ELOPING!

Yesterday I mentioned about my friend Pam. She loved to bake and so we became good friends while we learned to decorated cakes. She also loved to bake "yummy" cookies and she would present me with every kind of cookie at Christmas.

This reminded me of her parents which were also our good friends. In our day, we didn't have big wedding much, but their wedding was quite unusual.

I will try to tell it as was told to us. They both were very young and Pam's dad was going to another state to work. He didn't want to leave his girlfriend back home (she was underage and he could have been, also) so together they decided to elope. She got her things together and they were going to cross the border and get a preacher to marry them. Some states didn't require you to be eighteen.

On the trip, they got into a bad accident and a preacher happened to come upon the scene. This preacher was sure the young man was dead, but proceeded to call the police. They took him to the hospital and he was not in good shape but was going to make it.

They ended up getting married in the hospital with her parents giving their consent. Their picture of the event was in the local newspaper, both when they got married and 50 years later on their 50Th wedding anniversary. We went to their 50Th and it was quite bad weather coming home.

They were perfect for each other. He became a successful business man in the area and she was perfect for him. They made a "team" in all sense of the word. I don't know any couple that worked any harder than they and were more hospitable than they were.

At one of our daughter's wedding, they certainly helped me tremendously. I couldn't have done it with out them. Thanks so much!!!!!

Wisdom--Little weddings, big weddings, it doesn't make any difference. The difference is the right person that you marry. Make sure that you share the same goals and values. Keep God foremost as you live your life together. Their faith in God and each other weathered storms along the way.

MY DAUGHTER'S DILEMMA!

As you all know that our younger daughter teaches school and yesterday was the very first day she has encountered this problem. You wonder what kind of a problem after teaching so many years, could that be! Well, somebody in her class has a case of lice! Now another child has lice.
I don't remember this ever occurring while our daughters were in school.

I guess she had to spray her carpet in the classroom and when she got home last night, she washed her own clothes, coat, etc in very hot water. I told her that she had better screen them when they come in off the bus. I don't know how it went today. Hopefully they got them before they spread to others.

Wisdom--A good friend of mine (actually she was our daughter's age) had told me that her children had contacted lice in school. I thought to myself, if Pam's children could get lice, then anybodies children could get it. She was one immaculate girl and kept everything she owned that way. I'm sure they didn't stay around very long. The only person that I read about that thanked God for the lice, is Corrie Tem Boom. She was the author of the The Hiding Place. In the book she was thankful for the lice while she was in the concentration camp (WWII) because the guards wouldn't come in to check on them and she was free to read God's word to others (she had smuggled a bible in). This really brought tears to my eyes when I read this.

AARP DRIVING COURSE!

The last few days we (my husband, sister and I) have been taking Aarp driving refresher class. It keeps us abreast of the lastest state laws regarding rules of the road and we get money off of our insurance premium when we show that we have gone to these classes. A win-win situation. It's about 9 hours of training and we repeat this every three years.

I picked up these thoughts when I was leaving today. I thought they were very good and decided to pass them along.

TEN SECRETS TO AGELESS LIVING

Stay curious, explore, discover and continue to learn new things.

Play, have fun, be happy, and maintain a zest for life by being vital.

Keep the brain and the body busy; stimulate the mind, eat healthy, exercise.

Smile, laugh, maintain a sense of humor, and always stay young at heart.

Have a positive attitude, outlook, and be optimistic to overcome challenges.

Believe in yourself by having faith, hope, spirit, value, meaning and purpose.

Stay connected, engaged, creative, and useful by continuing to contribute.

Find fulfillment, peace, serenity, and self-esteem by giving back--volunteer.

Enjoy and cherish healthy relationships with loved ones, friends and family.

Live long, live well, laugh often love much. . . and always enjoy life's journey.

Unknown source.

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE THAT JOB?

A beautiful calm spring morning was the setting of our office atmosphere. My state of mind was total contentment in my lot in life. This was the way it was the morning that the gal that was City Treasurer resigned and said she had a new position at the county office.

Our comptroller went by my desk and said, "How would you like that job?" stating my name as he was heading into the vault. It was kinda a "tongue in cheek" comment and I didn't say anything and had temporarily forgotten about it.

