NEW WARDROBE

Well, I decided I better be getting some warmer clothes to take up north this week.   SO...I went shopping at - TA DA -  GOOD WILL and got some good buys.   I bet none of you will be able to tell what is new and what is not.   Now that's smart shopping in my book.    HA HA HA

So...have to get everything washed and ironed and ready to pack.   Cannot believe in 48 hours we will be on our way.

Hope Kim and her kids are ready for us.  

MERRY "WHITE" CHRISTMAS

Yes, we actually have a white Christmas here.  AND...as much as I dislike snow, it IS beautiful.  

Hopefully there isn't too much north of here so the girls cannot get out.   If that happens we are going to take all our shrimp, weiner roll ups, white bean chili, truffle and head to a neighbors.   Oh yes, and all the candy we have.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE.

Good Bye Dear Friend

Grace made her transition out of this life last night.   I'm glad her struggle is over.   For over three years she has been bedridden and I watched a really neat lady turn into an angry old woman.    I'm not blaming her, I'm sure if that happens to me no one will want to come near me.

Grace was one of my first ladies to join the Prayer Shawl ministry.   We had a Ministry Moment one time and she called me and ask if she could speak.   I had written some things out to talk about but welcomed the willingness of one of the other ladies to speak.  

I asked her is she wanted some ideas on what to say and she said, "I'll read it but I have something I want to say too".    I had a feeling if Grace wanted to speak she and God would work it out and I couldn't begin to compete with what she had to say.

Grace was always beautifully dressed and wore hats to church.   Beautiful hats.   She was a very attractive older lady.

She told the church how she had been invited to join the Prayer Shawl Ministry and thought, "That's a nice thing to do" and let it go.   Then she was given a shawl and realized how special that was.  

Grace never came to a meeting with less than three shawls.   She came in one time and had a beautiful shawl.   We were all commenting on it and I asked her what size needles she used.   She said, "A size 35 and a size 10 1/2"    I didn't even know they made a size 35 needle but by golly they do.

I'm going to miss Grace, not miss seeing her in that bed in that nursing home but missing the friend I had.   Safe journey dear friend.

Bittersweet Day

Today started out very chilly, well downright cold for us southerners but I realize 19 isn't cold for you in the NAWTH.

But...about 11 o'clock it warmed up to about 45 and Ted decided to get rid of the leaves in the yard by mowing.  It looked pretty darned good when he got done too.   I even went out and took a nice walk.   Met a couple of my neighbors out in various areas of the sub-division and visited a bit.

And during all this time I kept thinking of my dear friend, Grace, who has been laying in a hospital bed for over three years unable to get up and can only move her left hand and head.    Grace was in the Prayer Shawl Ministry I started 4 1/2 yras ago at church and never came to a meeting with less than three shawls.

I went to see her when we got back and she was always glad to see me and I could hardly get uncurled from a hug.   But last week I bent over her bed and tried to give her a hug and she asked me not to touch her it hurt so.   She began to cry and said she hurt ALL OVER and finally asked if I would please leave.   I felt so bad for her and hated to leave her alone but did find a nurse before I left and asked her to look in on Grace.

She is now in the hands of Hospice and her family is waiting for her to make her transition out of this life.   I hurt for them so and hope this comes soon.   She is a wonderful person and was a really good friend and we are all going to miss her.  

Christmas 2006

I found this story awhile back and have been saving it till now.   I do NOT remember writing it but that sometimes happens with my best stories.


December 2006

I have this very large urge that I wish I could go get my mom and bring her here for Christmas. 

She would just LOVE to see all our kids, grown up and living their lives.   But...what she would really enjoy would be to see all our grandchildren.

Meagan - Goodness, I can just see her looking at you and asking you waht you would like to be.  It wouldn't matter what you told her, she would think it was a wonderful idea.   She would ask you if you enjoyed your trip to Illinois last year.  Then probably tell you her version of the children that drowned in Spoon River and how their  mother always took a wreath over and nailed it on a tree.

She would tell the story of how the Indians warned the white man NOT to put a Dam in Spoon River and she would know exactly how many people had drowned in it since the Dam had been installed.

She would look at Ted and I and see the pride we have in you.

You are our first born grandchild and she knows the special feeling we have for you.   Not that we love you anymore than the others, just the special feeling a grandparent has for that first one.

Then she would look at Sam.   Gosh, she'd LOVE you Sam.  Her first grandchild was a red headed boy, Jerry, so she would want to touch your shoulder and tell you what a good looking boy you are.   She would ask what grade you are in and if you had good teachers.    She she would ask what you like to do.  It would please her no end that you like to read as she was an avid reader.

And once again she'd look at Ted and I to see how we were beaming, listening to you talk.

She would want to see you ride your bike and skate board and tell us all how dangerous the skate board is.

Now Jordan, she would want to hold you.   She knew I always wanted red hair and she would tell you that.  She would know we miss having you close.   She would be thrilled that you are a good student.   Education was always important to her.

She would love watching you swim and dance.   She never did either but she would appreciate how well you do both.   She would see the pride Ted and I have when we talk about you and feel the pain we have when we have to leave you.

And Benjamin.   Man, she'd just love you to pieces.   She would really enjoy your sense of humor and the tricks you play on people.  She would want you to play aggrivation with her and unlike me, she would work it so you ALWAYS won.

She would hide those silly eggs for you and Jordan all day if you wanted her to and you could all play UNO till you went to bed.

And Jeremiah!   She would just love to talk to you and hear all about your chess tournaments and your swimming too, and watch you play ball.   She would love the gleam in your eye when you were about to pull a joke on your mom and sister.

She would want to visit your school and then she'd tell me how smart you are.

Now Sierra, gosh I can just see her loving you with her eyes.  I cannot tell you how much she would love you.   Anything you did would be WONDERFUL. 

We would tell her how little you were when you were born and she'd tell us waht a miracle you are.    We know that, but would agree with her wholeheartedly.

IF I could bring my mom to our house for Christmas this is just some of what we would do.

I'd love to get her a beautiful soft gown and some shoes that didn't hurt her feet, take her to a beauty shop and out to eat.    All the things I never did for her when she was alive.

She deserved a better life than she had.

Decorations and a Walking Shell

Today we got up and cleaned up the house from getting home.  Put a few things away that were sitting out and got our Christmas tree out.   It was COLD this morning and neither one of us wanted to venture out and it was a good day to decorate.

When we got done the house looked like Christmas and I had a couple of good ideas for Christmas gifts and got excited about that.

One of the things I did was clean up some shells we had picked up down in Biloxi.   You remember one had a little animal in it and I tossed it back in the water.

While we were decorating the front room we heard a weird noise in the kitchen.   I went to see what fell and one of the shells was off the counter about a foot from the rest of them.   I couldn't figure out how it got over there but - what the heck, I picked it up and laid it back on the paper towel they had been drying on.

About a half hour later we were eating and heard a noise on the kitchen counter and there was one of those shells moving across the counter.   Man, I nearly flipped.   That little sucker had lived inside that shell in our truck for over 2 weeks and been in the kitchen inside a paper cup and plastic bag since we got home Friday evening.  

The house still looks nice and he is nestled safely in the garage garbage can thanks to Ted.

SNOW

Yesterday we had a snow forecast and for those of you that do no know it,  Tennessee goes into Psych Ward when snow is forecast.   Man, the weathermen play it up big time and even admit maybe 1" of snow is possible.  

I decided it wasn't going to do anything till after lunch so ventured out to church since our furnace wasn't working and there was only room for one of us to huddle around our little electric fireplace and figured I might as well be warm in church.

BUT...half way through church it began to snow like crazy and I checkened out and left.   Then it quit, of course, but I still had some things to do.

When I got home it had snowed more here but had stopped.   The T.V. was still blarring away about the BIG snow coming.

It snowed all afternoon, sometimes really hard and I couldn't figure out why it wasn't building up.   About 4 p.m. it REALLY began in earnest and we have a little over an inch on our deck and the roads are covered.   AND...it's still snowing some.   Needless to say the kids in TN will be home for a day or two and I guess the roads are pretty slick due to some icing conditions.

We are comfy in our warm little house since the furnace is running ALL THE TIME now and the thermometer says 13 degrees above zero.

Even I have to admit the snow is pretty - TODAY.    Tomorrow I'll be ready to read seed catalogs and get ready to plant garden.     HA   HA   HA   HA

HEAT, WONDERFUL HEAT

Furnace fixed, the house is warm again and all is well in the Tingley Household.

COLD HOUSE

Last night about 9 p.m. Ted told me the furnace was not running.   I was snug in my bed with my rice bag reading a fairly good book but made myself come out acting like I could help.   HA

We finally figured out that the fan on the furnacewasn't working.   We called one electrician but had to leave a message.   Then the phone rang and a neighbor had seen Ted out looking at the unit and asked what was wrong.    They offered a space heater but we bought one of the electric fireplaces 2 years ago so it was helping. He gave Ted the name of another guy to call.    We turned all the ceiling fans on and the house stayed at 69 to 70 degrees.  

This morning I made oatmeal and then decided I was still going to go to church and it would be fixed by the time I got home.

