Children in the Closet...Chapter 44

 Chapter 44

        Thanksgiving Day started out so well with beautiful fall weather and 50 degrees of crisp air. I enjoyed coffee outside on the patio with Lonnie. It's good to have a brother you can talk to and share experiences. Lonnie has always been funny and kind and a gentle man with a good heart. We shared our faith and our dreams as we sipped our coffee that morning.

I came in and took my shower and cleaned up which took a good amount of time and considerable effort. What with the catheter bag and my weakened condition, it took a while. I dressed for the holiday in my $12 three-piece pant outfit from Salvation Army. It was the color of green similar to my hazel eyes and consisted of a loose top and pants as well as a long sleeveless coat that reminded me of something Bea Arthur would wear in her role as Dorothy on The Golden Girls. That role also reminded me of my mother.

Amber, Benjamin and Summer arrived and we all went over to Lloydine and Charlie's for Thanksgiving dinner. It was wonderful to be together with so many family members. Jesse, Jr and his family were there and baby Samuel was the cutest little guy. Lanita's son, Bill, and his family, Lloydine's son, James, and his family and her daughter, Patricia and daughter Andie were all there. It was a lovely day filled with joy and comfort and good food!

Later in the afternoon Amber, Benjamin and I went to the movies to see Master and Commander with Russel Crowe. We had been planning on doing this as soon as I had surgery and recovered enough to go. However, thirty minutes into the movie, I started hemorrhaging and had soaked my clothes and was bleeding excessively.

Amber drove us back to Mother's where I changed my clothes and layered several pads before Amber drove me to the OB Triage. Summer met us there and I was immediately put into a triage room. As God would have it, both of my surgeons, Elliot and Benevides, were on duty that evening. God is good! Dr. B even asked me, "Do you know our schedule?"

God's timing is always perfect and I received such excellent care and remain forever grateful for the public health care system for those who are uninsurable.

I continued to recover at Mother's for another week or so before I returned home. Benjamin, Amber and Summer were all wonderful to me and made my recovery easier.

        When I had doctor appointments in Fort Worth, Benjamin and I would go over and spend the night with Mother the night before. 

I had an appointment the first Wednesday in December with Dr. Elliot and didn't sleep well the night before. God had a reason for that. I woke up about 3:00 AM to find sparks and flames around an electrical outlet. Mother got up and was quick to turn the breaker off to the room. It's good she thought of that because I'm not sure I would have. Summer came over the next day and put in a new plug.

I had my appointment and gave Dr. Elliot the Santa painting I had been working on for him. They took the catheter out and it was decided I would self-catheter until my bladder got used to being in the proper place. I had no idea then that it would take seven months before that would happen. But you have to do what you have to do and that's what I did.

Leah took us to see Christmas lights that night and we all had a good time. I was humbled that my twenty-one-year-old niece would spend time with us. Young people seem to hang out with other young people but our Leah has always been attentive to her family.

Benjamin had a good attitude about us going back and forth from our house to Mother's but he much preferred to be home. When we were, he would invite some of his gaming buddies over and I would cook up big pots of spaghetti or soup to feed then all. Everyone liked coming to our house and I heard one of his friends say, "I love this house!"

After just missing two Sundays, I was back in church for Ed Young's new series Cribs. I sat beside my friend, Juanita, who was in the singles class and she said Jesse sang a special that morning. I quit going to the class myself. Most of the ladies were looking to meet men, not to have lady friends to hang out with.

I came home the next day and it was nice not to have to sleep with a catheter. I was grateful for my family and for my friends who helped me get through 2003. Stephanie's mother was visiting and they invited me over and I had my first glass of wine in over three weeks. Amber came in about 10:00 from work and she and I sat talking in front of the fireplace. I didn't have real firewood but Benjamin had gathered up fallen tree branches and they burned just as well. It comforted my heart to be home with my two youngest children.

Monday morning, I drove over to Fort Worth and was at the clinic by 7:45. Dr. B was running late because his son was ill but I was so happy to see him and give him the other Santa canvas I had painted. The one I did for him was a jolly red Santa because I knew he had young children. Dr. Elliot had grown children so I painted an old-world Santa for him.

Now that I was recovering so well, I didn't stay in Fort Worth but drove right back home. It was an especially lovely day and I loved hearing the wind rustling the dry leaves on the pecan trees, kids laughing as they played hide-and-seek in the neighborhood and the sounds of birdsong in the air. I had potato soup cooking on the stove and my heart was overflowing with the goodness of God in blessing me with all these good feelings.

Amber moved out on Monday, December 15, 2003. She was so excited and I was happy for her. Leah had given her a huge sofa set along with lamps, tables and mirrors.  Her dad helped her move the furniture with his truck and other of her friends helped her set up the apartment. I went over late that night to see it and I loved it. Great apartment in a good location. Things are always changing. Nothing stays the same, nor should it. Not only things change, but we change with them.

