Staying busy

Well, spring has officially arrived, but winter hasn’t quite relinquished control yet! Today is very windy and COLD! I’m thankful, though, that we didn’t have any damage from the storms that moved through yesterday. I got a message on my phone around 3:30 saying to take shelter, because we were under an imminent threat of tornado and/or hail. We unplugged all of our electronics and appliances and kept a sharp eye out, but other than HEAVY wind and rain, we were fine. Our electricity never even went out…just flickered a few times. Folks to the northeast of us didn’t fair so well. Between the tornado damage in the Jacksboro area and the fire damage out west of us, there has been a lot of devastation this week.

Nam went home this afternoon after spending a couple of nights with us. We also got to see him and his parents last week at Harvey’s funeral. We got rooms in the same hotel in Lubbock, and he rode with us to the funeral. We left a little early, so we could drive around Littlefield and I could show him where I lived when I was young. We found our old house, but it looks very different than it did when we lived there. As to be expected, the neighborhood has really declined in the 57 years since we left. We also drove by the elementary school, park and church house…as well as the hospital that I was born in. I think I got a lot more out of it than Nam did….brought back so many memories. The whole trip did! It had been 2 years to the week since Daddy had died, and he was very much on my mind the whole time. It was good to see the folks at the funeral, some of which I hadn’t seen in decades. My heart breaks for Joy and the rest of the family. I know that Harvey is going to leave a huge hole in their lives and hearts.

Our windows for the guest room came in a little earlier than expected, and Dennis got them installed. He has all of the sheetrock up, too. He is still working on detail work on the drywall…corners and such. Hopefully he can start texturing next week. We also got the flooring in that we plan to put in there. Things should go fairly quickly once the walls are finished and painted. We are HOPING to have the room finished before the family comes on the weekend of April 23 (for Gracie’s birthday and family pictures).

I am really loving my new hobby…rag quilting! I am currently working on two. I started the one for our guest room and got all of the sandwiches pinned together. Then I realized that I had less than 3 weeks before Caleb’s birthday, so I put that one aside and started working on his. I’m trying something a little different with his. I’ll share a picture of it once I’ve completed it and given it to him. (He knows that I’m working on it and has had some input as to the design.) It has kind of taken over the living room and dining room. I do my cutting and pinning on a long table in the LR and then do the sewing on the DR table.

We have plans to go to Arkansas this weekend. We will, Lord willing, attend Warren and Linda’s anniversary party on Saturday, and then head up to Ricky and Amber’s that evening. Then we’ll come home Monday. Dennis has an appointment to get his other tooth pulled first thing Tuesday morning. So he’ll be tender-mouthed again for a few weeks. Once this one heals completely, he’ll go see the specialist about getting implants. He will sure be glad when he isn’t suffering from toothaches anymore!

It is about time to go get supper started. Take care and be kind!

Pr 25:19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble Is like a bad tooth and a foot out of joint. (NKJV) 

Reminiscing

I spent the afternoon yesterday at Daddy's house.  I got there a little before lunchtime, so Daddy and Bobbie took me out to eat at Red Lobster.  Then we went back to the house and visited and looked at old pictures and momentos.  Daddy had told me awhile back that they found my wedding dress.  Since I already had my dress at our house, I asked to see what he was talking about.  It turned out to be Mom's wedding dress!  (I recognized it from the pictures I'd seen of their wedding day.)  He asked if I wanted to keep it, and of course, I did!  I hope to eventually get a dressmaker's form for displaying it...in our future guest room.  He also brought out a box of old baby clothes.  There were two bags...one pink and one blue.  I told him that Rodney might want his, but I brought mine home.  The baby dresses back then were so delicate looking:  made from thin, white cotton cloth with tiny embroidered details.

  Included in my bag was a crocheted baby sweater that I remember Momma showing me when I was younger.

  I wish I could remember who she told me made it!  I hope to use one of the baby dresses and the sweater for a shadow box...also to display in our future guest room.  That got me to wondering about what I'd saved of MY kids.  I went through my hope chest today and drug out the baby (and child) clothes that I'd saved, as well as a few other little items.  I hope to make shadow boxes for each of the kids, using their things.  I found two sweater sets that I had crocheted for Sheila.  I'd forgotten that I had even made them!  I have Stephen's favorite "lovey" from his childhood that will have to be included somehow.  I also found a boy's sweatshirt that I'll probably give to Jesse when he grows into it.  It has a design cross-stitched on the front of it.  Do y'all remember when that was "the thing"?  I don't remember if I made it or if it was a gift from Grandmother, or possibly Belinda or Linda.  It is cute, tho!

