Thursday,
March 1 – Saturday, March 31, 2012
A “Little” Overview of
March
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When we had finished with March and
were moving into April, we felt that we hadn’t done anything worth writing
about. Now that we are back in the
journal/blog mode and have started reviewing photos from March, we see that we
were pretty busy after all. Hoping to
keep this edition as colorful as possible with a minimum of words, we are
attempting a slightly different format from what we have previously used. We’ve
also left out the visits to the nursing home to see Mother which we make
several times a day.
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Thursday,
March 1
Almost as soon as we
published the February Journal/Blog, we realized that we had left son John’s
birthday, which was the 26th of February, out of the report. It’s a little late, but Happy Birthday,
John...hope it was a great one for you!
Barbara was helping Jean
in Artesia as we started the month and I was in Mineola watching the house,
taking care of Bonita, and checking on Mother at Wood Memorial Nursing
Home. Today was so nice that I decided
to take Bonita for a walk around Heritage Square and observe the beginnings of
spring foliage.
Friday,
March 2
Today was Jerry
Terpening’s birthday in Artesia. The
family had a nice celebration and Barbara did her usual great job of
documenting the occasion.
Mother got a new
permanent this morning. Shortly after
Leslie finished working her over, TJ and Vanessa (one of the outstanding aides
at Wood Memorial) dropped by and I got their pictures.
Later in the evening we
had another visitor, Johnny Banister, our long-time next door neighbor from
Artesia. Johnny tries to stop by and see
Mother whenever he is in Mineola to see his aunt.
Sunday,
March 4
Barbara finished her stint in Artesia
yesterday and headed back toward Mineola.
We decided that we’d have a little adventure and a mini-vacation, so
while she was driving toward East Texas, I struck out on the motorcycle and we
met last night in Granbury. We got up
this morning and rode/drove to Cleburne to attend church with Tom and Nancy and
their family. Ryan worked a late shift
last night, but Leah joined us for church and family time at a local Italian
restaurant.
After a fun and
leisurely lunch, we continued our journey back to Mineola, making a traditional
stop at a Sonic in Balch Springs.
Wednesday,
March 7
Happy 6th
Birthday to granddaughter Abby Dondis!!
We called Heather last
night to see if we could come surprise Abby and Alexander at school today. She said that Alexander would be on a field
trip, but we could come to the school and have lunch with Abby. So, we got up early this morning and made the
drive to downtown Dallas, stopping first at the Tanger Outlet Center in Terrell
to scout out appropriate gifts.
We had a wonderful time
with Abby and Heather at the school and then Heather led us across the area to
the school’s environmental science center for a visit with Alexander and his
classmates.
As an aside, we were totally blown
away by the quality of the environmental science center. Their labs were far better equipped than the
classrooms and labs we had at Liberal when we were there. They even had “talking microscopes” that told
the kids exactly what they were looking at when they were viewing specially
prepared slides.
While we were returning
to Mineola this afternoon, we received a call from our friend Mary Royar
letting us know that she was throwing a surprise 50th anniversary
get-together tonight at Paredes Restaurant in Mineola. We assured Mary that we would be happy to
join them and our Holiday Villages neighbors to help them celebrate the
occasion.
Thursday,
March 8
Tonight I went to Jim’s
community band rehearsal with him so that I could take some photos since they
have a concert coming up. It was very
interesting as I thought they probably goofed off and joked around during the
evening; but was astounded to find that everything and everyone was focused on
music. They did get one 10 minute break so basically it was 1hour and 50
minutes of straight playing. Impressed (and, for the record, don’t need to come
again, as one can only take so many pics).
Saturday,
March 10
Jim had been given a bugler assignment
in Atlanta, TX, so we check the map and hit the road. As the weather was cool,
Jim donned his long coat to add some dignity to the event (even though when he
plays he’s hidden from the family and friends so that the notes of Taps float
through the air. It’s a chilling experience each time I listen to him honor a
vet!
Since this was a part of Texas we had
never experienced before, we did some wandering around and taking pics before
returning home. I was fascinated by these trees that were growing in water
everywhere.
Sunday,
March 11
We decided that this should be called
musical Sunday as Jim played the offertory at church this AM and then that
night we went to Edith’s church to support Gene since it was because of his
playing at Edith’s birthday lunch that he was asked to play at Harvest Acres.
Wednesday,
March 14
Not really sure why Jim
made a collage out of these unless he just wanted to prove that occasionally I
do work out at the lot! Our friend Linda is sporting a new hair cut that is
super on her so while her husband Gary helped Jim move one of the railroad ties,
I captured her new “do.” And, the men decided that Jim and I would be looking
for hired help to move the rest of those ties! Jim even said, “I used to be
able to carry these by myself.” Well, duh! That was just 30 or 40 years ago!
Friday,
March 16
Imagine our surprise when we received
this wonderful package from Mal and Len in Boston! Wow! Did this make our day!
On our “bucket list” is a trip to hang out with them for at least a week! They
have many adventures that we wish we could share.
Saturday, March 17
Once again Jim proves to
be my hero as I couldn’t find all the yearbooks that my classes at WMS designed
and published. I had looked everywhere for them and had given up when Jim
called from Big V and said, “Guess what I have found?” My first thought was “a snake?”
Never even thought of the yearbooks as I had given up on finding them. Yay!
Jim!
