What I've Been Doing

I haven't posted since Friday night when I posted Saturday's article What a weekend! On Friday afternoon, I picked the boys up from school and had them until just after 6pm. We went to Wal Mart to pick up a sheet set that they had on sale. I got Queen sized sheets for a bargain. Only $24.99. I'm not sure what a sheet set costs in your part of the world but here they are usually $40 and up. They didn't have much color choice, but I figured a bargain is a bargain, so I just bought beige ones.

I had the boys all day Saturday as their parents both had to work. We grabbed the baseball and bats and went to the park. We met some kids there that the boys knew from school, so we had fun playing baseball. After about an hour, it started to rain and that was a good excuse to head home for lunch. LOL This old Grandma can't play baseball like she used to and with the arthritis in my legs, I couldn't run. Jordan enjoyed being my pinch runner. When I hit the ball he would take off for first base. I actually got a couple of runs without moving away from home plate. All the kids thought this was rather fun and seemed to understand that I needed Jordan to run for me.

After lunch, Brandon and I worked on the autobiography that he has to hand in for school this morning. The specifications weren't too bad to follow. Minimum word count was 200 and maximum 600. He came in around 470. After that we added a bit about his ancestry and a couple of his accomplishments. We had the rough draft done and then Michelle will help him type it. I can't believe these kids aren't learning keyboard skills in elementary school. However, I just looked up the grade 8 cirriculum for our school board and it is choked full of all kinds of things these kids have to know to graduate. I have no qualms about Brandon meeting the qualifications but the load is fairly heavy. I guess they are preparing the kids for high school.

Brandon received an award at an assembly on Friday and this Grandma was as proud as can be. It was for achievement in the first month of school and for working hard and listening. He received the award in front of the entire student body and was the only grade 8 child to receive and award. He was a little embarrassed at being centered out but it made him feel good too.

Jordan is doing better in school so far this year. He has a spelling average of 100%. He and Brandon are both good spellers. Jordan has more trouble with math. Brandon usually does well in math.

This morning I awakened by the ringing of the phone. Seems that Michelle had forgotten she had to work today and so I had the boys again. I was supposed to go to Mom's this afternoon as a lady was coming to show her how to put a quilt on the quilting machine that she bought. I took the boys with me and she taught them how to quilt with it. They were both quite good at running the sewing machine along the lines and making their own designs. It was a learning experience for all of us and quite enjoyable. I will try to get photos of the quilting machine so you can see exactly what we are doing. Mom has over a dozen quilt tops made for all family members and she's wanting to get them quilted.

And an update on Aunt May...

Friday Aunt May went to the cancer hospital for her routine checkup. They are disappointed now that they gave her chemo as they think the radiation would have done more good. She had four x-rays that she hasn't got the results from yet and she has to go to our local hospital for an MRI. Her cancer doctor is confident he can get her in quickly.

I noticed that Aunt May is having a lot of trouble with her short term memory. She can remember things from her childhood and we had fun reminiscing on Thurday. She told me a couple of stories about the things she did when she was a kid. It was nice hearing her memories.

Now that I have you caught up on all the news, take care and have a great week. ~Blessings, Mary~

A Visit with Aunt May and a few Awards

On Thursday afternoon when I was out and about, I decided to stop in and see Aunt May. My regular readers will know that Aunt May has bone cancer and spots have shown up in her head and also in her liver. The prognosis is not good.

Aunt May was told years ago she would never be able to have chemo because she suffers from a rare blood condition. All of her problems started when she was diagnosed with breast cancer five years ago. After taking radiation treatments and going for her cancer checkups, she was assured she was cancer free. Then, early in 2007, she began to experience terrible leg pain. The doctor told her it was sciatica. The pain continued to get worse as the months passed and in April 2007, she broke her leg when she turned.

Thus began six months of intense pain, surgery to rebuild a hip and radiation. She finally left the hospital in September but had to continue to have radiation treatments out of town. Then in April 2008, they found she had cancer in her head and in her liver. They told her she would have to have chemo and she told them that she was told she could never take it. They advised her that if she didn't have it she would die within two weeks. With it, she may live two months. That was six months ago and she is still going. Aunt May always was one who would prove the doctors wrong.

Thursday went I stopped for a visit, my mother was there. Aunt May is her sister. We had a nice visit and then Mom got ready to leave. I took a photo of Aunt May and Mom because I know that Aunt May doesn't have much time left. There may never be another opportunity for photos of these sisters. I don't have the photo to show you here, as it was taken on Mom's camera, but as soon as I get a chance, I will post it.

After Mom left, Aunt May confided that she almost wished it was all over. Her right leg gives her terrible pain constantly and now there is cancer in her spine. Sleep is hard to come by because the pain keeps her awake. She always was a petite woman, but she has lost a lot of weight. The cancer is progressing and recently the doctors told her that they have done all they can do. However, Aunt May is a fighter and not one to give up hope. She had another consultation at the cancer hospital today and I don't have that report as yet. I will let you know what they had to say.

I had a great visit with my favorite Aunt. I really hate to lose her but I can't wish for her to go on like she is now. I pray the Lord will take her home and relieve her pain and suffering. Please keep her in your prayers.

The award below was present to me by Hootin' Anni. This is what she said when she passed the award along to me:

Mary for her friendship and loving generosity.

Anni we are like two peas in a pod. We have a lot in common and I value your friendship. You are like a sister to me. I am honored to accept it.

According to Anni's blog, this is to be passed on to 8 blogging friends by paying it forward to those who have brought me laughter, joy and friendship through blogging. So here goes:

Marcel at Sitka Daily Photo

Sharon at Sit with Me Awhile

Virginia at Small Reflections

Tipper at Blind Pig and the Acorn

Lady Di at Kitty Justice

Amy at I Love Retro Things - Amy is my newest blogging friend and I look forward to getting to know her better.

