Survived the dreaded Day

Yes, I survived the dreaded day. Doctor said everything looked clear and I didn't need another test for 5 years. Then when she found out how old I was she changed that to I never would need another test. Now I am wondering did she think I wouldn't live another 5 years. I hate it when they talk to you when you are half asleep. I will wonder until I see my other doc tomorrow just what she meant. Maybe I should call and ask what she was referring to. Surely she wasn't predicting how long I would live.

Melissa is over helping me to cook dinner for my Bible study group. Tomorrow is our last night and I volunteered to bring dinner. I am the only one not working. I am just doing a green chili chicken enchilada casserole. Melissa baked a cake and tomorrow I will do the guacamole dip.

I am glad the Bible study is over every Thursday night for about nine months has been a long time. I will miss the people in the group though it has been good getting to know time.

Nothing exciting.

Tomorrow is the dreaded Day

Just finishing two days of a liquid diet. Just a few minutes and I start the dreaded drinking of the lousy stuff. I will be sitting on the potty for the rest of the day and into the night.

Tomorrow morning is the colonoscopy.

Saturday I had a pleasant date. We went to the Natural History Museum to the IMAX. We saw the raft trip down the Colorado thru the Grand Canyon. After the movie we had lunch in the lunchroom great Reuben's. I so enjoy dating at this late time of life. Melissa was here with me. It seems strange to be dating at the same time my granddaugther is.

Saturdays and Sundays are different. I am going to the 5:00 PM Saturday's service at the Methodist Church. Then I go to 10:30 AM Sunday service at the Unity Church. I am not finding any difference in the two.

More after I get over tomorrow.

Omabma

Reading back over my postings I missed posting one of the most exciting times of my life. Obama was in Albuquerque last week to push the Credit Card legislation. The night before he was here a good friend of mine called. She said she had a extra ticket if I wanted to go see Obama and I jumped at the chance. I only had to get up at 5:00 AM and go wait until 10:30AM to see him.

I have been resisting the fact that I need to use a cane for my balance. I did take it to see Obama and it turned out to be a blessing. One of the helpers saw me with it and took Candy and me to the handicapped section. Up front and to the side of the stage. The PA system was lousy we couldn't hear. I got more information from the newspaper and TV than I did being there. I was thrilled to get to see him, He is not so short as thin or wiry. His suit was beautifully tailored. The fabric wasn't flashy but the suit was very well tailored and made him look appropriate for a President.

I have seen two presidents now Bill Clinton a few years ago. Hubby and I stood in the sun three hours to see him and now Obama. I missed seeing Kennedy I was PG with Penni when he was in Pueblo. Hubby was on the committed to help with the crowd. Hubby took both of the boys and put them right down in front so they could see Kennedy. I'm sure that is one of their foundest memories.

The whole thing left me exhausted but it was worth it. I slept all afternoon and all night.

More Grief

Son-in-law planing to come to spread Penni's ashes this summer. This has brought every thing back with a new grief. I have to stop reliving the last few days of her life. David is planning a memorial bench in her honor. He had the Bible verse for the bench mixed up but we got that straightened out. I am anxious to see everybody.

Only one more week for Bible study I am going to miss to the group and our discussions. Every Thursday night for a year. The couple that have been leading the study are struggling their daughter has cancer. She is confined to a hospital for a month. Her name is Randi please pray for her and the family.

I am scheduled for that dreaded rear end scope test next week. Melissa is staying with me I am on a diet of liquid for two days before the test.

Not a lot new in my life.

THE SHACK by Wm Paul Young

I came home from Bible Study Thursday night to a small package. Early Mother's Day present.

Number one son and wife had sent me a book. "The Shack" by Wm Paul Young.

I started looking at it Friday Morning big mistake. It is one of those you can't put it down until you finish it. Guess what I read all day Friday and finally finished it this morning. It is a great book lots to think about and to digest.

I am going to send one to my sister-in-law for her Birthday.

Mothers Day May 1963

All of the advertisements for Mother Day have reminded me of the Albuquerque Journal's Mothers Day advertisements of 1963. Hubby was thinking of taking a job with Gates Rubber Company that would involve us moving to Albuquerque. We purchased a Sunday paper of the Albuquerque Journal to investigate the housing and general feel of the city. We pursued the paper thoughly and really liked what we saw. Needless to say we moved that summer to Albuquerque. Both of the boys were in grade school. We made them learn to spell Albuquerque before we allowed them to move here ( not that we would have left them behind.)

