Baylor & Kyndal

Joe reading to Kyndal from his Kindle

"Beethoven"

There's no better movie treat than popcorn and M & M's.

Oley came to help Joe work on his tractor and brought Zeb along.
Everyone should have a conversation with Zeb at least once.
He and Baylor had fun exploring the river bank.

So sweet

Baylor showed no interest in the tractor, but Kyndal sure did.

Taking a rest during our looong walk to Norton Springs

A little rock climbing

B & K were anxious to play on the sand bar. I told them on Friday night that we'd just have to wait and see if it was warm enough on Saturday and whether or not it would be too wet. Baylor looked out the window first thing the next morning and said, "The sand looks fine to me." Well, it was 60 degrees and sunny. But I did make them wait until we'd done everything else. They had so much fun.

Sadness

In Loving Memory

of Arthur J. Hale
born September 7, 1948
died February 16, 2010

Our January 2010 Memories

(written by Joe)

Julee invited us to her house to celebrate the New Year. Mandy and family, Blake, Brett, and Lori’s family—minus Patrick, were going to be there as well. We had barely arrived when Agnes called to tell us that Ms. Miller had had an apparent stroke and it didn’t look good. We made arrangements to leave early on New Year’s Day and arrived at River Park hospital in McMinnville by early afternoon. The next two weeks were occupied with hospital visits and concern for Ms. Miller. There was a large gathering of extended Miller Family and a huge out-pouring of love towards this mother/grandmother/great-grandmother. Debby spent a few nights at the hospital along with other family members.

The mood changed from “fearing the worst” to being astonished as we watched her recovery as her strength and confidence returned. The time came when she was allowed to be dismissed after two weeks of ICU and rehab. Agnes and Debby worked out a schedule that divided their time in Spencer at Ms. Miller’s home in such a way that she always had one of them with her. Everyone felt that her recovery would be hastened in her own familiar surroundings and it appears to have been an accurate assessment. She has made an amazing recovery and Agnes and Debby have reduced their time there somewhat. Everyone is grateful for the service given by Deltrice Howard and Donna Hankins, too. There is also excellent care from a physical therapist who has won Ms. Miller’s heart. Her name is Mary Bell.

Not only did we head back to TN, but the rest of the Tennesseans did, too. Plus, Julee, Ceseley, and Mandy’s crew followed us. Once things began to stabilize, the Goodwills returned to their work and school life in Hampton, VA, and Julee and Ceseley remained a while. Julee’s job with Novell allowed her to work from anywhere so she had the option of staying. During that time, Ceseley and Julee took turns being sick. It was also a terribly cold and snowy time. All in all, we don’t suspect that they have great memories of that visit. They returned to their home in Ruckersville on the 9^th after Dan flew down so that he could be with them on their journey home. Nobody wanted a repeat of the last time when Julee & Ceseley traveled by themselves. A flat tire en route made that one miserable experience.

On the 19^th, my old friend Wanas Martin came by for a short surprise visit. He had driven the missionaries from Cookeville for a short meeting in McMinnville. He drove over to pass his waiting time with us. He is a person with a good heart and he lifts my spirits to be around him. When he arrived, Debby was at work on her seminary lesson in the living room. She wasn’t exactly dressed to receive company, so she was stuck in her chair with an afghan until he left. He only stayed an hour or so.

Holly’s Lane Thomas Blatter made his appearance on January 26^th at 9:35 Denver time. He is a big old boy, 9 lbs, 4.6 oz. Our ward had a temple trip for priesthood holders that evening and I went along. I called Christy at the hospital a few times to keep tabs—thinking he would surely be born before I made it to the temple. But, he waited me out! Once again, we thank our Christy for being there at such a critical time. It appears that Clinton, Holly, and Lane are doing well.

Our friend Arthur Hale has had a tough month. His journey towards a new heart seems longer and longer. He is very weak now but he is also at the top of the nationwide list of recipients. Thanks for all the prayers and temple prayer roll placements.

Matthew and Jenny’s Jacob had his tonsils and adenoids removed, as well as ear tubes reinstalled, on the 13^th. The poor fella has had a rough time, seemingly forever, with ear infections and other related things. Hopefully this painful experience will lead to better days ahead.

January, 2010 has been an old-fashioned Tennessee winter. We have had snow, ice, single digit night temperatures, high winds, and high electric bills. In addition, heavy rains and snow melts have caused flooding. We always keep our fingers crossed when heavy long-lasting rain is in the forecast. Our concern is for rising water at Rocky River. On one occasion recently the river rose to the level of the tractor I have parked near Little House. I went out to move it away from the rising river water, only to discover that it would not start. Luckily, the water level only got to the very bottom of the tires.

