Hail hail the gangs all here---well almost!

 TERRY

Terry is doing remarkable in terms of having MUCH company here.  As I write she is watching a Hallmark movie.  Same today as yesterday.

Perhaps pictures say it better than words!

Yes the pool is a popular place for the kids!

I promise there are two pair of legs for each pair of shoes!!!

Here is Grandpa with two of his little grandsons!  In case you can not tell Grandpa is in the middle with Liam on his right and Henry on his left!  Grandpa is wondering if he will ever have grandchildren that are taller than he?????

As I write it is 12:20 and the shuttle boat is not running today so two car loads of family left for the beach about 30 minutes ago and I am guessing they will return sometime around 1:00 or so.  The girls made sure they had plastic bags for shells!  So as I write it is Terry and I at home.  I think some of the kids have rooms for tonight but not sure.  Travis has his own hotel room about 10 miles away.  

We have a festive three meals in the next three days.  Day one is a brisket that John will fix on the grill.  Day two will be some LIVE lobsters that will be delivered tomorrow and day three will be a fancy ribeye roast so as one can tell we will not suffer in terms of food.  

Travis and Cynthia and Mike arrived yesterday.  John and family arrived this morning as they had car problems north of Atlanta Tuesday.  So all we are missing is Aaron/Amy and kids and much to our disappointment they will not be able to come.  Maybe another time for sure.

I think that is about all for now.  Terry is doing well with so much noise around here so that is good.  There were a few presents to open and I tell you I had forgotten how much fun it is to be present when kids open gifts.  It is more fun watching them than actually getting gifts for ones self.  Don't misunderstand me I enjoy gifts BUT to see faces light up on little kids is the best.  Of course we all miss loved ones who are not with us anymore as the memories are wonderful but reality is today is today and yesterday is memories only.  

Enough as it is PM now so the FP, all 3 pots this morning, are only distance memories and good ones at that!  So now it is on to the rest of the day and a few days to come.

Here we are at December 28th and the next few days will be busy!!!

 TERRY

As I write it is 7:30 and Terry is sleeping.  I do hope she can sleep for a while as I know she was still watching TV at midnight which is certainly usual.  I would say things are about the same but may add that every once in a while there are things that give me new concerns.  Still, one day at a time and I do thank the Lord for every day.

I opened an e-mail from Mary this morning to find out that they are stranded just north of Atlanta with a broken down van.  They did not know IF the van could be fixed quickly or if they would need to rent a car for the rest of the way.  One way they get here maybe mid to late PM BUT the other way they arrive maybe as late as 10 tonight!  I am hoping for the best.

I do have tennis today and it will be the first time in several days.  It will be good to get onto the court again BUT I may be a tad rusty!

I do have much to do today.  The house looks like a whirlwind went through BUT I may have to do what has become my normal preparation which is NOT good.  It consists of putting things in boxes, in a mess, and then sorting things out after company leaves!!!  Yikes, I do NOT like to do that kind of things BUT there are times it is necessary.  I know, if I were a better kind of guy that would not have to be but what the heck at the advanced age of almost 75 it may be a little late to change ways!  Really all I want to do is have a fun time with family when they are here.  I will so much miss Aaron and family but I understand and know that as in any situation one has to do what they think is best so it is what it is.  I did so much enjoy Aaron's visit in November AND he did some of my work which was very nice.

I had an important package that was supposed to arrive yesterday and it did not come.  I will have to see what the UPS says today!  I am hoping it was not delivered to the wrong house.  With wreaths over outside lights the house numbers are often covered, yikes!  I will check this morning and IF it says it was delivered I may have trouble.

No, I think it is time to sign off for the morning and try to get some things done before people arrive this afternoon.  I actually have an entire cup of FP left to enjoy so I may sit here just for a short time to finish that and then get to work.  I have an hour before I need to leave for tennis.

Benedict turned 10 on Christmas Eve Day!!!

 

With all that is going on I did not get to the blog on December 24th to post Benedict's picture BUT I promise I thought about him on his special day.  I mean how could anyone miss it as he is one special guy.  I do not know of many, if any, 10 year olds who are as good looking, as smart and as athletic as Benedict.  Benedict I hope you had a special day AND when you get to Grandpa's place there will be a surprise for you BUT you will have a BIG decision to make!!!  What it is remains to be seen when you get here!!!😉

Here we are one day closer to a new year, December 27th of 2021

 TERRY

Terry has been awake since I got out of bed at about 6:30.  As I write she is NOT into the paper yet but is watching the news.  I would say she is doing about the same.  We are looking towards 2022 as a new year that will bring better health for her!

Not much happening today.  Family is on the road to visit us and will arrive tomorrow.  I think therapy is coming today maybe both OT and PT BUT for some reason I can not find the note.  