I have been recouping from a spell Sunday. After I came home from early church services about 10:00 I was reading the Sunday papers. I passed out and came to so dizzy and nauseated that I could not sit up or get to the phone. I finally stretched far enough to reach the phone and called my son's house. Only Eddie was home he came over and stayed with me until the rest of the family arrived. My son insisted on the Urgent Care after a EKG and blood tests they couldn't find any thing wrong. So I spent the rest of Sunday and Monday morning with Melissa at my side. I had a Monday morning appointment already with my heart doctor. He looked over the tests and said it wasn't my heart or a stroke . His verdict was a possible vertigo attack, he has ordered some tests for Monday. Melissa stayed with me until last night. I haven't had any other symptoms.

I feel fine now.

Dating Treats

My male friend keeps amazing me. I have lived in this town for the last years and forty something before that. But he keeps finding places to take me that I have never been before. The first time was a restaurant that was new to me not to Albuquerque. We had a good lunch in front of a fire place.

This time we had lunch at the Aquarium in front of the big fish tank, afterwards we took a ride through Tingley Beach. They have improved the beach so much it is hard to recognize it.

My dates may sound like bland things to everybody else but they have been a pleasant change in my life these days. He filled me in on all the gossip from the church and of course we had a good discussion of current events. Neither of us seem to be too concerned about the swine flu flap.

Still getting bids on the patio area they are coming down thank heavens but I am still in shock at how much they want.

The red ants have found me I had three in bed with me a couple of days ago. I keep finding one or two at a time in various places in the house. I think Missy got bit on the ear yesterday she had fits about her ear and still rubs it today. I have a bug guy coming next week it can't be too soon.

The weather has turned so hot that I am going to have to hook up the swamp cooler. It was too hot in here last night. I dug the fan out of storage. I have to close the doors and lock them at night therefore I don't have any outside air. I can't open any of the windows,they are too heavy for me. The only ceiling fan is a big one in the living room so I have to use the little stand up fan in the bedroom.

Surpriset

I realized that the newest greatgran was named James William which could have been for his grandfather or his greatgrandfather. But I read closer my sons blog with pictures and realized that his name was James William Rex, which could leave no doubt that he was named for his greatgrandfather. My hubby would have been so thrilled to have a little one named for him. He missed just a few days from being born on his birthday.

All of the new babies have given me a new interest in the genealogy of the family. My friend Rich has helped me download a program and retrieve the information from a very old cCD of my nephews. It is a starting place anyway. I just need to enter hubby and my information and go from there. Number one son found a link to his grandfather on his fathers side. I still have the internet link but I haven't been able to find the link. I just need to keep trying.

It is wonderful to have the computer to keep all of this information for the future generations. They won't have to do the digging that this will require.

I am still trying to get someone to do my patio, so far the estimates are more than I can manage at this time. My friend Joe and family came for all the big rocks. It was two truck loads and one trailer. I just have a few more rocks and lots of weeds. I need two small trees removed (too close to the wall) and about 6 pamas grass. Melissa was over for a couple of days sleeping on the love seat and helping me pickup all the weeds and grass that had been pulled. I have 4 big bags full of the trash.

Melissa wanted to come back to live with me but I don't have the room, she really needs out of that house. I need to keep a closer eye on her and her problems.

Lots of political and social things this weekend.

Travel Section

Travel section of today's paper sparked so many memories I had to blog about them.
Taos Inn, hubby and I spent a much needed weekend there. Penni was about 18 months old. Aunt Mildred spent the weekend with the boys and Penni. We spent the weekend in Taos lovely meals in the restaurant and even a dip in the swimming pool.

Other places mentioned in this section La Fonda in Santa Fe, we had lunch there when the Penni and family were here last summer. The day was very warm and the National Cemetery took a lot out of all of us. The cool dinning room and a large round table served as a blessed re spit.

Plaza Hotel in Las Vegas was a favorite of hubby's as mine after all the kids were gone and we could spend a weekend at the Wild Flower Festival. The dinning room had terrific food.

Cimarron was mentioned. Hubby and I and Penni, borrowed a friends travel trailer and spent a weekend camped in the cannon in Cimarron. Penni and I went to find a bush to us as a outdoor potty and got scarred by a snake.

The travel section had me in tears this morning so many memories.