Goodbye to the Beach House and Safely Back at Home....

 Our week at the beach was absolutely wonderful!

The house had such a great view and accommodated us very well.

We all spent some quality time out on the balcony deck.

We had beach days as well as gourmet meals.

We played games - including NUTS!

Ileen entertained two of her dear friends, Jamie and Ruth, who live in the Houston area.

We all played Marvel and talked and laughed together!

Louis Dean had a good time despite saying he is not a fan of the beach.

He also said, "But I love the lady with me who DOES!"

We all left for home by 11:00 Saturday morning.

Louis Dean and I decided to shop the local Goodwill - it's a tradition!

I don't think I've ever been to Galveston without doing some thrifting.

Back in 2015, my friend, Jutta, from Finland flew into Houston and stayed in Galveston for a few days before I drove down to meet her at Casa Del Mar....

We had been friends through my blog for years but this was the first time we had actually met.

She and I shopped Goodwill that trip as well as enjoyed a trip to Murdocks...

Of course, I took her to Benno's on the Beach!

Nita and Mike hosted Thanksgiving that year and I introduced Jutta to my family!

Jutta and Nita....

My Family enjoyed meeting her.

Jutta and Louis Dean

Jutta visited Galveston again in 2018...

I drove down and stayed a few days and we walked the beach together.

Once again, we drove back to Irving and nearly ran out of gas on the way!

I hosted a Christmas Tea and she met more of my friends and family.

Everyone loved her and she loved them back!

She and I are kindred spirits and spiritual sisters, as well.

She and Louis Dean have a favorite song - 

And they sang it together all the way to the DFW International Airport!

We haven't seen each other since but we visit daily on Messenger and talk on the phone often and we look forward to my visit to Finland in the future. And maybe we will meet in Puerto Rico someday.

Well, that was my walk down Memory Lane.....

I have been going to Galveston since the early '70's....

So back to my journal entry.....

Before we left the island I decided to visit Murdocks!

Louis Dean opted to stay in the car while I walked around the store - without buying one single thing! 

I just sat in one of the rocking chairs and watched and listened to the waves and seagulls....

Bliss!

Then I started the drive home.

I stopped to get a Spiced Pumpkin Cappuccino and bought this Pumpkin Brulee Coffee.

I put on Amazon Music playlists of classical country songs and Louis Dean stayed entertained as we listened and sometimes sang our way home.

We arrived in our driveway just as it was turning dark!

Win! WIN!!!

We both slept SO well!

I think it's always good to get home and sleep in our own beds.

We watched Fellowship Church online and sipped our coffee.

Having fun takes a good amount of energy so it will be Rest and Recover for us this week.

We watched the Cowboys game at noon and it was a great game from start to finish!

I may have yelled so loudly that I started coughing again!

It was an edge of your seat game right until the last few seconds!

Hello, GALVESTON!!!

 We are AT the beach!!!

Left at 9:15 on Sunday morning and had our first stop on the other side of Dallas at a Jack in the Box!

We parked at a McDonald's but it was a people-less place that freaked me out!

So we walked across the parking lot to Jack-in-the-box where we saw real people and had a good breakfast before we moved on down the Interstate before stopping at the Cracker Barrel at the edge of Houston......

The four musketeers!!

Our third and last stop was at a rest area!

And we are HERE!!!

Cindy and Summer...

Cindy is Sherry's older sister and she is precious!

Ileen is enjoyiing herself here!

My first walk alomg the ocean edge.

Ahhhhhhh.....

My Happy Place!

It was a beautiful moment that I will never forget!

Louis Dean and I brought beach chairs down  and watch the sun go down....

He had a good time!

Louis Dean is such a trouper!

He has rested a good bit but has had a great attitude.

Our beach house is wonderful!

A great view and just steps away from the beach!

Dean and Sherry was in charge of the food and we divided  the cost between the eight of us and at $31.00 each - we ate like kings! This meal was pulled pork and potato salad.

Another night was chicken fajitos with all the extras!

Sherry made breakfast casseroles and Cindy made sausage balls so all of our meals have been delicious!

Louis Dean and I have spent some really good quality time on the balcony.....

Morning coffee and evening wine!

Plus specialty cocktails - a different one every evening!

Tuesday was our beach day and it was glorious!!!

My bucket list was a beach day and being on the beach in the rain.

I got my bucket full!

More than I anticipated! The rain was awesome at first and then it gained momentum and was harder and HARDER. Ileen and I were in the beach chairs and Summer was way down on the beach but she couldn't hear us!

We survived and it was an adventure and I don't regret a single minute!

Our beach house is just a short path to the sand.

My handsome stepson, Dean!

We had a home day and then a beach day and today was a town day!

