are enjoying her visit very much! As I left the kitchen after breakfast to go take a shower, I heard them continue in conversation for quite a while. Couldn't hear their words, just the tone of their voices in conversation. I am so thankful that my husband and my Mother love and respect each other. What a gift their relationship is to my life!
Yesterday we visited the local library where I checked out yet another book on the Civil War (I'm working my way through all of them), while Mother found one on crochet to borrow. Today we had coffee or tea at the home of a young woman who invites ladies from the church nearly every week. It's a great time to visit and hold babies. Tomorrow morning Mother will attend our ladies class with me. Friday we venture to Lubbock to enjoy lunch with 4 dear ladies. Saturday evening we'll cook hot dogs outside and watch some little friends play while we visit with their parents. Sunday will be another blessed Lord's Day together, Lord willing, then that night after evening worship there is the monthly Ladies Birthday party in the home of one of our members. Nothing special planned for Monday yet, but Tuesday a young mother will host a brunch.
Hmmm. I hope I don't wear out before Mother does.
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Friday evening: Had a lovely day today with Mother and a friend from here, as we drove to Lubbock to shop and have lunch with the friend's mother, sister, and mother-in-law. Sugarbaker's is a really neat sandwich shop!
The shopping was mostly done at Christopher & Banks in the mall. We were specifically looking for shells to layer under shirts, although a few other things found their way into the shopping bags. If you're like me and don't like the constant pulling up and tugging up with regular tank tops, Christopher & Banks is a great source for sleeveless shells with a t-shirt height neckline that are modest under other shirts. They come in 100% cotton as well as a 60/40 blend, and have a nice satin edging at the neck. They come in several colors. Regular price is $14.95, but I've found them 2 for $20. They're
here. Click on "Tops" at the top, and then "Layer Your Look Tees" on the left.
Mother found some cute separates that matched very well.
After shopping and lunch, we dropped by the home of friends on our way back to Seminole. These friends are the ones who lost their 19-year-old son in an accident in August. They are coping, but each day has its ups and downs. Sundays are especially hard because they miss being with him in worship. But the mother is filling many of her hours with serious Bible study of her own, plus studies with several others, either in person or by texting. She had told me shortly after Kollin died that she has a big void in her life and wants to fill it with something meaningful. She certainly has!!!
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Sunday night was the monthly birthday party for four of us with birthdays in April. It was fun! Baked potatoes with chili and other toppings. Mother, three young women, and I played Bible Trivia.
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Tuesday morning: Later this morning there is a brunch in the home of one of our young mothers. Mother is fixing pigs in a blanket. I'll take cinnamon rolls. Self control will not be present.
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Tuesday afternoon:
The brunch was wonderful! White tablecloth. China. Delicious punch. Small flower vases with fresh flowers were sent home with the guests. Sausage balls. Fruit platters. Quiche. And the items Mother and I took. Desserts made centerpieces on the table. We were greeted at the door by two-year-old Logan while his Mother nursed his baby brother. Logan had set the table for the little guests with paper plates and napkins. He was such a cute host, and quite excited to have company.
One thing I failed to include in my Friday events was the trip I made to the ER at the local hospital. After such a nice day in Lubbock, I began having severe intestinal cramps and nausea around 7 that night. This went on all night long, with very little sleep. At 6 Saturday morning, I told Jimmy it was time to go to the hospital. This happened two years ago, so we know the routine. Due to two abdominal surgeries in 2002, I have adhesions that do not cause a problem unless I eat things I'm not supposed to have. I am on a very restricted diet, and don't always know what causes trouble for me. This time, it was either potato chips, or coconut in the crust of Mississippi mud. Who would think potato chips would be hazardous to health?? (other than the fat and salt) But they've given me trouble in the past, so if I'm smart, (which is debatable) I will Just Say No to potato chips. Sorry, Mr. Lay.
I'm fine now.
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Wednesday morning:
One of Mother's projects while she is here is working on scrapbooks of her life with Daddy. These include cards from him, pictures, Biblical articles written by him or others, notes she has shared with young women about the life of a preacher's wife...lots of variety but all significant things. She's in the living room now, working on it.
Shirley wanted to know how many parties are planned while she is here. Um...that remains to be seen. We had to cancel our own cook-out planned for last Saturday thanks to my unscheduled trip to the ER (see above under Friday's entry, "One thing I failed to include..."). We still have the ingredients for hot dogs and Smores, so I suspect we'll do a cook-out on short notice one evening with whoever is available that day.
Tomorrow, being my 64th birthday, Stacia Lovelady has planned a birthday supper for me. Of course, Jimmy and Mother get to go as well. I even got to choose what Stacia will prepare. So far it's sour cream enchiladas and cheesecake. If that's all, that's enough! I chose cheesecake knowing how much Lance likes it. Why should I be the only one happy that I have a birthday?!
Mother and I cry occasionally. It's a good thing.
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Thursday night:
The birthday supper at Lance and Stacia's was wonderful, followed by a couple of hours of just sitting around the table talking. Kaegan, their oldest at 8, is one of my piano students. She was so excited to present me with a birthday gift she made herself! It's a plaster of Paris butterfly painted and glittered in the most brilliant colors imaginable. Sweet things.
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Friday:
Mother, Jimmy and I drove to Lubbock (70 miles) for blood work, shopping, and eating out. The place to eat was up to me since it was a continuation of my birthday celebration.
There is little in life to equal the disappointment of heading out for my birthday meal at Catfish Corner, only to pull into the parking lot and find the name has been changed to Burrito Tower II.
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Saturday:
Now Mother knows why I sew very little. It takes me FOREVER. And the reason is, everything else is more important, or so it seems to me. While she's been here these two weeks, we have measured and discussed how to rework my kitchen curtain, which has now been hung for one year, to the displeasure of both Jimmy and myself. It is a valance. Too long. Too narrow. Mother is in there now with my OLD Singer (straight stitch only, forwards and backwards only) machine, finishing up the trim. She sews a lot. I've learned one big difference between her approach to sewing, and mine...: sometimes she hand bastes. I really ought to try that...
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Monday morning, April 29
Guess I should have been dating these posts, as well as labeling them with the day of the week.
Mother is making a pillow today, to go with the smaller one she's already made, which are both from remnants from the kitchen curtain project we completed on Saturday. Mother is a very handy person to have around!
Sunday evening we entertained a single lady, a couple, a family of four, and the young wife's parents. Hot dogs, chili, chips and dip, inside. Then we "retired" to the backyard to roast marshmallows and make Smores...some with peanut butter, some without.
Which do you prefer?
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Wednesday afternoon: May 1
Mother has washed the lunch dishes (how I shall miss her!!!), and I dried. Now it's back to the suitcase as I pack for the coming trip.
> Thursday morning, early, we will be taking Mother home to Alvin, following a wonderful visit of approx. 3 weeks. I know her better, and love her more because of it. She is coping as well as a beloved wife who has lost her sweetheart can cope.
> Friday morning, early, we plan to head to the Dallas area. There is to be a singing in Plano Friday night which we hope to attend.
> Saturday morning I will have a class with the ladies of the West Allen congregation in Allen, TX. Looking forward to that!
> Sunday through Wednesday, Jimmy has a gospel meeting with the West Allen church, with both morning and evening services each day. If you live in the area, I hope we see you!
And
Shirley, I'm so glad you have enjoyed Mother's visit at my house!
I think you'll do fine. Just remember you're the boss. You hold the power supply. Don't let the Galaxy bully you. ;-)