After wallowing through over two feet of snow, we are finally seeing a bit of a meltdown! We've had icicles as big as organ pipes hanging all around our house. They're actually kind of pretty, but can certainly wreak some havoc if allowed to stay. Kerry knocks them off each evening when he returns home.
Kerry has been out there each day walking through this snow - but this is the last year!!! Just 45 more days, if anyone's counting. He has come home with some injuries from the hazards of walking in deep snow - most of which are on his head. He slips on steps, sidewalks, runs into tree branches, fell on his elbow (had a big, gooey pouch like Popeye's), and a few other mishaps. And, this year I've noticed he's a little bit more tired than I've seen in years' past.
He treated me like a queen for Valentine's Day. For several days prior, he had been telling me not to fix a thing for that Sunday's dinner. He was in charge of it all. He had me stay in another part of the house while he fixed it - and what a tender surprise it was. He had prepared salad, pepper cheese, salisbury steaks, mashed potatoes, hominy, sparkling grape juice, a wonderful Valentine booklet full of some of our love letters to each other, a giant heart-shaped box of chocolates, Skinny Cow fudgesicles - all by candlelight. After a week, I am still on a high! He absolutely did his best to express his love for me. But, this is not just a once a year thing for him - this is how he naturally is. Bless his sweet and gentle heart...
I also had a wonderful progress report from the surgeon who operated on my back. He took x-rays and said that things really look great. Just six more weeks of wearing this brace, then I begin physical therapy.
We certainly had a bit of a scare yesterday. Jordan has had tachycardia since he was in high school. This rapid heart rate caused some pretty big lumps in our throats, for every now and then there would be news of a basketball player dying on the court from the same thing. I had taken him to a heart doctor, who had him wear a holter monitor for 24 hours - but nothing ever showed up. But, it continued to happen through the years with his heart rate reaching 256 beats per minute at one time.
Melissa called yesterday, and said that they had called from the prison to report that Jordan had a heart attack and was being sent to Riverside Hospital. Oh! Not another son!! Kerry forgot to take his phone to work, so I went over to find him on the route. He said that my thought was the very first thing that ran through his mind, too. We prepared to leave when he got home.
Soon after, Jordan called us to tell us he was being released. He had only been putting in his contacts in the restroom, turned around to walk out, and it hit him. It lasted about five minutes, then went away - same as the others. Then, it hit him again and lasted longer. He is scheduled for a consult and a heart catheterization soon. Apparently, they will purposely send his heart into tachycardia again, then shock it - hoping it will shock it back into normalcy.
I'm a bit nervous.
And, another sad note. Jean's daughter-in-law, Keri, lost her brother after a seven year battle with lupus. I feel so bad for the family, for it has certainly been heart-renching to see this young 39-year man die. He had a family, which makes it even harder. His kidneys were failing, and Keri volunteered to donate one of hers, which she did. Unfortunately, it was rejected. But, what a wonderful act of love she did in trying to save her brother. Bless his heart in trying to do anything he could to live. I am so grateful I have not lost any of my siblings. Here's his obituary: http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/article/20100221/OBITUARIES/2210326/1023
I also feel for his parents.
Now begins a new week. February has been a dreary month, but it has afforded me much time to be in my home, and I always cherish that time. Thank you for all the comments on my newspaper article - I have truly received more than I ever expected!
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Monday, February 8, 2010
Snow job!
Snow is beautiful when you're looking at it from the inside out.
Right now, we have just over 15 inches of snow - certainly not as bad as some areas of the country. And, it really is quite beautiful when it's fresh and clean like it is right now.
I was planning to go the temple on Friday for my first day back. I actually had everything ready to go when I turned on the news Thursday evening. The weather report guided me into another decision. I stayed home yet another day and watched as the day grew darker and darker and the snow began pouring down. I had a hot dinner waiting on Mr. Kerry and we hunkered down for the night. I felt really bad for him having to get out in it the next day, for I know it's hard on him. He has always said after a day of walking in deep snow his legs are really tired. It's like walking in a swimming pool all day.
But, not for long. Mr. Kerry will retire the first week in April after delivering mail for 30 years!
My glasses came in this week - trifocals! I went for so long without having to have new ones, for my prescription didn't change. Boy, did my eyeballs get old quick!
