "Sue, do I just pour these vegetables in with the Quinoa?"  and she answered, "Yes".  Didn't give that much  thought as I continued to talk.

When I helped myself, at the table, as the bowl was passed to me, I took notice and really, really took notice when I ate it.  So good.  It had different diced vegetables in it (carrots were visible because of their orange color) and so light tasting and so yummy.  It went so well with their grilled salmon and grilled asparagus.  So good.  Note to self:  Buy Quinoa and make it the same way, although I didn't ask what they had done.  I forgot to ask.

Following Monday I was in Huntsville and at a new grocery store which is a lot like Trader Joe's (not as good, though)  BUT - I looked for the Quinoa.  And they had a red kind.  That got my attention.  I only knew about the yellow version.  Dark seemed like it would be even tastier.  Got it and read on the box - yep - told how to add diced veggies of my choosing when I put the Quinoa in the water to cook. I didn't have carrots.  I had celery, onion and garlic and grape tomatoes. Oh, and some fresh green beans.  I finely chopped a few of those.  So good.  Just takes a little bit of veggies - don't want to over power.  I may have put in 1 or 2 chicken bouillon cubes for added flavor.  There was no oil at all.

We had some fresh cucumbers and next day, when the leftover Quinoa was cold, I diced a lot of cucumber into a bowl and tossed it with the leftover Quinoa - as a cold salad.  Very good!!

I really really liked the red Quinoa.  I think I prefer it.  But I like both.

Grains

I really, really enjoy whole grains, and, as of this summer, it's official.   My favorite grain used to be Whole Grain Rice, but now my two favorite grains are Wild Rice and Quinoa (pronounced KEEN - wah)

A recipe that I put together this summer is for a soup - basic.

BLACK BEAN and WILD RICE SOUP

Black Beans and Wild Rice, with onion and garlic and celery, if you like celery.

Begin the cooking process for the Wild Rice.  Instructions will be on package, but it's 1 part rice to 2 parts water.  About 1/2 tsp. salt per 1 cup rice.    for a moderate amount of soup, use 1 cup rice and 2 cups water and 1/2 tsp. salt.  Bring Rice, Water, and salt to a boil and reduce heat to low and cover with lid.  Simmer for 50 to 55 minutes.

While Rice is cooking, prepare vegetables.
In a nonstick skillet saute amount of your choosing of the 3 vegetables, chopped and diced.  Use about a tablespoon of olive oil and stir constantly to keep the heat evenly distributed and the oil.  Maybe 1 onion, 3 stalks celery, 2 cloves garlic.

Drain 3 cans fat free organic black beans.

In a large pot, place cooked rice, black beans, prepared veggies, and enough chicken broth or vegetable broth to make the right consistency for soup.  Heat through and it's done.

I LOVE THIS STUFF!  So crunchy, filling, and healthy.  I love it.  Is there someone in the home who just has to have meat?  Add cooked, cut up chicken - or even browned lean beef, and drain any fat off of these.  Love it.


Also, can combine the whole grain rice and the wild rice - try to get organic - and it's a combo rice thing.

I'll do the Quinoa Recipe in next post.  I wish I had my camera and could take pictures of the packages and the prepared soup.  And the raw grains.

Google Quinoa and read how healthy it is for you.  Also, Wild Rice.

Second Day of the Week

Mondays and Fridays and Saturdays and Sundays have such a distinct place in the week.

Monday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday - they stand out -

But what about Tuesday or Thursday or Wednesday.

Wednesday is significant for it's middle spot.

In college we called it Hump Day.  It was downhill in a good way, after Wednesday.  Coasting toward the weekend.

I like Tuesday.  It still seems new - maybe I didn't change the world on Monday like I thought I would, but there's still plenty of possibility for Tuesday.

And how does Tuesday look today from my perspective?

ONE

I don't have my camera.  We finally took it to Best Buy yesterday with our 3 year warranty contract and receipt for having bought it as recently as October 09.  I just think they should give me a new lens - I think we got a lemon in that lens.  It shouldn't have already messed up in the shutter speed.  My camera will be gone 2 - 3 weeks.  Looks like if I post with pictures, perhaps there might be more downloading of oldie goldies.  More looking into the past.

TWO

Andrew woke at my house this morning.  It was my idea.  Long story - but he wasn't feeling good, Ann and Steve both had different tasks to accomplish at 5:00 when we dropped Ann and Ellie off after the day in Huntsville(they rode with us - Barber guys stayed in Scottsboro - Monday is Steve's Saturday).  I just knew Andrew felt so bum and would need constant holding - so I suggested he go home with us. He did and ended up spending the night.  He's already back asleep by 8:00 - rather feverish with cold in his eyes and a cough.  

THREE

Call from New Orleans - trying to wind down Sarah's checking account here.  She's opened a new one in New Orleans - different bank - and get the panel she's sold, get it off the wall at the Veranda Cafe.  That's a ride into town - (for any city living readers of this blog - a ride into town is maybe 3 minutes.  Big deal just to "get it done")

FOUR

I'm doing just a teensy small thing for Ann who is a 1st and 2nd grade VBS teacher at our church.  It all begins next Sunday evening.  I am making a faux fireplace by drawing the bricks on heavy brown paper which is available to us at the church - someone's gift of large rolls of brown paper - from their workplace.  I did get some paints and markers and sponge brushes, yesterday, to do the thing - plus foam core board to back it.  Also backing a few small items with foam core, for her display on the "fake" mantel.

Which - conjures up memories of earliest VBS days - who went?  who loved it?  I did.  My earliest memory, before any which I attended at my own church - was at the Baptist Church in Evergreen.  I went with my friend, from down the street - Jeannie Knox Livings.  Her name which we called her was a double name - Jeannie Knox.  Her mom was Jean.  I loved it.  I was hooked on VBS - but it was simple stuff then - VBS - My first time to learn the song, "Zaccheus was a wee little man and a wee little man was he - he climbed up in the sycamore tree, for the Lord he wanted to see - for the Lord he wanted to see - and the Lord said, 'Zaccheus, you come down! for I'm going to your house today' - 'for I'm going to your house today' ".  We also glued something on something.  I think cotton onto some picture - and we played outside and we had refreshments.  I loved it.