Later in the day, I started thinking about the position and how it would increase my pension a tidy sum as well as my weekly pay, so I went to his desk and said, "I know that you were not serious when you made the comment about me taking the City Treasurer position, but I had been thinking about it, and I would be interested in that position". He said, "You get back to your desk immediately and write a letter to the commissioners of your interest in the job, and I will support you 100%." I thought it wouldn't hurt to apply for it, so I followed his advice.

It was an appointed position rather than an elected position. Within a few weeks, I was appointed to be the new City Treasurer. I was confident that I could handle it, since I was familiar with the city books, chart of accounts, computer and the budget.

The "big thing" with that job was controlling and investing the city funds, and police and fire pension funds. There were strict state guidelines that one had to follow when one invests in public funds. Signing checks, and reconciling bank statements were part of the work load.
As I become more adept at my new job, I would absorb more and more nitty gritty daily chores.

I did not take lightly the responsibility that laid on my shoulders. Accountability was paramount
and I made sure that every penny, dime, and dollar was safe and reconciled each month. It is beyond my comprehension that state officials and government workers will cheat, lie and bilk people. Honesty was ingrained in my very being and even the thought would never enter my mind. Of course, every year our office would be audited and under my watch, funds and money was accounted for and in place.

Wisdom--Sometimes opportunity comes and we must know that God will help you fulfill your responsibility if we open that door.

THE ORAL EXAMINATION!

Our Son-in-law came over to our house the evening before he had to pass an oral examination in order to get his PHD degree. That way he wouldn't have to drive as far the next morning. This test was set up just after they had moved. He had finished his written dissertation prior to this.

In my mind, I thought I had better get up and cook him a big breakfast so he would be really ready for the test. He came down and said that he really didn't want to eat much. He thought better on his feet, if his body wasn't digesting food. I suppose, he was a tad nervous and wasn't that hungry.

He went over and took the oral test at the University. There were quite a few professors present (at least 3-4). They peppered him with as many questions as they could muster up between them pertinent to his field of study. After they finished with the oral exam, they told him to leave the room and between them, they would discuss his answers and inform him how he did.

I'm not sure how long it took them to deliberate, but they went in and said, "Doctor _____, you may come back in now. Milestone was completed that day in this families life! Praise the Lord! He had completed his doctorate degree!

Wisdom--If you persist in your endeavor of study, it will pay off! This includes cooperation from the whole family, not just the one involved. Our daughter had worked just as hard for this and together they could rejoice.

THE CARAVAN!!

Our older daughter and her husband was moving back closer to the family and they had quite a bit of furniture, 3 children, to move from Virginia to our state. It would be cheaper to get a U-haul truck and a trailer to move, than a moving van they reasoned. Money was tight and every little bit they could save would help them put down on their newly purchased home.

Carol came early and picked out house plans and a lot to put the house on, and all the things that needed to be decided on early. We would go over weekly and see how the house was progressing. This was a duty that we were glad to help out with, but it was kinda a pain to drive over and check to see if the builder were following the specs.

They packed everything up in the van and trailer, and car during the daytime and their plans were to drive the 600 or so miles in the dark, while the children were sleeping. This really probably was a good plan, but both had worked all day and Carol had just given birth to her last child about 4-5 weeks prior.

What does grandparents do in this case? Worry, read scripture, pray, go to sleep, pick up and worry, read the scripture, pray, wake up worry and pray! Well you get the picture of my state of mind while they were driving here. I would wake up every half hour after praying about it, then I would start worrying again. I finally read some scripture in Psalms. It spoke to me that God is watching over my family and why am I losing so much sleep? That was when I finally
went back to bed and slept like a log. It finally dawned on me, that it didn't depend on me after God had spoken to me that He was watching over our family. I then could go to sleep! Sometimes, it just takes a long time to get through my thick skull that God is in control!

The Caravan came rolling in about 4 A.M. Carol was driving the car with the new baby and Steve in the back seat. Jim was driving the U-Haul and a trailer behind the U-Haul. Jamie was riding with his dad. I think they had another person helping move and he was driving another car full of stuff. I'm fuzzy about this last part.

After they came, they told of about three different things that occurred while driving, that any one of those could have been disastrous. Carol had to keep pinching herself or she would have fallen asleep. They had trouble with the truck and engine problems that could have exploded if it caught fire. They went off on a rest stop and they could barely get their rigs turned around to get back on the Interstate. It was in the mountains.

