Happy Birthday Boys!

Four years ago, exactly one week apart, December 29 & January 6, we welcomed our 2nd and 3rd great grands into this mad mad mad world. Two little boys, born to sisters, and four years later, they are like brothers.

Naturally from November through January we celebrate many birthdays. Little Clay was 9 on the 23rd. Alex was 4 yesterday, and tonight we celebrated Axton's 4th (a few days early). His half brother was in town for the holidays, and will be going home on Thursday, so it made sense to have little brother's BD when he was here to enjoy it.

So last night we celebrated with Alex at the American Pie Pizza in NLR. Somehow Dad and I always go to the wrong place. (There are two APP). When we realized we were at the right place but wrong address, we made a bee line to get there - albeit 30 minutes late.

Tonight we were "almost" late for we had decided to go to Sam's while we were in LR, and lingered longer than we intended. Anyway, basically the same family we saw last night with a few exceptions, were at Axton party. So with visiting the 27th, 28th, 29th, & 30th, we can say we've had family time for sure.

All in all they are two adorable little boys. Their grandfather's BD is next week on the 8th, and an aunt on the 12th. I see more family time ahead. Ain't life grand?

Happy New Year.

Grammyof13

Teach Us To Number Our Days.

I borrowed a picture from my daughter-in-love Stephanie, of my pride and joys. Aren't they adorable? I'm not prejudice, I promise I'm not. They charge my battery anytime I'm with that crew! I was reminded they are what Christmas is all about with those innocent faces, and big eyes of wonder opened wide when a present is mentioned. Doesn't matter what it is necessarily, just that it is something wrapped and looks like a longed for treasure inside.

There were two other grands that weren't outside at the time to have their picture made with them. Truthfully they are older and probably didn't want to be outside in the dampness. It was in the high 70's so even though it was damp from the rain, they were able to place football, walk on Papa's crutches, fall down and get hurt - all the things boys can do and get into without getting in trouble. I found them playing hospital at one point, and Clay being the oldest (and a leader) was the Doctor and the other six were his patients on one bed. My house is never the same after they leave. They aren't destructive, just have a way of messing the spread, with pillows all over the room.

I treated myself to a web cam for my Christmas from my husband, so before the day ended my sons had it connected and we talked to our daughter Sandy and her family who live in Sioux city. It wasn't like they were here, but it sure was more like it with seeing them all crowd around the camera.

Everyone got here between 12:30 and 1p, on Saturday the 27th, and hungry as a bear. The food everyone brought was soooo good. Since I had not already had my fill of turkey and ham, I was ready for Turkey and smoked pork. Chocolate cake, pecan pie, pumpkin cake, along with candy & cookies kept us going all afternoon as we visited. I had told someone my desire was to visit, visit, visit. Even though I see my children on a fairly regular basis, it is not like sharing a meal and just plain exchanging conversation. It is food to my heart just to be a part of it.

My sons did a honey-do project for me with plans to do another one soon. My husband and I are deprived of know how to do a lot of things, electrical or that calls for a plumber. I'm so glad my sons are smart and knowledgeable and a jack of all trades. They are so good hearted, I just need ask and they come to my rescue.

My daughter and family who live in Oklahoma have been here since Friday morning with plans to stay until late Monday. They are such help when it comes to getting the house ready for others to arrive.

From what I've read, you have had a great Christmas as well. I'm glad. There was a song years ago that said, "If I can make it through December, every things gonna be alright I know", and I've about had that philosophy this year. I'm looking forward to 2009, even though I do admit to getting melancholy at the ending of a year. It reminds me how fleeting time is. The Psalmist says for us to "Teach us to number our days,". My pastor had a great thought today, and that was to get a general calculation of how many years you "may" have according to the longevity rate of your family, then number those years you have left by 365 days. When our remaining years are put into days, it brings life into prospective. True we do not know when our end will be, but to break it down to a number it could very well be (within a ballpark even) we understand the brevity of life. My Dad says, "my life has been short, it doesn't seem right that I am 100 years old." So however long the Lord lets us stay, it will see but a blink of the eye when it is done.

