Out with the Old, in with the New

Winter has definitely set in. Of course, we always have nice days interspersed with cold ones here in North Texas (one of the many reasons I like living here). Last week, we missed most of the snow that everyone else got. We got some, and it was beautiful coming down, but it didn’t really stick…just a light dusting. I’m so glad that all my grandkids got enough to play in though.  I really enjoyed seeing the pictures and videos of them! Another blue norther came through today. No precipitation is predicted, but the temperatures are supposed to be pretty chilly.  I don’t get out much when the thermometer drops below freezing. I made my (hopefully) final run to Walmart today, so I should be stocked up for hibernating. 😊

This was about the most coverage we got.

We had a sleepover with Archer and Kacey in early December, so their parents could attend Ricky’s work party. As usual, they were really good! Then a couple of weeks later, their family all came over for an early Christmas celebration. They were heading to New Mexico the next week. So fun watching the kids with their presents! I think Kacey like the little crocheted ornaments the best. LOL!

On the 17^th, we did our annual viewing of “White Christmas” at the Palace Theatre in Grapevine. Gwen and Gina went with me. We met up at Diane’s house, where she and Debbie P were waiting. Then the 5 of us rode together and had supper at Uncle Julio’s. It was Taco Bar Tuesday, so we decided to go with that. We had a blast! Then off to see the movie, where we met up with the rest of the gang. It was great, as always! The drive home was even fun, since I had Gina and Gwen with me. I love our girls’ outings!

We were so shocked and saddened by the death of James Speed! When Dennis came in to tell me, I kept waiting for someone to call and say they’d made a mistake. He was way too young to be gone! My heart absolutely breaks for Chelsey and the kids. He was such a special guy, and we will all miss him terribly. His funeral was in Paris, so we went the night before to get in a little extra visiting time with Stephen’s family.

We had our 5^th Sunday guest speaker and potluck on the 29^th. Layne was our speaker. After the assembly, everyone came over here for lunch. I made a big pot of jambalaya and some homemade ciabatta bread for the occasion. It was great spending time together and enjoying good food.

Sheila’s family came over on New Year’s Day for our annual seafood boil. We all look forward to that! It’s a once-a-year treat. Of course, we enjoy every opportunity to visit with them, too!

Ricky’s family came over and spent last Saturday. We went out to lunch, then went shopping downtown. The littles really enjoyed the outing (as did we adults) ! Archer especially loved Garrett’s Pawn Shop. They have a practice of handing out free ice cream sandwiches to their customers. The guy who runs the place took a shine to Archer and also gave him a free toy race car. That little guy made out like a bandit!

Ricky worked out of town last week, so Amber and the kids had planned to come spend the night. With the weather turning bad, and knowing we’d all be stuck indoors, we figured we’d all enjoy the change of pace. However, Archer woke up with a fever the morning they were supposed to come. Poor little guy felt rotten for about 3 days! He was heartbroken (as were we) that he couldn’t come over. Thankfully, Ricky was able to come home Wednesday night to get ahead of the storms. I know it helped Archer having his dad back home!

Ricky is supposed to be working out of town next week, too, so we are going to try again. Amber and the kids plan to spend a couple of nights and then head out to be with Ricky for the weekend. Hoping that nothing gets in the way this time!

Rosie was sick this week with a high fever. After 2 or 3 days her fever broke and she broke out in a rash…probably roseola. This is a rough time of year for littles! I sure hope no one else gets sick for awhile!

After getting out of my boot and going back to my podiatrist last month, he sent me for airrosti treatments. I was skeptical, but they really helped! It involves some very deep tissue “massage”, which breaks up scar tissue, relaxes muscles and increases blood flow to the area. Exercises to do at home are also prescribed. My foot/ankle is doing great now! I just have to continue the at home exercises as needed. After my first 2 (of 3) treatments, my foot felt fine, but I had developed a pain in my hip that wouldn’t go away. So my therapist focused her efforts on it for my last treatment. It was immediately better, and completely cleared up in another couple of days of home treatment. I’m a believer now!