Grandpa is on the left.

While we were scrounging, we came across my Grandpa Mahaffey's old box of stuff.  It had a lot of pictures from his early years, plus his old mess kit from WWI.  I brought home one of his old pictures...taken around the time he was stationed in France.  He isn't in uniform, so I'm not sure where or when it was taken.  It was with a couple of others, though, that were taken when he was in the service.  There were a few photocopies of pictures that Daddy had, too.  The quality wasn't good, but you could still tell who was in the pictures.  One showed Uncle Henry and Aunt Vera (Patterson) and their kids.  There was a little towheaded boy in front that looked exactly like Jett!  I knew he favored his Grandpa Harvey, but I never realized how much!  I wish the quality had been better.

It was a fun day of reminiscing and talking about old times with Daddy!

Labor Day Weekend 2014

2014

 

What a great Labor Day weekend!  We started attending the Youngs' annual gathering in 2000.  Things have changed over the years, and we've lost loved ones along the way.  However, the love and laughter and good fellowship and food are the constants that keep us coming back for more. 

We weren't able to make the last two years in Valliant.  Since Kay decided to host it in Haslet this year, however, it made it impossible NOT to go!  The kids (Sheila, Ricky and Brandon) and I drove over Saturday morning.  The guys were already busy grilling up some mighty tasty burgers and dogs for lunch.  The dessert table was already filling up with the inevitable delicious selections (including Wallace's FAMOUS banana pudding).  Folks kept trickling in as the time for lunch drew closer.  It was fun to catch up with everyone as they arrived.  There were so many that it was hard to get around to everyone!

We served up a Mexican feast for supper (after smoking the place up good from a boil-over in the oven!).  There was about every kind of enchilada you can think of...along with pulled pork carnitas, corn casseroles, Mexican salads, and of course, chips and salsa.  Kay always surprises us with one of her unique dessert specialties.  This year it was cheesecake drizzled with jalapeno jelly with a slice of jalapeno for garnish.  YUM!

There were games being played around the room by ALL ages.  I saw the most exciting game of Candyland ever (thanks to Jamie and Phillip).  Of course, there was the ubiquitous game of 42 taking place in the corner.  Big and little girls came together for some Bananagrams.  But mostly there was just folks grouping together to visit...catching up with those we don't see very often, sharing recent stories and life events, talking to like-minded loved ones about what is in our hearts. 

Of course, the weekend wouldn't be complete without homemade ice cream!  It was moved to Saturday night this year, rather than Sunday night.  Every time we enjoy this tasty frozen treat, I think of the story that Dell always told of his black lab.  They always had more ice cream than could be eaten, so they would dump out the leftovers in the back yard.  His dog ran over and gobbled down as much as he could hold (in typical canine fashion).  Then they noticed he stopped, laid his head down on the ground and covered it with his paws.  He was suffering from brain freeze!  I love that story!

At one point, I glanced up at the food line and saw Sheila, Stacey, Leslie, Chelsey, and a few other young ladies.  The years rushed backward to when they were all teenagers together.  It just seems like yesterday...seeing the shy ones coming out of their shells as they reconnected with each other, watching the inevitable pranks that occurred every year, and basking in the joy of living that emanated from them as they enjoyed their time together.

Every year, the Young family include something in the weekend to raise money for someone in need.  This year, pink bracelets were "sold" to raise money (and awareness) for Debbie, who attends the Henrietta Creek congregation and has been fighting cancer this year.  For every dollar donated, a matching dollar was donated to send to Costa Rica to help with the clinic that is being built there...a total of $1000.

We enjoyed two wonderful assemblies at Henrietta Creek on Sunday.  Ken gave us a great lesson on reviving the dead, then Keith followed that afternoon with a wonderful lesson on the gospel.  The singing was amazing!  That new building was filled and the sound of all the joyful voices was breathtaking!