Happy New Year,

Grammyof13

I wish I'd been there!

Had to take time to share something special. Two of my sisters came up with a great idea of getting gifts for the staff at the Nursing facility where my Dad lives. So on Monday this week, they went with gifts in hand and a Santa Hat for him to wear and asked him if he would like to pass out presents. He went right along with them, even down to wearing the hat, (which we weren't sure he'd do.)

The staff loves him and has a blast with him. He did the traditional "Ho Ho Ho" when he went to the desk, which gave them a good laugh and a surprise as well. I've told you before he is pretty shy, in that he will not initiate a conversation, so for him to get in the Christmas Spirit with a "Ho Ho Ho", makes me laugh as well.

They had a personal gift for one of the friends he's made there. It gives me joy that he has found a friend. Pete came to his 100th BD celebration.

Also my sisters told me that he suggested "if you drive slow, I'll sing to them. They'll like that"! to which she "drove" (walked) slower so he could sing as they strolled down the halls. I was expecting a christmas song, but he had something else on his mind, which served the purpose. He was giving more than a tangible gift, but one more sincere. A gift from his heart.

"When the sun comes up tomorrow,
Lord, I'll be praising You,
I'll always give you glory, in everything I do.
Although, the storm clouds gather,
Or though the skies be blue,
When the sun comes up tomorrow,
Lord, I'll be praising You!"

This last picture, he is back in his room. All the certificates that decorate his room are those memories from his big 100 BD bash.

Merry Christmas Daddy. I wish I could have been there with you. Christmas Day last year we were with you, and you were so sick, no one dared hope you would be with much past January. The nursing home was not what any of us wanted for you, however, if we had it to do over again (knowing now how well you look and are enjoying life,) we'd have to let it happen.

You've made the best of what has to be. You have a good bed, surrounded by people who care for and feed you well. You have met some new friends and would you agree that at whatever age we are we need friends?

I hear of how faithful Dean is in visiting you almost daily. I hear how she sees to your every need, down to bringing you your favorite meal some afternoons. And without anyone even telling me, I know she keeps your clothes clean.

I'm grateful that she and Linda have gone above and beyond and made Christmas special for you.

Like I titled this Blog Daddy, I wish I'd Been There.

Doris

(Grammyof13)

Merry Christmas!

If you thought I had started my Christmas vacation (?) early, I'm sorry to disappoint you. Life seems to happen on the way to Christmas. I'm looking forward to having my family with us next Saturday the 27th. That gives me an advantage of a few extra days to do my part of the baking.



My wonderful little neighbor Jennifer has gifted me with a tin of fudge (Yum!) and she and the children made me a red Christmas Ornament. I was struggling with my tree lights the first of the week, and did for several days afterwards, when I remembered my almost new tree had been stored in the garage instead of the storage shed out back. Well, Jennifer and Lexie came to my rescue again just in time. Oh the perils of Pauline (me). I'm forever getting into something or making things harder on myself than necessary.

We were at the Cardiologist today for my husband to have an Arterior Gram. The Dr. said he had scar tissue from the last stint he had put in a couple years ago. So now that scare is passed, we both can work toward having a restful Christmas. Everyone will be here except for my daughter and family in Sioux City. From her blog pictures, they may not get out of Sioux City until August next year. I don't know how they stand the cold. I told her I have to have a coat on just to look at the blizzard pictures.

I think I'll take a break from blogging until after Christmas. Hopefully, along with all of you, I will have pictures to share and plenty of grandchildren stories to tell.

As for now, and from the Thompson's house to yours wherever you are:



Please have a Happy, Merry, Memorable Christmas.

Grammyof13

Christmas Isn't Waiting on Anyone.

This bone chilling cold blast that has come for a visit, might not seem as cold if I were an Eskimo. I do believe I was born to live in Hawaii or on some Island where the snow wind doesn't blow and the water is warm.

