My 59th Birthday & My Dad's 87th Birthday & More

It seems so long ago, my memory is failing. Ha! My birthday was April 15th, on a Friday. I met Barb at Vernon's Katfish for lunch. Matthew, Ashleigh, Maya and Phoenix arrived around 6 that evening. It was great to see them again. Last time had been 2 months ago. The next evening, Saturday, we all met Mark, Lisa, Rebekah and Alex at Pappasitos for my birthday dinner. Wayne was at work, (he's too tired to go out on work days) so we ordered fajitas to go for him. We had a great time and even saw friends from church there. Got home to have ice cream cake and open gifts. Great cat gifts (no surprise). Sunday was singing at church and heading over to Incredible Pizza for eats and kids playing. I missed being with my bestie, this year. I got some wonderful birthday cards and bookoos of birthday greetings on facebook.

My Dad's Birthday

Wayne had another week of training in Mississippi the next week, which Daddy's birthday was in. So after lunch with Mary Ann, Monday, I headed up to spend the week with my parents. My mom, sister and I did some running around like always. We took Mom to visit one of their close friends in a nursing home, while we waited to pick up Johnny's Pizza. We soon discovered she was back in the hospital with pneumonia, but visited with her husband.

Wednesday I bought a couple of shirts from Academy for Daddy's gift, then a little later we met the "usual suspects" for birthday dinner, which he wore one of his new shirts to. Those present were Debby, Ralph, Gary, June, Charles, Gwen, Cheryl, Bruce and me.

Thursday, I had plans to meet with my high school class valedictorian. Alice had been on my mind for a few months. She has cerebral palsy. She has been in a wheelchair for as long as we all have known her. I was once put in a group with her for a project. We met at her home after school. We neither one can remember what the project was about, but I remember just laying low, being so intimidated by her. (my problem, not hers)

Back to the visit---she is bed-ridden now, but still looks for ways to be productive whether it be tutoring, a spokesman for challenged people or working from her bed on the internet. She is in much pain as she lays there. I have no complaints anymore. She has a wonderful optimistic attitude. Her parents have passed away and is cared for by rotating home-health aids. She wanted to know all about my life and family and I, hers. We visited for a couple of hours. I was hoping to convince her to get on facebook. I am willing to help her. She's a bit hesitate, but said she'd think about it. I hope to see her again in June when I'm back in town.

And of course, while at home, I enjoyed watching westerns with my dad, Wheel of Fortune, Dr. Oz, and The Doctors with both of them, then late evening tv with my mom, while flipping thru magazines and doing crossword puzzles.

Friday morning my parents, my sister and I set out west on I20. Just north of Minden is where my dad's oldest brother lives. He's 92 and is suffering from colon cancer, choosing not to do chemo. This is the uncle who lost his only daughter (my age) just 2 days after his 92nd birthday in February of this year. It was very unexpected, and I hurt my back the day before the funeral and did not get to go. So seeing my aunt and uncle was two fold. We visited about an hour and left. Me going on to Conroe and they back to Monroe.

Thank you Father God, for blessing me thru Alice and for my heritage. I am so thankful for my parents and their thumbprints on my life.

It was a very fun, busy and surreal week, all in one. And that's how I label it.

HE IS RISEN, HE IS ALIVE

Because He is risen, because He lives---I can sing-

"What a day, that will be, when my Jesus I shall see.

When I look upon His face and see the wonder of His grace.

When He takes me by the hand and leads me to the promised land.

WHAT A DAY, GLORIOUS DAY, THAT WILL BE"

and

"Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine, Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine.

Heir of salvation, purchased by God. Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior, all the day long,

this is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long."

AND many more...I could go on and on. I love to sing about my God and

what He's done and is doing and will do in my life;

of His mercy and grace, His provision, His peace and comfort,

His deep unchanging love, His compassion and understanding,

His patience and forgiveness, His faithfulness in my unfaithfulness.

