Snapshots in Time...

The Ropers had company this week. Several really cute pictures were posted on Facebook. I must give credit to Jennifer Squires for these pictures of Raelyn. Just think they are too cute not to share on this Blog. In the first one she is just riding in the car but you can see all of her cute face. In the second one she is in her Halloween costume. She is the Queen of Hearts. Oh my!!

This final picture is just a blast from my past. The Mini's wanted strawberries and Nutella to munch on while they were here. There were strawberries left over. Claude came in to the kitchen this morning and asked me what I was doing. I was mashing up the strawberries with a fork. Then I put milk over them (which would have been cream when I was a child) and a bit of sugar. When I was a child, my Mother's parents had an enormous strawberry patch. It was bigger than most people's gardens. We were allowed to stroll through it and eat all the strawberries we wanted. One of my favorite treats back them was to cut up the strawberries, mash them with a fork, put on cream and sugar and eat them all up. I watched my hands doing this and saw my Mother's hands preparing this treat for me and my sisters. Yummy!! Loved enjoying this delectable memory. 

The Mini's Have a Fall Break...

Traditions!! The Mini's had their Fall Break from school last week. We asked if we could have them for a few days. Andie was invited but we suggested she might want a few days to do things she wanted and needed to do on her break. The end result was us picking up the Mini's on Wednesday, October 24th and returning them on Saturday, October 27th. 

We started the visit with a drive-thru at Taco Bell in Shelbyville. The kids wanted to eat in the car on the way to Sadieville so we did just that. Now, Hayden had a sleepover with four of his friends on Tuesday night. He declared to his mother that he had not slept all night or only for a few minutes. She found him twice asleep in the bathtub that morning. The other evidence to support his lack of sleep was that those boys who did fall asleep woke up the next morning with permanent marker on their face. Hayden was one of the ones without any marker on his face. Boys will be boys!! I had wanted to stop at Josephine Sculpture Gardens on the way to Sadieville but with the current level of tiredness we opted to just get ourselves home. There was a quick stop to CVS to pick up a prescription they refilled and let me know about as we were driving back to Sadieville. So, with lunch in our  laps, we plodded on to Sadieville. 

We stayed inside for the rest of the evening. The kids are watching the Big Bang Theory. Hayden wants to see them in order. Claude owns the first 10 seasons. So we watched some of them Wednesday evening. Claude has downloaded the app to his phone that sounds like a whip cracking. It is in one of the episodes. Bailey thought it was great fun to crack the whip and dance. Bailey also loved curling up in the purple afghan Junie (my sister) made for me several years ago. We had pizza for dinner and ice cream for dessert. These kids would eat the entire time we had them.  

I told Papa I would not be visiting him Thursday. We purchased tickets to Keeneland at Hayden's Boy Scout Spaghetti Dinner. We were going to take the Mini's to the races. It was a cold, cloudy day. We asked them to bring coats so they would stay warm. Bailey was very happy to wear the stocking cap Claude bought in Finland. She tells me they are very much in style!! Oh my. Who would ever think Claude could purchase stylish things! Just before they got in the car Saturday for their drive home, Claude quietly gave Bailey the Finland stocking cap. She was go excited. She said, "And I didn't even have to ask for it!!" 

Claude is on the Board of Directors of Yuko-En in Georgetown. This is a lovely park that is like you would find in Japan. There is a building on it they call the Villa and people rent it for functions. A couple was wanting to possibly use it for their wedding. Claude had already shown it to the groom-to-be. Now the bride-to-be wanted to see it. So we started our day at Yuko-En. I took the Mini's for a walk around the park while Claude took care of business. 

Then we were off to Keeneland for lunch and the races.  We did this with the Mini's last Fall Break and were wondering how it would be for them to go again. Turns out they loved it. Hayden even said it should definitely be part of our tradition in the future. Amazing!!

This was the only selfie I got. Claude, Bailey and Hayden 's thumbs. I wanted to get Bailey's head in the shot with Hayden's but that just didn't work. I'll keep practicing and some day I may learn how to take a good selfie. Maybe...

After Keeneland we drove to Crank and Boom to have ice cream. This was a first time visit for Hayden and Bailey. Hayden had Super Fudge which is their darkest chocolate flavor. Bailey had a scoop of Dark Chocolate and a scoop of Truffle with sprinkles on the top. Claude had Kentucky Blackberry Buttermilk. I had a scoop of Coconut ice cream and a scoop of Mango sorbet. Hayden assured me I did not have real ice cream flavors. However, I totally enjoyed my choices. The Mini's want to bring the family back here when they come for Christmas.  