It won't last, it never does. But until the sun shines again, I'll do my best to stay in doors in double layers of clothing to stay warm. My daughter tells us there is a wind child factor of -30 in Sioux City yesterday. So I'll not tell her we are having a heat wave as far as she is concerned at 26 degrees now.

I braved the cold this morning to fulfill an engagement at the AARP installation of officers meeting. Myself and two other ladies from our writing group have formed a trio on a whim I guess you could say. We sang something during reading group one day, and from then on we've been encouraged to continue. Thus the invitation to the AARP meeting.

We gave them a 20 minute program of Christmas music. Nancy added the dulcimer to "Little Drummer Boy" - I think it was great. It sounds old world and gave the song an added touch, as we didn't have a drum for sound effects.

For the three of us to run on three separate tracks, it is amazing how we harmonize when we do get together. Really don't see an "on the road future" for us, but it is fun to sing when we can.

Today is 16th, and it has taken awhile to finish my journal entry. It is still VERY cold outside, to the tune of 26 degrees, so the ice didn't think about melting. We got about 3 1/2 inches of ice overnight. It is treacherous I don't want anyone out in it. However my poor husband will leave around midnight tonight going to Garland, TX for what could be his only run this week. He didn't turn it down. I just pray he is able to leave the neighborhood. (Please Lord, don't let anything happen to my car!)

I'm on my way to getting the tree up - I have a reason for being slow. I'm getting older as the week passes and the season too as far as that goes. Christmas will not wait on me to get my tree up and my shopping done. It will be here in less than a week, and I feel its cold breath of guilt breathing down my collar. I'll put him to bed however - and the tree will be up soon and in my own time.

Pray yours is not a BAA HUMBUG spirit.

Grammyof13

Burr Under My Saddle #3

We've been a one car family for a couple weeks now. I'm not ready to talk about it yet, but...

We were forced to get a new car. (well, new to us anyway). We were looking forward to making our first trip in it on Thanksgiving when well....I'm sorry I still can't talk about it!

Our "new" car has been in the body shop since Tuesday of Thanksgiving week. To the tune of $5800 worth of body repair, we are waiting on word as to when we can claim it. OK if you must know.....

We were frantically rushing (bad word there) to get the car loaded on Tuesday evening so we could head for Oklahoma. When my husband gets in a rush, (bad word there) he has a way of grabbing a bag from my hand before I'm finished packing it. He had done this several times, I was about at the end of the road in patience. He truly was in a hurry (different word means the same) to get on the road.

Now on the many trips we've made in the other car, he would not allow the trunk lid to stay up until I had all my bags packed in. Again frustration builds, when I find myself saying, "Please don't close the lid until we have everything in". To which as soon as I brought a bag out, he did it again - closed the trunk lid (hatch).

NOOOOO, not this time. Our "new" car sets up higher than the Taurus. We are so proud of that "new" car that we treat it with the utmost gentleness and care. So - on Tuesday he got impatient in waiting for me to finish, and decides to put the Buick (which is an 85 model given to us by one of the daughters. It runs great, and has come in handy so many times I always have to thank them again for the gift.) into the garage while we were gone.

He hurriedly (there's that word again) told me he was going to move the car from the garage so he could put the Buick in. I was in the kitchen when I heard an awful noise. I still cringe when my subconscious brings it back with furor. I'm sorry I just can't talk about it still.....

I ran to the door that leads to the garage and watched as he tries to back out with the "hatch" or whatever that thing is called. tailgate, trunk lid, whatever, up. I stood with mouth opened, lower jaw dropped down past the usual point, and did not breathe or say a word for 5 minutes. That was a very short period of time to hold ones breath, and watch the scene taking place 4 feet from me.

The crunching of the tailgate against the raised garage door, the sound of breaking glass and bending metal kept me silent as my blood pressure peaked, my heart reached a speed of 150, my voice became mute, and my husband gets out of the car to see what I have done!!!

The garage door wasn't hurt. I didn't know that until later, for I walked with slumped shoulders, shuffling feet to the LR where I set down, my mouth still hung open, wishing tears would come so I could get some relief from my shock.

