JUST LIKE VACATION

Yesterday was a beautiful day. It began a little gloomy but as the morning past it was wonderful. The sun came out and the wind blew and all I had to do was to enjoy it.

My neighbors, Jan and Phil Gautchey, were playing golf and so was Dave. The Gautchey's daughter Sharon was visiting from Chicago. Sharon is a "Linda Moss" kind of girl. She is so much fun to be with. She is 38 years old, lives right in the city and starts a wonderful new job on Wed. Flat Hunter will be traveling home with Sharon and then on to Penn. with her for a business trip. She is the same girl that tried to take Flat Maison to the Cubs game a couple of years ago.

We really didn't have anything special to do so we put some chairs in Dave's truck and headed for the beach.

While we were at the beach I saw this cute young woman in a bikini that looked like she was going to have a baby in March.

I remembered the 1st time I was pregnant (I didn't look that good) Dave and I went on a little vacation to Oprey Land. Dave had to keep stopping all the way down so I could stick my head out the window and I had to keep getting out of the lines so I could get sick. There was only one other thing I remember about that trip and David remembered it too. While we were sitting outside watching one of the shows there was a little boy about 6 and a little girl about 4 that had left their parents a few rows back and were sitting together near the front. Every once in a while they would get excited about the show and just hug each other. It was such a precious love. Many times after that I would pray for children with that same love for each other. Now, I also pray for that for my grandchildren and thank God for my own sisters.

When we decided that Sharon's white skin had all the sun it needed we headed to Naples for a delicious lunch at P F Chang's. We just shared our meal. That's the best way to get an appetizer, main course and desert and not feel like you are going to explode. I love that place.

Today it is cloudy and raining a little.

POOR DAVE IS SICK

It is really sad when a health care professional in the family is sick. He is the one that is sympathetic to the sick person and seems to know what to do to at least to make them feel better while they get through it.

Well Dave is sick. It is not a life threatening illness but he really is feeling bad. He sounds even worse. I insisted that he stay home today. Those little old people that he has for patients do not need to be introduced to whatever it is that has this healthy physically fit man in his 5o's, sounding like a frog.

He is having so much trouble breathing that he was up a 3:30am sitting in the bathroom with the shower running. He mentioned that he wished we still had the vaporizor we used to keep Todd breathing for his first 6-8 years.

On my way to work today I decided to go to Target to buy him one. Well when I got there I had the choice of buying the inexpensive one that I am sure worked fine or one shaped like an elephant or one that was a very cute light blue penguin (that brought back memories of some postal workers that I once read about) that ofcourse was more expensive. Well the decision was an easy one.

Even as I am writting this there is a 52 year old man laying in bed in the next room watching TV (breathin rather poorly but better than last night) with a cute little blue penguin spitting a mist of cool moist air in his face.

I wish you could see it. It would make you laugh!

FEBRUARY

WELL, MID FEBRUARY IS HERE. IT IS ENTIRELY TOO COLD FOR S W FLORIDA BUT THE 50'S DON'T SEEM QUITE SO BAD WHEN YOU SEE ALL THE SNOW FALLING IN THE NORTHEAST SECTION OF OUR COUNTRY.

I HAVE BEEN WEARING A SWEATSHIRT ALL DAY AND IT WAS STILL COLD OUT IN THE WIND.

I THINK TOMORROW NIGHT I WILL HAVE TO DRAG OUT THE OLD 'JACK GARNER' SWEATSHIRT. IT IS IN HONOR OF HIS 53 BIRTHDAY. THAT SHIRT IS 38 YEARS OLD BUT FOR SOME REASON I THINK IT HAS GOTTEN SMALLER OVER THE YEARS. AGE HAS A WAY OF CHANGING THINGS. HEE HEE

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO TODD TODD

I really wanted to post a few pictures and mention a few embarassing things that happened in the past but my limited computer skills kept me from it. I am sure Todd is glad about that.

Since he called himself Todd Todd a few times when he was barely old enough to talk, it is a fond memory Dave and I will always remember.

Yesterday January 22, 2006 Todd turned 32. He is not only our first born child, only son, tall dark and hansome but he is someone we love, are proud of, excited about his future and wonder how he can possible be our child.

Todd, we hope your birtday was a good one and this will be the best year yet. We pray that God will lead you and bless you in all that you do.

ME ...JUST CHECKING IN

Life in Ft. Myers has been very normal for January. All of our friends have returned for the season. The days have been beautiful and we have had a few (4o's) cooler nights.

Every night seems to be busy. This past weekend Natalie came to spend the night Fri. Saturday we went to a Pizza Party at one of the neighbors and Sunday we went to the Weslyan church at the end of our road. The pastor is in his 30's and seems very nice but both times we visited they had a guest speaker. The first time was actually a trumpet player and this week was a church planter going to Germany.