The day looks good.  The mystery of the gifts is solved so no more scratching my head.  I think I lost some hair or is it just old age???  The wild ride with housing for the Lees is solved thanks to Mike and Cynthia as they have an AIRBNB for everyone.  AND I was able to cancel the hotel rooms which I am so thankful for.  NO tennis today and this will be several days now off the court.  So tomorrow I may be rested OR I may be rusty!

All I will do today is post some pictures with thoughts to go along with them and that will be it.

With all that is going on in my life I was beginning to feel defeeted but now with things looking up all is well!

I was beginning to think that all life is was a wild ride in the old west BUT now I know that life is good and the ride is calm!!!

I am so so looking forward to visits from family starting tomorrow.  It should be a fun time and very special for grandpa.

Over the last several days emotions have swung at times high and at times low.  It seems with each low the Lord comes into it and all happens in a good way.

What is that saying something like keep your nose to the grind stone and all will turn out fine!  Well our farm had this HUGE stone that was used often but really not on my nose!

IF you ever felt like a small person in a wild wild world you may kind of know how I feel today!!!

Yes there are times when the world seems so large, so overwhelming that we feel like a tiny tiny creature in no man's land.  BUT never fear, just keep your focus on the here and now!

Here it is almost 8:30 and time to sign off for the day.  I still am sipping FP so I have a ways to go before I am ready to meet the world today!!!

Here are at the last Sunday of 2021

 TERRY

I got out of bed about 7:15 and 20 minutes later, as I was reading the paper, Terry woke up.  As I write she is reading the paper and is doing OK.  

Nothing planned for the day.  I may start the car today!!!  I do think I need to go to Costco for a few things.  But the BIG thing that is looming is this:

Several things that I am 99% sure I mailed many days ago have not arrived.  I am beginning to suspect that the mail went somehow wrong BUT I am not ruling out the possibility that I did not mail them and they still are in the house!!!  I have almost turned the inside of the house upside down with NO findings so at this point am not sure what to do.  I guess I will just wait and see IF they turn up someplace.  This is happening at a time that I was pretty smug in that I felt I had all things taken care of a couple weeks ago.  I am trying not to worry but it has me upset.

Tennis has NOT been on the agenda for the fifth day now and I do NOT have it tomorrow either.  I do need to get out at least on the bike and get a tiny bit of exercise so will do that when I sign off.

It looks like we will have new neighbors in a couple of weeks.  The people that we share a wall with have been rehabbing a high raise place a few miles away.  I think a relative of theirs will move in.  I did meet them one time and they seemed nice.

I really am kind of at a loss for words today and I think it is those darn presents that are lost somewhere.  Things like that drive me crazy as it sometimes make me wonder if my mind is going.  I must say I do not think that is the case BUT it does put some doubt in my mind.  I did notice this morning that I put my pants on the right way so I do think I am still good!  I say that but I should NOT make a joke of it for sure.  I remember Mary's dad went through dementias and I know that it is neither a good thing for the family or the person involved.  SO I make not joke of it and I am sure I am OK but gee some of these things just make one wonder what a advanced age may bring.  

I will sign off today with pictures, some of Christmas 

Cynthia maybe in 1981

Lisa and Collen in ??

From left to right cousin Joleen (I think), Joan and Janet maybe around 1949 or so??

With that I take the last delicious sip of FP and sign off for the day with Christmas 2021 in the rear view mirror but New Years Day ahead.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

 TERRY

Terry has had a good day.  There are days when she sleeps some but today I do not think she has slept.  In fact I slept for a short time!!!  AND yes I coped out of a fancy Christmas dinner.  I just did not have the energy to do a big meal BUT what I made is almost gone as Terry claimed it was very very good.

I totally agree that it is NOT a Christmas meal but it was today and most of it is gone.  It is called a Mexican Taco Pie and it has ground beef, onion, a packet of taco mix, a green pepper and it is made on a crescent dough.  After one mixes the above ingredients and spread it over the dough you cover the top with cheese, a beaten egg and sour cream.  After decorating it with sliced olives you bake for 35 minutes.  It actually is better cold than warm and there is not a whole lot left.  I know it does NOT do justice to lefse, lutefisk etc but I promise you I am 100% Norweigan still!!!

Days like this are nice but yet for sure a bit lonely.  There are no excited kids.  No wrapping paper all over the floor.  Not a single thing to put together!  AND the list goes on and on.  

At times like this, every year, I think back and remember Mom's misty eyes during holidays after Ronald and Janet died.  I do think Mom still was happy BUT of course there was always this hollow feeling and yes I had that too.  I remember to the detail how Christmas went after Ronald died.  He died in October and let me tell you there was NO Christmas cheer on the Lee farm that Christmas.  I know that both Mom and Dad tried hard to get past that and then 16 months later Janet died.  I was not home at that time as I was a freshman in college but I am sure Helen could recall much.  I write about that with no blame on Mom and Dad as I can not think how hard that must have been.