He was sick. I know he was. He would never never allow something like this to happen had he not been in a rush. After 15 minutes or so, he begin to unload the luggage (while I sat in a stupor in the LR). He called for help to get the lid down enough to get out of the garage. Then he left the driveway with the rear door, hatch, tailgate or whatever, just bouncing in the air above the car the hinges barely in tact.

I'm telling you it was not a pretty sight. So now you know almost the rest of the story.....

We are a one car family. Driving around in style in the 85 Buick that could use a paint job, belt replacements, a new air conditioner, and the heater works fine. Mind you it has all power, sluggish as the power window or power seat is - it still has all power. It was the one I was driving a few weeks back when I had a flat tire while at the beauty school.

I guess it is time I finished my ramblings. When I got home yesterday from an appointment, my husband was already home. Some gracious soul brought him home from work. He and I ate a lite supper, and he went to bed. I was exhausted so I sat down in my chair and went to sleep for a couple house when the phone rang.

"This is the last call before we put your file away", the recording said. "The vehicle you are driving is out of warranty. We have made several attempts to reach you, so this will be the last call...." At one point I was told to press 1 to speak to an agent, and two to cancel. I decided to press 1.

"Hello, this is Jason I understand you want to extend the warranty on your car. If you can give me the make and model and vin number I can get you fixed right up."

I decided enough was enough, so I said, "No, you tell me what automobile of mine is running out of warranty, then we'll talk further."

It didn't take much for him to get so frustrated that he hung up.

I promise not 10 minutes later another call. "We've been trying for several days to reach you. The warranty on the vehicle you are driving is out of warranty....."

I pressed 1 again, and this time it was a different fellow. I go through the same thing with him, he gets frustrated and hangs up.

A third time not 10 minutes later the phone rings again. (I don't know why I don't go ahead a press 2, maybe it is because I like to hear them squirm.)

"This is Gail, I understand you want to get extended warranty on your vehicle?"

"Well since it is new, I see no need in getting an extended warranty."

"Well, you know that warranty is going to run out one day."

"Yes but you said, my warranty had already run out. So what vehicle are you speaking of?"

"Well just a minute I'll check our records."

I could hardly wait to see what info she came up with. "Well, my records doesn't show what make or model," she said after several minutes of shuffling papers. "But if you want to tell me which car you are driving, I can get you fixed right up."

Oh how I wish I'd said, "an 85 Buick. Yes I'd like to have all the extended warranty you can give me." But you know hind sight is 20/20. I guess there has to be something now and then to keep us humble.

Believe me I am having fun again at the expense of the Buick. It was a high priced car in its day, and we are the 3rd owner it has ever had. My son-in-law was the 2nd and it didn't have that many miles on it at the time he got to go to and from work. Like I say, it isn't a 2007 or 2009, but it gets us there.

Have a good day.

Grammyof13

An Afternoon Tea

A couple times a year, my husband and I enjoy an evening at the Wesley Methodist Church, where our Faulkner County Ladies Chorus has a concert. We always look forward to it, and I'm glad I made it again this year. Two of my friends (from my writing group) were featured and hearing them perform was a treat.

I believe the entire writing group showed up, with the idea that maybe Nancy and JoEd seeing us there for support, may have given them a boost to sing better! Anyway, it has become part of our Christmas tradition to hear see them perform.

Yesterday however we were invited to a Tea in the fellowship hall of the church. My husband wanted to leave - he had an urgency to get something at the store (!) However because I wanted so much to stay, he obliged. I'm glad we did, for now I can say now I have been to a Tea Party of sorts. With the traditional hot tea, and sweets galore, we indulged in all that was offered, and engaged in conversation with those who were at our table. Even a scone with a dab of strawberry preserves was wonderful.

I tell you - that is the life! And I'm not sure why I don't have a tea time each afternoon, even if it is by myself. I'm not bad company, if I can toot my own horn, and I think I could enjoy it without having a conversation with myself!!

