Old Shep

Taking a picture of Ellie laying in her box with "Shep" on the side of it reminded me of that song, "Old Shep". A few years ago, I was part of a group from church that went to a local nursing home where we sang and played music. Now we would endeavor to mix in some new songs with the old, mostly for the sake of the younger people who worked there, I suppose. BUT the older residents wanted nothing to do with them and invariably requested the old songs, which I love, too. "Old Shep" was a standard. We sang it everytime and it touched hearts everytime, including mine. We had a gentleman in our group that strummed the guitar and sang it in his beautiful baritone voice. In case you haven't heard it, I thought I would post the lyrics here for you. I'd post a video but I would want to listen to it first and am unable to do so. If anyone would want to find one and recommend it to me, I would gladly post it here! Thanks!
When I was a lad and old Shep was a pup,
Over hills and meadows we'd stray,
Just a boy and his dog, we were both full of fun,
We grew up together that way.

I remember the time at the old swimmin' hole,
When I would have drowned beyond doubt,
But old Shep was right there,
To the rescue he came,
He jumped in and then pulled me out.

As the years fast did roll,
Old Shep he grew old,
His eyes were fast growing dim,
And one day the doctor looked at me,
And said I can do no more for him, Jim.

With hands that were trembling, I picked up my gun,
And aimed it at Shep's faithful head,
I just couldn't do it, I wanted to run,
I wish they would shoot me instead.

He came to my side and looked up at me,
And laid his old head on my knee,
I had struck the best friend that a man ever had,
I cried so I scarcely could see.

Old Shep he has gone where the good doggies go,
And no more with old Shep will I roam,
But if dogs have a heaven, there's one thing I know,
Old Shep has a wonderful home.

Little does she know

I am dying laughing here! You seeeee.....Ellie, the kitty of the house, has a new box to lay in! LOL What she doesn't know is that it is a dog biscuit box AND it says "Shep" on the side of it!

Being the frugal people that we are, we had previously made her bed in a shells and cheese box, but she was gradually outgrowing it. Soooooo, when I saw carrying this box out of the pantry I stopped him and said, "Hey, that would make a nice bed for Ellie." AND when I saw what it said on the side of it, I was just struck with crazy laughter. And then when I saw her laying in it, that did it! Dying with laughter. AND Ed has been going throught he house saying, "Hey, Shep.." to her.

I have to make this quick!

Jaylon is napping in Grandma's bed and he is due to wake up just any minute! *whew* This has been an adjustment this week, taking care of a 6-week-old baby. But I love it and Ed helps me. BUT I'm still going to physical therapy AND carrying little Jaylon about, so my body is kind of rebelling against me.

I was in bed by eight o'clock Monday night! I couldn't stay awake or up any longer!! I tried to nap when Jaylon did but I found it difficult to relax for some reason. Tuesday, I did a little better, but today, with physical therapy again this morning, I am feeling drained. I did lay down with Jaylon for a little while but was not able to really rest because he squirms and makes little noises and I am such a light sleeper. But I wouldn't trade watching the little guy for anything!

The days go by so quickly and I do manage to keep things done here at home but I just can't believe how busy a little one keeps me. Of course, by saying "busy", alot of the time is spent holding and lovin' on that baby boy....*smile*.....AND feeding him AND talking to him. I can tell he is wanting to say something back to me soooo much 'cause when I am talking to him, he just squirms and stretches and moves his little mouth and tongue....it is sooo adorable! Just any day now he'll be cooing and making all of those adorable little baby noises. *smile*

I am getting so much stronger in my legs and back through doing my physical therapy. I hardly use my cane here at home any longer but with the snow and ice still lingering outside, of course, I use it when I go anywhere. I am so thankful for the progress I am making and I still am amazed that I am able to walk almost normally again. I feel like I have a new lease on life! BUT I am trying to pace myself and not get too carried away! *smile*

Well, I had better go because I haven't give much thought to what we are having for supper and the Main Man is going to be waking up soon. I hope you are all having a great week!!

What holiday are you?

I saw this at Barbara's blog and thought it looked like fun! I believe most of the info is accurate, except for the last one. I am fairly low-key when it comes to preparing for the holidays, so I don't know where THAT came from. *smile*

You Are Thanksgiving

You are a bit of a homebody who enjoys being in the company of people you love. It doesn't take a lot to make you happy. You're enjoying life as it is. You have many blessings in your life, and you are grateful for each one. You believe that life is about what you *do* have. You feel like you have enough of the good stuff. What makes you celebrate: Family, friends, and the changing of the seasons. At holiday get togethers, you do best as: The host of the party On a holiday, you're the one most likely to: Spend so much energy preparing that it's a full time job

What Holiday Are You?

Ellie roughing it

As you can see by this picture, Ellie, the kitty of the house, really roughed it during the past few days, dealing with the power outage, ice storm and all. *grin*

Playing catch-up

I'm so behind on my blog-reading. *sigh* I've tried to catch up but I'm thinking that perhaps I'll just start from here. I have managed to read most that I follow and leave a comment here and there.
Also, I've sorted through and read most of my email and responded to those that required it.
You see, I have my blog here which is my priority online. I also have a MySpace page which is probably my second online priority because I have so many family members there, friends and church family. Then I had to go and sign-up for Facebook! (What was I thinking?) AND lo and behold if there aren't a kazillion people THERE that I know. On the fringe I have a page at Everyone's Apostolic but I'm thinking about deleting it because I just don't have the time for it. Soooo, as I discuss it here, I'm thinking I am going to pare it down to just my blog, MySpace and my email because the MAIN MAN is coming to our house Monday morning!! That would be Jaylon Daniel Cavinee! *smile*
We will be taking care of the little guy Monday-Friday from about 7:15am until 5:30ishpm. Please remember to pray for us as we begin this new phase in our lives and also for Erin Maree as she goes back to work. I remember well just how difficult it was to go back to work and leave my little one even though he was being cared for by his "second mommy", his Aunt Sandy. I've also planned to fix supper for them two or three nights so they will have plenty of time to spend with their little guy when they get home. I'm confident all will be fine. It's just a matter of getting our routines down and so on.
Here are a few pictures of the snow and ice that we have here this week. Also, a couple of in-house happenings, too. *smile* We had minus something-or-other this morning. I opened the back door to feed Rocky this morning and I told Ed it looked and felt like outer Siberia! LOL Frigid and Frosty!!!! Brrrrr!!!!