Katherine at Yellow Rose Arbor

BJ at Sweet Nothings

Please accept this award with the love it is given and be sure to pass it on to 8 blogging friends. Though I don't always visit on a regular basis, I value each of you in a special way.

Mari at My Little Corner of the World presented me with the Kreativ Blogger Award. Thank you, Mari. I really appreciate it. Sorry it's taken me so long to post it.

I would like to present this award to all my blogging friends who are creative in any way. It doesn't matter if you knit, crochet, make web graphics or are a great cook. You are welcome to have this award.

Mike at Rambling Stuff thinks I'm an awesome blogger friend. Thank you, Mike. I really appreciate it.

I would like to present this award to the following people:

Hootin' Anni at Hootin' Anni's - Anni, you and I are like sisters . I value your friendship.

Pea at Pea's Corner - Pea and I are both from the same area and have met. Pea, I can hardly wait for us to meet up again. You and Steve are so much fun.

Denise from Samaritan Women - Denise inspires me in a special way.

Ann from Ancient One's Place - Ann, you were the first person to ever comment on my blog. We have been friends from day one. Thank you for your warm welcome and for your lasting friendship.

Denise from Edge of Design - Denise, I value your friendship.

Jeni from Down River Drivel - Jeni, we have much in common and I value your friendship.

Carolyn at Talk to Grams - Your stamina and your positive attitude toward life is a real inspiration.

Mary Isabella at Daisy Bouquet - You are one of my regulars and I always enjoy visiting with you. Kiley, you are also included here. Please take a copy for your blog.

Paula at On a Rainy Night - I always enjoy visiting with you. We share a love of farm and reading.

Denise at Shorty Bear's Place - Denise, you were one of my first blogging friends. Thank you for your lasting friendship.

Mari at My Little Corner of the World - Mari, I always enjoy visiting with you. Thank you for being a regular visitor to my blog.

I have so many other blogging friends and the list could go on and on, but I will leave it at ten for now. Please accept this award with the love it is given and pass it along to others.

Jojo at My Random Insantities gave the following award to all of her visitors. Thank you Jojo, I really appreciate it.

There are no rules that come with this award, so I would like to present it to everyone who visits me, just as Jojo did. So many of you inspire me when I visit your blogs and you all are most deserving.

Thank you to everyone who has present me with an award. I love to display them on my awards pages. All of you are great blogging friends and you mean a lot to me. Though I may not visit as often as I would like, I value your friendship.

In other news, Meeko has been invited to join Rusty's Squirrel Patrol by Rusty at Chasing Squirrles with Rusty. Thank you so much, Rusty. Meeko is honored.

Enjoy your weekend and take some time out to enjoy the sights, sounds and fragrances of the season. ~Blessings, Mary~

Show and Tell Friday

It's time for Show and Tell Friday. If you would like to participate, drop over to Kelli's at There's No Place Like Home.

This week I'd like to show you something that I've had since 1977. It is a Currier & Ives teapot that I won for sales when I sold Avon. It also has a cream & sugar that goes with it. These items were exclusively for Avon Representatives who sold over a certain amount in a campaign. It is one of my most valued treasures. When I saw it offered for sales, I was determined to have it and I worked hard to make my goal. Things that we work for are so much more special because of the effort that's put into getting them.

I hope you enjoyed my show & tell. I love anything that is Currier & Ives. All of their lithographs make me feel so much at home. Do you like Currier & Ives? If so, what is your favorite scene? Do you own any Currier & Ives china? I would like to hear all about it.

Enjoy your weekend and be sure to do a small kindness for someone. ~Blessings, Mary~

Thankful Thursday

Today is Thankful Thursday. It is a day when we list the things we are thankful for. If you would like to participate, be sure to stop by Sting My Heart and pay Iris a visit. You can find all the information there.

I can't believe that it's Thursday all ready. My how time is flying by. The weather has been cool here and it's a little chilly in the house tonight as our furnace isn't working. A reminder that we have many luxuries that many don't have. When I was a child, we had only a Quebec heater in the kitchen and a oil stove in the living room. The house was very cool at night and in the morning we could write our names in the frost on the inside of the windows. Times have changed.

This week, once again, I have many things to be thankful for:

1. Furnace repair men that will come out the day after you call them. Our furnace will be repaired tomorrow morning. I'm so thankful it is still under warranty. There will be no charge for parts or labor. The furnace was new in 2006. I am truly thankful that we found out the furnace wasn't working properly before winter set in. It's hard enough to be chilly but in mid winter we would freeze.

2. Tonight I picked the boys up after school and they were well behaved. We had a good time for the couple hours I had them. I am always thankful for the love of my grandsons.

3. This week hubby made a glass enclosure for the end of the bath tub upstairs. He has never done anything like this before and he did a great job. I'm thankful that he is willing to try new things.

4. The days have been beautiful but the nights have been really cool here since the beginning of September. I am grateful for the sounds, sights and fragrances of autumn. I can feel it in the air. I have seen flocks of Canadian Geese preparing to move south for the winter. They were honking as they flew over the house when Meeko and I were out for our nightly walk.

5. For a special friend who just recently made my new header and background. Thank you, Hootin' Anni.

6. This is the anniversary of the day the twin towers fell. I am thankful that there has been no repeats of such a catastrophic event since that time. A shock shook the world that day and things will never be the same again.

7. I am thankful for all blessings received, for online and real world friends and for the love of family. All of these things mean a lot to me and make a real difference in my life.

Enjoy your day and remember to count your blessings. ~Blessings, Mary~