Wisdom--Have you been there? I'm sure you have a few times in your life. After we pray, we should have the faith to know that God heard our prayer and will take over! I had the faith of a mustard seed that day until I finally "GOT IT", God is in control!!!

OUR SWEETIE PIE! (THE FROSTING ON THE CAKE)

Well since our daughters were taking turns, it was our older daughters turn to have a child. Back then I don't think they knew whether they were going to have a girl or boy. It is just in the last decade that couples can know what sex their child is before they are born.

I was working and our older daughter and her husband was living still in Virginia. I thought I told you this earlier, but I can't seem to find it so I will tell about it. We were going to take a vacation and travel out to Virginia to take care of their two boys when we got word that she had gone into the hospital.

Since she was getting very close to her due date, we decided it would be safe in taking off. We hadn't gotten any word that we should come yet, however. We traveled approximately 600 miles and was on our way out to where they lived (about 5-6 miles further). We were going past the hospital where Carol was going when she had her baby. I mentioned that to my husband, perhaps we should check in at the hospital before we go out (just in case she was admitted while we were traveling). This was before cell phones.

We went to information desk and asked if Carol had been admitted. The lady said, yes, and also said that she just had her baby! Now how about that for split timing!! We traveled 600 miles and arrived moments after the baby was born. They had a beautiful baby girl and we named her "Our Sweetie Pie--The frosting on the cake!" I was so thankful for a little girl since they had the two boys already.

Kari had to become a "tomboy" since she had two older brothers. She had to hold her own around them.

When she was about the time to be toilet trained, I tried to help in every way I could when around her. Sometimes she would have an accident. I would go over to her and get up in her face and puff out the words (starting with P). I told her that she should Pee Pee and Pooh Pooh in the Potty, not in her Panties. She would just look at me and blink every time the P word would puff in her face. Before I finished saying all of it, I don't think it did much good, because I would start laughing as she was sooooo cute when she blinked her eyes at me with each puff.

Jim and Carol moved back to our state from Virginia yet that summer, so all of the family was closer.

Kari was in soccer and 4-H and we would try to attend all the events of these. It was such a joy to see them grow and mature.

We took Kari on a special camping trip to Colorado. This was her trip dedicated just for her.
Colorado Springs had a wonderful campground and it had a swimming pool, game room, and daily entertainment. One of the days they told about the Broadmoor (5 star Hotel) and their restaurants they had there. He had mentioned a certain kind of cream/berry dessert that you could order and it was to die for! Well, we thought Kari would enjoy going and having that dessert. She was all up for it. It was quite an expensive restaurant, but the memory of her eating that lingers on. Also, their was a little pond/stream that she would feed the ducks. Oh how beautiful memories of that trip! Memories of her up in Rocky Mountain National Park with the tiny animals on the rocks she would feed. This was so sweet. She has a soft spot for animals.
She probably has one of the softest spot for animals to this day than any of our other grandchildren.

She had to take some of her 4-H projects along and try to do a bit of work on them as she was having fun. We went to Jim Dobson's Focus on the Family quarters. She thoroughly enjoyed that and told us that it was the highlight of her trip.

Another time we had the privilege to take Jodi and Kari to Branson, Mo. This too was quite special.

On another vacation, Kari and Jodi (I believe these two were with us), and we went to New Salem State Park. We had just gone to bed and shut the lights off, and all of a sudden we heard this woman in front of our campsite, calling out for help! "Help, help", she said, as she was gasping between pain. She stopped her car right at the right campsite, since there was a doctor in the trailer. Doc Neumo (that is)! This is what my family called me, so I hurriedly got my clothes on and went out to see what her problem was. She was in such terrific pain and told me to pull her arm and get her arm back in the socket. Now I thought this wasn't quite what my doctoring expertise was and I told her that I would go up to the ranger station (which was quite close) and call an ambulance for her. "No, no, don't call an ambulance, just pull on my arm and get it back into the socket". I helped her out of the car and got a chair for her to sit on and told her I would get the ranger to come to help. She wasn't too happy about that decision, but wasn't in a position to do anything but wait. Yes, the ranger called the ambulance and they took her to the emergency room. My grandchildren wanted me to fix her right there and then. My doctoring skills went out the window that day!!

Kari was active in church, Awana, and memorized more scripture than any of the other two put together. She loved church.

She lived at home and went to college and graduated. This was the last of our grandchildren and she was the last to graduate from college.

