What About You?: Trading In My Marbles

What About You?: Trading In My Marbles

This story so touched my heart. It shows that it this dark ole world there truly are loving and caring people among us!! thanks so much for sharing!

A Good Exhausted

If you have read my blogs, you've heard of the two ladies that are helping with mom. She really is in great health for being 85, but in her mind she has every aliment in the book and her cup is always empty.

One of our ladies quit, My daughter and I were very upset as Samantha hired her and she came to work two weeks ago and announced to my mother this would be her last day!!! I was furious!!!! Mom called when she left and was in such a state. I immediately called Zina, the other lady, as she has always been the one to stay in touch and let me know how mom was doing. She too had no idea this lady was not going to come anymore.

Samantha's husband had to go out of town for six weeks to work so instead of the weekend we had changed Zina's Sunday to Wednesday. Leaving Friday to be the day they have always traded each week. So Susan's schedule hadn't changed at all!! Well that's a little of how the week started. I don't know about you but coming to work and saying this is my last night is unacceptable for rehire. She has only spoken to mom not Samantha, who hired her or to me.
She continues to call mom and see how she is doing. I think she is sorry for her decision. I told mom that's great I'm glad she is remaining your friend, but coming back to work is not an option for her!

Through all of this I was truly exhausted because my mother is still wondering what she did wrong! She goes over and over and over the whole thing in her mind and with me a thousand times a day!!! Why she got her panties in a twist is beyond us all. Perhaps she wanted to change Wednesday's not Friday's but that's something she and Zina always worked out! Through all of this Zina and I have gotten closer. She is becoming a great dependable friend to me and momma!!! When mom says she's worried about something happening to me, Zina has assured her to stop worrying, you have your daughter, grand daughter and me!!!! You will be fine! Amazing! God is still in control, knowing what's best!!!

Wednesday morning Zina called and asked if I liked to can. I said," oh my yes but it's been awhile." So she says, I'll be over Wednesday afternoon come to your house with the kids and I've got a lot of pears we can make pear preserves! Oh I was so excited. Just to sit in the yard peeling pears and having great conversation!!! By the way did I mention she had 4 gallons of pears!!

Mom did 6 and said,"oh I can't my hands hurt" and she went in the house. Did my hands hurt oh my!!! I couldn't begin to tell you!!! Did I cut my fingers oh yes, Zina would laugh and say, " don't ya know how to stop that knife!!" I laughed and said well my hands quit working and I have to turn my hands another way, so I guess I'm confusing those damaged brain cells!!! She would laugh and say you and I are a mess!! She has a lot of pain, knee replacements and more but we are of the same nature and look out world here we come!!! Pain or not!!!

We did prepare two gallon of pears that night and Thursday morning did the rest!!! Then we began to cook them. She had the biggest pan I think I have ever seen. Well after hours of trying to get them to boil down , on what Zina called, " a fancy good for nothin' stove!!!" ( It's a beautiful black glass top) Of course it still looks brand new after 2 years with momma around!!! ! She finally took the pot home to finish!!! It's been a long time since I laughed and had such a good time. Mom ran to town to pick up a script and Zina looked at me and laughingly said, " ya know that woman is gonna kill us!!!" Mom bought us a sub from subways and continued to complain about how many pears she brought and whose gonna eat them. As for me and Zina we had a fabulous time!!!

She says I don't need to hire anyone else together we will work out giving me some time off!!! She is fast becoming an amazing friend. She says if the snow or ice gets to bad this winter she'll just move in with us!!! I laughed and said that would be a blessing!!! As she carried the pears out to her van at 3 PM I went to bed, totally exhausted!!! She came in laughing and said I didn't mean to wear you out!!! I laughed and said," oh let's do it again!!!!! "

Anyone need any pear preserves!!!! We got 38 1/2 pints and I'm only half done. The rest are in the freezer sliced and ready to make pear butter (cherry, raspberry, orange and more) Maybe a pear pie!!! Always remember, for God so loved us, He sent His son......Our road will never compare with the struggle Jesus had as he traveled His earthly journey for us!!! So bring it on world, I get frustrated, aggravated and even angry sometimes! Then at the end of it all I still have my faith and God helps me to continue my journey with him!!!! Praise His name!!!!!