The bailout in terms we can understand

How the bailout works..this is brilliant

We have all heard of the US bailout of the crooked banks.
And here is how the bailout works...something akin to Bailout for Dummies:
Young Chuck moved to Texas and bought a Donkey from a
farmer for $100.
The farmer agreed to deliver the Donkey the next day.
The next day the farmer drove up and said, 'Sorry son,
but I have some bad news, the donkey died.'
Chuck replied, 'Well, then just give me my money
back.'
The farmer said, 'Can't do that. I went and spent
it already.' Chuck said, 'Ok, then, just bring me the dead donkey.'
The farmer asked, 'What ya gonna do with him?
Chuck said, 'I'm going to raffle him off.'
The farmer said, 'You can't raffle off a dead donkey!'
Chuck said, 'Sure I can Watch me. I just won't tell
anybody he's dead.'
A month later, the farmer met up with Chuck and asked,
'What happened with that dead donkey?'
Chuck said, 'I raffled him off. I sold 500 tickets at
two dollars a piece and made $998.'
The farmer said, 'Didn't anyone complain?'
Chuck said, 'Just the guy who won. So I gave him his
two dollars back.'
Chuck now leads the US bank bailout team.

One of the best emails

I received this in an email today and just had to share it. It is soooo precious and funny, too. *smile*


An older, tired-looking dog wandered into my yard.
I could tell from his collar and well-fed belly that he had a home and was well taken care of.

He calmly came over to me, I gave him a few pats on his head;
he then followed me into my house, slowly walked down the
hall, curled up in the corner and fell asleep.

An hour later, he went to the door, and I let him out.
The next day he was back, greeted me in my yard, walked inside and resumed his spot in the hall and again slept for about an hour.
This continued off and on for several weeks.
Curious, I pinned a note to his collar: 'I would like to find out who the owner of this wonderful. sweet dog is
and ask if you are aware that almost every afternoon your dog comes to my house for a nap.'
The next day he arrived for his nap, with a different note pinned to his collar:
'He lives in a home with 6 children, 2 under the age of 3 - he's trying to catch up on his sleep.

Can I come with him tomorrow?'

Hellooooo from Hocking County!!

We have electricity again! Yayyyyyy!! *sigh* It started snowing first. Then the freezing rain and ice began sometime Tuesday evening....I'm pretty sure it was Tuesday....and continued through the night and the next morning and then came more snow. I'm so mixed up on my days, I'm not sure when it all started but we are doing fine.... much better than so many others, who still do not have power, heat, water. The town of Nelsonville and Buchtel still do not have power. And I've never known ALL of the Logan to be without electricity but it was certainly so yesterday. Here is a link to 10TV's coverage.

Daniel, Erin and little Jaylon came over and I fixed supper for us on the woodburner. Daniel said it was the best food he'd ever eaten! *smile* The next morning I fixed french toast, bacon and eggs, coffee. I told Daniel that I would have to fix steaks on the woodburner and have them over for dinner. Thankfully, I had kept a stovetop coffeemaker that we used when we used to go camping. It still makes great coffee! *smile*

I got to love and hug on that sweet little grandbaby of mine. Oh my. He is a darling, let me tell ya. *sigh* Here's a picture of him sleeping in the Pac and Play we have here for him:
And one of him on Grandpa Ed's lap:

Are you tired of baby pictures yet?

Like I think you are really going to be honest? *smile* Well, of course you will be, huh? *grin*
Here is an adorable picture I took of Jaylon yesterday as he slept on grandma's big bed:

Erin and Jaylon came over and had lunch with me and Ed yesterday. They spent the afternoon and then Daniel came home and had dinner with us. We had such a good visit and I could just hold that little bundle of baby forever! *smile* Jaylon just looks at me with those beautiful eyes and acts like he would just love to say something back to me when I'm talking to him. I love him to pieces!

Handbag stress

Beth, at A Mom's Life, posted a meme about handbags and I thought I would participate since I have been having "handbag stress" of late. *grin*
I have about six purses/handbags......okay, are they purses, handbags or what?......AND all of them are black. I figure black goes with everything and I don't change purses with outfits and shoes. I carry the same purse until it either wears out or I grow tired of it.
BUT, what do you do when you've purchased a new handbag and a day or few later you discover that you don't care for it? *sigh*
So, here's a picture of my current handbag:

Now, I don't necessarily go for "Labels" when looking for a purse but discovered Liz Claiborne purses at Value City in Lancaster and found that I like the way they were organized inside. They have a place for everything and so on and I could get them for half-price. Most generally I could purchase one for around $25-26.00. Wellllll, Value City went out of business, so what to do? I was needing a new purse and I just couldn't find one that I liked. Would you believe that I went to a yard sale at Nelsonville UPC and found this Liz Claiborne purse, brand new, for $1? I snatched it up! You can't see it too well in the picture but it has a zippered flap on either side and inside of each are little pockets for credit cards and so on but I don't use either. I just use the center inside and it is fairly organized though I am not particularly fond of this purse but I just haven't felt like looking for another one. I've thought of getting out one of my older ones but they all of little things wrong with them...that's why I bought THIS one when I did. *smile*

Anywayyyyy.....if you would like to participate and show off your current handbag/purse, here are the rules:

1) Post a picture of whatever bag you are carrying as of late. No, you cannot go up to your closet and pull out that cute little purse you used back before you had kids. I want to know what you carried today.
2) I want to know how much it cost:) And this is not to judge, because I’m honestly telling you I was ready to put down some cash; I just got lucky. This is for entertainment purposes only. So spill it. And if there is a story to go along with how you obtained it, I’d love to hear it.
3) Tag some chicks. And link back to this post so people know why the heck you’re showing everyone your diaper bag/non-diaper bag.

So, I believe I will tag: Becky, Liz, Tersie, Theresa, AND Chantell!

And finally....

A string walks into a bar. The bartender says "Get out, we don't serve strings in here." The string goes outside and thinks about it. Finally he has an idea. He contorts himself in a weird way, messes up his ends, and goes back in. The bartender says "Hey, aren't you the string I just kicked out of here?" The string says "No, I'm a frayed knot."

Go ahead....you know you want to groan or maybe laugh, but more than likely, it would be groan. In my neck of the woods, this is known as a "Jewel" joke. At least people are thinking of me , hm? *smile*

My friend, Theresa, who has a blog HERE, asked for a Jaylon update and I have been a bit lax here on my blog of late. Soooo, here goes!

He's doing wonderfully! He isn't gaining weight quite as fast as the doctor would like: 1/2 oz. a day, so Erin is going to increase his feedings. He is a contented little thing! :-) And strong! He just holds his little head up and pushes his legs and arms about!
He made his debut at church last night! Well, actually, he was at prayer Monday night, but there weren't as many people there, so he got the royal treatment last night! :-) Jaylon finally made it to church!! Yayyyyy!!!

I've had a busy week with physical therapy on Monday and Wednesday and it seems like just alot of little things to do in between, you know? But I'm not complaining because I am getting so much better and I am able to do so much more than I used to....by myself!! To God be the glory!!

Winter in Ohio

It's winter in Ohio.