I made several small projects during December. I did Santa hat towels for a couple of my girls, crocheted ornaments to go on all the presents, crocheted a toy basket (for here) and a highland cow (for Archer), made a snowman table runner and knitted a cap. Then this month I finished up my embroidery journal and crocheted a gnome. I’m currently working on a crocheted hedgehog, but it is much more problematic and time consuming than I expected. The yarn that I bought for the spikes is very hard to work with. It got all snagged and tangled, so I’ve been working on rolling it into balls for the past few days before going back to crocheting. The technique used to make the spines is very slow and tedious, so I’m going to play around with it to see if I can find another way to do it. If I ever get it finished, it should be really cute! So much work for such a small toy!

toy basket

Highland cow

gnome

Snowman table runner (I think this one is my favorite)

I like to begin a new year doing some cleaning and reorganizing. For the past couple of weeks, I have been cleaning out and straightening all of my closets and pantry. I finished the last one today. YAY! I made a trip to the thrift store yesterday with a bunch of stuff to donate. Now I have a bunch more to take. Everything looks so much better and is easier to locate. Now if I can just keep them all that way....

I guess that’s all for now. Stay safe and warm during this cold snap!

Ps 147:12, 16-17 Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion…He gives snow like wool; He scatters the frost like ashes; He casts out His hail like morsels; Who can stand before His cold?

Busy time of year!

Dennis and I had a “date afternoon” last week and went to see “It’s a Wonderful Day in the Neighborhood.” I loved it. Mr. Rogers was such a dear, sweet man who loved people, especially children. I read an article that said he agonized over every word and action in his show…making sure that there was nothing said or done that could confuse a child. He was so gentle and loving! I really recommend the movie to anyone who hasn’t seen it yet.

We had a care plan meeting for Dad last week. Things are about the same…just steadily getting weaker and more tired. The hospice social worker visited him Tuesday…first time since he was first admitted to the service a month ago. She was surprised by how much he had declined. She doesn’t think he’ll be around much longer. He still gets up for meals and to go to the restroom, but the rest of the time he just wants to sleep. She suggested that I read to him during my visits, which I did on Wednesday. When I asked him yesterday if he wanted me to read to him, he said no, that he was too tired. He did have a visit from Ralph and Linda S and Diane B on Monday. Diane said he seemed to enjoy it and stayed awake the entire time.

I had decided to take on a new CASA case after the first of the year after my year-and-a-half long sabbatical. Last week, our director sent out a list of new cases that needed advocates, and one caught my eye. It was just what I needed to get back “in the game”. I met the child and foster mom on Monday and attended the adversary hearing Tuesday morning. Things have changed since my last case and I feel really rusty, so it will take me awhile to get reacclimated!

Last Friday evening, Caleb had his piano recital at Bass Hall. (It was actually in the building across the street where they hold the Van Cliburn competition.) We went to Matt and Sheila’s, early, to take them their deer meat and Christmas presents. Then we all (including Andy and Sherry) went to eat supper together before heading downtown for the recital. It was fun! Most of the students were beginners, so I got a bigger kick out of watching Nam’s reactions than listening to the numbers. He was hilarious! During one piano piece, the little girl was playing a familiar tune. Dennis whispered to Nam the name of the song, and Nam looked askance at him and asked, “How can you tell?!!!” (I admit, it took me a minute or so to recognize it myself!) Caleb did a really good job, though. I was so proud of him! He had the biggest cheering section too!

Sheila and Nam came over for several hours on Saturday. Nam and Grandad played, while Sheila and I did some cooking for the freezer. We really enjoyed their visit! All three of us are looking forward to Nam’s two-night sleepover in a couple of weeks.

We didn’t take Dad to church on Sunday for the first time. I didn’t tell him before hand, we just didn’t show up. We went by later to take him communion, but he was sound asleep, so we didn’t disturb him. He hasn’t said anything about it all week, so I’m not sure he even realized that we didn’t take him. He used to would have been really angry with us! I don’t know whether it is a matter of not noticing or just being too tired to care anymore.