Half way through church it began to snow like the last snow on earth and I chickened out and left the service.  I had to make a couple of stops and by the time I started home it had quit and I wished I'd stayed in church.    BUT...when I got home the ground was covered and the deck is now fully covered and it's still snowing. 

I had put a roast in the crock pot but we opted to cook it in the oven to help heat the kitchen.   We are fine, just a little disgusted that the two electricians Ted called have not at least called us back.   Ted's brother, Merle, was an electrician and I know he worked 24 hours several times to keep people warm.

Hope you in the Nawth are not iced in.   

HOME

Yesterday morning we both woke up at 4:15.   SO...out of bed, dressed and off we took.   It was 4:46 when we pulled out of the Sager Brown complex.

The weather was great and it was 54 degrees when we left and we watched that thermometer very slowly drop.  Not near as much as we had expected.

I took two naps while Ted drove and he took one while I drove.   Traffic was not too bad and we pulled in our driveway at 4:46 P.M.   We had driven 650 miles, stopped for mail and milk on our way in and were two of the happiest little old people you ever saw.

By 7 p.m. the truck was unloaded and most of the STUFF put away.   Still have mail to go through.  I see I have many well organized friends that have their Christmas Cards all done and mailed.   One friend sent one on the Internet - my kind of woman.   I suppose those people that are SO well organized also have all their Christmas gifts  bought.    GOOD FOR THEM.

Thought for the day.

IT'S GOOD TO BE HOME!!!!!

HEADED HOME

The sewing room is clean, all the needles are new in the machines, and the machines all oiled and the heat turned down.

Tomorrow we head for Tennessee.   As I walked away I had a bit of an empty feeling but we are ready to get back home and on with our lives.

This, as I've said before, has been a good trip.   Ted drove the Forklift a lot and it was good to know he didn't have to walk all over the depot all the time.  

We fixed a lot of school bags people made wrong and also shortened many blankets for the birthing kits that were made wrong.    We also saw 3 shipments of school bags head out of here for Sudan.   Everyone comments on how they'd like to follow one of those bags and see the child that receives it.  We have learned that some of these children use them to carry ALL of their worldly possessions.   Makes you think twice, doesn't it?    That you could put everything you own in a bag 15 X 18 inches?  

We'll be back here in October to work again.  So our hearts are full as we head to our last meal here and the Vesper Service this evening.

End of Sewing Room  Blogs till October of 2011

Dreams Drive Me Nuts

For a long time now I dream that Connie and Mark are LITTLE KIDS again.   Why on earth I would do that, I cannot imagine.

These dreams usually come just before I wake up and usually when I am late getting up.   I will dream they don't have enough lunch money or I can't find them, something silly like that.    One time I asked Connie if we ever didn't give them money for their lunches but she couldn't remember that happening.

I remember when we moved to Towanda I thought that was just the poorest of poor schools.  (Little did I know)    Ted's mother told me if we stayed there Kim would have one of the best teachers in the state - Trunella Trent.    Well, I figured there was NO way we were going to stay at that school. (We only lived in that school area for 8 years)    One day they had a dog show come and the kids were to bring 10 cents to see it.   I remember asking Kim if all the kids had their 10 cents and she said, "All but me,  I had 10 pennies".   Man, I was weird.

Last night I dreamed Ted, I, Connie and Mark were all going to start going together in the same car so we could save gas.  ????   We would take Ted to work, then I'd take the kids to school, then I'd go to work - which I never did until they were bigger.

Well, it turned into a disaster.  No one was ready when we needed to leave, Ted missed a business meeting and Mark was going to a business meeting that he didn't think he'd have a way home from that night.   FOR HEAVENS SAKE, ELLEN.    I feel like I'm loosing it. 

I'd like to say when I get home the dreams will be different but they really won't. 

Noise or Just Being Friendly

We have a group staying in the apartments here in Peck Hall this week.   They come every year and needed a place to GATHER in the evenings and mornings.   They usually use the Chapel but because the weather is cold this year they decided to use our lounge.

This is an old building with very bad insulation so we can almost hear the guy in the apartment next to us snore (not really) but their voices certainly carry - at night and in the morning.

I was kind of out of sorts thinking how noisy they were, the realized they were all laughing and having a good time and I was a crotchety old woman who is tired and needs to sleep a few years.

So...now I can look at this picture with a different view and be happy there is laughter and togetherness in this world where so many are so lonely and sad.

Today is the anniversary of Pearl Harbor and that certainly was not a happy time in our history.  Let us not forget.

Churches Farewell

Yesterday was my last visit at this little church I attend while here.   I go there because I love it, I love the way they worship God, the lady I work for goes there and several of the volunteers go there and I can walk there.

I knew yesterday was my last day but that has happened before with no fanfare.   BUT...yesterday at the end of the service a lady that grew up here in Baldwin and went to school here on this very campus when it was a school came out, stopped beside me and said, "Come on" and held out her hand.    I really didn't want to go but she was not to be stopped from her mission.

To tell you the truth I never thought she even knew I was there.   But...this lady took me up to the front of the church and the minister introduced me and goodness, the things they said about me were unbelievable.   I wish I could live up to them.   Then they blessed me and the work I do.   Well, those of you that know me know Good-byes are hard for me and this was no different.   In fact, I think it was harder because I don't feel like what we do here is so special. 

Then another lady came around when we Passed The Peace and she sat down beside me and said, "WHERE you goin girl?"     She is the brother of the man Ted works for and I LOVE to hear her sing and she put her arm around me and said she'd be thinking of me till we came back.

So...I may not leave part of me here but I KNOW I'll take a part of this community with me when we leave Friday.

MIXED EMOTIONS

TGIF.   Yes, it's Friday and I'm glad, yet part of me doesn't want to end this trip.   It's been a trying one with my back and not sleeping well but also a GOOD one.

I've met some wonderful people, some challenging ones, some that just drove me to the edge but all in all I still love this place.

This week I had just the craziest bunch of women in the sewing room and have shared some of the stories with you.  Last night at Vespers the lady I referred to in the New York blog gave our meditation.   She is not a minister or a lay leader but she sure can speak and everyone there loved her.

She talked about all the 18,000 school bags shipped to Sudan and how wonderful that was but she then talked about all the people that bought the supplies and the people that made the bags and the people that delivered them here and the trucker taking them to the ship and how all of us are connected to the recipients. AND...how much God is involved in this process.

The minister that blessed the elements talked to us about how we have gathered here from all over the U.S. at the beginning of the week.   We had people from Texas, Arkansas, and even Maine.   That group impressed me a lot.   But she said we came from all over the country, from all walks of life and we learned in one week to live together, eat together, work together, play together, and even pray together.  

I emailed someone afterwards and when telling them about being at Vespers I felt that my Cup Runneth Over.  It was a very meaningful service.

So...this week is over and a week from today we will be on our way home and I will be happy, but also have a very empty spot in my heart.   Part of me ALWAYS stays at UMCOR Sager Brown.

PRAYER

Every day we "circle up" before a meal and share something that has happened or what WILL be happening that day.   Then someone from the Kitchen Ministry asks the blessing.

This week we have had two shipments of School Kits go to Sudan and today a shipment of bedding will be going out to various parts of the U.S.

Yesterday morning at Breakfast we had a group from Maine doing dishes (Kitchen Ministry) and a very tall man with a very soft voice ask the blessing.

I happened to notice he was looking up during the prayer and I LOVE to look up when I pray.   Sometimes I think we just look down or close our eyes and shut God-LOVE out.   I told him I really liked that later and he said he almost asked the group to do it too but wasn't sure how they would feel.  He also asked the blessing on the shipment yesterday.

These are the times I feel God's presence here.

Sewing Room 4 - Plus OTHER THINGS

There are about 5 women in the sewing room this week on a regular basis.  These ladies are GOOD WORKERS and about the craziest bunch of women I've EVER had in there.

 We have giggled (is that contagious?), repaired over 100 School Bags that were made wrong and giggled some more.

One lady just came in to sew this morning and was very quiet at first.   Then she shared that one time when she was very young she was in charge of costumes for a company in Dallas.   The owners wife would come in when she wasn't in her department and use the fabric she had for something on a project SHE wanted to do.   One time she took all the fabric they had and made some hats she wanted without asking.

Later the lady in the sewing room was asked to make a corsett for this gal and accidentally left a pin in it.  She said that she didn't care, the gal got just what she deserved.  

Then she went on to tell us after she had worked with this company awhile she decided if she was going to make this her life's work she needed to go to New York and see a REAL broadway play.   So...she took what little money she had and bought a ticket to New York.   She had a friend she could stay with and off she went.

In the airport waiting for her plane an older gentleman sat down beside her and she noticed he had a beautiful, silk, and some other kind of suit.   She said she knew he must have his suits taylor made.   He was surprised a young woman would know that without knowing him and asked how she knew.   After she explained that she worked in a company making costumes for plays they began to talk.  

When they boarded the plane for New York she said he told her just to come up and sit in first class with him and they could talk more.

Then when they arrived in New York he got her a cab and sent her to her friends house and paid the cabbie.
We asked her why she didn't pursue this relationship and she said he was Gay and really not interested in her.

