Turning Corners.


It's been quite a week here - the weather has been horrendous. Snow. Snow! Snow!!
The lady that looked at our house says she wants it but has done nothing about a formal offer so we will list it next week and hopefully sell quickly. We will also start packing and get ready for a household sale. I will also check into the preliminary paperwork for retirement - it takes 30 days or so to retire. :)
All of this is much like the driving I had to do during all of these snow storms we've had. You know about the turning corners thing - slow down, but keep your foot off the break and if you start to slide just go with it and don't turn the wheel the other way.
Kasey is a good little boy but has had a couple of rough days in school this week which carried over to home at least one of those days. Got himself (and grandma) good and upset before we even left the day care parking lot on the drive home one day and by the time we got home it was getting worse. Once we got home and in the house, and out of our cold weather garb. I sat down on the step. pulled him over to me and sat him on my lap and we talked, and apologized to each other - the good and sincere apology that comes with a warm hug and a heartfelt, "I love you."
We're just trying to make our way here - turning the corners, so to speak. Scott has some health issues and I know that he is thinking about us leaving - it isn't going to be as easy as it seems. We all look forward to the day when we retire - getting there isn't easy though, is it?
Laurie is doing very well in school, Stephen instant messages to us all when he can although we are like ships passing in the night because of the time and schedule difference. All I know is that when I see his name with a yellow happy face next to it on my messenger - even if his status is "Idle" or when I see both Stephen and Laurie's happy faces lit up, then there is a big piece of my heart that is at peace.
Turning corners isn't a bad thing - it's good when you know what will be ahead of you, but we don't know God's will and I'm not about to guess. I am hoping that this huge corner we are headed for will be easier to navigate than what it seems like now.
Think I will give my brain a rest this weekend and watch the Superbowl. Yup, that's what we will do. Watch some of the hype, order some pizza or maybe make some hot soup and sandwiches and veg in front of the TV.
And wait for the weather advisories to crawl across the bottom of the TV. :)
Sounds like a plan. Hope YOUR weekend is a good one too. Many blessings.
God bless our troops and those of us who wait.

Just when I thought I was home free....


Ok, I've been thinking to myself since October, "let's try to make this a winter without an upper respiratory infection...can we do that, Susan?" As December passed into January and I got through all the busy-ness of the holidays - shopping in stores with people who should be home taking care of their colds, not catching any of the colds other kids shared with Veronica and Kasey in school and day care, and getting three weeks into January, I was just thinking the other day, "HA! You're gonna do it!"
And then there was yesterday morning when the familiar scratchy throat, red nose and eyes, and sneezing hit. One of my staff members told me when she saw me first thing yesterday morning, "you look and sound sick!" (encouraging way to start the day). Good thing I love her. :) And when I woke up at 3:30 this morning head pounding, sneezing, etc., I decided to get up as usual at 5:15, take my sudafed, wait til 6:15 and see how I felt. At 6:15, I picked up the phone and called in a voicemail to my Supervisor that I wouldn't be in today. I can do some things here today - need to do a spreadsheet and that will be easy without having any interuptions. Well, not counting Lily begging to have her ears scratched.
Things are changing for me at work. Our director sent out an email yesterday to the entire organization asking them not to call me for customer service issues since I am preparing to retire and the staff needs to learn the issues and the answers they should be giving. No longer will I be doing processing, but rather documenting the things that my supervisor would like me to leave behind. It feels different already -not like I'm not still needed but as if the baton has already been passed. It's hard, you know? And if it's hard for me to do NOW, how difficult will it be for me when I leave?
Well, there is always the fact that I am retiring to be with Ron and the rest of our family. There is the fact that we will be traveling and we will have Kasey with us. I think I can get used to that without ANY problem at all. But we will be leaving Scott and Veronica behind...THIS will be a heartbreaker for Nana, Papa and I think for Veronica too. Scott might miss us a bit also. :) but hopefully they will be able to travel to see us - with a little help from our checking account once in awhile.
And so today, I will nurse my cold, and my sciatica, and build my color coded spread sheet. Tomorrow we will go hunting for RVs again - Kasey loves doing this and has to sit in the driver's seat in every motor home that's there. Of course we won't be buying a motor home, but he can still enjoy looking at them.
We are waiting for the lady who looked at the house last week to be able to bring her son through with her. This is good, don't you think? She's had a week to think about it and she still wants the house. YAY!
Time for my sudafed....blessings for your weekend.
God bless our troops.

