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 !

Tender Mercies

I cannot remember a time in my life when my heart has been so touched by the kindnesses and tender mercies of others. I mean it when I say I have truly been surrounded by good people all of the days of my life.

Many times during this week, I kept saying, "I don't want to do this. I don't want to do this. I don't want..." But, Kerry, my sisters, my friends and others kept holding me up and strengthening me.

On Wednesday, I ventured out with Kerry to do some last-minute things. Remember ~ I am still recuperating from back surgery and experiencing quite a bit of pain from the donation site (where they took the bone from my pelvis to fill in between the vertebrae). I know I could have just sent Kerry, but one of our errands was to run the programs off for the memorial service. I had worked hard on them and I wanted them to be just right. We coupled that with a few others errands ~ and it was too much for me. I got too tired, too cold, was in pain beyond measure and couldn't wait to get home. Kerry helped me into bed and I broke down and just began crying uncontrollably. I beat my fist into my pillow and cried my eyes out. Gentle Kerry comforted me and helped me get through it all. It was the first time I had cried since Peter's death. It needed to happen. I didn't have the physical or the emotional resources to make it stop.

Thursday was the day things began happening. Kerry left early to pick up Miss Harmony from the airport. I was resting when they arrived home. They gently woke me up and I saw my sweet daughter in front of me! I hadn't seen her since May 2006!!! I held her and just could not let her go. I was so glad she was able to get the time off from work to be here. Oh, how I have missed her!

We did and lot of reconnecting, then welcomed Dave and Waunita Wharton that evening. She had done a special favor for me, and had done it quickly! I was amazed at how fast someone with such talent can work miracles. Bless her heart. I will include what she did at a later time, along with a picture.

It was also a day when Kerry had talked with his brother, Kelly, who is stationed in Germany. He and his dear wife, Marion, were not going to be able to make it for the memorial due to prior commitments, but wanted to send flowers to represent their support for us. Within just a couple of hours of speaking with them, a HUGE basket of red and white carnations arrived. It was so big I though the little old man who delivered it was going to tip over. It brightened our home so much!


Friday, things began happening. Erik came up in the early afternoon, and we all met at the chapel so he and I could rehearse some music. Harmony helped Natalie Williams set up displays and pictures.

While Erik and I practiced, the organ began to act up. We checked all of the connections and it still kept cutting in and out. It was like the organ and the speakers were not connecting. When we left, it was working. We could only keep our fingers crossed.

Harmony and Erik went to lunch, then we all had dinner at our home. It was so good having family back home again. Jordan and Melissa and the grandboys came up a day early and checked into the motel room we had reserved for them.

Then...the day was here. I dreaded it. I looked forward to it. I wanted to do it and get it over with. I didn't want to do it at all. Every emotion I could possibly feel went running through my heart and my mind.

When we pulled into the church parking lot, there were already cars there. Natalie and her army of women were already in place preparing for the luncheon that would follow. People began showing up long before the time we had set aside for greeting. I was astounded at those that came ~ those that remembered him from childhood that I hadn't seen in 20+ years, friends from Cub Scout and Boy Scout days, his youth choir leader - Dalton Derr, my cousins from the eastern part of Ohio, the receptionist where I used to get my nails done, co-workers and supervisors from the Post Office, some of my temple workers, Kerry's family that came from as far away as Georgia and Utah ~ oh, I could go on and on and on...

After a short prayer meeting in the Bishop's office, it was time to go into the chapel. Erik was softly playing the prelude. As I walked down that familiar aisle that I walk down each week, Kerry and I turned around and gazed upon a chapel that was practically filled to the brim with those that came from far and near to pay their last respects. The lump that formed in my throat never left.

More and more flowers arrived. At first, I didn't think that flowers would be that necessary for such a short time. I was wrong. On a cold, drizzly winter day, they did much to brighten the mood and my spirits. They are still in my home brightening and lightening our load.

From Lee and Darlene Tobler, our dear, dear temple friends.

