The Day Got Worse...Then It Got Better...

Well, what can I say, life happens...

I reveled in the goodness of the morning yesterday. In the afternoon I called Papa to remind him of our visit to the nursing home. He assured me he was cleaned up and ready. I got to his apartment and found him asleep in his chair and he had not cleaned up and was not ready. Clearly in the hour after I called he forgot and went to sleep. Goodness. And, since he told me he was ready, I had not left enough time for him to change clothes. Frustration.

We made it through the nursing home visit. Poor Papa can't hear and I can't turn the nursing home television up to 100. There weren't as many residents as usual to listen. Papa did have a bit of a conversation with the man at the table but he was playing Scrabble as he listened to the music and I'm sure Papa wanted him to just listen to the music. Then, when we left, I asked Papa if he wanted to walk to the car as it was near the front of the lot and only across a bit. He asked if I would bring the car around. This is not a good thing. My concern about him not being able to walk that far is great. But, I brought the car and got him in it. He was quiet all the way home. 

When I got in front of his apartment my frustration level just jumped right up there. In Papa's neighborhood you can only park on the side of the street on which he lives. Across his driveway and the driveway of the lady in the unit next to him was a car with a trailer attached. I couldn't get into Papa's driveway and his neighbor on the other side had his driveway full of their two cars. Papa couldn't walk from inside the nursing home to my car and it was easily that distance from the street up his driveway to his door. My first thought was to lay on the horn till someone came out. I didn't do that but pulled in as close behind the trailer as I could and close to Papa's mailbox on the street. Then I put on my emergency flasher so, hopefully, no car would hit me coming around the corner. All the time Papa is say, "I can walk. Don't worry, I can walk!" and I'm thinking, "But you couldn't walk at the nursing home?" I had purchased more bananas for Papa and they were in my back seat on the driver's side. I opened my door and then the back driver's side door to get the bananas for Papa. When I did that, the back door fell closed on my thumb after I got the bananas out. I said, "Ouch!" and immediately felt nauseous. I gave Papa the bag and watched him carefully walk to his front door. Once I was sure he was okay, I got back in my car and looked at my thumb. It was already turning blue and was throbbing with each heartbeat. I knew I wouldn't die or anything but it really hurt.

I went to Arby's for my dinner. The lady at the counter recognized me. I placed my order and we talked about my thumb. I told her I was going to check my purse for some aspirin or something like that to help with the pain. She assured me she had Motrin and gave me two. The rest of the staff seemed stunned and confused at her giving a person dining there some medication. She explained by saying, "She is one of my regulars." Did my heart good. There are some good things in going to a place often and ordering the same thing each time. By the time I left the Motrin was helping. It still throbbed and hurt but not as bad. I thanked my friend for her kindness and headed to teach institute.

In the process of setting up my classroom and getting ready to teach, one of my clipboard fell off the shelf I set them on and broke and I also dropped all my papers and scattered them on the floor. This did not bode well for a good night. But, wonder of wonders, the streak of bad karma left and we had an absolutely wonderful class. Everyone participated and we had a great lesson together. The evening ended well.

What an emotional up and down day Wednesday was. Life can be a roller coaster.

FYI...Today, Thursday, my thumb is swollen, a little more blue on the top and around the base of the nail and on the back of my thumb. I told my hubby it will be interesting watching it change colors as it heals. 

What a Fun Morning!!!

Wednesday morning. Time to get back to normal. No more vacation. Hit those lists and accomplish great things. Ugh!!! 

Washing started. Then I hear my hubby quietly calling me from the back deck. I go out and he points to our empty lot beside our home. There they were. The Canadian geese. They have never come this high before. There is a good creek at the bottom of our hill and they often nest there, never this high up the hill. I really think they are just foraging for food but they were pretty nonetheless.

Yesterday we had a note on our door about an attempt to deliver a package. The only package we are expecting is the one with things we bought at the Terracotta Warrior Factory. Claude drove to the post office yesterday but they told him the Fed Ex driver should have put that it wouldn't be available until the next day at the post office in Sadieville. This morning, after our geese encounter, Claude went to the Sadieville post office to get our package.

Let's just say, we'll be finding bits of Styrofoam for months to come after opening this box. It was a heavy cardboard box lined with thin sheets of wood which held a big, thick Styrofoam box inside a heavy plastic bag. Inside all pieces were encased in bubble wrap. That, my friends, is how China packs to ship to the United States!