My first experience of tea time was on my first trip to England. We landed in London on an early morning, after an eight hour flight from Atlanta during the night. My season traveler friend, had learned that after a long flight to go to bed and rest for a few hours so one can get into the flow of the new time zone. So around 4pm that afternoon, we made our way down to the Hotel lobby, and had the traditional tea and scone.

Now being from Tenn., (or even Arkansas for that matter) I'm here to tell you I was not informed on etiquette and had no clue there was a proper way to hold a tea cup. Not that anyone noticed, but I want you to know the proper way to hold your tea cup.

"A cup with a handle are held by placing one’s fingers to the front and back of the handle with one’s pinkie up again allows balance. Pinkie up does mean straight up in the air, but slightly tilted. It is not an affectation, but a graceful way to avoid spills. Never loop your fingers through the handle, nor grasp the vessel bowl with the palm of your hand."

Now that you know, you must practice, practice, practice to get it right(!) Well..........that's not all you need to know about tea time. There is a certain way you stir in the sugar or cream as the case may be.

"Do not stir your tea, with your tea spoon, in sweeping circular motions. Place your tea spoon at the six o'clock position and softly fold the liquid towards the twelve o'clock position two or three times. Never leave your tea spoon in your tea cup. When not in use, place your tea spoon on the right side of the tea saucer. Never wave or hold your tea cup in the air. When not in use, place the tea cup back in the tea saucer. If you are at a buffet tea hold the tea saucer in your lap with your left hand and hold the tea cup in your right hand. When not in use, place the tea cup back in the tea saucer and hold in your lap. The only time a saucer is raised together with the teacup is when one is at a standing reception." (taken from the Internet)

I didn't teach my little grand munchkins this during Thanksgiving. I'll just have to have another tea party so I can get it right.

I'm sure you can see I'm having fun at my own ignorance of English culture. I loved my time in London, and Birmingham, and it was there I had tea with cream for the first time.

Now back to yesterday. There was a lady on program during our Tea time that read a story of a boy's Christmas in Wales. With the excitement of the writer, along with the gesture's of a young boy, she took us back in time to one boys days which was filled with wonder, excitement and many escapades.

So it was - yesterday I learned something!

Grammyof13

5 & 10

Well this time last week we were on our way home from Oklahoma. It was a night time drive, but little traffic so my husband did great in getting us home while I tried to sleep. I still don't seem to be getting back in to life like I want to. I did go out last evening to my weekly Walgreen and Fred's run but I was glad to get back home. Give me these stores over Walmart any day.

OK so I've said that before. I'm so glad to have a Walgreen's close by. I remember the old Walgreen 5 & 10 in Nashville back in the late 50's. I don't remember it being a pharmacy then, but I do remember its soda fountain. Do you remember those five and dimes? Kresses, Woolworth, and I don't remember anymore but Walgreen's.

I left Erin and went to work in Nashville right out of high school. I remember going out on my lunch hour to Woolworth, ordering a sandwich and drink then window shopping at Harvey's before going back to work on the corner of Church and 5th at the Sudekem building. (Boy is my mind working tonight?!!) I made every bit of $1. an hour so take home didn't go very far. My sister and I made it with her help for sure. We had an apartment in an old home that had been divided into three apartments. The landlord was a TV repairman, so we had a TV in the furnished apartment. Our bedroom and entertaining or living room was one and the same, with one other room being the kitchen. It was a large kitchen if I remember correctly. Sparsely furnished - we had what we needed to get food on the table. We had sorta of a tag team going in the cooking area. It is a well known fact today that my sister Nina has been blessed with the chef abilities, and well - - I am good at eating what she prepared. I did mash the potatoes, and I think I might have made bread occasionally, but truth be known, she did 99% of the work that got done.

We had our boyfriends over occasionally for one of her meals. They happened to be brothers. I wonder what ever happened to the two of them?

I've got to take the next exit off the road of reminiscing, and get to bed. Tomorrow is Sunday, and 7am comes early for me.

Do you remember the old five and dime stores?

Grammyof13

Wonderful Day!