Being the snoopy neighbors we are, after watching the water rise on our property, we usually go check out the Rocky River Resort cabins being built by LeVaughn Binkley and others. The rising waters have been up into their heating and air units and made a stream out of their front yard areas. The water has risen to over half way up the foundation blocks on at least two occasions. Don’t think they will have any luck selling those cabins!

Debby’s Addendum:

On Saturday night (the 2^nd), we took advantage of the surprise opportunity for me to be with all my children and grandchildren for the first time in about six years. In fact, the whole bunch was here except for Dan. It was so wonderful to have them all here. The grands had so much fun playing with each other and making a gingerbread village thanks to Aunt Julee.

Layla and Olivia slept on the inflatable bed while they were here in Holly’s old room. Since I had roomed with them when Lori and I went to visit them in Hampton last spring, they wanted me to tell them stories from when I was a little girl like I did then. What a joy to have that unexpected special time with them.

It was also wonderful to have most everyone with me at church the next morning – even though I did have to leave before Sacrament Meeting was over. Agnes called and Mom had taken a turn for the worse. Ashlei and I spent a cold, miserable night with her in ICU that night. Her condition worsened again the next morning.

The Goodwill/Crawfords came by on Sunday afternoon as they were heading back to VA. It was really hard to see them go. Olivia was sitting in my lap being very snuggly. I whispered and told her that I loved her. She turned and looked at me and said, “I love you more than anything on earth.” Yep, my heart melted.

Ceseley was a lot more comfortable with us than she was the last time she and Julee were here. Bless her heart, though, she was so sick for part of the time – and she shared her “bug” with her mommy. The rug from under the kitchen table is still at the barn waiting for a thorough cleaning.

I was really concerned that I might have to give up my seminary calling since I was going to have to be in Spencer so much. As it turned out, there were so many snow days that arranging for substitutes wasn’t even needed. Joe did sub for me a few mornings, but I knew I wasn’t going to dump it all on him and I was really dreading trying to coordinate everything with others. As of this writing, we’ve only had 14 classes since before Christmas. This is my 4^th year to teach and we’ve never had this kind of challenge before. We are really behind. It was so bitterly cold at one point that Roxie reluctantly came in the garage to spend a couple of nights. She has NEVER done that before. She does not like enclosed places AT ALL.

We were excited to learn in January that Michael Weeter’s family is going to be our next-door neighbors! The Adam house sold in a foreclosure auction and the Weeter Family won the bidding. Joe went over this afternoon and said it is amazing how much better the house looks already. We’re really happy for them and for us.

Snow on the Mountain

Cracker Jack

What does a man who is waiting for a heart transplant ask an old friend to bring him? That's right - a box of Cracker Jack. Oh, and he'd like a shave, too, please. Joe was more than willing to grant both requests. He told Art that he'd even brought his sharpest pocket knife to do the job. The feeding tube was a real hindrance and he told Arthur that he might have to leave him with a Hitler mustache. Nancy helped hold it out of the way to keep that from happening. After the shave, he was able to eat a little bit of the Cracker Jack, but they made him too thirsty and that's a problem since his fluid intake is very limited.

Each day we pray that this will be the day that a heart becomes available -- knowing that that means heartache for another family somewhere else. This morning, Joe prayed for that family, as well.

Welfare State

These birds told their friends and they told their friends and they told their friends, etc., etc., etc. Joe is staying busy keeping the feeders full. He took this picture this morning.

Happy Birthday, Joe!!!

Here we are at the nice theatre in Cookeville ready for Avatar 3D. A young man in front of us made this picture for us - sure wish he'd waited for the camera to focus. Anyway, I know some of you are suspicious as to why Joe would pick this activity to celebrate his birthday. I just wanted you to see that he was not bound and gagged, but went of his own volition. I told him he could choose whatever he wanted to do today -- and that included staying home and watching old John Wayne movies. And, yes, he liked the movie. It kept us entertained for 3 hours but neither of us would want to see it again. He also liked his steak at O'Charley's.

A Few Icy Pics

I made these on Monday when I went for a walk at the park in Spencer. I headed down the nature trail and then wandered around through the woods on Agnes & Sherman's property across from Mom's. I was surprised how much ice was still on the trees. The sun was beginning to melt it and there were times when I thought it would be good if I had an umbrella with me! The pictures don't quite do it justice. It was really beautiful.