From then on, it was VBS at my church.  And as a teenager I helped with it.  And as a college student at home during the summer, I helped with that.  I loved it all - but it stopped there for me and I never thought about VBS again - until it showed up again when my girls came of age.  I really had forgotten all about it.  I sent Ann and Laura Beth to Calvary's one summer and after that I couldn't NOT help with it.  My first year to help was the summer after Sarah was born.  I was helping in a room right across from the nursery and I would run across the hall to nurse her quite a bit.  I no longer loved it the way I had in my youth and childhood.  It exhausted me - but over the years I continued to help just due to the sense of responsibility - children still loved it - and mine certainly did. But I loved it less and less.  I was becoming the VBS Scrooge.  Sad.  I recall one summer, helping, and by then Kate was with us and between 2 and 3 years of age  and NOT wanting to be anywhere but with me.  At one point I heard screaming and looked toward the door and one of Kate's teachers was carrying her with Kate's back bowed, trying to calm her down.  I guess Kate had tried to escape and get in my room.  The poor teacher looked exhausted and all I could do was mouth, "I'm sorry".  with a frowny face.

Kate enjoyed VBS as she got older...I think....didn't you, Kate?

So - here we are - and VBS has become quite the production - at least in the Baptist world. Whoa.

I'm just making a mantel for Ann and keeping Andrew next week while everyone does VBS.

FOUR

I don't really have a four - okay - and probably won't knock out huge projects which I've planned - or begin in my late 50's a breathtaking art career which I've been planning since I graduated from Auburn - but it's just Tuesday - and I will get to nurture my little Andrew while he's with me and I just know I'll see my firstborn's face sometime today - my 2nd, 3rd and 4th born are not in town on this day - and with all of that I'll get to laugh with Ellie and Luke, surely, and probably console just a pinch when little bits don't get their way - (wish Ada and John were here)  Plus, with all of that, Charlie comes home every night and we get to spend time together - and enjoy something simple on TV - usually, except I did buy two new novels yesterday which I am so excited about and I just remembered them!  

But with all of that - there's always Wednesday.  As Mother always said, "tomorrow hasn't been touched".  She said with much promise and hope.

Monday Morning

Welcome Monday.

Welcome New Week.

Welcome New Day.

Fresh Start,
Possibilities,

And new summer, in June.

Thank you rain

And thank you God for the rain

And thank you flowers for growing

And thank you God for the flowers that grow after the rain.

I'm sorry on this day when I'm glad,

that someone isn't.

I pray for their heart and their trial and whatever it is.

I pray for them to have God's hands and arms, holding.

I wish I could help.  If I can I will.  

I'm grateful for Kate.

And for Sarah.

And for Ann.

And for Laura Beth.

Thank you, God, for giving them to  Charlie and me.

I'm so glad they love You.

I'm so glad Scott and Steve love You and that they are faithful to my two daughters.

I pray for whomever will love Sarah and Kate, that they will be cared for, today, by You.

I'm grateful for Ellie and Luke 

and Ada and Andrew

and John.  I pray that they will love You.

I pray for all the others, that they will love You.

Changes

Sarah left Tuesday for Auburn on her way to New Orleans - to live.
Last night was her first night in the city, to live, and I worried that she might be having second thoughts until I read her post this morning - What I Did and Said - She's thrilled to be there and I'm thrilled that she's thrilled.

Last Saturday Ellie turned 5 - but today is her party - in Huntsville - at "Pump It Up".  Those inflatable things that kids jump on and climb on - Ellie and Luke are as excited about it as if it were Christmas. Ann has some great visuals on her blog to show how much Ellie has changed in 5 years.

Yesterday Kate called me, ecstatic that she had just attended her final class at Auburn University.  She has 2 exams next week and the next and she'll be done.  In a couple of weeks Charlie and I will no longer have anyone in college and my youngest is graduating.  And you can go here to see what she'll be doing in the fall - exciting stuff - and big changes.

I still remember being excited when I was able to check off the various school stages here in Scottsboro - first, Mothers Day Out - then - no more elementary grades - then Page(middle school) - then Junior High - I was especially glad to be done with Jr High - and finally High School - done with high school - and now here we are - completing the college years.  and my oldest granddaughter is 5 - but I'll blink and she'll be grown along with the others - and I guess my children will be trying to find a nursing home for me.  :-)

And a huge change over in the Atlanta/McDonough part of the world.  Laura Beth hunkered down and persevered in potty training Ada - If you read the P.S. on this post of hers  you'll find that Ada did finally get the hang of it.  Presto! She's potty trained!  I received several phone calls with Ada wanting to report each time she nailed it.  I didn't talk with Laura Beth yesterday, but I assume the progress continues.

And the other change?  Today is the 1st day of May.  A new month.

Sleepless Nights and What to Do with Them.

This is a phenomenon of one woman who is 57.

Insomnia has never been something I've dealt with. Also, I'm not a worrier. Not to say I never worry - but it doesn't describe me. Obviously there are things that are big enough in my life that might weigh on my mind - but I don't "own" worry. Not one of the weaknesses I deal with. So - worry doesn't keep me from sleeping.

So...... at this stage of my life.....I will go along my usual pattern - daytime/awake - nighttime/asleep - good sleep - but all along, even after having fallen asleep on the couch and waking long enough to stumble to bed - eager to return to my slumber - my brain's eyes slowly come fully awake and there is no falling asleep. Weird. It is either hormonal or it is God keeping me awake to commune with me. (that is my 57 year old phenomenon I was talking about - very unpredictable)

An aside - I want to come clean with all of you young women who are believers and read all about the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31. I know one thing about verse 15. It says that "She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens."
Well - I'm thinking this lady is a mature woman and I now, too, rise while it is yet night - but it's because I can't sleep....sometimes, and I get a lot done when I "can't sleep". If I'm sleepy, I sleep - unless I'm helping one of my girls with their newborns. I know that Ann is a young woman and that right now she, too, rises while it is yet night - to feed Andrew. She definitely provides food for him - but she has no maidens and if she did, well, she would have them providing their own food - and probably telling them to forget the food - could they please hold Andrew and burp him between feedings.