I talked to both of my sisters today, Joan and Helen.  At times like Christmas etc. it just seems so strange to think about family and here there are only 3 of the 8 of us living.  Yes, I know that it is the time to enjoy kids, grandkids etc and I do but there is a ting of sadness still when family gets smaller.  Joan mentioned that brother in law John had spent some time in the hospital but he was scheduled to get home Christmas Eve.  I hope that happened.  Joan and Ron are flying to Mesa AZ in February to take in cousin Lenay's 50th anniversary.  She said they would stay with Judi and John.  I asked her why they would not drive as I think that is not all that far from Salt Lake City but she said they do not do road trips anymore.  Well I asked if she was not related to her Dad as he drove well past the age of 80 and Joan is only 79!  We both had a chuckle about that and of course it brought to mind Dad's adventures with driving when he was in his early 80s.  BUT really I did not need a reminder of that on a holiday!!!

As I write Terry is watching movie and I tried but just could not hold my mind on it very long.  

I did not open the garage door today or get into the car.  I am thinking the last time that happened is many many many days ago!  Well I think most stores are closed today so why go out.  It would have been good to get on the bike for some exercise but I did not even do that.  AND no tennis for several days.  Karl, who often puts me in, is out of town and I just have not been up to trying to schedule so will just take a rest.

Tomorrow is Sunday and then the gang comes down in two days.  I am looking forward to that.  It should be a fun time as those kids are fun to be around.  I am thinking that I had better stock up on food cause IF I remember high school boys do not eat, they graze all day!

I was even too lazy to bring up some old pictures of Christmas in the past BUT will write a short memory of Christmas in about 1987.  There were several boxes under the tree that year.  AND all of them were addressed to all the kids.  As they opened them there were shouts, yells and much more.  What it was is an apple computer, a printer and all that was needed for that.  It was perhaps the best Christmas presents we ever got for the kids.  When I think about it times change so much.  I think we got a lasser printer and it cost maybe 3 times what one costs now.  Anyway it was so much fun watching the kids open the boxes and seeing how excited they were.  AND I would be remiss if I did not mention perhaps my two all time favorite Christmas presents.  One a clock radio so I could get myself up in the morning AND listen to Harry Carry and the St. Louis Cardinals Baseball games in the summer.  The other was that wonderful electric blanket that kept me warm on this winter nights when my room was 20 degrees or lower but I was under the electric blanket snug as a bug!

Enough as it is almost bed time here in Naples.  Well that is only if you are old like me.  Yes I had my FP but it was a LONG time ago.

Merry Christmas 2021 as we celebrate Christmas Eve tonight-

 TERRY

I got out of bed at about 6 and Terry was awake but I am hoping she went back to sleep.  I would say she is about the same.  We did get that right foot X rayed yesterday but may not get the results back for a couple of days as we are into a holiday weekend.  So it is one day at a time.

We are starting the day with Christmas Eve tonight.  I thought I would post some pictures of the past as for me holidays are extra special times to sit back and REMEMBER.  So here goes for today.

Here is proof that there is a Santa.  Looks like John is enjoying it!

Of course a BIG part of Christmas is a special meal.  Here Grandma Saunders and Rose are hard at work

Christmas on Niles Ave

Here is John at the Saunders farm in 1970

Grandkids watch as Grandpa sits on the ice cream maker.  After all what is Christmas without homemade ice cream?

A program is always important for grandparents and those voices were great!

Grandma and Grandpa treated themselves to a new music system  for Christmas

Of course you HAVE to have snow for a special Christmas in North Dakota

The 4 oldest grandchildren are John, Aaron, Travis and Lisa

Jeanne, Al and Lisa all dressed up in 1973 I think

Cynthia enjoying the fireplace in 1981

Christmas is all about family, right!  Here is a mix of Saunders, Bindes and Lees

How about a family picture at Christmas
Of course we miss the 4 who are no longer with us.