I am now able to go many places without having to use my cane for every step, though I still keep it close by. I had lunch on Monday with some friends from church, and I think they were a bit nervous seeing me walking without it. But, I assured them that I'm doing better. They still kept watching me, though. I have x-rays and a doctor's appointment tomorrow. I'm not sure when they will start physical therapy.
It is now going on seven weeks since the week of Peter's death, my surgery and Christmas. In some ways it seems like ages ago - in some ways it seems like yesterday. If you'll remember, Kerry and Jordan made a marathon trip to Florida to pick up Peter's belongings when I was in the hospital. Everything he owned basically fit into one suitcase and a couple of boxes. They sat in the hallway for a few days before Kerry took them to the basement. I just couldn't bring myself to go through them.
When I was in the basement this week, I thought I might try. I unzipped the suitcase and lifted the lid. Almost as quickly, I had to close it. Peter's scent came wafting out. All of us have a scent - when Kerry leaves in the morning I roll over and can still smell where he has lain.
I just can't bring myself to go through his things yet. I will - just not yet.
When Kerry's sister, Content, was with us following the memorial service, she brought us a BEAUTIFUL statue that we could enjoy and remember Peter by. It's entitled "In The Arms of His Love". I'm telling you, I love this statue. Each time I pass by it, I'm reminded of him - and her.
Isn't it beautiful?
In today's newspaper, another one of my missives appeared in the "Opinion Shapers" column. If you would like to read it, here it is...
http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/article/20100207/OPINION02/2070304/Opinion-Shapers-Staying-grateful-through-tragedy
And, I made yet another error in last week's birthdays. I mentioned that it was Isaac Lauritzen's birthday this month. Wrong. It's little Isaac Maxwell's! Thank you to those who brought that to my attention. I don't mind at all.
Stay warm this week. There's another storm coming Tuesday!
Love,
Miss P
Things I Learned in the South
A possum is a flat animal that sleeps in the middle of the road.
There are 5,000 types of snakes and 4,998 of them live in the South.
There are 10,000 types of spiders. All 10,000 of them live in the South, plus a couple no one’s seen before.
If it grows, it’ll stick ya. If it crawls, it'll bite cha.
‘Onced’ and ‘Twiced’ are words.
It is not a shopping cart, it is a buggy!
‘Jaw-P’? means ‘Did ya’ll go to the bathroom’?
People actually grow and eat okra.
‘Fixinto’ is one word. It means ‘I’m fixing to do that’.
There is no such thing as ‘lunch’. There is only dinner and then there is supper.
Iced tea is appropriate for all meals and you start drinking it when you're two. We do like a little tea with our sugar.
Backwards and forwards means ‘I know everything about you’.
The word ‘jeet’ is actually a phrase meaning ‘Did you eat?
You don’t have to wear a watch, because it doesn't matter what time it is, you work until you’re done or it’s too dark to see.
You don’t PUSH buttons, you MASH ‘em.
‘No, Jew?’ is a common response to the question, ‘Did you bring any beer?’
You measure distance in minutes.
You switch from heat to A/C in the same day.
All the festivals across the state are named after a fruit, vegetable, grain, insect, or animal.
You know what a ‘DAWG’ is.
You carry jumper cables in your car - for your OWN car.
You only own five spices: salt, pepper, Tony’s, Tabasco and ketchup.
The local papers cover national and international news on one page, but require 6 pages for local high school sports and motor sports, and gossip.
You think that the first day of deer season is a national holiday.
You find 100 degrees Fahrenheit ‘a bit warm’.
You know all four seasons: Almost summer, summer, still summer, and Christmas.
Going to Wal-Mart is a favorite pastime known as ‘goin’ Wal-Martin’ or ‘off to Wally World’.
You describe the first cool snap (below 70 degrees) as good chicken stew weather.
Fried catfish is the other white meat.
We don't need no dang Driver's Ed. If our mama says we can drive, we can drive dag-nabbit.
You understand these jokes and forward them to your Southern friends and those who just wish they were from the SOUTH.
Right now, we have just over 15 inches of snow - certainly not as bad as some areas of the country. And, it really is quite beautiful when it's fresh and clean like it is right now.