We had some visitors from Amarillo at Highway Sunday morning, so a few of us went out to eat lunch together. We had a great time! It is nice to be able to do things like that again. It has been quite a while since we've had that freedom. Dennis and James S left from church that evening to go on their hunting trip. They got back yesterday afternoon with a LOT of meat! We probably have plenty now for us, as well as being able to share one with Amber and Ricky. Dennis loves being able to provide meat for the whole family!

I went back for my follow-up visit with the doctor Tuesday. I’m definitely needing a CPAP machine. I should be hearing from the company who will provide it soon to set up a time to come out and get me set up. I hope I adjust to it quickly and start feeling more rested!

After my doctor visit, I headed over to Diane B’s house for the night. We met up with several other ladies from Henrietta Creek at the Palace Theatre in Grapevine to watch “White Christmas”. The theatre is a historical landmark. They do things a little differently from other movie theatres. There were no ads or previews. Instead, a lady came out to tell everyone a little about the theatre and the movie. There was a balcony section, which sounded like fun, but one of our ladies was concerned that she wouldn’t be able to handle the stairs. The house was packed and the crowd was more interactive than usual at the movies (clapping after certain scenes and at the end of the movie, lots of laughter, and you could even hear a few people singing along with the movie). We loved it! We talked about making it an annual event. The section of Grapevine where it is located is all decorated up with lights and photo ops, with Christmas music playing. It was really pretty!

After the movie, Diane and I went back to her house, put on our jammies and watched an OLD Fred MacMurray and Barbara Stanwyck movie before turning in for the night. I always enjoy our “girl time” at Diane’s house! Btw, her broken wrist is much better! She doesn’t have to wear her splint anymore and is hoping to be released this week. She still doesn’t have full function back (which may take a year), but she is steadily making progress.

Wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas!

November update

I took Daddy back to his pain management doctor last week. The procedure that he had done on his back in March is no longer effective. They plan to repeat it next Tuesday. I hope it lasts a bit longer this time. He really doesn’t need to take prescription pain pills for several reasons…one being because of his kidneys. He also can’t take ibuprofen for the same reason. Now his liver enzymes are elevated from using so much Tylenol. Getting old is rough!

I found a new snack recipe last week that I’ve been making a lot of. You slice apples thinly, sprinkle with a little sugar and cinnamon and bake for 2-3 hours at 200⁰. Dennis and I love them! Nam will eat one or two, but isn’t a big fan. I think it is my favorite way to eat apples. I have to be careful though…I can eat more than is good for me! I also cooked up a large batch of jerky since the weather has turned cold. I put up a gallon for when everyone is here Thanksgiving, and we’ve been snacking on the other gallon. I love using my oven when it is cold outside! It helps warm the house without having hot air blowing on me.

Last Thursday, since Gina was keeping Nam, I planned a date night. We haven’t been on one in months! I’ve been wanting to see the movie, “Indivisible”. We caught a matinee and then went out for a steak dinner. The movie was really good, but it was SO sad! I blubbered pretty much all the way through it. Even Dennis liked it (and I did see him wiping his eyes a time or two!). It shows how hard it is on those who are deployed in a war zone…AND on their families.

We had a pretty quiet weekend. I stayed in all day Saturday, cooking jerky. Dennis went hog hunting and killed a couple…just to get rid of them. The folks were the only ones who had dinner with us on Sunday. Rick went out to eat with friends. So it was a very low-key day.

I’m supposed to go back to get another injection in my shoulder on Wednesday. I’m hoping it will last a little longer this time. Part of the problem I had last time was working on the guest room…doing overhead work. It is really hard on that shoulder to hold my arm up…especially when I’m bearing weight with it. I will have to make sure I’m more careful this time. The injections are supposed to last about 3 months (which is how often they can be given).