Are We a Different Nation?


Today - we have probably all heard at least 10 times - is a day for the history books. As one President leaves as some (most?) do ~ with a less than pleasing performance in the eyes of many ~ we can be thankful that we live in a country where WE get to decide our next leader. Of course not all of us chose the same man (and we came oh so close to being able to say "woman"), but I think we now need to put all of the political stuff behind us and get on the same page. Support our nation by working together. It won't always be pretty, but it is democracy at work. We have youth in the White House - not just in the man and woman who are the first parents of the nation, but in their cute little girls. It's been awhile since the White House has been occupied by children as young as the Obama girls - and they will most certainly love the experience.
And so, ARE we a different nation tonight? I must admit that I wish I could have watched the inauguration events today - and will try to catch some of the reruns and highlights tonight. It is exciting - and yet a bit heartbreaking at the same time. We see a man take the oath of office for the highest and most influential position in the free world - maybe in the entire world.
And we pray - for him, for his family, and his safety. We pray that God will give him wisdom and strength; the energy - and the conscience - to do what is right for this awesome nation and the interests of the world.
But no matter where our political affiliations are, we are also seeing a President go home to his native state of Texas. A man who showed what he was made of on September 11, 2001. Who made some poor choices over the course of 8 years, but I truly believe kept our nation safe from other terror attacks. I am one of those in the minority because I still believe George Bush is a good man. I pray God will bless him with a restful conscience - because every man who has good intentions and a peaceful heart should have a sense of accomplishment over a job that is way too much for a normal man to endure 24/7, 365.
This is probably the MOST outspoken post you will ever see on Two Star Mom. But I try to see the good in everyone - I believe there were so many good intentions in the man who left the oval office today.
And may God be gracious to the man who will be at work there in the morning. The new Commander in Chief for those who serve. Dear Lord, may they be able to look to him with confidence and security in who he is.
Maybe we CAN be a different nation - and rely on God's will instead of mankind's.
God bless America and the troops who defend her.

This house belongs to Murphy's.


Hi everyone. It's been a busy week - cleaning, polishing, pitching and tossing. Ron helped so much - he was awesome. The lady did indeed stop on Saturday - she brought her sister and brother in law also since she is single - widowed or divorced - so she wanted some moral support in checking out things like the furnace, wiring, etc. She told us we would be seeing her again, and that she was going to call her lawyer to draw up an offer. We are really excited at this but are not holding our breath since the offer is what counts.
As long as the house is in good shape, :-), we are having a realtor come in on Friday, just in case the offer isn't what we have in mind, so that we can list it if the lady doesn't buy it.
And so, Murphy's Oil Soap comes through again.
Unfortunately, my little trip to the ditch finally reared it's ugly aftermath with a case of siatica. I haven't been able to sleep for the past 2 nights - pacing and praying away the spasms in my leg and ankle - with a good share of tears and sobs mixed in. I went to urgent care yesterday but the medicine they gave me really isn't touching it - today I have an appointment with my own doctor so hopefully he can check me out a bit more thouroughly - the NP didn't even have me put a gown on so that she could check me out. Not that I don't think she knows what she is doing, but the shot that she gave me was supposed to help within 15 minutes - and did not - and the pain killer isn't doing anything either.
So, this is my story and I am sticking to it. I sure hope I sleep better tonight - I could be retiring sooner than I thought if this lady is serious.
I can hope, right? Kasey is so excited.
Thanks Mr. Murphy. You did it again.
God bless our troops.
Sue

Could this be?