Sunday,
March 18
We had to make a quick getaway from
church day as Jim had to be at the community theatre by 1:30 for the band
concert which was dedicated to the many vets of the community. After
intermission, the audience was treated to the introduction of 25 veterans of
WWII. Each man was called and as he stood, a short explanation of his role in
the war was given. For example, one Mineola man spent his years in a concentration
camp while another was rescued behind the line of fire on Iwo Jima at the exact
time that his wife was having their first child, a boy. Tears were flowing as
these heroes struggled to stand and as each turned to the flag and saluted it.
The youth of our country could learn much about patriotism by spending just an
hour with these men or men like them! Gene Bright, a resident of the same
nursing home as Edith was one such vet being honored (bottom right). Jim and I
were also surprised at intermission to find that his aunt TJ and her friend
Cherrie were in attendance.
Tuesday,
March 20
Rain! Blessed rain! Lake Fork is now beginning
to look “healthy” again!
Wednesday,
March 21
Tonight was our night to
keep the nursery during youth meetings; but since Jeremiah was out of town with
his mom and brother, Emily and Jameson, Jim and I had no one to keep.
Therefore, I wandered around taking photos and enjoying all the activity. Have no
clue what Jim was up to during this time.
Thursday,
March 22
Having grown up in New
Mexico and then living in Liberal, KS, Jim and I both are enjoying the
different beauty of East Texas. This includes the few days that Edith’s azaleas
blossom out and add color to the house. We knew we’d better capture their
splendor while we could because by the time we returned from our short jaunt,
they would be gone!
Friday,
March 23
After spending the day packing and
visiting with Edith, we finally left Mineola around 3 to begin our journey to
see Jaycie play volleyball in Amarillo on Sunday, the 25th. Since
her games begin early in the morning, we knew we would need to be in Amarillo
by Saturday night. We drove, shopped, drove, shopped, and drove some more! We
found in Terrell at the Russell Stover Chocolate outlet store some Snickers
wrapped in the University of Texas covers as well as Texas Tech. The UT ones
were perfect for Jean’s birthday and we felt son John would enjoy sharing those
with his dinner guests sometimes. In Gainsville, we found not 1 but 2 pair of
shoes for Jim…now this might not seem like such a big deal but you see, he
wears a 6 1/2 and in men’s that is NOT
easy to find! Eventually made it to Wichita Falls to spend the night, but not before
we found a Sonic and purchased a Sonic card for the Beck who also has a March
b-day.
Sunday,
March 25
Since I was up and at it
earlier than Jim, I took time to work on my photography skills as I would need
them today when we saw Jaycie. Lol!
Jaycie’s number, whenever possible, is
the same as her Daddy’s always was, #8. He was always so proud of and for her;
we know he would be beaming if he could see these pics!
I will make this
observation though…Jaycie is enough like her Daddy that I had to give what I
now call the “Jimmy speech.” He hated taking pics and always let me know that
so the last time I saw him, I didn’t take a picture. In my mind, I can see how
he looked and it breaks my heart that I can’t share it with anyone but Jim
since Jimmy Clint was beginning to look a little healthier, I thought.
So now, when someone protests my
taking pics I say, “If you’re important enough to me that I want your picture,
then I ask that you grin and bear it. So…she grinned and bore it though one
with her Grams and Gramps!
Jim and I watched
Jaycie’s team from 9 to 12ish and then hit the road to Artesia since we wanted
to get there in time for the Beck and Jean’s birthday dinner at Jerry’s house.
One stop at Pat’s in Portales for a malt lunch, healthy don’t you think? I
tried to impress the young girl with how dedicated Jim was towards Pat’s since
he’s been going there for 50 years, but she just didn’t get the importance. Go
figure.
Jim’s sole purpose in Artesia life, I
think, is to torment Becky! Well, we did a good job of it tonight as be both
donned huge ribbons on our heads and told her we were her birthday gift and she
had to unwrap us. Blush city until she realized all she had to do was take off
the bow. A great time was had by all though one might say that it’s the longest
day Jim and I have had in a while!
Monday,
March 26
NM Sunrise…enough said!
Tuesday,
March 27
I forgot my camera when we journeyed
to Roswell to celebrate Jean’s real 82nd birthday with a meal at Red
Lobster. Our phones are lousy at taking photos but any photo is better than not
having one! We were pretty impressed that G-Ma wanted to make the 45 mile trip
to Roswell after having chemo in Lovington on both Monday and Tuesday; but she
made it great!
Wednesday,
March 28
After waking Jean up for
a quick good-bye, Jim and I left Artesia at 6 AM to make the 8 hour trip to San
Antonio where we’d see John and family for a night before heading back to
Mineola and the real world.
Friday,
March 30
Up and at it early so we
could grab Bonita from the vet at 9 and then head to Lindale where we were
blessed with the opportunity to volunteer our services (notice I didn’t say
talents) at Timberline Baptist Camp working with Heidi in the kitchen as she
had over 200 guests coming in for Friday night and Saturday morning.
Now, Jim and I are out
of practice standing on our feet for long periods of time; so by the time 7 PM
rolled around, we were exhausted. But, don’t tell Heidi or she won’t ask us to
come again!
Saturday,
March 31
Jim had a men’s prayer breakfast to
attend and then we enjoyed another experience with Heidi!
"Happiness is often the result of being too busy to be miserable." - Anonymous
Staying busy in Mineola,
Jim/Dad/Gramps and Barbara/Mom/Grams
