Wednesday…December 9
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Today we just got settled in Big V and made a trip into Mineola to check in with Edith.
Thursday…December 10
Errands and paperwork were on the agenda for today. One of the most important chores was to go into Quitman to check on getting a propane tank to make it through the winter season since we don’t want to have to close up the house and go into town to get propane every 3 weeks. This job turned out to be rather disappointing as they have to order the size tank we need and won’t have it available until next Tuesday. Then we’ll have to wait for the service call to put it in. Such is life!
Once we finished chores, we went back home for a quick lunch before going to Edith’s.
Friday…December 11
We certainly received a surprise today; one we didn’t count on. For some reason, after awaking, we checked the levels on water, propane, etc. To our shock, the propane was almost empty! This meant that we had miscalculated and now we had to close up the house and go into town. While Jim did that I decided that I’d go do laundry and get that done.
Since we had to put all the decorations away when Jim went into town, we wound up decorating Big V for Christmas when Jim returned. Now the house looks rather festive and ready for the season.
I had already made the chicken salad that we promised Jim’s family so with food in tow, our next stop would be Edith’s in Mineola.
Tonight we had Bob and Mary come over for a visit and some tamales since our time with them will be limited. They are leaving at the end of December to go down to the Valley for the winter.
Saturday…December 12
We had warned the family that today was going to be a lazy one for us and that’s exactly what it was. We didn’t even venture out until 4:00 and then it was just a short walk over to the Club House for a water committee meeting before the monthly free dinner that Holiday Village hosts.
Sunday…December 13
Today was a special day since we chose to drive to Yantis (about 4 or 5 miles away) to visit the 1st Baptist Church. This decision was made several weeks ago when we found out that our beloved pastor from Liberal is coming there the 20th for a pastoral visit. He and his family are leaving Liberal and Yantis is one of the churches they are looking at as a new home.
Once we found out that David and Lorrie were coming, we knew that we wanted to go check the church out. And, what a wonderful place we found. Even without a pastor, there were over a hundred worshipping this day. The choir of 17 performed a cantata that was outstanding! What powerful voices such a small group had! We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and found that we were very comfortable there.
After church we just drove around the small town checking out the high school and different areas. It just was a time of exploration for us. Something we had never taken the time to do before.
Finally we had an afternoon that included nap time! Yay! Once naps were over, we headed into Mineola to check on the family.
Monday…December 14
We took one week to get ourselves organized and now we’re ready to tackle another situation which has had us quite worried…and that’s Edith’s health.
TJ (Jim’s aunt) made us an appointment to see the physical therapist at rehab who has been working with Edith. We needed to hear what Rob had observed and what he recommended to help Edith.
Basically, there were three major points…
1. She must exercise more as her leg and trunk muscles are beginning to atrophy. (Parkinson’s has caused her to slow down, but the lack of mobility has done the rest.)
2. She must have at least a 1500 calorie diet per day. (She is much too thin and frail)
3. She needs mental stimulation and watching TV all day long is not considered stimulation!
Rob said that if these needs are not attended to faithfully, Edith will have to be put in a nursing home within a month or two.
With all of this under our belt, Ernie, Billee, Jim and I returned home to Edith’s (she and TJ had gone to Tyler to the eye doctor) and discussed strategies and things that must be done. Since Ernie and Billee live with Edith, they would naturally be considered the primary caregivers, but that does not relieve Jim and me of our responsibilities as secondary caregivers.
To accomplish everything that Rob told us, we were going to need Edith’s help. So…after lunch that I fixed, we had a family pow-wow led by Jim. It was agreed by all that our goal was to get Edith more mobile and take away any chance of having to go into a nursing home.
Jim and I will be responsible for three lunches and at least 3 suppers a week while TJ also helps out a couple of the days. On the days that we come in to town, Jim and I will do Edith’s afternoon exercises with her while Ernie takes care of the morning ones. And…as we told Edith, what better mental stimulation could she have than to come in the living room and visit with us when we come over!
All in all, this was a draining day and by the time we arrived back out at the lake, we were exhausted not only physically, but mentally and spiritually. Time was needed to regroup and plan.
Tuesday…December 15
Our plans for today were to get out and work in the yard some, but since the weather didn’t co-operate, we wound up going into Lindale to get much needed haircuts and to do some Christmas shopping. (First we’ve done for the season)
Since we had to go through Mineola to get to Lindale, on the way home we went on by the house to see Edith. We showed Edith the presents we had bought for Alexander, Abby, and Jimmy and then she chose which ones would be from her. She really enjoyed the idea of picking out her own gifts!
Then, while Edith and I discussed some recipes, Jim and Ernie found some brother talk time. Billee came in and joined Edith and me as we hunted for a special chow-chow recipe. Eventually, it was time for me to begin Edith’s afternoon exercises…the first time I’ve done them alone. I got confused several times, but Edith was a good sport about it all!
