NANA NOTES

ALWAYS EXCITEMENT AT COTTON BRANCH!!

There's a website here called "You know you live in Franklin County if".  This is one of those things!!  Ed has had a friend from Virginia here riding bicycles with him getting ready for the Ride the Rockies ride in June.  They have ridden every day and left to go on their ride on Tuesday.  Not to long after they left the phone rang.  Ed said, "we just met this guy at Fenn's riding a bicycle. I'm sending him to the house to take a shower and we're feeding him steaks for supper."  You know the next words out of my mouth!!  He convinced me it was ok and Ryan was here with me so we went to the barn and sure enough, there stood a nice looking young man with a bicycle.  His first words were, "you husband didn't call you."  I said that he did and we introduced ourselves.  We brought him up to the house, he took a shower and came down to visit with Ryan and me.  I asked him how he got here. He was riding from Chicago to Mobile.  My response was, "obviously no wife and no job!" He said, "understanding girlfriend and between jobs." Lawyer by profession he was changing firms and had talked them into a couple of months break. He usually hikes but decided to ride his bike to see if he could do it.  I can't remember his specific route but he had left Nashville and ridden the entire Natchez Trace to Natchez. What a beautiful ride that must have been!!!  He rode by day and camped out by night. He's ridden 50-60 miles a day except for Easter Sunday and one day that it rained all day.  I wonder what he thought when Ed and Jim turned around and asked him if he wanted to come here? He did say that it was an invitation too good to refuse. Matthew John McDonald, lawyer from Chicago and new friend of Cotton Branch!!  Linda got here before Matt left. She is never surprised at what goes on at the "Branch". She watched him pack his gear.  He had a sleeping bag, books, a small cook stove and clothes. He bought food and drinks as he rode. After gearing up Matt was ready to take off. I said my goodbyes and left for wound care. I couldn't watch him leave. He had been fed a great steak dinner, chocolate pie and homemade ice cream, a full Southern breakfast and given a Cotton Branch tshirt to remember us.  His next stop was Bogalusa, LA and then on to Fairhope, AL to see his Godchild that he'd never seen.  Our prayers go with you Matt McDonald!!  Without a step of faith we'd never had you in our life.  What a blessing we would have missed!!  God speed and safe travel!!  I hope we hear from you some day!!

Girlfriends Week!

Three weeks ago five of us escaped to the beach. There were three conditions for going--you could only take pajamas and movies and one outfit to wear out to eat for a celebration! The weather kept changing so we didn't know what to take anyway. Piper went with us an we loaded up to go. We left at 10:00 AM and got there in time for the AL/LSU game! Did I mention stopping at every Michaels and Hobby Lobby on the way? It rained all day Tuesday--very hard and then the cold came in. Not a problem for us--remember--pjs and movies! We had wonderful homemade bread, soups and salads--every meal a gourmets delight. In all we watched 12 movies, stayed up late, laughed until we cried and celebrated a birthday. Four of the five are cancer survivors, two have lost their husbands and we are all Christian ladies. Three of us go to the same church and are related (by marriage or by blood); the other two go to church together. Two of us have the same mother--we just don't know which one (figure that one out!!) we are all sisters in love and have a great time together. Until I find my camera I can't show you the girls but I can show you some of the food.  We bought cupcakes on the way down to have for dessert that night for the game.  I will entice you with the names--top to bottom, left to right:  lemon cream, strawberry, red velvet with vanilla buttercream, chocolate with salted caramel, carrot with cream cheese, and pound cake with vanilla buttercream. Good doesn't even begin to describe them!!     This is the wonderful tomato bisque that Pat makes.  The salad is my baby greens with pears, caramalized nuts and sweet tea vinagrette.  We enjoyed turnip green soup and corn bread one night. On Charlotte's birthday we went out to eat and I had Fried Green Tomatoes with crawfish sauce!!   They were better than delicious.  The movie "Joyful Noise" followed that meal and we ended with salad and baked potatoes for dinner.  I will not mention the Black Jack Cherry Frozen Yogurt we had several times during the week!!  Piper took good care of us during the week.  She loved posing in her new PINK halter.  She loves the beach because she gets to ride the elevator.  I still haven't found my camera.  I haven't been back to the beach and have attended two weekend scrapbook events. Talk about moaning!  I really hope it's at the condo!!

The girls had a great time and look forward to going back again soon. I look forward to blogging about my LAST weekly chemo treatment tomorrow!!  Talk to you soon.

 

FED US PHEASANT!!