You should always get a picture in church

Yes Christmas is lefse making time

Christmas at Anne's was a special time as she put on a wonderful spread that was oh so pretty

And so the memories flood my mind.  At times there is a smile as I view but then for sure there is always a tear that appears and finds it way down the cheek before I can wipe it away.  Oh my I am so lucky.  From Christmas on the farm to Christmas Eve at Grandma and Grandpa's farm to great times in Devils Lake and then on to St. Paul.  The first year in St. Paul, 1977, we had most family come down and it was wonderful.  But time marches on and now Terry and I are mostly alone for the birth of Jesus BUT we have no regrets.  Time has a way of allowing us to enjoy the past yet live in the present and also to look to the future.  We think that we have many more Christmas Eves but yet are also aware that we do not know the Lord's timing so today we will enjoy each other and live for now.  What the Lord decides for us is OK.  So IF you are reading and looking PLEASE  remember the past with a smile, enjoy the present as it is what the Lord wants for now and look forward to the future with a smile. And for those of you who have lost loved ones in the past remember them and be thankful for the time you had with them.   MERRY CHRISTMAS AND MAY THE COMING YEAR BE ONE OF GOOD HEALTH, FUN EXPERIENCES AND INTIMATE TIMES OUR OUR GOD.

And yes I do have my cup of FP right here!!!

Here we are at Tuesday, December 21st, 2021

 TERRY

Terry had a difficult night.  That darn injuries heal kept her up much of the night.  I am hoping she gets some sleep this morning.  IF my memory is correct (that is not always a given) she does not have any health workers coming today.  So it is one day at a time as is our usual MOA now!

I checked the rain gauge and it looked like very little rain BUT an e-mail stated NO tennis at 7:30 and 9:00 and maybe even at 10:30.  I am scheduled to play at 10:30 so maybe but then maybe not.

I am almost at the end of my rope.  I have spent hours on the phone, at the hotel and on the computer trying to get days straight for when the kids come down.  The latest is the change which they promised yesterday came out wrong!  I am positive I told the lady Dec 28 through December 31 and the change came through as arriving the 28th and LEAVING the 31 which of course is only 3 nights instead of 4 nights.  To begin with it was for 7 days with a contract that said for no charge you could cancel or make changes up to 2 days of the stay.  So there has been temper fits and much much more on my end.  Anyway I am at the point of leaving things the way they are and we will make due with what we have.  😖😡😠

With Terry's heal injury she had much pain this morning so she asked for a pain pill.  Well I thought I gave her the right one BUT it was the wrong one so now we will have to take some time for it to wear off!  I need not get into any details.

We have weather that is windy, chilly, rainy and it must be something else too!  I think it is supposed to be this way most of the day.  Pretty unusual for here.  As I got out of bed at 6:00 this morning it sounded as if we were going to have much rain but that did not pan out.

No, here it is 7:30 and time for me to sign off for the day.  I may just take a drive over to the courts to see how much rain there is on the courts.  I still have more than a cup of FP so will enjoy that for the next half hour.

A second post for Sunday

 

IT WAS MAY 8TH OF 1965

It was the second Sunday of May and we went to church for the 9:30 AM service.  I have to admit I missed the old Bergen Church where we had services every other Sunday.  I know that does not say much about my spiritual life but it is what is is.  As usual Mom and Dad visited after church so we did not arrive home until after 11:30.  AND as usual I kind of knew we would have egg sandwiches with dill pickles on the side.  Way back then I was pretty much tired of Mom's Sunday menu BUT today I would welcome that!!!  Anyway after lunch I grabbed my trusty 9 iron along with several golf balls and headed out to play my usual three ball golf game.  Arnie P, Jack N and Gary P always played in the final threesome on Sunday and in my world Arnie ALWAYS won!  But really the day was not about the golf.  It was about playing, yes, but more than that I kept my eye on the road with hope that friends may drive by on their way to the lake.  IF that happened my golf would come to a sudden stop and I would be on the big bike headed to the lake with my super duper dark blue swim suit with the white waist band.  I mean I knew without a doubt that I was a special kind of young man in that suit and If there were to be any girls at the lake I knew, for sure, they would be impressed.  At the time I had duel hopes.  Gail, who was off to college was kind of in the rear view mirror but never far from my mind.  JoElle, who I was dating, was from Forman and I did not think nor expect her to come to MY lake.  But there were others in my mind that may be interesting!!!  Anyway the afternoon wore on and there were no cars that I could see with friends in so after a couple of hours of hitting the golf ball I put things away and walked towards the barn. The light pole by the door was my personal item the allowed me to shimmy up to the roof of the barn and then walk to the west side of the roof and spend time.  There, I was kind of in my personal space with a wonderful view to the west and yes the sun shining down on me as I lie there with fancies in my mind.  There, with the warm sun shining down I could be myself with dreams and expectations that only I knew.  

So on this day I ended up there with kind of a dreamy mind set.  I thought about moving away from home and being my own self.  I thought about being a well educated young man with a great income and travel plans to go places and see people.  

As I sit at my computer today I often wonder what became of that young man???  Here I am nearing the ripe old age of 75.  I am neither rich or famous.  BUT really maybe, just maybe much of the dream came true!

I did not become rich BUT in some ways I did!

