NANA NOTES

TIME TO CLOSE IT UP!

All good things come to an end and I feel this is the time. Each time I try to write my creative juices freeze and the words won't come. Life is crazy and I don't know why. There's never enough time and I get nothing done. There's a song that speaks of this but at this time I can't recall the words. I'm sure Pat could tell me. Who knows, I may decide to start a fresh, new blog about new things. Life changes and mine seems to be trying to. God bless you all and thanks for reading Nananotes for the last eight years. "Eight years"! OMG!!  It is time to stop!!!

2013 CROP CELEBRATION SCRAPPING TRIP

The Scrapping Sisters always look forward to our trip to Hammond for the Crisis Pregnancy Center Crop.  All the money they make goes for a good cause and we have a great time.  The caterers are always wonderful, and we don't have to leave the building except to sleep if we so choose.  This year we had a group of eleven; the Scrapping Sisters were well represented!! We were all laughing at something except Tara who was in another world at the time!! Can you guess who she is??  She's posing but MIA!! Gotta love that Tara!!  These two Pack and Plays are full of items that we carried to donate for the Pregnancy Center.  The more items you donate, the more tickets you get for the grand prize.  I got four tickets.  This year there was only one grand prize.  In the past you've been able to purchase more tickets and scatter them out on several prizes. More later on that!  Susan has a new job at a nursing home.  She has gotten involved with the activities director and was making "kids" for Tacky Day.  She's going to make a wonderful new employee for the nursing home. She loves scrapping!!  Nice to see her work on something besides Disney!! This is a picture of some of the other scrappers.  These just happen to be our friends the Louisiana Scrappin' Sisters. We love these girls. Our sweet vender friends--Melanie from Baton Rouge, Lenore from Foley, AL and Gina from Foley, AL. We're always seated close to them and enjoy visiting with them. Love these girls very much!!  We enjoyed visiting with friends, taking classes and scrapping for three days.  We usually don't get to stay till it's over because we have to get back to get ready for church on Sunday with Pat being choir leader. I gave Susan my tickets to hold "just in case" I should win.  You see, I've won a major door price for the last two years.  There were several to win and I just got lucky!!  Knowing I had no chance to win this year with there being only one, I just asked Susan to hold them for me.  We'd been gone about an hour and a half when I got this picture on my cell phone with a message.  Hmmmmm, looks like you won something!!!   All three of us riding together just started laughing.  We couldn't believe it!!  I called Susan and she said, "yes, you really did win!"  They didn't have room in their car but another friend has it.  I'll get it next weekend when we get together.  I can't wait.  Now do you know why we love that crop so much!!  We're already looking forward to next year!!

AUNT KATHERINE'S SUNSHINE BASKET TRADITION

Ed's Aunt Katherine had a tradition of making Sunshine Baskets filled with small gifts that she carried to friends and family to cheer them up.  Pat (Ed's cousin and my sister in heart and love) called to make sure I would be home and up to a visit by her two sisters and her nieces on March 16th.  I told her that there was nothing that would keep me from feeling like a visit from those sweet, funny girls!!  I couldn't wait!! Now on with the story.  That afternoon Pat, Carolyn, Vana, Diana, Zoe, Sallie Kat and LeighBeth all showed up with a huge green basket all decorated with bows and flowers!!  Now the story is that Aunt Katherine says that you're supposed to open one gift a day so the happiness will last a long time. Carolyn said that was a steadfast rule!! Vana said "open them all at one time if you want to. That's what I'd do! Do what ever you want to do." Pat and the girls were kind of "on the fence".  I chose to "one a day" it--except for one Sunday when I thought I needed more!!  There were 22 gifts and 19 days so that's worked out pretty much right.  You can see that there was a tremendous number of wonderful gifts!! I kept a list of what the gifts were so I could remember in the first place and so I could put the in the blog (cause I knew I would do this!!). Here goes:  Jesus Today book, plant stake letter "H", Sweet Panda gift card, white lace scrapbook border, Joshua magnet, Christian Journal, Jeremiah bag, Burts Bees lip balm, cards, Rejoice notepad in a felt bag with flowers, Rose note pad,  Hope tablet, black and white shopping list, Jelly Bean pills, Rhodan and Fields hand treatment, scripture magnets, travel Scentsy, goats milk soap, gummie bunnies (yum), Gail Pittman Hope bowl, and a beautiful picture of Sallie Kat and LeighBeth. The picture was the only one that made me cry, except when they brought in the basket!!  Isn't that a wonderful thing??  I so loved it and will never forget it!!  I'm already thinking of someone I can do one for.  Thank you my sweet sisters in heart for the wonderful visit and time spent together.  You each will get a note for the tremendous gifts!!  I love you!!

BLESSED!