Here is a pictorial journey of Claude opening the box. My duties were to take pictures, carry trash to the trash can and generally see how much harder I could make this process.

This is the lacquer chest we purchased. It is lined with newsprint. 

Inside the lacquer chest were the two terracotta warriors and my crane on a turtles back. Claude is now opening the first terracotta warrior.

Once unwrapped, I took this photo. The warrior on the left is named 'The General'. They could tell this by his clothes and hair style. Next to him is the 'Kneeling Archer'. He would have had his bow and arrows when actually placed in the tomb. These are not shown because, when the warriors were uncovered, nearly all the weapons were gone. They were stolen by looters before the ground collapsed around all these warriors. We purchased painted warriors because that is how they would have looked when placed in the tomb. When they are excavated now, their color disappears within two hours as the oxygen works on it. My turtle with a crane on his back represents longevity and plays an important part of the feng shui in a home. 

I marvel at the importance of packaging in China and when we were in Japan. This is the box my turtle/crane came in. The writing is on masking tape which removed easily. Note the little latches on the front. They are little pieces that look like bone with a hole in the end so a piece of fabric ties it to the box. A loop was formed out of the fabric and the bone/latch is placed through it to keep it shut. All that work for a box. Amazing. 

All our treasures are here now. They are in their places and we are going to enjoy them and the good memories they bring of our trip to China. However, even after sweeping and wiping, I assured my dear hubby we will be picking up bits of Styrofoam for many months to come.

Bonnie Visit...

Bonnie, Claude's mom, arrived very late Tuesday evening, May 9th. We had Wednesday morning together, then Claude and Bonnie went to Lagrange so she could visit with the Marx family. I stayed to get Papa to the doctor, then the nursing home, then teach my Institute class. 

Thursday, May 11th, we visited in the morning and then all three of us drove to LaGrange. We would enjoy a nice visit with the Marx family again and attend Hayden's end-of-year band concert. Hayden received a lapel pin for his award for participating with three other young men in a mixed quartet of instruments. 

Andie, Bonnie, Hayden & Claude - 4 Generations

Andie, Hayden & Michael

Hayden and his award

Hayden, Bonnie & Bailey

Andie, Hayden, Bonnie, Bailey & Michael

Andie & Bonnie

We were able to introduce the family to PeePee Bear. This was a treasure we purchased in China. Alan McKay, our tour guide, gave me the name of a beautiful flower on a tree beside the Li River. He told me the flower made a very nice herbal tea that was great for sore throats. Latter he was having some and gave me a taste. It was good. When visiting the Terracotta Warriors, we had lunch at a restaurant there. They placed flyers in front of each guest naming all these teas and offering free tasting. I told Alan I didn't see the tea he mentioned on their list. He asked me to follow him, which I did. He introduced me to the lady in the lobby area with all these teas and asked if she has osmantis. She said she did but it was not on the list they gave out. She prepared a taste for me and I told her I would like to purchase some to take home. We picked a big, lovely can. Then Alan asked if she had a PeePee Bear. She smiled and said she did. He asked if it was ready and she smiled and reached under her counter and pulled out this adorable little terracotta bear. She sat him on the counter and poured really hot water gently over his head. Immediately he began to pee a stream that arched way over the counter. Claude and I were in stitches. I asked if she had one to sell because I knew my grandmonsters would love this part of our trip. While visiting the Marx family, we had a PeePee Bear demonstration. As expected, it was a highlight.

Friday, May 12th, I quickly went to Papa's in the morning. Made sure he had bananas and his pill things were filled. Tried to be sure he understood we were leaving for Michigan and I would be home late Sunday. The repairman was there to fix the door handle on his fridge but couldn't because he needed the part. Ugh...I called Ball Realty May 1st to tell them the handle on Papa's refrigerator came off. It broke at the top of the door where the screws are and then the bottom just slips over a screw and that easily slipped off when the top part broke off. They didn't respond. I called again on the 2nd of May and left another message and asked for a response. They called back later that day and explained they had ordered the part and it would be installed as soon as it came in. The repair man standing in front of me Friday was headed to Lowe's to get a part. I told him the main office already ordered a part. He tried to call the office. They seemed confused about the part and if it was ordered and when it was ordered and who I talked to, etc., etc., etc. I just smiled at the poor repairman caught in the middle and assured him if he would get the part and install it we would be very happy. Not a problem. He said the office did have it and he would pick it up first thing Monday morning and install it first before doing other things. He didn't come until Tuesday but Papa does finally have a door handle on his fridge again. 

