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I'm so sorry, Jeanne.  Hugs to you and prayers for all the family.

Sorry to hear about your DIL Jeanne, I am certainly going to be praying for her and for your son and the rest of the family.

We have done our weekly Walmart grocery run today, I  had Freckles  to the groomer, she will be nice and clean ready for her visits this week. She has done well in her training as my Service Dog, She learns very quickly what I want her to do and is so eager to please.I am so thankful that  my friend gave her to me. She will be going  with us this summer to  Keith's youngest son's wedding at Black Butte Ranch  http://www.blackbutteranch.com/. She has her ADA identification and her pink Service dog vest.

Hi, friends,

I've just caught up, and now can't write, as there's an emergency evacuation order. Likely it will not concern me all the way up here on the 13th floor.

Much love to all,
Ruth Ann

Hi everyone.  It is one of our colder mornings as it was 37 degrees but we are headed to the mid-50's today.  There is not a cloud in the sky.  I think Pat is going to go to Sunday School with me this morning.  This will be the first time in about 8 months.  She will have to see if she can tolerate the chairs we have in the classroom.  We will then attend Church and go out to eat and that will be our day.  She did pick up her new glasses yesterday while I got a few items at COSTCO.

Carol, I also like basketball at the college level and we are going into the conference season now headed to March and the big tournament, which I will definitely watch.  I don't remember watching a single baseball game this last season.  Glad you have found a Church service that Don can enjoy. 

Janet, I like the horses as well on the commercials and the little children and animals.  Some of the ads sort of leaving me scratching my head as to what they were advertising.  Did you put that suitcase in the garage?    Pretty bad when we lose our underwear!  I wonder if your grandson in Florida has considered taxes and the homeowners and hurricane insurance on that big house?  You are right about taxes.  Here the taxes are quite a bit higher than they were in Georgia plus there are all kinds of add-on fees. 

Jeanne, a sad time for a family when a member of the family reaches the point of Hospice.  I will pray for her as I do all of my friends and their family members that are ill. 

Marilyn, have you ever had anyone try to tell you that Freckles shouldn't be in a particular place?  She sounds like a wonderful dog and friend to you. 

Ruth Ann, hope the emergency wasn't serious.  Do they shut down the elevators in an emergency?

Happy Lord's Day to all of you!

We have been to church, and have had lunch at home.  I'm trying to get caught up (never seems to happen!) on computer, then I plan to start packing!

No, Larry, I didn't move that suitcase!!  Times like this, I think Darrel is thankful he has a wife!  (But he doesn't say so!  )  Yes, bad to lose one's underwear!!    I spoke to Mark twice yesterday about the house they are in the process of buying.  He is confident he can make the payments, pay the taxes and insurance.His mom asked him if they intend to have a whole bunch of kids--his answer was, "Oh, heavens, NO!!"  He does need a little help coming up with the cash for the down payment, hence his calls to the grandparents!    I surely hope it all works out well for him.  He has always been such a willing and dependable worker, and is pursuing his life-long dream as a pilot.

Marilyn, that place in Oregon is beautiful!!  Will you be driving or flying?  Good that Freckles can go along, as I think you would really miss her!

John and Beth were at church this morning, and I asked, excitedly, "Did you find the keys?"  No, he said, the Care Home brought them.  Sigh............

Ruth Ann, I hope the emergency didn't last long, whatever it was.

Larry, Darrel has often said the same thing about commercials on TV.  He looks at me and asks, "What were they advertising?" 

Okay, I'm done for now!   

We are so glad to have a quiet Saturday night church service because Don cannot hear anything on Sunday mornings with all the music and singing.  Sat night is quite simple with just a few familiar songs and one night a month is a Healing Service that is centered on prayers for healing.  It is very touching to behold.

When we lived in Fort Collins, we often brought company to the Budweiser farm and everyone loved to see the horses.  There is also a Dalmatian - Dotty was the name when we visited.  It was so neat to see how the horses reacted when Dotty came out to greet them. 

Whew - just spent a good deal of time learning to put an audio book on an older iPod.  The library keeps changing instructions and it gets more difficult to relearn than it was to learn in the first place.  We had to stop at Safeway and there were two items on sale only if you used your smart phone.  My phone may be able to do that but why should we have an extra effort to get something on sale.  Just put it on sale - so they know my feelings at this local shop.  It will never change a thing, of course. 