Back to if I sleep or don't sleep.

Last night, after many many many nights of being able to sleep - well, I couldn't - when my head hit the pillow. I had already been asleep on the couch and couldn't wait to get to my bed. I now know NOT to get up if I need the sleep - because I certainly wouldn't fall asleep if I'm up and about - I mean, I would get up if there were things to be done - but I needed to fall asleep - not knowing what this new day would hold. So - I lay there with some weird secular song in my brain - not sure where that came from unless it was from my blog. Probably. So - I began to think about God - of course(and I prayed earnestly for wisdom - asking would it be better to get up and read His word or to lay there and pray the scripture I know, in order to soon get sleep as He enabled me) - I've always done that on my pillow at night - focused on God, in a personal way - way back into earliest childhood memories. I believe it is the way He has always spoken to me and what led me to my salvation - another post - okay - so last night - wanting to get that stupid song out of my brain I began to remember praise verses in scripture - majestic ones - but not knowing the complete passages, I determined that I MUST memorize this stuff - something I've never been able to deliberately do - memorize scripture. It's only in studying it over and over that I memorize it without planning to. So - there I lay - and I just want to say that at age 57 - God has done that thing in me - that I now know there is no peace in anything but focusing on the complete holiness of the God of ALL Creation. It dissolves any fears, any worries, any distractions, any worldly wants regarding things one can't have at the present, it pales all other things and answers all needs and prayers. What got under my skin was not knowing the entire passages - so I purposed that I would begin the project that I have so often meant to start.

I love to type. My eyesight is getting worse and worse. I use reading glasses and magnifying glasses to see small print. So - today - I've been working on putting in print my best and most faith strengthing praise scripture and prayer scripture. I need this collection for when I'm really really old and can't see a thing and need really large print. and at that age, the only thing I will need in my life is God's word and someone making me comfortable - but if I don't have someone making me comfortable, then I will only need God's word.

I hate taking scripture out of context - but I've done my best to include the entire passage that wouldn't misrepresent the verses - if that makes sense. Praising God - how can that ever be out of context - and the reality of His Kingdom - it stands alone.

I've said all of this to say, that when I can't think of a single thing about "this world and this life" to post about - then I'm going to share some of that scripture that praises the Eternal God - and encourage anyone reading this to take hold of it - for whatever you are facing on a daily basis.

To be continued. You won't get the verses at this moment. I have run out of "typing time" and will post a praise and prayer passage in the next post. Unless I've thought of something to write about regarding "this world". :-)

Saturday Night.

Saturday night.

Andrew is working on being 3 weeks.

Mary Ann was just here for a visit, to see Andrew.

She came on Thursday and left this morning.

Ann and Steve and Andrew are at the church tonight for a little outing. Younger couples, (Scott's class), are watching the movie, "Fireproof".

Ellie and Luke are here at our house.

I have nothing memorable to post - but not wanting the same post to remain -

Perhaps Monday I'll have something to write.

I miss Laura Beth and Ada and Sarah and Kate - That leaves Scott out - awwwww - I wish that Scott and Laura Beth and Ada were close by - and Sarah and Kate. My whole family I want close by. Seems like anything is closer than Albuquerque - I'll never get over how far away that was. Except that Kate is going to China during her Spring Break. I'm just not cut out for so much distance.

I need to close.

Wednesday and no time to post!

I really can't post much, but things are rather active around here.

We have two family weddings in April, back to back, and one involves a luncheon in March. I enjoy this stuff and enjoy projects and planning, yet it does require time and that is what I'm involved in. Mary Ann and I have planned the theme of the luncheon around family - in fact, the guest list consists only of family-female - we are so scattered - and the list consists of 30 - so today I've been working on "sewing" tablecloths for our "tables" - when stumped at what to use, I have a tendency to find an affordable way to get what I need. In this case, sew my own tablecloths - I am sick of renting at a very high price, tablecloths....or buying them at a very high price.

On top of that - Andrew is waking up - that would be Ann's new baby - plus she has 2 others older, Ellie and Luke - and I'm having flashbacks of when my Mom was 6 hours away and couldn't be here in Scottsboro - when I had number 3 and number 4 - so I want to help out as much as possible - but today I have no car. Charlie is going to get off work and we are going out there during the maddening hour - 5:00 until whenever - we were there last night and it does get rather crazy....Hasn't it been called the bewitching hour? Something like that. Church members are bringing meals for 3 weeks following his birth, so that is a huge help. Ann did not get good sleep last night....but perhaps tonight. Andrew is an excellent nurser - in fact, that's all he wants to do and cries if he isn't using Ann as a pacifier. Well - there you are -

In the meantime I'm working on tablecloths and tomorrow Mary Ann, my sister, is traveling to Scottsboro to get a peek at Andrew. So - need to tidy up a bit.

It's really, really raining outside right now - pouring down hard.

Memory of Ann as an infant - it stands out.

All she wanted to do was nurse - and she was my first baby. Nothing else satisfied her - so, one day, I said to myself - FINE! THEN! You want to nurse? We'll nurse!!! I sat in a very comfortable chair - in front of the TV(no remotes then) and nursed her all day long. She slept and nursed, slept and nursed, if she stirred, there I was, very available. It's this baby, grown up, who is now dealing with her little boy who wants the same thing - only she has 2 other children - Of course I couldn't do that every day and I don't remember what I did after that - but it answered my questions - she just liked to nurse, constantly and frequently - and if she was full, I was her pacifier. It can get pretty crazy. I think for Ann, four months was the magic figure - it's when I remember feeling sane again. At six months I began to wean Ann - I was so tired, physically - and instinct just prompted me that it was all the milk I was producing. I don't know, but I did quit nursing her at 6 months.