Next Greatgran

Just got a call that my other grandgran for this month was born today.

James William Clark 7 lbs 11 oz and 21 inches long. This was a big baby. His moma is not a very big girl, but I understand she is alright.

Will post more when I know more.

Pictures of B & B Trip

Now that I can get pictures into the blog I want you to see a picture of the B & B and the group that spent the day.

The investment club has booked a night in July. I am hoping to get my family there when they come for our trip to Glorieta. The B&B is just a few miles from Glorieta. I am sure Michelle would love the dog and Steven the couples son they haven't seen each other since they were very small.

Anyway you get the idea of what a great time we had.

New Greatgran

Hurray, I did it I posted a picture Abigail was born Friday April 17, 7lbs 2 oz. 19 inches long.
That is two kids for E the rest of the grandkids are working hard at catching up with him. I have another greatgran due this month any day now, and another one due in July.

This little one has lots of dark blond hair and or course blue, blue eyes. All of the stuff animals I have given her are bigger than she is. I hear she is a good baby and sleeps a lot and is very quiet. I missed her when I took her teddy bear to her yesterday, I will have to try again today.
First little girl and if all the pictures are reliable the only girl in the three this year. I am glad she is here so I can spoil her. None of the grandgran will be close enough to spoil. After all that is what grans are for.

I was thinking about hubby today and how proud he would be that his family line is continuing. This little one carries his last name and one of the other ones due this year will carry his name as well. E's 6 year old carries his last name as well.

Change in My Life

I have been invited out to lunch twice in the last week.

It is hard to wait for someone to open a the door of the car for me.

The gentleman is a member of my church. I met him in the once a month dinner group. He goes to the late Sunday morning service. I usually go to the early service. One of the things I have missed the most is a male to discuss things with. I guess I just miss the male point of view. So far we have spent a lot of time talking about his deceased wife and my deceased hubby. He has a military background so that is familiar.

The lunches have been a pleasant time.

Happy Easter

I had a beautiful experience this morning. Our little Methodist Church uses a large building which is really a gym. One wall has small windows in the shape of a cross this is used as the front of the church. A lady of the church has made gorgeous hangings that are hung along the side in the front and in the front on either side of the window. The hangings today have a bunch of grapes, a sheaf of wheat, a cross and etc.

The sermon was on the open tomb. That moment became a frozen moment in time for the women who were there. We were ask to think of a frozen moment in time that we have had. When I close my eyes I see Penni the last time I saw her. I held her hand a little while right after she died. When I opened my eyes I looked up to try and keep from crying. In the little round window, above the windows that made up the cross, there a was beautiful gold butterfly.

As anyone that knows anything about my daughter they know she loved butterflies.

This may be just a one of those things but it lifted my spirits and made me know I shouldn't keep thinking of her as dead abut alive and tranformed like that butterfly.

Beautiful Day

It took two weeks of planing to get everyone off for April 7. I borrowed my son's van to take a group of friends up to the bed and breakfast. Arrowsridge is about 10 to 15 miles north of Glorieta. The road which is private gets better each time I go. Joe works on it all the time, it bumpy but easily passable. The beautiful house made of adobies sits on the top of a little mesa and looks out over the valley to the north. Joe and Annie with help made all of the adobies and build this beautiful house doing all the electrical, plumbing and laying of tiles, plastering, decorating and creating this amazing house. Don Imus lives below Arrowridge you can see the tops of his house from the rim of the bluff. It is so still and quiet the birds flit from tree top to tree top with nothing to scare them off. We were met by the guard dog of the household his name is Piper and he loves a pet or two in his time. He has beautiful markings, the story goes he found his way to Arrowsridge and decided to stay. He is very protective of the Joe and Annie and their son Steven.

It was a gorgeous day 70 degrees with little wind. We were almost an hour late getting out of town but we were on our way with 5 instead of the 7 we planned on taking.

We arrived in time for lunch, tables were set with formal dinnerware awaiting our arrival. Annie is the most terrific chef. She had to shoo all of out of her kitchen to serve lunch. Lunch was carrot soup with crab on top. Salad greens with strawberries and nuts in a sweet salad dressing. Main course with grilled asparagus, chicken breast stuffed with a yummy filling, on a bed of pasta. Dessert was light coconut cake, lay ed with lemon curd, icing was real whipped cream.

Afternoon was spent in investing the house, walking around looking at the great scenery, and just talking with each and every person there.