It's not everyday that you get the chance to host a beautiful party and have fun! Lately it seems that we've been doing a lot of that though. Ed and I were blessed to have Anna Grace and Nate's rehearsal dinner here on Friday night. People from all over the US were here and we had a wonderful time. Nothing goes better with friends, food and music that nice chilly weather, warm propane heaters and a fire pit!!  After a delicious meal and nice toasts from family and friends and (as Nate said) everyone put on their "ankle braces" and got the party started. I was off my camera game and didn't get many pictures but someone took my camera and got a few shots.  I did, however, enjoy the dancing!! Thanks, AG and Nate for trusting us to have your dinner at our home. We loved doing it.                                               Shots of the lower deck. Four of the six Hollinger siblings--Jean, Bruce, Joni and Mark (seated). And, yes, I danced till I couldn't any more!! Here I'm doing some kind of something with Chris and Cosima from California!! I loved it!! And I love these kids!!  The wedding was beautiful and I didn't take my camera. I knew Jen would take plenty and maybe I could see those later.  We were blessed by Anna Grace and Nate when they came by the house to change into their traveling clothes so I got a picture after all.  It's easier to ask forgiveness than permission so I'm posting it. (thanks, Susie.)     Ready to leave and yes, she's still going to know me when she's famous !

We love you Anna Grace and Nate!!

 

TRIP TO SEE AUNT NET--GOING TO ATLANTA

This trip was bittersweet. My cousin Clifford died on Labor Day weekend and we had a housefull of company. I couldn't get there and I told Aunt Net that I would come later and spend some time just with her. That pleased her and Libby was sweet enough to go with me. We had a great time traveling together--laughing and talking all the way. Ed says he sees the family resemblance (my dads side). This is Aunt Net and me.  She's the only sibling of my Dads that's still living.  My cousin Kathy was off that week so we got to spend time together as well.  We did something everyday--from going out to eat to driving to the mountains to get apples.  It was a real treat to get to spend time with them.  Kathy, me and Libby.  There are only four cousins left on dads side-two girls and two boys. The two you see here are the best looking, right Kathy?? :)    Kathy's husband has retired and he was with us to go out to eat. He was a Black Hawk helicopter pilot.  Since Jeff retired he bought a motorcycle. He's known to just get up in the morning and take off for a ride.  Watch for "yellow" !! :)

             
This was our lunch on our trip to the mountains.  We visited apple barns and saw beautiful mountains.  I don't know who got the most out of our trip--Aunt Net or me and Libby--but we all had a great time.  I look forward to another trip to "Lanta" soon.  Thanks, Aunt Net for letting us come and hang out!!

NEW SCHOOL YEAR 2012/2013

The summer passed way to quickly. I know I didn't get to do all I wanted to do. Things got in the way.  We woke up one day and it was time for school to start! Way too soon for all of us!  The Cowarts spent the first part of the summer playing baseball.  They got in several beach trips and did some rodeos. Graham will be a sophomore, Ben in the eighth grade and Sam is the only one left at the elementary.

The "Smitherrings" spent their time in the road (as usual) ! Beach, fishing, various trips and probably some ball playing.  I can't believe that Emily will be a senior, Abbey a junior and Shelby in the eighth grade. Bryden is in the seventh and Hayden is in the sixth.  I think I have that right. They are growing up right in front of us!!  I didn't get a picture of Bryden and Hayden on their first day but Jody had a good picture of them fishing with him which is something they both love to do.   Left to right:  Emily, Shelby, Abbey

Hayden and Bryden

Jennifer worked on her room from her computer all summer.  She would post things for me to see and they were wonderful.  I volunteered to make a bulletin board (you know I love that crafty stuff!). 

It seems I started a tradition and didn't really realize it.  For several years I sent her a plant for her room.  One year I forgot-maybe the year I was sick.  Anyway, later in the year she mentioned that she didn't get a plant. I don't think I've forgotten since.  My prayer for all of them is that they will have a wonderful school year; that they will learn as much as possible; be safe in their travels to and from school and be happy.

CROP CONNECTION 2012 "CHRISTMAS IN JULY"

 

This summer's Crop Connection was no let down!!  It was everything we wanted it to be and more.  "Jingles" was there and Santa came.  The lovely Crop Connection ladies were very giving and we received many gifts and wonderful snacks. Did I mention how good the homemade cookies were??  And Santa brought us a great pink duffle bag!!  We had two full sections of tables and had a great time. My entertainment for the weekend!!  Pat and I had our pictures made with Jingles.  He was a ready participant in the scrapping group!!

Deanna, Nadene and Andrea--the sweetest three ladies on the face of the earth.  They work for six months getting this event ready for us. I love them all.  Thank you so much for what you do!!

This is part of our Scrapping Sisters group.  Feel free to tag yourselves. I love my SS's. We share a bond of many things.  We can't wait till September!!