And the gentle breezes blow,

Seventy miles an hour,

At twenty-five below.

Oh, how I love Ohio,

When the snow's up to your butt,

You take a breath of winter ,

And your nose gets frozen shut.

Yes, the weather here is wonderful,

So I guess I'll hang around,

I could never leave Ohio,

'Cause I'm frozen to the ground!!

~Author Unknown~

How neat is this?!

Ed and I went grocery shopping this afternoon and when we entered Walmart, the young man passing out the carts immediately went back, unplugged the motorized shopping cart, and got it ready for me! This young man was so used to me needing a cart BUT I no longer need it!!! Isn't that great???? I can now push a cart and walk all over the store!!! Almost pain-free! After all of these years of being in pain, to the point that I almost quit shopping altogether, I can now walk around a store with my cane or a shopping cart. Even sitting in one of the motorized carts long enough to do my shopping had become painful and riding in a car, so Ed was doing most of our errands and shopping. He never complained one time, either. He has been more than wonderful to me during these past few years when I have had to relinquish so many of things that I used to do, but I am gradually regaining the ability to do so many of the things that I like to do AND have to do. *smile* The Lord is so faithful and so unbelieveably good! I will praise Him for the rest of my days for making it possible for me to once again walk!

What a life! *smile*

Ellie, the kitty of the house.

Jaylon is home!!

Did we ever get a surprise last night!!! We came home from church and as we drove by Daniel and Erin's I said to Ed, "Wouldn't it be something if they had that little baby in there with them?" But we knew that that wasn't very likely. They had gone up to the hospital earlier in the afternoon to spend time with him and endeavor to get some of the paper work done and so on in order to bring Jaylon home today. Once we were home, we talked to Daniel on the phone and he said they would be over in a little while. We assumed that they wanted to talk to us about me taking Erin to the hospital tomorrow (Monday) morning so she could get everything done in order to bring Jaylon home TODAY. Daniel was going to leave work early and go to the hospital to bring his wife and baby home TODAY.

Wellllll.....a few minutes after ten last night, here they came in the front door carrying that little bundle of joy!!!!! We were over joyed, overwhelmed.....WOW!!!!! It's so unbelievable that he is finally home!!! Thank you, Jesus!!!

I am wanting to know.....soooo much....how their first night at home together went, BUT I know they need their time together this first night and day at home, so I will be patient. I WILL BE PATIENT. *smile*

I hope you are all having a wonderful Monday!!!

My favorite picture

I'll miss you, OSU Medical Center

Okayyyyy, I must tell the truth. It's the cafeteria that I'll miss most! (I can't believe I'm admitting this!! LOL) You see.....they have the most awesome, to-die-for Reuben Sandwiches!! Oh my word!!! On rye bread! Corned Beef stacked so high I can hardly get my mouth around it! Swiss cheese, lots of it, melted down over the sauerkraut, thousand island dressing oozing around the edges. *sighhhhh* Okayyyy....so you get this humongous, delicious sandwich accompanied by more Ruffles chips than I can eat AND a huge dill pickle spear.....all for the incredible price of $3.29!!!

Okay, I'm going off topic here for a second.......Ed just came back inside singing..."I'm dreaming of a white January 11th, just like the ones I used to knowwwww!" It's snowing AND cold AND windy outside and, well, that was just hilarious! LOL

Back to my food story: I mean, I love Reuben Sandwiches and I can get them at local restaurants here in Logan but not for $3.29!!!!!!! Hello!!!! Forget about the chips and pickle. Those would cost me like two or three dollars extra!

Okay, I'm done. I just had to share the experience with you. I feel better now. *grin* Oh, but they were soooo good. "They" meaning the two that I had during all of the days we were at the hospital. *sigh* BUT Jaylon Daniel is coming home tomorrow!!! And that's better than ALL of the reuben sandwiches in the world!!! *smile*

One more quick post!

Here's two new pictures of our beautiful grandson! He is doing so well! He is taking regular feedings now. He is in an open crib. He is not hooked up to anything now, though in the picture above he still has the PICC line in. Sooo, if all goes well over the weekend, Daniel and Erin will be bringing their baby boy home Monday!! And he now weighs 7lbs. 4oz.!

Ellie, the kitty of the house, has noticed a few changes taking place around the Cavinee household this past week. First, we now have a pack-n-play for when we start keeping little Jaylon here when Erin goes back to work.

Anddd...Erin brought this baby bouncer over. I got it put together, then placed it beside Ellie's box and next to the woodburner, for the time being. Ellie sniffed around it and checked it all out. She just can't figure out what is going on. *smile* Little does she know. .....*grin* Baby bouncers aren't for kitties.....they are for babies.

Please be gentle

I have wonderful news! I am doing wonderfully in my continuing recovery from two hip-replacement surgeries! My last one (the right side) was done on November 11. I am now walking with just a cane, most of the time. Sometimes, here at home, I take off without it. Meaning, I am walking so well, that I simply forget to grab it! I only use my rollating walker when I go to the grocery store, library or when I know I am going to be doing ALOT of walking.

That's my trusty cane in the picture. I believe it was Erin that pointed out to me that the handle was a snake's head! She's right! I hadn't even really noticed. I bought it a few years ago when I first needed assistance in walking. I bought it at a local craft mall and just liked the way the handle felt in my hand. Guess you could call me a "snake-handler"? LOL

I went for my first and only follow-up visit this past Monday and the doctor was simply amazed at how well I am doing.
He has prescribed physical therapy which I will begin next Tuesday here at our hospital in Logan. I will be going three times a week for four weeks.

I'm just a little anxious. I've heard these horror stories about physical therapy. That it is worse than the surgery and on and on. Now, I am not a wimp, okay? I've dealt with pain for the last 4-5 years. And then there were the surgeries. Someone actually asked me: "Is hip-replacement surgery very painful?" Uh....compared to what? LOL Uh......that would be a YES! They are very painful but very well worth it because I am now almost pain-free!!! The pain I have now is muscular because I have to get my muscle strength built back up again in my legs, hips and back and also my range-of-motion, which the physical therapy will indeed help me do.

Still, I don't want to be a wimp. I've heard that I will probably be dealing with higher pain levels once I begin therapy. I haven't taken pain medication for over a month except for an occasional tylenol. I've taken pain medication for 4-5 years!!! I am so grateful for the progress I've made and you wouldn't believe how fast I can go with my cane! LOL Don't worry! I'm very careful!!! *smile*

I know, I know...no pain, no gain. But just how painful might it be? I will probably just have to wait and see, hm? I know it will be worth it! To think that I might be walking without a cane before long!!!
Thank you, Jesus, for the surgeries I've been able to have, for the good doctors, for our insurance and for watching over me through it all and for my amazing recovery.