I really don't remember the church planters name but he said that only 3% of the male population in Germany attend church and that when he went there he had to register that he was a Christian. They had more witches registered that Christians. I was quite sick about that.
The man had 3 children that are all now in the mission field. His daughter was a graduate from Asbury College. She had met and married a guy from Haiti when she was in college.

4 DAY WORK WEEK

I like the idea of a four day work week. If I had my choice I would work four ten hour days and have 3 days off, but I like my job and it is a 5 day a weeker.

I have had three straight 4 day work weeks in a roll. One for Christmas, one for New Years and one next week because I have to have a test on Mon.

The test is only a precaution, due to my father's medical history. I have been blaming his bad choices (smoking and working with fiberglass) for me having to take this test. But to be honest, I would take this test monthly if he could have lived a longer life.

My dad was a very good man. I loved him and never doubted that he loved me and my sisters. He was honest, hard working and he was never a person that thought having a lot of money would make things perfect. I thank him for passing that on to me.

I would not say my dad was soft spoken, in fact, he spoke very rough and harsh but he was hard working and could make, fix or do anything he wanted to do. He and my Mom taught me about loving and investing all that is important in your spouse and your family. I wish I could visit with him this afternoon. (He probably would not be any happier with me moving to Florida than my Mom is because he wanted to keep us all close too)

WARNING

Do Not ... let me repeat ... Do Not Ever Ever - Ever eat Yak Jerky!

Tonight we thought we would try something new so we got out the package of yak jerky that was sent to us from central China.

We thought that it was probably a "free range yak" since we had never heard about any stockyard in China that had yaks that they had fed with their own fecal matter and harmone infested feed like the beef in this country. We also hoped that it had not been processed in a meat packing plant that added these things to the jerky to make more at a lower cost. (Now that was probably a foolish assumption on our part but, whatever).

Let me come to the point quickly, it not only smelled like dog food it tasted like dog food. Most of us who had dogs as children have actually tasted dog food. It was nasty!

Todd, thank you for the thought but don't send any more.

2006

January 1, 2006
This is the beginning of a brand new year. Last year was a pretty good year for me but it wasn't too good for some.
Just last week it was Christmas night. This past week I got to see Mike and Carrie Mateja and their boys. Those boys are so good looking I will post a picture if I can get Tony to Email one to me.
We took inventory at work. I went to my friend Karen's 40th Birthday party and last night Natalie spent the night. She was here most of the day today and it was fun.
I called Hunter this morning. She got a new cell phone for Christmas. She answered the phone "Hey Granny Kakky" I asked if she was still sleeping when I called. She said "No, I am at Sunday School with my mom and Carol" - Talk about feeling bad. I said "Goodbye" very quickly but could not help laughing about it later. What kind of 8 year old takes her cell phone to Sunday School.

Christmas Season

Well, Sunday night was my Lifestyle Interiors party at Stonewood Grill. The food was delicious as usual. The service (or I should say, one of our waitresses) was uncommonly terrible. We did have a good time though.

I got $100 worth of free gas and a little kit that you bake cakes in coffee cups.

Earlier that day we went to Dave's friend, Del's open house.

In the morning we had gone to church and before that we went to the gym. I am not sure why I just recounted my day in reverse order but that is just the way I think sometime.

Saturday was the 4th annual Christmas cookie bake at Cheryl's. There were a few changes in the type of cookies and candy but as usual we ended up with 12 different kinds and I think 16 different trays to distribute among our friends.

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Dec 12, 2005
Who would have ever thought that on this day in my life I would have two beautiful, happy, intellegent granddaughters celebrating their own birthday on each side of the world. God is so good. I pray that he will bless each of them today and throughout their life.

FUN

It isn't cold but it does seem like Christmas. Natalie spent the night Saturday night and she was so good. We took her out to eat with us after Dave finished with his golf game. All of the people in the restraunt just kept going on about how cute she is and she would wave and flirt with everyone that would watch her. She slept from 8pm to 8am and I checked on her several times just to be sure she was still breathing. Dave and I had her out on a cart ride when Tara came to get her. Tara was a little disappointed that Natalie was too busy waving to strangers to notice her.

Dave went to see Helen again today. She has been eating yogurt, mashed potatoes and a few other things and they are staying down. He said she even seemed a little more like herself today.

Mike, Carrie and the boys will be coming down for Christmas. I think I will fix Dave a Turkey dinner with all the fixings. I will have a 4 day weekend but he will only have Sat. and Sunday.

Anna looked like she had a fun party. She looks so much like a girl Todd. I never could have imagined her being such an entertaining dancer but the video proves she is. Sarah looks like a little Christa with those precious dimples. Who could refuse sharing their KFC with her.

