TYPICAL DAY!

I am posting on Camille's old laptop-so limited pictures SORRY!

What is involved in a typical day of taking care of The Jennings Family?

My day starts with getting up with H when he awakens around 6. His Mom & Dad sleep until the next feeding time around 8 or so since they are the ones missing sleep at night. This is our special time of the day with no one else around. One of the things we did this morning was sit on the couch and listen to the train-somewhere far away. It was a sweet 30 minutes.

We looked out the window at the dark and talked about Dada's canoe and truck and listened for the train whistle. When I listened I put my hand behind my ear and said, "Listen". He quickly picked up on that and spent the remainder of the day-putting his hand behind his ear and saying something like "Listen".

The first thing we do every AM is play with the train in his room before coming down and fixing his breakfast. We then just PLAY! Once Dada gets up-I usually get busy. We all take turns changing MANY diapers a day and most of the time changing Baby Bubba's clothes a few times-between wet and spitting up. I pick up the house-several times a day, wash 3-4 loads of laundry, prepare all the meals, do the housekeeping and PLAY and ROCK!

Tonight we had one of Camille's favorite meals---Meat loaf, smothered squash & onions, & smashed potatoes. I am sorting H's clothes slowly but surely to weed out things he has out-grown--SOMETIMES after the trail & error of putting something too small on him. I have been cleaning out the kitchen cabinets. I have started raking the yard-but not gotten very far-since H requires LOTS of attention.

Camille has one LARGE project for me to do---we haven't even managed to begin it yet! Don't know how I will get it done and the yard. I could use some help with the leaf pick up & yard work if anyone from Erie has any suggestions. I have used a couple of local co's in the past that I thought WAY over-charged and the last one didn't fulfill all he promised. Also need someone to cut a tree that is dead.

IT IS COLD IN ERIE! I didn't come prepared for it to be THIS COLD!

By the way----Baby Bubba is a SWEET BABY!

TYPHOID CAMILLE

Henry, aka Big Bubba, has a virus. He feels pretty rotten and consequently is an ill pill. Camille had the virus the week before Baby Bubba was born. Since we have been here in slightly over a week, Poppa Bob has gone home with same virus and now Henry is ailing. DaDa is also trying to claim sick---I'm not having that! Perhaps I am too mean or too busy to get it---I can only hope!

New parents did go out to a friend's Halloween party last night. Camille had a C section-LAST MONDAY and is really amazing with all she is doing. We made these cute little mummies for her to take as a food offering to their party. I am anxious to hear what everyone thought.

For now---I am waiting for Big Bubba to rise & shine-it's that time. Busy day!

THREE ON TWO

After a day's delay from bad weather, BC is back on home territory. SO that leaves 3 adults and 2 babies. We have not stopped ALL DAY! It's all joy though! This afternoon while Da Da napped and Momma fed Elliot-Henry was having a tough time. I got about a dozen plastic cups out of the pantry and we played for almost an hour with them and his trucks. We built towers, we stacked them, we made barricades to ride our trucks through, and we rammed them down with the truck. HE LOVED IT---It is truly the simple things-mostly one on one together time!

Note to my running buds-IT IS COLD UP HERE! In the 40's today and raining and very windy--we would all be shivering and complaining with longer pants and long sleeve shirts (well except for Sandra). I saw one of the natives running in shorts and tank through the rain. My blood is too thin from all the years in the South---I'll bet these PA runners couldn't take our heat and humidity though~

BABY BUBBA

BABY ELLIOT MADE HIS APPEARANCE MONDAY AM. MOM & BABY ARE HOME ALREADY & WE ARE SLIGHTLY BUSY HERE. HENRY CANNOT GET HIS TONGUE AROUND ELLIOT, SO WE ARE CALLING HIM BABY BUBBA! AFTER A ROCKY START AS EVIDENCED BY THE ABOVE PICTURE, HE IS BEGINNING TO GET USED TO THE IDEA OF ANOTHER SIBLING AROUND. EXCEPT FOR THE MAJOR MELTDOWN WHEN HIS DADDY WOULD NOT LET HIM HAVE AN ICE CREAM SANDWICH AFTER NOT EATING SUPPER, THINGS ARE SETTLING IN. ALL IT TAKES IT 4 ADULTS-UNTIL BC LEFT TODAY TO KEEP THINGS GOING SMOOTHLY! MORE TO COME-WE SHOULD BEGIN TO SETTLE INTO A ROUTINE SOON.