I was planning to go the temple on Friday for my first day back. I actually had everything ready to go when I turned on the news Thursday evening. The weather report guided me into another decision. I stayed home yet another day and watched as the day grew darker and darker and the snow began pouring down. I had a hot dinner waiting on Mr. Kerry and we hunkered down for the night. I felt really bad for him having to get out in it the next day, for I know it's hard on him. He has always said after a day of walking in deep snow his legs are really tired. It's like walking in a swimming pool all day.
But, not for long. Mr. Kerry will retire the first week in April after delivering mail for 30 years!
My glasses came in this week - trifocals! I went for so long without having to have new ones, for my prescription didn't change. Boy, did my eyeballs get old quick!
I am now able to go many places without having to use my cane for every step, though I still keep it close by. I had lunch on Monday with some friends from church, and I think they were a bit nervous seeing me walking without it. But, I assured them that I'm doing better. They still kept watching me, though. I have x-rays and a doctor's appointment tomorrow. I'm not sure when they will start physical therapy.
It is now going on seven weeks since the week of Peter's death, my surgery and Christmas. In some ways it seems like ages ago - in some ways it seems like yesterday. If you'll remember, Kerry and Jordan made a marathon trip to Florida to pick up Peter's belongings when I was in the hospital. Everything he owned basically fit into one suitcase and a couple of boxes. They sat in the hallway for a few days before Kerry took them to the basement. I just couldn't bring myself to go through them.
When I was in the basement this week, I thought I might try. I unzipped the suitcase and lifted the lid. Almost as quickly, I had to close it. Peter's scent came wafting out. All of us have a scent - when Kerry leaves in the morning I roll over and can still smell where he has lain.
I just can't bring myself to go through his things yet. I will - just not yet.
When Kerry's sister, Content, was with us following the memorial service, she brought us a BEAUTIFUL statue that we could enjoy and remember Peter by. It's entitled "In The Arms of His Love". I'm telling you, I love this statue. Each time I pass by it, I'm reminded of him - and her.
Isn't it beautiful?
In today's newspaper, another one of my missives appeared in the "Opinion Shapers" column. If you would like to read it, here it is...
http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/article/20100207/OPINION02/2070304/Opinion-Shapers-Staying-grateful-through-tragedy
And, I made yet another error in last week's birthdays. I mentioned that it was Isaac Lauritzen's birthday this month. Wrong. It's little Isaac Maxwell's! Thank you to those who brought that to my attention. I don't mind at all.
Stay warm this week. There's another storm coming Tuesday!
Love,
Miss P
Things I Learned in the South
A possum is a flat animal that sleeps in the middle of the road.
There are 5,000 types of snakes and 4,998 of them live in the South.
There are 10,000 types of spiders. All 10,000 of them live in the South, plus a couple no one’s seen before.
If it grows, it’ll stick ya. If it crawls, it'll bite cha.
‘Onced’ and ‘Twiced’ are words.
It is not a shopping cart, it is a buggy!
‘Jaw-P’? means ‘Did ya’ll go to the bathroom’?
People actually grow and eat okra.
‘Fixinto’ is one word. It means ‘I’m fixing to do that’.
There is no such thing as ‘lunch’. There is only dinner and then there is supper.
Iced tea is appropriate for all meals and you start drinking it when you're two. We do like a little tea with our sugar.
Backwards and forwards means ‘I know everything about you’.
The word ‘jeet’ is actually a phrase meaning ‘Did you eat?
You don’t have to wear a watch, because it doesn't matter what time it is, you work until you’re done or it’s too dark to see.
You don’t PUSH buttons, you MASH ‘em.
‘No, Jew?’ is a common response to the question, ‘Did you bring any beer?’
You measure distance in minutes.
You switch from heat to A/C in the same day.
All the festivals across the state are named after a fruit, vegetable, grain, insect, or animal.
You know what a ‘DAWG’ is.
You carry jumper cables in your car - for your OWN car.
You only own five spices: salt, pepper, Tony’s, Tabasco and ketchup.
The local papers cover national and international news on one page, but require 6 pages for local high school sports and motor sports, and gossip.
You think that the first day of deer season is a national holiday.