Thursday night we had chicken tenders, homemade macaroni and cheese and salad. We ate ice cream for dessert with cookies. Then the rest of the evening was watching more Big Bang Theory.

Friday was a day of rain and cold wind outside. We told the Mini's they got a day inside. Claude had a meeting in the morning. I spent the afternoon visiting Papa. That left an adult with the Mini's all day. Lunch was tuna salad on croissants. Dinner was hamburgers and fries. More ice cream, cookies and candy for dessert. My goodness the Mini's ate this time. 

Bailey made her a nest out of the big silk comforter from China and lots of pillows and blankets. It would be her spot for the day. Hayden curled himself up in a ball in the big red rocker and that would be his spot for the day. It was just a very nice day watching more Big Bang Theory and eating ourselves into oblivion. 

Saturday morning after breakfast I gave Hayden a haircut. Then they watched a bit of Big Bang pausing to pack their stuff between episodes. We took them back to Taco Bell in Shelbyville where they wanted lunch and where Andie and Michael would meet us to take the Mini's the rest of the way home. I drove them alone this time. Claude had a sore throat and wasn't feeling perky so we left him home to rest for the day. Bailey also had a cracky voice Saturday morning. However, she was ecstatic with the way it sounded and used her voice as much as she could to hear it. 

It was a great few days. Andie was able to do some shopping for her some more work clothes without the kids. She also got some painting done in her home and some substitute teacher plans made for the next week. She has to go to a conference of some kind and needed to have plans for that. So, it was a win-win for the Big Guy and me, the Mini's and the parents. Good Fall Break!

More Bits and Pieces...

Let's go back to September 26th. I have requested a room for Papa at the nursing home where his bed could be by the window from the time I admitted him and each time I have had a meeting with staff. On Wednesday, September 26th, I received a phone call in the morning saying they had a room with a bed by the window and they could move Papa to it. I told them I would be in that afternoon. When I got to the nursing home, Papa was still in his bed in his original room. I asked him wasn't it great they finally found him a bed by a window. He then told me he told them he didn't want to move. Ugh!!! We discussed it a bit. Then Amy came down. She is the nurse that helped me when I had the mini-stroke at the nursing home. She suggested we show him the room and see if that helped him change his mind. We walked him down to his potential new room, discussed the merits of him being able to open the blinds as he wanted, the possibility of putting a bird feeder outside his window, etc., etc., etc. He was sure he didn't want to change rooms. Ugh!!! I told him that he was fine to stay where he was but I didn't want to hear any more complaining about that little space with no window where he currently lives. He will never had a window open to him as long as Matt's bed it by the window. That curtain will remain pulled between them and Papa will never be able to see out of a window. I ache about this but will let him make that final decision. A hard fought battle for him that he just doesn't want to do. And so, caring for Papa continues.

On to Wednesday, October 3rd. This day we had something happen that has never happened before. I received a 'Presidential Alert' on my cell phone. It was just a test of a new system to notify people should a national emergency happen. It will override anything that you have your cell phone set at to give you a warning message about whatever might be happening. There were people in a uproar about it. The way this world is going, I think it is a good idea. 

My Nissa sent me Molasses Crinkle cookies made by the Amish people near her in Michigan. To say I loved these cookies is an understatement. Nissa knew I was not doing well with getting my reaction to the meds under control. So she and Todd purchased me a package of these delicious treats and mailed them to me with a cute card. They arrived on a particularly difficult day and I was ever so grateful for their love and care all those miles away. A few days later on Monday, October 8th, I took two of these precious treats to Papa. He loved them. Wolfed them right down. I popped Nissa a text an told her how much he enjoyed them. Nothing like spreading the cookie happiness.

During General Conference this October, President Nelson, our Prophet and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, issued a challenge to the sisters during the Women's Session. He actually issued a couple of challenges. One was to take a 10 day fast from Facebook. I started that on Monday, October 8th. I didn't use Facebook or look at it for 11 days. I did not miss all the drama that is there. I did miss our family private Facebook page and the Church Facebook pages I follow. I also missed popping a Happy Birthday message to friends on Facebook. But I really didn't miss scrolling through the news feed. I had actually really decreased the amount of time I spend reading the news feed before I started the 10 day fast. But it was good do just not do Facebook for that time.

The other challenge I have taken is to read my Book of Mormon before the end of the year. I am doing well with this one and enjoying reading the Book of Mormon again. It is truly another witness to the truths in the Bible. I do love reading the Book of Mormon.