Laura Beth also loved to nurse and she had what is now called reflux. Bad reflux. Large volumes would project out onto carpet, furniture - clothing - Laura Beth was 18 months younger than Ann - but fortunately Ann was a very helpful, obedient little girl and cooperative - Laura Beth was losing what seemed like large volumes of milk, but she was gaining so much weight!! Therefore the doctor was not concerned - but I was exhausted, cleaning up all that milk and constantly nursing her. The worst night I remember - Laura Beth was desperately nursing - Charlie was sleeping - LB nursed and spit up - even through her nose - I was so frustrated and not knowing what to do. I would try not to nurse her, but she cried so hard - I was spent - I went upstairs, to see if Charlie was awake - I should have just wakened him, but my hormones and personality were mad that he didn't wake on his on - Ann was sleeping - good thing - but I needed help - so I got the rocking chair that was in our bedroom and "BUMPED" it down the stairs - with the intention of waking him - it worked - I was crying - he was coming to life and willing to help - but really not knowing what to do. I can still see little Laura Bessie, my nursing her, she was acting desperate, and I was saying to her, "Just calm down - in a tone as if I was addressing an adult child". She didn't know how to calm down - she would drink the milk with such speed and intensity that she'd get choked, she'd spit it up as she was drinking it, and it would even come through her nose, and then she'd cry so hard!!!. Sad. But my recollection is that at 3 months she became manageable and at 6 months really really fun. and at 8 months she quit spitting up large volumes. That was what my doctor predicted. They didn't call it reflux then. He told me that the valve which holds the stomach contents in was not fully developed and that by 8 months or so it would be large enough to keep her contents completely in. The volumes grew increasingly smaller and more manageable, so I guess that was as her valve was developing and by 8 months it wasn't a problem. I've heard of children who have it longer. By 8 months I was so tired, that I quit nursing her.

Sarah - I don't remember too much unpleasantness with her. I remember being so sleepy, and she was the first one with whom I would awaken in bed, holding her, and nursing her, and not remember getting up to get her to feed her. So - with Sarah I was walking in my sleep and bringing her to bed to nurse her. Scary!!! I do remember one night I was so sleepy and couldn't get her quiet and by then, without a lot of drama, I just wakened Charlie, and he got up and rocked her and they did fine. He and Sarah. She was not my biggest fan of nursing. It might have been my fault. I knew nothing about nipple confusion - so I was going to get her used to the breast and bottle at the same time. She preferred the bottle, so I said, "Forget that" and only nursed her. But at 4 months she got a bit of a virus and I fed her pedialyte in a bottle....after that she screamed when I tried to nurse her - it hurt my feelings, but I relinquished. So - beginning at 4 months I began to wean her. I hated doing that and it made me very sad to let go.

Kate - Ann was 7, LB was 5 1/2 and Sarah was 2. I could do anything with my right hand and nurse her in my left arm. I nursed her a lot and all the time. I was 36 and not interested in losing a lot of sleep. So - as soon as I could I would put her in the bed with me - laying on my side and I would nurse her. She loved it - I slept - and guess who got used to sleeping with Charlie and me. Not a great habit and VERY DIFFICULT to break!!! That was a mistake, but I did it. I nursed Kate for one year. I do remember one particularly bad night with Kate - she wouldn't sleep - she was a newborn - and Charlie came down to check on me - I was so emotional and he couldn't have said the right thing if he had tried - everything he said upset me -and in my distress I made the dramatic comment that "He and I had made a mistake getting married, that we just weren't right for each other!" Imagine saying that, as I'm up at night with our fourth child. That's always so funny to me now - and it proves how crazy hormones get. Charlie didn't take it personally nor did he take it seriously. We'd been married 8 years at that point and he knew me well enough to know I was blowing steam. I can't remember, now, what month seemed doable with Kate - either the 3rd or 4th. It's in that time frame when things begin to make a little sense.

Newborns are demanding.

I've been thinking about that all day, knowing that Ann is entering the really tough zone.

Who watches the Biggest Loser on TV. You know the "last chance workout"? A newborn, and dealing with all of that, reminds me of how hard the "last chance workout" is. Feels so impossible, but the rewards are immeasurable - On the biggest loser they are measured - on the scales - but these babies - The most difficult and the best thing ever.

So - I posted about what I like to remember, my favorite things, and "it's hard to remember it".

As difficult as the infant stage was and is, I still loved it all. I wanted 2 more babies, and still wish I had them - but I was 36 and just didn't have it in me to do another C-Section.

I love these Grandbabies. I love them. I'm already anxious for LB to have another and for Kate and Sarah to get married and start having babies. What is my deal? I love babies and always have.

SATURDAY

quick post. just to get the other one off the leading spot.


I was all in that Troy mentality, but life is so real and so active and so present.

I went with Ann, yesterday, for her week and one half checkup with Andrew.

The pediatrician for Ellie, Luke, and Andrew is Mike Powell who was the pediatrician for my girls. He is an old college friend of Charlie. He actually is the one who shared the gospel with Charlie and Charlie was "born again". He is the one who threw the life preserver out to Charlie. I like to think of it like that. Who threw it out to you? if you're reading this....and if noone did - well - I will - just comment and I'll share the gospel with you. It is life changing and gives you life!!!

Back to checkup. Andrew weighed 7lb 2 oz at birth - lost those few ounces in the hospital - and went home weighing 6lb. something oz. Yesterday he weighed 8 lb. 12 oz. It shows in his tummy. Instead of a "beer gut", he has a "breast milk gut". awwww. He loves to nurse. Yay! That's what moms are looking for when they choose to nurse their babies - but don't always get it. Fortunately for me, all four of mine were that way. LOVED IT!! And the milk was flowing like a fountain. When I took Laura Beth for her first checkup, the doctor said, "her weight gain is spectacular". Those were his words, exactly. She did love to nurse, and spit up sooooo much - what they now call reflux, and she had it to the max. I'm still talking about it. Anyway, inspite of the milk she lost, she continued to gain and be a very round baby.