Bryce is becoming quite an artist. She and Maison will be celebrating their 5th and 11th birthdays wearing stinky shoe and bowling.

Keep sending pictures and videos we love them down here.

CHRISTMAS IS ABOUT LOVE

Well, just as expected a lot of things are going on that only happen at Christmas. Last Sunday we decided to visit First Assembly Church. It was the first time I had been there, except for a funeral. The service was very good. Homework assignments were evern given. Everyone was to say "Merry Christmas" to over 500 people this week. As much as I talk, I don't even think I will complete the assignment.

They had a keyboard festival that night and Dave, Cheryl and I went to that.

Monday night Natalie came over. She spilled chocolate milk on her shirt so I had to let her open a present so she would have a clean outfit to wear when we went walking to see all the Christmas lights.

Tuesday was Bingo night and they were all in a good mood. The room was packed.

Wednesday night, Cheryl invited The Stedcke's, Michelle, Dave and I to her Clubhouse for a Christmas Buffet. They even had a big fire in the fireplace and roasted chestnuts. There was hot apple cider, eggnog, pasta bar, and a large buffet line. It was very good.

Tonight is back to the gym. We have been walking every morning before we go to work. It is a good way to have our prayer time before we start our day. Vicki got me a devotional book that we read after we get back.

Oh yes, Dave started at a new nursing home this week. It is the same company he was working for just closer to home. His buddy Del and several of the other employees left the company so the guys that stayed got a raise and Dave got to go to a new location of his choice. So far so good.

Mom had her 81st birthday Mon.

Helen is a little better and Tony came down to be with Carolyn until she goes home in March.

Thanks for your prayers, I am praying for you guys too.

LET THE RAT RACE BEGIN!

The 4 day Thanksgiving vacation is coming to an end. Thanksgiving dinner was OK, not wonderful, the turkey could have been better. It was nice spending time with Tom. He was only down for a few days but was in a good humor and nice to be with.

Thusday was also Carolyn's birthday so we took a tiny little cake with palm trees on it to her. I also gave her a clock that had room for photo's on the face. I inserted copies of photos of her boys, their kids, Oz, Helen, Tony and one of her looking for treasures in the dumpster. (Tony took that one without her knowing about it)

Dave had to work a few hours Friday. I went to the nursing home to play table shuffleboard with my friend Larry. He is such a sweatheart. He's 95. He told me that it was ashame I wasn't single because he has a pension that pays $350 a month and he would get married again if he could find a nice woman like me. I told him I would be on the lookout for a nice single woman for him.

Dave golfed with friends on Sat. I went to get my hair done and to some antique stores to try to sell one of my old sewing machines.

Today we went to Church and then we put our tree up. That means that Christmas is just around the corner and we will be so busy it will fly by and we will be taking all of these things back to the storage unit before we know it.

This was a nice restful weekend and I hope all that read this have a great week

THANKSGIVING DAY

It's Thanksgiving Day morning, most of the food is ready to pop in the oven at the appropriate time, it's still too early to watch the parade on TV and all is well in my life.

This is the first year I have cooked Thanksgiving meal in a while but after all the experience of the past, it was very quick and easy to prepare most of it last night. The turkey is only a turkey brest in its own gravey that I purchased frozen, the broccoli casserole (missing the onions - one mistake is expected) is ready to bake, the sweetpotatoes will bake for a short time before the marshmellows go on, the rolls only take 5 min. and the cranberries come straight out of the can. The stuffing is Stove Top - I like easy.

This year was no different than any other year, I had to send David out last night to get the evaporated milk for the pumpkin pie but since he is the only one that likes it he didn't mind.

After reading the yeti's blog, I have all the same things that I am thankful for but those don't seem as important to me as they do to him because he hasn't had them every day like I have.
It really isn't a good thing to take our blessings for granted but I know I do.

Thanksgiving has always been a time when I realize how much God has blessed me. I have had parents that loved me and were always very supportive of me, sisters that I not only love but like and know they feel the same toward me, children that have become adults that I am very proud of. They are happy, successful, have a close relationship with God, and great families of their own. As for David, as Eddie Caple always said, David deserves a metal for putting up with me.

I send my love to all of my family and friends and wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!

NEW MISSION SYSTEM INTERNATIONAL NEWS LINK

I got my newlink from NMSI yesterday and the last artical was something that I thought was good for all Christians to live by
Things every missionary should learn (collected from NNSI missionaries)

10. It won't be like the States, nor should it be.
9. God could do it without us, but He chooses to do it with us, through us and in spite of us.
8. Listen more than you talk.
7. Never stop being a learner.
6. When it comes to food, ignorance is bliss.
5. People are more important than projects or things.
4. Guard your time with God. Ministry is not the same thing as abiding in Him.
3. Always carry toilet paper.
2. E-mail is the biggest block to enculturation in this century.
1. When all you can do is laugh or cry, choose laughing.