And I'll close with this taken from a favorite song--

"He is Holy, Marvelous, Strong Tower, Righteous, He's my Living Word,

Sacrifice, Restorer of my broken life, faithful, All Mighty King, Omnipotent, He is Everything;

The ONE who WAS and IS and IS to come---The bridge from earth to Heaven.

BEHOLD THE LAMB, BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD..

BEHOLD THE LAMB"

There's a saying I love----Those who sing, pray twice. The worship service for Easter was awesome this morning. I was still basking in the love of our MOST HIGH GOD!! So this is me just putting a label on it!!

If I had to work to get to heaven, how much would be enough? Who would measure my worth? Jesus Christ measured my worth by stretching his arms out on the cross. And He said "IT IS FINISHED!" Thank you Jesus.

Visiting Betty Boobs

This is a couple of weeks late, but just couldn't muster up blogging time, as I've heard it could appear one being narcissistic. I think twice about it now before blogging. I just want to document my times that are important to me. Maybe I should make this a private blog. Still thinking. Made it public to begin with to document my best friend dying of cancer, for other friends to stay updated with the latest. That's over now...so now what??

Wayne had some training to do in Mississippi last month. Traveling would take him just north of Slidell, La., where my friend Betty lives now. So the plan was to be dropped off in Slidell. As it turned out, she was closing on sale of her house in Walden the Friday before the training. So I was able to ride back to Slidell with her, Monday morning. (she loves having me drive and I love doing the driving) Didn't have to put up with 8 guys on the road or wait while they toured the plant in Denham Springs.

By default, we stopped in Lafayette to eat a little lunch. Ended up downtown at Don's Seafood. There was a couple seated near us. She looked really familiar, so much that I followed them exiting the place and asked her if she was Phyllis Foster. (a girl we went to school with in Monroe) Why yes, it was!!! We had a great little visit. It was really a big coincidence to meet her there as we had missed our original place to eat in a previous town and they up from Morgan City for a follow-up visit from cataract surgery. And I had forgotten also they she married Harvey Hammonds, an older brother of a schoolmate of mine from elementary.

On with the trip, Slidell bound. We just rested that night, eating take -home red beans and rice with sausage and chicken. Oh, and bread pudding, all from Don's. That night was the first night of Dancing With the Stars and we both love it.

The next morning, we were at a clinic for her 2nd mammogram. Fun times indeed, I tell you!! ha! Afterwards we scoped out "old Town Slidell", ate lunch at a great place, can't remember the name. (see that's why I want to blog, I forget things!!) After lunch, we visited the Who Dat store, followed by antique and consignment stores.

Pretty much the same thing the next couple of days. She had her sights on furniture while I had my eye on "cat things" and shelf to display cat salt & pepper sets. I specifically did not want to eat at chain places. I wanted to feast on the cajun specialties. Well, Vera's place took care of that notion. I had Seafood Gumbo and OMG! Well, never mind.

All in all, I had a wonderful relaxing time with my friend Betty. We wore ourselves out in the daytime, all we had energy for at night was a bite to eat in front of the tv. She has a wonderful townhome on a bayou off Lake Pontchartrain. Think that's how it's spelled?? She has settled in quite nicely and I'm happy for her. I've known Betty for a long time and have taken many trips to New Orleans with her. We have many memories and she still puts up with me.

It all came to an end, Friday afternoon when we met Wayne and the guys on Interstate 12 headed back to Conroe. I should also mention Wayne's boss is originally from Houma, Louisiana, and he had us stop in Lake Charles at Steamboat Bill's Seafood. Mind you, this was on a Friday night. This place is so busy, they have parking attendants directing the parking. A most unusual place, one I suggest anyone going thru to try.

Although I missed not seeing my cats and dogs, husband and daughter, it was a nice weird just taking care of me. Thank you Father God for great Christian friendship, and give Kathy a hug for me. I do miss her terribly. She's still the first person I wanted to call and yakadeeyak about my visit with Betty. Labeling as I see it.