• I married Gail and had 4 wonderful children and 14 super grandkids.
• I worked at NDSD and then in St. Paul Schools for 30 years.
• I headed Servant Camp for over 30 years and saw 100s of young people see and feel the Lord at camp.
• After the untimely death of Gail I found love again with Terry and here we are almost 1 years later.
• I have a home in St. Paul that is paid for but I admit needs updating!!
• At the age of 74, almost 75, I am in pretty good health and actually am kind of a good tennis player
• In my retirement years I do not have many worries or concerns and that is good.  
• Even tho I dearly miss Ronald, Janet and Dave I still have Joan, Ron, Marlys, Glorine, John, Judi and Helen.  How lucky can a person be?
• So here I am in the PM of December 19th thinking even though I miss family and friends who have passed I still am blessed.

Enough for today.  I am happy to be where I am and thankful for the many many blessing that the Lord has given me.  

So it is time to sign off and welcome a new week tomorrow morning with a PT coming at 9:00 to help Terry and then a fun tennis match at 10:30.

Enough

 

 TERRY

Here we are at almost 8:45 AM Sunday, December 19th.  Terry is still sleeping but I have heard some moving around so maybe she will be awake soon.  I would say she is the same BUT I have seen some things that have me worried.  No need to get into those as most likely as the days go by she will have some days better than others.  I do think ALL of us experience that so life goes on with each day bringing new things in life.  It is Sunday so no therapy but I am expecting 4 days of therapy this week.  PT and OT twice each.  So here we are less than a week from Jesus' birthday.

I had a restless night last night.  I actually do not remember what it was all about but I do remember saying to myself, "I hope this is a dream and not real life!"  So it was up at around 6:00 AM.  I did cruise through the huge Sunday Naples paper.  I had a breakfast of heating something up in a plastic container and now here I am at the computer.  As one ages life changes, right???

Yesterday was a day of frustration in some ways.  I have made reservations for the kids coming down after  Christmas.  I made them very early and of course I did not know the days of coming and going so I made reservations for 4 rooms for 7 days.  The website stated that one can make changes or cancel up to two days before.  Well now I know the dates they need the rooms so I went on line to change some things.  Well here is how that website works!!!!!  I wanted to take a 7 day reservation and shorten it to 4 days.  All I needed to do is drop the last 3 days.  The paper has in writing the changes can be made.  Here is how they work.  They stated that they needed to take the reservation as if it were new and they do not have a 4 days stay SO they are saying I can NOT change!!!👎😡.  I will be on the computer or phone again today.  

Terry just woke up and needed some attention so here we are now at 9:20!  Some how I kind of ran out of ideas so may just sign off for this morning.

I should add that I did watch a BB game of Henry's yesterday.  They kind of won in a big way in a low scoring game and it was supposed to be a tough game but John said in an e mail that the best player from the other team was out.  Anyway I not only enjoy watching his games BUT yes it does bring me back to this "good old days" when one was young and BB was a great fun game to play and I may add it also brings back memories that do not involve BB IF you know what I mean!!!  I may add that BB was certainly enjoyable BUT the most fun was football for me.  Oh my here I am talking of days way way in the past as IF my math is correct my most fun BB days were in the season of 1964-65,  If my math is correct that is 56 years ago.  I could add here that as I slowly got out of bed at 6 this morning I did NOT feel the same as I did 56 years ago.  My walk was somewhat stiff as I was still half asleep and there may have been kind of an "old man" gait to it!  BUT it is worth adding that the age factor is OK as many do not make it to ALMOST 75 so no complaints.

Here we are One week from Christmas Day 2021

 TERRY

Terry had kind of a lazy day yesterday as she slept a lot.  I had moved her into the living room as I needed to change out ALL of the bedding for clean.  I would say from about 6:00-7:30 or so she slept.  At that time I asked if she would like to got back into the bedroom as all was now clean and she said yes.  She can not put any weight on that darn right foot but we did manage, in kind of an easy way, to get her into the wheelchair and then onto the bed.  I think she pretty much was ready for the night after that.  As I say a lot, one day at a time.  I did buy what I consider a very nice meal but she was not hungry so guess what, we have a ready made meal for today!  