WOW!!!!  What a great way to get to New York on your first trip.

Thanksgiving in Biloxi

We arrived about noon and found Jim and Connie on the beach.   It was nice and warm and we spent quite a bit of time walking, soaking it all in and collecting shells.   Connie picked up a couple of really nice ones for me and I was carrying them around when I noticed a varmit coming out of one.   YIKES!!!!  I tossed that sucker back in the ocean where he belonged and he was probably glad to be home.

Then we got checked into our hotel and WOW!!!   Casino's waste no money.   It was a lot nicer than the Motel 6's we usually stay at.   A LOT NICER!!!!!

After going to their room (which was even more elegant than ours) and partaking in some holiday spirits we ventured down to the Thanksgiving Buffet.   Now talk about food.   That was some spread.   We ended up stuffed and full of wonder at the beautiful decorations and stores there in their Hotel.  But...time to get some rest and so we headed back to our room.

The room was a gift from Connie and Jim and he couldn't get two rooms in the same hotel so we stayed about a mile from them but right on the beach.

Friday we just relaxed and had a nice lunch in a little town a ways from Biloxi.   It was great food and then we went for a drive to find THE OLD SPANISH TRAIL FORT.   We did find it but of course it was closed.   The cemetary looked really interesting but since none of us wanted to climb the chain link fence we had to let that go too.

Back to their hotel and take a look at the fancy shops.   WOW!!!!   They were really neat and it was fun to look.

Time to get an afternoon nip for Connie and Ted.   Jim went to check out the casino and we followed him later.   He was in registering for the tournament when we caught up with him and he gave Ted a beer.   They had free drinks so Connie and Ted got some more liquid to sustain them and we began to find things that were funny.   After Jim got registered we went to get some food to go with the juice( :) ) and two ladies were coming out as we were going in.   I happened to notice they both had on black and white checkered herringbone hats and scarfs to match.   For some reason that hit my funny bone.   But what was funnier was one of them could hardly walk and she almost lost her balance completely when she saw me.  I couldn't be THAT scary now.    Giggles did follow and the evening took on a happy atmosphere.

After we ate we decided it was time to head back to our room.   Connie made us promise to call as we were both still giggling.   Even had the security guard laughing. 

We had no trouble finding the hotel OR our room and fell into bed for a good 8 to 10 hour sleep.

Yesterday we got ready to go over to their hotel and watch Jim in the tournament and we couldn't find our truck.   That just struck me funny as anything that had happened.   Jim and Connie both had a good laugh over that.

It was a good week-end, even though we are NOT gamblers and sorry but we didn't give them one of our hard earned pennies.   Just not in our blood.

Had a good time with Jim and Connie and came home feeling good and rested and ready to take on our last two weeks of work here at Sager Brown.

Three shipments going out this week.   I guess at least two going to Sudan so there will be more on those later.

THANKSGIVING

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I don't think I could ever name all I am thankful for.   I have had a good life, even though there were some rough spots.

I just want all of you to know how thankful I am for all of you having come into my life.  I have so many friends that are ill or as some would say - on the wrong side of the dirt.  

I'm glad we can come down here to SAGER BROWN and do a little work, know we are helping make a difference, and be part of this wonderful organization.

SO...we will be heading to Biloxi - little sin city tomorrow and part of me doesn't like the thought of it but the kid in me can't wait to see this palace we will be staying in and maybe dropping a quarter or two.  

Mostly I want to walk the beach.   When I sit on the beach or walk on it I feel like I'm right where "GOD" wants me to be to look at things in perspective.   We think we are so big and powerful and really we are just a little speck in the universe.

I am also very thankful for Peg and John Kirk that take my girl and her family into their home and make them family on these holidays.

HAPPY THANKS GIVING everyone.  

PLAY DAY OVER

Yesterday I was just plain LAZY and boy did I enjoy it.   Read, napped, read, went out for dinner and read some more.

Woke up at 3 a.m. wondering how on earth we were going to get the big blankets stored in the Outreach office into the Christmas Stockings I had the ladies make a couple of weeks ago.   Then I realized we were supposed to separate the blankets and have them serged.   Only about 38 of them by a week from Friday. 

I had found a lot of towels in the Depot yesterday that needed to be laundered so was going to be down there today anyway.   Figured I could trim these all up and get a few serged. 

Well, one serger just decided it didn't want to work and won't.   I tried putting in a new needle and it won't even let me do that.   I'm hoping someone next week is really a good repair person on sergers and will kick that little sergers behind.

SO...I went to another serger.   This one is very tempermental but if you clean it every half hour and oil it every hour it usually works.  BUT...not this morning.  It keeps coming unthreaded and no matter what I do it won't work more than 5 or 10 minutes.  

It's been a frustrating day so I may get that baby working again and put her to bed till next week.    Then I'll just trim all the blankets up ready for these really sharp ladies that will be coming in next week to finish. 

No more napping and reading till Friday but first I'll need to walk to beach.  It's been a long time since I just walked the beach.  A year ago in February to be exact when Jordan and I walked the beach in Melbourne.  This time I'll be walking with Connie Lou.  

Books

I had no intention of writing a blog this week.   I was just going to be LAZIER than usual and take advantage of not working.   I will do that but wanted to share a couple of things with you.

I read a lot but not at the level some of you do.   I've never read the classics but have a list of authors I WOULD like to read.

The Director here gave me a book the other day to read that is not on my list but probably one of the best books I've ever read.     The title is:  "Same Kind of Different As Me" and  is a true story.   It is very hard to read in some places.   I don't know how it ends and wouldn't tell you if I did know but would recommend you get a copy if you have not already read it.

When I got back into reading after my kids were beginning to grow up I only read true stories for along time.  Then a friend said, "Ellen, you need to read fiction too.   You can go ANYWHERE with fiction".  
I still prefer true stories or one's that COULD of been true.   Another of my favorite books is "Widow of The South" even though I never read much about the Civil War. 

And last Friday we were priviledged to hear the lady that replaced UMCOR'S Executive Director speak.  She was here for the last day of the Academy and she's a tiny little thing but her heart if big.   She had some big shoes to fill and I know her little feet would never fit his real life shoes but her heart is just as big and she's just as passionate about "the least of these" as he was.

She quoted from one of Buchner's books on Occupation.   I need to get the title of that book from someone that was paying more attention when she mentioned it than I was - Kathy?  Kim?   Can either of you help me?

So...as you all go off to work or not today think of me doing NOTHING for a change and probably taking a nap.   Oh yes, I'll be reading a little now and then too.

ACADEMY OVER

The Academy on Disaster is over today at noon and all will be heading to various parts of the U.S.   Our campus will get very quiet as two more Long Term Volunteers also leave today.

Now we WILL miss the LTV's.  They have been the host and hostess in the dorm since we arrived in October.   They are two of the shortest people I've ever known and also two of the nicest.   She is not only hostess she is in charge of the gift shop.   She ordered things from SERVV and would open it anytime anyone wanted to buy something.   We've had a really good time with them and will miss them.   BUT...we learned this week that they live on the East side of Iowa and after we get moved we will be able to meet them now and then in Quincy, IL or other places on the river for lunch.

Now, to the Academy leaving.   We will not miss them.   They come in and take our dining area, make us eat early or later than they do and disrupt our daily routine.   They sure have had their nerve.   Don't they know us old people don't like to have our meals disrupted?   For heaven's sake.

They want to sit and talk after a meal and all I want to do is get them out of the cafateria so I can clean the tables up for the kitchen help.   Sometimes they have trouble taking a hint that we want them to leave.   After I've leaned over a couple to set the salt and pepper shakers back where they belong and straighten up the napkin holder they finally decide they are in my way.   If doing that doesn't work I squirt some of the cleaner on the table in front of them and that usually does the trick.

Seriously, they have been a very good group but they did take our dining are for a class room and so we had to eat before or after they did as the cafateria won't hold but so many people.

I'll work this morning in the sewing room, then I'm taking a week off.   Ted will do the mail next week and probably play with the fork lift with no one in the Depot.   On Thursday we plan to leave here in the morning and head toward Biloxi.   I'm going to get a room this afternoon and hopefully we can spend a couple of days on a beach.  Had an email from Connie and they are probably going to meet us too.   It will be good to see them as we are getting really homesick - I am anyway.  Benjamin will be with his dad but we can have a good time with Connie and Jim.

SO...unless something really exciting happens here within the next few days -

YA ALL have a HAPPY THANKSGIVING and we'll see you soon.

SURPRISE

Yesterday I waited awhile to help get things organized for registration, then learned that the gal I'd be working with was sick and sleeping late.

At about 9:30 I heard her voice in the hall and she said she wouldn't need me till about 3.   So I headed for the sewing room.

I had several things to do but worked on getting old towels they send here to use washed for various places and sewing on a special project for our Director.

I went to the Depot floor to find a box for some of the towels and by golly as I turned a corner there on a FORK LIFT was Ted.   

He got his license to drive one a year or so ago but would never tell anyone here.   Guess he finally did and since there were NO volunteers here yesterday and no one else to drive one he took the reins.  