One day we were having a family picnic in our younger daughters backyard. Someone was drinking a pop. Kari looked over and saw the pop can and said that sure looks familiar! She had designed the pop can logo. Way to go Kari!!! We love you and cherish those growing up years.

Wisdom--This past week-end our granddaughter and husband dedicated their two children to the Lord at their church. What an important event! There were 4 generations (both sides) attending the service Sunday morning. It behooves all of us to pray, pray, pray for these little ones as their parents strive to train them up to serve the Lord. In Matthew 18:6 states--"But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone where hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea."
Forgive me, if I should in anyway be a stumbling block to any of my children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren! My prayers are with each and all!

OUR SPECIAL GIRL!

It was our younger daughters turn to bless us with a little girl. Since we had a "Special Boy" we surely needed a "Special Girl". Jodi was "IT" and certainly fit the bill!

At a very young age she was so compliant to what you wanted her to do. You would tell her something and she would say, "ah wright". She seemed never to go through the "terrible two's age where they don't want to do anything that you ask (even though they really want to do it). They seem to like the sound of "no". This wasn't at all Jodi, as she tended to always want to "please".

Christmas time was such a special event at their home. Christmas was certainly in the "air" this particular Christmas Eve dinner. Jodi announced that she felt sick at her stomach. She was so excited about the festivities that she could hardly contain herself. After Jodi announced that she felt a little "wheezy" than her older sister said, "Daddy, my stomach hurts!" A copy cat effect was taking place. Both girls would have a part in the celebration and it became such a blessed time with the extended family. I can still vision them in their velvet dresses as they would perform at their church Christmas events. Her parents knew how to make a holiday something to cherish.

From very early on, Jodi would take her books and set up a class room and she would be the teacher. This was her "fun" way of playing. Do you suppose God was preparing her for something in the future?

Jodi was always following her "big" sister around and wanting to be included in the activities that her sister was involved in. Her big sister, was always kind to Jodi and included her in everything that was happening in her life. There was quite a "bond" set up between those girls! This was instilled at an early age in both girls.

So when Amber had junior high and high school events at her home, Jodi fit right in, and thought she was that age, also.

Jodi became very flexible and had lots of friends down through the years. Always putting the other people first.

Her parents were an advocate of her learning "life skills" and Jodi would cook dinner when she was Junior/Senior in high school. I remember her calling me up on the phone on many occasions as to what a recipe meant. Jodi had gotten off school before her mom got off from teaching.

Since her parents loved to camp, Jodi learned to love the outdoors and camping was her specialty, also. To this day, she loves activities, like hiking, boating and camping.

We were able to take her on a few camping trips and she was such a joy to have with us.

Volleyball and softball was always something that we looked forward to watching her play when she was growing up.

Jodi is so unpretentious and so "REAL". It just impossible to dislike Jodi! Being around her makes one know all is well with the world, as what you see is what she is like!

Jodi went on to college and got her teaching degree. Imagine that! She loved playing this as a child.

Last summer she helped us so much around the house doing landscaping. She is just a hard working little girl and smiling as she works! Way to go, Jodi!!

Wisdom--Make memories with your grandchildren down through the years. These will be so cherished the older one gets.

"SPECIAL BOY"

It was quite nice of our daughters to take turns in giving us a "bundle of joy". This was the year that our older daughter gave birth to her second son. Now since I had named all of the other two a special name. We decided to name Steve (Our Special Grandson).

He was the only grandchild that we weren't present at the hospital when he was born. It was end of the fiscal year for my caring of the city's books. No way, could I get off for a vacation! We had to wait until they came home in July or August of that year. That's the price you have to pay when you are working out and you have responsibilities to fulfil.

We fell in love with our "Special Grandson" immediately. He had the prettiest blue eyes. He just melted our heart.

When he was about 2 years old he was so cute and he reminded me especially that He was our "SPECIAL BOY". We again affirmed to him that indeed he was "OUR SPECIAL BOY". So cute!!

It was about this age when our nephew that we visited in Ohio came to visit. Steve took to Steve our nephew right away. He called him, his second daddy. So cute! He made sure he remembered him and wet all over him that day. Oh my!