Thursday, we plan to butcher deer. That is our “day off” from keeping Nam, so it is the logical choice. I do NOT think he is ready to “help” with butchering yet! We have a big buck to process, so it will be a good 3 hours or more of steady cutting, grinding and packaging. If Nam were here, it would probably add an additional hour! 

Next week will be pretty full. Sunday night, Sheila, Nam and I are spending the night in a downtown FW hotel, so we can watch the Christmas Parade. Monday is Dennis and my 41^st anniversary. Tuesday is Daddy’s back procedure. Wednesday and Thursday will be busy with Thanksgiving baking and cooking (and making Nam’s birthday cake). Then family will all be here for Thursday night through Saturday. We’ll be having Nam’s party sometime during the time Stephen’s family is here. It is convenient to have his birthday fall at Thanksgiving, so the family is already together. But it does complicate preparing for it and Thanksgiving at the same time! Things are going to be quite loud and busy with all of the kiddos here.

Since it will be so crazy next week, I’ll go ahead and wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving now! Enjoy the wonderful food and family time…and be sure to be thankful for all of your blessings!

Review of the movie "Lion"

Sheila and I watched a movie Friday night that she had been wanting to see.  It is based on the true story of Sharoo Brierly.  He was from a small village in India, where he lived with his mother, older brother and baby sister.  His family was very poor...his mother worked in a rock quarry, and he and his brothers scrounged (and stole) whatever they could to survive.  At the age of 5, he was separated from his family by tragic circumstances and ended up over 900 miles away in the city of Calcutta...lost and alone.  The movie portrays the horrors of what happens to children living on the streets in India...and in their "orphanages".  (I HOPE that things have changed greatly since the 80's, when this story took place!) 

Sharoo was adopted by an Australian couple, who later adopted another boy from India.  Their early years are quickly skimmed over, and the story resumes when Sharoo is in his mid-20's, when he decides to try to find his birth family.  The obstacles he faces are monumental, considering India had a population of around 1.2 BILLION people at the time of his search (and over 500,000 villages)! 

I don't want to spoil the movie for anyone who decides to watch it, so I won't go into any more details of the story.  What I will do is talk about how powerful this movie is!  Of course, I am especially vulnerable to adoption stories right now...with one adopted grandson from Ethiopia and another one in process from Vietnam.  I can get pretty emotional!  This story had me bawling out loud.  I was trying so hard to hold it in (because it really embarrasses me to sob uncontrollably in front of other people!), but I couldn't.  My heart broke for this little boy as he faced the unbelievable challenges of being alone and abused and finally flying to another country to live with strangers that he couldn't understand.  Thankfully (at least, hopefully) neither of my grandsons have had to face the abuses that Sharoo did, but the emotional impact of international adoption on a child is still very traumatic.  I already knew this in my head, but seeing it portrayed brought it home to my heart.  (I wasn't around Shepherd very much when he first came home...certainly not on a daily basis.)  Even though I strongly believe in adoption (whether domestic or international), I also recognize the struggles that children face when such a traumatic upheaval occurs in their lives.  I've observed it, not only watching Stephen and Mandy as they brought Shepherd home; but also seeing how my CASA kiddos have struggled through the whole foster care and adoption process.  The older the child, the more traumatic it is, because they remember their birth families and love them and want to go back to them.  But even in infants, their little brains retain their birth mothers' smell and the sound of her voice and they suffer from being separated from her.  Even when they come from terrible homes, their brains are still hardwired with the memories of being separated from their familiar people and they suffer trauma.

Sheila has done a lot more research on this subject than I have, but I have read books and articles about what happens to the brains of children when they suffer early trauma.  The effects can be extreme and permanent.  Being loved and cared for by insightful and understanding parents can make a world of difference, but some still end up permanently "damaged".  Some of this was process was demonstrated in this movie, and it was so very painful to watch!  I'm extremely thankful that Shepherd has done so well in his adjustment and attachment to Stephen and Mandy (and Jesse!), as well as to the extended family.  I hope and pray that Josiah will be resilient and do well with his transition when the time comes.  I certainly will have a little better understanding of what he will be going through and hopefully react in a way that will help him.  Sheila is constantly studying about the challenges that he and she may face...throughout his life.  I'm sure if anyone can do a good job of seeing a child through this traumatic time, she can! 