Okay, now about my purse

I endeavor to keep my purse organized. I really do. But somehow what I need at any particular moment seems to invariably end up on/in the bottom and I end up having to take everything out in order to find said item.

I've often said that I don't carry this purse for me. I carry it for everyone else. Examples:

"Honey, do you have nail clippers?" "Yes, of course, just a sec, honey."

"Mom, do you have a couple of quarters?" "Sure, here they are, sweetie."

"Does anyone have a bandaid?" "Yep, got one right here!"

"I need a needle and thread....quick!" "Here you go!"

"Hey, babe, do you have any lip balm. My lips are sooo dry." "Sure, let me get it for you."

"When, where and what time is that special service?" "Let me get my date book..."

"Do you know so-and-so's phone number?" "Let me get my address book..."

I could go on and on but the bottom line is: I don't carry this purse for me. I carry it for everyone else!! *smile* I don't mind though. I really don't. I would just like a little more understanding when I accidentally whop you in the back with it or when you might have to carry it for me while I get situated with my walker. (And the walker is almost history, everyone!!! Yayyy!!)

Or when I'm trying to situate it on the seat beside me or I'm driving and I ask whoever is in the passenger seat to please put it over there somewhere for me.

I've tried to downsize a little but I just feel comfortable with a certain size handbag. That way I am more confident that I will have what I need to take with me AND for those around me. *smile* AND you just never know what you're going to need or when you might need it! Always be prepared, is my motto!!! Have purse, will travel!! *smile*

Please pray for Denise

I have a dear friend, Denise, that I only know through blogging. Her blog is Shortybear's Place. She usually posts at least once a day and sometimes more. She has not posted since Jan. 1. I am a bit concerned as she has health issues as does her DH. Please pray earnestly for them both. I would appreciate it so much. And I am praying that we hear from Denise soon. She is such an encouragement and blessing to others through her blog and her comments on others' blogs.

A new blog find

I discovered Ivman's blog through Barbara's blog whose blog I found through a blog party or something that was sponsored by Five Minutes for Mom. You know how it goes! Anywayyyyy.....Ivman's blog is worth a look! I love humor. Have to have it. It's like I cannot live a day without laughing or smiling or finding humour in something. Well, Ivman has plenty of humor on his blog, let me tell ya! AND bits of wisdom, some recipes.....a little bit of alot of things. You MUST read his post about the medical field's take on the bailout of the financial giants and the auto industry.

The most recent update on Jaylon

I just got this email update from Erin's mother. Sounds like Jaylon is getting alot better as he is getting active and antsy. *smile* We will be going up tomorrow afternoon to see the little guy once again. Hope you are having a wonderful day!

"The baby is getting active and continuing to get better! X-Rays are being taken only every twelve hours and will soon be taken only once a day. The IV was finally put in his scalp and fed down to his chest cavity where the doctors want it. It should be good in that spot for fourteen days. The new plan is to give Jaylon antibiotics for seven more days and start feeding him a week from Saturday.

The poor little fellow is not happy with all his tubes and wires! He tries to remove the feeding tube from his mouth and takes off his heart monitor. The nurse has attached his pacifier to a towel hoping he will play with the towel instead of his wires and tubes. I would think the pacifier would be a little hard to suck with the tube in his mouth. Erin says he arches his back and rolls over from his stomach already. Evidently he is getting bored in his present situation and trying new things. J Erin also says he seems to realize he is supposed to be eating something, but he will have to wait."

Happy New Year

Ed and I spent the evening with Daniel, Erin and little Jaylon yesterday. We arrived at the hospital shortly before five, I believe it was. They were just starting to put a new IV in his arm, called a PICC. Well, he didn't want it in his arm apparently, because the nurse.....bless her heart....said he yanked his arm and made it virtually impossible for her to do. So she inserted it in the side of his head. The side that he is laying on in the picture above. This is inserted into his head and threaded down to one of the central veins in his chest. These IV's can withstand about 2 weeks of use if necessary and he won't have to be poked and prodded all the time getting new IV's every day or so. We can tell a definite improvement . He is more awake and lively now.

Well, last night when Daniel and I were in with Jaylon, he was just restless and you could tell that he didn't like the tube down his throat. I began humming "Rock of Ages" to him softly and almost immediately he quieted down, until, when I was finished, he was laying so peacefully with his little eyes closed. Daniel said softly, "Wow, Mom....". Yes, the soothing sound of a song can bring such peace. I did this many times with Daniel when he was little and restless or not feeling well. I would rock him and hum to him or sing softly. Or walk about, carrying him and singing to him softly. It quieted him almost without fail.

Daniel and Erin came by this evening when they arrived home and told us that Jaylon is doing so much better even today. He's more alert and active and he's awake more. They stayed at the Ronald McDonald House last night and are planning to stay tomorrow night as well.

Thanks to all you for praying for Jaylon. It means so much to us that you've taken the time to join with us in prayer for our precious little grandson. Goodnight and may your new year be off to a wonderful start!

The Horseshoe

On Monday, after we had spent time with Jaylon at OSU Medical Center, Daniel drove us around to the Shoe, Ohio State's Football stadium. I had never seen it up close. AND gate 17 just happened to be OPEN. Soooooo, Daniel and Ed went in first to make sure it was okay and clear. Then Daniel came back and got me. Wow......I could hardly believe that I was going to have to opportunity to walk on such hallowed ground. *grin* Above are pictures of me and Daniel in the Shoe. I have more to share but I won't torture you needlessly. *grin* I was surprised at how much smaller it seems in real life than what it is on TV.

Another update

Below is a picture of little Jaylon one of the few times that he's had his eyes open. Here he is on daddy's lap, sleeping.

And here he is being watched over by Grandpa Ed. In this picture, Jaylon was hooked up to a c-pap, stomach tube, and IV, among other things.

And below is his little foot in his daddy's hand. See how long his toes are? *smile*

Jaylon has been diagnosed with Necrotizing Enterocolitis. You can read about it here. As of yesterday evening, a bit of infection had been discovered so they were going to move his IV into a more mainline vein, possibly in his little head. At this point, the doctors have told us that any change in his condition for the worse will mean an immediate transfer to Children's and surgery.

We are still trusting the Lord to heal little Jaylon, so that he doesn't have to go through all of that. We will be going to the hospital later today to see our little grandbaby once again after we have our annual New Year's Eve Day lunch at Red Lobster with my brothers, sisters and our spouses. May each of you have a blessed and Happy New Year!

Jaylon update

Little Jaylon has been diagnosed with a small perforation in his intestine. Therefore, he is being fed intraveneously once again, has a tube in his stomach to relieve any air pressure that might build up, and he is in an incubator.