Ann and I made 2 stops in H'ville and hightailed it home. Steve and Charlie had shared shifts, keeping Ellie and Luke. Returned to S'boro and naps and in the end........Ellie and Luke stayed with Charlie and me. We did a Friday night Triple R outing. Live music!!! It was so very very Jackson County. Love it. Saw folks. Then a run to Wal-Mart - and home. That is Friday night in Scottsboro. Ellie and Luke were spending the night with us. We did baths, dessert, and then bedtime. I slept with Ellie. Luke went down on his own. But later, Charlie slept with Luke.

Saturday. We had them until naps and here I am.

Okay..........What was I saying about Troy and all those old memories??? I can't remember.

Just staying with the present time.

Saturday with Andrew

These pictures were taken yesterday of Andrew -
on his first Saturday after being born into this world. Those 5 day old baby legs.

Andrew - welcome to Saturdays at the Barber home.


Luke's just staring at his baby brother.
(Today at church people were saying hello to Luke, with a hint of compassion in their voice - as if they were well aware that he no longer was the baby - which prompted me to say to them, "Luke is officially the 'middle child' ".
Whoa - all kinds of voices came out of the woodwork - saying they, too, were middle children and it would be okay)

Ellie wasn't liking it that my camera's flash would be in Andrew's eyes.

She wanted me not to disturb him.

Luke placed this little blue guy beside Andrew.

Again, as in an earlier post - Luke's official camera smile.

The Yawn

relaxed in Kate's arms

Those toes, which I've heard described as being like early spring peas.

Again - the bowed legs and feet - after 9 months of being folded up inside mommy.

In Charlie's lap - this is the life, isn't it?

I love this angle. I love it.

Sorry this blog is not supposed to be about my grandchildren, but that is predominant in my brain right now since Ann just delivered Andrew on February 2. The Charlie Rhodes Family has revolved this past week around the Steven Barber family due to the birth of Andrew Bailey Barber. Tonight will be my first night back home in my own bed. Ann and Steve will fly solo tonight - but I'll probably go out there tomorrow to help with house maintenance.

and many other days - plus nights - to help folks catch up with sleep.

Andrew is beginning to "wake up" - and that is when it gets hectic before it gets manageable.

He's not at all fussy - yet - but these are still the "sleepy" days.

CRAZY DAYS

Monday morning, MY plans were to get up early, shower and dress, and beat the crowd at Wal-Mart - get the remaining Thanksgiving groceries - and return home - afternoon involved final prep for Thanksgiving guests. I was ON SCHEDULE - with keys in hand, I called Ann to check on Ellie - Not Good - I offered to ride with her to the doctor in H'ville - Monday is Luke's day with his Daddy. Ann wanted me to go - we did - and after a very crazy day in H'ville with cold wet wet wet rain - and in and out of the car - doctor's office, imaging center, pharmacy, burger king, doctor's office, pharmacy, doctor's office - we ended up checking Ellie into the hospital with pneumonia. WOW.

Steve and Ann stayed last night with her, but Ann's plans were to stay with her alone tonight.

YAY! She was released! Home Again!

Now we're back to Thanksgiving. Regroup. Charlie comes tomorrow with his mom.

My sister comes tomorrow, with a casserole for dinner.

Laura Beth, Scott and Ada come tomorrow night after Scott gets off work.

So - house isn't up to par for the moment.

So glad for everyone to be safe for now -

So thankful for Ellie to be her funny little self again - well - not totally - but it shows up every once in a while. She had a great moment this afternoon and made me laugh.

She is still very tired and weak, but improving so much.

I think about all the families and children who don't have the best gift of life and health.

I pray God gives them incredible grace to endure that heartache.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Will post with pictures probably on Friday.

So Here Is What I've Been Doing

These are my three pumpkins

Green

White

Hydrangeas in the Fall

Mother's Singer - I can see her sitting there with her foot on the pedal. This is the second one she owned. The first had a wood grain table like this, but the machine was black with gold lettering. It, too, was a Singer. I wish I had a really really nice Cadillac of a sewing machine. I bet it would practically do the sewing for me. That would be nice.

My collection of thread - Ella's sewing Box - I remember her at a sewing machine which was not electric - the foot pedal had to be done with Ella's own personal energy. She had it - the energy. Same feet I can hear tapping the floor in a rhythm when she rocked me - I was in her lap and she was singing "Polly Wolly Doodle All the Day". She was really short, and her feet would come off the floor, then back on, back off, back on, off, on, etc.

This is going to be a Christmas Apron. I love aprons! I also like to cut out the patterns. I really like the sound of the thin pattern paper. It crinkles. I also like the way the fabric and the paper feel pinned together - the weight of it. That's crazy - or maybe not. I bet other ladies like that. I like the pins. I like the tape measure hanging around on surfaces - table tops - I just like all of that. I loved hanging around mom when she was sewing. I did my own little handsewing but nothing ever really good - just messing with it. Too bad. I just always let Mother do all the sewing

My first handsewn apron.

It looks like a dress, doesn't it?

Excuse me. I just remembered! This is not my first apron. I was in the Fifth Grade - involved in 4-H and I did make an apron! I remember now. I have a picture but don't know where it is. Wish I had the picture and a scanner.

I am now going to return to my sewing. That's all. Just pictures today.

Tuesday, 2008 and a 1901 Marriage Proposal

Hello Tuesday.

I have cleaned out my refrigerator and my pantry, already, this morning - tossing items which are too old and are not going to ever be eaten. They just didn't work out. I love a bare pantry and refrigerator. I don't like clutter. One wouldn't know that, to see my house right now. I said, on Sunday afternoon, "My house is out of control". I said it to Charlie and Ann who were somewhere in the house. I was saying it out loud for all to hear. They were the only adults in the house, so they were the "all" who could hear it.