As things were winding down last night, I got a little misty eyed (as I usually do).  I watched Wallace as he and Linda were heading out.  This year was a struggle for him, as his health declines.  Then I watched Daddy walk towards the exit, stooped over as he carried his dishes out.  It made me very aware of the ones who are no longer there:  Dell, Verlie, Toby, Ed, et al.  I thought about the others that would be leaving us within the next few years.  I struggled to hold back the tears.  However, as I see all of the younger families coming on, with all of their beautiful children, I realize that this great tradition will live on.  And those who have "gone on" are still very much alive in our hearts...and in the faces of their children, and grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

2004

2007 - Wallace

2007 - Kay

2007 crowd

2007 - Verlie and Doris

My deepest heartfelt thanks go out to Kay and Kit and their kids for keeping this wonderful tradition alive.  Thanks, also, to the congregation at Henrietta Creek for all of their hard work and efforts that made the weekend possible.  Finally, thanks to all of my dear friends and loved ones who made the effort to drive down (or up or over) and share this wonderful time of fellowship and fun.  This weekend was a true blessing!




2007 - cheering on the softball game
 



2008 - girl time
 

2011 - enjoying good food

The End of an Era

Ten years ago, we decided to leave East Texas.  We had thought a lot about where we wanted to live, and North Central Texas seemed to be the best choice for us.  Mom's health was really failing, and I needed to be closer to help out.  I love the country around here.  Plus Mineral Wells has always been a second home to me.  After making a couple of visits to the Highway church, we chose it as our home congregation.  We were impressed with the loving welcome we received during our visits.

After we moved here, one special couple made us feel like we were truly at home.  We sat on the row behind them, so we were able to visit with them each week.  Mary impressed us with her sweetness AND  spunkiness.  Although she was in her mid-70's, she kept talking about wanting to canoe down the Brazos River with us some day.  Jim was quiet and soft spoken, but he had a keen (and dry!) wit.  He was truly a gentle man.  There was a 2-year-old at our congregation who had been abused and was currently living with relatives.  She was non-verbal and was very shy...especially around men.  I should say around men, except for Jim.  He was the only man that she would go to for a long time.  His quiet, gentle manner earned her trust...as it did with everyone else.

We have gone through some rough times over the past 9 years that we've lived here.  A constant during all that time was the love and support of Jim and Mary.  I'll never forget the time they showed up on our doorstep with cake in their hands and tears in their eyes telling us how much they loved having us here...and how they never wanted us to leave.  After my hysterectomy, they showed up at lunchtime one day and told us they were taking us out to lunch.  When the girls bought their house, Jim and Mary gave them the money needed to buy a refrigerator.  These are just a few examples showing what kind of people they were.

Jim was already on oxygen part-time when we moved here.  It wasn't long before he required it fulltime.  He continued to take care of all of his own car maintenance and yard work (and his yard was several acres!).  It was like pulling teeth to try to get them to ALLOW people to help them whenever they moved (which they did twice during the past 9 years).  Mary was in fairly good health, but had bad knees which made her slow getting around.  Not long after we moved here, she fell and broke her hip.  It took her a LONG time to recover from that and it was the start of her decline.  Not long after that, their daughter Angie's health started to decline rapidly.  They nursed and cared for her until she finally lost her battle to a nasty infection.  That took so much out of this sweet couple.  Then a couple of years ago, Jim started having problems with blood clots in his leg which ultimately led to it being amputated.  Losing his independence was very hard on Jim.  He was just starting to regain a little of it, with the help of a scooter and handicap-equipped van, when his health took a nose dive.  During this same time, Mary fell again and broke her other hip.  One or the other of them was in the hospital a large percentage of the time over that last year or so of Jim's life.  Then on February 18 of this year, his battle with the pains and ills of this life ended.  We really worried about Mary, but she seemed to handle his passing very well.  It was so difficult for her to try to care for him and watch him suffer.  I know her heart was broken, though, after almost 63 years of marriage. 
Over the past 5 months, we have all watched Mary's health decline.  She continued to live alone in their house in the country and refused to allow anyone to pick her up to drive her to church.  She faithfully drove herself twice every Lord's Day.  Her steps kept getting slower and more feeble.  Her smile was still present, but wasn't as bright.  Then two weeks ago, she drove herself to the hospital in pain.  They discovered an intestinal blockage which required surgery.  She didn't want to have it done, but others insisted since she couldn't survive without it.  She ended up spending 13 agonizing days in ICU before finally being "released".  I spent most of the afternoon with her Monday.  I truly didn't think she would survive the day.  They called in the family, so I left...allowing them their time alone with their mother, grandmother, and aunt.  I called to check on her yesterday morning and was told that her vital signs had stabilized and she was more quiet and at peace.  Then I received "the call" early yesterday afternoon. 