From Fern and Jim, my sister and her husband

From Chris and Kristy, and Joy and Reed - Kerry's brother and his wife, and his sister and her fiance

From Dave and Cheryl Talaga

The service began.

Erik offered a beautiful and heartfelt opening prayer.

Harmony gave a short talk that came straight from her heart. In it, she mentioned how important it is to forgive, and to keep in contact with family, for you may not always have the opportunity to make things right.

Jordan did the eulogy and spoke quite eloquently about some memories he had of Peter as his older brother. He mentioned that he may not have always agreed with some of the decisions that Peter made, but that he still loved him as a brother.

It was time for Erik and I to play the medley of hymns that Erik had put together. On the first song, the organ stopped working. It buzzed through the speakers, and I quickly turned it off. Turned it on. Turned it off. I then offered a short prayer and asked the Lord to please help that organ do its job. I turned it on and never had another problem. We filled the chapel with music.

Bob Rivers, a former bishop that had known Peter since the day he was born, spoke on the Lord's plan of salvation for his children. It was the best talk on that subject I had ever heard. It was tender. It was hopeful. It was true.

Kerry then offered a father's testimony. My goodness, did he have people asking for a copy of his talk. I have attached it to this email, as well as a copy of the program.

The closing song, "God Be With You Till We Meet Again" is where I lost it. My three remaining children took their places up front - Erik on the organ, Jordan on the piano, and Harmony directing the congregation. The image of the three of them, plus the message of the song made my held back emotions come bursting forth. Jean came up and comforted me, and then I fell into my Kerry's arms.

My oldest son is truly gone.

Melissa offered a beautiful closing prayer, then it was time to move to the cultural hall, where I have never seen so much food. It was a bounty to be shared by all. Bless the good women that have supported our family twice in a short time - this memorial service and helping me after my surgery.

The Lauritzen family gathered back at our house to reconnect with one another. There were five Lauritzen siblings - the most that has been gathered together since the funeral of their father. Much has happened in everyone's lives since then, and it was good to catch up. Again, I am so touched that they would come from so far to help and support us during the hardest time of our lives. I will never forget their sacrifice in coming. And...Content is even staying a few days longer to help me out. This is the week the cards and letters stop coming and can be a very lonely time. I'm glad she's here.

Chris, Joy, Kerry, Content, and David. We're not sure what David was doing.

Erik and I played again for church on Sunday, and the people loved it. I wish he could be here every week to play. I played quite often with Peter, and Erik has much the same playing style as Peter did. It's wonderful. Just wonderful.

Sunday evening was a pure delight as Jordan and Melissa and the grandboys stayed late and played with their Aunt Harmony and Uncle Erik. This was the first time Harmony had met Melissa and the grandboys, so that was great to have the chance to grow to love each other.

Harmony, Kerry, Peggy, Jordan, Erik (in front)

Harmony holding Jayden, Erik holding JJ, Melissa holding Justin, Kerry and Peggy and Jordan in the back

Now it's time to go forward. Peter is gone, but never from our memories. Every room in our house hold evidence that he was once a physical part of our lives. His ashes will be buried in the next little while - there is no rush, as there is with a regular funeral.

Kerry and I will never forget the kindness offered to our family, the calls, the cards, the emails, the way friends and family embraced my children and swept them into their arms. Our lives have been filled with tender mercies - from our friends, our family, our church family, and from the Lord. Those tender mercies will enable us to see our son again. I can hardly wait to hold him again.

Love to you all...
Kerry and Peggy

My gratitude to all...

Have you ever had a week that you are looking forward to and dreading all at the same time?

This will be my week.

This past week found me feeling me even stronger than I anticipated. I do wear down quite a bit easier than usual, but according to my doctor I'm right on track. A good friend took my to have my staples removed. I couldn't wait to get them out! But, that being the first time I'd been out since returning home from surgery, it was anticipated. An x-ray showed everything to be just right, and the doctor was pleased with what he saw.

