Family Updates

Several family events are happening now.

1. Aunt Nell fell in the assisted living facility and stayed two nights in the hospital.  Her high blood pressure and potassium levels were a concern which had her doctors hold her over for observation until these factors could be managed.  The following day she started vomiting.  Since she says this is only about the third time in her life that she has done this, it is of concern to me.

2. My sister Jean is scheduled for breast reconstruction surgery following her breast removal a couple of years ago.  She is also having a breast reduction on her other breast.  Jean has had to wait a long time to find a doctor in her insurance plan who will do both the surgeries.  It will be done in Maryville, about one hour from her home.  She asked me to be there when she goes into the operating room.  She said I am not expected to go home with her because she will be "high maintenance" afterwards.  She is probably right.  We will be there on Monday morning for her.

3. Walter's daughter has moved in with us.  It has been two weeks now.  Her two sons, 2  & 10, are staying with us too.  The adjustments to losing privacy are hard for me. I like having peace and quiet around me and this 2 year old pretty much kills that idea.  But slowly we are all trying to make the pieces fit.  We are lucky that we have enough bedrooms and bathrooms in our house so that they have them to themselves and we have our bedroom and bath to ourselves too.

We covet the prayers of our friends for all these situations to go as God sees fit.  We are trusting in Him.

Snow and Record Cold

Snow in the Back Yard

It was a snow day today in Rutherford County.  Although we had less than 1/2 inch of snow collected, the school administrators did not want the children waiting for the bus out in the extreme cold so they called off school for today and tomorrow.  Tonight the low was 3 degrees.  Tomorrow's temperature is predicted to be about the same.  It was in the high 50s just a few days ago.

It has not been this cold in our area for two decades.  The snow did not melt like it usually does when it is this slight.  My mother would say it was "holding on for another snow".  I don't think we are forecasted for any more snow though.  It will be cold until sometime around this weekend.

Meanwhile it has been a nice day of turning the mattress on our bed, eating corn beef and cabbage and knitting.  I have just started knitting a blanket, which if finished nicely, will probably go to a grandchild.  A friend is helping me learn to correct dropped stitches.  Ugh!

New Year's Eve Progressive Dinner

Our two Sunday School classes for people 50+ combined together to celebrate the new year with a progressive dinner party.  Walter and I had never been part of a progressive party before but it sounded like fun so we agreed to be one of the stops along the way.

One of the Sunday School teachers had us start the party at his house where we met up for appetizers and then carpooled to the next stop.  We had 24 people attend. 

Our house was the next stop. We served salads and crescent rolls.  We had an orange congealed salad, coleslaw, potato salad, pasta salad and broccoli salad. 

At the next house we had the entrée.  It was pork tenderloin and chicken on a stick plus an array of vegetable dishes.  Each house was decorated with either Christmas or winter themes.

We were so busy having a good time that no pictures were taken of the rooms at the first three stops.

For our last stop the other Sunday School teacher had us for the desserts.  By then we were fairly full so we played games before eating the cakes and other goodies they had provided.

A really wonderful addition to the party was we had communion at the last house.  We are fortunate to have two ordained ministers in our group and they led the service.  One of our group had made the bread.  We took the Lord's supper and then sang a few hymns.  That added a depth to our get together that pleased me deeply.  When I was a young mother, on New Year's Eve I went to visit my mother and we would go to a watch service at a local church.  They would have a gospel singing until right after midnight.  I always looked forward to that singing, both for the great music but also being with my mother and the spirit filling I received.

The following pictures were made at the last stop where we were able to slow down and enjoy the company of each other and talk about any resolutions that we had made.

Enjoying Dessert Together

Guests Relax in the Living Room of Our Teacher

Sharing a Laugh and a Sweet Treat

Ann and DJ Pose for the Camera



Our Ministers Conduct the Lord's Supper

Passing the Wine

Fellowship Around the Fireplace

Anna and I Love Being Together

The Hosts Share a Laugh

We made it to the end of the evening with full stomachs, warm companionship and a spiritual blessing to begin the new year. 

God is good!