Today was the first day of Advent. I have to admit I went to church for all the wrong reasons. A friend of mine plays the organ once a month and I had not seen him since before we went to Sager Brown. His mother died just before we left and I wanted to see him and tell him how sorry I was.
Well, once there the spirit went to work. The banner committee has made some beautiful banners and one of the associate ministers explained the symbol on the first one. A new symbol of Advent will be added each week till Christmas.
The sermon was on WAITING and she asked us WHAT we. in this day and age. were waiting for. She talked about all the sadness in the world and how we have forgotten how to weep for all the pain. It really made me think about what I do to celebrate Christmas.
We like to give to organizations that need help and this year the list could put us in the poor house if we gave to everything we want to. We have SO MUCH and need so little.
It always bothers me that we only do these things at Christmas time. These people are hungry and cold and need help ALL year long. I hope this year maybe I can keep some of the giving spirit all year.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Trip Down Memory Lane
Benjamin is here this week-end and yesterday we decided to find the old pictures we took from our movie camera. Now that was a LONG time ago. We lived at Towanda, to be exact. We had two little girls and that was to be our family. HA
We traveled back to a time when Goldie, our cat, had two or three litters of kittens a year. Then one day she would take them for a walk and come back alone. We had the most wonderful dog ever - SNOWBALL. She would take us to find the new kittens when they were born. The cat and dog ate out of the same bowl, never the right kind of food or treats, but table scraps with milk.
One time we had Snowball sheared in the summer and the cat went on the roof of the house for two days and hissed every time the poor dog would come to the back door.
We saw the girls with kittens in old wicker buggies taking them for a walk around the yard. Then later Jill put some in the basket of the bike and around and around they went.
And...the ponies, Ajax and Skeeter. Goodness. Ted and I just had the best time. Benjamin finally said, "I'm bored" so we put the film on stop and ate some lunch. After lunch Benjamin and Grandad went bowling and I went shopping.
Last night after we had supper we turned it back on and he got to see pictures of his great-grandmother and great-grandfather. He thinks Grandad looks a little like his dad. We also saw Grandma and Grandad when they were young, had dark hair, and grandma was a thin lady. And we all noticed how much Mark looks like his own dad.
We saw Kim and Jill going to school with their faithful dog seeing them off at the gate. She would sit there until the bus came and every afternoon at 3:50 you would know it was time for the bus when she would be there waiting for them.
Then we came to a part when the two little girls had a baby sister born. She was a cute little thing and funny. She hardly ever got to cry because one or the other of the girls would be waiting for her to wake up. Jill told us recently she just LOVED Connie so. She said she used to be so happy when she would come home from school and could play with her.
The real reason we turned the movie on was so Benjamin could see his mom swim in 2" of water. That clip never gets old to me and Grandad and I had our laugh of the year.
We also saw where the three little girls had a brother born. Not many pictures of Mark - hmm - wonder why.
We traveled back to a time when Goldie, our cat, had two or three litters of kittens a year. Then one day she would take them for a walk and come back alone. We had the most wonderful dog ever - SNOWBALL. She would take us to find the new kittens when they were born. The cat and dog ate out of the same bowl, never the right kind of food or treats, but table scraps with milk.
One time we had Snowball sheared in the summer and the cat went on the roof of the house for two days and hissed every time the poor dog would come to the back door.
We saw the girls with kittens in old wicker buggies taking them for a walk around the yard. Then later Jill put some in the basket of the bike and around and around they went.
And...the ponies, Ajax and Skeeter. Goodness. Ted and I just had the best time. Benjamin finally said, "I'm bored" so we put the film on stop and ate some lunch. After lunch Benjamin and Grandad went bowling and I went shopping.
Last night after we had supper we turned it back on and he got to see pictures of his great-grandmother and great-grandfather. He thinks Grandad looks a little like his dad. We also saw Grandma and Grandad when they were young, had dark hair, and grandma was a thin lady. And we all noticed how much Mark looks like his own dad.
We saw Kim and Jill going to school with their faithful dog seeing them off at the gate. She would sit there until the bus came and every afternoon at 3:50 you would know it was time for the bus when she would be there waiting for them.
Then we came to a part when the two little girls had a baby sister born. She was a cute little thing and funny. She hardly ever got to cry because one or the other of the girls would be waiting for her to wake up. Jill told us recently she just LOVED Connie so. She said she used to be so happy when she would come home from school and could play with her.
The real reason we turned the movie on was so Benjamin could see his mom swim in 2" of water. That clip never gets old to me and Grandad and I had our laugh of the year.