But, that trip wore me out the rest of the day and most of the next.

Saturday, that same friend that accompanied me to the doctor - Julie Hoffman - called me and asked me what I was going to be doing at 1:30 pm. I had nothing planned. She told me she was coming to my house, and wanted to tell me why.

Her husband also works at the Post Office (downtown). The supervisor told him that a package had arrived for us and he wanted to bring it out personally. He called Julie, she called me, and out she came.

It was Peter's ashes.

She didn't want me to be alone when they were brought out.

It was a bit harder for me than I thought it would be. The supervisor was just as kind as anything. I signed the papers, watched him leave, and then couldn't stop looking at this little box on my floor. My son's body was in this little box.

Julie stayed with me through the afternoon, then my sister Jean and her husband arrived shortly before Kerry did. Kerry opened it up and found an even smaller box. All evening I kept walking past it and wondering just how everything all fits together.

I was able to make it to church today, though I had to rest all afternoon. It was so good to see my friends and feel their gentle hugs and support.

Now will be the week to welcome in family. In Kerry's family, we will be happy to greet David and Martha, Chris, Content, Joy and her fiance, Reed. Content will spend an additional week here in Ohio helping me out. Harmony will arrive on Thursday, and Jordan and Erik will be joining us, too. Countless others have expressed their desire to be here, too. How can I begin to thank them all for making the trip...

Peter's obituary ran in the newspaper, today. I have attached a copy of it, as well as posted the link for viewing it in the newspaper. I had to send a correction in to them to fix 2009 to 2010. It will also run on Wednesday.
http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/article/20100110/OBITUARIES/1100327/1023


Please remember us in your prayers this week. We could use a few extra.

And, since I sent out the January birthdays and anniversaries last week, I was notified that I forgot one! That's exactly what I want to have happen...

Jan 27 - little Miss Vanessa - g-daughter of my sister, Betty

She gets a picture since I forgot her!

Love to all of you...
Miss P

And a happy new year!

And a happy new year to each of you!

As most of you know, an awful lot has happened in the past couple of weeks. I won't beleaguer everything that most of you already know, but perhaps I can fill in some gaps.

I've learned a lot that I didn't know that I didn't know. I can see the hand of the Lord unfolding and unfolding and things fall into place in our lives.

I have learned of the wonderful goodness that is in so many people that I'm associated with - even those that I'm not. So many kindnesses have been extended to us as we struggle to get back on our feet.

As for me - this has been one of the hardest physical challenges that I've ever endured. Ouch! It's bone pain - and I've never experienced this type before. It will truly take some time to get me back on my feet. Sometimes the pain is so bad it jerks me awake in the middle of sleep. I wear my brace - my saddle. I use my walker. I take pain pills. But, I still hurt.

The church immediately did its part in helping out Kerry and me. People began showing up before 7:00 am (thank you to Natalie!) so that I wouldn't be alone. Two others took turns staying with me in shifts during the day. Meals were brought in. I couldn't think of a single need that we had.

This week begins another week of much the same.

Things are also falling in place for Peter's memorial service on Jan 16. Kerry and Jordan returned with Peter's belongings - all he had fit into one suitcase, two boxes, plus the box we mailed to him for Christmas that arrived the day he died. He never knew about it. Those items sat in the hallway for a few days - then it just became to painful for me to look at. I can't go through them yet. I will - just not yet.

I have written his obituary and the program for the memorial. That was hard. These are things he should be doing for me. I think they turned out alright.

And the cards and the emails that have flooded our mailbox and our computers! Oh, my! Sometimes I'm so touched I am just speechless.

And, the people that are coming for this occasion also touches my heart. Kerry's brother and his wife, David and Martha, and his sister Content are coming in. Miss Harmony is coming, and her two little ones will be here, too. The fact that people would come that far to help us through such a difficult time....

This is how we will begin our new year. When we begin one year, we just never know all of the things we will experience before the next new year.