Friday night after I got out of work, we took Kasey to a local place for dinner - we had a fish fry, Kasey had one of his usuals...spaghetti, no sauce - no thank you to the meatball this time.
When we got home, there were three messages on the answering machine. One was from the insurance company about our November accident. Another was a reminder for an appointment. And the third was a lady who said she heard that we are going to be selling our house and could she come and look at it?
Huh? Somebody wants to look at our house and it's not even on the market yet?
I mentioned to Ron it would be a good thing to give me a week to get ready - so that I can do some heavy cleaning. And so, she will be here Saturday.
As I was going through the last of the basement things today, I stopped to think about it a bit. I asked Ron if I could keep the whole book in which my one and only published poem is - or if I had to tear out the poem and throw out the book. :) I half expected he would say tear out the poem, but he could tell by the look on my face that this would not be a wise answer. Little by little we are REALLY getting into the swing of things here and I find that I can throw things out after all. Half of the basement floor has been given a new coat of paint - Ron will do the other half tomorrow. It looks clean and bright.
But could it be that this is really happening? This retirement thing, selling the house, moving adventure - it's really going to happen?
I cried a bit thinking of how difficult it will be to leave the home we've lived in for nearly 29 years. But Ron said, "it will be hard for us all but remember that we are just leaving a house - the home and the memories go with us."
I hate it when he's right - but this time am very thankful too.
God bless you - thanks for stopping by. And may He bless our troops - and those who wait.
Sue

And in tonight's headlines....


We had a really miserable weather day here today. First, I overslept and woke up at 5:45 when the phone rang. It was one of my staff saying she wouldn't be able to come into work today.
So then I looked outside and even though it was pitch dark, it looked like a tundra. First "executive" decision of the day: "Kasey is staying home from preschool today," I announced to Ron, who really just wanted to go back to bed (and he did, but he was up again before I left).
Hmmm, maybe I should wait to go into work when the roads are better," I thought.
Second executive decision: "No, I'll get an early start so I can get there on time."
And therein was the mistake.
I should have realized when I had to plow through ruts and snow piles to get on our rural expressway that it wasn't plowed very well. Now, in the 15 years I have been doing the 30 some mile commute (each way) to my job, I have driven in snow storms that would knock your sox off. Why should today be any different?
Except that it was, and 15 minutes into my commute, going 23 miles per hour, I skidded off the road, down the embankment, and the car came to rest facing the wrong way in a water filled ditch. After calling the police, then Ron - who had tried to convince me to go in late - I sat there in the pitch dark, crying and thanking God. The car could have very easily flipped and I could have been upside down in the water. Anyway, the towing place said they could be there in two hours so I would just have to "sit tight." (Like I was going anywhere?)
The tow truck finally arrived and it only took him about 20 minutes to pull me out. There's a little damage to the driver's side front end - there was so much mud on the front of the car that we thought the license plate was missing - but once I was home and Ron rinsed off the car, the plate was there...just caked with mud from the trip into the ditch.
On tonight's news, as they talked about the weather and the accidents and the cars off the road, a picture popped up on the video, and there I was, big as life, sitting in the ditch.
Tonight I am sore, thankful, and extremely tired. You know how a person gets a surge of adrenalin in situations like that once they know they are alright? Well, the adrenalin doesn't last very long and eventually the aches set in. This is me wondering why the heck I am still up.
Bed time for this two star mom. Ron is driving me in tomorrow.
When one of the policemen stopped to check on me, I told him that I had so much on my desk I planned on doing today. He said, "well, this is why we are given another day - you can do it tomorrow."
Oh and just a couple other things. People care - as was evidenced in the 10 or 12 cars which either stopped or slowed down to check on me. For those who did that in such dangerous conditions, even if it was to roll down their window and holler out, "ARE YOU OK?" it was a gift.
I wasn't alone in the dark - well, eventually, the light.
And oh yes, the other thing....SEAT BELTS REALLY DO SAVE LIVES.
I am livng proof.
Thank you, God.
God bless our troops.