December 18th 1954

Yes, 67 years ago it was also December 18th and finally it would be our LAST practice for the Bergen Church Christmas Program.  It seemed like we had been practicing all year but of course a 7 year old has not much concept of time!  But as we climbed into the car with Mom at the wheel we knew we were in for a LONG morning BUT also this was IT.  The last practice and we knew Mom would be expecting everyone to know their part and play or say it in a good way.  Acting out the Christmas scene was not my favorite part as I have said in the past Mom never seemed to give her kids a major part.  As I grew older I came to understand Mom better and really appreciate why she did that!!!  But I did look forward to SOME of the song practices.  I did like to sing and could put my all into it for the first and even the second time we practiced a song but any practice after that was NO fun.  AND really I do not think practices after the second time really helped as all but then what would I know??  We arrived early as was Mom's thing so by 9:30 we were all set for our 10:00 practice and from that time to noon it was a mix of songs, the Christmas scene and of course Chuckie and I had to have our normal conversations under our breathe so as to NOT allow Mom to hear us.  This was our final practice so we wrapped it up by noon and Mom had one last thing to say.  "Everyone we will have fun.  Remember to bring your best voice and your wonderful smiles as we celebrate the birth of our Lord'".  On our way home I made the mistake of asking Mom why we had to practice so much.  Her answer was, "Because our Lord deserves the best we have!"

Here in Naples as one might guess we are experiencing weather that is, in my life time, not very Christmas like.  We will have a high of 84 today.  It reminds me of the Christmas of 1983 when we drove to Hemet CA to spent Christmas with Grandma and Grandpa Saunders.  We all did not like the warm warm temps!  BUT today at a fairly advanced age I kind of like it!

    SOME PICTURES THAT I ENJOYED FROM THE PAPER TODAY

That is sister Helen playing second chair flute as a freshman at Sargent Central.  AND yes that is me in the back with the BIG white horn.  I admit I was not into band in a big way but I was VERY good at carrying that horn in parades!!!

Reminds me of lifting, shaking and rattling packages from on top of the kitchen cupboard to see if we could tell what it was.  Of course that all happened when Mom and Dad were gone!

 Here is the first of MANY post high school pictures.  Henry got accepted into Notre Dame.  Now I have no idea IF he will get a $$ package that he can live with but IF that is the case that would be great.  I say the first of MANY as Henry is the oldest of 14 grandchildren.  I have no idea how many will want to go to college but even if someone is not into that dreams begin after high school so here is the first of many!  May all 14 have dreams and work to make them reality!

Well here it is late AM and time to sign off for the day.  The FP is history as is usually the case at this time.  Terry is busy reading the paper and I need to get serious about this messy house!  Well maybe tomorrow!!!

Here it is Friday--Where did Thursday go???

 TERRY

OT came yesterday and was concerned about Terry's right foot so she ordered a nurse to see it and the nurse came today.  She said it is nothing to be concerned about so that is good.  So the week has come to an end and Terry did have services of both OT and PT.  I am guessing it will be the same next week.  I would say she is about the same BUT that darn right foot does pain her from time to time.

I do not know where Thursday went???  But here we are on Friday afternoon.  It is almost 5:00 and Terry is in the living room with the TV on but actually she is sleep as I write.  She is in the living room as I needed to strip the bed and put all clean bedding down to the pad.  The bed now is ready and I do not know when Terry may want to go back.  I did go to the store and have something to put in the oven for dinner.  Now IF I were back in the 50s it would be, "I have something for supper!"

Really I have not a lot to say tonight.  I guess I am just kind of tired and maybe, just maybe a bit worn out to speak.  Each day I say to myself I should start some help in the mornings but I know Terry thinks it is kind of a waste!  BUT actually as one could guess it would not be a waste for me BUT!

So I am going to sign off for the night and find out what time Terry would like to eat.  My FP was very good this morning!

We we are at mid week, December 15th

 TERRY

As I write it is now 1:00 PM and Terry has read the paper and is taking a short nap.  A strange thing happened yesterday during her PT.  She hurt her right food just by stepping on it.

It is painful and we have no idea how it could have happened.  Anyway she can not put any weight on it.  We will have the PT person look at it tomorrow when she comes.

It looks like we have days, hotel room etc figured out for when the kids come down.  It looks like all will arrive on Tuesday, December 28.  John/Mary and kids will be here 4 days and then C/M and some of their kids and Travis will be here through January 4th!  I need to go to the hotel and change some things as we do not need all the rooms for the week.  Aaron/Amy and kids will not be coming and that is a bummer but then I guess I can't have what I want ALL the time.  

I did play tennis today and it was with the better players.  Mike and I got ahead and then lost 5-7 but it was great fun when the tennis is on a somewhat higher level.

Sometimes I think I am in a fog as I am trying to figure out everything with the Christmas presents.  I know I am finished shopping BUT I still can not figure out some things.  Am I getting old???

That is enough for today.  I need to go out and get some things but I want to wait until Terry is awake so it may be a little while.  At this time of time the FP is long gone but it was, as usual, delicious.

Here we start the second to the last full week of 2021--it is Monday the 13th

 Terry

Nothing new as I would say Terry is the same.  I need to call her support person who schedules her OT and PT as last week it was kind of crazy and mixed up.