I was proud of him when he got his license because this is no small machine to drive.   Most men his age wouldn't even bother trying to learn someting new like that.   BUT...yesterday when I saw him actually drive it I was even more proud because he was actually doing it and glad he might not have to walk on that cement floor ALL the time we are here now.

Since I still cannot get pictures on here you'll have to check FB for pictures - LATER IN THE WEEK.

It's a zoo here on campus right now.

BIG TRAINING GROUP HERE

Today we have about 85 people coming to take the annual UMCOR Disaster Training.   The staff from the UMCOR office is already here.   I met most of them several years ago in Nashville when I took a one day UMCOR training.

I'll help get these people directed to their rooms when they arrive, have them sign a release form so if they get hurt they won't sue us.   Two years ago one man did fall and had to be taken to the hospital. 

The ones coming to attend are usually ministers or lay leaders from all over the U.S.   It's interesting and they have some WONDERFUL meditations.   I try to go to as many of these as I can.  On Friday, their last day they will have a Communion Service that just blows you away.

Last year one of their speakers was a common man named Sam Dixon.   He was, however, the Executive Director of UMCOR.   He came into our Bible Study class here on Tuesday afternoon and I had no idea who he was.   So...in my usuall carrying on we were talking like old friends.   The next morning he led the meditation and my ears perked up.    He told of being in Africa where a lady was brought to their center on a bicycle in the process of delivering a baby.  I don't think I'll ever forget that story.

In January when the Earthquake hit Haiti he and the coordinator of the VIM (Volunteers In Mission) office were both killed when the roof of the hotel there collapsed on them. 

This is going to be a week of interesting services, a small break for me as I have no one in the Sewing Room.   Ted,however, has to work in the Depot and we are hoping there are few deliveries for him to unload. 

THE GIFT

I'm sitting here listening to my new CD of Susan Boyle's - THE GIFT.  It truly IS a gift.    The woman has the most beautiful voice.   It's pure and clear as a mountain stream.

When she sings HALLELUJAH I could actually cry.  

I realize this is a very short blog but nothing more needs to be said.   Except maybe GO BUY ONE FOR YOURSELF

To Cruise or NOT to Cruise

The other day I noticed on a side-bar of my Facebook Wall that Seniors could get 75% off a cruise out of New Orleans over the Thanksgiving week.

Now we have never gone on a cruise for several reasons.   I get very sea sick, they are expensive, there is too much food around, and we just didn't think we were the type to take a cruise.   However, with no plans for Thanksgiving week and not having to fly to board the boat I was thinking of approaching Ted on the subject.

THEN...there was a cruise ship that caught fire.  You've all seen the terrible accounts of what happened and what they had to do.

We are kind of adventurous and I jokingly told Ted what I had been thinking of.   He said he'd go if I would.  I would like to go just once but then I keep seeing the picture of the canned Spam.   I used to buy Spam but somehow I don't think I could eat it again unless I was really, really hungry.   I can almost smell the fat when you open the can.   YUK!!!

I expect we will end up staying right around here and doing nothing but taking long walks and naps, I'll knit and read and Ted will read and do crossword puzzles.

Geriatric Sewing Room

I feel like I'm working in a Geriatric ward somewhere this week.   We have a LOT of really OLD people here.   I have two 83 year olds in the sewing room and they about got to me yesterday.

One can't half see and runs a serger like she's driving an Indy 500 race car.   She broke a needle in one and while two of us worked on that she hooked herself up to another  one and had it broken within a few minutes.   This all took place within the first hour they were in the sewing room on Monday.     We all asked her to slow down while using the serger but she informed us that they were supposed to be made to run fast.  NOT SO.

Yesterday she took a tour of the Domestic Abuse Center in the morning but after lunch made her way back to see us.   I told her we had nothing to serge so she decided to sew.   She couldn't keep the maching working and finally took the bobbin out and complained it was wound wrong.   Of course the people using that machine in the morning had no problem with it at all.

The other one decided yesterday she wanted to sing.   Now I am all for people in their 80's doing what they can but PLEASE, the high pitched whiney nazal voice is just too much.  

One isn't quite 83 I don't think but she's very short.   Yesterday she complained that she couldn't reach the sewing machine pedal to make it run.   I lowered the chair for her and then she said she couldn't reach the sewing machine.   We finally got that fixed and after lunch she decided to pin handles and pockets on school bags.  

I was sitting beside her and had thrown a load of towels in the washer.   All of a sudden she said, "Boy, that sewing machine over there sounds like running water".    I thought she was kidding but not so.   We all had a good laugh over that one.

Today I'm helping finish book work on the Food For Family program from 11 to 12 and at 1 I am going to Lafayette to buy the rest of the fabric for the bags.   Who knows what the sewing room will look like when I get back tomorrow.

LAZY WEEK-END

This week-end was good but I was about as lazy as I've been in awhile.

Saturday we did our usual cleaning and laundry.   A run to the post office to get a birthday card off to Jordan and back to a quick lunch. 

I laid down on the sofa to watch some football and ended up sleeping for an hour.   Knew Ted put his jacket on and left but did not hear him come in.   Finally got myself up off the sofa and took a short walk to get a couple of pictures.

Yesterday was church and I get home at 10 so after I read the paper I laid down again and slept for about 30 minutes.    When I woke up I didn't know where I was or even WHO I was for a minute.   Wish I could sleep that sound at night.

About 12:30 I started making pies.   First was a Pecan pie and after having Ted ran all over St. Mary Parish for a can of Carnation milk we got a  Pumpkin pie in the oven.   About 5 O'clock everyone in the dorm here met in the lounge and stuffed our little faces with pie and Cool Whip.   YUM   YUM   YUM

So...it's off to work we go this morning.   HUGE bunch of volunteers here this week.   They had to have the welcoming meeting in the Chapel as the usual room wasn't big enough.

I might not even get out of bed next week-end.    :)

DECK ON THE BAYOU

I really wish I knew how to put pictures on here today because we have this WONDERFUL deck that overlooks the Bayou Tesch.   It holds many secrets.

Last night was our Vesper Service and I often think I wish we could have Vespers the first night people are here instead of the last.   It seems at Vesper Service in our "Time of Sharing" we get to know each other just a little bit better.

Several people told of sitting down there and meditating.   You can almost always see an Egret having a meal.   We used to have a Blue Herron now and then which was just most pleasing to me but this year I have not seen one.

One group did not go sight seeing Wednesday afternoon as is the rule.  They spent most of the afternoon on the Deck getting to know each other better. 

And as we went to the Cafateria for dinner last night, Ted and I saw the couple from New York coming back from some quiet time on the Deck.  I'll try to post pictures tomorrow of the Deck on Face Book.   It really does have a lot to tell us if we could only hear.

ONE OF LIFE'S SURPRISES

We have a young man that works here part of the time.   For privacy sake (I know none of you know him but to be fiar) I'll call him Dan.    He's mentally challanged and the couple from New York have really taken him under their wing when they are here.   HOWEVER, they are only here 4 to 5 months a year.   They leave in the morning.

This young man takes care of his grandmother who is ill.   She had to have some kind of surgery last winter when we were here and he would not work during her recovery so he could take care of her.

To be honest this is about ALL he is capable of doing.   He reads very little, spells even less, and math is out of the question from what I've heard.   BUT...he is one of the kindest, friendliest young men you will ever meet.

The man from New York takes him in the community with him to work and tries to see if he can teach him a trade but they think that is next to impossible.

Dan got into an argument with an uncle awhile back and someone called the police.  Neither Dan or his uncle would press charges but apparently the police did.   Dan was fined $500, 40 hours of community work, and a fee of $40 a month for 4 or 5 months for something.

I learned today that the couple from New York went to court with him to vouch for him, paid the $500  and got it set up that the community work could be done here.    They also paid the $40 fee. 

Now they leave tomorrow and he is such a sad person today.   I felt so bad for him at lunch.   Before we leave here we always have to have our picture taken and they always include Dan in theirs.   The volunteer here that takes theirs, frames it and they give it to Dan.  

So if you would say a little prayer for a young man in Baldwin, LA with a heavy heart tonight I'd appreciate it.

TRAINS

I have been thinking of writing about trains for awhile now.   Today I am also concerned that the GOP now has control of the House of Representatives but don't feel qualified to write about that.   I don't think anyone wants to hear me bellyache about Sara Palin and all her followers so will stick to trains.

I think there used to be a song about a train running through the middle of the house, didn't there?   Seems like I remember a little of it.   Well, we don't have a train running through our dorm here but we do have a train that runs through the town and I LOVE listening to it, especially at night.

When Mark was born I couldn't wait to buy him a train.   Santa brought him an engine one year when he was still pretty small.   It whistled, and smoke came out the smoke stack.   IT scared the kid to death.   He ran from it and cried.   Santa made a mistake that year.

Eventually he got a train, nothing big or fancy but it satisfied his mom and she had as much fun with it as he did if not more.

Our little hometown used to have a train that came from Peoria and one time my sister, Mary, came for Easter with her two oldest children, Jerry and Brenda.   I remember going to the station to get them and she was all dressed up with a suit and hat on.

