Thursday and Friday Things.....

One of the prayers I pray for Louis Dean is that God will give him the desires of his heart.

I know that music is the great love of his life and I've been looking for a group of other musicians he could play with.

Now he gets all the credit in finding this Cowboy Church that hosts a group every third Thursday called The Silver Spurs. Seniors all gather for a potluck lunch and then there is a band lined up to play some music. The food was plentiful and delicious! We brought a crock pot of BBQ along with sliced onions, buns and a bag of Lays Potato Chips. I'm proud to say we took home very little. Seniors are big eaters!

The featured entertainment was a bluegrass band.

They were really good and Louis Dean was having fun!

Then some of the church members added their talents to the show!

These two were GREAT!!!

I am so new that I don't know their names but the lady had just had a total knee replacement only a week or so ago! She is a real trouper!

It was an afternoon of great fun!

Earnestine was A-Maze-Ing!!!!

The Cowboy Church is in the middle of old Irving and Reaoma's place is not far away so  we dropped by there for a quick visit. There was an ice cream social set up in the lobby when we came in so I took a little bowl of chocolate and cookies and cream to her room.

I was so glad we came.

While I was feeding her the ice cream - which she loved - a member of the staff came in to check on her and told me she had been having a rough day. She cried a lot, the nurse said.

It was good that we were there. Ice cream can cheer just about anyone up!

So can a handsome guy sitting in a chair close to you singing softly.

Ice cream, sips of water, I combed her hair and spritzed some perfume on her and then had prayer.

I firmly believe that both of us - Reaoma and I - felt better after we visited.

These are precious times with her and I treasure our every visit.....

I came home and went to work on the front porch.

Fresh garland around the front door.

This time I used burlap ribbon.

That white rocker was in the living room before I bought that amazing $15 chair and ottoman from the thrift store. No place in the house for it.....although perhaps I can use it in the gazebo.

But for now it's on our front porch.

That's what we do. Put things where one would not expect them to be.

I came in and baked a Crack Cake to share with the folks at the nursing home.

As soon as it came out of the oven and I had it glazed I headed to bed.

I was tired to the bone and I had a really bad headache so I took Tylenol before I went to sleep.

Thankfully the headache went away in the night and I woke up feeling fit as a fiddle.

I sliced up the cake and put them in individual bags to share. It was delicious!!!!

Recipe: Estelles's Pumpkin Crack Cake

While Betsy used Pumpkin Spice Pudding and a Yellow Butter Cake mix, I used what I had.....a white cake mix and a box of pistachio pudding. Chardonnay instead of Pinot Grigio.....

I'm positive any number of combinations would work! I intend to try a red velvet cake mix with a Merlot or sangria......the possibilities are endless!

We were stuck in traffic for a good while getting to the nursing home.

I handed out cake slices at the nurses station and then gave out milkshakes and cake to the ladies who congregated in Ms Lillian's room for music. It was fun like a party!

I took Mother's milkshake down to her and we had a nice little visit.

She gave me the handkerchiefs from her drawer.

That means a lot to me and I told her I will treasure them and always think of her.

I love hankies and I carry one in my purse at all times. Real cotton ones - most of them given to me over the years by my mother and my daughter, Summer.

I didn't take Mother down to hera Louis Dean play music.

She was in bed when I got there and stayed ther while we visited so I thought it best to leave it like that. Next week we will arrive early and do a mini concert just for her and then go visit the other ladies.

Louis dean played their favorite songs......

I think this is A Daisy a Day....

I got a little confused over the videos and photos.....

Then I joined him in The Far Side Banks of Jordan.

I promised I would sing one duet with him each week......

This is Roberta.....she is the most gracious and elegant 100 year old lady I have ever had the blessing to meet. I think these ladies that come to hear Louis Dean sing are amazing and strong women. I want to be like Roberta.

And then there is Lillian.

I love her so much! She has been so good to Mother and she is a comfort and encouragment to me.

I call her a few times during the week to see how she is and she's my role model of kindness and caring.

Thankfullythe traffic coming back home was easier than going over there!

We walked in the door at 5:45 and walked back out at 6:45!

We met up with Brenda and Billy at Cheddars for dinner a last get-together planning date for our upcoming Alaskan cruise.

We came back to our house to get online and see all the details of our trip.

I can think of no better people to be traveling with than Brenda and Billy.

Brenda and I both have September birthdays and have been getting together at some point in September to celebrate ever since 2004! This year will top them all!

It was a fun evening and Brenda and I had a version of Margaritas!

I bought the wine at Costco and added a splash of Patron and a little margarita salt - plus plenty of ice.

I am so excited about our trip! I still can't wrap my head around the fact that I am actually going to board one of those huge ships! AND go to Alaska and Canada!!!

Then there's the 10 day drive home!

We reserved our rental car today.

Yes! I am!!!

Goodnight, Friends and Family!!!