Phoenix Turns One yr. old & Making Way For Camden

We (Mary Ann and I) started our trip to Austin with a pedicure Saturday morning. Wayne had to work, so this trip gives me one up on sweet talking Phoenix to loving me. Otherwise, he wouldn't give me the time of day. His birthday party was themed around "balls", since he seems to really like balls alot. Ashleigh made little cake balls, a fantastic job, I might add. There were cheese balls, melon balls, blueberries, grapes, and trix cereal to munch on along with the #1little sandwiches. The older kids later made balls out of Rice Krispy mix.

There were all sizes and colors of balls to play with, including the kind you punch over and over. I must say, Rebekah was key in playing some games with them. Duck, Duck, Goose being one of them and another one I don't remember. The other grandmother had them play Mother May I.

When they put his little personal size birthday cake in front of him to sing Happy Birthday to him, he wasn't a big fan of getting into it. He did, however like the idea of his mommy feeding it to him a bite at a time. If you see any pictures of him with cake all over him, it wasn't his doing. Others were trying to encourage him to dive into it, by placing his hands on the cake. No matter how ya look at it, he was and is adorable.

He wasn't to comfortable with me so I never forced myself on him. He did take to Mary Ann pretty quick. After the party, we went to their house where he was more comfortable in his surrounding. Hung out a bit, 'til deciding to go out to eat. Matthew picked a great place called Phil's Icehouse. Had a great playground and outdoor eating spots. The kids loved the playground and again Beka was great about pushing Alex and Maya around on the equipment. Adults loved the food, at least I did. May be the best burger I've ever had. When I was finished eating I offered to try taking Phoenix so Ashleigh could eat. (they had messed her order up) Surprise!!!!! He came to me with no fuss and I held him in a cuddled position (wind was rough) for about an hour or more, watching the kids play. I was loving it!

We said our good-byes to Mark, Lisa and kids who were going back to Conroe from there. It was very late and I hate 290 so I worried about them. On a side note.... Mark texted me the next morning to let me know they had made it home. Only Beka beat him to it, b/c I saw her on facebook that morning. It was good to know, just the same.

I slept with Maya in her room after I read a very long version of Cinderella. Maybe it just seemed long b/c I was so tired. The next day we got ready to go south of Austin to a baby shower Mary Ann was giving for her best friend of 20 years, Michele. She's due around my dad's birthday April 20th, so maybe.... how 'bout it Camden??

Because Michele's maiden name was McBee, the shower theme was honey bees. Mary Ann had worked very hard on this and I think she did a great job. Her friend, Jennifer helped her with the adorable diaper cake with an occasional bee bib, or bee washcloth and other little items. (sorry, I should have paid better attention to it) The edible cake was shaped as a honey beehive and they both had little bees attached to it here and there. The grandmothers were in charge of the food and it was delicious. Maya just happened to have a bumble bee costume which she was very eager to wear, but not so eager to enter into a home full of unknown faces. It took some coaxing from mom, and finding out her friend Madelyn was there dressed as Minnie Mouse.

Most important of all (not really) I was able to again hold Phoenix for an hour or so while Michele opened gifts. Yes, you say...an HOUR or SO?!? Yep, that little "Momma to bee" was really showered that day. I loved sharing this day with Michele, and Camden's grandmothers. I wish Michele and Christian the best.

I'm probably leaving stuff out or got something wrong, but it's how I remember it. Correct me if I'm wrong, but until...I'm done labeling.

My Mother's 84th Birthday

Wayne and I went to Louisiana, Monday evening. Spent the next 2 days with my parents. My mother and I sometimes get giddy about nothing, it would seem to an outsider looking in. For instance....

