The Return of Playdates 2012

Our weird warm weather continues here in the Ohio Valley. On my Spring Break, I always have the gramerlings over to make Easter candy. I picked this day, as thunderstorms were predicted. Looks pretty stormy to me. I knew, owing to the warm sun and blue sky, that no one would want to sit around the table painting candy molds, so out we went. Baby Giddy-up enjoyed a visit with his pretty little cousin Miss Bugg.

I love this discovery that sticking out a tiniest toe finds a whole new texture.
Hmm, what is that I feel?

Ahhh, this is the way Bean now rides in the Dolphin Swing. All stories now include Daddy and Afghanistan.

We were proud and happy to include a new Playdate member this year. Aunt Lois joined us today and plans to be a part of our Playdates. She walked in with just her cane. After a bad fall last week and a still purple/black noggin, I was mighty relieved to see her moving around so well. I so love that Playdates will now be four generations. I love that it is important to her to know these children who are so very important to me.

Time for a little lawn mower repair for heading to the creek.

Stay tuned for some hysterical pictures of Gideon's discovery that the mold he was painting held something tasty. So funny.

Roll On

Well, we're all relieved that Aunt Lois can get in and out easily now walking, or with walker, or wheelchair.

The million dollar ramp is in and quite a ramp it is.

This will take her right to the car door.

I imagine baby Gideon will think it's equally fine for cars and trucks that are his size.

Aunt Lois has been to the doctor she will have here and liked him a lot. He says she'll live to be one hundred. She's also ventured out to church and the weird warm weather has given her an opportunity to be out walking a wee bit.

Still, it's quite an adjustment for her to the many, many changes and losses this past year. I wish I could ease that part for her, but I know it will take time.

Last night, when I was visiting, she was relating why she no longer drinks carbonated drinks. She said, "My friend and I both had kidney surgery about the same time. The doctor told us not to drink soda. I quit, but she still drank Sprite and 7-up. She's been dead a long time now." We all about spit our food across the table. She says the funniest things.

Continued prayers for her broken heart are appreciated. She is quite the pioneer woman.

Okay, Deep Breath

Well, it's been quite a whirlwind of activity, but I'm at home again.

Sister SuZQ headed to Florence on Sunday. She started the business of helping Aunt Lois sort through clothes and pictures and making the laundry list of changes that had to be made to move her here to my daughter's. I met her there on Wednesday afternoon and we continued to sort and plan. SuZQ returned Thursday to take care of things on this end. She and Rae-Rae met with a contractor to install a ramp outside and rails in the bathroom. I stayed on in Florence to wait for the movers who came this morning.

Aunt Lois has handled it very well. I so hated for her to have a make a move and so very many decisions during such a grieving time.

Friday was a day of many special people stopping by to say, "Good-bye." Jill, a young woman from her church has been a good friend to Aunt Lois for a long time. They will miss each other so. Lots of tears.

Her pastor Greg and his wife Meghan. Meeting these folks made me want to go to church there.

Sue and I put her room together and she was satisfied with it. Yes, it will take awhile for her to get used to a new house, but she's a bright cookie. I expect by the time I go back on Tuesday, she'll have it all figured out.

Rae-Rae said this was her first adoption. Aunt Lois asked when I took this picture if it was the "Adoption Picture." I think Gideon and Aunt Lois will love each other.

Well, exhausting physically and mentally for a lot of us, but we got it done. I pray she finds some joy with me and mine.

I sorely missed my Handy Man for a lot of reasons, not the least of which was taking things apart and putting them together- ugghhhh, not my strong suit. I was welcomed home with steak, mushrooms and asparagus from the grill, with toasted marshmallows for dessert. Ahhh, home sweet home!

Uncle Berry

In this past year of posting, I've written a couple of times about my Aunt Lois and Uncle Berry. Really, they've been much more like grandparents to me than aunt and uncle. They lived on lake through my own children's growing up years and we spent many long weekends with them.

Yesterday afternoon, Uncle Berry suffered a stroke. They spent a very restless night at the hospital. Though he knows his wife and son, he's not at all sure of his whereabouts, or what he's doing there. Thankfully, Aunt Lois reports that the nurses are taking care of her as well and allowing her to stay in the bed beside him. Uncle Berry is 96 and Aunt Lois is 90. Randy will take good care of them I know, but prayers for their peace, comfort and healing are appreciated.

Happy 75th Anniversary Aunt Lois and Uncle Berry

I read this prayer from Sue's prayer book at the anniversary brunch yesterday.

Then we said, "You can kiss the bride."

Dewey, Debbie, Randy, Toni, Kimberly

Susie, Aunt Bett, Scott, Aunt Lois and Uncle Berry

The woman who drove her car out of a parking lot into the path of our car on the way home-good times!