Steve made a great little playmate for Jamie since they were less than two years apart in age. They grew up like normal boys and would play games. I remember one time he was playing a game of checkers with Jamie. By this time they had a sister. She felt left out of the game they were playing and would go over and sneak a checker off the board while they were playing. Of course, this aggravated Steve and I told him, "Just ignore her, and she will stop doing it". That was a pretty tall order for a young lad wanting to beat his big brother in a game of checkers. She just kept at it. I don't know if they ever knew who won the game with all that interference.

Steve was always interested in sports. He was in little league softball, ice hockey and we had quite a time taking him on a camping trip, because of his activities. We never could get enough time blocked off to take him.

We asked him where he would like to go? We would take him there and make a "Special Steve Day!" He decided that he would like for us to take him to the "CUBS GAME" in Chicago. We were getting older and it was harder for us to navigate around Chicago, so we asked his dad to drive us up there so we could take Steve. Carol said, "Kari could go, too"! I told her no that this was Steve's special outing and the only reason his dad got to go with is because he was the driver.

He had a really great time at the game and on the way home Jim took us on the outer drive up in Chicago. I was in the back seat with Steve and so wanted to see the view. I never had this luxury when we were driving up there, because I was helping my husband drive through the maize of cars.

Steve started blowing this party gadget that goes out and then come back in. He was blowing this in my face while I was trying to look at the scenery outside. I told Steve, "Would he please stop that!" He quickly came back with, "Well Grandma, you have always told me that when someone is bugging you, that you should just ignore them". Whoa! I was hit between my eyes. He got me that time! I needed to "practice what I preached"! That was a "Gottcha moment" for sure! He did stop and we had one memorable day!

Steve was always practicing his guitar. He was like Amber, when he was home he was learning something new on the guitar. This is what he majored in in college.

I'm not sure if I wrote about this or not. At least, I can't find it. Thanksgiving year when Steve was a Junior in college, we were in Tennessee at a Condo. The Lord laid it on my heart to pray for Steve and what he would do when he would graduate. I prayed for him to meet the right girl at the right time. Christmas time came and went and about January or February of the next year he sent an e-mail to me about this girl he met. He said I could ask anything I wanted to about her. In my feeble way of e-mailing I lost the contents of what I was writing (computers have a way of doing that to you). Before I could retype it, he e-mailed me back and told me all the things I asked.

A few days later he called me up. I told him that his new girlfriend seems quite nice, I would like to meet her someday. He said to me, "How about this weekend?" Whoa! That was unexpected. Of course, I told him, "Yes".

She turned out to be everything that he said and more. She was studying to be a pastor and had Divinity school looming. God certainly answers prayers! Sometimes He it seems slow, but this time it was fast. They planned their life around their future. God is soooooo GOOD!! They both graduated college and she went on to Divinity school. She is an Associate Pastor in a Methodist church. He teaches guitar, has a recording studio and is head of the music in a church. God orchestrated their lives and both compliment each other. Pound another nail in behind the barn!

This year they have blessed us with a baby girl. We call her our "Tiny One" as she was so little when she was born.

Wisdom--Don't ever think God doesn't answer and hear our prayers. He is more concerned than we are about our family.

VIG! (VERY IMPORTANT GIRL!)

One year after our first grandchild was born, our younger daughter had a little girl. Now we had our "VIG". Later she became our "Very Important Young Lady"!

She was the apple of our eye, not to mention her daddy's eye! It was fun to watch her grow up to be the young lady that she has become.

Her intense interest in books was her thing. Her Paternal grandfather had given her a picture dictionary when she was quite young. Her parents were going on a camping trip and told her to pick out some toys to fit in this tiny suitcase. It wasn't very big and so she had to pick and choose very carefully, since they couldn't pack many toys. Mary checked to see what she had picked out. Yes, the only thing that she had in that suitcase was this dictionary. Our daughter told her to try to pick out something other than a dictionary. Later she still found the dictionary
she wanted to take. Intense little girl for such a young age.

Another thing she was so enthralled in is music. Now most children, one had to beg them to practice, but not Amber, one had to tell her to quit playing the piano and go out to play.

I'm not good at music, but I guess Amber had perfect pitch and was singing "Annie" in her child's car seat, after they all went to see that movie. She wasn't much over two at the time.

We had gone to see our children in Virginia and Amber was carrying on quite a conversation with my sister in the backseat and she was just around two years old.

Her mom and dad did a very good job in raising her to be a well rounded individual. They made sure she learned sports and other things, or she could have been a complete "bookworm".

