SERIOUSLY?????!!!!

SO sorry Jen 1 and Mary Kathryn. . .

Get the mail today and there is this catalog. . . set it aside. . . might browse through it to see if there are any exciting games etc. to possibly get for the grand-kids. . . oh, a second catalog just the same. . . not unusual. . . at this point we're getting duplicate catalogs for Jen and myself.  (we both have our names on MOST mailing lists) oh, a third catalog just the same. . . you guessed it. . . a FOURTH catalog identical to the previous 3! Each had this address. . . one to me, one to Jennifer, one to McKenzie Meredith and one to Meghan Meredith!!

Jen 1and MK ~ I know you feel left out ~ maybe YOURS will come on Monday!!

Granddaddy update. . .

Surgery was a week ago yesterday ~ we've come a long way.  This man is amazing.  The therapist is blown away by his progress.  On Monday he was already two weeks ahead "normal" following surgery.  Just like everything else he does, he is committed to doing his exercises.  He plans to return to work on Monday.  Sitting for long periods of time is not so comfortable, however, Monday is still several days away.  Unable to get his work lap-top to work here at the house, he is anxious to take care of his e-mails - probably 100s of them.  Even putting in a 1/2 day will be good.  Thank you for your prayers.!

True joy!

Just Skyped with Jen2 in HK ~ was able to see Christian, Ethan and Ellie ~ and of course Jen!
I am one happy Mama Mary!  MK needs to get her computer up and running so we can do the same with them in UT and they can Skype to HK etc. etc. . . . Thank you Granddaddy!!

Cousins saying "Hi" to their HK cousins. . . while visiting Granddaddy!

Mia reading letter from Caroline. 

Silly Cy, Logan, Piper and Heath!

Traded Cy for Landon

Adaleigh entertaining Granddaddy ~ she says "Hi" too!

the "perfect" patient

Al had knee surgery on Thursday.  When I went back to see him just before they took him into surgery he says, "I'm having second thoughts about this."  Really.  Well, it's too late!  "I walked in here and now I won't be able to walk out."  He has put this surgery off for 11 years.  It was time.  He had a few drugs in him by this point, so perhaps it was the drugs talking. . . you think?

Mary Kathyrn asked me to make note of anything funny he said while he was drugged.  The recovery nurse, who is a friend of mine,  Kathy, said he was SO funny.  I missed it.  He was however, extrememly sweet and pleasant ~ now that might strick some of you as funny!  At one point he did stop mid-sentence, look me right in the eyes and with all seriousness and concern ask, "you do know if there are long blonde hairs on me that they are from the nurse, right?"  Yes, Dear!  :>)  Poor Kathy was very busy in the recovery unit.  She had to excuse herself several times to tend to other patients, which was totally fine.  I was enjoying having a converstion with Al, even tho' he would never remember it. :>)  Everything was finally in order to leave ~ papers signed, instructions given, pain pump attached etc.  Everything took maybe an hour ~ I have known Kathy, the nurse, since our girls were in 1st grade (I think) together when she was in nursing school at MTSU.  She does not know Al except for an occassional  "Hello" in passing here and there.  So, Kathy says, "Ok, Mr. Type A personality, let's get you out of here."  Now ~ to ME ~ that was funny.  Man, did she ever have him pegged ~ and he was drugged!!  Made me laugh!!

First day home from the  hospital ~ settling in ~ still pleasant.

LOVE that smile!

Saturday PM ~ back to being the Al we know.

At this point he has asked me to "respect his independence." He is doing GREAT. . .

going up and down the stairs like a champ.  Starts therapy tomorrow.

My week in Utah. . .

