Leah and her baby doll

Leah's baby doll can suck her thumb. Her arms and legs can move so she can sit while Leah reads books to her.

Leah's birthday pictures

We all had fun watching Leah open presents and having such a good time with her cousin and sisters. She liked all her toys and books.

Leah's Birthday

Leah celebrated her 3rd birthday on April 14. She had cupcakes and opened presents with her Daddy, Mommy, and sisters, Kristin and Elizabeth at home in Georgetown. On Saturday, in Fordsville, Leah had a Dora cake and ice cream. She had fun opening more presents, books, straws and a glass, a Dora video, and a baby doll. Leah is a sweet, beautiful little girl. And already 3 years old!

Leah and Sadie

Leah and Sadie sleep well together.

Raking

I have raked most of the herb and flower beds. I even have a blister to boast. The curry, rue, and tansy had to be cut back considerably. Thyme has survived being neglected and will soon flourish in the warm sun. I've been lost but I'm finding myself in the dirt and weeds, as well as the green things that are happy that spring is here. I moved some of the rocks and found the most wonderful bugs. No worms yet. The bugs are red and black, they scurry away from me, looking for a new place to hide. I saw one ladybug, red with black spots. It was tiny sitting on the handle of my snippers. Kristin, Elizabeth, and Leah also helped with the work. John Wayne hauled off the sticks and cut up the leaves with the lawn mower. Kristin and Elizabeth drove the mower and Leah rode in the wagon. We wished for Olivia to be here with us. Now I have to think about mulch and a summer of weeding. I want blooming flowers and fragrant herbs.

Sick Children

Yesterday Olivia was here sick and today it is Leah. Olivia and I read many books yesterday. Leah will like them today. They like THERE'S A WITCH UNDER THE STAIRS. Olivia doesn't believe us when we tell her we have a basement. I don't want her to see it, she might be scared. Leah wouldn't like it either. The contents of our basement could tell the story of our lives in this house. I went down there earlier today and it is a fright.

HATS OFF TO MARCH

Every March Sue would decorate her bulletin board at school with brightly colored hats she had made out of wallpaper samples. She had pink hats with flowered ribbons, purple ones with bows, red, yellow and blue hats decorated for spring. Her caption, HATS OFF TO MARCH, was cut out of green construction paper. The clouds and wind were made of white paper and cotton batting. She made me hats for my bulletin board after she retired. I always put them on the bulletin board as soon as March rolled around, then left them through April. Today, March 2, is Sue's birthday. So, hats off to March and Sue. I miss you.

BLACK CADILLAC

Getting mail from Jeanie is one of my favorite things in the world. This week I found a priority package in my mail box. I couldn't wait to open it but also wanted to hold on to the anticipation as long as possible. When I opened it, I was so excited to find BLACK CADILLAC by Rosanne Cash. The music is wonderful and gets better every time I listen to it. The package also brought me an article in Entertainment magazine. The title of the article is THE WOMAN IN BLACK. It tells about the relationship Rosanne had with her parents. Also in the package was a newsletter from the Alexander McCall Smith fan club. It is full of information about his books and pictures of Smith. His new book is BLUE SHOES AND HAPPINESS. So far I haven't found an advance copy (except on ebay) but I will eventually find one. A hand written note made the package complete.

We move on

We move on from day to day. Mama continues to gain a bit of strength, getting up by herself and walking a bit with just her cane. Her eyes are giving her fits.
Olivia is here today, we slept together on a pallet beside Mama's bed.
I'm reading Night by Elie Weisel. I read it years ago so I'm reading the new translation. I think Souls on Fire is my favorite Weisel.
Lunch with Jeanie yesterday, my favorite part of any week.
It's a warm January so far. Little green things are appearing in the herb beds. I promise I am going to be kind to those herbs this spring.

Tumor Control

The tumor continues to control our lives for another day. But we don't intend to let it get the best of us. I took Mama to the beauty shop, I know it made her feel better. It was a sunny day so that couldn't hurt either. I'm not sure if her weakness is from the medicine or her condition. She was much stronger before the incident on Saturday. It's a day to day process, hopefully she can gain a bit everyday. Her brother and his wife are coming to visit tomorrow, that will help her.
I need to clear my mind to be able to read and write. My concentration is deserting me, I need to be the boss and bring it back.
I may read CROSSING TO SAFETY by Wallace Stegner. Just finished ANGLE OF REPOSE and loved every word.
Now if I can just go to bed without eating a bunch of junk, it will be a miracle!