Jeanne:  My prayers for your DIL, son and family. 

Janet:  Happy Lord's Day to you as well.  It sounds like a wonderful scenic trip for the two of you. 

Ruth Ann:  Did you have to evacuate? 

Janet I will be driving it is about 4 hours from  us here on the Oregon coast. The wedding is Aug. 21 Aat 4:30 pm there will also be a full solar eclipse that day I am assuming around the time of the wedding. They will be married lakeside.

Larry No The only place I was asked very nicely   not to bring Freckles was to church, The pastor thought she was a distraction from God.

Today was the annual  meeting at church and the monthly potluck as well. So as usual I ate too much so I took freckles for a nice walk after I got my clothing changed. I felt so humbled again today when the pastor announced that  Bill (prayer Partner) and I will be using our gifts in healing praying for the sick.  Our pastor is having Rotater Cuff surgery tomorrow and Sarah m y DIL is having knee surgery tomorrow to repair her ACL.

Jeanne, I know, all too well, that sinking. heart aching sadness when hearing the news like that you've received of your daughter-in-law. 

It seems like only yesterday that Dottie and I drove into the foothills of California to visit with Joy, never imagining that it would be the last time we would see her alive.  She told me then that she had stopped chemotherapy because it wasn't working any more.  The next day, after we left, hospice set up in their home.  She had waited until I left to accept hospice care.  All I can say is for everyone who is in your daughter-in-law's life to speak their hearts to her.  Let her know how much she is loved and what an impact she has had on your life.  She may just be like Joy was and wish to have alone time, too.  Joy would tire easily and feel frustrated because she felt the need to have conversation, but she never wanted to show that to her visitors. 

My prayers are for you and all the family that you'll be able to feel the PEACE that passes all understanding during this time. 

Jane, thank you for that, it could not have been easy for you to write.  Be sure that I continue to keep you in my prayers.

Hi everyone.  I am getting a bit of a late start here in the discussions as didn't want to get out of bed this morning.  However, I have things in order and just waiting for Pat to get up and will quickly be able to prepare her breakfast. It is another beautiful morning with it currently being 40 degrees and headed only to 53 degrees. 

Pat did go to Sunday School and Church with me yesterday and then we did eat out.  The only thing away from the house today is my Monday noon meeting and then getting the car filled with gas as the three hours of driving last week brought the gauge down alot.  The rest of the day I intend to take things slow and easy as need to recover from a busy week last week. 

Janet, the only time I ever asked my parents for money after getting out on my own was to make the down payment on our first owned home.  They loaned us the money, which I paid back in one year with interest, although they didn't want the interest I just felt it was right.  That got us started.  The house cost around $15,000 but was a nice little three bedroom with garage home in Oklahoma.   

Carol, I had no idea the Budweiser farm was in Colorado but always thought is was around St. Louis, Missouri where Budweiser was located or at least started.  We have seen the horses several times in live performances or parades and they are beautiful and so well trained.  I think paper coupons will soon be a thing of the past as you can load coupons on your phone tied to the little cards you use at their store and when you check out the register automatically takes the discounts.  Pat has used this several times and it works. 

Marilyn, I can understand the Pastor's request as who can keep their eyes off of a dog.  That should be a beautiful setting for a wedding.  Hope the surgeries today are fully successful. 

Hi Jane.  Very meaningful words you shared with Jeanne and with all of us.                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

As the years march on, more and more things happen to our little "family" here on CP.  It makes me so sad to hear of the loss of another loved one, or the impending loss.  But I do know that prayer helps, and that faithful ones here do pray for each other.  What a wonderful community of Believers!

Carol, so glad you found a quieter service that Don can enjoy.  It would be so sad for one who has been faithful in attendance to have something like that keep him from attending and enjoying something so important in his life.  Blessings!

Only four hours, Marilyn?  Out here, that's a short trip!  We often have made a four hour trip and then back home in one day.  I know it's different in other areas, but here things are so far apart we get used to it.  I noticed you said "I" will be driving.  Does that mean Keith isn't going with you?  If that's the case, then I'm even happier that Freckles can go along, so you don't have to make the trip alone.