My mother and I took a train to New York one Thanksgiving to see her brother.   That was a neat experience for me as I had traveled very little.   Everyone was in a holiday mood and I remember them all wishing every one a Merry Christmas.

But...back to the little town of Baldwin, Louisiana and their train.   In the night when I can't sleep I hear the wheels on the track long before the whistle.   I'll lay there and it starts out very faint but gets louder and louder till I hear the whistle.   I never realized they have a special whistle.   Not sure if it stays the same for every little town or if each town has their own.   When they go through Baldwin they blow two long whistles, one short, and another long.   Wait maybe 10 to 15 seconds and do the same thing again.   Sometimes you get a guy that LOVES the sound of that whistle and he just blows them over and over again without any rest in between.

Last night I did not hear one single train.   I woke up a few times but there either wasn't a train or I slept through it.   I've decided it wouldn't be so bad to live a mile or so from a train track.

ALL SAINTS SUNDAY

Just got back from our weekly Vesper service.   It was nice but the best part of this one was the minister that served communion.    He spoke about Holidays and how many important Holidays are overlooked.

This Sunday is ALL SAINTS DAY and he asked us to close our eyes and think of the people that had touched our lives or ones that touch our lives now that have made a difference.   I remember one time at Brentwood United Methodist Church on All Saints Day they read the name of people that had died during the last year and when a man's name was read that had helped with the Youth, the whole Youth Choir (123 members) stood up.    The minister was rather new and he couldn't believe his eyes.

I ALWAYS think of my Aunt Ruth and my Mom when this day rolls around.  Another one is Aileen Forster for she helped me start on my Faith Journey many years ago.

BUT...I think of people in my life now that make a difference to me and the list is just TOOOOOOOO long to even try and mention here.    I think most of you know who you are.   Many will never read this blog but I think they know they touch my life in one way or another.

I've been so blessed over the years to have a good many very good friends.   And I hope my family knows how important they are to me and what they mean to me-everyone of you.

I guess this is where Benjamin would say "CUT THE SAUCE, GRAMMA"

One Special Volunteer

This week we have a group from Oak Ridge, TN and I have worked with a few of them before.   But there is a lady in the sewing room that has become very special to me.

She was very easy to get along with yesterday, nothing outstanding but we just hit it off.   Today she was sitting at a machine in front of me and we were just visiting while sewing.   I was telling her two of my children were good friends with their ex-spouses.  

All of a sudden she turned around and told me she had been divorced for 15 years and she and her ex were also good friends.   Then she said, "He died yesterday".    Tears were in her eyes and I thought for a minute I had misunderstood her but she repeated it.

I just felt so bad for her.   I got up, went up and gave her a hug and then she told me about their relationship the last few years.   

I asked her if I could put her on the prayer list here for Vespers Thursday night and she said yes.

I went back to my machine and was sitting there realizing how blaze I can get about these people.   In a trip here I meet from 300 to 400 people from all over the U.S.    I need to remind myself that I do not know what pain they bring with them or what is on their hearts and be mindful of these things.

TITANS WON

Our little apartment here in Peck Hall is close quarters to the one next to us.   I can hear them brush their teeth and shower.   They live on the OTHER side of the bath so we never hear their T.V. or conversations but figure if they are in the bathroom they can hear ours as our living area is next to it.

Yesterday the Titans game was on and they were loosing.   I was also watching the Saints who were loosing too.

BUT...about the end of the third quarter the Titans came alive and we had us a ball game.   When Kerry Collins threw the LLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGG pass and we came close to tying the score I came alive too and yelled something - probably a great big Y E S.

This morning at breakfast the neighbor said that she was doing some work for the Food For Family program that they hold this Wednesday and she heard this screem and at first wondered what it was.   Then she realized it was me and she switched to the Titans game.

Pretty soon she said she was back at work when she heard another screem and swithced over to see the re-play of the next big one.   

Ted is always telling me to be quiet and I guess I need to realize I'm not out in the country at home in our living room but that was a GOOD game and I really enjoyed it.    She said her husband slept right through all my screeming so guess it wasn't TOO loud.

VESPERS

Last night was our weekly Vesper service.  A young woman did the sermon and I thought she was good, Ted didn't care for it.   Ah, well.  

We had expected a real mess.   I guess they just couldn't get it together at the planning meeting and we were all anxious to see just how this went off, which was a wonderful service to me.

Especially the part where people stand up and tell their blessings they will take from the week.   A couple of men spoke about going out into the community and what they saw there and how it affected them.   When we put the bags together or assemble the kits at the tables we don't get to see the people but these people that go work on some of the trailers and homes in the area DO.   Some of these trailers sound just almost unlivable to me.   Is life relative?   These people would think they were in a mansion in my little house.  Maybe someone from Haiti would LOVE one of these delapolated trailers.

ANYWAY...I came away with a FULL CUP from last nights service and as we left we were handed a piece of FAIR TRADE chocolate and information on how to use Fair Trade chocolate at Halloween.   Maybe Halloween isn't such a wasteful holiday after all.

If you want to know more here are two web sites for you:

HAPPY EATING OF CHOCOLATE

www.globalexchange.org/cocoa  and  www.equalexchange.coop/educationaltools

CHEZ HOPE

Since Ted told about the T-Shirt I won Saturday, I thought I'd tell you about the Domestic Abuse Center called Chez Hope.

Last year when I worked in the Outreach office I got to know more about this place.   It was an old hotel here in Franklin, Louisiana and was about to be abandonded when someone bought it and gave it to the Abuse Center for $1 a year.

It's very large and perfect for this.   We are allowed inside for a tour and you can see where they hold group meetings, the children are tutored after school, a play area, a dress up area, and Sisters Closet where they can go to get free clothing.

This is where most of our volunteers go to work.   It's only a couple fo small rooms but they have baby, children, and adult clothing in there.  

Most places do not let you go to the building where the abused are housed but for some reason they do here.   We, however, do not see them or their apartments.   I understand most of the ones that come here are from areas quite a ways from here.  

It's a wonderful place and UMCOR Sager Brown does a LOT for them.   Some volunteers do all their ground work and some have built shelves for books in their little library.   Some go in and paint.  

It's just nice to be a part of something so needed.

BLOOPER

Before each meal we all gather in the cafateria and give any announcements for the day that are needed.  The Outreach office usually has the most as they take people to the Domestic Abuse Center to work or take a tour, to the Head Start program where they read to the children or go to the library with them.   They are also in charge of the Vespers Service on Thursday night.     They have their meeting of the planning committee for Vespers meet in an adjoining room during dinner on Monday evenings.

Now we also have what we call "The Kitchen Ministry" and they are our dishwashers.   This group changes from meal to meal and everyone gets a turn to help wash dishes.     The Kitchen Ministry people always get to eat first so they can start washing dishes as soon as people finish.

Yesterday the lady that plans Vespers announced that the Vespers planning people should line up right behind the "CHICKEN MINISTRY" when what she meant to say was, they should line up behind the Kitchen Ministry.     The whole place came apart in laughter and she laughed right along with them.

She is a dear lady from New York.   She's very petite and sweet to everyone and she and I have gotten to be great friends this trip.   I told her she did my heart good because that sounded like something I would say.

Laughter is good for the soul.

Whatever Happened to Slap Stick Comdey?

Sitting here tonight very B O R E D and thought I'd pull up the Flip Wilson video Kim had on a few days ago, "THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT".    Then I noticed a Goldie Hawn one and she was another silly slap stick comedian that cracks me up.

Then I saw Lilly Tomlin.   Now that lady was the best.   She could walk on a set and I'd start to giggle.   Kind of like Ted when we went to see Victor Borge.   Victor Borge walked on stage when we went to see him and Ted laughed for an hour and fourty five minutes.

Red Skelton could get me laughing too.   He and his CLEM KIDDLEHOPPER.   We used to watch Laugh-In and to me that was one of the funniest shows on T.V

I think Bill Cosby was the best though.   We saw him in Nashville one time and I always think of Mark doing his Dentist visit routine.   One time when Kim and Jill were pretty young Bill Cosby had a T.V. show on while I was gone to a meeting and Ted and the girls taped it for me on recorder we had.   I could not see it, only hear it.   I laughed so hard thinking of the characters he portrayed; his dad and brother in the Turtle Heads In Your Bed story.    Then later it was on T.V. and I didn't think it was near as funny as what I had imagined in my head.

Whatever happened to make them disappear?   Too bad.  

SEWING ROOM 3

Yesterday we went over to the cafateria for breakfast and people were standing around outside.   We wondered if there was a strike or something.   Found out the girl that was to cook breakfast never showed up.    She's a single mom with three teen agers and we all wondered what happened.   Someone called her and apparently her electricity was off and she overslept.

All was well.   Breakfast was just a bit later and the coffee people made STRONG coffee I guess and everyone was happy.

I had not been looking forward to a whole day in the sewing room with MOTHER HEN but when we got there and everyone was working I thanked them for being so nice about breakfast being late.   Told them she was a really nice lady and had three teen agers to raise herself and was not the kind to do this on purpose.