ANGELINA

Occasionally flying---it proves HIGH LARIOUS----

On the last leg of our journey, I sat by Angelina---quite by accident-since BC offered to change seats with her as a courtesy (LONG STORY). Angelina is a native of Venezuela, was an engineer now living in Chicago who had been in New York working. She was on her way to Erie for her friend's, from Panama, wedding. We struck up a conversation and let me preface this with the statement that she had already begun the celebration. After a short lead in-this is the conversation--please speak all of Angelina's lines with a strong Latino accent for the FULL effect

A- When I discovered that my stay in New York would not end in time to fly back to Chicago for the wedding, I was in a panic. I called my friend from Chicago and told her to go to my house and get the dress that I was wearing to the wedding and the wedding gift. Wrap the wedding gift and ship them all to the bride in Erie.

Me- That was smart.

A- Yes-but my friend, the bride, called me and said, 'You gave me a dress as a wedding gift? And not just a dress--but a used dress in the cleaner's bag.'

Me-Laughing--She thought you had sent her the dress--WHY?

A-Well my friend who shipped the dress had wrapped it inside the luggage I got for a wedding gift, so it was all wrapped up.

WE BOTH LAUGHED AND LAUGHED.

Then we land and I think we are bidding adieu.

She opens her purse and holds up one black 4 " heel.

A-Oh Yes, she also shipped the other black shoe in the luggage. When I asked my friend to send the shoes, she could only find one. So I looked in my suitcase in New York and there was the other one.

Me---SPEECHLESSLY LAUGHING

A-My Chicago friend told me that I was in New York and I could go buy a pair of shoes, but I told her I am going to dance the night away and need these good looking, but comfortable shoes.

OK---so the friend had put the dress in the cleaner's bag and one black high heel shoe into the luggage which was a wedding gift and gift wrapped the whole thing and shipped it.

By this time I was laughing so hard that the entire plane was turning and looking and BC is quite envious of my really great time.

We get off the plane, and there stands the bride's brother holding a sign with Angelina's name waiting to whisk her off to a great weekend. WHY DON'T I EVER GET INVITED TO THESE KIND OF REALLY FUN WEDDINGS!

WATCH OUT ERIE!

I am off to fly the friendly skies-well the skies anyway-today via Houston, Cleveland & finally Erie--I am on my way. I am anticipating enjoying the beautiful Fall Colors that I saw while there last October. My sweet daughter has also mentioned that I might enjoy raking those colors out of her yard while there. It has to stop raining first!

We will be welcoming Elliot into the fold and entertaining Henry A LOT! If this rain continues, I plan to take him to the mall and let him go. SO if you happen to see a 2 foot flash run by with a silver streak in close pursuit----say Hello. If I happen to speak to you first, since we Southerners speak to one and all, say Hello back--DON'T look at me like I have lost my mind. If you want to see 2 really cute babies, enjoy some slow talking, and feast on a Southern delicacy--come on over!

While in Erie, I will once again be trying to convince my favorite sil of how wise and wonderful I am. He's just not quite on board with all of that yet!

SO WATCH OUT ERIE--THE SOUTHERN SILVER STREAK --WILL BE VISITING YOUR LOVELY TOWN FOR A WHILE!

JUST IN CASE-TODAY I SPRINTED!!

There is something about leaving town for a few days that throws me into a tailspin. I have this strange compulsion that EVERYTHING must be taken care of and in its place when I leave. When I leave for more than a few days-that entails LOTS of planning. November's bills have to be all taken care of -in their envelopes-or scheduled for on-line payment. ALL the loose paperwork and business in my office has to be in order. The yard has to be cleaned--the house has to be clean----the clothes have to all be clean. Everything for my volunteer work has to be in order--future projects planned---all notified of my leaving---future lessons for the student I tutor prepared and explained to her. The car has to be washed and full of gas-FLYING NOT DRIVING on this trip. There is PLENTY to do and today I sprinted to finish it all. NOW TO PACK!