Daniel and Erin may stay at the Ronald McDonald House for the remainder of Daniel's time off of work, so they can be close to little Jaylon. He is still in University Medical Center but a shuttle runs every hour from the RMH which is by Children's Hospital to UMC every hour.
I sang "Jesus Loves Me" to little Jaylon today and told him that Grandma was going to teach him all kinds of songs about Jesus. I told him that he has looong fingers which are perfect for playing the piano like Grandma. And I touched his little toes which are soooo long, like his daddy's, and told him that Grandma was going to teach him the "little piggies" story, too and he pulled his little foot up like he's ticklish on his feet....like his daddy. *smile*
I told Daniel and Erin that I would try not to make him too ornery. *grin* Oh, but I love this precious little gift from God so much....already!!
He sleeps most of the time but he did have his little peepers open just a little so Grandma could see his little eyes. The doctor said he is sleeping most of the time because he is so tired from going through so much.
Please continue to pray for Jaylon and Daniel and Erin. I felt so sorry for Erin today. Please pray that the Lord would comfort and strengthen her. She is doing great physically. You'd never know that she had had a C-section one week ago.
Again, I'll keep you posted as to how our little guy is doing. Thank you so much for praying.

Pray for Jaylon

Daniel just called and said that he had just gotten off the phone with the hospital. He had called to inquire about how little Jaylon was. They told him that blood was found in little Jaylon's stool in the night. They told him it could be serious They are running more tests. They may have to transfer him to Children's Hospital. Please pray. The kids are devastated. They were sure they would be bringing their little Jaylon home today. But we serve a great and awesome God, Who is full of grace and compassion, Who is our Healer. Oh, precious Creator, touch and heal our little baby boy, in Jesus' Name.
"My God is so big, so strong, and so mighty,
There's nothing that He cannot do......"
I'll keep you posted, everyone. Thank you for praying.

Jaylon update!

Little Jaylon may be coming home today!! Daniel and Erin have to take a CPR class today. They have to do this before they can bring Jaylon home. The little guy has been nursing and breathing on his own. Last night Daniel said, "Mom, he made his daddy proud!" I said, "How's that, Daniel?" "Well, Mom, Erin had just fed Jaylon and was holding him up, patting his little back and he let out an awesome burp! It came like from his chest. It was a good one!" "It must be a guy thing, Daniel....", I said a bit quizzically. I can see where burping his ABC's might be in Jaylon's future. *sighhhhh* Yep, it's a guy thing. LOL

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So, Ed called Daniel after we got out of church and asked him how they were doing. Daniel said they had been trying to get out of the house for fifteen minutes, but it seemed Erin just kept forgetting things and they had to keep going back into the house. Well, this just isn't like Erin. Like Daniel, yes, but Erin? No. Ed said, "Maybe she's got that post-mortem depression stuff?" "Edddddd!!!! It's POST-PARTUM, post-partum!!!! Hellloooooo!!" Sheeeesh!!! LOL But we did have a good laugh over it!! I don't think it's post-anything......I just think she's probably tired and there is more to remember and to take now than before little Jaylon was born.

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Anddddd, yesterday in our little valley, we had a high of 76 degrees in the afternoon. Today? 52 degrees but it feels alot cooler because it is windy and I am freezing!!!!! I'm going to go and bundle up in bed and get warm!! Brrrrrr.......

Craws possed?????

Ed had stoked up the woodburner this morning, so Ellie, the kitty of the house, came in and got all settled down in her box in front of the stove. Ed went over to check the stove a little while later and noticed that Ellie had her paws stuck out over the edge of her box right next to the heat. He said, "Look, she's got her CRAWS POSSED...." WHAT????? I about died laughing! He honestly didn't mean to say it like that. He just got his tongue all tangled up.

Jaylon update!

First of all, Erin got to come home yesterday on Christmas day. She is doing so great. Little Jaylon is still at University Medical Center in Columbus in NICU, BUT, as of yesterday when the kids left the hospital, he was almost breathing on his own! Thank you, Jesus. We are getting ready to go up and see him with the kids. Grandparents must be accompanied by a parent in order to see the little ones.
Erin and Daniel got home last night at about 6:30pm. I know it was difficult for them to leave their little one but I just know that he's going to be coming home soon. All week I've just felt like I've had this invisible cord attached to my heart tugging at it and the tears have been close to the surface, many times spilling over. Oh, and Erin did finally get to hold her little son yesterday for the first time! I can only imagine how she must have felt.
I had two or three pictures to share but SOMEHOW! managed to delete them from my camera before getting them transferred to my computer! Talk about a ditz! That would be me.....sometimes! *smile*
Well, I must be off to get myself ready to go see the grandbaby AND who knows......perhaps we'll be bringing him home!!!

Little Jaylon

We went up to see Daniel, Erin and little Jaylon again today. Jaylon is in NICU still because of his oxygen level. Erin explained to us that he has a little tiny pin hole in one of his lungs that is letting oxygen escape, causing his oxygen level to be to low. The doctor said it could heal up and close over at any time, so not to worry. They see this quite often in little ones who are born a little early. Jaylon was born about two weeks early. When I was in the NICU with Daniel and Jaylon, I was able to get this sweet picture of them. Isn't it precious. The nurse said Jaylon was a "belly sleeper". He loves to sleep on is stomach. As you can see, they have him in a little oxygen tent. Daniel said they put the little "napkin" on Jaylon's back because he didn't like the plastic of the tent rubbing on his little back apparently. We would appreciate your prayers so much for little Jaylon, that the Lord would heal his little lung so that he can come home with Mommy and Daddy on Christmas Day. As always, I'll keep you posted on his progress.

Erin is doing wonderfully. I am so proud of her. I know she was so concerned about the pain and all that she might have to deal with but it has been minimal and she is doing well. She looked so pretty today. She and Daniel said that she has gotten so many compliments on her hair, how pretty it is. Daniel has been staying at the hospital with her and watching over her. My, but we do love these two precious kids. We call them kids....*smile*......but they aren't. Or at least they don't think they are. *grin*

It took us almost three hours to get home from the hospital this evening. Freezing rain started falling at about four o'clock, so we left immediately. The traffic was horrible. We crawled along on 670, 71 , 70, and then 33 until we got just south of Logan. There were times we were barely going 15 miles an hour! And there were accidents every where. I am so thankful that we made it home safely. I was soooo glad to get home! I was impressed with the caution and safety that most drivers were using. I drove because Ed has some difficulty driving when it is dark and raining where there is alot of glare from headlights and the wet roads. I am worn out, so I am going to get ready for bed and get some much-needed rest.

Jaylon Daniel is born!!