We also saw where the three little girls had a brother born. Not many pictures of Mark - hmm - wonder why.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
My New Toy
Well, it's more than a toy but I sure have had fun with this little jewel. I've already made a TUBE PILLOWCASE, finished a sleep set that will eventually go to a Haiti hospital and am working on a new sweatshirt jacket for a sister-in-law.
Here is a picture
This little baby threads itself, I do not use a foot pedal, the little box you see on the right is where I tell it which one of the fancy stitches I want to use.
I'm about ready to make a little dress for a girl in Africa and can't decide which of the pretty designs I want to use. I just wish it could cook.
Here is a picture
This little baby threads itself, I do not use a foot pedal, the little box you see on the right is where I tell it which one of the fancy stitches I want to use.
I'm about ready to make a little dress for a girl in Africa and can't decide which of the pretty designs I want to use. I just wish it could cook.
Monday, November 14, 2011
HOME
We arrived home about noon on 11/11/11. That must of been good luck. We were so happy to see our little house. Everything looked wonderful when we arrived and walked in.
One thing had been on my mind though. I have a plant an Uncle gave me a few years ago and I was afraid it might be gone. I usually have someone take it while we are gone but this year I had a neighbor come in once to water it.
She watered it a week earlier than I had expected so I was wondering if it might be dead. BUT...here is what I found when we arrived.
I think some of the O'Neill stubborness is in this plant.
And we knew we missed most of the fall colors but here is what we see out our kitchen window every day.
One thing had been on my mind though. I have a plant an Uncle gave me a few years ago and I was afraid it might be gone. I usually have someone take it while we are gone but this year I had a neighbor come in once to water it.
She watered it a week earlier than I had expected so I was wondering if it might be dead. BUT...here is what I found when we arrived.
I think some of the O'Neill stubborness is in this plant.
And we knew we missed most of the fall colors but here is what we see out our kitchen window every day.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
HOME
Tomorrow about 3 p.m. we are getting in our little truck and heading up the road toward TENNESSEE. YEA!!!! I'm so excited to be going home. I'll be so happy to see our little house and my new car.
We won't get very far tomorrow but do hope to get on the other side of New Orleans.
Went to my favorite "hole in the wall" for supper tonight. The MainStreet Cafe. He's a funny man. His name is Chuck. Born and raised around here and no stranger ever walks in his front door.
He makes a good veggie burger, a great salad and just about anything else you want.
So...an end to our time at Sager Brown has come. Many good memories are here and several good friends. I could not tell my boss good-bye today. She's the best. I got her home address and will write her a letter later. She has a daughter living at home now with 4 children, ages from 5 to 11. And her husband is getting Alzhimers. I feel for her but she never complains. I couldn't ask for a nicer person to work for.
I'm sure I'll miss coming down here in the fall but have a feeling we will be busy with something else. What? I have no idea but we aren't ready for the nursing home yet. :)
We won't get very far tomorrow but do hope to get on the other side of New Orleans.
Went to my favorite "hole in the wall" for supper tonight. The MainStreet Cafe. He's a funny man. His name is Chuck. Born and raised around here and no stranger ever walks in his front door.
He makes a good veggie burger, a great salad and just about anything else you want.
So...an end to our time at Sager Brown has come. Many good memories are here and several good friends. I could not tell my boss good-bye today. She's the best. I got her home address and will write her a letter later. She has a daughter living at home now with 4 children, ages from 5 to 11. And her husband is getting Alzhimers. I feel for her but she never complains. I couldn't ask for a nicer person to work for.
I'm sure I'll miss coming down here in the fall but have a feeling we will be busy with something else. What? I have no idea but we aren't ready for the nursing home yet. :)
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Pictures of the Bayou
We have been coming to Sager Brown for 6 years. I have tried and tried to get a picture of a barge on the Bayou all of those years. I either didn't have my camera with me, I didn't get outside to take the picture in time or the batteries were dead in the camera.
This year I have been carrying my camera with me most of the time. Today as I was walking back to the Depot after lunch I saw an Egret riding on a mass of flowers that float on the Bayou. I'm not sure what this stuff is but it has a purple flower on it sometimes. I saw a Blue Heron on a bunch the other day too. They ride the Bayou on these and eat when a fish is available.
The flowers didn't appear to be moving so I thought I could surely get out to the edge of the Bayou and get a picture. AND I DID. Just as I snapped it I heard what sounded like an engine change gears. I looked and there was a BIG barge coming down and he slowed down and moved to his left to miss the Egret. Unbelievable. I was so glad to get that picture and so impressed with the captain that he actually moved that boat over so he would not distrub the bird.