Meningioma

Meningioma has entered our life. Meningioma is a brain tumor and my mother has one. It's just a little tumor but the swelling around it makes it act like a big tumor. She is having bouts of aphasia and is having trouble remembering things. I'm not sure if her feebleness is from the condition or the medication. She's putting a good face on it all but I know it is worrying her. It is certainly worrying the rest of us.
She isn't happy to be away from her house and I can understand it. But she must stay with us for now. She has become my child.

Snow and Thunder

It's been snowing for a while, the cars are covered and most of the ground. The street just looks wet though. Now I can hear thunder. No lightning that I have seen so far. I've taken to my bed with my cold feet. I finished reading Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner and now I don't know what to do with myself. I have many books to choose from but I'm still living with Susan and Oliver. After reading a great book it is difficult to begin another one within minutes. But I have to worry about it since I don't want to be not reading a book, or books, as it usually happens. I need something fairly light but not silly. After Angle of Repose my brain will have to rest.

Early morning hours

It's after 3 am and I haven't blinked an eye. I did the same thing last night. I guess I'll sleep one of these days. Susan, Michael, Kristin, Elizabeth & Leah are here tonight. Everybody is asleep but me. My eyes won't cooperate so I can't even read.

January 4

The 4th of January! Before I know it, December will be here and I'll be turning 60. Oh, joy!
All of our granddaughters will be here on Saturday. It will be fun being with them.
I'm still slowly reading Angle of Repose. I love every word. I'll be sad to finish it.
I've been listening to news about Ariel Sharon. I wish I was in Israel. Always.

First Monday

The first Monday of the year found me at Walmart, of all places. But we must have food. The doctor told John Wayne that we only need to eat what it takes to survive and no more. I wonder if that means I don't need chocolate covered cherries!
Olivia and John Michael were here earlier. She took a bath before they left. I had pink soap flakes that I sprinkled on her head in the tub. She had the best time.
There was an earthquake today, I'm sad I missed it.

January 1

The first day of the year! I hope I can have some self discipline in the coming months. I'm reading Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner. This will be my first book to finish in 2006. My reading has suffered lately, I intend to change that. I'm also going to read the Bible through again. I want to shoot more pictures, write more stories. Be quiet, sit still. Listen, talk less. Sleep all night. Walk. Pray.

2006

The house is quiet and without children tonight as I wait for 2006. Elizabeth was here for 2 weeks and the other girls were here part of that time. I miss them.
My hope for 2006 is to read and write much more. And eat less. But since it is still 2005, I may have a snack.

Guest Blogger, my granddaughter, Elizabeth

my name is elizabeth
i love pets
i have 3 cats

i love to sew
i love f-ball
i love b-ball

i like my bubbes house
i live in georgtown'ky
i hate siting in a car

i love my sisters
i love school
i like playing out side

Guest Blogger, my granddaughter, Kristin

i am at my grandmothers house
i go to scms
s c cards rock!!
i live in kentucky/
go uk!!
my bestfriend is shalyn
i have 2 sisters
b-ball
7th grade
like 2 read
love to go places hate to be stuck in house
i love christmas
love snow
i love to snowboard is awesome im good @ it.
love to do tricks on the trampoline
love to play on the computer,wat
ch tv,and play videos games.
take pics of friends and cool stuff
i have blonde hair
pet peeves-
*volume on tv or in the car(anywhere) bein on an odd # has to be on an even #!!!
*belt buckles not in the hoops(like missed one or something)
SPORTS-
*b-ball
*f-ball
*soccer
favorite places-
*florida
*mississippi
*kentucky
*philidelphia**

It's just days until Christmas. Needless to say, I'm far from ready. But I'm sure I'll get ready. A lot has happened since my last post here. Leah was here for a week. Nothing escapes her and her vocabulary is mind boggling, as well as her use of language. Olivia was also here a lot of the time. They are so funny and so interesting. Their conversations amaze me.
All of the girls will be here this weekend. I'm anxious to have them all together at the same time.