Jaylon was born at approximately 9am this morning. He weighs 6lbs. 10oz. and is 18 inches long. Because he was born C-section, his oxygen level was a bit low because he still had quite a bit of mucous in his lungs and such, so they moved him to NICU until they get this taken care. It is normal procedure for most babies born C-section. We just want to hold him! *smile* Hopefully, tomorrow will be the day!! Daniel got to hold him as soon as he was born, but Erin hasn't held him yet and I feel badly for her. Her doctor was a Dr. Samuels and he was wonderful! So upbeat and encouraging. Daniel said he sang Christmas carols while he was delivering little Jaylon. Dr. Samuels said Erin should be the poster child for C-section births because she did so wonderfully.

I'm a grandma!! *smile* I can hardly believe it! What a wonderful Christmas present, hm?
Everyone had gone back to check on Erin, so it was just me and Ed at the nursery window watching them tend to little Jaylon and we just looked at eachother and shed a few tears of gratitude and thanksgiving. How blessed of God we are.

I'll keep you posted and will have more pictures to share, I am sure! *smile* The Lord truly is good!

Happy 3rd Anniversary, Daniel and Erin!

We took Daniel and Erin out to dinner last night for their third wedding anniversary. They chose Texas Roadhouse and off we went. We had a delicious meal and great time of just visiting AND watching NC cleanup on Evansville AND seeing Tyler Hansbrough #50 break the scoring record of former NC player Phil Ford.



Anywayyyyyyy......we had a wonderful time and now it is on to wait for Monday to arrive! Erin is ready to have this little babino! Though I'm not so sure that he is gonna be so little. I am estimating him to be an 8-pounder, at least! We will all be at University Hospital in Columbus where she is scheduled to deliver at 8am.
This picture was taken some time ago, so her tummy is quite a bit bigger now. I love this picture of Erin! It was taken at her Grandma Pullin's. We have been blessed with a precious daughter-in-love.

What movie is your Christmas most like?

I saw this at Barbara's blog and thought it looked fun!

Your Christmas is Most Like: Miracle on 34th Street

Sweet and caring, Christmas is about helping for you. While Santa may not exist, you try to share his spirit.

What Movie Is Your Christmas Most Like?

Catching up....so here's some old news!

Hmmm......I thought I had posted Friday evening saying or perhaps it was Thursday, saying that I was going to be really busy for the next few days so don't be surprised if you don't hear from me. Oh, well, so much for that, hm? *smile*

It was a busy weekend, indeed!

We had our annual family Christmas get-together Saturday at our church fellowship hall. We had a wonderful time!! I had been wondering if we would have enough food because not everyone had gotten back with me about what they were bringing BUT did we EVER have enough food!! And it was delicious! You see, there are five of us "mothers" and our kids have tended to let us bring the majority of the food while they bring drinks and easy things but tis year, they all came bearing gifts of delicious food, bless their hearts!! *smile* Believe it or not, my favorite dish was my oyster stuffing/dressing. I make it every year for me and my two brothers and sisters. We are the only ones that like it. Our dad ALWAYS made oyster dressing at Thanksgiving and sometimes Christmas so I am trying to carry on the tradition. My brother-in-law got some really good pictures so once he passes them on to me, I'll post some here for you to enjoy! I was just too busy to be taking pictures! *smile*

We had a white elephant gift exchange. Now, I didn't expect to get anything lavish but a soy jar candle without a wick? Hello? LOL My niece suggested putting it in my candle warmer. That'll work! And something rather poignant happened.

One of my little, precious great-nephews got a really big wrapped gift. His younger brother wanted to trade him, thinking the big package HAD to have a better present in it than his little package. Well, the older brother didn't want to trade is BIG gift BUT, lo and behold, if the smaller package didn't have the better gift! Needless to say, Gabe was happy that he kept the smaller package.

This made me think of the birth of Jesus. All through the years, prior to His birth, the Jewish people had been told of His coming by the prophets. We read those prophecies now and wonder how in the world they missed it. They were expecting and no doubt desiring a king arrayed in majestic robes, wearing a crown, possibly carry a sceptor.....something flashy that appealed to the carnal nature of man, something or someone to be "proud" of, to brag about. But He came so unexpectedly, so humbly, as an innocent baby, in a stable, wrapped snuggly in a covering of some sort......(it makes me think of ALL the things parents have nowadays when they are expecting a baby....whew!)..... with just his mother and father present, surrounded by farm animals. Unnoticed. Just another baby.



But it wasn't just another baby born that night in Bethlehem. It was the greatest gift of all. Our Redeember. But because of the unattractiveness of the package He was delivered in and the humble way in which He came to His people at that time, He was rejected by most.......

....... like the "little, plain" gift on Saturday that was pushed aside for the "BIG, GAYLY" wrapped gift, which ended up being not so great after all.

Just a little perspective during this holiday season.

Paying the price

Going back to Tuesday......what a busy day it was!!! I always get up early. I am just an early-riser, by nature. So, by 6:30am, I was having my first hot, steaming cup of coffee and a cookie. I knew that I had to be up and at 'em because we had a health insurance seminar to atttend at 10:00am, once Ed returned home from transporting his students. After attending the seminar, we went to Walmart to pick up a few things, then it was back home. We had a lunch of chili and grilled cheese and then I needed to get some things ready for the ladies' meeting that night. Oh, and this being Tuesday, it had been four weeks since I had had my second (right) hip-replacement surgery. After being up early and going in town and all, I was pretty tired and feeling it BUT I pushed myself to get some things done before I laid down.....lunch, two games for the ladies' meeting, and I made a batch of seven-layer cookies. Finally, I laid down at 3:30 and died.....I'm serious. I barely remembered laying down and I didn't wake up until 5:00! I still had to make Teriyaki Stir-fry. So, I hopped up.....well, not actually hopped....you know what I mean. I got up and commenced to cooking. Finally, at about six o'clock, Ed helped me carry everything out to the car. Actually, HE carried everything out to the car. Oh, and I also took some Christmas decorations to decorate my portion of the tables. We do this every year, so the decorating doesnt' fall to one person to do. And we get to see some of eachother's decorations. Anywayyyyy......oh, and this was the first time I was attempting to drive anywhere by myself but I was pretty sure I could do it. Ed was fussing and fretting over me and telling me I should just stay home because it was cold and raining and the ladies would understand, but I told him I was sure I would be fine.
Sooooo.....I am fine driving and it actually feels kind of good to be out by myself for a little while. When I arrive at the church, a couple of the ladies come out just as I am pulling into the drive-through and they carry ALL of my things in for me so all I have to do is get myself into the fellowship hall which I managed to do without incident. But I do have to be honest and say that by the time I got inside, got all of my things situated...food, decorations, games......I was bone-tired, wishing I was home and in bed. *sighhhh* But I whispered a prayer and pressed on. We did have a beautiful time of fellowship, food, games, gifts, and memories but when we were finished, I very quietly gathered my things and kind of sneaked out and headed home.
Ed was waiting for me and helped me into the house along with the things I brought home. I headed straight for our bedroom and started getting ready for bed. I don't think there was a part of my body that did not hurt. I took a couple of pain pills and crawled in between the flannel sheets, Ed turned the ceiling fan on medium, told me goodnight and kissed me, tucked me in, that's the last thing I rememeber.
The next day......I just didn't feel well all day. I did get up and get dressed and did my hair, made myself presentable. But I laid down alot on Wednesday and rested.
Okay....I just tried to do tooo much on Tuesday. Entirely too much. I don't even know what I was thinking! So now we have our family get-together on Saturday and I have already made my mind up that I am taking it slow and easy. I've already got the nieces and nephews doing most of the work, so I just have to fix a ham and green beans and show up. Isn't delegating a wonderful feeling? *smile*
I don't know if I will ever be able to do all that I used to. I will just have to take it a day at a time, a week at a time, and so on.
I will tell you one thing: I so love my husband. He is my best friend in the whole world and he makes me laugh and he cares for me and takes care of me. What would I do without him?
One last thing: I bought a custom-made wooden cane many months ago before I got my walker, thinking it would help me in walking. At the time, it wasn't much of a help. I needed the stability of a walker. Well, I got this cane out today and tried it out. I can walk so evenly and well with it! Now, I don't feel quite as secure with it as I do with my walker, so I will just be using it here at home for short periods of time until I feel stronger and more secure with it. But I can walk at a more steady pace and more evenly with it than I can with the walker. I am sooooo happy about this new develpment! I'll keep you posted!