At least the pantry and refrigerator aren't cluttered for now.

But upstairs is awful. I have leftover clothes from at least 2 girls - Sarah and Kate - what they don't want in Auburn, they leave here. I can understand that - but I get mixed up about what they'll want later vs. what they'll never wear again. The category of what they'll never wear again, well, Ann and Laura Beth, when at my house, will often rummage through that stack and find something they want to wear. All of these stacks no longer have a place to go. I gave 2 chests of drawers away - to Sarah and Kate - when they moved into their new homes in Auburn.

Which leads me to the other pile of clutter - stacks and stacks of books. I gave a very large bookshelf to Sarah and I gave a bedside table to Kate. Now - all those books are sitting on the floor of one bedroom.

And, extra bedding is clean and folded, yet in the hall upstairs waiting for an appropriate place to be stored. It was on the single bed, out in my art studio. I gave that bed to Kate.

I was very glad to give furniture to Sarah and Kate. I wish I had more to give them. None of it is fine furniture - I like it, but it does have a flea market quality, which I do like that. I could spend hours in flea markets. I love them. My favorite kind of shopping.

One of the chests I bought when I was single. I bought it at a goodwill store in Troy, Alabama. I sweet talked my daddy into refinishing it for me. He did, and he did a great job. It's still attractive, I think. The other chest I bought at another flea market, stripped it, painted it white and distressed it. I like that look. I cleaned the glass knobs and I really like the chest of drawers.

The bookshelves, Daddy built for me when I was single, still - They are open shelves and have a contemporary look - I'd found the "how to" instructions in a magazine,

and he was sweet enough to build them for me.

They look much better in Sarah's college apartment than in my traditional home.

I want to get rid of pieces which I am ready to replace with mature, serious pieces. The trouble with mature, serious pieces is that they cost a lot of money. We just can't do all of that until later - but in writing this post - I think I've thought of a spot where all of that can go. It's a very deep box which - you guessed it - my daddy built for me. I had him build a toy box for the girls when they were little - It's rather large and deep and I think right now I can make better use of it, than its present use.

Okay, thanks for listening.

I'll share this with you now, which has nothing to do with what I just wrote.

I've just wanted to share these pieces since I began this blog - it's about favorite things and favorite memories - remember? The following is one of my treasures.

The first letter is written by my grandfather, John Wilkerson, asking for Joel Murphree's permission to marry his daughter Antoinette(Nettie). The second letter is my great grandfather's reply.

The letter head is Hickman & Riley, Attorneys. I suppose it was my grandfather's first job out of law school.

November 15th, 1901

to: Hon. J.D. Murphree,

Troy, Alabama

Dear Sir:

I desire to ask your consideration of a matter of much concern to me, but which I have until now refrained from presenting to you, for reasons which will appear from what I shall say. You may have noticed that your daughter, Nettie, and I have been friends. This friendship has grown very strong, and I feel that it will never be destroyed. The fact that until recently I have been struggling to make my way as a new-comer in the community in which I now live, and have had a very small income, has deterred me from asking that she be allowed to share my lot in life. But it is now, to ask your consent to this, that I write you this letter. I feel a reluctance toward saying much to you on the subject, as I am sure that my words cannot relieve you of any doubt or hesitation. I cannot well express to you the strength of my love for her, and I will not attempt it. She is such a woman, that I know of nothing that would so ensure a man's bcoming worthy of her as the being allowed to become her companion for life.

I wish to state that I shall be able to support a wife, though not in the greatest luxury usual to this country, and that I have sufficient prospects for the future to warrant me in doing myself the honor to ask for her at your hands. I would do nothing to imperil her happiness; and did I not believe this greatest favor I ask is in accord with her own heart's wish, I would consent to resign myself to a life-long unhappiness without her. The future is hidden from us, but Sir, while protestations are vain, I can say that I would do all that is in me and become me to be to her an honorable and loving husband.

Awaiting an early reply, I am,

Very respectfully,

John H. Wilkerson

The Reply

to: John H. Wilkerson, Esq. Troy, Ala. Nov. 18th 1901

Elba, Ala.

Dear Sir

Yours of 15th inst received and its contents duly noted. The matter of which your letter treats is the most important that you will ever be called on to consider. Nettie is very near and dear to me and to all her people. Therefore we cannot be otherwise than greatly interested in the choice she makes of a companion for life. Her future, weal or woe, in this world is involved, and should you and she become man & wife it will be with you to make it the one or the other. A man of your sense and accomplishments can make a wife happy and contented if so disposed.

An affectionate husband makes an affectionate wife. A true woman marries a man because she loves him. With Nettie love is the impelling power, and with you it should be likewise, for without mutual affection a continuous contented life is impossible.

The true impulse of the heart will come to the front either in words or acts, and once disclosed the impression made is not easily eradicated. Should you marry it should be the duty of both to please each other. A great deal more might be said on this line, but to a man of your intelligence I do not consider it necessary. Nettie is our baby child and we love her only as parents can love. She has never been required to take upon herself any of the hardships incident housekeeping. In this she has had comparatively an easy time. This was all right as it was not necessary that she should be called upon to perform disagreeable, irksome labor. Her marrying will bring about a necessity for a change and she will not likely have altogether so easy a time in this particular - But remember love makes labor easy and enjoyable. If you will study Nettie's wants and she can see that you are supplying them or making an honest effort to do so, and she does the same for you all will be well with you both. Nettie is reasonably intelligent and capable of judging what she should expect of you. Physically Nettie is not able to endure hardships. She is a tender plant and needs to be looked after and cared for by those who love her. If you love her as you declare in your letter to me, then you have nothing to fear. But should it turn out that you do not love her, then in that event she will be the greatest sufferer in mind and body, which will tell its tale of woe in spite of all efforts to prevent it. Nettie is a true Christian and a lover of her church which relation I do not wish disturbed.