While Edith visited with Ernie and Jim, I prepared her evening meal and imagine all of our surprise when Edith came to the kitchen table to eat it! Way to go, Edith!!
Once again we came home in the dark and settled down for some relaxing time.
Wednesday…December 16
Again, it was my day to fix lunch so we went in to Mineola where I wound up doing the laundry, too.
Thursday…December 17
It was time to get serious about wrapping some gifts and trying to get organized. However, it seemed that we spent much of the day just spinning our wheels.
Friday…December 18
Another Mineola day…
We did return home in time to join others here at the lake at the club house for a Christmas party. Since Mary has been in and out of the hospital, we were thrilled to spend another evening with Bob and her.
Saturday…December 19
At least we can say that Edith is certainly doing her part to ensure that a nursing home is not necessary! She agreed to go to Richardson (about an hour and a half trip) with us to see Heather and her family for Christmas. What a wonderful day we all had!
Jim and I had not seen Alexander and Abby in about 6 months and we could tell how much they had grown, not only physically, but mentally as well! Alexander can READ!!! He’s only 5…will be 6 in a week…and is just in kindergarten; but he was able to read the Mercer Mayer books I used in school to teach pattern writing. The books, I Was So Mad and Me, Too, are really fun books for those of you who have younger children or grandchildren. Abby is very tall now and has such an extended vocabulary and insight for a 3 year old.
Sunday…December 20
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Finally! The Sunday morning we have been waiting for! We arrived at Yantis Baptist Church a little early so that we could spend some time visiting with David and Lorri and their girls.
We were so thrilled that Edith had Ernie bring her out so that she could attend church with us. Also, we were delighted that Bob and Mary as well as two other friends from the lake, Linda and Margaret, attended the worship service.
David’s message of Why We Can Face Each Day With Hope…was definitely one that Jim and I needed to hear as it seems to us that our plates of life right now are heaping full of perils and worries. To keep the notes from his sermon for future reference, I have copied my notes.
1. His pardon erases our past
2. His power controls our present
3. His purpose transforms our problems
4. His protection relieves our fear
5. His provision supplies our needs
6. His promise secures our future
And…we know (100%) that in ALL things God works for the good of those who love Him. But, by ALL that means the good, the mediocre, and the bad.
We have no enemies who can conquer us if we are wrapped in the love of the Lord. (Verse 31) “For if God is for us, who can be against us?”)
Feeling unworthy hinders our worship.
God does NOT motivate through fear or threats!
We must do our part for the Lord to be able to do His.
After the service, Edith and Ernie came to the club house where Jim and I bought their lunch. Mary and Bob joined us.
Jim and I returned to Yantis to attend the Sunday night service, where once again, our souls were fed and blessed by David’s sermon.
Monday…December 21
Happy Birthday to Heather Dondis in Richardson, Texas!!!
Another Mineola day…where we celebrated an early Christmas with Jim's family. Heather and Andy and the kids gave Granny a small Christmas tree complete with ornaments as well as handmade ones that Alexander and Abby designed. This tree was the centerpiece for our family celebration!Tuesday…December 22 - Saturday, December 26
Because of the situation in Lubbock, it was important that we return there for the holidays. It was a difficult time for all of us, but it was not without its wonderful moments.
We did have a White Christmas for our visit. Ice and snow started falling and accumulating Wednesday evening and stayed on the ground all the time we were there.
Jaycie spent quite a bit of time with us and enjoyed playing in the snow, especially making snow ice cream which she soon learned to do on her own. We think she wound up making at least 10 bowls of snow ice cream! She also enjoyed opening and playing with her Christmas gifts.
We said goodbye to Jimmy Clint Saturday morning and as soon as the roads cleared enough for travel, we started the long trek back to East Texas. Before long we were playing a new travel game…Count the Number of Vehicles in the Ditches. U.S. Highway 82 from Lubbock to Seymour, about 150 miles, was pretty clear, so we saw only 6 cars (including a Crosby County Sheriff’s car) in the ditches. From Seymour to Gainsville was an entirely different story; that area had the brunt of the recent storm and only minimum paths had been cleared for travel. We counted well over 62 cars and trucks that had spun off the highway, including a tractor-trailer rig just outside Wichita Falls. Not only was the rig jackknifed in the median, the tow truck that had been sent to pull it out was also stuck, so a second tow truck was standing by.
By the time we reached Gainesville, we were exhausted, so we found a room and called it a day., with plans to get back to the lake tomorrow.
“If you want to make enemies, try to change something.” - Woodrow Wilson
On the road again, but headed to our East Texas home,
Jim/Dad/Gramps and Barbara/Mom/Grams