When she was a teenager, my husband and I were to watch their two girls while they went on a vacation (just the two of them). Amber wanted to do something one evening, but since we were in charge, we had to say yes or no. I don't remember just what it was, but it had to do with this boy that seemed to hang around a lot. She really wasn't too happy with my decision and stormed upstairs to her bedroom. It was always my custom when our own girls were growing up, that when the smoke cleared, I would go and talk to them about the decision that was made.

I went upstairs and found her with red eyes. I told Amber that I was sorry, but her parents left us in charge and we decided on something that wasn't what she wanted. She said to me, "Oh grandma, I'm not mad at you, I'm mad at myself! She was certainly tender to what was the right thing to do, after she calmed down and evaluated the situation.

The article "What! Another Storm", tells about her between Junior and Senior year in college. God had truly answered prayer on her behalf in that story!

She went on to get her Masters Degree in Piano. She met the man of her dreams and married him four years ago. They have a little boy almost two and a little girl seven months old come November 4. Two very sweet great grandchildren that we enjoy so much. Read the article "Our Cutie is one" to hear a story about her son and husband. Their older boy is our "Cutie" and the younger baby pet name is "God's gift".

They are dedicating their two children to the Lord this coming Sunday at their church.

Wisdom--The scripture in Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it".

GRANDPARENTS FOR THE FIRST TIME!!!

Yesterday I told you something about how I was completely out of my element of expertise. Well today is another story.

I had gone through the baby stages, children raising and now it was our turn to just enjoy our new grandson.

You heard the statement, if I knew it was going to be this much fun, we would have had grandchildren first. This statement has a lot of truth in it, since we have all the "fun" but very little of the responsibility and day to day work.

It was in July that Jamie was born and in about 6 weeks they were heading off to Virginia for his first teaching position at Virginia Tech. Jim still had his dissertation to write and not quite could have Dr. as a title, but was well on the way.

This certainly left little time to spoil our grandson (not that we would want to do that, you understand).

I spoke about Jamie in the article entitled "Canadian Rockies". He was 12 years old then, but I want to tell you a little about him when he was younger.

Of course, we thought he was quite handsome and the smartest young lad around. Now if you don't believe me, just go and ask any new grandparent who is the cutest and smartest. They would always say that their own was the smartest. We were no exception to the rule! So we named him "Our VIB" (Very Important Boy). Later it has become "Our Very Important Young Man".

They came home for Christmas and we thought he was just priceless, but it was all I could muster up from crying the day they took him 600 miles away again. They left a little blanket on the floor of our living room and when I saw it I nearly burst out crying, knowing that I wouldn't see him for 5-6 months. I had gone to work before they left that day.

I remember when he was about 11-12 months old we were popping popcorn and there he was keeping time on all four's to the popcorn popping. How cute is that!

When Jamie was about 2 years old, Jim and Carol came home for a month to finish writing his dissertation. They had 2 children under two by this time, so I mentioned that we could toilet train Jamie and this would help a lot. Jim wasn't all that hipped up about it, but my sister and husband was there as well as all of us to praise him when he had success. He was so proud to show us his accomplishment and I told him to save everything and when I came home from work at lunch I would do a little dance for him. He did and I did a little "war dance" around the potty. What we grandparents won't do for our grandchildren!!!!! He made a total "fool" out of me right there for sure. You know he was toilet trained within the week! I told you he was a smart little boy.

When he was about 4 years old we had gone to a park for a picnic on the 4Th of July. After the picnic yet that evening we were going to see the fireworks. It started raining. He was riding in the car with us in the front seat and he said to us as he was shaking his little head, "I just don't understand it!! Why would God send rain when He KNOWS we want to go and see the fireworks this evening". He was completely baffled and confounded in his mind about this. I tried to explain to him that though we wanted it not to rain, farmers were praying that it would rain so their crops would grow. That God had to decide which was the most important. The way it turned out, it rained and pleased the farmers and it stopped raining just in time for us to see the fireworks! He would have been quite a disappointed little boy that day, otherwise.

Jamie was quite a soccer player and we would go to see him do his thing when the games were played.

Well this little boy went on and now is married to his childhood sweetheart and best friend. They went to private school together from 2nd grade through high school. Both went to college and lived at home. They married the summer they both graduated from College. We love his wife so much. (I spoke about her in the article "Hostess with the mostest". They have blessed us with a sweet little great granddaughter that is almost four years old already. Our pet name for her is "Dollbaby".