Staying Within the Spirit

Today I was thinking of the world and all that's happening. My mother listens daily to the news and comes in to tell me of all the negative, as that's what the news is! You never here the good that has happened from an event!

The wars, the global warming, the oil spills, young men and women killed serving God and Country, drugs....... the list goes on and on! The world you see has always been filled with sin, that is since choices where made in the "Garden of Eden." We now have the knowledge and the will to make choices.

The world we live in is continually changing, as it always has. Some changes by the choices made by all, some by our own choices, and some just because! Think back to the world of early Christians! They faced wars, global changes, lion dens, fires, accidents,....the list again goes on and on!

The cries that it's the end of time and God will soon take us from here have been shouted for years. The weather changes, the hurricanes, earthquakes, all seems so end of time. Who knows, this may be that day that some dread! Ours is not to question or worry about it's coming, this end of time. Yes, the "King is Coming" in all His Glory. with it the tragedy of lost souls!

Life has always been filled with joys, sadness, tragedy, .....again the list goes on! We have good days and bad, but why do we always dwell on the bad. If we each sit down and write the joys in our lives and then write the bad in our lives, we would find the joys out weigh the bad.

I remember when Samantha was little she was in the braces that took away her ability to walk. It was so hard on all of us. She would sit and cry and shake the bar between her feet, looking at me to take them off. Yet the doctor said for her to have straight legs and to walk properly they must stay on. We toughed it out and they stayed on. When the day came that she could have them off for an hour a day, she would run so hard!!!! During that time she fell into things and had three trips to the emergency room for stitches. The third time, was just a couple days after the second time that the stitches were removed. I fell to my knees crying," no God not again!!!"
Life happens, none of us are exempt from the bad. The good being her legs are perfect!!!

I'm not sure I'm getting across all I'm trying to say. I'm not immune to feeling down or getting upset about the dealings of life. All I'm saying is look around and see the good not the bad! Let the Spirit of God fill you with the positive!! Know that no matter what He is with us. Sometimes we have to take a good look at what the problem is and make the change!!! Don't sit and say oh God will fix it!!! Do it yourself with His help! See the need and do something! So many times we sit and say God will provide!! Yes, He always does, but put what you can do into effect with His help!! Surprise.....things start getting better.

I start my day with praise and coffee!! Thankful that no matter what happens in this life God is with me always. Feel yourself stressing, take a break, nothing is so important you can't take five minutes to regroup. Thank God I can cry, it's a great stress reliever! Sometimes people can't cry and they leave everything bottled up inside.

My life is easier on one hand and harder then others on the other. I've not mastered the art of not letting this world get to me. I continually fall back on the word of God to carry me when I falter. Thank God I have that friend that I can share with and cry with when I'm down! Always begin those troubled times with pray and end with pray! Don't ever leave God out, He cares about even the smallest part of your life.

My hopes for this blog is to let you feel your not alone. We all share the same life, we are just in different stages at the time. So share God with your friends, in ups and downs.

A New Day

God saw the need and the answer came quickly. I am so thrilled today as two beautiful ladies answered the need to help with mom.
They are going to share the weekends between each other. Mom just needs someone there at night. She does fine during the day.

Still able to drive she goes to get her hair done, shops in town, or comes to her grand daughters for a visit. I'm still trying to get her into the Senior Group in town, they play rook, have lunch and plan
bus trips, even cruises. If she once gets there I'm sure she would love it. I just can't be her only access any more, if I'm to take care of her when she really needs me I have to get my health back in shape.

It's very hard to realize that the job you have taken on is taking so much more then you have to give. She is so healthy, but sees her self as sick. My cup is full and hers is empty. I see all the needs as her life has changed so since daddy died. You see he was the life of the party, loved people, and was always ready for company or going out. Mom misses that. Even though when he was alive she complained about it!! She always went and had a good time. Now she just can't seem to do anything, her husband of 60 years is gone. Her friends are getting older too and some are gone. I know it is so hard on her, if she would just once get started out the door I know she would be fine, her health right now is great!!!

All she seems to want is me, all the time, no other family around. Me home before dark and no enter action with anyone else. Once the grand kids come she 's fine for awhile then it's." take them home and return soon ,they are to hard on you!" I realize her needs and have tried so hard to meet them. It's been two years now and it has taken a tole on me. I have to get a break!