Sunday, October 14th Claude and I were out visiting for the Self-Reliance Initiative again. This time we visited Paris Ward. They were beginning a new class. It looks like it will be a great group of people. Then we visited the class that meets in the Georgetown Ward building. They are half way through their 12 weeks. They are also a great group that works very well together. It was fun to meet with these two groups and enjoy their eagerness to learn and make their lives better. Each group is studying Personal Finances.

On to Tuesday, October 16th. Katelyn sent me this cute picture of Raelyn in a Mulon Princess costume. This costume was Bailey's. She wore it on one of their Disney cruises for Princess night. She has outgrown it and wanted Raelyn to have it. We gave it to Katelyn and told her it was too big right now but Bailey really wanted Raelyn to enjoy it. I gave Katelyn Bailey's cell phone number so she could send this picture to her. I love that these little ones are 9 years different in age and live many miles apart, but they still have this sweet relationship. 

That same day I went to the nursing home to visit Papa. This time the parking lots were full. When that happens, I park in the parking lot of the little convenience store on the corner and walk through the bushes to the nursing home. This time I enjoyed the fact that fall is here and there were lots of red berries on whatever kind of bush this is. Love that pop of color we get when fall arrives. 

Thursday, October 18th, I finished another baby afghan. This one has been sent to a nephew and his wife who just had their 4th baby. Now, I must get more yarn and get another one made as babies seem to be popping up all over the place. This is another of my favorite patterns.

Saturday morning October 20th, Claude and I were at the Rosenwald School in Sadieville. There is a group of people that tour churches and historic buildings around the area. They put the Rosenwald school on their list to visit this time. There were about 29 of them and they arrived at 10:30am. Claude did a masterful job of telling them about Rosenwald Schools and their history and the particular history of our Rosenwald School. I shared two tender experiences we had with our school when Stephanie Deutsch and her hubby, who is Julius Rosenwald's great great grandson, came to visit. And I shared when the people from Nicodemus, Kansas came and did a reenactment of their ancestors leaving Sadieville to start a new life in Nicodemus, Kansas. One of the ladies that was there actually participated in the reenactment.  I am such a picture taker and as Claude and I stood in front of the school and the three buses were about to pull out I turned to Claude and said, "I can't believe I didn't think to take a picture of all of them in the school. I must be slipping. It was a very sweet experience. We gave them each a note card with a picture of something in Sadieville and a Christmas ornament to take with them. 

That evening as we were heading home from Bailey's cross country meet, I received an eMail  from Denise M. Heying. I do not know Denise. It turns out she visited Egypt and 1982. She had pictures she was still trying to label. She happened upon my Blog entries about our trip to Egypt. She was able to identify and label more of her pictures because of my Blog entry and labeling of the places we visited. She was just thanking me for putting that Blog out there. How nice is that? I often think I should quit this Blogging and just do this privately for myself instead of the public forum. Then I get a nice thank you from someone or a request to use a picture I have posted for something and it feels like it might just be worth it to keep Blogging. I also wonder if I would keep this journal of a Blog if I didn't do it in this forum. Thank you Denise for your very nice eMail. You made a bright spot in my day.

Halloween Music...

When one reaches 8th grade at Oldham County Middle School, they will participate in a Halloween Extravaganza performed by the East Oldham Middle School, Oldham County Middle School and Oldham County High School. These two Middle Schools are the feeder schools to the High School. The three band teachers all work very closely together and the kids are used to being directed by their Middle School band teacher as well as the High School band teacher. In addition, there is usually a teacher doing an internship to finish their college degree, be it Bachelor Degree or Master's Degree. It really gives your child and excellent band experience. Our Hayden is in 8th Grade and invited us to watch their performance. 

When we attended Hayden's Boy Scout Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser, Claude bid on Hometown Pizzas and was the highest bidder. We used our two free large pizzas to feed the family on Wednesday, October 17th. We picked up the pizza and left it and two big salads to share at the Marx home. Then we hurried to watch Bailey at her cross country practice. Hayden stayed at his school to help Mr. Wise, his band teacher, set up the gym for the concert. After Andie finished work, she joined us at Bailey's practice. When practice was over, we went to the Marx home for a bite of dinner before the concert. Michael joined us at the house.

For this particular concert, the band kids are allowed to wear whatever costume they want as long as they can play their instrument. Hayden opted to be a Phantom Ghost. I am sure this fits in with some movie or game or something, but, alas, I am too old to be aware of where it fits in a young person's life today. So, in the pictures you will find Hayden in what looks like a black hoodie with gloves that cover his arms so they look like a skeleton. 