This may end up with some pictures again

Here is my only watch and certainly a special one.  It is a Tag which in my world is too expensive for me but yes it is mine.  Gail and the kids gave it to me for my 50th birthday.  The boys distracted me in the afternoon of January 27th, 19997 as they took me bowling which was unusual.  BUT it was only to get me out of the house so Gail could get a surprise party ready for me in the church basement.  IF I remember correctly (sometimes that is a question) there were maybe 30 + people for the party which had great goodies for the meal.  Then the family gave me this watch.  At the time I know that it was TOO spendy a gift but Gail pulled it off.  As one can see it shows some wear and tear but then any THING or anyBODY that is 24 years old would show some wear, right?  I pretty much wore it daily until maybe 2007 when I retired from teaching.  Now I wear it only if I go out for a visit etc.  I mean we all have the time on our phones, right!  BUT it is still special to wear and I did that last Friday.  Getting together with old old friends was a good time to put it on and enjoy it.  I may not go out all that much now so the watch is often left in the drawer and I am sure it is kind of sad BUT I still enjoy it and the memories it brings are priceless.

Well here it is Monday but I started this blog last night.  I have tennis at 10:30 today and I do believe Terry will get either OT or PT today.  They are awful at letting us know ahead of time as it is not unusual to get a phone call and hear they are coming in an hour!  I will call this morning to see IF that is normal.  With that kind of service one is never sure if you should stay home or run an errand.  I think when I leave for tennis I will leave the front door unlocked just in case.

We have been having heavy fog in the mornings.  I would say right now one may be able to see only a mile or so if you were driving.

It is hard to believe how destructive the storms were last night in the middle states.

One might ask what does our farm house have to do with storms.  Well it goes like this:

It was late May of 1956.  It was close to 3:30 and we were kind of restless as we wanted to get home BUT there were black storm clouds in the west and the teacher said we had to stay until the storm passed.  The wind came up and the black clouds passed over us to the north.  When all seemed to be a "go" to head home we looked to the NW and noticed that we could NOT see the wind charger on the top of our house.  With ALL sorts of ideas running through our mind Joan, Dave and I headed towards home fearful of what had happened.  As we hit the mile marker and headed north up the road towards our farm we could see the house and breathed a sigh of relieve but still continued on the run.  As we came up over the hill just to the SE of our farm we could see our house was good but our big shed just to the north of it had been blown down in a heap of ruble AND the reason we know about the storm was the wind charger which was still atop the house had blown down.  So all was good except the shed but the good part was the truck and car were not in the shed.  It took us a couple of summers to clean the mess up and in doing so there was more than one time I went limbing into the house with a nail in the bottom of my foot!  The storm last night brought this to mind.  BUT I add there is NO comparison in losing an old building with NO injuries to the awful devastation with many many dead.  They are saying the storm was like a once in a hundred year event.  

Well here it is about 9:00 so will sign off for the day.  I still have half a cup of FP so will look up some things on the computer before I get ready for 10:30 tennis.

Here we are at the second to last Sunday before Christmas--December 12th, 2021

 TERRY

It is a little past 9:00 AM as I write.  Terry has been up for a while and is taken up with the Sunday paper as I sit at the computer with Christmas music coming from the TV.  I would say she is same same.  It seems strange BUT PT is actually coming this afternoon---on a Sunday!

On Sundays as we get close to Christmas I spend time reminiscing about "Christmas in the past".  So today I will fill my blog with pictures of long ago!

Here is Grandma and Grandpa Saunders with, from left to right John, Aaron, Travis and Lisa.  This is in 1973 and was taken at Grandma and Grandpa's home in Cayuga

Here we are in St. Paul with Audrey, Faustina and Ruby in front.  In the middle is Leo.  In the back is Liam, Henry, Mike holding Jude and Cynthia holding Benedict I think!  I think it was taken in 2011.

Here is John at the Saunders farm for Christmas.  I am guessing it was 1970 as he looks about a year old.

This was taken in the church in Cayuga.  Five of the family are not with us anymore.  They are Gail, Jeannie, Dale, Grandma and Grandpa. Maybe taken in 1973??

Grandpa always had to make his famous fudge during Christmas!

Here is Cynthia enjoying her second Christmas at our house.  It looks like the packages came late or maybe they just did not come that year!!!  No it must have been early in December.

So my stories today consist of pictures of Christmas times in the way way past.  Why not?  Isn't Christmas about joy?  AND what more joy can one have than to remember and think about happy times in the past?  So I will leave for this morning.  I did not get into Christmas times in my childhood as I have NO pictures of those times but I do have words and maybe that is for next Sunday!  So as I sit and enjoy the past and sip my FL coffee I will say to all who read this.  "Please enjoy the season.  If there is sadness in this past year focus on the positive and give thanks for the REASON FOR THE SEASON.