What a day this has been!  We neither one slept good last night, so it was around seven when we got up (very late for me!)  After breakfast, finishing the laundry and sundry chores, we went to take care of some business at the bank, then ate at the senior center.  Then stopped by home to pick up some things for Diane, drove to Hugoton and gave those to her; then on to Liberal to get hearing aid batteries so I won't run out on the trip; then on to Hooker to get my nails done, and finally back home by way of Moscow.  Long day!  I cooked some supper, we ate, I cleaned up, now am checking in here and planning to retire even earlier than usual.  I have a headache, and my neck and back are hurting. 

We got a nice email from out trip leader today.  His name is Goran Kovacevic, and he is a native of Croatia.  Nice to hear from him before leaving home.  He gave us more information on the expected weather, web sites we can check and such.

Enough for today, this ol' gal is tired and ready to go visit my pillow!

Good to see a few members I am familiar with, I am known better as Jackie....good morning - good night Judy and John if you are looking in....It is almost 6.am here in UK and the weather is pelting down with rain, seems to be our next ten day forecast...

Hi everyone.  It is another beautiful and sunny 44 degree morning.  We will likely get to 70 degrees this afternoon.  We noticed the first tulip tree bloomed out yesterday.  We have had such a mild winter that I guess the plants think it is Spring again. I have a light schedule for today. Between 10 and 11 am today I have to get to Walmart downtown to pick up a grocery order.  I also need to go to the other Walmart that is close to us here to pick up a prescription and get a birthday card for my sister's 73rd birthday next Monday.  After that I plan on a quiet day but can always find something to do. 

Janet, what a busy day you had yesterday.  Are those towns you mentioned very far apart?  You must be getting excited about your pending trip.  How long of a flight is it from Kansas to where you are going.  Will you fly out of Denver?  I hope both you and Darrel slept well last night. 

Jackie, nice to see you posting here on Christian Photographers.  Keep your umbrella handy. 

Good morning!

Larry, I forgot to tell you that we had higher temps than you did yesterday!  It was 67*!!    Really nice, but the wind was blowing some.  This looks to be another beautiful day, and when I went out to look at the sunrise, there wasn't a breath of wind stirring!  Of course, that is subject to change.    The loop we made yesterday was at least 170 miles.  It's 30 miles to Hugoton, another 30 to Liberal, so the total might have been closer to 180!  About 2 1/2 hours of driving time.  Whew!  All in the afternoon!   He must really love me!

Larry, we have never borrowed from family, as our parents didn't have much until their later years (mine never did) and by then we didn't need to borrow.  But Jeff and Diane have borrowed from us a few times, and have been very diligent about repaying us.  One grandson isn't doing as he should about that, so we hope Mark will do better.  We know they were taught right!  And if he doesn't pay it back, we will call it a gift and thank God we were able to help him.  If the other one doesn't pay us (he owes a LOT more!) then that amount will be taken out of his inheritance.  We are going to write that as a codicil to our will.    Hate to do that, but we must be fair to all the grandkids.

Larry, we have three flights, totaling 13 hours.  We will fly from Oklahoma City, as we can leave our car at the motel at no charge and the taxi or van to the airport is only $10.  The longest flight is 9 hours.  Coming home, flight time is a little shorter.

I must get a birthday card off to youngest daughter today!  Her birthday is Feb. 2nd.

We will call the Dodge dealer in Garden City today about getting another key for the van, as John still hasn't found it.   I am wondering how hard he has really looked!! Sigh.......We went by yesterday and Darrel disconnected the battery on it.

We have several errands to do today, trying to get all loose ends tied up before we go.  I have a list for today!

Jackie, how nice to see your posting!  Come back soon...and often!  And could you please send some of the rain to Southwest Kansas?   

Gotta run!!

Thank you for my welcome Larry and Janet, seems our rain has calmed down so it maybe already on the way over to you both...I know we are due some strong winds during this week...

Meant to add, the new neighbours came over and introduced themselves to me, they seem a very nice couple, the man maybe a tad more freely talkative than the lady as he mentioned a hospital medical appointment taking place this week....the minimum age requirement on our parkhome site is 45, I am guessing they are in their 60s and I understand his mother has also moved in with them, I haven't had the pleasure of meeting " mother " yet...

Janet, I must have missed where you are going this time. 

Hi Jackie!

Pat, I explained that the other day when you asked.    We are going to cruise the Adriatic.  Hope you're feeling better now.

Thanks Janet...

Hope you have a great time.  How long will you be away?

Good to see you Pat...

Jackie..