Sleeping Beauties

Veronica spent the day here today with Ron - she had some sort of bug thing going on with her tummy so had to stay home from school...that means Papa answers the phone at 8 am and comes to the rescue cause Tina had to work. It was a relatively quiet day - this is pretty much how it looked for the entire afternoon. Veronica is ALLOWED to sleep on the couch with out a blanket under her - all people are allowed on our couch.

Lily, however is a different story....she is supposed to have her blanket covering the couch beneath her. Hmmm - guess Papa got the sleeping beauties mixed up, or else he just didn't want to disturb the sleeping watch dog.

Must be nice, huh?

God bless our troops and those of us who love them.

Blessings my friends...

Sue

And so, we begin again.

Happy New Year my friends. With many good wishes that your 2009 will be bright with hope and good health and happiness.
I am a bit late on that but it's been a busy couple of days around here as we get back into the "just us three" routine. We took Kasey to a local mall yesterday - did some window shopping and went to a show.
I managed to keep from crying at the airport when Stephen and Laurie left. Choked back some tears and had to turn around to wipe a few stray tears away, but it was important to their little family that we remained strong so as not to make it any more upsetting than it was. Doubly difficult for Laurie and Stephen since they were not only leaving Kasey, but each other.
We begin phase 2 now - the rest of Stephen's deployment, Laurie's intense class schedule, and the continuing adventure for Kasey (and for us too).
2009 will be a year unlike any other for our family. The next few weeks will be pitching and tossing time. Setting some things aside for one more garage sale in the spring, and for packing to go in the RV. The manufacturer of the RVs that we were most interested in is going under so even though we were planning on buying one that isn't brand new, it won't be that kind since service and parts would be hard to come by.
And blitzing the house is mandatory. Once I get some of the extra stuff out of the way, flat surfaces cleared, etc., it will be time to show no mercy with the cleaning supplies.
Monday sees me back at work and Kasey back at pre-school. Two weeks off has been wonderful but if I am ever going to retire, I need to clear my desk.
And so, the mission begins. Clean the house, clear the desk, call the realtor. Kasey can help - there are a lot of things to be gotten rid of so he can help me in doing that.
Whew - what a year to look forward to.
With Stephen returned to the sand, I can tell you that the magnitude of deployment is hitting me a bit harder...seeing them all together, and now knowing they are apart. So many families going through this same experience - but I prefer to keep it on the positive side and give thanks for the two weeks we've had together. God is good.
May He bless you richly in 2009.

And the days dwindle down...

The past 10 days have been a whirlwind of activity at our house - and of course we've done our share of activity at the local malls. We have watched Kasey enjoy being with his mommy and daddy - the three of them fit together like a glove. Santa came and went - actually he just rested a bit and mentioned something about sticking around til next year. HUGE dinner on Thursday which was really good (sorry, that sounds somewhat boastful but really, Ron prepped the roast and put it in the oven, brined the turkey and roasted that too). I made the side dishes like stuffing, the mashed potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, the squash, green bean casserole, whipped cream fruit salad, homemade gravies - turkey and beef - and the apple crisp and blueberry pie.
I was blessed in that Ron, Scott and Vi, Stephen and Laurie cleaned up the kitchen for me and you know what that can be like after a holiday meal is cooked.
And there have been the quiet afternoons and evenings - playing Rummikub and Risk (now WHY would I play Risk - a military strategy game with two soldiers and a Navy Veteran)?
Kasey has been a happy little boy - I have of course stepped back from the guardian role and have just been grandma, letting his mom and dad make all the decisions about things. Today we went to the library - wish I could have had a camera when I happened on Ron and Kasey in "their" reading corner.
And so, as the days dwindle down, I am so thankful we've had this time with our soldiers. I knew it couldn't last forever and will enjoy every moment we have yet to spend together. If you could please pray for them as they leave one another, and Kasey, it would be so appreciated.
Funny thing, whenever Ron and I used to visit them - or they would visit us - we'd always joke about keeping Kasey. Ironically, it's not a joke anymore - we DO get to keep him. I smile in gratitude, while my eyes mist over at the thought of them separating again.
I know that God will keep me strong; it is my one certainty - Faith.
God bless our troops and those who love them.