You find 100 degrees Fahrenheit ‘a bit warm’.
You know all four seasons: Almost summer, summer, still summer, and Christmas.
Going to Wal-Mart is a favorite pastime known as ‘goin’ Wal-Martin’ or ‘off to Wally World’.
You describe the first cool snap (below 70 degrees) as good chicken stew weather.
Fried catfish is the other white meat.
We don't need no dang Driver's Ed. If our mama says we can drive, we can drive dag-nabbit.
You understand these jokes and forward them to your Southern friends and those who just wish they were from the SOUTH.
Monday, February 1, 2010
I'm gettin' there!
I'm gettin' there - slowly, but surely I'm on the mend. I actually went to church today and didn't use either my walker or my cane! But, I did have my walker in the back of the car and my cane folded up in my purse - just in case! A couple of times, I had a few twinges of pain, but nothing unbearable.
I also began driving this week. We had to get new tires on our jeep, so I followed Kerry to get them. I have to sit a bit differently, and it hurts if I turn around to see over my shoulder when I back up. But, I had to try sometime. This Tuesday, it will be six weeks since surgery. With my other surgeries, I was pretty much back together at six weeks. But, I was told this would take longer. So far, they're right.
I had to order a new pair of glasses this week. For the past few years, the doctor has simply said there wasn't enough of a change to get new glasses - but this year there was. I've had trouble seeing the music on the organ, so I broke down and bought some.
I'm still continually amazed at the amount of sympathy cards that pour in daily. One day last week, I got six! When Content was here, she helped to compile them into a memory book that I had begun for Peter. I am adding to it each day. Last evening, I read back through those cards, and could feel a wave of healing begin to sweep over me. Don't ever think that a simple card will ever go unnoticed or not do its job. The message of the card, added to the sweet words that have been written, will continue to do a healing job long after this year is gone.
Tomorrow begins a new month, which means it won't be long until spring. It's been a cold and brutal winter. Our snowfall has not been remarkable, but the cold has just been unbearable. Just this morning, I was walking Mr. Eddie when it was below zero. I feel bad for his little feet, and many times I'll pick him up so he doesn't have to walk in that frozen snow. He already has a fleece sweatshirt that he wears. But as cold as it was, it was crisp and beautiful, too. The sun was coming up over the hill across from us and the moon was as big and as round as I've ever seen it. I believe they call it a "wolf moon".
Next month, we wish a happy anniversary to:
Chester & Ida - my parents, who would have been married 78 years tomorrow - Feb 1
And a happy birthday to:
Charm - Kerry's sister - Feb 9
Dave - Jean's son - Feb 12
Charisma - Charm's daughter - Feb 18
Isaac - son of Kerry's brother, David - Feb 23
Love to y'all
Miss P
Erik's Russian pancakes:
Beat 2-3 eggs, 1 T. sugar and 1/2 t. salt until frothy. Add 2 cups milk. Add flour to make a very thin batter. Add 2 T. oil quickly. Pour into a hot oiled pan. Cook on both sides.
Southern women
Southern women know their summer weather report:
Humidity
Humidity
Humidity
Southern women know their vacation spots:
The beach
The rivuh
The crick
Southern women know everybody's first name:
Honey
Darlin'
Shugah
Southern women know the movies that speak to their hearts:
Fried Green Tomatoes
Driving Miss Daisy
Steel Magnolias
Gone With The Wind
Southern women know their religions:
Baptist
Methodist
Football
Southern women know their cities dripping with Southern charm:
Chawl'stn
S'vanah
Foat Wuth
N'awlins
Addlanna
Southern women know their elegant gentlemen:
Men in uniform
Men in tuxedos
Rhett Butler
Southern girls know their prime real estate:
The Mall
The Country Club
The Beauty Salon
Southern girls know the 3 deadly sins:
Having bad hair and nails
Having bad manners
Cooking bad food
More Suthen-ism's: Only a Southerner knows the difference
between a hissie fit and a conniption fit, and that you
don't "HAVE" them, you "PITCH" them.
_____
Only a Southerner knows how many fish, collard greens, turnip
greens, peas, beans, etc., make up "a mess." _____
Only a Southerner can show or point out to you the general
direction of"yonder." _____
Only a Southerner knows exactly how long "directly" is, as in:
"Going to town, be back directly."