I flew out to Las Vegas on October 27 and rented a car to drive up to St. George/Hurricane, UT.  Mary Kathryn and her growing family were in the process of moving into their new home which really is in Hurricane, about 9 miles from where they were.  I clocked it numerous times, however, now I can't remember the exact miles.  They are living in Dixie Springs with is across from the San Hollow community and golf course where Adam works.  The girls are still zoned for the same school :>) and Adam is closer to work - even rode his bike one day while I was there.  I was able to watch the kiddos some while MK and Adam loaded and  un-loaded vans and trucks and ran errands.  My job was fun!  We celebrated Halloween with MK's yummy chili and Trunk or Treating at the Church on Saturday.  All the children were so adorable in their costumes.  Unfortunately all my pictures are on my phone and we aren't able to download them yet.  Alexis was a black cat - I brought her ears, a collar with bells and a black tail from TN.  She was the cutest black cat ever!  SO CUTE!  Hailey was so excited.  She was a 50's cheerleader - I was able to find her pom-poms in TN and took them to her.While she was getting ready she looked at me with the most excited expression and said, "Mama Mary, this is my best day ever!"  Oh, how they love dressing up.  Chloe was a skelton (pink pjs with the glow in the dark bones) and precious Jake was a Biker - to go along with Hailey's 50s theme :>)  Adam was Tiger Woods with his head wrapped and 'blood' dripping down and MK was his wife complete with bent golf club and divorce papers.  Wish I had pictures.  MK will when she gets her computer up and running.

There is so much more room at their new home.  LOTS of outdoor space to play.  A & C LOVE to be outside.  The previous occupants left a children's battery operated car.  No battery - however, Adam has 2 and a charger.  Instant fun!  C wanted me to ride in the car with her.  I kept telling her I was too big.  She continued to tell me, "you're not too big" - Ha!  I was flattered . . . but was way too big for the car!

The older girls are thrilled to be able to play in their own room even when Jake is napping - his room is on the other side of the house.  Cute Chloe has her room by A & H's room.  Great layout and very family friendly house, in my opinion.  Soon they will have new friends in their new neighborhood.  A already knows two boys that live out there from her classroom at school.

Already missing those sweet children.  We were able to read books, watch Wizard of Oz, play Simon says, watch Wizard of Oz, do some shopping, watch Wizard of Oz (it is C's favorite movie) . . and more, together.  I took A and H to school on my way to the airport on Wedneday.  As A was getting out of the van she stopped and said, "thank you for getting us a camera (webcam) so we can see Caroline in HK".   Alexis and Caroline are just a little over 2 months apart.  Different as night and day but have fun playing together.  Last year they both wanted to be doctors. 

Hey, Caroline, I have an idea.  I will hide you in my suitcase and you can come to Utah with me instead of moving to Hong Kong!  (Wouldn't you love to know what was really said?)   Sweet cousins: Alexis and Caroline

a VERY pleasant, humbling experience. . .

Friday I ran out to run some errands.  A stop at Sam's was on my list.  Just had 3 items.  Picked the shortest line.  Was behind a very attractive women, dressed well, accessorized plentifully but tastefully, very classy.  I was sorta in la-la land. . . not paying any attention to what was happening at the register with the customer two in front of me.   There was something going on. . . I thought it was a pricing thing, register problem . . . actually, I wasn't thinking at all.  Then the classy woman in front of me asked the gal checking out how much more money she needed.  Then I figured they were related . . . thought it was a mother/daughter, maybe her daughter-in-law.  Classy lady pulls a $20 out of her wallet, then asks how much more she needed. . . hands her another $20 and says somethings like. . .don't worry about it, I won't miss it, I've been where you are, insists that the gal take it. . . The younger gal checking out is shocked. . . .VERY appreciative and wanting to contact the woman later to pay her back.  Classy Lady again insists that is not necessary . . . says, "pay it forward when you are able."  Wow!  These women did NOT know each other.  I was so moved!  What a great way to start the holiday season!  The gal checking out looks at the Classiest Lady Ever and says with tears in her eyes, "God bless you!"  I thanked the Classiest Lady Ever for her sweet example and vowed silently to pay more attention for a similar opportunity . . . Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me. 

Thank you, Classiest Lady Ever, there REALLY are GOOD, GREAT people in this world!