I am truly going to miss our dear Jim and Mary.  Highway will never be the same without them.  Their kindness, their humor, their strong faith will always be remembered with love.  Even through the tears of grief, I can't help but smile.  They are both at peace, no longer in pain or grief.  Plus I have a strong hope that I'll see them again some day!  I love you, Jim and Mary.  You will be greatly missed!

Day 149: My Willow Tree collection

I've mentioned before that I am NOT a collector.  I do, however, own one collection...my Willow Trees.  It started many years ago when Sheila presented me with a wall plaque depicting a mother and daughter hugging.  I loved it!  In the years since, she has given me figurines of a mother & daughter, mother & sons, husband & wife, and one depicting each of my children (and their individual personalities).  I've also been given one depicting hospitality by Dennis; a couple from Anita depicting friendship; a couple from Jessica depicting her feelings; and one from my cousin, Gwen.  Yesterday, I received my newest one from Stephen, Mandy and Jesse...probably my favorite...of a grandma rocking her grandbaby. 

Although I love the simple beauty of the Willow Tree figurines, the thing I love the most about them is the emotion that each depicts.  They aren't just a "pretty" on a shelf...they symbolize the relationship between the giver and myself.  Each one was a gift from the heart.  Each one makes me think of the loved one who gave it to me.  Each one is very special!  So today, I am thankful for my Willow Tree collection...but most of all, for what it represents.

Philippians 1:3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,

Thinking about Grandma

I've been thinking about my Grandma Mahaffey today.  I have a set of china that belonged to her, and I think of her whenever I use it.  It isn't fancy...but neither was she.

Grandma died of brain cancer when I was barely 7 years old, so my memories of her are fuzzy and fragmented.  I mostly remember going to the farm...one of my favorite things in the world, especially when all of the cousins were there.  We would play hide and seek in the cornfield at night.  The bigger kids would slide (or jump) off of the barn roof.   (I was the little kid, so I couldn't do all of the more "fun" things.)  I remember exploring the chicken house and barn and the old schoolbus.  There was an old steering wheel that was attached to a metal pipe, sticking up out of the dirt in the backyard.  We would swing 'round and 'round on it...I thought it was the greatest thing ever!  (Being a little kid sometimes had its advantages.)  In the evenings we would play blind man's bluff in the living room, jumping and climbing around on all of Grandma's furniture.  Sometimes we would stage a production for the grownups, using old clothes and draperies stored in the back bedroom.  We'd play croquet in the front yard, young and old alike.  We all loved that old farmhouse!  There was a "secret panel" upstairs (mostly used for storing peanuts) and a door leading into the attic, which I was always too afraid to enter (although I've had many a nightmare about it).  At Grandma's house, all of us young'uns were allowed to drink coffee.  I thought it tasted horrid, but I still would sip some of it because it made me feel so grownup.  Life was so exciting at Grandma's house!

I remember standing on the step stool at the kitchen counter, "helping" Grandma cook supper.  Grandma was known for being a wonderful cook!  I have heard many a story about her cooking, especially her homemade rolls.  Her kitchen wall was lined with shelves that stored all the jars of canned goods and jellies that she always put up. Grandma always kept a plastic Mr. Clean doll sitting on the window sill over the kitchen sink that I loved to play with.  I sure wish I knew what happened to Mr.Clean!

I don't remember Grandma saying much.  I don't know if that was because she was a quiet woman, or if she just seemed so because Grandpa ALWAYS had plenty to say!  I remember sitting between them in the pickup, going to church.  I remember playing with their German shepherd, King, who was so patient with all of us grandkids.  We could ride him like a pony, and he was gentle as could be.  Let a stranger come around, though, and watch out!  He was very protective of us kids! 

I remember sitting on a stool in Grandma's bedroom as she combed out her hair...before the cancer.  I remember going to see her after her surgery, and she was wearing a turban to cover her shaved head.  I vaguely remember that she just wasn't the same...

I have to admit that I'm a bit envious of my older cousins who had more time with Grandma and whose memories are more vivid.  I remember her face, but not her voice.  I seem to remember her scent, and how soft her skin was, and how sweet her smile.  I remember Daddy holding me and leaning me down to kiss her cheek as she lay in her coffin at her funeral. 

I was very close to my mother's mother, Granny Putman, and was blessed to have her in my life for 35 years.  My children insisted that I be called Granny when Jesse was born, because she was such a special person and strong influence in my life.  But there is a large hole left from losing Grandma at such a young age.  I don't remember a lot about her, but I know that she was very special to me.  I know that I loved her very much, and I still miss her to this day.