SECOND RIDE THE ROCKIES

I'm skipping several posts to start giving you updates on Ed and Josh. They are riding the 500 mile "Ride the Rockies" this week while I'm at soggy OB.  It rained 4 inches yesterday and is still raining. Hopefully they are having better weather.  Their flight left NO at 6:30 AM on Friday and was direct to Denver where they picked up a gorgeous motor home that sleeps 10.  There are eight guys going together.  I'm supposed to get updates from them regularly.  Today was the first ride. Last night they stayed at the Palisades Senior Citizens RV Park.  They let Josh in because he had three senior citizens with him!  When Ed called he said they were going out to eat.  I told him to be sure and ask for the senior citizen discount!! :)  

The guys survived the ride and had a great time. They all finished and made it home safely.  I made a scrapbook for Ed commemorating his trip and he loved it.

MISSED A WHOLE MONTH OF BLOGGING!!

I can't believe that it's been a month since I blogged. So much has happened yet nothing has been accomplished really.  The end of trapping season for Ed meant the start of him doing training rides for a 500 mile "Ride the Rockies" in June.  He and Josh will be doing this together along with 1998 other people!!  I'll post pictures this summer.

As for me, I finished up with my chemo and was planning on some rest until I started my "maintenance" treatment.  I got to attend a couple of Scrapbook events.  This one in Mandeville started out on a fun note!!  The event hostesses were wearing pink wigs and I fell right into that!!  Ed said, "get it"!

Spring brings the arrival of new babies on the farm.  Here are the four that have been born so far.

Last week one day I was coming home from town and saw something at the Elementary School.  Being the "interested" person I am, I stopped to check it out.  This is what I found.  Jennifer was taking Bunny pictures for the school. She had a dress up bunny and real ones. I was lucky enough to have my picture made with Sam (but I haven't seen it yet!).

A few days after that I spent five days in the hospital with staph infection in my port.  It was removed and now I'm undergoing open wound therapy until it heals.  So far it is doing well but I'm sort of stuck close to home!!

Ryan and Haleigh dropped by and left me a happy.  Cupcakes and cookies~~I love them both.  Here are the cookies. 
So sweet of my grownup grandchildren to do this!!

Update:  Saw the Dr. today; said I was doing well.  See him in two weeks.  Prayers for wound healing are ongoing. I know God hears them.

Happy Easter to everyone!!

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".  :)

THE SWEETEST GIFT!!!

 

I received a call today saying that someone had baked me something and wanted to bring it to me. When I heard who it was, I said, "I'm not eating it."  You have to know the story and the relationship to appreciate that statement! The person who baked it was Mary Lou Webb!  She doesn't even know where her kitchen is!! And--that was said with pure love!!  Mary Lou and I have always had our "kitchen jokes" and she always offers to "bring something" when needed.  I have never been touched so much to find out that she was concerned about me being sick and wanted to do something for me. That is the ultimate gift--doing something you don't ordinarily do.  She had it in a cute basket with tissue and ribbon.  I promise you, I've never been so deeply touched.  She and Rose sat and visited and we laughed and talked for about an hour. All of a sudden I realized this was a Monday and she had taken the day off.  I had a thought that maybe she's thinking of retirement with a new job in her sights--Mary Lou's Cooking School. Let me be the first to sign up!!  The banana bread is delicious and so appreciated.  In fact, I think I need a snack!!  Thank you, Mary Lou!!  I love the banana bread and I love you.

WHAT FRIENDS WILL DO

 

Karen and I have been friends for probably 45 years.  She introduced me to Ed and I was in her wedding.  She is a cancer survivor too.  She is also an avid golfer after retiring several years ago. It's funny how our lives have intermingled over the years.  She's the first person I called when I had breast cancer the first time. She was out of town at a meeting and I called her until I found her.  She knew.  This weekend she played in a benefit golf tournament and sponsored a hole in my honor. That's what friends will do.  Cards, calls, happies, prayers--that's what friends will do. God uses friends as angels cause He has so many of us to cover! Yes, that's what friends do.  

HOW SWEET CAN HE BE?

 

Well, it's chapter 3 in the same book. I started my treatment on Wednesday and it was a "Murphy's Law" day. My port didn't want to cooperate so I went to the hospital for a dye scan which showed that the port worked perfectly! Back to the clinic where the meds refused to flow unless I jiggled the bag or rubbed my arm. Finally the flow just stopped all together. An IV was inserted and the meds finished. What should have taken 1 1/2 hours took 5 hours.  My BFF was with me and we went to eat lunch. On the way home, Ed called to ask what he could do for me.  Libby said for him to turn my bed down and lay out my pj's.  I told him not worry that I was fine. When I went into the bedroom this is what I found:  He even had honey candy on my pillow that helped my cough!!  I crawled into that bed as fast as I could and stayed there until the next morning--didn't sleep much due to steroids but stayed in my bed none the less. It's a good thing. I am very blessed to have so many people looking after me.

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!!

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!