Weekend Activities
Noel and Janice arrived on Friday evening. We chatted for a few hours and then they went to the La Quinta Hotel so that Mark could swim. Saturday, I spent the day filing my "paper mountain" and preparing for Mom's birthday dinner. She still has coughing spells, but is surprising us all with her comeback. She seemed relaxed and happy Saturday evening, and enjoyed just having family around her. After dinner, we watched a DVD together that Mom had ordered from "In Touch" Ministries. David Barton is an expert on the men who signed the Declaration of Independence. He shows pictures and documents their lives. I learned so much about how God and the Bible figured into the formative years of our nation. So much has been left out of history books!!! I now realize how my high school humanities teacher slanted his presentations. Perhaps he was just ignorant.
Sunday, Noel taught my mother's Bible Study class. He loves all of those senior ladies! However, when he finished, he had one of his heart spells, so Janice drove him home to Springfield. The doctors are baffled by his problems and are still trying to fix him. Noel isn't bitter and just keeps on "trucking".
I taught my Bible Study class. We had a young couple join. We average 15-16 now. The theme of the lesson was, "How to Know the Will of God". That provoked a lot of discussion. I am implementing a Supper Six Club which will begin in September. Six members will be assigned to get together for dinner etc. for the month. Then, I'll mix the groups.
It wasn't my turn to play the piano, but I was asked to do so at the last minute because Sue had to be with her husband who has just had surgery. I wished that I had taken my piano glasses, but I managed.
Sunday evening, I took hamburgers from Sonic to my Mother's. Bill joined us to play Mexican Dominoes later. Mom seemed happy to do something fun!
Monday, August 17, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
Kaleidoscope of Life
I took Mom to see Dr. Smith this afternoon. He happens to be my doctor as well, and we both feel so blessed! The pneumonia is improving, but she still has a bad case of bronchitis. While waiting for the chest x-ray, my cousin Terry who is a nurse at the clinic, saw me and chatted for a while.
Tonight, Noel is coming to Shawnee for Mom's birthday weekend. Janice and Mark are coming with him. I had to cancel Mom's party with her Bible Study Class. A few of the ladies came to visit her earlier in the week, and they brought me vegies from their gardens. The phone rang constantly and I was about ready to hire a receptionist. Smile! Mom is a popular lady!!!
I went to school yesterday for a few hours to put final grades on the reports for the session. The director told me that I would be furloughed for one month while several of our students were on vacation. Bill called me from school today and said that all had changed. I am needed to come in from 1-3 p.m. next session and teach reading and writing. SEI understands that I may need a substitute if Mom's health requires me to be with her. She's still extremely weak and unsteady. Thank God for her housekeeper, Joy, who came in today!
I've got to get busy and make some potatoe salad and jello salad to go with the smoked ham I bought for Mom's birthday dinner. We are having a small family dinner at my house. I hope she can enjoy it just a little. We can't help but wonder how long God is going to let us have her on this earth. She is so full of faith and peace.
I took Mom to see Dr. Smith this afternoon. He happens to be my doctor as well, and we both feel so blessed! The pneumonia is improving, but she still has a bad case of bronchitis. While waiting for the chest x-ray, my cousin Terry who is a nurse at the clinic, saw me and chatted for a while.
Tonight, Noel is coming to Shawnee for Mom's birthday weekend. Janice and Mark are coming with him. I had to cancel Mom's party with her Bible Study Class. A few of the ladies came to visit her earlier in the week, and they brought me vegies from their gardens. The phone rang constantly and I was about ready to hire a receptionist. Smile! Mom is a popular lady!!!
I went to school yesterday for a few hours to put final grades on the reports for the session. The director told me that I would be furloughed for one month while several of our students were on vacation. Bill called me from school today and said that all had changed. I am needed to come in from 1-3 p.m. next session and teach reading and writing. SEI understands that I may need a substitute if Mom's health requires me to be with her. She's still extremely weak and unsteady. Thank God for her housekeeper, Joy, who came in today!
I've got to get busy and make some potatoe salad and jello salad to go with the smoked ham I bought for Mom's birthday dinner. We are having a small family dinner at my house. I hope she can enjoy it just a little. We can't help but wonder how long God is going to let us have her on this earth. She is so full of faith and peace.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
ER with Mom
Yesterday, Bill and I saw the movie, "StarTrek". We stopped by to give Mom some spaghetti that I had made. I found her coughing with a high temperature. Since she is a diabetic, I began to worry and went back to her apartment about 6 p.m. She was disoriented, so I drove her to ER. They brought her blood pressure down and monitored her heart. After some lab work, they discovered that she has pneumonia and filled her with antibiotics. She was thinking straight once again, so they released her to me. She is resting comfortably at my house now. I had to call people to help me with the Bible class and piano since it is Sunday. I also have a sub at school for the next few days. Sunday is Mom's 86th birthday, and I am planning a party for her on Saturday evening. It's touch and go at the moment. My family is very supportive.