Everyone said they certainly understood and these things happen.  I was so pleased there wasn't someone complaining.   Well, the day went UP from there and MOTHER HEN and I got to talking and I found out she is a nurse and has been in Africa several times on missions.   She's really very interesting to talk to and before the day was over the whole group was laughing and joking.

Someone came in telling us the pocket on the bag needed to match the handles and we told them to go back and pack school kits and enjoy it.   Then one of the ladies said she'd really like to have one of those bags and I told her if she spent 3 years in Armenia she could get one.

SO...I learned a good lesson.   CHILL OUT, get to know the people a little better, and make our work fun.  There's a lot of sadness and hurt in this world and if we can laugh it makes life just a bit easier.

SEWING ROOM 2

This week I have seven in the sewing room - most of the time.   There are a couple that have gone to the Women's Abuse Center and I encourage these little trips.   Today one or two are going to the Mickey Mouse Head Start program. 

We can go to the MMHS and read and just seeing 40+ children ages 3 and 4 sitting at a table together having breakfast and hearing them recite the little prayer together is something.

But...for the most part we have seven women and one man sewing.   This guy is a retired Jr. High School Principal and a fast learner.   He picked up making school bags so fast I put him on a serger and he's doing a great job.

Another lady from his church is just a jewel.   She will do ANYTHING that needs to be done and does it well.   Yesterday I had two sergers come unthreaded at the same time and could not seem to get either one working again.   I was getting pretty frustrated and she offered to go look at the one while I tackled the other.   Before you know it we both had them working again.

BUT...of course there is always ONE in every crowd.    This is a little lady that first of all corrected my pronounciation of Yakima.  That's fine, I usually don't get foreign words pronounced correctly - ask Kim.  Then later she suggested in a TEACHER fashion that I pin handles on bags the way SHE had.   Someone said what did you do when she suggested that.   I told them I just said, "YOUBETCHA" and did it.  They got a good laugh out of that.   I didn't do it that way but decided to go ahead and do it her way and keep peace in the sewing room.

But yesterday she told me to count the bags they had done and we needed to start cleaning the room up.   Well, it was about 20 minutes too early and I was busy sewing some handles together so I said, "I'm still sewing and anyway, it's way too early to start cleaning up".     SO...little mother hen just got up and did it herself and some of her little chicks followed.    She pretty well had the room cleaned up when they left and I didn't have much to do after lunch.   CLUCK  CLUCK  CLUCK

Friday, October 13, 1961

I remember the day as being a beautiful fall day.   I was well ready to have my baby and have help with this child.   Kim and I took a walk to a neighbors house late in the afternoon, went home and fixed hamburgers and strawberry shortcake for supper. 

Some of the headlines that day were:

Mickey Mantle was the highest paid baseball player.  Signed contract for $75,000,
Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin was the first human in space,
President Kennedy announces U.S. goal of reaching the moon before the end of the century,
South Africa leaves British Commonwealth, becomes a republix,
The Ford Falcon was in the headlines

AND...

about 6 o'clock my water broke and we hurried up and delivered Kim next door to neighbors to keep so we could go to the hospital.    I called Ruth Ann to come be with me for the delivery and by the time she arrived at Mennonite Hospital I was well into labor.

About 11 p.m. (I think)  Jill made her entrance to the tune of 9 lbs., 13 ozs, on Friday the the 13th of October.

The next morning I was sitting on my bed and some Dr. walked in and said;

"Your baby was born on Friday the 13th, there are 13 babies in the nursery.   Your baby should of weighed 13 lbs."  I looked at him and said, "Who the Hell are you?"    He was the pediatritian I had never met.  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Jill.   Love you,  mom

A VERY GOOD WEEK-END

We got our little apartment cleaned early Saturday morning, the laundry finished and both had a nap by 1 p.m. and decided to go to Avery Island.   We had been to the Tabasco Sauce plant a few years ago but never to the Jungle Gardens.  

All the flowers are gone but we did see a few alligators.   They were all pretty small but I still kept my distance.

This Island has quite a history and if you are interested you can read all about it at:    http://www.averyisland.com/

We drove the designated path and enjoyed what we could imagine of the flowers that are not there.   Would LOVE to see the Heron come and make their nests.

Sunday was church for me.   I go to a black church and they are always there for at least two hours but yesterday was children's day and so it ran a bit longer.  

One thing they did was have us sign a pledge to support our children/grandchildren and take a card with a child's name on it and pray for that child for a year.   I thought this was  a pretty neat idea.

Then Sunday was birthday Sunday too and one of the ladies was 74.   I am 74 and I was wondering how our lives would of been different if we could they them out side by side.   She looked a lot older than 74.

Then the football games began and to top the whole week-end off the Titans beat Dallas.   That was just the icing on the cake.   What a game.   What a week-end.

THIS YEAR IN 1957

After a little research on the handy-dandy Internet I learned that this day in History:

Lester Bowles Pearson, Canada, received the Nobel Peach Prize
Hank Aaron was named National League's MVP
Mickey Mantle was playing his best with 121 runs and 146 walks
Willie Mays toped the National League with 20 tripples and 38 steals
Betty Friedan, bless her, was headline news
The Edsel was named the MOST NOTORIOUS bomb out of Dearborn, MI
Theodor Seuss Geisel, "DR SEUSS" let the first Cat (in the Hat) out of the book covers
It is the birthday of John Lennon

AND

(a drum roll here please)

KIM TINGLEY was born in Mt. Carmel, Illinois

Happy Birthday, daughter.   I hope it's a great one.   Maybe next year we'll be there.

Love you,  mom

The Lady and The Scarf

We have had two ladies from a little town close by come over to volunteer this week and yesterday I got to meet one of them.

They have been working with one of our Long Term Volunteers sorting supplies people send in that cannot be used in the kits.   There are strict government regulations as to what can be shipped overseas and what cannot.   I have no idea just what big government agency decides this but I'm sure it's well paid.

The supplies that people send in that are not usable in the kits go to various agencies in the area but have to be sorted.   When you are putting a kit together there is a big tub you can put something in that cannot be used, then it is taken to another lady and she sorts it all out and others know where it can be used.   Some go to the Abuse Center, some the a medical center, some of it is boxed up and sent to Haiti.

If people making the kits would read the directions on the internet and not make this mistake we could eliminate this step but well...it's all put to good use.

So, here are these ladies working and I mean working.   They never stopped and they are both in their 80's.  One of them mentioned she made scarves for the Hospice Center and also little "ditty" bags.   Yesterday she brought both of these in for us to see as we had given her a lot of fabric we could not use. 

She makes the scarves for them to wear and puts foam in the front and folds the scarf over it to a perfect triangle.   The bags are draw string type with the most wonderful assortment  of personal items in there.   She DONATES all of this.   She does get help from some churches collecting items like tooth paste, deoderant, etc,  but this woman does most of it herself.   She is 81.

One of the women sewing said her daughter was just recovering from colon cancer and uterine cancer and her hair was growing back in and she had dyed it light green and said she was "Kicking ASS Cancer"

God at work?   Youbetcha!!!!!

SEWING ROOM 1

I numbered this because I'm sure there will be several other stories about the sewing room.   BUT...this was the first day I had anyone come in to sew.  They were being used to unpack all those boxes and Ted said last night they finished.

I only had two show up this morning and knew there would be none this afternoon because Wednesday afternoon the volunteers go sight seeing and this weather is perfect.

But...this morning I had a lady and a young woman.   She looked like she was a high school student but after talking with her I learned she is a collage graduate, has traveled the world but never used a sewing machine.

She did very well and put handles on several school bags and then asked what the WHOLE process was of making a bag.   So I had her cut one out, and cut out the handles.   First she sewed the handles up and then trimmed the bag and put the handles on each end.    I decided she was very capable and probably would like to learn to use a serger so she serged the sides.    She was very pleased with her bag and had the other lady take a picture of her with her first sewing project.

I then learned that the "OTHER LADY" was a home ec teacher.   Not fair to put an old woman in that situation without some warning.   I think the lesson was a success though as at lunch the hostess to the dorm said Adele had told her she learned to sew and how much she enjoyed it.    l

Back To Baldwin

We arrived Sunday afternoon and there were several friends here to help us unload the truck.   We were unloaded very quickly, thanks to them, and unpacked and ready for some football by 4 p.m.   The rest of the day was spent just watching these guys run around banging themselves up over a ball.   I LOVE IT!!!!

It's good to be back.   There is something about this place that just touches your very heart when you arrive.  It is a combination of the setting on the Bayou Tesch, the people that work here, the people that come here to volunteer, the weather and MOST of all WHAT is accomplished here.  

BUT...I forget how very poor the people that live here really are.   We had to stop on our way in and get a few groceries and it hit me that many of these people are the most poverty stricken families in the nation.   Many are crippled and mostly, not all, but most of them are black.   AND...sad to say but in Patterson where we stopped they seem very rude.   I guess if I'd had to live like they have I would be too but it is a shock.

The little town we work in, Baldwin, we see very little rudeness.   People are still poor and a few are crippled.   One lady that comes to get food when we give out the commodities for the month has a leg that just upsets me no end.   It looks like a bad surgery job to me but of course I know nothing about this.   It bends OUT at the knee instead of in and we all make sure someone helps her get to the desk to get registered.