Tuesday night I saw her fooling around with one of her curtain rods in their bedroom. It was a tension-rod and had fallen from the window. She was attempting to tighten it. Enter me to help of course....She was trying to move the screw that tightens, down the rod a bit, but all she said was "I need this to go that way" So being the helpful person I can be sometimes... I pulled on the other end of rod and pulled it out of the other rod. She cracked up and of course I cracked up too. She's laughing so hard she can't tell me what went wrong, which makes me laugh harder, which makes her laugh harder, which makes...well you get the picture. Ha! When she could finally tell me what she meant...I said "say what you mean and mean what you say" not thinking it would send us to "ha ha land" again. It did!!! We got the job done, but what could have taken 5 minutes took about 30 minutes because we couldn't stay out of "ha ha land".

She had 12 people all together for her birthday lunch and she insisted on cooking for this occasion. I said "why cook on your birthday????" She said "I want to cook while I still can." If I didn't look so much like her, I'd have to wonder if I was adopted. I didn't inherit any of those genes. Gracing her with their presence was:

her sister, Aunt June

her brother-in-law Uncle Henry (95 yr.old widower of her deceased sister, Margie)

her sister-in-law Aunt Bernice (widow of her brother, Russell)

her niece Gwen and her husband Charles (daughter of Russell)

her niece Marilyn (daughter of Henry and Margie)

her daughter Debbie and her husband Ralph

me and Wayne

my dad Chester

niece Cheryl (daughter of June)

She was on her feet from the time she got up that morning. She prepared a glorious meal consisting of: her famous hamburgers, fruit salad, coldslaw, green salad (hers), all the fixings for hamburgers, her famous strawberry shortcake (her mother's recipe), little individual pecan pies, and probably more that I can't remember. She had worked most of Tuesday on this also.

I hope she finally ate something. It was a lovely time but Wayne and I had to leave about 3:30 to get home to Conroe.

Cr-r-e-e-k-k.... Was that my hip???

Last Monday, January 31st., I was helping to arrange tables and chairs for Bible Study the next morning. It wasn't a single sudden move, but I do know it was the effort of many chairs and tables moved. My body decided that one more was one too many. It just got worse and worse to the point of not being able to walk without major pain. Left there, went straight to the chiropractor, just a block away. Lucky for me, it was lunch time, so I was able to walk right in. Uh... let me correct that..I hobbled right in, not being able to put weight on my hip. After 3 trips there, one of which included acupuncture, I was good to go the next morning. Thing is... I had no idea I would feel this good, so I didn't set my alarm in time to go to Bible Study.

The disheartening thing about all this was it kept me from going to my 1st cousin's funeral who had suddenly passed away the past week. I shudder to think what a 5 hr. trip one-way would have done to the injury. I so wanted to attend, though.

The following Thursday, was a banquet I was involved in. Lots of preparations and long day and night, had me nearly crawling out of bed the next morning. One more trip to chiropractor before the weekend made it worse. I didn't want anything to get in the way of going home the following week for my mother's birthday.

I'm doing ok, but I know it's there and just move carefully so as not to upset the body!

Birthdays are to Be Celebrated

A quote from Nicole Johnson: Birthdays need to be celebrated. I think it is more important to celebrate a birthday than a successful exam, a promotion, or a victory. Why? To celebrate a birthday means to say to someone: "Thank you for being you." On a birthday, we do not say: "Thanks for what you did, or said, or accomplished." No, we say: "Thank you for being born and being among us." This is the heartbeat of celebrating friendship. Rejoicing, boasting the wonderful people in our lives. Not for what they do, but for who they are and for what they mean to us. "Thank you for being you." Throwing parties over friendship. Not just once a year on a birthday, but as often as we can. Parties in our souls. Gratitude. Celebrating life. (end of quote)

Yesterday was my mother's 84th birthday. She can have a birthday month as far as I'm concerned....

With that being said....Happy Birthday, Momma. Thank you for being born and being among us. Thank you for being you. I would not change a thing in my wonderful memories of you and Daddy raising me. Thank you for my Godly heritage. I love you with all that's in me. I'm so proud to be called your daughter. I love hearing..I look like my mother. It blesses me.