Yesterday, Bill and I saw the movie, "StarTrek". We stopped by to give Mom some spaghetti that I had made. I found her coughing with a high temperature. Since she is a diabetic, I began to worry and went back to her apartment about 6 p.m. She was disoriented, so I drove her to ER. They brought her blood pressure down and monitored her heart. After some lab work, they discovered that she has pneumonia and filled her with antibiotics. She was thinking straight once again, so they released her to me. She is resting comfortably at my house now. I had to call people to help me with the Bible class and piano since it is Sunday. I also have a sub at school for the next few days. Sunday is Mom's 86th birthday, and I am planning a party for her on Saturday evening. It's touch and go at the moment. My family is very supportive.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Taking Time to Smell the Roses
I am really trying to pace myself this week. After school I will take time to get my hair cut. That is always relaxing! God has blessed me with natural waves, so it doesn't take much time to cut, shampoo and blow dry. Bill and I went swimming at the fitness center twice in the afternoon this week and plan to go back this afternoon. The pool is usually warm, but since the temps outside have been so hot, I noticed that the water felt cool. It was so refreshing! Lance, our trainer, seemed glad to see us back. He is training for a marathon in Okla. City.
I am enjoying teaching only in the mornings this session. I was able to take Mom shopping. It's fun to watch her. I also took some books to the post office for her. She enjoys buying books and DVDs for other people. I know that I've learned about generosity from her.
While at the Hampton Inn in Rolla, Mo., I filled out an evaluation because a huge mistake had been made on the breakfast planning. We talked to people in the lobby for 20 minutes while we waited for additional food, and there was no seating. This had never happened before and I usually give the hotel high marks in everything. We were surprised when we received a letter of apology and a 100% reimbursement on our hotel stay. We will continue to be Hilton Honors Members!!!
I am really trying to pace myself this week. After school I will take time to get my hair cut. That is always relaxing! God has blessed me with natural waves, so it doesn't take much time to cut, shampoo and blow dry. Bill and I went swimming at the fitness center twice in the afternoon this week and plan to go back this afternoon. The pool is usually warm, but since the temps outside have been so hot, I noticed that the water felt cool. It was so refreshing! Lance, our trainer, seemed glad to see us back. He is training for a marathon in Okla. City.
I am enjoying teaching only in the mornings this session. I was able to take Mom shopping. It's fun to watch her. I also took some books to the post office for her. She enjoys buying books and DVDs for other people. I know that I've learned about generosity from her.
While at the Hampton Inn in Rolla, Mo., I filled out an evaluation because a huge mistake had been made on the breakfast planning. We talked to people in the lobby for 20 minutes while we waited for additional food, and there was no seating. This had never happened before and I usually give the hotel high marks in everything. We were surprised when we received a letter of apology and a 100% reimbursement on our hotel stay. We will continue to be Hilton Honors Members!!!
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Catching Up
I'm still catching up after being away. Yesterday, I taught my grammar classes from 10-Noon. I get so excited when my students start understanding a new grammar concept. We were all clapping when the entire class got an "A" on their present participle quiz. Yeah! Now, it's easy to learn past, progressive etc. After school, I drove to the Social Security office to find out what I need to do to apply. I learned that I can do it on-line in December. Milestone! From there, I took the Corrolla to get new tags. (That car only has 36,000 miles and still drives like a dream.) When I returned home, I renewed some prescriptions and got an appointment for Tech Rescue to put a new router on our computers. Bill has signed another contract with Grand Canyon University to teach more music classes.
We had some surprise thunder storms yesterday. They are continuing today. The world is green and smells so fresh. I loved walking in the rain from my class to the car and feeling the warm drops on my face. God is such an awesome creator. He can even take lemons and turn them into lemonade!
I'm still catching up after being away. Yesterday, I taught my grammar classes from 10-Noon. I get so excited when my students start understanding a new grammar concept. We were all clapping when the entire class got an "A" on their present participle quiz. Yeah! Now, it's easy to learn past, progressive etc. After school, I drove to the Social Security office to find out what I need to do to apply. I learned that I can do it on-line in December. Milestone! From there, I took the Corrolla to get new tags. (That car only has 36,000 miles and still drives like a dream.) When I returned home, I renewed some prescriptions and got an appointment for Tech Rescue to put a new router on our computers. Bill has signed another contract with Grand Canyon University to teach more music classes.