Ed and Jody went to South Dakota several weeks ago on a pheasant hunt.  You can see that they did well.  Jody had cooked some before and told us how to cook them.  Ed went shopping for all the supplies and fixed them for the Herring Bicycle Team.  Being prepped for the grill.  Peppers, onions, tomatoes, bacon, pheasant, pepperjack cheese and Italian dressing. Finished dish!!  They were "Phabulous"!!  None left to snack on the next day!!

Footnote:

Dr's visit went well.  Counts were up a little and CAT scan is planned for Monday. Dr. visit on Tuesday.  He considers me to be "stable". When we see the results of the CAT scan, he will decide on treatment changes if any.  I get next week off--yea!!

Please pray for Libby's mom, Eunice Norton.  She will be having hip replacement surgery on Wednesday of next week.  She is one of my "other mothers".  :)

AN UPDATE FOR FAR AWAY FAMILY. . .

 

Today I had treatment and was dressed to go. I asked Linda to take my picture because Ididn't have one of "this time". She was sweet enough to do it for me. Since I'd just had the side entrance fixed for a get together, we decided to make it there.  The pink pumpkin is one of two I painted and "blinged" for Halloween.  Totally doesn't go with Halloween, but goes with my way of thinking these days.  I'm wearing more hats than caps and am enjoying them.  Libby and I have shared all our bandanas, etc.  We've had enough of this sharing things we don't want to be wearing!!  BUT, we are grateful to be able to do it for each other.  I can still stand and so far have not lost of gained any weight.  That to me is a good thing. My CA 27-29 went down a month ago nearly 20 points so next week I am looking forward to hearing another drop.  My white count is up and that means I don't miss treatment. Haven't made any lasting friends at chemo this time. The mother of a friend of mine at church who passed away takes treatment but we've only hit twice on the same day.  She's a sweetie.  I guess the point of this post is to tell you "far away family" that I am fine. I still need your prayers and I love you and miss you and hope to see you soon.

A little addition:  We've had two deer since late June.  They are up to 15 gallons of milk a week. I am ready for them to leave.  They are eating well on their own and are fat and healthy.  Ed let them out today but they won't go.  I took these pictures when I got home from treatment. 

This is LuLu (aka Morgan).

This is Lacy.

They have a wonderful place to go (providing they haven't eaten my new pansies and my gerber daisies in the morning!!)  It's full of corn and acorns and deer for them to buddy up with. There's no hunting in this area so they will be fine and be able to produce babies.  They have a good home.

BLESSINGS sung by Laura Story

A friend gave me a CD she had made for another friend of ours. This was the first song on the CD. It has unbelievably touched my heart. I hope as you read the words it touches yours too. I pray that it helps our friend as she goes through her "trials".

Blessings

We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know the pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise

ONE BEAUTIFUL DAY!!

There's not enough time or space to write about the wedding. God blessed us with a beautiful day and wonderful family and friends to share the day. It lasted until the wee hours and on into Sunday. The pictures only tell part of the story!! https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=576241373#!/media/set/?set=a.10150212179691374.311067.576241373 Click on the link and then click on the first picture. That will make them bigger and you can move through the arrows to see the pictures. Hope you enjoy them.

A VERY BUSY WEEK

I knew it was going to happen. I would have bet money on it! The corn came in and we did 1050 ears in two days. Thank goodness the boys were around and we had a guest along with the regular faithful helpers. I felt sorry for our guest but that's country life. I was just glad it didn't come next week. I didn't get a picture even though Linda reminded me that we "always have a corn picture". Last week also included two doctor's appointments along with regular errands and wedding "to do's". The sprinkler system had some broken heads and I had to have that seen about; the ice maker at the barn went out and I had to make an "executive" decision about that while Ed was out of town--he did call for me to confirm it though. Ben and Sam both had "last" ballgames and I made both of them. I have signs to finish and legs to glue on the cake stand. Haleigh came with her mother and the wedding director and the kinks were worked out--hopefully. Ryan and Haleigh have been moving into their home and getting ready. I'm waiting on some UPS or FedEx deliveries, flower pickup, and tables and chairs. Enough of the work stuff!! Today we had a "Pink Party" for Charlotte, Ed's cousin who is going through breast cancer. Several of us decided to surprise her and we actually pulled it off!! She didn't have a clue. We had a wonderful morning at her daughter-in-law's home with friends. We surrounded her with prayer and fellowship--and don't leave out the wonderful brunch food!! 

charlotte arriving and being totally surprised!!

 

 

 

 

 

A group of us surrounding her to pray for her.

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the prayer Charlotte released the balloons. The wind carried them up and away!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the balloon release we all went in for a delicious brunch and the opening of gifts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charlotte's favorite thing is "JOY" so there were several things with joy on them.  She got lots of books, lotions, caps, pj's and things to help her through the next few months of getting over her surgery.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charlotte (in the middle! with her daughter in law Kristie (left) and her daughter Christy (right). Three beautiful and sweet ladies!

