My GRANDchildren

Our WONDERFUL grandkids stayed with us for 4 days while Amy went to "CEC" and then she and Brian had a weekend-get-away. We had so much fun with the kids. One evening while I was washing the dinner dishes, Jaden came into the kitchen with a flag, stood beside me, and recited the Pledge of Allegiance. I thought it was so cute that I dried my hands and asked Jaden if I could make a movie of him saying the Pledge. He loves to be in Grandma's movies (whereas the older kids don't like me to make their pictures much less a video!) so I grabbed my camera, took him into our "patriotic" guest bedroom, stood him on a stool in front of the patriotic stuff on top of the chest-of-drawers, pointed the camera at him and said, "Go." He lit into saying the Pledge, added the singing of "My Country "Tis of Thee," and then added a special blurb at the end about the Bible. That was all of his own doings which blessed my Grandma heart immeasurably. Here is Jaden (age 4 years and 3-1/2 months) as captured on Grandma's video....

Dr. Dennis On the Auto Harp

For 7 years, I have had the blessing of working in a Bible Study at a local retirement center. It is such a precious privilege to help with the Study as we bring in the senior citizens and Carol leads them in a study of God's Word. Recently, Dennis and Pennie M. have started coming out on Friday morning. Dr. Dennis is a musician and plays the auto harp for our song service. We are ALL enjoying this God-given talent. Here is a just a small auditory sampling of what we enjoy every Friday.

It's Grand Central Station With the Grandkids Here!

Yep... the grandkids are visiting, and they keep us busy!! Their school was dismissed at 1:00 on Wednesday for the annual "Teachers' Conference." Grandpa picked Belle and Josh up at school and they started their "vacation" at our house that afternoon. Jaden didn't go to school on Wednesday because I invited him to stay with us instead of going to K4 as it was going to be a "short day." Grandpa and I had a fun time with him and then picked up Belle and Josh at school when they got out at 1:00 for their 2-1/2 day vacation from school. During that morning with Jaden, we played outside and had a "BALL." Here is a picture I made:


As Amy left for the conference this Thursday morning and Brian headed off to work for the day, the kids arrived on our doorstep. We had a nice leisurely early morning and then headed for the church at 10:30. Richard and I had a luncheon meeting at the church that we were helping to "put on" so we had to be there at 10:30 to get things set up for the 12:00 luncheon meeting. The kids went to the gym (located in that building) and spent 3 hours entertaining themselves in the gym. We checked on them a couple of times, took their lunch (from the luncheon spread) to them, and then helped them put the equipment (balls and other paraphernalia) back where it went when the meeting was over. I was so proud of them. They allowed us to do ministry and participate in the luncheon and took care of themselves those 3 hours.

We got home from church at 1:45 so it was time for Jaden to grab a nap so Belle and Josh went to their house to get their music practice times done. While they were gone and Jaden was down, I found a warm place in the sun room and took a little snooze myself. It felt soooooooooooo good!!

Brian (their daddy and our son-in-law) brought pizza home for all of us to have dinner together so that was nice. He gathered up the troops (his kids) to take them out on a special fun evening together. Grandpa and I are enjoying the peace and quiet after their departure. Tomorrow will be another day of entertaining them and then we will have them through Sunday afternoon while Brian joins up with Amy after he gets off work on Friday and they take a 2-night get-away. We will enjoy the kids while they enjoy their R&R!! So Friday morning (when Brian leaves for work and the kids come over) will begin our 2-1/2 day and night fun of keeping our grandkids. It's like Grand Central Station but we need that once in a while.

NUMBERS COUNT!

This was D-Day week for me. I have been having trouble with my blood pressure and high triglycerides for a couple of years. I knew that the blood work this time would reveal how well or not-so-well my current meds were doing. I have been on HCTZ for my high blood pressure and on Fish Oil pills for the high tris. I went to the hospital lab on Monday for the blood work and then reported to my physician on Thursday morning for the results.


It turned out that my triglycerides were UP from 208 to 247 so he put me on a medication called Triglide to help bring that number down. My blood pressure was still up (152/92) and my potassium level was a little low so he took me off the 25 mg. of HCTZ that I have been on for two years and put me on the pill called Lisinopril/HCTZ which contains half the dose that I was taking of the HCTZ.

I am thankful that our Great Physician gives man the wisdom to formulate these medications to help us with our physical problems. I pray that the blood work in 3 months shows improvement in both my blood pressure reading and my triglyceride number. As far as I know, I am as healthy as a horse otherwise, and I don't take that lightly. Thank You, Jesus!!

Richard's Latest Projects Around the House

1Kings 11:28 And the man Jeroboam was a mighty man of valour: and Solomon seeing the young man that he was industrious, he made him ruler over all the charge of the house of Joseph.

It's hard to believe that Richard has been retired for nine months. When he was making plans for retirement, I wondered how in the world he would keep himself busy. I knew he was used to being busy 8-5 and worried that he might not enjoy being un-busy.

Ha!! Retirement life can be as busy as you care to make it. We are more involved in ministry and have somewhere to go most every day. In addition to that kind of being busy, Richard has kept busy with projects around the house. He is always thinking up some way to make an improvement, etc.

Last summer we got rid of our 2nd car which was our third vehicle. With Richard retired, we didn't figure we needed the two cars plus the truck so down-sized to one car and the truck. The truck (big ole dually) is parked in the back yard (behind the gate) so this opened up one side of the garage. Richard has a lot of tools and "stuff" that has been in his "workshop/shed" for these 7 years. He has made a switch!! The shed is now a storage place and one side of the garage is being transformed into Richard's workshop. He is a happy camper!! He will be cooler working in the garage than he was in the shed, he's got a big utility sink in the garage that will be handy, he is just outside the laundry room door so I can communicate with him better when he is working. He is enjoying putting it all together in the garage and having the shed for more storage.