We shopped the Strand and I found some cool Christmas presents for my Kansas Ciry siblings and a really nice perfume for me.

Lunch today was at Benno's and my favorite waitress was there and she filled my beer stein full of wine - as she always does. We were last here in April and it's like we are friends -which we are!

I always order the Shrimp Pasta salad and white wine.

Ileen ordered a child's plate with extra coleslaw!

Summer ordered a dozen fried shrimp and she was happy!!

I close tonight's journal without a pic of our awesome rib dinner - thanks to Dean!!

Happy Birthday to ME!!!!

 I love every single day of September....no matter what.

One birthday several years back, Ruth Ann and I were out thrifting on September first and I came down with a raging UTI. Some Septembers have been perfectly awesome.

Last year I spent a few hours of  my 77th birthday with Amber at the Scholastic Book Fair!

Two years ago, Summer surprised me at La Madeleine where Brenda had taken me for lunch!

Here we are!

Four years ago I had all my children with me.

This pic was fun!

Four years ago...

Five years ago I celebrated with Sherry and my friend, Carla Kennedy!

2020!

2019 in Waco!

This was from 2016 and my granddaughter, Faith, took my pic and then made me look good!!

Enough already!!

Age happens if we live long enough and I never dreamed I would live this long!

I have been sick with allergies most of this September but have still enjoyed my September morns.

Even in drought conditions with over 65 days without measurable rain and triple digit temperatures.

That's True Love!

Summer arrived  early this week bringing all kinds of medicine to help me.

A cherry limeade counts as medicine in my book!

While I have been in slow motion with all my hacking and coughing.....

I've still been able to manage my household with meals, laundry and routine housekeeping.

A big baked potato went along with this meal.

I have a dear friend who is homeschooling her grandsons....

I will secretly admit that Lincoln is my favorite - but please don't let Liam and Ryder know because they are really extra special too!

I'm having fun with Flat Stanley....

He's making himself at home here!

I do not have young children in my life right now and I am so happy to know these boys and they do make me smile!!

My dear friend, Debbie, is the best grandmother!

To know her is to love her and everyone does!

Summer needed a new tie rod replacement and Stanley was the first to volunteer!

Louis Dean was second!

The job would have cost $480 in labor alone.....

Together they made a good team.

She was the brains and he was the brawn!

They worked off and all all day yesterday and was about to get the old parts off!

I made a good salad lunch which hit the spot since they had been out in the heat and sun.

Later I made a crab salad that I loved!! Lots of crab, avocados, tomatoes, purple onion, celery and good seasonings.....

This morning was special and I lit a special candle from my best friend and a good cup of pumpkin spice coffee!

We had our morning routine on the kitchen deck - but we were both coughing from allergies that we opted to come inside.

I asked Louis Dean to carry in my Bible basket which holds my Bible, journal and prayer journal, devotional book and such....

alas....I had my suitcase packed for our trip in the living room and Louis Dean didn't see it - tripped and fell and hit his head on the coffee table.

I was so scared and called Summer and she and Ileen came a few minutes later.

He's smiling here after we cleaned up the blood and bandaged his head.

The first pic was a sad one but when I told him I was sending it to Amber - he perked up!!

He does not want to worry her.

It's less than one fourth inch deep and the bledding stopped fairly quickly so since he INSISTED he did not want to go the ER.....we three ladies hovered and watched over him for the next hour!

He decided to go to bed and rest.....

and he seems to be doing well for having fallen and cut his head!

Thank you all for the birthday wishes, cards, notes, messages and gifts and I feel very loved.

I opted not to accept the lunch invitations and stayed home watching Louis Dean.

I had great phone visits with my brother, Buster, and Anna Marie among others.

Late this afternoon I had a visit from my friends, Kimmy and Loose!

I LOVE the butterfly cap and the Mexican cookies she gifted me!

Kimmy and I have been friends since the early 70's along with her mother, June, and her sister, Aunt Tommie.

We are all so excited about our beach trip and this is our snack basket for the trip to share with others.

I am so looking forward to six days of beach life! Dean and Sherry are purchasing the food for the week and we will add up the receipts and divy by four. I can't tell you how excited about NO housework, NO cooking, next to NO damage control, no stress and no schedule....

plus I will be with people who love me....Louis Dean, of course.

Summer and Ileen, my beloved step son Dean and Sherry and her sweet sister, Cindy and husband, Rick.

This is going to be an awesome birthday trip and I am hoping and praying we can make this a yearly tradition!

Summer's long time friend, Jim, is here tonight as I close my journal entry.

Since Louis Dean is out of commission, Jimmy is to the rescue to help Summer get her van back together.

I'm sad to say that we have a new family of baby skunks living under our decks and possibly co-existing with our possums.

I have not fed ANY CRITTER for the last few days and we will be gone for a week!

Hopefully by the time we get home - they will have moved on!!