I've made another executive decision. When I first started writing this missive over ten years ago, I tried to include everyone's birthdays and anniversaries. It began to be a bit overwhelming, so I decided to just include Kerry's brothers and sisters and mine. I couldn't keep up with all of the nieces and nephews and who they married and their kids and...

But, I now - I'm going to try to put everyone back in. Forgive me if I leave someone out - but I'm real approachable. Send me an email and I will simply fix it and update my own calendar.

This month, we honor:
2 – Shirley Lauritzen - Kerry's mom. I miss her...

17 – Adam Torkildson (Adrienne’s hus)

20 - Travis Funk (Rachelle’s hus)

Rusty Roth(Joan’s son)

22 – Kent Appleberry (Gay’s hus)

23 – Fern Bierce

29 – Truly Maxwell


Love to y'all...
MissP

"What can you do to enhance your capacity to be led to correct decisions in your life? What are the principles upon which spiritual communication depends? What are the potential barriers to such communication that you need to avoid?"President John Taylor wrote: 'Joseph Smith, upwards of forty years ago, said to me: "Brother Taylor, you have received the Holy Ghost. Now follow the influence of that Spirit, and it will lead you into all truth, until by and by, it will become in you a principle of revelation." Then he told me never to arise in the morning without bowing before the Lord, and dedicating myself to him during that day' (The Gospel Kingdom, ed. G. Homer Durham [1943], 43–44)."
Richard G. Scott, "To Acquire Spiritual Guidance," Ensign, Nov. 2009, 6

Such a tender week...

It's Christmas week.

It's been a bit cold. We have snow, though not as much as others. Kerry has had to bundle up every single day.

But, there's warmth in our hearts because of this glorious time of year.

I love Christmas. I loved it when I was a child. Though it was usually just mom and dad and me (sisters were older and already gone), I loved the holiday then as much as I do now. I can still remember the magical feeling of the tree all decorated and colorful, the fireplace snapping and popping, my dad putting on the Tabernacle Choir record that had "Silent Night" on it, and my mom turning out every light and only burning kerosene lamps and candles. It was a magical feeling that I can still remember to this day.

Christmas with my own little family was also magical. Nothing brings that feeling around a home more than children. One stands out in particular - when we only had Peter and Harmony. Baby Harmony was barely a month old. One night before Christmas, Peter had fallen asleep under the Christmas tree right beside baby Harmony on her blanket. We didn't have much money that year, but we had two of the greatest gifts we could have ever received - a family. As more and more children joined us, we felt the same way each year. We still feel that way about those precious gifts that were given to us to raise.

Now this year will be a bit different. It's just Kerry and me this year - Kerry and me and the hospital.

This past week, we enjoyed a wonderful evening at the home of Lee and Darlene Tobler - the former temple president and his wife. They are such good people. A few of us gathered there for an evening of desserts. Their home was filled with nativities - and I could have just spent the evening walking around looking at them. But, it's also important to be a bit friendly and sociable, so I was.

The next day I was fitted for the brace I will be wearing for the next three months after surgery. Oh, my! It looks like a saddle. I stopped by to tell Kerry something while he was delivering mail. He glanced into the back seat and asked what in the world that thing was. I told him it was my brace. It's hard, with lots of velcro and bungee cords. They will gradually lessen the plastic until I'm just down to bungee cords.

Friday was my last day at the temple for awhile. I have everything in place for my workers to carry on in my absence. Bless their good hearts.

I will be shutting my computer down tomorrow afternoon. I won't be able to lift it (nothing over 5 lbs.), so I'll be on my little one. It's so little it fits in my purse. My new rule from the occupation therepast is: No BLT - bending, lifting or twisting. My house now looks like a nursing home - grab bars in the tub/shower, raised toilet seat, shower seat, walkers, canes, etc.