We didn't start home until 7:00 so it was a long day but great good friends, good food, beautiful scenery. We need to plan more days like this one.

Insurance Companies

My last couple of posts haven't made a lot of sense . I have outlined this one so maybe my thinking is clearer.

Both of my sons think I understand a lot more than I do. I try very hard to keep up with my educated sons. Having worked for 15 years in the education field I understand that degrees do not necessarily mean intelligence. I have worked very hard at self education, reading hubbies required reading in his college classes. Reading the set of encyclopedics we had at home, studying various fields I worked in.

I have been trying to make some sense of the financial mess the world is in today and I am really struggling. Number one son has a lot of information on his blog that is sometimes very difficult for me to understand. Number two son doesn't spend a lot of time trying to figure it out. Maybe I have too much time on my hands is why I am trying to understand it. So here I go at my understanding.

1954 father-in-law (less than a high school education), he reads everything that is printed that he can get his hands on. Prediction corporations (what or who?) will take over the world. It was such of silly idea that we didn't find out why or how he came to that conclusion. I wish now, I had paid more attention.

1961 Homeowners policies new product for insurance companies. I was working for a Savings and Loan and they wanted to persuade all their mortgage holders to change fire policies for homeowners. This began my years of working in the insurance field first fire and casualty and ending up in life insurance in 2000.

Here is some of the things I learned about insurance. Insurance was started to provide coverage for ships and their cargo. Lloyd of London, had a group of men who would underwrite or pledge so much money to cover the ship and cargo that it would arrive at the port intended for the goods. If the ship and cargo was lost they would pay what amount of money they had pledge to the ship owner. If the ship an cargo arrived they had a profit from the premium they had charge for pledging there money. Groups of men pooled money to set up insurance companies to cover not only ships and cargo's but fire insurance, and other types of insurances. Insurance companies were then founded. Laws were enacted to protect public to ensure that they had a big enough pool of funds to pay claims in case of a catastrophe. That money had to be invested to keep the company a float. Claim pools had to be invested very secure investments. Premiums had to be large enough to pay expenses of insurance company and add to the claims pool. Then you understood the law of large numbers that keep that pool of money at a safe level.

Somewhere along about the late 60's or early 70's I became aware that corporations were buying up big insurance companies. Why? Or course they discovered that large claims pool that by law insurance companies were required to keep. If the corporation owned the insurance company it was a small matter to get the laws changed to get there hands on all that money.

2009 Government is having to loan money to insurance companies to keep there doors open?
Corporation (who?) got there hands on the claims monies. Now they were no longer required to keep such a large claims pool, so what were premiums used for (?) obscene salaries and bonus's.

Why working for 48 years off and on in the insurance field did I only make enough money to pay a mortgage and feed a family. Something is wrong with this picture or is something wrong with my thinking?

Unity

Does everything happens for a reason. My little Methodist Church has a month or longer program entitled "What I would do if I had one month to live?" Sorry this is too close to last year I can't live through that again. I told the pastor I would be back after this program is over. By chance I stabled into a Unity church meeting in the local elementary school cafeteria. I found the widow of my hubbys first Principal she is a member of the church. I had been thinking of looking her up.

I have been there for the last three weeks. I was by myself the first time by myself with family members the second week and Shari came today. I have been trying to get Shari anywhere near a church for months. So today was a break through and she really let me talk to her about about Jesus and being saved. She really listened for a change.

Earliest Political Quesion

I don't remember how old I was when I first became aware that the State of Colorado was about to execute a man. I was very concerned that what if he wasn't guilty? How could you give him back his life if you found out he wasn't guilty? I kept asking why the state would do such a thing. No one could give me an answer then and no one can give me an answer now.

I'm glad it is the Governors decision and not mine. I'm also glad that it isn't the deciders decision.
Keep loging on and I will post the Governors decision.

Pictures of my new dog Missy

I have had my new puppy a little over a month now but you can see she has made herself at home. She is so sweet and lovey. She stays at my heels all day, while I am gone she sleeps on the pillow on my bed.

Mark was over and helped me a lot, maybe I can post pictures once in awhile.

When I have a free day to just scan pictures into my computer and put them on CD's. I may be sending a box of family pictures to the boys. After I get them on a CD I need to reduce the amount of storage space. My little office is getting organized little by little.

Enjoy pictures of Missy I am really enjoying her.