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.