We had some surprise thunder storms yesterday. They are continuing today. The world is green and smells so fresh. I loved walking in the rain from my class to the car and feeling the warm drops on my face. God is such an awesome creator. He can even take lemons and turn them into lemonade!
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Teaching Moment in My Classroom
I walked to the desk in my classroom and sat down. The students filed in and told me how glad they were to see me back from my vacation. The last young man was shaking all over and told me that he was "going to kill" the substitute if he ever saw him again. I could tell by his eyes that he meant it!!! I learned that he and other students had been reading comments that were going back and forth on FaceBook. It seems that the substitute teacher had no love for students from the Middle East and said so openly. After varifying that it was true, I proceeded to apologize for such people in the world. I told the class that it had come as a shock to me when I first realized that not everyone liked me. We all have to learn to deal with such people. It's not an easy task. I was reminded of the advice my father gave me. He said, "Forgive everyone, but remember that sometimes people are best loved from a distance." I also passed on some other advice I have been given. "The difference between childish people and mature people is knowing when to keep your mouth shut. Mature people Do Not always say what they are thinking if it would be damaging, and not constructive to a relationship." My students learned a ton of new English words! Now, things have settled down and we can learn when to use past participles in a sentence. I was pleased with their conjugation skills today.
I walked to the desk in my classroom and sat down. The students filed in and told me how glad they were to see me back from my vacation. The last young man was shaking all over and told me that he was "going to kill" the substitute if he ever saw him again. I could tell by his eyes that he meant it!!! I learned that he and other students had been reading comments that were going back and forth on FaceBook. It seems that the substitute teacher had no love for students from the Middle East and said so openly. After varifying that it was true, I proceeded to apologize for such people in the world. I told the class that it had come as a shock to me when I first realized that not everyone liked me. We all have to learn to deal with such people. It's not an easy task. I was reminded of the advice my father gave me. He said, "Forgive everyone, but remember that sometimes people are best loved from a distance." I also passed on some other advice I have been given. "The difference between childish people and mature people is knowing when to keep your mouth shut. Mature people Do Not always say what they are thinking if it would be damaging, and not constructive to a relationship." My students learned a ton of new English words! Now, things have settled down and we can learn when to use past participles in a sentence. I was pleased with their conjugation skills today.
Monday, August 3, 2009
I Need A Vacation
I've been home since Saturday evening, and I've worked so hard that I'm ready for another vacation. I taught my Bible Study class on Sunday, and taught grammar classes this morning from 10-noon. I've managed to buy groceries, do laundry, sort mail, answer emails, and buy tags for the new car. I still can't believe we have a new 2010 Camry. I like the tinted windows.
On the way to Michigan, we stopped at the MacDonalds on Kansas Expressway in Springfield and had lunch with Noel, Janice and Mark. I wanted to see Noel before he went into St. John's for his heart treatment. From there we traveled to Effingham, Illinois and spent the night at Hampton Inn. The next morning was Sunday, and we got through Chicago while the traffic was light. We arrived at Kelli's house near Grand Rapids in time for dinner. She grilled for us, and had a beautiful tray of Michigan fruit. After dinner, we played Apples to Apples with Kelli, Caleb and Hannah. Their home is 2,800 sq. ft. and absolutely gorgeous!
Monday afternoon we arrived at the cottage in Manistee. Bill's brother had flown in from Florida and was in a negative mood most of the week. I think it was because his wife, Sandy, stayed in Florida. We tried to cheer him up, but I soon reliazed that some people enjoy complaining.
Bill and I spent the first week going to concerts on the beach and at Interlochen Fine Arts Camp. We saw the movie, "Up" in 3D, ate at the famed Cherry Hut, and walked 2 miles on the Manistee boardwalk. We weeded the flower garden, raked leaves, chopped down reeds in the lake, and called the pest control for some carpenter ants we found on one of the lakefront windows. On Thursday, we invited the Ursoms for a Bar-B-Que because they watch the cottage in the winter. On Friday, Marlene and Roy Walters (neighbors on the other side) ask us to join them for their 50th Anniversary celebration. It was great to see their kids and grandkids that grew up with Keri, Kelli and Kirk in the summers. Hans went to California this year to visit Kirk!
