NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART!

Just in case you have not been fore-warned-------growing old is NOT for the faint of heart! Pappaw Conville has had another set back and is back in the hospital. It seems someone in their "Inspirations Group" has infected several, including Pappaw, with a Gastrointestinal Virus. He had to be hospitalized since he became severally dehydrated. To further complicate matters, Nannie Conville also had a touch of the same virus. They had the ambulance on a Yo-Yo string yesterday going back and forth to the hospital. Nannie was released, but this means that someone has to be with her at the apartment since she does not do well alone. Call in the faithful "Angel Care Sitters". Meanwhile, Pappaw is 20 miles away in the hospital in quarantine. The last time Bobby talked with the nurse, Pappaw was obviously feeling better since he had taken the IV out and was wondering up and down the hall-MUCH to the Nurse's chagrin. HOPEFULLY they have him in a double hospital gown!

Even with 3 siblings, this can become quite a problem trying to coordinate the care of the aging and ill parents-especially since all 3 have careers and work full time. Unfortunately, I am no help since I still have the highly contagious cold that Mr. C shared with me last week. I am not sure how many trips back and forth to Arcadia were made yesterday, but the last trip involved "Cleaning" and as BC laughed and said, calling in the HAZ-MAT force.

When Momma was still here with us, I went through these times while still raising a child at home. They call me "The Sandwich Generation". The only thing different with Bobby and his sisters is their children are all grown, but they still are charged with the care of their parents. It is NOT easy! Making decisions and caring for those that "Brought Us Into The World" is a strange and often difficult role reversal that life throws at us. As Momma told my brother, Robbie- "I never knew dying would be such hard work."

In my personal opinion, we have improved medical science to the point that they can sometimes keep our bodies going LONG after God intended for us to be around. Old age can be a wonderful and beautiful thing-but as with the storms that Nature can often spring on us,-it can also turn on a dime and become ugly. My Grandmother James had a stroke raking her yard and died. She never had a sick day before that day. OH HOW I PRAY that God would be so gracious to me! Unfortunately, the choice is not ours and we must play the hand we are dealt. My next prayer is that if God does not take me quickly, that He will give me the grace to handle what the storms may bring.

My reading this morning included this Psalm

"We finish our years with a moan".

It would seem the Psalmist had learned the age old wisdom that growing old is indeed "Not for the Faint of Heart." To me the ironic and amazing fact remains that most CLING tenaciously to the threads of life here-EVEN KNOWING the best is yet to come. Fear of the unknown or better to deal with "The Devil You Know"? I am not sure, but I find it amazing! One fact remains and we can not change-WITH EVERYDAY THAT PASSES-I am headed down the same road and the brake is broken and there is no turning back. I pray for the grace to accept what may come and the wisdom to live in the day and enjoy what is now. I would love to end my days with a shout of joy and not the moan of the Psalmist. GIVE ME GRACE-GIVE ME GRACE-INDEED!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARGARITA!

Our friend, Margarita has a birthday Sunday. It only seemed fitting that we would get the "Small Group" together and celebrate with her. So off we go to her favorite Mexican restaurant and then back to Vienna for cake and coffee. In honor of this auspicious occasion, I baked a Margarita cake. Very similar to a Rum cake, you add the ingredients for a Margarita to flavor it instead of rum. It was interesting!

Margarita has been with us in Small Group since our group was formed over 5 years ago. She is a jewel! Lovely inside and out-we cherish her friendship! Margarita has been give the "Gift of Hospitality" and we have been to her home many times for a delicious gourmet meal in the warmth of her lovely home. A sweet smile and warm personality always greet you when she enters the room. We are blessed and thankful for her friendship.

THE BIRTHDAY GIRL

EXAMINING DEBBIE'S LIBRARY CONVENTION PICTURES
MARGARITA AND YOURS TRULY-SHOCKED AT THE LIBRARIANS!

JIM & NANCY LAUGHING AT THE CARRYING ON

JAMES EXPOUNDING WHILE BC & DEBBIE LISTEN

HELEN ENJOYS A LAUGH WITH US

Happy Birthday, Margarita!

SHARING IT ALL!

One of the "Perks" of married life is sharing. What one has is available for the other. There is no need to purchase "two" of everything as many things can be shared. Now I do not go to the lengths that #1 Daughter does, I DO NOT share a toothbrush. We do only have one shovel, one pitchfork, one hoe, and on and on-of course for SOME STRANGE REASON, I seem to be the one that gets to enjoy using those the most. We do have two mowers and two blowers-but that came from buying new ones after old ones were not broken, but it just seemed time. This means that the two of us can go after those chores at the same time (Doesn't happen very often).