Love is a beautiful thing.

An Early Christmas.

I know - I've been awol in recent days. Kasey had a cold, work was kind of busy because it was the semester end final processing, and oh yeah, I got an early Christmas present.
On Wednesday, my phone rang at work. It was Ron - asking me to look outside. I said you are an hour early picking me up, but ok, I'll be right out. I left the office, went to the outer hallway and looked out the door. Sitting in his carseat grinning like crazy was Kasey. And sitting next to him - looking at me - was Stephen. STEPHEN!! I screamed. Went out the door and hugged him within an inch of his life. A financial aid advisor - also a good friend - was on his way back into the office, witnessed the whole thing and came over to shake Stephen's hand. And another good friend was witnessing the whole thing through her office window.
To say that I was shocked just doesn't do it. To say that I was happy also doesn't do it...but to say that I cried unabandoned tears of joy? That's more like it.
Ron knew it was a possibility last week and then he got the call on Tuesday from Stephen that he was on his way home and could he pick him up from the airport.
Laurie didn't know and wouldn't have known had she not checked their checking account online this morning and found out that someone had used Stephen's bank card to buy some stuff yesterday...and rented a car. When she instant messaged me I told her every thing Stephen told me to say. An hour later the phone rang. "He's there, isn't he?" said the very familiar voice on the other end of the line. She figured it out when she found out that he had taken money out of an atm and used his pin number.
And so, when Laurie arrives in the next couple of days, we will be complete.
Half my Christmas was all wrapped up in camoflage on Wednesday afternoon and the remainder will arrive on a big bird which hopefully won't be delayed by weather difficulties. My cup is overflowing because Scott and Vi and Veronica will be here also. The tree will go up on Sunday and the kids will do the decorating. And I will just watch and smile.
And thank our Lord for His tender mercies.
God is good.
May He bless our troops wherever they may be.

Not just another week.

Where does a week go? I can tell you that it sometimes vanishes into thin air. And the days go all too quickly.
But it really has been a blessed week. I am learning that it takes time to practice patience and love. There are wonderful things that need to be noticed and celebrated and savored.
Time with friends and family - one and the same in some cases. This past Sunday, our Pastor who has been serving our church as a licensed Deacon, was ordained at our church. The service was one of the most blessed and joyfilled and beautiful services I have ever attended. And our Pastor is finally a Reverend and so deserves this title. If God ever gave someone a heart to serve, it is our Pastor. He is faith FILLED, faithFUL ( to God and to our congregation and to the mission of spreading the Gospel), and has a love for Jesus that is so contagious. It was just a wonderful day.
My friend Betty and I were blessed to be part of the service - and though I was at first a bit nervous, when the time came to do what Pastor had asked of me, I walked down the aisle in total peace. God does that sometimes if we let Him. To just concentrate on the blessing and joy. Sunday, I let Him and I was richer by far for the experience.
Kasey and I have had our ups and our downs at times, I have definitely needed to raise my voice since he seems to want to push me to the limit, and then says "Ok Grandma" when I have reached that point. Funny little boy. but this perpetual inner happiness this journey is giving me just keeps things rolling along. The end of the day can't come soon enough just to know that I will be picking him up and bringing him home with me.
Yesterday, I promised him he could make snow angels when we got home. And so, as he laid in the snow and waved his arms and legs back and forth in the pure white snow, I decided it was a moment too good to pass up. I dropped everything that I was carrying, turned around, and fell on my back in the snow next to Kasey - snow angels are something you never forget how to make - and the fun of being on my back in the snow with my 3 year old grandson next to me enjoying the same unabandoned experience - well let me tell you that it brings tears to my eyes from the sheer joy of the moment. Life should be that uncomplicated more often, don't you think?
Stephen says they are very busy - I cringe when I hear that but we are so grateful for his phone calls. The one thing I remember about the last deployments was the loneliness I feel after we talk to him. I can almost sense the loneliness he must feel as the delay in our conversation reminds me of the distance we are from this young man we love so much.
I know it will be ok - even though it's sometimes one foot in front of the other, one day, one hour, one moment at a time. I tell Kasey that mommy will be home soon, and that daddy will be so glad to get our Christmas box. Hickory Farms stuff is on order, all the special coffee and snacks just about in the box and ready to go. I need to make some cookies but I think that I will be sending some special ones from the local bakery - their butter cookies are fabulous. Saturday will be a busy day packing and sending.
Dear Lord, thank you for the blessings you have bestowed on our family and on our church this past week. I know that Your will is at work - help me to seek You always - in all ways.
God bless our troops in these coming weeks as they spend this joyful season of peace far from home. And may those who serve - no matter WHERE they serve - find the dearest Friend of all and the Prince of Peace right there beside them.