If you would like to call Kerry for an update, feel free. He will probably be home after 8:30 each evening, and it's okay to call up to about 10:30 pm. (419-756-7033) If you would like to call me, I'll have my cell phone (419-543-1087), or the hospital (419-526-8000). I'll do my best to answer. It wouldn't do you much good to call Kerry on his cell phone while he's at work. Unless it's me or one of the kids, he probably wouldn't answer. He believes if he's at work, he's at work.

This has been a hard decision for me. There are days when I feel no pain at all, and I wonder if I've made the right decision. Then, there are days when I am yelping in my sleep. Just today, during the closing song, my leg totally went numb and pain shot up through the top part of my hip. I was having trouble hitting the right pedals on the organ, for my feet can't feel them anymore. I thought I was going to flip over backwards with the pain, but carried on through the end of the song. Kerry always comes up to the organ to see if I need any help. This time, he didn't have to ask. He could see my face. He began working on my leg to try to get some of the pain out of the hip and the numbness out of the rest of it. We were trying to not let anyone see it. For the rest of the day, I was on a cane.

After that episode, I have no doubt at all.

But, back to Christmas. No matter what kind of a year y'all have had, I hope that the sweet spirit of this season can permeate your hearts. Just about everyone I know has had it rough in one way or another. Perhaps these things are allowed to happen so that we'll focus on the things that have real meaning - our homes, our families, our Lord.

Some newsies:
Little Miss Vanessa, granddaughter of my sister Betty, was blessed by her daddy today. (Similar to a christening. Babies are not baptized in our church. They must be at least 8 years old). What a special opportunity for a young father.

Niece Sarah, daughter of David and Martha, has received her mission call to the New Zealand Auckland Mission and will leave in March. She is such a dear, sweet girl. I know her parents are so proud of her.

Thank you for all of your well wishes. I'll be fine, for I have a good doctor. He's the same one that put Peter back together after his accident 12 years ago. I have no doubt in his ability, for by all textbook accounts, Peter should not have lived.

But, he did.

Merry Christmas to all of you. Think of Him more than thinking of me. He won't leave me alone...

Love...
Miss P

Oh, deer!

It was a cold and beautiful week.

Just about every day and every evening we had things to do. One day, as I was driving in the country on a very cold, crisp, sunny day I saw two deer in a field just running, leaping, and playing with all their might. I literally had to stop the car and watch. They were having so much fun! I wish I could gallop.

Tuesday was a busy day spent in preparation at the hospital. For those that aren't aware yet, I am having back surgery on Dec 22. Yes, Dec 22.

This back of mine has plagued me for at least seven years. My feet are numb. When I Play the organ, I can't feel the pedals - I just have to guess I'm hitting the right ones. When I drive, I have to glance down to make sure I've lifted my foot up high enough to put on the brake. My entire left leg will go numb and burn clear up to the hip. Kerry will pull on it, bring it up clear over my head, etc. I did find one thing that would help - I sit with my legs apart and curl my body forward.

Even that doesn't help anymore.

The MRI's that were taken show lumbar/sacral spondylopathy. My spinal cord is encompassed with arthritis, and I have one disc that has bulged forward and one that has bulged backward.

Physical therapy, pain management, and shots of cortisone have not helped. Hence - it's time for surgery. And, I'm scared.

I went for pre-op testing on Tuesday while Mr. Kerry waited on me. It took two hours. I met with Occupational Therapy, the anesthesiologist, had blood drawn, had an EKG taken, and answered a myriad of questions. I had three people ask me if I could possibly have or have been exposed to HIV, aids, or hepatitis. Thank goodness I have not - at least since earlier this year.

Some have asked why I'm having it during the week of Christmas. Well, first of all - our deductible is met. Second - none of my kids will be home for Christmas. Third - if I have to wear a back brace, I'd rather wear it in the middle of winter than in the middle of summer.

I will also be fitted with a bone growth stimulator, which I will wear for 30 min. a day for nine months.

This is pretty major. There may be blood transfusions. There will be bone grafting. It will hurt.

