Final Resting Place

She is Laid to Rest

There were 10 of us gathered together to spread her ashes. The daisies were just beginning to bloom as we spread her ashes among them at the foot of a cross. It was peaceful with the bench just a little ways away. There is a lovely plague with her name and a nice inspiration on it. Her big brother had a few words to say, they were hard for him.

I feel like this was the only funeral she had but I know she would have liked it. She is where she ask to be just a few steps away from where she was married.

Family reunion

I am looking forward to having the family together. Such a sad time but I am really looking forward to most of the family being there. We will be missing some grandkids and great grans.

I finally finished the slip covers for the breakfast nook. What a job that turned out to be. I also realized that if I tackled another sewing project I would have to invest in a new sewing machine. The machine I am sewing on was purchased when I was expecting my second son, 56 years ago. If my friend Annie had not helped me I would never have finished them. I am trying to think of a gift for her for helping so much. That is true friendship.

Just trying to clean house put everything away so that I can have company.

A dear friend is retiring from APS, her retirement party is June 30. Another friend is coming from Farmington for the party. She will be staying with me. I hope she will stay long enough that Annie and I can spend some time with her.

I will tell you about our trip to Glorieta later.

1Corinthians 12:12-26

Am I trying to be the head and not concerned about the rest of the body? The neighborhood bully has just challenged me. Lead or get out of the way and let him lead?

I didn't know I was trying to lead just get some interest in getting a neighborhood association started again. He is spreading vicious lies about the former head of the association. Lies that would crush her if she heard them. She is my best friend and I know the rumors have just enough truth in them to be destroying to her. The only person who could vouch for the truth is dead.

I want to just step out of the way and let him at it. I could care less, but these lies that he has started are just going to continue to grow. How do you stop rumors they just spread like wildfire. I am sure if I allow him full reign what kind of lies will he spread about me? What kind of lies is he starting?

I'm Home

What a busy 72 hours. My weekend of quiet spiritual retreat turned into a very active, busy 72 hours. It is almost impossible to describe, it would take a book to try to give you all of the details. Needless to say it was not what I expected. They say no one arrives there by accident. The most unlikely group of women from all walks of life, all age groups, all colors and all denominations. I would never have thought you could take 30 women the pilgrims and make them into a spiritual group.

The planing and the logistics were staggering.

We were only about 2 miles from home but what a trip down memory lane. The catholic high school campus use to be a small catholic college. 42 years ago hubby was the night security there while he finished college to become a teacher. Bruce went to college there. Penni and I use to take hubby supper and spend the evenings on the campus. There was nothing but prairie from the college to Cental about 5 miles and nothing the other way either. The campus sits on the edge of a bluff over the river. The little chapel was in the back of the building overlooking the river, city and mountains in the background. Early morning gave us a view of the few balloons up and drifting over the river and city. We saw the run rise over the mountain and the evening lights were spectacular.

All the time I could see us viewing the same landscape 42 years ago.

I'm not sure how these hours changed me but I certainly felt loved and cared for. For the first time in a long time. My family is not great on showing there feeling and emotions. I quess I raised them that way. The last day we were given a packet of letters from people who had been praying for us during the retreat. People from church, my sponser, friends and family. I recieved a letter from Pat that had me in tear from the rest of the afternoon.

I'll tell you more about it later but for now it is enough to say that I left feeling special and very loved.

Old problem rears it ugly head.

I have been trying to get our neighborhood association back up and running.
I was plugging along on it trying to get several of the homeowners association in the area to get involved. I was also trying to get a e-mail address set up and a mail box.

Three of us have met several times and decided to change the name of the association so that non of the baggage from the old association would follow us. We made some progress with the suggestions of another association. We added plastic to our sign so that some dear little one didn't rearrange the letters on the sign. They also suggested how to get a mail box that didn't cost us anything.

A former member ask to be included in any of the future plans. I didn't answer his e-mails as we had not planned any other meetings until of the three returned to the state. This former member had caused trouble before he insisted on his way and would not listen to what the group wanted to do. Because I had not answered his e-mail he contacted one of the persons that had helped us with suggestions in the past. This trouble maker from the pasted deiced to try another way of forcing his way in. He told a pack of lies and was successful in causing trouble.

I would have graciously included him in the next meeting. The fact was on the same day he tried to force the issue. I received information from the doctor they won't do both of my knees at the sametime. One at a time starting in September that will take 4 to 5 weeks recoup and then we would look at the next one. The ties me up for the next 6 to 8 months. I can't take on the heading this project. Someone else will have to take the lead.

I was accused to standing in the way of this individual who wants to head up the project. What I am curious about is why he hadn't started the process in the last two years before I came back. Nobody was standing in his way.

I assume that he only wants someone else to do all the work and then he wants to run it.

Sorry, I had to get this rant off my chest before this weekend.

Road to Emmaus

I have been invited to a weekend retreat called the Road to Emmaus.
I leave tonight and will be gone until Sunday afternoon.

I am really excited to see what this is all about.

Saint Miquel Fiesta

I'm not sure I spelled the name correctly. I spent the day at this little Catholic Church up by Glorieta. We started the morning with a Mariachi Mass, followed by a morning of bingo. I had a Frito Pie the chili was hot but so good. We walked around looking at all the booths, visiting with friends and relatives of my friends the Sandovals.

What a surprise to see a fellow APS secretary a friend of 15 years ago. We enjoyed catching up about all the years in between.

We went up to the bed and breakfast for several more hours of visiting with the family.

I am anxious for all my family to see this beautiful place. Hubby loved it so much he took lots of pictures some of the last ones were panarama of the terrific view from the bluff in front of the B and B. If you want to see for yourself try www.arrowsridge.com.

Baptists

Once a Baptist always a Baptist I guess. The front page of our paper shows a picture of large bells to be placed on towers here in Albuquerque. The bells are great they even ring in different keys one is C another in A sharp. I can see the Catholic Bishop blessing them but they went a step too far. They baptists the bells.

I am sorry my Baptist back ground raised the hair on the back of neck. As I understand baptism it is a sign that the person has died to there old self and has been given a new self in likeness to Jesus Christ.

How does a bell died to its old self and be given a new life in Christ?

This is a crazy post but maybe my post gets my point across.

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.