Christmas Bingo, anyone?

For the past few years at our Christmas family get-together, we have played Christmas bingo. The little ones love it! And alot of the oldersters, do too! :-) I found a great website where you can make free, printable, custom bingo cards/papers. I fill in the blanks with familiar Christmas words, songs and sometimes the names of the children. The kids love it when their name is called. This is only applicable for the really young ones. The teens? Not so much. *grin* Anywayyyyy......we have so much fun playing this! Last year, we ran out of prizes, so we all through our change and one-dollar bills into a pile and, of all things, our sister Debbie won it!!!! And the really neat thing is....she hadn't won anything up to this point AND she is on a limited income so this really was a blessing to her. We all just cheered and hoorahhhhed for her. It was a great ending to a wonderful time together!
My sister, Bev, and I buy ten "prizes" each at dollar stores and, I tell you, the way some people go after these prizes, you would think they were real treasures!!!!! It is so much fun!!!!
This first website has bingo cards with Christmas symbols on them. This second site is where you can make the customizable cards by typing in the words you wish to use. I hope this comes in handy for some one!!!

Busy, busy!!

Okay, so yesterday, I just wasn't feeling well. I think I may have overdone it on Sunday and paid for it somewhat yesterday. So today, I am feeling much better and have lots to do for our ladies' Christmas party at church tonight. BUT, after going to a healthcare insurance seminar this morning, then to Walmart, fixing lunch here at home and doing a few other things after getting home, I am sooooo sleepy! I HAVE to take a nap! Hopefully then I will feel like doing what I need to do to be ready for tonight!! It's the most wonderful time of the year!!!! *smile* Yesss!!!!

ANOTHER recipe!

Erin and little Jaylon's baby shower was this past Friday night (I'll post pictures later!). Erin's mother prepared a wonderful buffet table of food. One of the desserts was a white cake with white topping and toasted coconut. I thought it looked okay but not being a big dessert fan, I passed it by. Later, while Erin was opening her presents, I thought I would have a piece of this cake with a cup of coffee. Well....let me tell you.....this cake was scrumptiously delicious! It was rather surprising. I thought I was just going to get a piece of white cake with coconut on top but it was so much better than that! So I asked for the recipe and Erin's grandmother had made it. Enough said! She is a wonderful cook. So, here is the recipe and I plan to make it for our ladies' Christmas party at church which is on Tuesday night.

White Coconut Cake

1 White Cake Mix/ Prepared as directed in 9x13 pan or dish
1 can of sweetened condensed milk
1 cup of coconut milk
1 container of Cool Whip
Toasted coconut

Bake the cake as directed. Mix together the condensed milk and coconut milk. Pour over the cake while it is still warm. Refrigerate the cake till cool. Top with Cool Whip and coconut. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
The two milks poured over the cake end up making a luscious gooey layer on the bottom of the cake. It is wonderful!

Denise at Shorty Bear's Place, blessed me with this Christmas Spirit Award. We've just gotten to know one another through our blogs and she is a sweet person.

Thank you so much, Denise, for touching my heart. The rules are to tag someone with this award that I know loves Christmas, and has Christmas spirit. They must link back to my blog to indicate where they were tagged, and they need to add 1 to 45 reasons why they love Christmas. So here goes!

Why I love Christmas:

1. I get to celebrate and remember the birth of my dear Saviour, the Lord Jesus.

2. The sights and sounds of Christmas just seem to make the world a better place.

3. It is the one time of the year that all of my family gathers together and we have such a wonderful time. I get to see all of my precious great-nieces and nephews that I sometimes don't see except at Christmas.

4. I love the lights and decorations here at home especially when it is snowing and cold outside like it has been this year, since the beginning of November!!! Oh, but the house feels so cozy and warm and delightful!

5. The food. And the food. Oh, and did I say I looooove the holiday food!?!?!?!

Now, I take great pleasure in tagging the following people: Sis. Elms, Barbara, Sis. Smith, Sis. Hurst, AND Theresa!

Recipes

I thought I would share two more recipes with you that have proven to be favorites here in our circles of friends and family. One is a fruit cheeseball and the other is a dried beef cheese ball.

Fruit Cheeseball

1 8oz. pkg. of cream cheese
1 small pkg of vanilla instant pudding
1 regular size can of fruit cocktail/drained completely

After draining the fruit cocktail....I have even blotted it with paper towels to make sure I get all
of the liquid out.....mix the above three ingredients thoroughly. Then you can either roll the cheeseball in crushed cinnamon graham crackers or pecan pieces.
A couple of variations I've done is it to add pecan pieces to the cheeseball itself. Also, I have rinsed maraschino cherries and dried them to keep the red from bleeding into the other ingredients, then added the additional cherries to the cheeseball. I always add extra maraschino cherries to fruit cocktal or whatever else I'm using them in....*grin*. When I've added the pecans and cherries to the cheeseball, I haven't rolled it in anything because I think it is pretty just the way it is. Also, this year, if I make this cheeseball, I am going to use white chocolate instant pudding so as to keep the cheeseball nice and white. The instant vanilla pudding tends to color it a kind of creamy white color. Just some thoughts.
Oh, and I serve this cheeseball on a pretty platter with cinnamon graham crackers arranged around it.
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Dried Beef Cheeseball

2 8oz. cream cheese
1 pkg. of dried beef cut into very small pieces
1/2- 3/4 cup minced onion
1-2 tbsp. of Miracle Whip
Options:
1-2 tbsp. of Liquid Smoke
1 cube of beef boullion dissolved in just the smallest amount of water
1 envelope of Knorr's vegetable dip mix

Mix thoroughly the cream cheese, minced onion, Miracle Whip and dried beef. I have added all three of the optional ingredients and I have used only one of them at a time in cheeseballs I have made. So have fun and give it all a try!!! Oh, and I roll this cheeseball in parsley flakes sometimes, while at other times I don't roll it in anything because I think it is pretty as is, especially if I include the Knorr vegetable seasoning. Enjoy!

