Now I've settled down

Going through camera pics taken over the past couple of weeks and ran across these.  My sister had flown in town a few years ago and I had been down to her hotel to visit her.  On the way back, dark had settled in and I was driving down the freeway and saw this opposite me on the freeway -

Somehow I found humor in this.  Casket store . boxes to go.  So when i was driving back form Austin last week with my daughter I made her stop, went onto the service road no cars were coming and I jumped out of the car and took the picture.  Bad example for my daughter I know, but I wanted to preserve this for history.  It had been just an awful time when we were in the final stages with Helen.  So, when I saw this I laughed so hard.

Speaking of my daughter - she's coming home.  Well close enough, she'll have her own place and only be a couple of hours away instead of 24.  These are her new digs.

Finally - here are my kids.  It was my son's birthday the night after we returned and so we met at IHOP and ate for his birthday.  

 

DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit)

Can I say I'm angry with DART
today . .                                                                                                                                                                                                  he


Yes I can!

Bureaucracy . . don't you love it!  I had an appointment with my dr. at the dialysis center this afternoon at 1:30.  Since we're down to one car and Steve had to be at work at that time, and I am trying to be self-sufficient and not a burden on anyone else, I called DART to check on using the transportation system to get me home.  I see the little yellow flex-line bus pass my house several times a day so I figured no problem.  Wrong!  Anyway, I called them and they said yes, the flex-line bus could pick me up at my dialysis center and bring me close to the nearest stop to my home.  I called today as soon as my appointment was over and he said he could pick me up at 2:07.  I asked if they would come to the door or should I stand out front.  He said if I could be at the curb it would be helpful.  So at 2:10 I called as I hadn't been picked up and was told they were caught in traffic but on the way there.  At about 2:20 I see the van on Shiloh turning and going north - not south to where I was. I called ... reply "can't cross Plano Parkway".  I'd have to walk up to Plano parkway to be picked up.  Started walking up there and he picks me up nearly there.  At that point, he said I'd have to be at 14th and Shiloh to be picked up in the future and then after I gave him my fare, I was told he'd have to drop me at Shiloh and Park.  Didn't have time to stop at my stop.  By this time I was frustrated.  Oh yes, I was carrying a box of dialysis supplies in my arms all this time as well.  So I got off in front of Albertson's and started walking home.  He passed me walking not once, but twice.  Didn't have time though to drop me at Peachtree though.  I'm ticked!  Did I mention its 90 plus degrees here today?


Yesterday was interesting.  I woke up at 6:45 a.m. to hear the missionaries vacuuming their room.  When I approached them about it, didn't get a real friendly reply.

On an up note, I got my laundry done and got my ironing done yesterday.  Big accomplishment though.  I felt like my insides were going to fall out before I had finished the ironing, but I got it done!

Getting warmer

Wow 90 degrees today.  The weather has been like riding on a roller-coaster here.  Up and down.  If you don't like the weather in Texas one day, hold on, the next day the weather will be different.  Yesterday we had high winds, the sky was overcast, and it was chilly.  Not so today.

My roses are beautiful this year.  They're both double knock out roses.  The red one is a year older than the pink.  The red one looks like it is on fire.

A couple of years ago I started working on the front yard.  The west side of the yard just wouldn't grow anything.  Most of the dirt would wash into the street every time it rained.  Because of my kidneys going bad, my bones had become very brittle.  In the course of a year I had broken both my right and left wrist, and my upper left arm.  To make a long story short, I found myself skooting on my backside planting jasmine through a very hot summer.  Last year, it was disappointing.  I would never recommend jasmine as a fast grower, but this year, its filling in nicely.

My vegetables are doing really well also.  Most particularly the squash, cucumber, and cantaloupe. 

I've also been enjoying strawberries on a daily basis.

Happy Mothers Day - 2010

The church service was lovely today.  They handed out big candy bars to all of the moms.  Of course, mine went to Steve since sugar is off limits to me.

We met with the bishop after church today and reviewed our budget.  Came home and Steve is on the couch asleep with his head rocking back and forth.  Sue is asleep at the kitchen table.