After all this fun and games, I returned home and Claude, Bonnie and I hit the road for Michigan. We stopped for lunch along the way and for gas just before entering Michigan. We picked Jake up at his apartment at about 6pm and then headed off to Muskegon. This time I had us all booked at the Shoreline Inn. This was the view from Claude and my room. Claude pronounced this hotel great and assured me we should always stay here and have this room. 

Saturday, May 13th, was a family day from beginning to end. We gathered at Nissa and Todd's home. Katelyn picked up Paul and brought him over. We just enjoyed time to catch up with each other and visit. Raelyn took her morning nap. Claude and I went to the garage to see all that Todd had done with the yellow Jeep. He has really perked it up and he and Nissa are loving long rides on the weekends. Claude was so very happy it has a good home and knows that Todd will love it and care for it just as he has. 

Todd and Raelyn play the piano

After Miss Raelyn awoke from her nap, we were off to Max and Marley's for lunch. This is a really fun hot dog place right along Lake Michigan in Muskegon. Fun place to eat. And...as an added bonus...the Emporium is next door which is a candy shop made out of an old gas station. They have homemade candies and are also stocked with the old fashioned candy bars Claude loved as a kid. He got several Rocky Road and Big Hunk candy bars to bring home.

Raelyn awakes from her nap

Claude, Jake, Paul, Drew, Katelyn, Nissa and Aubrey

Paul holding Raelyn

Todd led our little caravan of three cars to Lake Michigan. Our hope was to walk out to the light house but they haven't opened the pier to it yet. So, we opted for family picture taking with Lake Michigan as the backdrop.

Todd, Aubrey, Jake, Nissa, Paul Bonnie, Drew. Katelyn & Raelyn in front.

Nissa and Bonnie

Jake and Bonnie

Nissa, Katelyn, Paul, Bonnie, Aubrey and Claude - 4 Generations

Nissa, Sandi, Jacob, Bonnie and Claude

Drew, Raelyn and Katelyn

The above picture is so cute. Drew and Katelyn will get down on either side of Raelyn. They count to three and then they both smother her with kisses on either side of her face. She loves it. When they are through, she reaches up and pushes their faces together so they kiss each other in front of her. Clearly they do this a lot as she knew exactly what was coming and exactly what to do with them after her kiss.

Nissa told us about the 'Block House'. We had not seen this before so we caravanned over for a visit. This has been restored and would have been an early fortification to protect the area.

Paul in front of the Block House

Claude, Sandi, Nissa & Jake

My Boys: Jacob & Claude

Nissa (trying to get a higher view for her camera) held up by Katelyn & Aubrey

Katelyn (If Mama can do it, so can I!)

Raelyn and her blue sucker.

We returned to the Tyler home so Raelyn could have another short nap. Then we all had dinner at the Pita Place. Aubrey drove Paul home and our car followed the Roper car to Grand Haven to see their apartment. After that visit, our car load returned to that lovely hotel for a good nights rest.

Sunday, May 14th, was Mother's Day. We had a light breakfast at the Tyler home and then took a few more pictures with the Lilac bush as a backdrop. When Nissa and David bought this home, Bonnie gave her money to purchase some Lilac bushes. This is one of those bushes.

Bonnie, Katelyn holding Raelyn, Nissa & Claude - 5 Generations

Bonnie, Katelyn holding Raelyn, Nissa & Sandi - The Mother's (except for Raelyn, she is just proof of motherhood)

Nissa and her Lilacs

After a little more visiting we loaded up the Envision and pointed it East to take Jake back to Chelsea. It was a good visit. 

Aubrey, Drew holding Raelyn, Katelyn, Nissa & Todd

Monday, May 15th, I went back to Georgetown and purchased groceries for Papa and visited with him a bit. Then Claude and I took Bonnie to the Ark Encounter. She totally enjoyed this outing.

Claude standing with Bonnie

Bonnie & Claude

After a nice lunch on the veranda of Emzara's, we were totally worn out and came home and crashed for the rest of the evening.

Tuesday morning I got up early and headed to the basement to put all my pictures on CD's for Bonnie to take home. Then Claude and I drove her to the Cincinnati Airport. It was wonderful having her visit and I know it did my hubby's heart good to have his Mom visit one more time. 