It's all in how you look at it.

Yesterday morning, Kasey and I didn't have a very good start. He was slow and grouchy, and I was late and stressed. He didn't want to get up, or get dressed, or eat his breakfast. There was new snow on the ground - and on the roads, and it was cold and windy. As I hurried Kasey through our morning routine, I raised my voice a few times. It surprised him - and upset me.
But by the time we were on our way to his preschool, things were better. Still, it set the tone for my day. Last night after I picked up Kasey, we went to the local convenient store for a couple of things: thick crusty bread to go with Ron's homemade sauce and meatballs; chocolate chip ice cream; some cones to put the ice cream in, and some cookies. As we stood at the checkout, Kasey was moving away toward some displays. I used my debit card to pay for the groceries and then Kasey and I left. When we got home, I took Kasey out of his carseat and went to carry the things into the house. I noticed one thing was missing: my purse. Handing every thing to Ron, I said that I would be right back - that I was going to pick up my purse. Thankfully it was still there and as I drove home I realized how blessed I am. And how sweating the small stuff really doesn't pay. And what the most important things truly are.
This morning, Kasey didn't get up well again. But I just kept coaxing him gently and he was awake in a couple of minutes asking me to carry him into the dining room for his breakfast. He was slow, but agreeable; silly, but willing to cooperate. ("ok, grandma, but WHY?") The streets were slippery but we made it to daycare ok and Kasey got to wear his baseball cap instead of the knit hat. Because in his words, it makes him look cool. Can't argue that. I was 10 minutes late getting started to work, traffic was heavy, the roads were slick. But guess who was smiling? Yup! Me! And I was there in plenty of time.
And so, beginning today, the job is important - being on time something that I don't want to compromise. But darn it, Kasey and me - we need to have good mornings. It makes for happier days for us both and for wonderful reunions at the end of each day.
I smile and thank God at the thought of so many days ahead of us. They won't always be great because there will be moments of frustration for us both. But oh the special times that are ours because of the moments we have in the early mornings - it's our time and it's a blessing for me.
I pray it is for Kasey too.
God bless our Troops.

Nice while it lasted.