You might ask WHY----why this strange need. WELL- you never know when the plane may fall out of the sky, I might have a heart attack, or one of those crazy Erie drivers might run over me.....It's kind of like the old saying "Don't ever leave the house in holey (NOT HOLY) underwear---you have a wreck for sure." In case I don't make it back and you all come over--things need to be in order. SO--I'm ready---and I am not packing any holey underwear!

CONVERSATIONS WITH AN 8 YEAR OLD

As we ALL know, boys are notorious for short conversations on the telephone, but young grandsons are especially brief in the telephone communication. I recently received a "Flat Stanley" from Grand #2. As Camille and Meredith both told me, perhaps I over-functioned a tad bit--BUT it's important! I made the requisite pictures around Ruston with Stanley and then instead of just putting them in a envelope with a letter, I made a book. IT WAS CUTE-I PROMISE. Since I had waited until the last minute to finish the project, I Fed Exed it to #2. I finally called his Daddy yesterday to make sure he had received it and he said, "He hasn't called you yet?" DUH--why would I be calling and asking if I had talked with him?

#2 called last night and here is how the conversation went:

Me-Hello
Me-Hello
Me-Hello
Me-Is this a call from Austin
#2-Thanks for the Flat Stanley thing
Me-Did you like it
#2-yeah
Me-Did your class like it
#2-yeah
Me-Where else did Stanley go?
#2-Nowhere
Me-I thought you said he went to New York City also?
#2-Oh yeah
Me-How's football going?
#2-Fine
Me-Have you scored anymore TD's (he ran for a touchdown when we were there)
#2-Yeah
Me-How many more TD's have you scored?
#2-5 or 2
Me-Do you score one in every game?
#2-I don't know
Me-When are you coming to see us?
#2-silence----I can literally feel him slipping away--staring off into space---zoned out
Me-Thank you for calling, I love you
#2-Grunt

NOW what I didn't tell you is that I had to repeat everything I said at least twice-He would said WHAT? I would repeat and sometimes we did that again. Don't know if he wasn't listening or if I had marbles in my mouth.

LOVE These Conversations. He will make some girl SO happy someday when he calls her! Hope I live long enough to tell his future wife of these LONG talks we enjoyed! SUCH A BOY!!!

VIENNA NATURE PRESERVE

baby deer pictures by FreeNaturePictures.com

We have a regular nature preserve going out here! Last night while looking for the fox, I discovered Mr. Raccoon is coming up to eat the goodies left for the fox. That's alright-I like raccoons also. This AM around 7 AM I looked out the leaded glass door and discovered a LARGE doe and her two yearlings grazing along the driveway. BC and Meredith both came running and we watched in fascination-----AND THEN IT TURNED UGLY! Momma Deer started nibbling on my susanqua------BAD DEER! I had to open the door and shoo them away--TOO MANY LONG HOURS GARDENING to allow that in my clear sight! They ran about 20 feet stopped and leisurely strolled down the back toward the creek. SOMETHING TELLS ME THEY MAY BE BACK!

HOW THE WORLD SEES US

Meredith's friend, Ying, was gracious enough to interpret for us at CSE. We had a Chinese student transfer to school this year who read and writes English, but does not speak English. When I started looking for an someone to interpret, of course, Meredith knew someone. Ying has been in the states for two years and is working on her MBA at the local university. I invited her for supper after she came and helped at CSE as repayment for her kindness. We had such an interesting evening and it was eye opening to hear how the world sees us as Americans. I don't think I will share all she said, but I will say there are many students from many countries here in America. Get connected to one-and learn. It was an quite an evening!

WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE!!!!!

One of the neat add ons to my blog is on the right side of the blog at the bottom. You can basically see where people came from who looked at your blog and if they came from a WWW search-what they were searching for.

One of my blogs was about stripping off clothes when layered in the winter cold as my body heats up during the long miles of running. I think I entitled it, "Saturday Strip Tease".
Can I tell you HOW MANY times someone was searching for Old Ladies Stripping or some such when they came to the blog. GROSS WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE!!!!!

I do get a great deal of satisfaction knowing how disappointed the searcher must be when he gets to my little scandal less piece of the Internet!