Now, for pictures that I always call the 'Many Face of Hayden' during the concert.

The Oldham County Middle school played three numbers by themselves. They were "Ghost of the Lost Ship", "Apparitions" and "Shadows Unleashed". Two of these were led by the student teacher. The final one was led by Mr. Wise. The other bands each played two numbers. The finale was all three schools bands playing "Music from Jurassic Park". It was an excellent concert. 

As soon as that concert was over, Hayden was ripping off that costume. It was tight around his head and he was profoundly happy to have it off. I believe Andie will snip it a bit so it is a little more loose for Halloween and things they attend during that time.

We said our goodbyes and we were off to Sadieville. It is always fun to hear one of these concerts. I am constantly amazed at the level these young people play music. 

Run, Bailey, Run!!

A year or so ago, Michael went to the Parent/Teacher conference for Bailey. Her teacher described Bailey as 'savagely quirky'. This is a great description of our Bailey. 

She is running cross country this year in her first year of middle school. We did not get to attend the meet that was hosted by Oldham County Schools. Andie sent us these pictures of our Bailey before and during the race. Can you tell this child is 'savagely quirky'? Just love this girl to pieces!

This Saturday, October 20th, we were able to attend as Bailey participated in the Kentucky Track and Cross Country Coaches Association (KTCCCA) Meet of Champions. This is the final meet of the season and is for the entire Commonwealth of Kentucky. It was held at Masterson Station Park in Lexington. There would be over 6000 runners participating. Multiply that by family members wanting to see them and coaches and chaperones and you have one very, very, very full park and tons O'traffic. We made it into the park and were directed where to park. Then we walked to the entry gate and paid our $8 per person fee to enter. This sign was by the entry gate and cracked me up.

We found the tent for the Oldham County Colonels but no Bailey there. The girl must roam. We put up our folding chairs and planted ourselves outside the tent for when she returned. I sent Michael and Andie a text telling them we made it in and where we could be found. They made it in as well and joined us to wait for Bailey to return. Then we were all off to the starting area for her to warm up for the run. She and three other girls would run this time. There were other girls running from OCMS at other times. 

And at 1:30pm, that mass of humanity moved to the starting line and, when the gun went off, they started running. It is amazing to watch that field of kids all running to where the line of runners will narrow. They each have a chip attached to their shoes. When they cross the start line, the chip reads their starting time. When they cross the finish line, it reads their finish time. I love that while they are all trying to help their team do their very best, they are also running to better their own time. 

Michael showed us where to go stand so we could cheer Bailey as she ran past along the route. They would run 3 kilometers or about 1.86 miles.  

Then we walked over to the finish line to see our girl finish her race. If you look between the two men, the girl running is Bailey. That big blue thing over the grass is where their chip is read at the finish line. 

Bailey really wanted a t-shirt so Michael and Andie helped her make her choice at one of 3 big t-shirt making areas. All the same vendor, just so much demand they spread them out into three areas. The lines were long so Claude and I were place holders while Bailey went with her parents to make their choice. This is what grandparents are for...place holders when needed. It is an easy gig.

I love this picture of Claude with Bailey after her race. She has a special place in her heart for this Big Guy. He has lots of love for his grandmonsters and is just a good man that way. I love it. 

Bailey rode the bus to the meet and wanted to ride it home because, well, they were stopping to have a meal together. Social beings like that kind of thing. Andie and Michael left to have lunch together at Wendy Corner. Hayden was at a birthday party for a friend so they had a kid free few hours. Claude and I treated Bailey to some treats from the food vendor and then we left to have lunch at Firehouse Subs. 

We received these two pictures from Andie. It seems Oldham County girls won the Kentucky Track and Cross Country Coaches Association (KTCCCA) Meet of Champions 2018 Middle School Girls Champions. How cool is that? 

Bailey has had a great time in Cross Country for her first year of Middle School. She has informed Michael and Andie that 6th grade is the year of experiences. She wants to experience it all in Middle School so she can find things to get college credit at when in High School. I see lots of trips to LaGrange in our future to watch her participate in all the 'experiences'. She is her Mother's child!!

A Great Week...

After a very nice weekend together, it was time to get back to 'normal'. 

Tuesday I had an appointment with Dr. Pruden, the surgeon who did the Mohs Surgery on my nose. He pronounced me good to be done. The healing will continue but that will just take time. I don't cover my nose anymore. It is what it is. I'm still careful with it and continue to keep a bit of Vaseline on it so it doesn't dry out as this skin graft continues to heal and fill in a bit more. I am still experiencing problems from the reaction to the antibiotic Dr. Pruden gave me but that too is beginning to feel better. 