Wisdom--Grandchildren is the reward for growing older!

PROFESSOR FOR A DAY!

It was around this time that one of our sons-in-law's father was quite ill and in intensive care. Jim was getting his doctorate degree while teaching at the University.

The final test had to be given, so he came back to give it. He just had gotten home, and they called him back to the hospital where his dad was at because he had gotten worse overnight.

He asked me if I would be there while they took their test. I didn't know zip about what he was teaching, but I agreed. Mainly, it was to make sure that they didn't cheat, etc. It was a graduate course to boot. I was OK unless they asked me something and then, Oh my!

All was going well and then a student came up to where I was sitting and asked me about a question on the test. Now when you don't know anything about something important, the wise thing to do is shoot a question right back to him. I asked him, "What do you think it means?" He said what he thought it meant. I asked, "Does it make sense if you apply it that way?" He said, "Yes". Then I said, "I think that is how you should proceed."

Whew, I got out of that one, now I hope nobody else comes up and asks me anything.

Nobody else came up and I collected the papers and we went up to visit the hospital where our son-in-law's dad was. The family was in the intensive care waiting room. I told my son-in-law that he sure had a snap teaching, that all he had to do is "look wise"! He laughed at me, but his mother looked daggers at me for saying such a thing. It's good that Jim had a sense of humor.

His dad did get better and lived quite a number of years after this event.

Thought--Sometimes we are put in a situation that is way beyond our ability, but if we just do what we have to do and let God help us, we can do it.

THE ETHNIC DINNER AT ANN'S!!!

I made mention of her when I told about the night our first daughter was born. We had walked to Ann & Lee's home yet that evening. They had a baby born 2 months prior to our first born.
She was the one that recommended my OB doctor. Our daughter was born the very next morning.

She and Lee shaped our lives in so many ways. He taught our Sunday School class for many years and now is on the staff as a minister to Seniors. Ann passed away about twelve years ago.
She was a priceless person and I enjoyed both their friendship. Lee has since remarried to a lady that I know Ann would appreciate, also.

One time Ann was having her sewing club over for their monthly meeting. She worked at the hospital and knew this lady that cooked ethnic food from her country. She asked her if she would be willing to cook an authentic dinner for this sewing club and pull all stops out to make it really "special". She would pay for it all. Of course, who could refuse a sweet person like Ann.

Lucile and I did not belong to this sewing club, but were really good friends to Ann. So Ann invited us, also. Lucile and I stayed in the kitchen watching the lady cook this ethnic dinner. We thought we would learn a lot more than joining the others in the living room. We knew all of them in the living room, however.

Things were progressing quite well and it was time to serve. The lady had purchased these bottles of drinks and had them refrigerated. Ann had put out her beautiful goblets and the lady started pouring this into the water glasses. I took a sniff of this drink, and I told Lucile, "This kinda smells like the stuff my dad made in the basement so many years ago". Now I wondered how Ann would handle this sticky situation. Everyone in the living room was teetotalers!

Ann was such a diplomat that she would no way want to offend the cook or her guests, so she proceeded into the living room with a platter with this drink. She said to them, "I don't know what this is, but it is an authentic practice before a very special occasion to serve it in their country." Lucile and I were looking around the corner to see just how Ann was handling this, knowing all the gals in the living room personally.

The dinner was a raving success and enjoyed by all and even her special guests (Lucile and I).
Did the teetotalers drink the wine, you asked? All of them except one, took the drink to their table and left it, without drinking a sip. One lady drank the contents.

It was funny to us because of who she was serving and Ann's special talent of not offending anyone in the process. My opinion on the subject I wrote about in the article "A small keg of wine".

We raised our kids together and had many a "fun" time down through the years. Christmas candies were made at either my house or her house yearly. Ann was a perfectionist and everything she did, it had to be done to the letter. How different I was, I would look at the time that I had, and then proceed. Sometimes, I didn't have enough time to make it to perfection.
She, however, made sure she had sufficient time, or didn't try to do it.

Wisdom--One thing I think I will always remember about Ann, is that she stressed "attitude" was so important in our Christian Walk! She truly was one to emulate. Whoa! I am losing too many of my very good friends!! I know that I will see them again in heaven and we will have even greater times together.

LUCILE'S FUNNY STORY!

Since my mind has been on one of my very good friends passing away, I have been thinking a lot about her life these days.