I had a five day weekend this week - took Wednesday off to do my pies and Thanksgiving preparation, and then our office was closed on Friday. I like five day weekends but they make it twice as hard to face those Monday mornings.
More winter weather is coming in tonight and tomorrow - went out yesterday and bought myself some boots at Payless - the ones I've been wearing are in sad shape and not very warm either. Got my Christmas cards at a brand new store - oh did it ever put me in the Christmas shopping mood. Those songs they play over the pa systems in the stores really set me to humming ~ and I don't know about you, but once I'm humming Christmas songs that's it. Time to get out the plastic. :)
And so, tomorrow morning the clock will ring at 5:20. The bathroom heater will go on, as well as the hot water for my shower. Kasey will be up and at 'em, and a new week will begin. It sure was nice while it lasted. Kasey agrees. It's nice to know that I have something in common with a 3 year old - besides us both loving and missing his mommy and daddy.
God bless your week my friends and may His love and protection be with our troops wherever they serve.

Ice chips and lots of love.

Well, the phrase "just a little bug, honey" was brought forth around here today. Haven't said that to a child in years. But this morning, as Kasey's little tummy decided to reject his morning dinosaur eggs oatmeal, the days of toddlers and their fragile little tummys came back without a doubt. I am not his mommy and when a little kid gets sick, they want their mommy. This morning, he seemed to know that Grandma had some experience with this sort of thing and so he was fine in letting me handle the ice chips and blankies and the "just in case" towels.
This afternoon, as he lies on the couch, and I am breaking the 2 1/2 hour max TV rule (Laurie says it's ok :), he is doing much better. His tummy is better - he lifted his shirt and showed it to me. (I just want to give him one of those toy catalogs that have been coming every other day in the mail - know what I mean?).
And so we have passed our second crisis - the first was a rash from the laundry detergent we were using - free of everything but just not liking Kasey. Grandma went and bought some Dreft - something else we haven't seen around here in awhile.
And he is talking about when he will see his mom on the webcam tonight.
There's a rain/snow mix falling outside - a good day for being inside and on the couch with a warm blankie and lots of attention. This hour's movie is Peter Pan. Yup, I think Kasey knows that Grandma knows how to do this.
Ice chips and lots of love.

An Abundance of Blessings

Happy Thanksgiving my friends. It's a busy morning around here - lots to do, lots to do. But never too busy to pause and wish all my friends a wonderful day. I am praying that no matter what kind of feast graces your table today - Turkey or Ham or something traditional to your family - may you find many blessings to be thankful for.

Kasey is a busy boy this morning - and I am smiling at the blessing of having him here. Scott and Veronica will be here later for dinner. More smiles.

God bless you all, and may He bless our troops wherever they serve.

Love,

Sue

Haircut Day

Last weekend when we were online with Stephen and he saw Kasey on my webcam, he instant messaged and said, "time for a haircut." I laughed and replied, "message received."

And so, after a rather crazy week, today Kasey got his hair cut. What do you think? His mom thinks it looks good - we sent the picture to Stephen too. I expect he will concur it looks good.

We were also supposed to sleep in this morning. At 6:40, I had this paw in my back as Lily stretched out and made herself comfortable. I turned over to try to get comfortable. By 7 am I was sitting at the dining room table writing letters. Beats staring at the ceiling with a paw across my chest. Kasey was up by 7:15 and asked me just a few minutes ago if he can sleep in tomorrow. Yes, Kasey can sleep in. Can Grandma sleep til 7? We'll see.

Have a blessed Sunday.

May God bless our troops.