_____
Even Southern babies know that"Gimme some sugar" is not a
request for the white, granular sweet substance that sits in a
pretty little bowl in the middle of the table. _____
All Southerners know exactly when "by and by" is. They might
not use the term, but they know the concept well.
_____
Only a Southerner knows instinctively that the best gesture of
solace for a neighbor who's got trouble is a plate of hot fried
chicken and a big bowl of cold potato salad. If the neighbor's
trouble is a real crisis, they also know to add a large banana
puddin! _____
Only Southerners grow up knowing the difference between "right
near" and "a right far piece." They also know that"just down
the road" can be 1 mile or 20
_____
Only a Southerner, both knows and understands, the difference
between a redneck, a good ol' boy, and po' white trash. _____
No true Southerner would ever assume that the car with the
flashing turn signal is actually going to make a turn.
_____
A Southerner knows that "fixin" can be used as a noun, a verb,
or an adverb.
_____
Only Southerners make friends while standing in lines, ... and
when we're "in line,"... we talk to everybody! _____
Put 100 Southerners in a room and half of them will discover
they're related, even if only by marriage.
_____
In the South, y'all is singular, all y'all is plural.
_____
Southerners know grits come from corn and how to eat them.
_____
Every Southerner knows tomatoes with eggs, bacon, grits, and
coffee are perfectly wonderful; that red eye gravy is also a
breakfast food; and that fried green tomatoes are not a
breakfast food. _____
When you hear someone say, "Well, I caught myself lookin'," you
know you are in the presence of a genuine Southerner!
_____
Only true Southerners say "sweet tea" and "sweet milk." Sweet
tea indicates the need for sugar and lots of it -- we do not
like our tea unsweetened. "Sweet milk" means you don't want
buttermilk. _____
And a true Southerner knows you don't scream obscenities at
little old ladies who drive 30 MPH on the freeway. You just
say,"Bless her heart" ... and go your own way.
_____
To those of you who are still a little embarrassed by your
Southerness, Take two tent revivals and a dose of sausage gravy
and call me in the morning. Bless your heart!
_____
And to those of you who are still having a hard time
understanding all this Southern stuff, ... bless your hearts, I
hear they are fixin' to have classes on Southernness as a
second language! _____
And for those that are not from the South but have lived here
for a long time, all y'all need is a sign to hang on y'alls
front porch that reads "I ain't from the South, but I got here
as fast as I could."
Southern girls know men may come and go, but friends are fahevah !
I also began driving this week. We had to get new tires on our jeep, so I followed Kerry to get them. I have to sit a bit differently, and it hurts if I turn around to see over my shoulder when I back up. But, I had to try sometime. This Tuesday, it will be six weeks since surgery. With my other surgeries, I was pretty much back together at six weeks. But, I was told this would take longer. So far, they're right.
I had to order a new pair of glasses this week. For the past few years, the doctor has simply said there wasn't enough of a change to get new glasses - but this year there was. I've had trouble seeing the music on the organ, so I broke down and bought some.
I'm still continually amazed at the amount of sympathy cards that pour in daily. One day last week, I got six! When Content was here, she helped to compile them into a memory book that I had begun for Peter. I am adding to it each day. Last evening, I read back through those cards, and could feel a wave of healing begin to sweep over me. Don't ever think that a simple card will ever go unnoticed or not do its job. The message of the card, added to the sweet words that have been written, will continue to do a healing job long after this year is gone.
Tomorrow begins a new month, which means it won't be long until spring. It's been a cold and brutal winter. Our snowfall has not been remarkable, but the cold has just been unbearable. Just this morning, I was walking Mr. Eddie when it was below zero. I feel bad for his little feet, and many times I'll pick him up so he doesn't have to walk in that frozen snow. He already has a fleece sweatshirt that he wears. But as cold as it was, it was crisp and beautiful, too. The sun was coming up over the hill across from us and the moon was as big and as round as I've ever seen it. I believe they call it a "wolf moon".