Smoked Tuna Cheeseball

Wow, I sure am putting alot of recipes on here lately, hm? But it IS that most wonderful time of the year, isn't it? Food, food, food! Parties, banquets, and get-togethers. Well, I make a cheeseball that many people have complimented me on and my friend Pat wanted the recipe so I thought I would share it with all of you. It is addictive, so you have been warned! *smile*
Originally, it was a recipe for a smoked salmon cheeseball but since I didn't have any salmon at the time, I used tuna and it worked out great so mine is now:

Smoked Tuna Cheeseball

2 8oz. pkgs. of cream cheese
2 heaping tbsp. Miracle Whip
1/2 - 3/4 cup minced onion
2 cans of tuna in oil/ drained completely
(I prefer tuna in oil because I think it has more flavor)
2 tbsp. Liquid Smoke
Mix all of the above ingredients together thoroughly.
Shape into a ball. Roll in parsley flakes.

Some variations I have done is to add a package of Knorr's vegetable dip mix. Also, I have added parsley flakes along with everything else and then rolled it in parsely flakes, too.
You can also roll the cheeseball in nuts or anything else you like, but I prefer the parsley flakes. Oh, I think I've also added a beef boullion cube, too, once or twice but with the Liquid Smoke,
I didn't really feel it was necessary. So, there you have it! My nephew, Troy, made these and sold them at Discover Card in New Albany where he used to work.....he is starting nursing school in January....yayyyy, Troy!!!.....he sold gazillions of them! I think to the point that he doesn't care if he ever sees one again in his entire life!! *smile*
I also maked a chipped beef cheeseball, so if you would like the recipe for that, let me know. Ohh, AND a fruit cheeseball. Oh my! I almost forgot about that one!! Talk about yummy!!!! Whew!!!
IT IS the most wonderful time of the year....as I sit here and watch the snow falling outside my window!!! *smile*

A Peters' family tradition recipe

My maiden name is Peters just in case some of you were wondering where the name fits. *smile* Anywayyyyy, many moons ago, my mother began making this dessert for family gatherings and then my sister-in-law Cheryl began making it. We can't have a family get-together...mostly, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.....without having Cherry Whip and no one can make it like Cheryl or as Mom did. Isn't it weird how not just anyone can make some dishes, no matter how hard we try?
Here is the recipe for you to try....it is worth the effort!


CHERRY WHIP
2 cups Graham cracker crumbs
1 stick of butter/margarine
3 Tbs. of powdered sugar
2 envelopes of Knox gelatin
2 pkgs of Dream Whip
1 cup of cold milk
2 tsp. of vanilla
1 cup of sugar
11 oz. of cream cheese
2 cans of cherry pie filling
Mix graham cracker crumbs, butter, powdered sugar, 1 envelope of
Knox gelatin and pat into a 9 X 13 dish. Sprinkle one
envelope of Knox gelatin over this and set aside.
Mix 2 pkgs. Dream Whip and 1 cup of cold milk. Beat until stiff peaks form.
It is best to beat the Dream Whip in a bowl that has been chilled
in the freezer for awhile. Add 2 tsp. vanilla and the sugar. Add
cream cheese that has been softened and creamed.
Put this mixture on top of the graham cracker crust.
Top with two cans of cherry pie filling. Refrigerate until thoroughly
chilled.
This is so refreshing. It is like a lite version of cherry cheesecake.
The filling is light and fluffy!
Enjoy!!

Super easy cookie recipe!

This is just about my guys' favorite cookie! And it is sooo easy to make!

CREAM CHEESE COOKIES


1 BOX OF YELLOW CAKE MIX
1 8oz. PACKAGE OF CREAM CHEESE
1 EGG
1 TSP. OF VANILLA
EMPTY THE CAKE MIX INTO A MIXING BOWL.
SOFTEN THE CREAM CHEESE IN THE MICROWAVE.
BEAT THE EGG AND ADD TO THE CAKE MIX.
ADD THE SOFTENED CREAM CHEESE AND VANILLA.
MIX THESE INGREDIENTS TOGETHER THOROUGHLY.
THE DOUGH WILL BE PRETTY STIFF.
YOU CAN DROP THE DOUGH ONTO A GREASED COOKIE
SHEET BY THE TEASPOON OR MAKE OUT
LITTLE PATTIES ABOUT THE SIZE OF A
FIFTY-CENT PIECE. BAKE AT 350 DEGREES OR UNTIL
BROWN ON THE BOTTOM. DON'T OVERBAKE.
THESE ARE SO EASY AND SO DELICIOUS!

Suggestions please

I have a dear friend that I would like to help in some way. You see, all of her children are grown and married and she now has several precious grandchildren. This friend's husband left her several years ago, leaving her to finish raising their three boys who were still at home, while her oldest child, her daughter was married and no longer living at home. My friend has been a teacher's aid in a local school system where she works with and signs for deaf students. She is a wonderful, compassionate christian woman and I cherish her friendship.
The difficulty is that she has does not have any money for Christmas. I'll be honest here and say that she does not do the best job of managing her money. She's talked to me repeatedly about this but in my efforts to offer her some sound advice, she usually comes up with reasons for why she does the things she does financially and so on.
Anywayyyyy.....the question.....what can she do for her children/grandchildren for Christmas that doesn't cost alot of money? Of course, the other grandparents involved DO have alot more money than she does and this always bothers her, making her feel like she HAS to do something, i.e. spend money on her kids and grandchildren that she doesn't really have.
We were talking yesterday and she was telling me that most of her grandchildren have need of nothing.......we all know how that is.......but they still expect things and gifts and money at Christmas and birthdays.
My friend is a wonderful grandmother. She spends time with her grandchildren and loves them to pieces. I just want to help her so that she doesn't go into debt getting things for her children and grandchildren that they don't need and she can't afford.
And, yes, I know I can offer all of the suggestions in the world and she may select to go ahead and do it her way, anyway, but I thought I would try to offer her some alternatives.
Any ideas, anyone? She has seven little grandsons under the age of ten. She has one granddaughter that is 2 and the other one is 16.