It rained hard last night and I slept through it.  The back yard is muddy big time.  My veggies are all growing great though.

There's a new book on genealogy available for free online.  "Getting Started in Genealogy Online", by William Dollarhide.  You have to go to the WorldVitalRecords.com site to download the book, but as I've gone through it lightly this afternoon, I am finding all kind of information to use.

Happy mothers day to all, whether you are a mother, soon to be mother, or have a mother in your life.

His hands

My visiting teachers were here this morning.  I love it when they come to visit.  They reminded me of a talk given in our last General Conference by Dieter F. Uchtdorf.  He shared a story that happened during the bombing of a city in World War II. A large statue of Jesus Christ was severely damaged. When the townspeople found the statue among the rubble, they mourned because it had been a beloved symbol of their faith and of God’s presence in their lives.

Experts were able to repair most of the statue, but its hands had been damaged so severely that they could not be restored. Some suggested that they hire a sculptor to make new hands, but others wanted to leave it as it was—a permanent reminder of the tragedy of war. Ultimately, the statue remained without hands. However, the people of the city added on the base of the statue of Jesus Christ a sign with these words: “You are my hands.”

It caused me to pause and reflect.  I heard the talk back in April but had forgotten it.  This week I've found myself grumbling about some of the things I'm required to do, but then this reminds me why I'm doing them.  No more grumbling.  

After all, he paid a much bigger price for me.

This is one of my favorite pictures of Jesus Christ by Greg Olsen.  It reminds me of his personal love and care of each one of us.  

Mowed the yard this morning.  Actually the front and the side yards.  More tonight when it cools down.  Summer weather is here.  Still not too hot yet though.  Just hot enough.

Been way too long since I've written

It's amazing what you are capable of doing.  Its been over a year since my life changed forever.  Its been a rough year, but a good one.  October 2008 Steve lost his job; December 2008, I started dialysis and went on disability. 

Right now we have the sister missionaries living with us.  They've been with us for several months now.  A few months ago, a lady from our church moved in with us.  There are days I'd like to put a no vacancy sign in the yard.

When I start to grumble, I remember life could be a whole lot worse and go on.  Its a good time of year in my yard.  I am finally seeing the payoff of all the hard work last year getting my garden beds together.  I have tomato plants growing, squash, zucchini, peas, beans, peppers, cucumber, and cantaloupe plants as well.  Oh yes, and my strawberries.  Love the strawberries.

We sold Steve's truck last week.  It was a heartbreaking thing for him.  He loved his truck.   It was a huge sacrifice for him but will be worth it in the end.

My daughter just came back from Italy.  She spent a week there and had a wonderful time.  The pics she posted today were beautiful.   Lots of them, but I'll post a few. 

Another month - Another year

I turned 59 this past week.  Just one a way from 60.  We had a ward party and the theme was reunion.  Everyone walked around with a tag on with the year they graduated.  I felt sooooo very old.

I shouldn't complain.  At least I'm still living on the green side of the lawn. 

Steve brought me flowers, my son and his wife took me out to eat, and my daughter ordered me something from Amazon they quickly put on backorder.  My sister is so talented.  She quilts and made me a beautiful quilt and sent it with some other goodies. 


I worked my last shift at the temple Saturday night.  I've been volunteering for the past year but have found it too wearing on me. 

Life moves on and we all face our challenges.

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ShabbyBlogsDividerH
Originally uploaded by diannekerr@verizon.net

Let see if I can make this work

Haiti

Yesterday two of the nurses from DaVita Grapevine came over to the house to do a visit. When they were leaving, I told them I'd been struggling with some depression. They reminded me that life could be worse. I knew that, but this morning when doing some news reading online, I came across this incredible blog and thought I'd share some of it. Its a 20's age couple who got married in December and went to Haiti to teach and assist after their wedding. First, how impressive is that and second, I can't imagine going through what they are struggling with now. Anyway, their website is http://www.benandkatieinhaiti.com/.