Thursday was a particularly full day. It began with the Georgetown Scott County Senior Center Annual Chili Cookoff. Since Claude is not running for Mayor this time, this is a year of final experiences. One of these is finals is this Chili Cookoff. The three Mayors and the Judge Executive of Scott County each donate a pot of chili. These are judged and the winner takes home a cast iron pot onto which a name plate is attached indicating their name and the year they won. Mayor Kayla Jones and Judge Executive George Lusby are also not running for re-election this year. This means that next year there will be three new people participating in this event. Mayor Prather of Georgetown will be the only one returning. 

There was a band which always plays old bluegrass/country music before the judging and eating of chili. I very much enjoyed them playing and singing. They sang some of the songs that Papa and I used to sing together so there was lots of feelings as I sat and listened and quietly sang along. They even sang a Don Williams song that Claude and I sing together. The director of the Senior Center's son also got up and sang Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star with the band. So very cute. They invited Mayor Kayla Jones to do a song with them. At the end I was even invited to sing along when they did "Ya'll Come". Great fun.

Mayor Prather won this year. We all tease him that he goes to Wendy's to get his chili.  

And this is the final crew. They have worked very well together for the last four years. Mayor Kayla Jones of Stamping Ground, Mayor Tom Prather of Georgetown, Mayor Claude Christensen of Sadieville and Judge Executive George Lusby.  

I left after the judging to go practice the organ at church. Then I went to visit Papa for the afternoon. 

I hurried home in time to change clothes for our evening adventure, Bluegrass Tomorrow's 5th Annual Celebration of the Bluegrass. This year it was held at the Castle. The reception was held on the roof top, the dinner and band were in a tent on the right side of the Castle. It was a wonderful evening. 

Woodford Reserve was invited to be the guest speaker. This is a famous bourbon distillery in Kentucky. Each seat was given three shots of different types of bourbon from Woodford Reserve. When Claude gave his opening remarks, he commented about the pending bourbon tasting and added that those of us who do not drink will meet in the parking lot to taste the difference between Coke and Pepsi. 

Sadieville had a table and most of our city officials were able to attend. Seated left to right around the table are Miriam and Brian Reese, Regina and Mike Mizell, Detta and Ken Wilson, Anson and Sandy Whelan. Claude and I sat at the Kentucky League of Cities table.  

Claude is Chair for the Board of Directors of Bluegrass Tomorrow. He was invited to make a few opening remarks. He and I sponsored the entertainment for the evening. Claude also asked the quilter's club if they had any quilts they could donate for the silent auction. One of the ladies donated a wall hanging quilt with a horse in the middle. It was done in blues and was wonderful.  

Dinner was superb. The appetizers were served during the reception. The meal was served buffet style in the tent. It began with Soup of Butternut Squash with Fresh Cream. There were two entrees. The first was Fricassee of Chicken with Thyme Veloute and Gnocchi. The second was Wild Caught Seared Salmon with a Sorghum Soy Reduction, Braised Turnip Greens and Rutabaga Puree. Claude and I both had the salmon. We both opted not to have dessert which was Bourbon Jam Cake using Woodford Reserve bourbon. The food is just so very, very good. Everything is farm to table and locally grown. 

It was a lovely day with good things filled every minute.

This morning Claude invited me to join him in the Heart Walk held at Georgetown Hospital. We walked the route three times which equals to three miles. It was cold when we started in the low 30's. We went to the Anthem booth and Claude got us each a pair of gloves to help us stay warm since we both forgot them. It was refreshing to do this walk. Fun to do it with my hubby. 

After the walk, Claude dropped me off at the nursing home to visit Papa. Claude went to Evan's Orchard to purchase some apple donuts. We like to get them once each year. Then he purchased our groceries before picking me up when it was time for Papa to go to lunch.

We were both ready for something to eat at that point. Claude took me to More Than Cake in Georgetown. They have a sandwich shop in the front and we enjoyed muffaletta sandwiches and soda for lunch. So good!! We asked the lady that owns it if they make bread. She said they have 90 different kind of bread recipes. One of these is a salt rise bread. I never heard of that kind of bread. It is a bread made with a starter. They got their starter from the local Amish people who not don't even make this bread. More Than Cake is the only one in the area who make this bread. She said she would give us a sample. It just melts in your mouth. Oh my heavens it was good. 

It's been another full and good day. We will meet upstairs this evening and enjoy a movie together while I get some more crocheting done. Grateful for good days.