The second week, we went to church at the United Methodist Church. The pastor welcomes us back every year. The music is great! We sang, "I'll Fly Away" and "When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder". We paid our respects at the cemetary and cleaned the stones. I love walking around cemetaries because there are so many stories. On Tuesday evening, Kelli arrived with Hannah and her friend, Claudia who is 13 years old. (Sweet girl!!) About an hour later Keri arrived with her husband, Kevin, Sofia (4 years) and Selah (2 years). I thought the cottage slept 6 people. Now I know that it sleeps 9! We spent most of our time on the deck. We made smores in the deck fireplace, and several went to the beach in spite of the cool weather. We took Sofia out in the canoe for the first time. She wasn't allowd to go until she was 4 years old. Both girls loved the tire swing and having the family give them lots of attention.
We left Michigan on Friday morning at 4:30 AM. We spent the night at Hampton Inn in Rolla, Missouri. (I talked to Noel and learned that all is not well yet although he is home. He is experiencing some double vision which may be a side effect of his new meds. He's planning to be well enough to come to Shawnee for Mom's birthday party. Noel never quits!!! ) We arrived home on Saturday evening in time for Bill to mow the grass while I unpacked and checked on my plants. There were lots of tomatoes, and my roses were blooming. Thank you, God, for watering them while I was away. God is So Good!!!
I've been home since Saturday evening, and I've worked so hard that I'm ready for another vacation. I taught my Bible Study class on Sunday, and taught grammar classes this morning from 10-noon. I've managed to buy groceries, do laundry, sort mail, answer emails, and buy tags for the new car. I still can't believe we have a new 2010 Camry. I like the tinted windows.
On the way to Michigan, we stopped at the MacDonalds on Kansas Expressway in Springfield and had lunch with Noel, Janice and Mark. I wanted to see Noel before he went into St. John's for his heart treatment. From there we traveled to Effingham, Illinois and spent the night at Hampton Inn. The next morning was Sunday, and we got through Chicago while the traffic was light. We arrived at Kelli's house near Grand Rapids in time for dinner. She grilled for us, and had a beautiful tray of Michigan fruit. After dinner, we played Apples to Apples with Kelli, Caleb and Hannah. Their home is 2,800 sq. ft. and absolutely gorgeous!
Monday afternoon we arrived at the cottage in Manistee. Bill's brother had flown in from Florida and was in a negative mood most of the week. I think it was because his wife, Sandy, stayed in Florida. We tried to cheer him up, but I soon reliazed that some people enjoy complaining.
Bill and I spent the first week going to concerts on the beach and at Interlochen Fine Arts Camp. We saw the movie, "Up" in 3D, ate at the famed Cherry Hut, and walked 2 miles on the Manistee boardwalk. We weeded the flower garden, raked leaves, chopped down reeds in the lake, and called the pest control for some carpenter ants we found on one of the lakefront windows. On Thursday, we invited the Ursoms for a Bar-B-Que because they watch the cottage in the winter. On Friday, Marlene and Roy Walters (neighbors on the other side) ask us to join them for their 50th Anniversary celebration. It was great to see their kids and grandkids that grew up with Keri, Kelli and Kirk in the summers. Hans went to California this year to visit Kirk!
The second week, we went to church at the United Methodist Church. The pastor welcomes us back every year. The music is great! We sang, "I'll Fly Away" and "When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder". We paid our respects at the cemetary and cleaned the stones. I love walking around cemetaries because there are so many stories. On Tuesday evening, Kelli arrived with Hannah and her friend, Claudia who is 13 years old. (Sweet girl!!) About an hour later Keri arrived with her husband, Kevin, Sofia (4 years) and Selah (2 years). I thought the cottage slept 6 people. Now I know that it sleeps 9! We spent most of our time on the deck. We made smores in the deck fireplace, and several went to the beach in spite of the cool weather. We took Sofia out in the canoe for the first time. She wasn't allowd to go until she was 4 years old. Both girls loved the tire swing and having the family give them lots of attention.
We left Michigan on Friday morning at 4:30 AM. We spent the night at Hampton Inn in Rolla, Missouri. (I talked to Noel and learned that all is not well yet although he is home. He is experiencing some double vision which may be a side effect of his new meds. He's planning to be well enough to come to Shawnee for Mom's birthday party. Noel never quits!!! ) We arrived home on Saturday evening in time for Bill to mow the grass while I unpacked and checked on my plants. There were lots of tomatoes, and my roses were blooming. Thank you, God, for watering them while I was away. God is So Good!!!
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