In conclusion, I would like to recommend this movie to all...not just to those who are interested in adoption.  It does such a good job of showing what these little ones go through and how their past can influence them throughout their lives.  It also demonstrates the love that (good) adoptive parents have for these "chosen" children.  I think we should all open our minds and hearts to those who are the most in need.  Not everyone can adopt.  Not everyone will choose to assist those who do adopt.  But I think we should all be willing to learn more about adoption and be more compassionate and understanding with those who do feel called to reach out to these precious children.  We are commanded to minister to widows and orphans.  Being supportive of those who decide to open their homes and hearts to orphans or abandoned or abused children is the least that anyone can do!  (A neat side note of interest...Nicole Kidman, who plays Sharoo's mother in the movie has adopted two children in real life.) 

Be sure to have tissues handy!

Setbacks and Progress

Well, I really think things are starting to come together for Daddy and Bobbie.  Of course, most of you know that Bobbie is going to have to have her elbow surgery redone.  That was a big disappointment!  Her bones just aren’t what they once were, so the screw didn’t hold.  This time the doctor will use a longer screw and wire it to secure it.  Hopefully her recovery will go smoothly!

I think we’ve finally got Daddy’s prescription mail order service working smoothly.  That is SUCH a relief!  I’m not sure if Bobbie’s is lined out completely, yet, or not.  They were still having some issues the last I heard, but they should have things smoothed out soon, if they don’t already.  I love being able to check on the status of his prescription deliveries from my computer!  The office manager at Brookdale is pretty happy about it, too!  We’ve gotten to be pretty chummy over the past few weeks.

I believe we’ve found a good estate sale planner!  I met with two last Tuesday, but I pretty much already had my mind made up before meeting with them.  One lady had been so helpful and informative in her correspondence with me.  She had provided references, which I called, and they raved about the service she provided!  When we finally met, I knew she was the one I wanted to handle the sale.  She is very professional, very knowledgeable, very compassionate, and a hoot to boot!  She plans to start working on getting things ready around the end of April, and the sale should be early in May.  We signed a contract, so the house is now off-limits to Daddy and Bobbie…no more sneaking over there and finding more stuff to keep!  This ought to keep them home more, too.  They were constantly running back over to Saginaw for one reason or another!

I think they are starting to settle in and enjoy their new home now.  Daddy’s been working out in the garden some.  They had some kids come last week and plant flowers.  Daddy seemed to really enjoy that!  They also have another couple that they seem to really enjoy visiting with.  Daddy is determined, now, to try to talk Mayrene into moving to Brookdale!  He thinks it would be perfect for her!  LOL!

Before we could close Daddy’s bank account in Saginaw, we had to find out what a certain monthly ACH withdrawal was (he couldn’t remember).  I got the name and contact info last week and called.  It turned out to be an insurance company that he had purchased a cancer policy from back in ’02.  He then forgot he had it.  So I cancelled the policy and explained that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer in ’08.  They said they would send me a claims packet, so that we could file on it.  So if I can get Daddy to remember who his doctor was, he can recover some of his expenses from his treatments. 

I started feeling much better this past week and was finally able to get in a couple of CASA visits before the month ran out!  I was cutting it pretty close!  It is so nice to be about over that crud I had.  I’m still coughing a little, but not bad at all.  Still having quite a bit of drainage, but that may just be from allergies. 