Life's Curiosities...

Took Papa for a long drive yesterday. We drove to the outside edge of Richmond, Kentucky and around the outside edge of the Bluegrass Army Depot. From there we drove through what is called the 'Knob Country'. It is full of limestone mountains with caves in them. It is lovely and all the roads have that squiggly arrow signs on them warning you that the roads are never, ever straight. 

As we drove down one mountain we came to another curve in the road and I slowed even further down as I saw a truck going extremely slow in the next curve ahead. Then I noticed there were animals in the road. We got behind the truck and I pulled out my cell phone and took this quick picture. It turns out the truck was following a lady who was walking a male goat down the road. She had this goat by the horn which looked exactly like the Big Horn Sheep horns. He was dutifully letting her lead him and behind him was the rest of the herd just following along. The man was simply trying to protect them as they moved on down the mountain. The man waved us around and we made it around him and waved to the lady leading all those goats. Papa and I looked from that point on down the mountain and saw no where they could be leading those goats. No pasture, no pen, no side road (even a dirt one) to a piece of property of any kind. It was just a curiosity to us, but a pleasant one. 

Today I stopped at the Love's Travel Plaza in Sadieville to fill up my car with gas. When I pulled into the Travel Plaza there was a man standing near the end of the guard rail playing his guitar. I filled up my car and as I went to start my car to leave, there was the man in front of Hardee's playing his guitar at full volume. I took this picture and posted it on Facebook with the caption "Look!! Hardee's in Sadieville has live entertainment!!" Another of life's little curiosities.

Ain't Life Grand?!?!

WWJD???

Sometimes, not all the time, but sometimes, I get a mite discouraged or frustrated or irritated and the negative list goes on. I was at one of those points and had a little talk with Heavenly Father. I explained what I was feeling and that I really didn't care to feel that way at all. I knew some things that would help but I asked for anything he might want me to do to get back on track. His answer came in a week of spiritual experiences.

Sunday, April 30th, I enjoyed a wonderful meeting at Church, had a very nice visit with Papa, then came home and immersed myself in Institute preparation. We had a final class coming up on Wednesday to end that semester. I was to begin the next semester the next week and my mum-in-law is coming for a visit. This would leave little time for preparation. So my goal was to get ready for closing out a semester and then prepare two weeks worth of lessons so I could enjoy the visit with my mum-in-law and not worry about taking time away to prepare those two lessons for each of the first two weeks of the new semester. As I prepared myself to prepare all these Institute lessons, I again talked with Heavenly Father and explained what my goal was and asked for inspiration as I read and studied to know what the Young Adults would need. When I got to the end of my Sunday evening, I had all 5 lessons prepared with their visuals and handouts. This is an amazing feat for me. I know there was help to get that done and to feel so good about what was prepared.

Monday, May 1st, I was able to visit with Linda Speakes. I have been her visiting teacher for years. It was just delightful to visit with her for a little over an hour. She makes me feel so good when visiting her and I know it should be the other way around. But I'm learning that this is just a reciprocal kind of experience and we are now very good friends. Then I hurried into Georgetown and bought groceries for Papa and then cleaned his apartment with a little time to visit after. Summarizing this day I would call it a day of service that filled my cup.

Tuesday, May 2nd, I was able to take another sister I visit, Velvett Bossio to her doctor's appointment in Frankfort. These are follow-up visits after her cancer went into remission. She is a marvel to me of strength in adversity. The things their family has had to go through and are currently going through could fill volumes. Yet she remains positive and sure of the help they receive from Heavenly Father in the face of all the challenges in their family. Such a strong example for me of the little I really have as problems.

Wednesday, May 3rd, was  Papa's 89th birthday. My habit is to find a nice picture and post a birthday greeting on Facebook for our family members. Often it is a picture from years ago that family members may want for their files and posting on Facebook allows them to save it if they want it. This is the picture I posted for Papa's 89th birthday. It is Papa wishing his mother Happy Birthday on her 89th birthday. Her name is Claudia Clementine Shaw Lawrence.

I picked Papa up in the afternoon and took him to his favorite restaurant. Claude joined us there and we had a nice late lunch together. Then I quickly rushed to Dr. Weckman's office because Papa needed a blood test. That done we made our way to the nursing home to take music to the residents. This time I had two dozen chocolate cupcakes to share with the residents in honor of Papa's 89th birthday. I asked one of the care givers to take a picture of me with Papa on his 89th birthday. Who knows? Maybe when I turn 89 one of my kids will post this picture of me wishing Papa a Happy 89th Birthday!