Their is one part of their blog when she wrote "This morning at 5, same as yesterday morning, there were Haitian worship services around the neighborhood. In the ravine behind our house- where the destruction was total and Ben saw them pulling out bodies- they were singing "Count your Blessings". " Amazing . . .

On the homefront, I've finally got all the trim painted on my cabinets and the drawers painted and in place.My  home is to get the door fronts painted this week and hung.  Then they will be done.  Finally!

I've Made it Another Year - and No Hospital Stays for the Past Year

After having been in the hospital so many times over the past few years, it was so cool when I realized I hadn't been in one for a year.

Also this past month I hit a major milestone. No comment from the skinny ones, but I am down to a size 14. I haven't been there for 20 plus years.
I walked around doing a dance for the better part of a week.

My daughter surprised me and showed up for Christmas. I was on my dialysis machine when she called and said that her package for me should be on the porch. I told her I'd check when I was through my treatment. She finally admitted she was the package. She was here for a few days. It was great to see her. She is an amazing woman.

I've been struggling some over the past couple of weeks with depression. Part of it is just the amount of confusion at home. The cabinets in the kitchen are still dismantled and spread out over the family room.

This morning after praying, I turned on the music and just started working at it. I actually finished the trim tonight and painted the drawers. An accomplishment. But I'm ready to get it done and over.

Swine Flu

On Yahoo today in an AP article written by By Mike Stobbe, AP Medical Writer, I read that only 1/3 of Americans are able to get the swine flu vaccine. They showed a graphic (shown below).


It appears from the graphic that Texas and California got the largest number of vaccines. Texas got 1,170,400 vaccines. If that's the case, where are they? My doctors group hasn't been able to get the vaccine. My dialysis center said they had no allocations for in center patients, and only enough for 1/3 of the patients out center (those doing home dialysis). I've seen the Dallas County Health Department has vaccine for people living in Dallas County who are uninsured. What about the rest of the population?

The craziest thing I've every seen. Really kind of ticks me off. My husband's niece (also living in Texas) and her children all had the swine flu. My nephews In Utah and their wives and children also had the swine flu. Fortunately, they all survived it. I think this administration really dropped the ball on this. Sigh.

Cool thing, not for my cholesterol, but Sister Beetso taught us how to make fried Navajo bread this week.

Today was busy, my visiting teachers were here first thing this morning and then the Relief Society president was here.

They had a missionary zone conference today at our chapel. Our ward fed them lunch. I brought potatoes over and then came back to help at the end of the conference. It was amazing. The chapel was full of young men and young women serving as missionaries. The Lord's army.

I took the dogs for a walk and then got on my machine. I like it so much better when I get on earlier. Fewer mistakes.

Another new month - don't forget to change your clocks!

I can't believe its the end of October and that November is tomorrow. It feels like its been a long 10 months and yet it seems to have flown by quickly as well. They say the older you get the faster the days go by and they're right.

Since I last wrote many changes have taken place in my life. The sister missionaries from our church have moved into the spare room here at home. They are wonderful. They bring alot of energy into my life and are good company when Steve is at work. Last night was great. They had bought miniature candy bars and attached pass along cards to them and handed them out to the kids when they came ringing on the door for halloween. It was so cute, one little boy was so excited and said to his Mom "It's God Candy!"

When they moved in we had Sister Richardson and Sister Finnell. They did transfers last week and so now we have Sister Richardson and Sister Beetso. Sister Richardson is from Utah and Sister Beetso is from Arizona. Sister Finnell was from California.

We had the garage sale of all garage sales. We cleaned alot of extras out of the house and over two weekends sold made about $2000.

I have become more comfortable with dialysis at home. I'm not near as anxious when I get on any more.

They called me to be a family history consultant. I work at the Family History Library on Tuesday afternoons. So far its been fairly quiet while I am there. I ordered two tapes of information on Independence County Arkansas and went through them and don't find any records on my family there. What was interesting was that they were court records and I found alot of the same people on the court records. Unfortunately, none were mine.


Daylight savings time. I forgot to change my clocks last night. Its an hour earlier than I thought when I got up.