This year I have been carrying my camera with me most of the time. Today as I was walking back to the Depot after lunch I saw an Egret riding on a mass of flowers that float on the Bayou. I'm not sure what this stuff is but it has a purple flower on it sometimes. I saw a Blue Heron on a bunch the other day too. They ride the Bayou on these and eat when a fish is available.
The flowers didn't appear to be moving so I thought I could surely get out to the edge of the Bayou and get a picture. AND I DID. Just as I snapped it I heard what sounded like an engine change gears. I looked and there was a BIG barge coming down and he slowed down and moved to his left to miss the Egret. Unbelievable. I was so glad to get that picture and so impressed with the captain that he actually moved that boat over so he would not distrub the bird.
I know the Egrete doesn't look very big but he's there.
Monday, November 7, 2011
LAST TRIP TO SAGER BROWN
It's official, we are not being invited back next year. I had a feeling we weren't going to be and Saturday Ted finally asked the guy over us.
He said "NO" they had a lot of other people wanting to come and volunteer so were going to have some of them next year, then they'd be bringing some of us back. Well, I don't believe him but let it go. In his next breath he told Ted they would be phasing out the help in the sewing room since they hired Florida. I figure one of these days someone will catch him in a story - I just hope I get to hear about it.
The thing that really hurts me is that NO ONE said a word to us. We had to go and ask. I talked to my supervisor in the Depot today and she didn't even know it. She's not happy that they are taking Ted away but he seems to have more say than most of the other people here.
I had to leave church Sunday as my emotions got the best of me when they "passed the peace" and two people told me they were really going to miss me. We plan to get out of here Thursday right after work and aren't telling anyone. I don't think I could make it through the Vesper Service anyway.
SO...I already have plans for next October. I want to come to Illinois and go on the Cemetary Walk and then I want to go to our all church retreat. I've wanted to go to that for a long time but we were never home. Now we will be.
This has been a great thing for Ted and I. WE both have loved coming here and the work they do. We have made some great friends. But this year things changed a lot, especially for me and I began to think I might not come back anyway. It still would of been nice to of had someone come talk to us and tell us what was going on instead of having to go ask.
He said "NO" they had a lot of other people wanting to come and volunteer so were going to have some of them next year, then they'd be bringing some of us back. Well, I don't believe him but let it go. In his next breath he told Ted they would be phasing out the help in the sewing room since they hired Florida. I figure one of these days someone will catch him in a story - I just hope I get to hear about it.
The thing that really hurts me is that NO ONE said a word to us. We had to go and ask. I talked to my supervisor in the Depot today and she didn't even know it. She's not happy that they are taking Ted away but he seems to have more say than most of the other people here.
I had to leave church Sunday as my emotions got the best of me when they "passed the peace" and two people told me they were really going to miss me. We plan to get out of here Thursday right after work and aren't telling anyone. I don't think I could make it through the Vesper Service anyway.
SO...I already have plans for next October. I want to come to Illinois and go on the Cemetary Walk and then I want to go to our all church retreat. I've wanted to go to that for a long time but we were never home. Now we will be.
This has been a great thing for Ted and I. WE both have loved coming here and the work they do. We have made some great friends. But this year things changed a lot, especially for me and I began to think I might not come back anyway. It still would of been nice to of had someone come talk to us and tell us what was going on instead of having to go ask.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
ALL MY CHILDREN
Well, I guess ALL MY CHILDREN have quit blogging. Kim's still running from Frankeinstein Friday, Benjamin is still on Fall Break, and Mark's little baby is still going to the bathroom. Jill, well, Jill never blogs anyway.
We are stuck here in Louisiana for one more week and I keep hoping SOMEONE will call us or email us or let us know they are alive. BUT...woe is the life of an old woman who out lives her years and wonders about her children.
I guess NO NEWS is GOOD NEWS and I shouldn't knock it. Parents do wonder though. Yes we do!!!!!!
We are stuck here in Louisiana for one more week and I keep hoping SOMEONE will call us or email us or let us know they are alive. BUT...woe is the life of an old woman who out lives her years and wonders about her children.
I guess NO NEWS is GOOD NEWS and I shouldn't knock it. Parents do wonder though. Yes we do!!!!!!
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Week Five in the Sewing Room
We have had a busy week. Last Friday Linda and I drove to Lafayette, LA to buy fabric for the Christmas Stockings for Chez Hope. That is the Domestic Abuse Center here in Franklin.
We found the fabric quickly, drove on the Harbor Freight and bought some blades for the rotary cutters and headed back toward Baldwin.
We were to meet the guys (Ted and Ken) in New Iberia for dinner but we wanted to stop at the big Walmart store in Brusard first. We both ended up buying quite a few groceries and off we went.