There used to be a train that went through town every 2 or 3 hours during the night.   I LOVED that train and decided if I could live within a couple of miles of a train track I wouldn't mind that at all.  I've only heard the train a couple of times since we arrived on Sunday.   Not sure what happened.

But...we are here and loving it.   I am back in the sewing room and yesterday had NO volunteers because they needed everyone to open boxes of supplies and help DUMP them into the big cardboard boxes they use.   These are then taken over close to the tables where the kits are sorted and assembled.   Ted is getting to open boxes and help dump them and crush the old cardboard boxes into bales for recycling.   SO...once again he's working and I'm, well, I'm having a good time in the sewing room.

I LOVE OLD CARS

We started for Louisiana yesterday about 7:30 and the trip was great.   Perfect weather and saw LOTS of Tennessee families going south to a ball game that UT lost of their own stupidity.   Sorry, they do know how to count at UT I'm assuming.

We stopped at a rest area for lunch and as we sat down I noticed an old roadster coming in.   Man, it was a beauty.   Little fancy lady on the very front and a light blue.   Just a neat car.   But when we looked for it again, there was a bright RED, 1964 Chevrolet Impala Convertible in front of it.

I could hardly eat for wanting to go see that car.    We had a 1964 car in 1968, 69, and 70 and beyond.   It was a GREAT car.   Easiest car you ever drove and a trunk that would hold half an army.  

In 1970 we were getting ready to go to California for vacation but our car did not have airconditioning.   We began to worry about driving in the heat and started looking for a different car.   Money was tight in those days and we just couldn't see having car payments for a couple of years because of a three week vacation.  SO...Ted had an airconditioner put in that car.   IT was HEAVEN and we'd forget we even had it sometimes till I began to complain about being hot.

Well, after we ate I went over to see if the guy would sell that car to me.   I was teasing and he knew it.  HE was pretty proud, as well he should be.   He had the hood up and that engine was cleaner than my kitchen.  It shown like a new penny.  

The interior was black leather and I slobbered all over it.  His wife said it was a piece of scrap metal when he bought it. 

I have a whole other story on cars we've had that were WONDERFUL but will save that.

I do love old cars and if any of you really want to get me something nice for my birthday you could get me a car JUST LIKE THAT 1964 CHEVROLET CONVERTIBLE.

LUNCH WITH GOOD FRIENDS

Yesterday was a day I had looked forward to for some time.   I went back to the United Methodist Publishing House where I worked and met up with a dear friend for lunch.   I also took another dear friend from those days and surprised Marvin.

First I picked up Wini and we were early so we went into Cokesbury Bookstore.   It's all different now than when I worked up there which was some twenty years ago.   I cannot believe it's been that long. 

Then we met Marvin coming into the lobby of the Publishing House after he had been to a meeting.  So...he took his material to his office and off we went.   The day was just perfect fall weather and we walked a couple of blocks to the old train station in Nashville for lunch.

Wini hired me to work as a temporary employee for her in the Disciple office.   She was the Director and when I first started there were only two other women working with her.   I LOVED working there and never dreamed I'd someday get a REAL job there.

I worked for Wini one summer and then due to budget cuts had to be let go.   Went back to work for Kelley Services and was working for the Planning Commission of Nashville when Wini called me saying there was a job open in the typing pool and she was sure I could get it if I was interested.    She really helped me get that job and said she knew it wasn't something I would love, but it WOULD get me in the door.   She was right.  I hated the typing pool but did learn about the people there and when an opening in the Marketing Department came I was lucky enough to be hired as their secretary.

I worked there three and a half years and loved it, I mean I LOVED it.   I worked for a young man, two young women and another man a little older that I had gone to church with.    They were so much fun and we were all in one big room so the jokes and laughter could be heard all over.  I worked hard for them but it was good work and they made it fun. I learned what a Marketing Plan was and how books get their names and even met one of my favorite authors.    I understand that working for the Publishing House now is NOT fun and I'm thankful I was able to work when it was.

I met Marvin during that time.   We had lost a member of another team and Marvin was brought in to fill that position.   He's a small man of stature, but a big man in warmth and brains.   He's a United Methodist Minister so he's well qualified for what he does.

He is editor of Mature Years Magazine and edited an article I had published there after we went to Ecuador with Kim.   He not only edits that magazine, writes adult S.S. material, does several other jobs for them and is Secretary of the General Conferences.   He shared with us he has not had a raise in 12 years.   Unbelievable.

We laughed, talked about things that happened when we were all there together, our kids, their kids, and Wini and I told Marvin he needed to retire now that he has two beautiful grandchildren.   The two hours passed way too fast but it was a wonderful day for all. 

I am so lucky with the things I've done in my life.    Working there when I did, then Ted and I moving to the lake when we were young enough to enjoy it and traveling like we did.   It's been a grand journey.

No Sauce Gramma

We had Benjamin come stay for the week-end.   I think we enjoy these times more with him than he does with us anymore.    I hear "I'M BORED" a lot more these days and realize he is growing up.  

Saturday we got to see him play football and he's a good player.   I hope he would NOT play that professionally for many reasons but if he decides to do that I hope he plays Quarter Back.  He is good.

Yesterday I was taking him to school and realized I would not be seeing him for probably 3 months and just wanted to let him know how much we enjoy his visits.    I looked in the rear view mirror and told him how glad we were he came out for the week-end.

He just grinned and said, "CUT THE SAUCE GRAMMA"  

WHAT IF

I occasionally receive a blog from Beth A. Richardson, I believe Beth is an editor at The Upper Room, I know she is a minister.

Her blogs are usually very short and to the point and very meaningful.   I love these.   She has given me permission to share part of one that interested me a lot.

It is titled "WHAT IF"

Beth says, What If I miditated as often and I check my email?
I talked with God as regularly as I posted a new Facebook status?
My fingers longed to touch prayer beads instead of an iPhone?
There was space in my heart, my soul, my spirit I did not try to fill?

She just has a way with words as many of you also do and I do not.  

SOUTHERN WHAT??????

Sorry, I'm on a kind of soapbox again but there is one church down here that just sets me off.

It is called   SOUTHERN   ??????, I'll not mention the denomination here but we don't have a SOUTHERN METHODIST, SOUTHERN PRESBYTERIAN, SOUTHERN CATHOLIC or any other kind of SOUTHERN church so think you can figure out what I'm getting at.

First of all the newspaper yesterday said that lots of ministers were going to preach to their congregations tomorrow on who they should vote for in the upcomng election.   Not  to hint at who they should vote for but TELL them who to vote for.   This church could loose their tax free status if someone wanted to really get nasty over this but I'm not sure that would be a bad thing anyway.

Then many of you do not know but a group wants to build an  Islamic Mosque in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.  It has received much publicity, someone even set fire to one piece of equipment being used to prepare the ground for it.  

Yesterday a group of interdenominational ministers met at the site to sign a pledge to work with them and help them accomplish this task and be good neighbors.   BUT...yes, there was one disscenter - you guess it a SOUTHERN  ?????.   

I really don't understand people like this.   Several years ago we had a neighbor call me and ask what the Methodist Church believed in.   When someone throws that at you it's hard to come up with only one or two things, we believe in a LOT of different things.    She continued to tell me that she was SOUTHERN ????? and they were raised to think they were better than anyone else and I really didn't have an answer at the time.    She has long moved but I think maybe if someone told me that now I would have several good lines I could say to them.  

THOSE WERE THE DAYS

Haven't been able to come up with an exciting blog this week (AHEM) but someone mentioned something that stirred a memory in me I thought I'd write about.

This is Western Illinois Homecoming in Macomb, Illinios.   When I was a young high school girl, MANY YEARS AGO, our highschool band always marched in their parade.   It was one of the few highlights we had in the band.   I LOVED marching in that parade.    The square of Macomb was always packed with people and even though our uniforms were hot we all looked pretty darned spiffy in them.   Donna was our drum major and she was beautiful and I envied her being able to do that but baby, I played the drums and I kept that band marching.

A couple of years I was invited to Western's Homecoming Dance and that was really big time for this little country girl.   I usually had a formal to wear or could borrow one and the kid that invited me was one of the best dancers I ever danced with.    I never seriously liked him but boy could he dance.

AND...he always brought me an orchid to wear and I'd never even seen one till then.    So...I'd march in the parade, get home and clean up and off I'd go dancing.  

THOSE WERE THE DAYS

LIFE REALLY IS FRAGILE

After having just a WONDERFUL day of family and friends we learned yesterday morning that Ted's brother's wife had had a stroke and was in the hospital in Seattle.   She had a blood clot at the base of her brain the size of a golf ball.

It was operated on about noon yesterday and was a quick surgery and successful - so far.   She has already moved fingers and toes and that's a good thing.

Ted and Gale are on their way to the airport and he will be there this evening.   We hated to see him leave but knew that's where he needed to be.  

Please hold them in your hearts and prayers.

FUN DAY

Yesterday was the day the Tennessee girls and their better halves were coming to see Gale, Jeff, and Mary.  AND...maybe say HI to mom  and dad too.