Dennis’ fall on Friday sure scared me and Ricky.  I was in the house, and Dennis decided to go ahead and do some painting on the garage before Ricky arrived.  All of a sudden I heard a crash and thud and then a loud growl.  I was out the door as quickly as I could go and found the ladder lying on one side of the driveway and Dennis on the other.  He was holding the back of his head and blood was all over his hand.  He managed to get up and come in the house, and Ricky showed up about that time.  Dennis was in a LOT of pain and dizzy and nauseated.  His vision was blurry, too.  I was sure convinced that he had a concussion.  I tried to clean up his head, so we could see how bad it looked.  There was so much blood, I couldn’t really tell anything.  I tried to get him to let us help him to the car to go to the ER, but he was too dizzy to get up.  We waited until he finally felt like he could walk on his own, and I drove him to the hospital, with Ricky right behind us.  They took him right in and processed him as soon as he walked in.  We saw a doctor within 5 minutes of arriving!  His dizziness and blurred vision had already cleared up by that time, and his pupils were reactive, so the doctor just stapled his head gash shut and sent him home.  His headache went away quickly, without taking anything for it!  I was amazed at how quickly he got over it.  He set up a chair on the front lawn to “supervise” Ricky finishing up the new gable over the garage.  Next thing I knew, he was back up on the ladder helping him!  *shakes head wearily*  Today has been his worst day since the initial fall.  His muscles all over are sore!  He never did have any more headaches though.  His right elbow is very tender to the touch.  His bottom and elbow took the brunt of the impact.  He came out of it pretty well, considering!  I’m hoping he will wait to do ladder work until someone is out there with him from now on! 

The girls, Diane B and I went to watch Beauty and the Beast yesterday afternoon.  We loved it!  The girls were both skeptical about it, since they both LOVED the animated version from their childhoods.  But we were all impressed with the good job they did on this one.  I especially liked the backstory…filling in some of the blanks.  After the movie, we went to eat at a new Vietnamese restaurant that the girls had discovered.  As much as I love pho, I decided to try something different this time.  I really enjoy trying out new things, and I’m glad I did.  I ordered a vermicelli dish that was delicious!  It was very simple, but extremely flavorful.  (The egg rolls were delish, too!) 

The guys had a “between services” business meeting this afternoon, so Daddy, Bobbie and I came home and ate leftovers.  I had cooked a chicken and rice enchilada casserole Friday night, expecting Sheila to come over.  She was feeling poorly from a cold and decided to stay home.  The recipe makes a LOT, so I took some over to her yesterday, and we ate off of some more of it today.  There is STILL enough for Dennis and I to have another generous meal.  The folks and I had a good visit, and then they left to visit my mom’s cousin, Vera, before heading to Eastside for afternoon services.

Dennis hopes to start laying floor tile this week!  I am really excited to get that done!  Thiess is supposed to come over to help him get started, since Dennis has never worked with floor tile before.  I think it will go pretty fast once they get the hang of it. 

I’ve got a couple of CASA commitments this week, plus I’m supposed to meet with Teddy to sign the contract for listing Daddy’s house…plus Bobbie’s surgery is Wednesday.  I’m hoping for a pretty calm and productive week!

Nacogdoches trip, ice storm, and Jesse pictures

Saturday before last, Sheila and I went out to the MW State Park for a hike.  Dennis and I plan to go out there on a regular basis, so I went ahead and bought a yearly pass.  It was a beautiful day for a hike.  We even saw a bald eagle flying over the lake.  Later that evening, when Dennis got off work, we headed down to Nacogdoches for the remainder of our extended weekend.  I haven't been there since the Gerralds moved away.  We really enjoyed visiting with the church there...it has been so long!  It was nice to meet all of Mike and Fonda's kiddos and put faces to names.  I THINK I can identify all 11 of them now!  They hosted a potluck, so we had ample opportunity to visit with everyone.  Larry and Johnnie T. came over for the afternoon service, then came back to our motel room with us for a longer visit.  It was great to catch up with them, too!

Monday morning, we slept in, then went to eat breakfast at Shipley's.  I really miss that store!  We ate plenty of donuts there over the years.  I still like their kolaches and donuts better than anyone else's.  After breakfast, we drove all over town...seeing what all had changed.  The biggest changes are at the university.  It has grown tremendously!  However, it was great to see all of the old places that have been there for decades.  This was the first time since we moved away, that I felt homesick for Nacogdoches.  So many memories came flooding back!  That town is where Dennis and I fell in love, where Stephen was born, and where our kids grew up.