The latest thing that BC has shared with me is "His cold". HOW KIND! It seems that he has clients that are too sick to go anywhere, but thought they would run by his office and visit with some earth shaking need that could not happen over the telephone. He came home with a cold a week ago and has sniffed, blown, snorted, and coughed for the entire week. Although we both took precautions, I still ended up getting the lovely malady-just about the time that I was getting going full steam again. I do not seem to be as sick as he was-NATURALLY! (WHY IS IT THAT THE MAN THINKS HE IS ALWAYS THE SICKEST?) This is REALLY annoying though. I DO NOT EVER HAVE TIME TO BE IN ILL HEALTH! At least I am not missing out on running, since I am still on my "Forced Surgery Down Time"!

My only concern is that my "New Chin" might fly off while letting out a BIG sneeze. As Archie would say, "STIFLE IT!" OK-Edith needs to go soak in a steamy shower and hopefully unclog all the drains! AS ALWAYS, I LOVE SHARING!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PAPPAW!

Yesterday was Pappaw Conville's 88th Birthday! Quite the man, Pappaw worked as a barber until the first of January. He and Nannie live in the "Independent Living" apartments in Arcadia. Their children seem to have worked out a good plan for their care and they seem content with where they are. Pappaw had a physical set back the first of January, but seems to have mostly recovered. He asks everyday when he can get his car keys back and when he can go back to barbering. YOU JUST CAN NOT KEEP A GOOD MAN DOWN!

To celebrate the occasion, the daughters threw a birthday party at the apartment's parlor with all of the residents and lots of family in attendance. It was a good party and most important Pappaw seemed to really enjoy being the center of attention.

Pappaw with his balloon adorned walker

Nannie Seems To Have A Mischievous Look
A Group of Grands & Grand-In Laws with Uncle Bob

Grandson, Greg & Soon To Be Bride, Christine

Party Goers

Pappaw & Fellow Championship Football Team Member, Mr. Ray

Grandson, Michael Giving Aunt Katy A Dose of His Wisdom

More Party Pics

The Star of The Evening, Great Grand-Case

Case and His "Pa" Bill

Case, His Mom, Jessica & Nannie

Uncle Bob & Case

My ONE GOOD Family Portrait & Look At Mr. Mature, Bobby!

THREE WEEKS DOWN!

Went back to see Dr. Brown today for a three week check up. He is VERY pleased with his work. I still have swelling and minimal bruising. FINALLY I can sleep on my side again. He told me today that it could be 6-8 weeks before the swelling and bruising completely disappears. The tightness I feel in my neck will also slowly loosen up in that period of time. The numbness in my scalp, forehead, and some of my face will take months to completely reverse. I really don't even think about it unless I touch the area and have no feeling. As the old commercial said, "I'VE COME A LONG WAY, BABY!

Day One

Week One

Week Two

Week Three (Made by me-I could use a longer arm)

PLEASE STOP FOOLING AROUND WITH THE TIME!

The initial changing of the time did not really bother me on Sunday-since church does not start until 10:45. The "Truth" of the change hit home this morning when the clock went off in the dark. Since I am in a forced "hiatus" from running with my buds in the early morning (or late night) hours, I have grown accustomed to sleeping later. I must admit I have enjoyed the extra time in the bed and not having to hit the floor in the early early early hours of the day. I really miss my Buds-but the late sleeping has been a wonderful consolation prize.

This morning when the clock went off I was reminded of how much I DO NOT like this time of the year. The extra hours of daylight in the afternoon are wonderful-but I am a morning person. I prefer the daylight on the other end. Really it doesn't matter a lot to me if we have "Day-light savings" or "Regular" time. The ONLY thing I ask is that it stay the same year round. Since day-light savings time has been extended to 8 months of the year, why not just all year?

It will take me a good week to get accustomed to the new time-and then I will forget all about it. When I go to Erie in April and they have REALLY long daylight hours, I will have a difficult time sleeping. That could be a good thing, since I seem to remember you do not get a lot of sleep with a new baby. I guess that period of time could be called "Henry" time as we will all be on his schedule for sure.

PURIST!

BC put my new "toy" together this afternoon-even while suffering with a Spring cold. He has spent most of the weekend "chilling" and trying to get over this pesky inconvenience. Late this afternoon he began the process of assembling a thousand parts into my newest grill. He started the process with intentions of only doing part of the job, and ended up doing the "whole deal".

I am a grilling purist and always use charcoal when grilling. I like the favor and you just miss out on that wonderful taste when you use butane grills. This grill is the "Cadillac" of charcoal grills with a butane starter for the charcoal, a thermometer, and a huge body. I have used the smallest Weber for years and finally melted through the wire rack after MANY a hot fire. BC ordered me a new grill and I did not realize that he had ordered the "Best". I also am somewhat of a "Weber Snob". When taking cooking classes with "The Chef, Terry,", he introduced me to the wonders of Weber. I immediately bought my first small grill and not only use it year round, but actually grill 3 times a week-minimum during the summer. There is just something about the ambiance of cooking on the deck during our long warm season here in Louisiana.

Hopefully the "learning curve" will be short and I will develop my grilling expertise quickly. My mouth is watering just thinking about getting out there and firing it up. HAPPY GRILLING!