UPPING THE MILEAGE

In an effort to sleep late, ONE DAY, I got up at 4:15 yesterday to run at 4:45.
Met those die-hard runners who wouldn't miss a run if the world was turned
upside down. With the cooler weather in the early morning hours, I have finally
gotten my mileage back up to 9. Hopefully I will find someone to run with me
next Friday before lifting off to fly the friendly skies and get back to the
desired 10. A ten mile base is a great place to stay until you train for a long
race.

So I go to bed last night anticipating a late-lazy
Saturday morning. BC gets up somewhere around
6 AM and gets dressed-in our bedroom-to go for
a walk. Guess who is Miss High Maintenace Sleeper
and wakes up as he is stirring around-trying to be
quiet.

SO MUCH FOR A LAZY SATURDAY~

LESSONS FROM GOD

I am currently involved in a LARGE project for CCC that involves two service projects for the school where I volunteer. I have been in MAJOR over-drive trying to get all the details ironed out before I leave for Baby Dos ONE WEEK FROM TODAY! I wanted to leave knowing I would come home with only last minute details and a clear picture of "What would happen" the day of the project.

God seems to have a different idea. He is teaching me to let go of the control and trust He will work out even the details. IT IS NOT EASY!!! I have skirted around the "letting go" unsuccessfully---but have still tried to let go of only parts, have my plans ultimately come to fruition, even totally balking at the idea. He will not let me go there though.

I will leave with the "Project" in someone else's lap. Will it all get done without me? We will see. I must say that my mind is saying---"When I get back, I will go into overdrive if it doesn't get done by others who are now sitting in the driver's seat" Still doubting Still having a hard time letting go Still hesitant.

HE IS TEACHING ME AND NOT LETTING UP--NOT GIVING IN TO MY NEED FOR CONTROL---MAKING ME TRUST HIM. IT'S NOT EASY--I must confess. My need for control and lack of trust are over-whelming. BUT I am back in the corner and at a stand still---so I have no choice.

OVER--FUNCTION-----NEVER!!!

Flat Stanley came to Ruston for a short visit from Austin. He was here to make a few pictures and take home a few comments about the sites in Ruston. I decided to make a short book out of Stantley's visit. SOME----who will remain nameless (she lives in Erie, PA) say that I MIGHT BE OVER-FUNCTIONING! WHAT IS SHE TALKING ABOUT?????

TEXT OF TALK

I gave a brief "Moment for Missions" talk at church this AM about our ministry at Cypress Springs school. A little out of my comfort zone, but I feel challenged by God to do just that--Get Out of My Comfort Zone------

GOD WISELY CHOSE YVETTE BROOCKS TO GET OUR CSE SCHOOL MINISTRY STARTED AND SHE CONTINUES TODAY TO KEEP US INSPIRED AND ORGANIZED. CSE IS AN “AT RISK SCHOOL” WHICH IN LAYMAN TERMS MEANS IT IS FILLED WITH CHILDREN WHO ARE “THE LEAST OF THESE.” YOU HAVE A SCHOOL WHOSE PARENTS ARE STRUGGLING TO KEEP A ROOF OVER THEIR HEADS AND FOOD ON THE TABLE, BUT ARE ALSO PROUD OF THEIR PRECIOUS CHILDREN.
THE FACULTY AND STAFF OF 68 ENTER THEIR MISSION FIELD EACH AND EVERY SCHOOL DAY WHEN THEY CROSS THAT THRESHOLD.
OUR MINISTRY IS TO WALK SIDE BY SIDE WITH THE STAFF AND PARENTS AND SHOW THEM THE LOVE OF GOD BY OUR SERVICE TO THEM. WE PROVIDE UNIFORMS, SNACKS FOR THE STAFF, WE MAKE SIGNS AND BANNERS, WE STRAIGHTEN SHELVES, WE COPY, LAMINATE, CUT & PASTE, AND WE SIT WITH ONE CHILD OR A CLASSROOM OF CHILDREN READING AND TUTORING. WE ARRANGE FOR CALCULATORS, HONOR ROLL REWARDS, AND BLUE RIBBONS FOR EXTRA EFFORT. OUR SMALL GROUP HAS BEEN BLESSED TO HOST LUNCHES TO HONOR AND ENCOURAGE THE STAFF-WE WOULD LOVE TO SHARE THIS BLESSING WITH YOUR SMALL GROUP.
THE PRINCIPAL, MRS. LEWIS HAS REQUESTED TWO LARGE PROJECTS THAT WE WILL TACKLE ON “BE THE CHURCH” SUNDAY. WE ARE KEEPING THESE PROJECTS A SECRET TO SURPRISE THE ENTIRE SCHOOL WHEN THEY RETURN FROM THANKSGIVING VACTAION.
WHAT CAN YOU DO? PLENTY! JUST KEEP SAYING YES--- CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THOSE SNACKS, VOLUNTEER FOR EVEN ONE HOUR, HELP WITH THE BIG PROJECTS--- INCLUDING THE FUNDS FOR SUPPLIES . THERE IS PLENTY TO DO AND A SPOT FOR YOU!
AND THEN YOU MIGHT ASK WHAT IS THE REWARD? OVER 600 SMILES, COUNTLESS THANK YOUS AND THE SWEET ASSURANCE THAT GOD IS SMILING AS YOU TRULY SERVE “THE LEAST OF THESE”!