I did adjust a few of these for me personally
10. It won't be the same as it was when I was younger.
6. If you have to eat chicken, pork or beef forget everything you know about stockyards, slaughter houses, chicken farms and what is in the food they feed them
1. E-mail is great for us at home to stay involved.

NOT EXCITING, JUST DAILY UPDATES

Last night Bingo was fun. All my favorite little people at the Nursing Home had fun. I am trying to talk them into decorating their wheelchairs and having a little parade down the hall. Many of them readily aggreed but probably won't remember it today.

Dave and I went for sushi tonight (it was delicious) I have learned that if you sit at the bar the guy will give you free stuff. The people at Tokyo Bay know me now. My waitress' name is
A-lee-lee, at least that's what it sounds like. I saw her at TJ Maxx last weekend and she knew me but I could tell she was trying to figure out how.

Helen is still improving slowly but it will take a long time for her to get back to how she was last summer.

THE FASTER BOATS MUST TRAVEL THIS WAY...

I received a package from China today that left there on October 28. I couldn't read a lot of it but the box checked was not "Air" or "Surface" but "SAL". So we will have to see if my package takes more than 17 days to reach China.

This Saturday we went to a beautiful wedding and reception in Tampa. I think it was the first reception I have ever been to that the cheers for the grooms parents were the loudest ones when everyone was introduced.

The Ryan's have a very large family and it was great to see them all together. Even thought I had never met many of the people at the wedding there were quit a few I felt like I knew because of stories we had heard from Pete and Laura over the years. They were such nice people and it was a pleasure getting to be a part of such a happy celebration.

Tonight was "Natalie" night. She has just returned from a trip to Colorada to see Dana. She is such a pleasant little thing and becoming quite a tease.

Helen is slowly improving. I don't see her eating turkey or anything else for Thanksgiving but Tom will be coming for a visit so I am sure she will enjoy that.

'A SLOW BOAT TO CHINA'

I have heard that saying for as long as I can remember. Until yesterday it was always just an expression used to exaggerate something not happening as quickly as I thought it should.

Let me start from the beginning. I like to send packages from time to time. I had asked Christa for their actual mailing address so that I could send a box. I haven't been to China or any other country that write with those artistic little symbols so I wasn't sure how I was going to address it. They, Todd and Christa, informed me that their address consisted of words, not words I recognized, but at least words that consisted of letters I knew. So, I got my package togather. The contents are another story. I taped the box up, put the address label on it that I printed on my computer and after taking bets from my friends about what it would cost to mail, went to the post office.

When I put it on the scales the girl told me it was almost 15 pounds and would cost $75 if I wanted it to arrive in 2 weeks or so. I thought for a moment and realized that the contents weren't worth that much and asked her what my options were. She said that for only $35 I could send it by boat. She said it would take a month. I figured if she said l month it would probably take 2 months. I thought about the contents again and I knew chocolate could last 2 months if it wasn't in my house, so I said fine and gave her my check. I hope the boat is a fast one.

Now about the contents. It does have Hershey kisses, pens, index cards, spices, coffee, zip lock bags, rubber bands, duck tape, coloring books and stickers. The funniest items were the pie pans. I stopped at our new Super Target to get them and guess what I noticed when I was in line to pay....yes, that familiar little sticker 'MADE IN CHINA' I am just hoping those pans find their way home.

RUTS CAN BE GOOD

Today was a very ordinary Monday. I went to work. I came home and played with Natalie for a few hours. (She is getting so cute and full of personality.) Now I am getting ready to go to bed in hopes of waking up tomorrrow to a very ordinary Tuesday. This will consist of work, going to the nursing home to help them play bingo and coming home in time to watch "House", my one and only regularly viewed TV show.

I know ruts can get boring but I think I will have to be in one for awhile before that happens.

GOOD DAY!

After resting up from another busy week, I'm up before dawn. This is the first time I have worked a full week in quite some time and it felt so good to get back to normal. Poor Dave still hasn't gotten back into a normal routine. Last Saturday he had to work and today he is on his way up to Bradenton to a seminar. He has a bad cold and I am sure he would rather be home sleeping in his recliner.

Next Saturday we will be back on 75 heading up to Tampa to Danny Ryan's wedding.

Helen came home from the hospital on Thursday and is still improving at a slow pace. Carolyn is staying with her and taking care of her. Dave will start giving her her home health therapy next week.

Maison is playing football today in North Carolina in a tournament playoff game.

Well it looks like I will be going to the gym by myself again today, I haven't lost an ounce but it is easier climbing the stairs so it's worth it.