God has meet the need quickly for that I'm so grateful. He is only a pray away and He is helping me with the guilt I feel for having to get some time away. I know that this answer to pray will be good for both of us!!! If any of you are in the same position. Search for the help you need and don't be afraid to take it!!! It's a big job! Don't feel guilty! Love with your whole heart but remember to take care of you too. I almost waited to long!! My health took a nose dive and I just kept saying, " she's my mom I can do this."

We again are taking a new journey here and getting help for us both and with God we will both be fine!!!

God's Majesty

I looked out today as I drank my morning coffee, and realized spring was fast coming! The trees were getting there leaves, the birds were flying from tree to tree, and squirrels were running through the bushes again awake from their winter slumber. How amazing to watch and see first hand the majesty of God. What peace I felt as I looked at the forest and thought of each tiny living thing that was coming out to see what spring had brought them.

Scampering around each knowing what they need. God thought of everything! The leaves falling in Autumn, drying and enriching the land with new nutrients. The trees dropping their seeds to bring more trees. It is all so amazing. I sat in my chair and took a ride around to see if we had any buds on the Iris. The leaves were dark green and reaching for the sky. I can hardly wait to see the rich lavender and dark purple velvet of these beautiful flowers.

There was a nice breeze and the sun was shining. Soon the quiet became laughter as the children had found Mimi. Dalton says, What ya doin'?" Mimi, " I'll love you forever." Me too says HunteRose." I'll love you forever." These tiny little gifts from God will brighten anyone's day!
A lady once asked me how I got them to say that. You see it doesn't matter where we are, they stop what they're doing to always take that moment to say, I'll love you forever. Whether it's to me, Papa, mom ,dad, anyone they are close to. I smiled at her and said," I guess they get it from us, you see we say it to them. " Yes everyday we say we love you. Phone conversation always end with I love you. Amazingly the forever came from Dalton first and picked up by the rest of us!!!

My daughter brings me another cup of coffee and says, "It's okay mom we will work things out!" Off she goes with her busy schedule.The phone rings later and it was my son. He new I sounded awfully quiet and after a few tears and talking, He says mom, "God's there and there is enough love in that house to work it all out!!"

I had such a troubled heart last night. Reaching up to say, " God, I'm so overwhelmed with the needs of family right now." I've cried, and worried sooo. It was such a rough night! Yes, we of great faith have those nights!! We want soo much to make things right and do what's best for everyone. We are human after all!!! The great thing for me is as I began my day God lifted my spirits with His majesty as only He can!! Will I cry again, sure, will I worry, of course, I'm only human!!! I drank my coffee saying God help me and he did, with nature and the voices of children and grand children!! So if your down and troubled take time to open you heart to the KING OF KINGS! He is always a prayer away!



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The Big Game

I thought today I'd start by introducing you to the ball players.
This is Maegan, blond, thin, extra long legs, and in 3rd grade. She has finally found somethings that interest her. Ball, basketball, horses, and reading the dictionary when bored!!! She had a battle for awhile being the smart girl in class!! Now with the help of the over achievers after school and her ball games she's beginning to see that smart is cool!!!! Thank you God!!!! That was several months of heart ache as she would struggle with being the smartest in class!!! Now she has found others that are even smarter then her!! So she has crossed that bridge for now moving ahead in her little life.


The next player, I had just meet. He was Nathan, in kindergarten and loves the game!!! Yes, as you can see in the picture he is a lefty!!! Trying to get him to stop at first base was one of the hardest things of the day!!! Once he started running he was heading for home!! Little legs running as fast as they could!!! In the outfield Nathan was great at getting the balls. The pitcher would say, "throw it here!" No way, he was determined to run and tag that runner!!!




Here we have the youngest, HunteRose, she is three and determined that these big kids have nothin' on her. She patiently waited in the outfield for a ball, then not getting much action she moves closer to third base.
Wow there is a line drive to third!! She stands firm to catch it and it bounces from the ground and hits her smack between the eyes. Oh my the crocodile tears and it was time for a mommy time out. Then it was okay now I'll bat!!!! What a player!!! She hit the ball off the T and ran to first. On her way to second she remembered she was to touch the base and returned to first and headed for second again!!! Yes little Nathan was there to tag her!!! Oh how the excitement was growing!!!