The Little Red Car - and God's Grace


I used to have a car - one of those cute little compact SUVs that you see all over the place. My car was different though - it had Army and Veteran and Navy stickers on the back of it and a yellow ribbon magnet. It had a two star banner decal in the back window. This is the car that I came to love as it plowed through the harsh winter weather that is Western NY from November until March or April. It took countless road trips to see the kids, last summer taking all of my china and silver to Laurie.
Yesterday, on the way to work, this all changed. We were rear ended by someone who had no clue how to drive in rush hour traffic - and within the period of 5 or 10 seconds, this little car was totaled. But that's where God's grace comes in - Ron and I walked away. We were shaken and sore and took a trip to the hospital, but we are not injured any more than a good case of whiplash.
There are blessings in everything. While minding our own business, stopping when we needed to stop, paying attention to the traffic, etc., etc., someone else was not ~ yet we were blessed - because GOD was watching and protecting. In the aftermath, I can remember sitting there and being so incredibly thankful. Nevermind that this was our only vehicle, that we could not drive it, and that there was metal and glass all over the place. We were alive. The car is sitting in the lot at the collision shop. It's not a pretty sight, and the insurance adjuster found over $11,000 damage in the front end of the car - didn't even get to the back of it with it's rear wheels totally bowed in and bent.
But Kasey and I had our night time ritual without missing a beat last night - bath, ice cream, book, and bedtime. And grandma was in bed within a half hour of Kasey's bedtime.
Back to work tomorrow. God is good.
And His grace - it's an amazing thing, isn't it?
God bless our troops and those of us who wait.

Loose ties.

A year and a half ago I lost a dearly loved cousin - her name was Tina. She was 50 years old and she died of graft vs. host disease - a terrible complication of bone marrow transplants in leukemia patients. She fought a valiant fight, but we lost her. It was Heaven's gain, surely, but the light in the world seems a little less bright without her. At the funeral, my cousin Nancy was one who spoke of who Tina was - and what she meant to her. They shared the same birthday and they were best friends as well as being cousins.
Another light went out in our world on Thursday morning as Nancy also was taken from us. She had a very serious auto accident last April, and although her fight was also valiant and she returned home from the hospital just 2 weeks ago, on Wednesday morning she went into cardiac arrest and was without oxegen far too long. When the doctors were sure, the heroic measures were ceased and Nancy passed away.
Now, although our relationship was always close when we were kids, life was in the way - the ties that bound us together were still there, but not tied quite as tight. When we would get together it would be like we were never apart - could catch up with ease.
Tomorrow afternoon, my sister will fly into town, stay at our house over night and on Sunday we will head to Ohio for the wake and funeral. A chance for Chelle and I to catch up, but it would be so much better if it didn't have to be for Nancy's funeral.
There is a loneliness in me tonight, has been since yesterday. But there is also thanksgiving for the grace by which God saved Nancy. He took her from our world for His kingdom in heaven.
But we have her life to celebrate and we will do that. Together, on Monday, as a family.
Ron and Kasey will be ok here by themselves for 36 hours - grandpa knows the way to Kasey's school - and he knows how to make Dinosaur eggs oatmeal.
Family ties - they often feel nearly UNtied - and yet, at times like this, we know that God has kept them intact.
God bless our troops - may His love be ever with them.

Have you hugged a Veteran today?

Nearly four years ago, when Laurie left military service (for a brief period of time :-), I bought a bumper sticker that said, "Have You Hugged a Veteran Today?" I put one on my car - and one on my desk at work...under the one star banner. It remains today - at work it is displayed now beneath my TWO star banner. At the time, it was my way of honoring Laurie's service, and that of her dad who is a combat veteran of the Vietnam War - US Navy. And it still does honor them. I am so proud of those who have served - and who STILL serve. They, God willing - will one day also be veterans.
This morning I received an email from Ron at work - it was simple. "Happy Veteran's Day, Army Grandma." My reply to him was simple as well - "Happy Veteran's Day NAVY VETERAN, ARMY GRANDPA."
We are free because of these men and women - present and past.
When I watch the miniseries, "Band of Brothers," (it's one of our favorites) I think of what it must have been like to freeze in the forests of Germany in the winter; or in other battle fields, to try to at least make it out of the water and onto the beaches of Normandy and Guam without being killed in action. My Uncle Bill was injured at 17 years old at Pork Chop Hill during the Korean War - he limps, but is proud of his service - in fact worked as a civilian for the Army until he retired some years ago. Thanks Uncle Bill.
These things, and others, are cause for thanksgiving - because by the grace of God and the courage of these men and women, our country is free. And this, after all, is what makes us who we are - America.