Here we are at the third to last Saturday of 2021, December 11.

 TERRY

I would say Terry is going along at the same same.  She woke up about 7:45 this morning and as I write she is with the paper and TV.  We do need to do her exercises today.  

Four of the old Bergen Church Sunday school people got together yesterday.  From left to right we have David, self, Marshal and Carol.  I am the sole Sargent Central grad as the rest lived to the east of our farm and were Lidgerwood grads.  Today David lives in the Twin Cities, I do not know where Marshal lives and Carol recently bought a home in Fort Meyers but still has her home in Warren Minnesota where she has lived for a long time.  Carol hosted with nibbles and a salad for lunch.  We spent about 2 hours of visiting and it was enjoyable.  Well I should say that much of the conversation was out of my range as I was the lone non-Lidgerwood grad.  I am guessing the last time I saw any of them was 56 years ago.  I could have spent longer but it was a 40 minute drive to Carol's home and I just do not dare be away from home much longer than 3 or so hours.  

When I was away the OT person came to work with Terry and I could NOT come up with the correct garage code for her.  So she will be back today.  I mean what the heck.  I put in the code all the time but I guess without thinking so when it came down to thinking I came up short!  AND you need not think I am getting !!!!!!!! as I am kind of sure it may have passed your mind!

Well I am in the middle of a 3 day vacation from tennis.  Not by my choice but it does not hurt as all as for the last many months it has been at least 5 days a week so a three day break will maybe be good for the body.

I think I am going to spend most of the day picking up, ordering things and cleaning in general.  I do think it is time to get in some help maybe a couple hours a day for 4-5 days a week.  I know it does not sound like much but to care for Terry, make the meals, do the dishes, do laundry 2-3 times a day etc etc is getting me down a bit.  Sometimes I think I should just put tennis on hold for a time but really that is the one thing that gets me out of the "caregiver" mode which is a good thing for me as 24/7 often becomes just a bit too much.

Well today I think I will do something that I have planned to do for some time but have not gotten to.  That is make a list of Christmas things that I have done and then to make sure I am not missing anything.  If one notices details on the above picture I had also pay more attention to my diet as that old age bulge needs to be taken care of!!!  I think I am up about 15 pounds from where I was maybe two years ago so things need to change.  BUT as most people will know that is often easy to talk about but takes some work to make it happen.

Having the TV cable up and running is a real blessing.  Terry has it. on pretty much all day and it helps pass the time for her which is good.

I thought I had posted this but NO so here it is at 7:20 PM and it is post it time now!!!  AND I could guess that my AM FP helped me get through the day!  AND I made a pot roast in the slow cooker with potatoes, onions and carrots.  Terry told me I passed!!!

I turned on the slow cooker at 7:15 on low setting and at 5:00 PM it was delicious!!!

Here we are at December 10th and a bit closer to 2022

 TERRY

I have a been up for some time but Terry is still sleeping as the clock shows 8:08.  As I exited the bedroom she was still covered which means she was sleeping well.  I was up in the middle of the night and all her covers were on the floor.  As I turned over to shut my eyes last night she was wide awake with the TV on!  She needs to get some blood work so we may try to get that done today.   I would say she is doing pretty well as of now.

I have tennis at 9:00 and that is all I have planned for the day.  I actually got some things done yesterday but if one was here you would not notice.  I see the sun has now come out but as I retrieved the papers this morning there was a thick fog.  

As I write Terry woke up and needed some attention but now am back.  As I write now the clothes dryer and washer are going!

Not much to say but a picture with some stories will follow:

The BIG bike and the LITTLE bike gave use many memories and were Dave's and my "go to" transportation for a long long time.  I would guess they took us to Lake Tewauken 100's of times.  After all from late May to September that was our bathtub so to speak.  Even when I was still using the little bike as the big bike was kind of Dave's I would at times ride the 3+ miles to Uncle Halvor and Aunt Alta's farm to see if I could mow their lawn as they had a riding one!  The times cousin Russel asked me to help with bales I would often ride there as that was a mile and a half.  Now this was all on gravel roads but to me at that time they were fine!  As I have said before it was often a challenge or maybe a dare to get on the bike and with NO hands ride off.  Actually I do not remember ever falling off but I am sure there were times the tire hit a stone and I had to grab those handle bars or fall.  I do not know but I am guessing that the two bikes were still in the shop with the Ford tractor when the fire came.  I know I could not count on both hands the times Dave and I patched a flat tire.  It got to the point that I was not sure the tube would fit into the tire with the number of patches it had.  It is funny now but we never ever had names for them other than the little bike or the big bike.

Enough for this morning as it is almost 8:40 and time to sip the last of the FP and then get dressed for tennis which is at 9:00.