His project this week was to buy, assemble, and install cabinets. He bought two huge cabinets for our garage.... his and hers.... so we can store some things out of sight. I had so much fun filling my cabinet with extra crock pots, warming buffets, Christmas dishes, and other things. His, of course, is full of ............. whatever men put in storage cabinets. HA!

Yesterday, he completed installing new cabinets in my laundry room. When the house was built, we had the wire shelving put in over the washer and dryer. I was fine with it but knew it always looked kind of messy. I love my new cabinets!!! They are pretty and so very functional. As usual, I am the one who benefits the most from Richard's projects. I am so grateful for a husband who is willing to make these improvements in our home.

Next on the agenda???? There's no telling.... but I bet I will love it!!

The new cabinets in the garage

Richard organizing and putting together his workshop in the garage

My new cabinets over the washer and dryer

Pics of Us Celebrating Richard's 62nd Birthday

Brian, Amy, and the kids came over on Saturday morning (actual birthday) for brunch. We made a few pics outside after brunch.

On Sunday, we went to Ryan's to celebrate Grandpa's birthday again and I made a few pics there.

Grandpa and Josh working on a project in the garage

Brian surveying things while Amy and Belle soak up the rays.

Jaden found his toddler ride in our garage and just had to ride it again.

Beautiful Bella

Josh with the bike he won on Friday at the candy sale awards assembly

Grandpa and Jaden at lunch at Ryan's today

Josh and Grandpa at lunch

Richard and Susan after lunch

That's all of the pics made during Richard's #62 celebration.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY DEAR HUBBY, RICHARD!

Ps 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.


62 years ago today, Richard entered this world. From the pics, he was a handsome baby boy. I am so thankful to his parents for the good son they raised and to my Heavenly Father that they raised him in a Christian home for Richard is a man of integrity, love for his Savior, and maintains the goal of living his life for Christ.

Richard is my best friend, my love, the fabulous father of our children, and the fun grandpa of our grandchildren. He is my rock, my safe place, and loves me in spite of all my faults. I could wax on and on about my love for Richard and how blessed my life has been as his wife of 35 years, but I will just keep those thoughts tucked away in my heart to share with him and him alone sometime today.

Happy Birthday, Honey........... I love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Baby Richard with mom and big brother Larry






L-R: Richard, cousin, and brother Larry



As a teenager, singing in church


High school graduate and 4 years later, a graduate of the University of Alabama




Served his country with a stint in the U.S. Army



Brookwood FWB church where we met at a revival service



Richard was raised in that church and was ordained a deacon a few months before we were married. L-R: My dad Pastor Byron Meyer, deacon Tommy Jones, Richard, and the guest preacher for the ordination service, Bro. Stabbs.




Our wedding day ~~ September 29, 1973


Richard with his family. L-R: Larry, Bill, Richard, Dad, Mom, Diane in 1975




Richard as a new father at Amy's Baby Dedication in February 1976 ~~ Pastor is Susan's dad and Amy's grandfather, Byron Meyer



Richard is the patriarch of our family: Back L-R: Chip, Richard Brian; Susan and Amy in the middle, our grandchildren acorss the front: Isabella, Jaden, Josh and Jarrett



Grandpa Richard and Granny Susan with our beloved grandchildren




Growing old together..............

I HAVE A FAN!

A friend emailed me to say that she enjoys my blog and hopes I will keep writing. Boy, there's nothing like knowing you have a fan to keep you motivated. :)

I am so much enjoying having my 24/7 husband since his retirement last May. After 9 months of this lifestyle, I'm so thankful we have found that we enjoy each other's company full-time. Some retired couples have trouble in that area so I just want to give God the glory and praise that we are doing fine. :)

Richard had a recent lab done which revealed that his cholesterol meds are working as his numbers were much improved. I'm so thankful for my hubby's good health as we anticipate his 62nd birthday on Saturday!!!

I go for my lab work on Monday and then meet with my doctor on Thursday. I hope my triglyceride number will be improved and that my blood pressure reading is improved.

We have a special-called meeting with our pastor tomorrow to talk about a new avenue of ministry in the church. We eager to learn more about it!!

We were thinking of going down to mid-state Florida to watch the launch of the shuttle next Thursday but nixed that idea and will try to make the NEXT launch.

I'm so excited that we will get to have our grandkids for two days while Amy goes away to an educator's meeting in a couple of weeks. I'm hoping that Brian and Amy will try to plan a weekend get-away in conjunction with her trip. During the school year, we don't get to have the grandkids for extended periods and so I always look forward to this February event when we can have them. We'll have to plan some fun things to do!!

Josh sold 30 boxes of candy in the recent fundraiser at school. There are nice prizes for the highest sellers so we are hoping he might win something exciting at the Friday assembly. Grandpa and I plan to go so we can find out in person if he won anything. We bought a box (24 bars) ourselves and then took him around on two different Mondays to sell candy so we do have a vested interest in the matter .... both monetarily and in our waistlines!!!

Dear friends of ours who moved away last May are coming for a visit at the end of March. I am already busy thinking of ways we can entertain them while they are here. On the Saturday night of their 4-night visit, we will host a dinner party in their honor so other close friends can enjoy a visit with Jerry and Peggy, too.

That's all for this post. Knowing I have a fan motivates me to no end. I'll keep my eyes and ears (and my heart!) open for things to blog on here.

FACEBOOK RULES!

I am enjoying being on Facebook and as a result, I have neglected my blog. Too boot, I guess I haven't had very much to blog about lately. I wish all of my family and friends the world over would join FB. It is a lot of fun and is a neat way to share pictures and video. I will write here as I have things to blog about. Otherwise, look me up on FB!!