Tuesday, I decided to do another walking trip to town.  I needed a couple of things from Walmart, so I headed out on foot.  The trip went fine.  But as the day progressed, so did my pain.  I have developed a foot problem over the past couple of months.  My family doctor thinks I have plantar fasciitis.  I go to a podiatrist this Friday to see what he thinks.  Normally, my foot hurts when I first start walking, and then eases up after a little while.  After walking to WM, the pain didn't ease up at all.  By bedtime, I could barely walk.  It did feel better the next day and has eased up over time.  It is back to just a mild pain when I walk...although I have a hard time walking without a limp now.  I'm hoping the doctor won't tell me I can't walk (for exercise) until the condition clears up...that there will be some sort of device that I can wear to take the strain off my heel!  I have too much I want to do to have to baby my foot!

We Skyped with Jesse again last week.  He is getting used to it now.  He points to the correct person on the screen when asked.  He laughed at Ricky's antics and blew kisses to us.  I'm really enjoying this "new" technology that enables us to see each other regularly!

Sheila and I went to see "McFarland, USA" Friday night...such a good movie!  I laughed and cried and (silently) clapped and cheered.  I recommend it for ANYONE!

Well, we haven't accomplished much, so far, this week!  It rained all Saturday night and Sunday, turning to sleet around 5:00 pm.  Monday morning, the roads were completely coated with ice.  Sheila and Jessica both went to stay close to their jobs for the night, to avoid having to commute on slick roads.  Sheila ended up staying again last night in FW.  I was glad she didn't have to be out much.  CWC hasn't been able to work yet, this week, so Ricky is suffering from a bad case of cabin fever.  Of course, Dennis had to work out in it.  He came in last night at 6:00, exhausted and sore!  His back was still hurting this morning from the strain.  I'm hoping there has been enough thaw that it will be easier today.  At least he shouldn't have to break open the mailboxes like yesterday!

Since the temperatures stayed in the 20's all day yesterday, I decided to take advantage of the situation and make jerky.  I don't like to run the oven all day unless it is really cold!  (Even though I only turn it to 170 degrees for drying the jerky, it still heats up the house.)  Jesse's "1 year" pictures also became available, so I had plenty of time to go through them, download the ones I liked best, and order a few of my favorites.  They really turned out cute!  I just don't have enough wall space to display all of the ones I like!

I love all of his cute faces!

Growing up so fast!

"Aww, c'mon, you guys!  Enough of the mushy stuff!"

I hope all of you are staying safe in this inclement weather!

"I hope I shall always possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an Honest Man. ~George Washington

Wednesday, Day 217:  Last night we watched (again) “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.”  I love Frank Capra movies!  We live in such a corrupt and cynical world, and it is so refreshing to watch a movie full of idealism and decency.  Current movies and TV shows try to portray life “as it really is” with all its violence and immorality and dishonesty.  We are constantly bombarded with images of corruption and greed and selfishness that make up our political system.  How nice it is to go back to the optimistic and compassionate views of Mr. Capra.  (I realize that the movie was controversial in its time and was thought to portray a pessimistic view of our government.  However, I believe it simply contrasts the corruption that is a real part of the system with the idealism that one honest man can make a difference for the better.) 

I love the speech that Jefferson Smith gives during his filibuster…especially the following:  “There's no place out there for graft, or greed, or lies, or compromise with human liberties. And if that's what the grown-ups have done with this world that was given to them, then we'd better get those boys' camps started fast and see what the kids can do…Great principles don't get lost once they come to light. They're right here; you just have to see them again!"

So today I am thankful for idealism and for those who have chosen to portray the beauty and goodness in life.  Would to God that more people would stand up for truth and virtue!  We need a good many “Mr. Smiths” in our nation!