Next month, we wish a happy anniversary to:
Chester & Ida - my parents, who would have been married 78 years tomorrow - Feb 1
And a happy birthday to:
Charm - Kerry's sister - Feb 9
Dave - Jean's son - Feb 12
Charisma - Charm's daughter - Feb 18
Isaac - son of Kerry's brother, David - Feb 23
Love to y'all
Miss P
Erik's Russian pancakes:
Beat 2-3 eggs, 1 T. sugar and 1/2 t. salt until frothy. Add 2 cups milk. Add flour to make a very thin batter. Add 2 T. oil quickly. Pour into a hot oiled pan. Cook on both sides.
Southern women
Southern women know their summer weather report:
Humidity
Humidity
Humidity
Southern women know their vacation spots:
The beach
The rivuh
The crick
Southern women know everybody's first name:
Honey
Darlin'
Shugah
Southern women know the movies that speak to their hearts:
Fried Green Tomatoes
Driving Miss Daisy
Steel Magnolias
Gone With The Wind
Southern women know their religions:
Baptist
Methodist
Football
Southern women know their cities dripping with Southern charm:
Chawl'stn
S'vanah
Foat Wuth
N'awlins
Addlanna
Southern women know their elegant gentlemen:
Men in uniform
Men in tuxedos
Rhett Butler
Southern girls know their prime real estate:
The Mall
The Country Club
The Beauty Salon
Southern girls know the 3 deadly sins:
Having bad hair and nails
Having bad manners
Cooking bad food
More Suthen-ism's: Only a Southerner knows the difference
between a hissie fit and a conniption fit, and that you
don't "HAVE" them, you "PITCH" them.
_____
Only a Southerner knows how many fish, collard greens, turnip
greens, peas, beans, etc., make up "a mess." _____
Only a Southerner can show or point out to you the general
direction of"yonder." _____
Only a Southerner knows exactly how long "directly" is, as in:
"Going to town, be back directly."
_____
Even Southern babies know that"Gimme some sugar" is not a
request for the white, granular sweet substance that sits in a
pretty little bowl in the middle of the table. _____
All Southerners know exactly when "by and by" is. They might
not use the term, but they know the concept well.
_____
Only a Southerner knows instinctively that the best gesture of
solace for a neighbor who's got trouble is a plate of hot fried
chicken and a big bowl of cold potato salad. If the neighbor's
trouble is a real crisis, they also know to add a large banana
puddin! _____
Only Southerners grow up knowing the difference between "right
near" and "a right far piece." They also know that"just down
the road" can be 1 mile or 20
_____
Only a Southerner, both knows and understands, the difference
between a redneck, a good ol' boy, and po' white trash. _____
No true Southerner would ever assume that the car with the
flashing turn signal is actually going to make a turn.
_____
A Southerner knows that "fixin" can be used as a noun, a verb,
or an adverb.
_____
Only Southerners make friends while standing in lines, ... and
when we're "in line,"... we talk to everybody! _____
Put 100 Southerners in a room and half of them will discover
they're related, even if only by marriage.
_____
In the South, y'all is singular, all y'all is plural.
_____
Southerners know grits come from corn and how to eat them.
_____
Every Southerner knows tomatoes with eggs, bacon, grits, and
coffee are perfectly wonderful; that red eye gravy is also a
breakfast food; and that fried green tomatoes are not a
breakfast food. _____
When you hear someone say, "Well, I caught myself lookin'," you
know you are in the presence of a genuine Southerner!
_____
Only true Southerners say "sweet tea" and "sweet milk." Sweet
tea indicates the need for sugar and lots of it -- we do not
like our tea unsweetened. "Sweet milk" means you don't want
buttermilk. _____
And a true Southerner knows you don't scream obscenities at
little old ladies who drive 30 MPH on the freeway. You just
say,"Bless her heart" ... and go your own way.
_____
To those of you who are still a little embarrassed by your
Southerness, Take two tent revivals and a dose of sausage gravy
and call me in the morning. Bless your heart!
_____
And to those of you who are still having a hard time
understanding all this Southern stuff, ... bless your hearts, I
hear they are fixin' to have classes on Southernness as a
second language! _____
And for those that are not from the South but have lived here
for a long time, all y'all need is a sign to hang on y'alls
front porch that reads "I ain't from the South, but I got here
as fast as I could."
Southern girls know men may come and go, but friends are fahevah !
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