I took lots of pictures of every one there and will fix an album later.  I just wanted to catch you up on the "week before the week" of the wedding!!  Seven days to go!!

TWO WEEKS LEFT!!

Two weeks from yesterday we are getting a granddaughter-in-law. It's not like something new is about to happen, Haleigh has been around for three or four years and is already a part of our family. The day Ryan told us they were engaged, I was totally shocked. No one knew it was happening except for her Dad. I don't know why we were all so surprised. That was over a year ago and the time has flown by. I've enjoyed helping Haleigh with the planning of the wedding. I've had time to work on things while she went to school and worked. We've spent many hours upstairs on Thursday afternoons. I know Ryan is my grandson and not my son. But---we kept him for four years before he started kindergarden and have seen him practically every day of his life. I haven't missed a day (almost) of talking to him. Our bond is strong. I know the old saying, " a daughter is a daughter all of her life, but a son is a son until he takes a wife". Maybe a grandson is your grandson forever!!  I'm looking forward to June 11, 2011 because I get my fourth granddaughter and a whole new chapter starts at Cotton Branch!!

OH MY, OH ME!

Where this you see there used to be, a beautiful big green oak tree!  I'm not a "tree hugger", I'm just not a fan of cutting trees. This big old oak tree has been here for longer than most of us.  It should have been cut when we built the house but no one wanted to do it.  Then, along came the garden and the orchard and they began to flourish.  The poor blueberries were leaning to the north for sun because the tree was shading them out.  I finally caved--my head knew it had to go but my heart was fighting it.

This is the view from the upstairs window this morning.   
 
The sun can now get to the garden and the blueberries and raspberries will be happy and all is well on Cotton Branch!!
 
 

MUMC SHOWER FOR HALEIGH AND RYAN

Meadville UMC Celebration Committee hosted a lovely shower for Haleigh and Ryan on April 3. Look on the blog albums for the 2011 Shower for Haleigh and Ryan and click on it.  You can see all the pictures. Click on them to see them larger. Thank you wonderful church family for loving our children.

REST IN PEACE OUR SWEET SADIE

 April 6, 2009 - December 25, 2010
During our Christmas morning festivities Sadie went outside. Evidently she thought she saw a truck leave the house that was one of ours. A very sweet friend of ours called us and told Ed she was on the highway.  There have been very few dry eyes at our house today. Sadie was Ed's best friend even though she was my dog. She went with him everywhere and he misses her terribly already.  Please remember us and Sadie in your prayers. Pets and their families have a special bond.  Sadie is following Jesus around tonight hoping to go for a ride in his Polaris Ranger.  I'm sure he won't disappoint her.  Papa never did.  We love you, Sadie.
 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEN!

Wasn't it just yesterday that we celebrated Ben's 11th birthday? All the grandchildren seem to be growing up so fast! Today is Ben's 12th birthday and he got the surprise of his life. Ed has taken the boys on their 13th birthday to West Texas to mule deer hunt. He surprised Ben a year early and is taking him tomorrow!!  He's only flown once and has never seen any landscape like he will see when he gets to Texas. Both Ryan and Graham killed a mule deer (and so did I!!). He's outfitted and ready to go.  He's spending the night and I'm fixing him breakfast in the morning at 4:30 AM before they leave.  That's love,Ben! I don't get up at 4:30 AM!!  Here he is clowning tonight with his brother in his new Brees jersey.

I pray for a safe trip and a fun time with memories made with his few days with his Papa one on one.  Get a big one, Ben!  Happy Birthday! 
 

MY BEST FRIEND'S (son's) WEDDING

I just sort of skipped over this Saturday post. For some reason the week after the wedding was hectic for everyone.  Ed was out of town and I spent a lot of time with Libby getting ready for the rehearsal dinner and taking some pictures of the rehearsal and wedding.  I've known Libby's children since they were young and Sonny since before he was born. He has been a blessing to Libby. Megan has become a very good friend and I got to help her with the wedding--I was the "researcher" while she was finishing up her Master's Degree. I researched flowers, cakes, candy, invitations, napkins, food--almost everything.  I made her Bridesmaid's gifts and loved doing it.  The wedding was beautiful and very sweet.

Bride and bridesmaids at the rehearsal. (Megan has on a long dress.)

Libby and me before the wedding. Doesn't she look beautiful? I had the pleasure of going with her to pick out her dress. It was my favorite color and she looked great in it!  Beautiful mother of the groom!!

The candy station!!  I loved this and plan to use this idea soon. 

 Their cake was  beautiful and delicious. It had two lemon filled layers (and everyone knows that Libby and I love lemon filling!!), a raspberry filled layer, red velvet, and Italian cream. The purple crystal "B" was gorgeous!