Well I've had the day alone but didn't feel like getting into my day until later. I did get some energy late this afternoon to start cleaning and dusting the entertainment center where some of my christmas decorations will be.

V. went to Garland, TX and as it was an all nighter, he has been in bed since he arrived around 5P. Having the house so quiet while he was gone, gave me an great opportunity to put the house in order before putting up the tree. (which I'm slready dreading. I'm sure if I felt good, it would be different. Maybe I wouldn't sound like such a scrooge. )

I always run later than anyone else however. I always seem to have it done a few days before Christmas, so by the time my children arrive, I am usually ready. I guess we all work on different areas.

Until then, I'm giving it up and going to bed. I don't have no babies to rock, and only one old woman who needs a nap. She lives here.

Grammyof13

Well it is late evening, and I haven't been awake long. I had to go for a second stint yesterday and came through it wonderfully, but I seem to be having a difficult time waking up.


Thought I'd get a few things done before going back to bed - and I'm sure I won't have a problem falling asleep when I get there.

In late October the Dr. told my husband he'd have to do the other stint/baloon later, but since it didn't make sense I dismissed it. (Sorry Dad). However I had to apologize three weeks ago when the heart surgeon's office called to set up the other one. I should be fixed up now and my swelling should be going down in my legs. I pray it will be so. I love "old" folks, but I sure hate being one!!!

After getting out of the Hospital today, we went by Lowes to get a tree that was on sale, but I was disappointed. I think it was one of those things they advertised and only had 3 of or somethin'. I was hoping to get some sewing done for my grand dolls, but I've got to get my strength back before doing anything. I'm trying to make a list and check it twice, so I'll be able to get everything done before the Holidays. I'd like to go to Tenn to see Daddy before Christmas. With gas staying down, it is more likely we'll get to go.

Good night,
Grammyof13

We Are Home!

I have too much to tell, so I'll spare you the babbling of a proud mom and grandmother. I'm prejudice, I'll admit, but even with a car mishap before leaving, we got to Oklahoma in good condition. Our youngest son Tom, loaned us his Jeep for our trip since our car was out of commission. I think every one was overly surprised when I was able to maneuver in and out of the Jeep. No truer words have ever been spoken, as those spoken by Stephanie (my daughter-in-love) who declared, "Getting into that Jeep is like getting into a box!" So True. So True.

After a short shopping trip on Saturday, I promised Katrina a Tea Party. Katrina, being the only girl amidst all the boys is about to forget she is a girl! My daughters and I took her shopping for a girls day out. The boys were upset they couldn't go, but we explained that this was an all girls day. While we were gone, the boys formed an "all boys" club and made a sign for girls to stay out.

Katrina and I felt bad about leaving them behind, so we decided to invite them to our Tea Party. So with an Apron on, and glasses down on my nose, I took on the character of Mrs. Crumbaker who lives in London England. I was the hostess of the Tea Party, which after several toasts, and tales brought so much laughter we could hardly speak. The kids sipped their hot tea without too much complaints, but enjoyed the fruit and cookies I had my daughter "lady Scott" my maid (who by the way was in character also) to serve!

Should we ever have another tea party, it will not be as fun as our first one. No one knew what to expect and since I have never been to one, I was winging it. I think it helped for me to be someone else in a far away land. Oh the fun I had, just watching the look on the little kids faces as I spun yarns about my heritage and culture, saying "I am glad to share something of my culture with my guest from USA"

Anyway, I'm glad we can spend 4 days with each other without putting a strain on our relationship. Janean and Daryl are great hosts and personally I think we should make it a tradition to go there for Thanksgiving next year.

On Friday evening we traveled in to Claremore to visit Dry Gulch Camp Ground. After we ate, we went on a train ride which took us around the facility. As the train slowly moved we heard the Christmas story and witnessed many live scenes. The story was from Creation to the Resurrection.

Being a Christian Owned park made it even more impressive as we heard about the things they do all through the year for the public. Branson with all its Christmas sparkle has nothing on Dry Gulch. It is spectacular.

I hope your Thanksgiving was memorable also.

Grammyof13