And I'm scared.

Next week will be my last missive of the year, I think. I promise to keep y'all posted.

My feet are also giving me fits. I went to the foot doctor, who gave me cortisone in my foot. He feels the surgery may help the pain in my feet. He watched me walk and just wagged his head.

That evening, I went to a lovely meeting in Clear Fork Ward concerning the temple. They wanted me there to answer any questions that may come up. I had Mr. Kerry drive me - even though it was a women's meeting. It was just beautiful - and SO uplifting!

Friday at the temple was a bit moderate. I was in quite a bit of pain - even having trouble getting up from my chair at lunch. Immediately, two of my workers which are nurses came to me and knew just how to get me up. I did leave a bit early that day. I came home, took a pain pill, and laid down before going to our Ward Christmas Party.

This week finds me in the final preparations before my surgery. Kerry switched the beds so I have the queen sized one to sleep on and recuperate on. Fern brought me a WONDERFUL feather bed to lay on top of our mattress. Oh, I can't even begin to describe. I'm trying to anticipate everything I may need to have moved to the first floor. Two women at church will be taking turns coming here to help me out. Meals will be brought in. Others have offered to help wherever I may need them.

Yes, I'll try to keep everyone posted. But, just as we pray for others that have asked for our prayers, we have prayed for my doctor, too. God answers our prayers. He's always been at my side.

Love to y'all...
Miss P

An eye for an eye

I guess I am getting older. Well, at least parts of me are.

I had my annual eye exam on Tuesday, and I couldn't believe the change in my vision. Neither could my eye doctor! I had been having a lot of trouble with both distance and close up. I figure it had to be aging, for I really hadn't had any changes in a few years. This year made up for it.

I also knew part of it was what I used to clean my glasses with - a Kleenex that has Vick's VapoRub built into them. They are great at relieving some congestion, but are really lousy for cleaning eyeglasses. I wouldn't recommend it, for I ended up using vinegar to get the film off.

I celebrated getting my new stove this week! But, I have to admit that it has a feature I've never heard of. The delivery men were putting it into place and even installed an anti-tip device. I thought that was kind of remarkable. But, I was glancing through the manual and noticed a page entitled "Sabbath Day Cooking".

I was intrigued.

I haven't entirely read it through, but apparently it has a feature for Jewish Sabbath cooking. A fellow genealogist informed me that "A sabbath day setting I imagine would be one where the stove is not completely turned off. I remember my great grandmother telling me that in the "old days" as a gentile she was often asked to go and relight stoves or gas lamps that went out on the sabbath".

My sister-in-law teased me by saying it was a Kosher stove.

Friday at the temple was busy, but moderate in attendance. It was a good day for getting caught up on some things. My friend, Miss Dani, was there as a worker for the first time. She did a fine job! Later, she and I went to dinner at Perkins for potato pancakes. Some other temple workers heard us talking about them and decided they would taste good, too! There they were in the restaurant, eating potato pancakes just like us...

Saturday morning was a wonderful entrance into the Christmas season. The Relief Society (women's organization) held a Christmas brunch at the church. The presidency prepared muffins, quiche, strata, yogurt w/granola, and little loaves of quick breads for all of us. There was an ornament exchange, along with beautiful testimonies of the Savior and the Christmas season. It was just wonderful, and I'm so glad I went.

Tonight, Mr. Kerry and I cuddled up on the couch, turned on the computer to www.lds.org and watched The First Presidency and the Tabernacle Choir bring beautiful Christmas messages to the world. And, to us. You can probably see it repeated if you log on.

Now, as we have officially begun our entrance into this marvelous holiday season, I have many things on my mind. It's so easy to get frazzled and frenzied by all that is going on in the world and how we're going to "get through" the holidays. I'm just not going to let that happen. I'm going to look at what I can do for my fellow man and do my best to help the world to become better.

And there's no better place to start than with myself.

Love to y'all...
Miss P