First though we had to take a short trip to "BACK IN TIME" at Henry Horton State Park.   Ted and I had been there several years ago and was very disappointed.  But...we decided we had a couple of extra hours before everyone else was to arrive so drove over.  We were shocked at how much it had grown.  There were craft booths with everything from Light House Bird Houses, to Candles and Jewlery and most of it was made by people in the area.   There were old cars on display and a train ride you could take for a mere $3.  (I really wanted to do that but didn't)

Mary and I took off in one direction and Ted and Gale in the other.   Soon I realized I was not going to be able to go very far and we had to turn back.   Saw a neighbor with her jewlery booth so went in to see her and here came Ted and Gale.   We all realized Gale could walk further than I could which pleased him.

Then home to a quick lunch and get the ribs in the oven.   The only problem with that was when I opened the ribs they turned into Pork Loin that had been sliced and packaged to look like ribs.   Now wouldn't you think the cook would read what she was buying?   Yea, most cooks would.

We decided it was all the same thing, pork, just cut different or something like that.    Anyway, it got the home made bar-b-q sauce on it and into the oven it went.

Mary had brough her home made gumbo and rice and that was wonderful.   Everyone loved it.   I could use Mary around more often.

The day was just one of those special days.   We all felt it and everyone hated to see it end, especiall mom and dad.   IF...the rest of the families could of been here it would of been perfect.

LIFE IS FRAGILE - HANDLE IT WITH PRAYER

I have a wall placque Ted gave me years ago with this saying on it.   I LOVE IT.  

Yesterday Ted's only living sibling arrived and it brought tears to my eyes to see these two men together.  At one time there were eight Tingley children.   Ted and Gale are only a year and a half apart in age and grew up very close.   I am thankful there never was a time Ted had to choose between me or Gale because I doubt I'd of won that pick.

Gale is on oxygen 24/7 and we don't get to see him nearly enough.   They live in the state of Washington and that's a fer piece to drive - even in good health.  

Today we will have Gale, his son and wife (that drove him here from Florida), Connie, Jim, Benjamin, Jill, Tim, Sam, Meagan and her new beau, Tanner.   SO...our kitchen table will be full and it will be wonderful.

LIFE IS FRAGILE, LIVE IT TO IT'S FULLEST

CAR REPAIRS

Yesterday I got up early, walked, did my exercises and had a list of things to do because we have a housefull of company coming Friday and today we go to Winchester to the dentist.  

My first item to get done was groceries.   I was in the middle of making an ice cream dessert and was out of vanilla ice cream.  

As I drove out of the garage I noticed two lights on the dash shining in my face that didn't look right.   Decided Ted needed to see why they wouldn't go off.   We figured since I was going to be close to the GMC Garage might as well go see what they could tell me.

I walked in and the shop manager, Freddie, said it would take about an hour to run the diagnostic test.   I have no idea what they do but it sounds like maybe a quick physical for a car.   Now this guy was a nice man.   He wasn't FAST FREDDIE that I had heard about years ago in Illinois. 

 One of my friends had a daughter in collage at University of Illinois where our daughter went and had been invited to Champaign to see FAST FREDDIE.   I never was invited to see FAST FREDDIE and wasn't sure I wanted to be since I wasn't really into that kind of entertainment, but when I saw this man the memory of not being invited to see FAST FREDDIE crossed my mind.

After waiting the alloted hour here came Freddie with paper in hand and sat down beside me.   I said, "You look like the Dr. bringing the patient bad news".    He kind of laughed and said, yea, he guessed that was what he did.

He told me the test showed that the ABS or something wasn't working right and needed to be replaced RIGHT AWAY.  It would cost $456??? and he could have it done by noon.   (Wish I could get MY ABS back in shape in a couple of hours)

I never trust shop repairmen so called Ted and had Freddie tell him.   It was decided that we would leave the car, Ted would take me to grocery shop and we'd see what the status of the car was after that.  When we finished groceries the part still wasn't in the shop so we came home.

The dessert was finished, lunch was eaten, noon came and went but still no call about our car.   Finally at 2:30 we were called to come get the car.

One of the things on my list was to wash and clean my car but of course I never got to that but when I walked up to the car it had been washed, cleaned inside and the tires looked like they had been waxed.  Now I don't think Freddie did this or how fast he would of accomplished it if he had but Freddie is an O.K. guy in my book.

MY CHURCH

I LOVE my church.   Ted and I helped build that church but then moved to the lake and we were gone for several years.

It's a much bigger church now and I don't understand the politics of a big church but they do a LOT of good and I LOVE IT.  I love the people, the music, the youth - well, you get the picture.

Last night I was asked to come to the Outreach Meeting and speak about UMCOR Sager Brown in hopes of getting some enthusiasm on a team that might come down to work.   BUT...there wasn't much excitement there.  The chairman of the committee likes it and I think everyone likes the idea but they just don't want to go work.

I could of left after I gave my speal and passed out some short video's that we use for promotion but I wanted to see just what they did.

I heard three or four of the people speak on their committee's and the need to help homeless families and hungry children is overwhelming.    We collect clothing for the homeless and there is an organization in Franklin that has just about anything people need free so we donate to that.   We feed the homeless Sunday dinner once a month and the numbers have more than doubled in the last 3 years.

One lady said she needed something to have donations put in so they didn't get mixed in with other committee's collection.   They talked about some big plastic tubs and where they might be stored.  She asked if she could put them in the Narthex.    This seemed logical to me.   I put some cardboard boxes there a couple of years ago when we were collecting blankets for families in Franklin.

Well, one member informed her that she BETTER speak with the Trustees before she put ANYTHING like that in the Narthex.   You see, we have a new addition and the Narthex is where everyone comes into the building except those of us that come in the "kitchen door".

I guess they didn't think that would look good there and they don't like these boxes sitting there.   WHAT???
A BIG church that doesn't want people to know we give to the needy or where to put things if we do bring something?   Let's put on our happy face and big hat and look important but don't leave any dirt on the floor.

I know, churches aren't perfect but if we can't collect stuff except in the back room what are we?   I also learned that my church has a $1,000,000 budget (I didn't know that) but only $12,000 goes to Outreach.  I think that's embarrasing.   It is to me.  

REUNION

My trusty little Webster's Dictionary says that the word REUNION means:  "A gathering of people that have been apart".    

I went to a high school class reunion this past week-end and that definition would describe it pretty well.   BUT...it left out all the great feelings that go with that.

We started out with a good friend having about 10 of us for dinner Friday night in her home.   She had a spread of salads, meats, casseroles, and desserts that you would think she was feeding thrashers.   SHE LOVES TO COOK.     We all had just the best time and she just acts like this is an everyday thing.  ME???   If I had cooked all that they would probably of had to wheel me out in a wheelchair.

Then Saturday we met Kim and Jeremiah and Sierra in Ipava for the Camp Ellis Homecoming Parade.  Now that was just a special time for us.  To think that we can meet them and spend time with them and not have to be gone from them for months and months is just so special to Mom and Dad.   We'll be doing that again.

AND...the kids LOVED that silly little parade.  The band only has about 12 members and when I was there (100 years ago) we had 60 or so.   I wanted to cry.   But they marched and looked good and even sounded pretty good to me.    I got to see friends in the parade and a cousin drove his tractor.   Sierra and I yelled at him till he FINALLY threw us some candy.   Didn't want Sierra to go home without any candy.   HA HA HA

Then Saturday night we had the big REUNION of 10 classes that graduated from the very first V.I.T. High School.   They consolidated Vermont, Ipava, and Table Grove in 1948 and moved the high school to Table Grove.  They only used that building for 10 years and then built a whole new complex on the road between Ipava and Table Grove.    During that 10 years Ted and I both graduated so we BOTH get to go to the same reunion.

We had a good time but there are so many now that are SO much younger than we are and we knew very few.   We did get to REUNITE with some good friends and family that we would not otherwise see.

Then Sunday morning we drove to Normal and Ted dropped me off at church and he went to Kim's house to assemble the fishing poles he and the fishermen would use later.   He'll have to tell you that story since I watched football and slept while they were fishing.

One of the highlights of the whole week-end for me was to have Kim and Sierra serve me communion Sunday.   These are times a grandmother lives for.

I have a lot of good memories from this week-end and can't wait to get moved.  I'm anxious to see these two grandchildren a LOT more and be involved in their activities.  

BURNING THE KORAN

I leave for Illinois early in the morning so thought I'd better get this off my chest now.

We had just sat down to dinner when they said on the news that the Florida minister was giving up his plan to burn the Koran.   Both of us sighed a sigh of relief.   I'm not sure just how they got this accomplished but it was good news.

The next item of news on was that a minister in Springfield, TN had decided he WAS going to burn the Koran.

WHY?   He wants to show "THEM" that OUR GOD is THE ONLY GOD.   Who appointed him President of Humanity?   Who gave him the right to decide WHO GOD loves?   I wouldn't want anyone to take my blood pressure right now.  

I could go on and on but I won't.   I know that everyone reading this blog agrees with me.   I just had to get this out of my system.    Sorry to be on such a negative attack this week.