Here is a story that she told me one day. I thought you would enjoy it as much as I did. She was quite frugal, as I have always tried to be.

When her children were little (in strollers) she lived in Portland, Oregon and was getting on this transportation that they had there. She was loaded down with packages, 2 children, stroller, etc.
As she was getting her coins out to pay the man in the front of bus/or whatever she was riding, a 50 cents piece rolled across the floor of the bus. She was so loaded down that she didn't have time to pick it up and proceeded to give the man her fare from the money she had left.

All the time she watched where the 50 cent piece rolled to. She noticed a man picking up the 50 cent piece and putting it into his pocket. Then he proceeded to sit down.

Lucile noticed that there was a seat right beside him and she sat down there. She told him that she saw him pick up the money and that it was her 50 cents. He said to her, "Finders keepers, losers weepers". He wasn't about to give up that 50 cents to her.

They proceeded to their destination. He started to get up and leave, since it was where he was to get off. He had gotten to the door to get off and forgot that he left a package, so he went back to retrieve it. By this time, Lucile had noticed the package and picked it up. He told her that he had left that package and to please give it back to him. She looked at him, as only Lucile could, and said, "remember finders keepers, losers weepers" and would not give it to him. He knew they wouldn't delay much longer for him to get off, and he proceeded to exit the bus/or ride. Lucile kept the package.

She thought that he deserved to have this response, since this was what he was dishing out to her.

Do you wonder as much as I wondered what was in that package? I certainly wondered and asked her, "What was in the package that he was carrying?" I wondered if she got 50 cents worth back from the contents of the package.

Hang on to your seat, as you will be most surprised at what was in the package he was caring, as I was.

I told you to wait, didn't I?

Well, you just have to WAIT until I tell you below!









She told me, "It was full of BALONEY just like the story I told you". ----I fell for this hook, line and sinker!!!

Did you? If you didn't fall for it, it's because I didn't write it down as seriously and believably as she told it that day! She was truly a woman of humor. See the article entitled "Lucile".

Wisdom--A little humor is good for the soul! She was such a "great" person and a "fun" person to know. She has left quite a legacy to her family.

LEAF TIME AGAIN!

It's hard to believe that we are raking leaves again! It was about this time last year I started writing things down about our families history. Time certainly flies by! We both have been in fairly good health throughout the year and once again are bagging leaves. I can't believe I have still stories left to tell you about!

I don't believe I mentioned how we got our lawn tractor. A few years ago, I was thinking that our old riding lawn mower was kinda hard to handle during the fall when the leaves were on the ground. I thought that one of those riding lawn mowers that have large bags on the back that collect the leaves would be a nice thing to have, since we were getting older. They were quite expensive to purchase new, so I looked one day and they had advertised a Sears riding lawn mower at a garage sale. I thought we ought to go check this out. We did, and got the lawn mower for $300.00. It was a Craftsmen and fairly new. I feel that God lead me right to this, since it helps us be able to still do our lawn work. Our lawn is 100 ft X 200 ft. and we sure need all the help we can get. We are so thankful for this mower. We did have to spend $500 more to get the double containers attached to the back for leaf clippings and leaves. Most of the time, it is rather fun, except when it gets quite cold toward the end of leaf raking. We donated our old mower to a church close by here. They too, were looking for a riding mower to mow the church lot. I would say, it was a win, win situation.

Wisdom--God knows our needs and supplies them when we need them. Very thankful for His watch care over us! Pound another nail in behind the barn!!

WE HAD A "FUN" TIME!!

For the past few days we were visiting my nephew that lives in Ohio. I mentioned him in the article just a few stories ago.

It was hard not to have a "fun" time visiting at their house. He and his wife has the gift of hospitality.

While we were there, we learned about a very close friend of ours passing away. I wrote about her in the story named "Lucile". This Saturday they will have a memorial in her honor in Portland, Or. Hopefully, they will have a tape of it, so we can feel like we attended. They sent one when Elmer (her husband passed away).

I guess, it it high time I put some of my most cherished memories down on paper so these won't be lost forever!! Two of my very close friends died within a year apart.

Wisdom--The computer gives us older people a chance to put down in print the history of our family and friends, so others can see God in action as he answers prayers, protects and gives us so many blessings along life's pathway. Pound a "batch of nails" in behind the barn for all of these provisions.