Thank the Lord we celebrated Thanksgiving today. I told Deke I was so sick of seeing my birthday blog pictures, something better happen soon so that I could replace the Nov 7th entry!

We had a wonderful celebration at Max and Dianne's home in Lafayette. We picked up Mama Jo around 11:00 to take her with us. The nurse was surprised to learn that Mom would be staying overnight with us (told them at least twice) and proceeded to run around trying to get Mom's meds ready. When I learned that the nurse would have to call someone to get a special permit to open the safe in another part of the building, I told her to just forget it- we would bring Mom back for the night. So we headed to Lafayette and had a delightful Thanksgiving meal with the Joneses.

After dinner, the men napped or played with computers in the basement while we women huffed and puffed getting a workout with the Wii exercise game. After a final snack of shrimp, cheese etc we packed up Mom and Grandma Mary and headed out the door. By the time we left Lafayette, the temp had dropped at least 10 degrees with a stiff wind out of the north. As we passed the mall, we saw where people were lined up outside Best Buy for Black Friday. We remarked that we didn't feel saving $100 would motivate us to stand outside all night in this blustery weather. After dropping Mom off in Rossville, we headed home to relax with full tummies and grateful hearts.

A little deviation from the typical "at the table" pose

Grandma Mary

Mama Jo

Three Brothers

Ken

Happy Birthday to Me Again

Church office staff

Well, last night was a huge surprise for me. We had invited 2 couples over for dinner, cards and movie night when 2 more couples crashed the scene carrying a lighted birthday cake singing "Happy Birthday." It was a huge surprise. Deke pulled a real coup and kept the secret from me. We had a great time eating cake and playing "Up and Down." Again, a good time was had by all.

Happy Birthday to Me

Yesterday was my 61st birthday. Unbelievable that I am almost eligible for Social Security! Anyway, Deke surprised me by coming home in the early afternoon with Mama Jo in tow. Deke said we were to accomplish two things: shop 'till we dropped then eat 'till we were stuffed. We went to the mall and found a few items that fit in nicely with my wardrobe then proceeded to Red Lobster where the "endless shrimp" special was in progress. So we accomplished the two objectives and and great time was had by all.

A Visit with Mama Jo

Mama Jo's dental lower partial broke last week so I took it to her dentist for repair. Today I picked it up and took it to her-doesn't fit! So now we go back next week to try to get the thing fitted.

When I arrived at Mom's apartment, she was watching a movie in the lounge. She was happy to see me and we looked through a new picture album I took for her. Her albums contain old pictures of family members so it's a walk down non-memory lane as we peruse the pics. Actually she pulled some names out of the hat today that amazed me, but mostly she is clueless when naming family and friends.

I washed a load of clothes for her (I usually do that every Friday) and we worked on a jigsaw puzzle set up in one of the lounges. I also ate a brownie and drank some coffee while sitting with the residents during their lunch hour (forgot to get a picture at the lunch table).

I left her sitting in the lounge while she was once again going through the picture album. It was a nice visit.

I Lost a Good Friend This Morning

Yuck!

Clean but but no longer breathing

Well, I guess I'm getting desperate when I start blogging about my basement refrigerator that goes on the blink. But to me it's big news and sad news to boot because we've had that refrigerator since our Beavercreek, Ohio, days and it's been a good friend. Dependable. Reliable. Efficient. Has supported me in many a meal preparation and doesn't give me a cold shoulder very often. Our friendship has lasted for 26 years, as long as Emily's been born.

I expect it's the condenser but not being a mechanic, I could be wrong. Maybe it's just tired and wants to go to the frig graveyard. Should I resuscitate? Can I just let a friend slip away unnoticed and unwanted? Do I replace it with a brand new companion- one eager to please but probably not nearly as reliable or user-friendly? Do I really want to spend the time, money and energy breaking in a new relationship?

Oh woe is me. To do or not to do. That is the question.

Indiana "Falling" Away

This weekend some friends from Michigan came for a short visit. We walked the Erie Canal in Delphi and toured the museum in the Interpretive Center. The trees are in full fall foliage and oh so beautiful right now.

Perkins Pond near our house

Deke explaining the locks to Ryan and Gabrielle

Touring the museum in Delphi

Pastor Deke-Circuit Rider

There's Just No Quitin'

As unbelievable as it may appear, this little birdie is still hanging from the power line. His fellow executed friend fell off the wire a couple of days after I took the first pictures, but this guy just won't quit. Deke sees him daily as he goes to work. This little guy has gone through a windstorm and 2 rainstorms yet has held on. When both of the birds were still hanging, we stopped one day to observe them up close and to check the ditch for other carnage. We were standing there observing things when a car stopped on the road. Some lady lowered her window and commenced to tell us all about the birds and her daily observation of their predicament. Apparently the crispy critters have been a topic of conversation for many a traveler. Just thought you'd like an update.