I know nothing against your moral character, and that goes a long ways with me. I would not consent for Nettie to marry any man whom I did not regard as a gentleman. Riches are all right if properly used, but does not compare in value to a good name. You say you will be able to support a wife. This is as it should be as it will be your duty to support her.

With you I cannot see any reason or excuses for a failure. With proper economy and attention to the business in which you are engaged you can make a success. Learn to depend upon yourself, as though Nettie's Father was not worth a dollar. Then, what ever it may be your good fortune to get from me will be appreciated.

Yours Truly,

Joel D. Murphree

Well there it is. I love to read those letters. Hasn't our culture changed so much? Hasn't the sanctity of marriage changed so much? The truths of marriage haven't changed as expressed in my great grandfather's letter. He advised that they would have to work at it - and strive to be unselfish. That's hard. Grandmother and Granddaddy married in April of 1902 and were married 54 or 55 years. Not positive about the year Granddaddy died. Grandmother lived about 5 years more. She died when I was in the 6th grade and Mary Ann was in the 8th grade.

Scottsboro>Gulf Shores>Pensacola>Gulf Shores>Evergreen>Maranook>Scottsboro

It was better than a cruise.

Mine and Charlie's trip had a rocky start. It's just hard for me to leave everything behind. Especially since I have a cell phone attached to the palm of my hand at all times, when travelling. With four daughters and 3 grandchildren, well, it's hard to let go.

We travelled to Gulf Shores on Monday July 7th,
stopping at Peach Park in Clanton for fresh peaches, blueberries, one watermelon, and homegrown tomatoes. Summertime in Alabama. You can't beat it. Passing through Montgomery we were officially in South Alabama. Soon the memories flooded back. I'm home. Next, Ft. Deposit, then Greenville, then Georgiana, Owassa and Evergreen. But on to Gulf Shores and the Phoenix Condominiums. There had been some "stuff", "girl stuff", which involved lots of phone calls - mostly me calling home - but hard to leave it alone - throughout the trip. So my emotions were rather unstable by the time we got out at the Phoenix. Charlie and I got unpacked and did a bit of unwinding on the deck, watching the Gulf and Sand, and smelling burgers which folks were grilling around the pool. We then went to "Zeke's Downunder" and ate outside with a view of many, many boats, owned by folks wealthier than we are.

On Tuesday, after a day in the sun, under an umbrella, reading, relaxing, listening to the gulf waves crashing, crashing, over and over, and dozing, waking with a start, surprised to find myself in a chair on the beach, Charlie and I drove over to Pensacola to take Lib(Charlie's mom) out to eat at a very local spot. Fried Shrimp, Raw Oysters, Salad - it was good.

Let me just say that there is a crossroads between Gulf Shores and Pensacola. It's called Innerarity Point. As a child I was blessed to have parents who had friends who owned homes there. It's on the Bay. It's wonderful. Because of those folks' hospitality and generosity, we were able to vacation in 3 different homes during my childhood, at Innerarity Point. That's another blog post. Moving on.

By Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, I had left Scottsboro behind. The dust had settled with any issues that had "cropped up", and all was well with the Rhodes Girls - so I was able to relax. Charlie and I spent Friday on the beach and travelled to Evergreen Friday afternoon. We got there at 6:00 pm, with fresh boiled shrimp and the makings for salad, to share with Mary Ann, my SIS. It was good. Love to be in Mary Ann's house, surrounded by Evergreen stuff, Mom's fingerprints on everything, with Mary Ann's maintenance and upgrade. M.A. suggested we go for a drive after dinner to see two houses, in Evergreen, which are being rennovated. The 3 of us did - Charles, M.A. and myself - I was driving. The second house we saw is directly across the street from Williams Ave - the sacred street - where I lived from age 3 - 20. I drove down Williams Ave, just because. I know every house on that street. I could count them and name them now, but don't want to take the time. Our house was the eighth house on the left. The eighth out of 12 houses facing the street. Our house was the 9th lot, and the 13th lot was at the end of the street. The house on the 13th lot faced back down the street. In that house lived the Bells. Sue Bell Cobb, the youngest of 3 children, is now our Chief Justice in Alabama - Who knew? Well, I guess I just did take the time to count them. Anyway, as fate would have it, my oldest cousin, Bert, and his wife, Susan, live in the house which I grew up in. Yay! It's still in the family. Bert, Bert, Bert. He is the dearest person - well, it's hard to leave out all the other 9 cousins - But there's only one Bert and I love him so. Also his wife Susan. Bert is 11 years older than I. Susan, was a teenager when I was a little girl. She was my hero - one of my heroes. She was beautiful - and I still see her that way - as a young blonde teenager. I guess she is 10 years older than I, so that would make her 67.

So, back to our "drive". We passed 305 Williams Avenue. Mary Ann saw Susan and Bert at the door, I yelled out "HELLOOOOOO". We pulled in the driveway. NO INTENTIONS of getting out. They came to the car, wanted us to see their flowers, reluctantly got out, looked outside, ended up inside and staying until 10:00 or 10:30. It will go down as one of the best times I've ever had in my life. It wasn't planned, but spontaneous. We couldn't have planned it. We talked about everything in the world, our past, our present, what we think - it was the best. Funny aside, when we were leaving, again, I was driving - Bert and Susan were trying to figure out the best way for me to "back out" - you'd have to know the driveway - I had to remind them - this was the driveway I practiced on when I was 15. I know every inch of it - every way to maneuver. The entire year I was 15, waiting to be 16, I drove and backed out on that driveway, without my parents in the car. But never beyond that point.

Charlie and I drove to Maranook on Saturday to pick up our "baby girl" who is on Support Staff at Camp Maranook in Lafayette, AL. Charles and Barbara Kendrick-Holmes are the Mama and Daddy of that camp. They are Kate's "other parents". This next statement is a tribute to them and what they have meant to Kate. They undergird what Charlie and I have invested in Kate - they also fill in the blank spaces which we have left undone. They are Godly People. I love them for what they have meant to Kate.