After a steak dinner it was home and early to bed. I was SO tired. That seems to be my middle name these days. I cannot sleep very long at one time here in these twin beds that squeek every time you move it seems, or a train is going through town or I wake myself up snoring or Ted wakes me up snoring. O.K., I'll quit whining.
Saturday was our usual cleaning of the apartment and laundry. After that we headed into Franklin to the Pumpkin Fest and see all the "goings on". Two bands were playing, old cars were on display, all the organizations in St. Mary Parish had a booth I think selling something, and the sun was warm. My favorite place is a big store converted into a garage sale for some organization. They always have the most interesting items. Last year we bought some things to embroider and the hoops and yarn were included. They are still in the bag. We also bought a light wt. blanket with "Freedom Isn't Free" embroidered on it and that we use at home.
This year we bought a pillow case to make a dress for Africa, some yarn for a dish rag, a hard hat so Ted could play a joke on his co-worker and I tried to buy the new fancy watch that snaps on your arm. There was no price on it and when I asked a lady how much she began to laugh and said "Oh, probably .75 cents" I tried to tell her they were really popular and she really laughed then saying it probably didn't work. She was right and I got tickled at her. She was having more fun than anyone.
This week we only had two women that wanted to sew and one is going on every tour offered. She's smart as this is her first time here and you need to experience the Mickey Mouse Head Start program, the elementary school, and tomorrow they will both go to Chez Hope.
So with about 45 Christmas Stockings to make we have not had the quantity of sewers we usually have but the three of us have managed to make 43 Stockings and found out last night they only need 31. That's great as they will have a few to start next year with.
So...all in all it's been a good week. Today we only have volunteers here a half day. Then I will get the rest of the supplies I'm taking back for the house they are setting up in Nashville for Veterans to get them off the street. This is one of the wonderful things Obama has done but not many people know about it. We will take towels, soap, tooth brushes, tooth paste, combs, band-aids, and nail clippers. These are things that are the wrong size to put in the kits assembled here. I want to get these boxed up and in the truck ready to go next week.
I know, this is kind of boring but it is good for us to be here and do what little we can. With everyone working together we do help a few of the hurting in our world.
We found the fabric quickly, drove on the Harbor Freight and bought some blades for the rotary cutters and headed back toward Baldwin.
We were to meet the guys (Ted and Ken) in New Iberia for dinner but we wanted to stop at the big Walmart store in Brusard first. We both ended up buying quite a few groceries and off we went.
After a steak dinner it was home and early to bed. I was SO tired. That seems to be my middle name these days. I cannot sleep very long at one time here in these twin beds that squeek every time you move it seems, or a train is going through town or I wake myself up snoring or Ted wakes me up snoring. O.K., I'll quit whining.
Saturday was our usual cleaning of the apartment and laundry. After that we headed into Franklin to the Pumpkin Fest and see all the "goings on". Two bands were playing, old cars were on display, all the organizations in St. Mary Parish had a booth I think selling something, and the sun was warm. My favorite place is a big store converted into a garage sale for some organization. They always have the most interesting items. Last year we bought some things to embroider and the hoops and yarn were included. They are still in the bag. We also bought a light wt. blanket with "Freedom Isn't Free" embroidered on it and that we use at home.
This year we bought a pillow case to make a dress for Africa, some yarn for a dish rag, a hard hat so Ted could play a joke on his co-worker and I tried to buy the new fancy watch that snaps on your arm. There was no price on it and when I asked a lady how much she began to laugh and said "Oh, probably .75 cents" I tried to tell her they were really popular and she really laughed then saying it probably didn't work. She was right and I got tickled at her. She was having more fun than anyone.
This week we only had two women that wanted to sew and one is going on every tour offered. She's smart as this is her first time here and you need to experience the Mickey Mouse Head Start program, the elementary school, and tomorrow they will both go to Chez Hope.
So with about 45 Christmas Stockings to make we have not had the quantity of sewers we usually have but the three of us have managed to make 43 Stockings and found out last night they only need 31. That's great as they will have a few to start next year with.
So...all in all it's been a good week. Today we only have volunteers here a half day. Then I will get the rest of the supplies I'm taking back for the house they are setting up in Nashville for Veterans to get them off the street. This is one of the wonderful things Obama has done but not many people know about it. We will take towels, soap, tooth brushes, tooth paste, combs, band-aids, and nail clippers. These are things that are the wrong size to put in the kits assembled here. I want to get these boxed up and in the truck ready to go next week.
I know, this is kind of boring but it is good for us to be here and do what little we can. With everyone working together we do help a few of the hurting in our world.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)