Beautiful bridesmaids!

The handsome groom with his beautiful bride. They made it to their honeymoon destination, had a great time and have returned to the "real" world. Thank you both for letting me be a part of your special day.

Just thought I'd show you the towel wraps. Cute and colorful! 
 


 
 


 
 
 
 

MY GUYS (at least some of them)

I had an early wake up this morning due to the fact that some of the guys were going on a little trip. Josh left to go to a race and Ed and Ryan went to look at cattle.  They all were like excited little boys--couldn't wait to get loaded up and get on the road. They did "pose" for me before they left!

 
 
I gave them my usual "be safe, buckle up, don't drive fast, be careful" speech and let them go. I'm sure they will let me hear from them later.

ANSWERED PRAYERS!!

We've been seeing the sign on First Baptist Church McComb about Selah coming to do a concert there. Jennifer mentioned about trying to get tickets but we discovered they were long sold out.  She and Jackie put their names on the waiting list--just hoping.  Well, actually we were all praying.  I tried to find someone who could help us but had no luck. Today Jennifer and Jackie both got calls that they each had two tickets. We had no problem getting someone to go!

Ed took this picture of four happy ladies! Tickets in hand, we set out to get good seats!!  Can you say "fourth row" center!!  We all had our kleenex stash and were ready!

Alan, Amy and Todd--need I say more!

The testimonies these guys gave were tremendous! As Pat said, "we're having some CHURCH up in here"!
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pat and I think we should get Alan and Sarah Davison together to play dual pianos!!

Powerful voices with a powerful message.  I am so thankful that God answered our prayers and sent those tickets our way.  The messages we received from the music and testimonies were more than we could have asked for.  Thank you God for allowing us to enjoy this amazing concert.

MEMORIAL DAY 2010

Ed and I are watching the Memorial Day Celebration on MPB television and I am so emotional. The stories, the songs and the people are so inspiring. I am so thankful that my grandfathers, my uncles, my dad, my father-in-law, my husband and my son served our country and made it home safely. So many didn't.  Thank all of you who fought for our freedom. You are remembered and prayed for and appreciated daily.

 

 

 

 

'TIS FINISHED!!

I got a call from Josh today asking me if I had checked my email. I had but nothing unusual on there.  He said to check it again so I did.  This is what I saw.

After graduating from CoLin and working [for more years than I remember] and joining the Army and surviving four tough years, he decided to go back to school.  As you can see he now has a degree from the University of New Orleans with a major in History.  We're very proud of him.  Two Belhaven graduates and one UNO graduate.  We are blessed indeed!!

BFF's LAST CHEMO! YEA!!

Monday was a celebration day! Libby had her last chemotherapy treatment. Our lives have been consumed for the last two years with trips to the doctor.  We only know how to get there and back!!  We went with each other when we could and were always there to lean on. She's held on like a trooper and made it with a smile on her face.  We look forward to hair-growing, eyelashes and trips to anywhere-as long as it's not a doctor!!  The final injection.

 Tiffany is a wonderful chemotherapy nurse. She told us she never wanted to see us in that room again!  We both agreed--at least not as patients!!

GOOD FRIDAY GARDEN!!

Every good country gardener knows that Good Friday is the day to plant the garden. Ed had this uncontrollable urge to "get it done" yesterday. He got the raised beds cleaned out and prepared. I helped him tack down the "garden paper" and he was off. Exal helped him plant and they somehow had more space than plants.  This morning he got me up to go get more plants.  We now have tomatoes, squash, peppers, eggplant and cucumbers standing upright and healthy in our raised beds. We even said a prayer over our garden knowing that God would bless our efforts.  We only lost a couple of fruit trees during the very cold weather this year. Ed's already replaced those.  They are blooming and smelling so good.

Tomatoes and cucumbers. I love the wire fence for the cucumbers--I'm hoping they will be easier to pick--less hidden cukes!!

 
Eggplant, peppers and squash.

 

 
 Eggplant and squash.  We should have lots of good veggies in the summer.

We keep thinking we've forgotten something!  What would that be???

Maybe more eggplant!!!

 

Ed's orange tree looks great and smells soooo good!  Hope it produces lots of oranges!

A NEW KIND OF WAKE UP!!

We were almost asleep--right into that first dozing off when this loud noise started pounding our house.  I thought we were being attacked. I got out of bed and went to the front door. The sidewalk was covered with hail and lots more was coming. I got Ed up to come and see and this is what we saw on the deck. 
Hail, a little larger than marbles was falling FAST!! Sounded like I don't know what falling all over us.

 

 

 

 

 

It's been a strange winter and now this!!  What else is in store??