I finished my day with an amazing Institute class. I love these last classes each semester. We have a review of what we have learned, answer any remaining questions, and share some of the important principles we each learned during that semester. It was great.

Thursday, May 4th, I was going to take a full day in my home trying to keep my head above water on the things that need to be done there. I received a text from the missionaries. They needed a female sister to go to a home where they were teaching a lady. They were hoping I could go with them. There went my evening but I did have the day and filled it as much as I could. The lady we were teaching is the grandmother of one of the Young Adults from my Institute teaching. It was truly a spirit filled experience sharing, as the missionaries asked me to, my testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. So happy I was asked and was able to do this visit.

Friday, May 5th, Claude sent me a text asking if we could teach a lady in our ward a temple preparation lesson. Again, there went the evening but what a nice way to spend a Friday evening. We went to Shelly's home. Her husband is not a member but graciously welcomed us into their home. He listened through the two lessons we taught. Such a lovely couple and a wonderful way to spend a Friday evening.

Saturday, May 6th, was a day I wanted to be home getting my home and things ready for Bonnie's visit. However, I was invited to a baptism, needed to visit Papa, and one of my Institute students was graduating college and invited me to that (or so I thought...).

I went to the baptism of two very cute little eight year old boys. When I was Primary president one of these young men, James Mussman, was in Primary. Such a bundle of energy with an enormous smile. The other young man's family moved into our ward after I was released. Loved going to this baptism.

After the baptism, I quickly got something for lunch before going to visit Papa. I had not eaten breakfast and was not sure when I would get home that night, so lunch was in order. Then I had two hours for Papa and I to visit.

I then drove to Frankfort for a 4pm graduation. Got to the Convention Center and no one was there. It was about 3:30pm. Hmmmm... I drove around the Convention Center and noticed the sign on the side of the building and it said the graduation was at 5pm. Okay. I drove to the Frankfort Ward building and parked in the shade for an hour. I have a book on my Kindle I am trying to read and could use that time to get some reading done. Sent Claude an eMail telling him to definitely not hold dinner for me as the start time was an hour off. About 4:30pm I drove back to the Convention Center. Circled the building and there was still no one there. This was getting weird. I made a second pass and chose a spot in which to park. Got out of my car and walked all the way around the building trying to open doors. All locked except for one last door. I entered a dark empty building except for one light on down a hallway. As I reflect back, this may not have been the smartest move I have ever made in my life. I peeked into the main floor of the Convention Center and it was set for the graduation but no body was there to graduate. I went back into the lobby and found a chair. Sent Claude a text with a picture of the room set as proof.

Then I went to BCTC's website to be sure of the place as Claude thought I might have that wrong. I assured him Amanda's invite and the board outside the Convention Center told me I was at the right place. Sure enough, the BCTC website said the Frankfort Convention Center at 5pm. Okay. Where was everyone. Went back to Amanda's invitation and that is when I saw my error. The graduation was Sunday at 5pm not Saturday. Man did I feel foolish. No way I could go on Sunday. I sent Amanda a Facebook message and explained what I tried to do to see her graduation and failed because I had the wrong day. Then I had a leisurely and very lovely drive back across Franklin and Scott Counties to Sadieville where I found my hubby grinning at his little wife. Geez! 

Sunday, May 7th, I took Papa to Sacrament Meeting. He wore himself completely out by just getting dressed to go. He almost decided to stay home but he really wanted to go to Church. So we made it to Sacrament Meeting and it was good. Then back to his apartment for a nice visit while we watched the BYU Channel and its great Sunday programming. In the evening there was an excellent Worldwide Devotional that Claude and I watched together. Elder Kim B. Clark drew a parallel between Joseph Smith in his young adult years and what the young adults in the Church today could learn from the lessons Joseph Smith learned at their age. It was excellent. 

As I sat in Church Sunday morning, I reflected back on my talk with Heavenly Father before the week began. I realized he had answered my prayer by filling my week with good things that Jesus would have done. Yep, that was the lesson for me. Just fill your life with the most good things you can do and think of others more than yourself. I knew this. I mean, I really knew this. And after a week of doing that, the lessons was relearned. I am grateful for my strong belief that carries me through. I am grateful for answers to prayers and increased understanding.