Hi everyone.  It is going to be another beautiful in the low 70's day with no rain.  Not much to write about today.  Pat has a PT appointment at 11 am and then I will have dinner this evening at the Church with Scott and hopefully Jennifer.  Then they will come out to the house for a time of visiting. 

Janet, that isn't the first time this season where you all have had higher temperature than we did here in the South.  That was a lot of miles to drive in one day, sort of equivalent of the trip I made to Madison last Friday.  Basically everything we have left will go to our son and it will be his responsibility to then leave his estate to his daughter.  We learned the lesson along the way to just consider any money given to relatives to be a gift and that way we were not disappointment.  Years ago I kept track of the money we had "loaned" to Stacey but finally gave that up as it was only making work for me and it was all outgo and not coming back.  That is a lot of flying. 

Jackie, nice that your new neighbors came over and introduced themselves. 

Hi Pat, always encouraging to see a posting from you.   

Good morning!  I do hope this is a much less stressful day than yesterday!  And I'm believing it will be!  First the GOOD news--John found the key!  This was after my making several calls to the Dodge dealer in Garden City and learning they no longer make that key (it has the programming on the key, rather than on a separate fob.)  And to get one, which they called another dealer to find, would cost $170.00 plus towing the van to Garden City  to get the key programmed so it would even start the vehicle--several hundred dollars more, plus the programming of the key, another $50.00!  I was talking to John on the phone and telling him this while we were driving to town, and Darrel said, loud enough for John to hear--AND YOU ARE GOING TO PAY FOR IT!!  Well, I guess that lit a fire under him, because about 30 minutes later, John called and said he'd found the key!  We will still get the extra one while we can, because if that key gets lost permanently, we wouldn't be able to sell the van or anything!  It has only 37,000 miles on it!  And a lot of those were on it when we bought it.  The battery was dead, so Darrel jump started it and I drove it home so he could put the charger on it.  He didn't think it was going to charge, but it did, finally.  It took all night!

Besides all that, I had drama at the care home to try to sort out, because they billed Beth for over $2500.00 for hearing, sight and dental services, and she has never seen two of the three!  That still isn't settled, but maybe today.  I may have to file a protest or charges or something.  How in the world do they expect her to pay that, when the care home gets all but $60 a month of her funds?    And Blue Cross & Blue Shield is refusing to let me cancel that, they say they need her signature or to talk to her.  She cannot write; she cannot talk so anyone not used to her can understand her--very hard even for me!  They pay almost nothing on her bills, and charge her over $150 per month!  Okay, I know, TMI.  Sorry 

Larry, glad you have an easier day today.  I hope for the same.  WE will also eat supper at church tonight.You're right about loaning money to family or friends.  I have learned my lesson!!  The one grandson owes us for both their house and business!  That is why we will change our will.  We love them dearly, but we love the others, too!  And our money certainly is not inexhaustible!

I had a call from Nordstrom's a while ago.  Seems someone tried to use my card # and they even had my address, trying to purchase a pair of Gucci shoes!  Was that you?  Absolutely not!!  So that entailed calling Discover, getting our cards canceled and getting new ones.  So many crooks out there!  I guess having them shipped to a different address may have tipped them off, what do you think?

Pat, we will be away from home three weeks on this trip.  May I call you later today?

It's turning cooler here again, and much colder is predicted.  I don't care how cold it gets, just so the roads are clear next Wed. when we will drive to Oklahoma City.  That airport is so easy to get around in!  Love it!

I think I will go to Red Hats today.  Be nice to see all those gals again.  We just meet for lunch, once a month, but I have missed several times lately.

TTYL!

Welcome Jackie Where in the UK do you live?  It is nice to see a new face in here.  Wishing you fair weather.

Janet:  LOL about John finding the keys after being informed he would have to pay for them.  Specialty keys are really costly and we were robbed years ago and had to pay $100 for the automatic door opener key.  That is a lot of travel for your errands - we often use Amazon free delivery and have thought about some groceries. Years and years ago, Sears used to deliver a barrel of detergent to the basement laundry and was that ever a sweet deal.  It is really great you are getting away so relax and enjoy the scenery.

Nice to see PAT peeking in for a little this day.

Here's a link to our February "Thoughts for the Month".  We're going to try for awhile to change this once a month due to illness of both Jeanne and I.

"Thoughts for the Month~February"