Dalton steps up the the plate ready to send that ball sailing. He is one of our preschooler's and turned five in January. He is new to the game and has left his computer as he enjoys being outside as much as in. He has taken it upon himself to work with his little sister, HunteRose on the computer. He enjoyed the game for awhile, but soon discovered an interesting barrel ! Convincing his sister to come and investigate they soon entertained us and took us away for moments from the game. He may have lost interest when he slide into home and scratched his fore arm and oh did it bleed. That of course was another mommy time out. Bandaid in place and he was good to go!!! Played for while then came the barrel.

Dalton being in the barrel was trying to get HunteRose to push him down the hill!! Suddenly you here mom say, "no way!" Mimi knows when mommies not out here someday they'll take turns
going down the hill and together pushing it back up for another ride!!! For now they will ride it as a horse. Silly mommy we can go down the hill, don't be scared!!!


This Little guy I must say was the highlight of the day. Jaden is four and in preschool. He has watched his older brothers play ball and has been helping them practice. He would wiggle his hips, set his feet right, put his hand in the air to let the pitcher know he wasn't ready, then nod when he was ready!!! We would get so tickled as he did it every time!!! Oh yes, forgot to mention he was a switch hitter too!! When the ball was pitched he would swing with his left hand, but when the T was in place he would swing with his right!! Now this little one is always ready to play ball!!!!

Oh what fun to watch these young ones learn the game!!! They are ready for their league practices and can't wait till next Saturday for a return play here at the farm!!! Me tooo I had sooo much fun being the cheer leader and photographer.

Daddy made the burgers and hot dogs. He and Nanie Birdie were going back and forth watching the Masters Golf on TV and the big game outside!!! Gatorade was the drink of choice, the boys liked red and the girls preferred blue. As for me it was diet Dr. Pepper and oh yes that blackened hot dog!!! Yummy!!!

The kids were so surprised that Nanie Birdie new a lot about ball, did you know she played ball!!!
Well that was my day, and what a day it was!!!! Thank you God for a much needed, perfect day!!!

Quiet Day

Got up this morning, drank a few cups of coffee said good bye to mom and came to watch the grand kids for the day. What's this! Samantha thought I needed a day to myself. So off she goes to town with the kids and here I sit in a quiet house.

What do I do with quiet! I love the noises the kids make as they run through the house. Their laughter always fills my heart with joy. Watching them as they grow and their personality's develop each unique in there own way. Yes they have their fights and Mimi has to wheel over and stop their conflicts. Some times the words stop it now, work and sometimes I have to count!!!
This makes me laugh inside. I've never had to say three they always move on two. What consequence do they think they would face if I hit three. I've always said," you don't want to hear three!!! " I can only imagine the thought of three in the minds of each one!!!

I think it is amazing that you have two, three, or more children raise them the same, and they are all different from the beginning! You love them, nurture them, raise them do the best you can. They take what you give from the beginning and are their own person!!! Different each one!

When my children and grand children were born I place them all in God's hands from the time I new they were coming. This wonderful gift from God, a baby to nurture and love! A family growing, our legacy that we were here. Oh how I want it to be a legacy of a God filled life with love, caring , understanding, kindness, and more!

I think am I giving each one the support and love they need to face all of life's journey. It's filled with good times and bad. We all learn from mistakes, from watching the lives of others, from our parents and how they raised us and we all want to do the best we can for each.

I know I've told them I love them each day, I've given them each a listening ear. I raised my voice yesterday and HunteRose says, " Mimi you're to loud." Yes the pressures of my day had made me louder then usual. Dalton, will be outside playing and suddenly run up to the porch to say, " Mimi, I love you forever." Maegan the oldest, is oh so smart and needs time to herself more these days the age difference between them tends to make us expect more of her sometimes. So all of these things race through my mind on this quiet day!!!

Oh how I miss those little miracles of life that God has sent my way. What will I do with me today!! I'll enjoy the quiet, call some friends, and anxiously await the car door and those angelic voices running to tell Mimi of their day!!!!