HAPPINESS

During small group, I asked the question---"What makes you happy" not in a spiritual sense, but in the world? We had a variety of answers, but they all centered around mostly the simple things of life. There was one answer that I feel I need to share-

BC looked across the room DIRECTLY at me and said,

"I just want the roof and gutters cleaned off, the lawn mowed, the beds cleaned out, all of the armadillo traps put up, and the drives and decks blown off before 10 AM on Saturday morning. " HUMMMMMM!!!! So yesterday I got busy and blew off all the decks and drives just before he came home. Last night Sonja asked me did I blow off so BC would be happy and I of course replied yes. He looked at her and said, "The roof and gutters are still not cleaned out."

THE RAGGED EDGE---JUST BEFORE BEING PUSHED OFF THE CLIFF!

UP FOR A GAME?

My current obsession involves a little scrabble game you
play on your I Phone called Words With Friends. I currently
have 3 games going and have had up to 5. SOME people
seem to tire of the challenge---I may-but for now I enjoy
the mental tease. It takes days to play a game and there are
times there are HOURS between moves if I or my opponent
are busy--PART OF THE FUN---ANTICIPATION!

One of my opponents is Camille. She seems to think it is
cheating to keep putting letters together until you find a
word. She had the audacity to ask just what Qi meant!
I told her to LOOK IT UP! We have a LOT of trash talk
going on between us----she is SUCH a SORE LOSER and I
NEVER gloat! I do let her win occasionally--to keep her
on the hook.

It can be a little frustrating to get all vowels or all consonants---but
HEY THAT'S PART OF THE FUN!

WANNA PLAY?

DOUBLE THE FUN!

As I was talking with Camille a couple of nights ago, I made the WONDERFUL discovery that I have two foxes coming to eat supper in my back every night. I immediately signed off--after all HOW MANY times do you watch 2 at play? They seemed almost like brothers and not mates. There was no protective behavior and even a little running the other off from his find. Great fun watching both of them.

Last night only one came up for supper, but interesting behavior. After he ate his fill, he took the remainder to his den-making a couple of trips. One of those trips, he actually walked up the steps to the deck and directly in front of the window -2 feet from me!

We were talking last night about "What makes you happy." I must admit watching the foxes makes me happy. It's the simple things!

DOES HE KNOW WHO HE IS DEALING WITH???

Favorite SIL had #1 daughter call to ask me a question. It seems that while I am up in Erie for Baby Dos he needs to go on an interview overnight. He told # 1 daughter to ask if I could handle Henry, Dos, & her while he was gone. PARDON MY SNORT! ! !

MY TWO TALENTED SONS

AUSTIN HOUSE- SIDE VIEW

FRONT VIEW

BARN DOORS ON CARPORT

LIGHT FIXTURES FOR ALONG DRIVE

LIGHT FIXTURES FOR FRONT OF DRIVE

BOAT STORAGE & CARPORT

SIDE VIEW OF HOUSE

KITCHEN OVERLOOKING DECK

VIEW WHEN YOU COME UP STAIRS

FRONT DECK UPSTAIRS

SIDE DECK WITH ROOF & FANS-VIEW OF CANYON

VERY PROUD OF THE TWO BOYS AND THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENT. THE BEST COMPLIMENT I COULD GIVE IS THAT I COULD MOVE IN TOMORROW!