We got Kate and came home on Saturday. LOVE TO BE HOME. LOVE IT. My acre. I wallow in it. The grass needs cutting. LB had left the house in GREAT SHAPE. YAY for LB!!

And the moment when I saw Ellie and Luke on Sunday night. That's heaven. Who can top that acclamation???? They threw themselves upon me. "It was too much to bear", as my mom used to quote her mom and aunt - "Northcutt Drama". They squealed over me, they squealed over Kate, and they squealed over Charlie. And then they saw their Daddy - See?? Ellie and Luke had been with their MOM in McDonough, GA visiting Laura Beth, Ada and Scott. They returned on Sunday, when Charlie and Steve were at a "church meeting". So they came straight to my house, saw me, then Kate, then Charlie, then Steve. It was all separate. Those two little bitty people couldn't have showered us with more blessings. How can I be so blessed as to have two little precious people love me so? But they did it to each of us, the same. Too Much. The only thing that would make it better would be to have Ada in the mix.

Kate had prepared, on Sunday evening, a meal for Charlie and me. And a birthday cake. My birthday was Monday July 14th. 57.

So, Monday was my birthday - and Kate woke up here, but had to leave by 11:00. She was a bit late, but got away. I turned around to see my house and how we had added clutter upon clutter. I was sorting through all of that when I received a phone call from my "cousin-in-law", Martha .......

Save that story for next day's post.

For the record, my dear friend, Mary Bratton called me ON MY BIRTHDAY, to wish me a happy birthday and to set a date for "lunch out". Also, got a voice mail from SWEET SUE Paulk, who was out of town, to wish me a happy birthday. Also, Ann and Ellie showed up early Monday morning with a gift and card and candles to put in the cake which we had already cut on Sunday night. Thanks to all - I forget most birthdays and those that I remember, I'm tardy in my recognizing them. I deserve nothing, but those who remember - that is grace upon grace. If any of my daughters forget, well, it's only what I taught them - reach a certain age, and one can forget. :-) The forgetting relieves my own guilt - therefore, the forgetting is a gift in and of itself.

Wednesday in the Present

Today is Wednesday. We are heading into some full and active days - changes. Something different. Sarah, my 3rd daughter(see list of blogs under MY ART), is traveling home tomorrow from Auburn for a very long weekend. She was planning to come home today, but one of her art instructors changed that. He set up a mandatory critique for tomorrow. She'll travel home tomorrow afternoon. My sister, Mary Ann, is coming tomorrow. And tomorrow night, later in the evening, Laura Beth, my 2nd daughter (see list of blogs under ADA UPDATES), and Scott and Ada are traveling here, from Georgia. We will all be here on Friday, along with Ann and Steve and the children, to celebrate the 4th of July. Food will be involved. It's a family gathering.

Saturday, Mary Ann will return to her home. Laura Beth and Scott are going to "take a day", while I keep Ada. I'm guessing Ann and Ellie and Luke will come over. Sarah will be here. Some of those folks are staying at my house while Charlie and I go on a little trip next week.

I'm saying all of that to say, this could very well be my last post for several days. Today I'm getting ready for my family to come here, plus I've been with Ann and Ellie and Luke. I am about to post pictures which I took today of our time spent at their new house, which is being built. It would be very appropriate, if I had a scanner and access to pictures which are at Mary Ann's house, to post black and whites of Mary Ann and Me and Mother taken in 1954 when Mother and Daddy were building their house at 305 Williams Avenue in Evergreen. What I have instead are today's pictures - which would be more appropriate on Ann's blog, but I happen to know that she is especially sick today, with the new baby hormones and probably won't be posting a blog today. We did stop by CVS to pick up wrist bands which are supposed to help with motion sickness, morning sickness, and chemo sickness. They look like sweat bands for athletes.

Ellie and Luke peering into Ann and Steve's tub. They see a big bug. In Steve and Ann's bedroom, opening fixtures.
Going upstairs to see the fixtures.Ellie before she climbs the stairs, telling me something very important. Ellie in her pink room, showing me her light fixture.
Luke and Ellie and in the bathoom they will share. Hope that works out, peacefully.

Ann checking things out. Notice her wrist bands for nausea. Ellie looking also. She imitates everything Ann does and says. Ann commented that she looks 4 months pregnant in this picture. She doesn't usually look that way. It's the angle and the camera. Oops.Luke looking out his bedroom window. Wonder how much he'll grow, and the memories he'll make, living in this house, and in this room.Ellie and Luke, in Luke's room.Very loud country music was blasting throughout the house. Notice the red box. Music Source. Ellie and Luke are dancing here.The house in progress. The truck and trailor are carrying some cabinets to be installed. The red ditch on the left is the electricity being put in, or installed, or hooked up. Whatever. The house will have electricity.The house taken from the van where Luke and I waited while Ann and Ellie transported doorknobs, several, to the house.Luke, in the back of the van.Ann and Ellie coming for another load of doorknobs.Ann and Ellie, close up. These days, Ellie will hardly be willing to let Ann out of her sight. She does NOT want to stay with "Near", that's me, the baby sitter. Luke, on the other hand, loves me and prefers me. Wonder how long that will last.Luke, after his bath, on the couch, watching Tigger and Pooh. He loves hats, and his paa-paa(pacifier) and blanket. Ann and Ellie had to make yet another run to Home Depot. Ellie wouldn't even talk about staying with me. I gave Luke a bath. He was so dirty from the house trip plus, a dirty diaper.

Luke watching Tigger and Pooh, can't break the concentration.

Again, mesmerized.

More.

That's all for today, and for a while. I'll take pictures of the next few days and post them. Can't wait to see my little Ada. I want to see her take some steps. I've heard she's taken a few. And then, I'll plunder through old stuff and see what I've got.