Mary's Journal July thru Nov 2004

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November 30, 2004

Thanks to Carolyn in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and Angela in Oak Harbor, California for visiting my web page and signing my guest book… I am so happy to announce that my prayer has been answered. I have a great friend in California who came forward to offer to help me with a new web page. She has been working with me all day online helping me get it started. Thank you Linda, you are an angel… My new web page will be different but the main thing is I will be able to continue to do my online journaling… My old web page will stay here and I will just put a link here to the new one. Thanks to all of you who have encouraged me to continue on… Here is the address of my new web page. http://mari5113.blogspot.com/ or click on this link: Mary's New Place here. Goodnight All… Keeping They Faith In Oklahoma

November 29, 2004

Thanks to Norma in Fullerton, California for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book… Norma is one of the ladies who has been following my journal since 1999… I did laundry and put away clothes, I also watered the houseplants… Josh came down and we watched Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma



November 28, 2004

I slept late this morning and then watched church services on the television… It is starting to get cold here and they are talking snow for this week. Someone asked me if I was ready for snow, I guess I might as well be since I don’t have much of a choice on it… I washed our bed linens and put them away and Dave put the flannel sheets on the bed… I paid bills and worked on the check book… This afternoon since I wasn’t able to get into the chat room I went to my web page and was reading some of my past journals. They started in 1999. If it hadn’t been for Laura Smith I probably would never have had a web page to begin with. Thank you Laura for being there for me when I thought there was no hope for me… Tonight Josh came down and we watched Shrek2… While Josh was here I got him to edit my journal… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

November 27, 2004

This afternoon we went to Jenni and Chris’s house for Jake and Trevor, our great grandsons, birthday party… This morning I put on some pinto beans in the crock-pot and when we got home they were all done. I made some cornbread and called and asked Kenny and Kathy to come down and eat with us. They did and it felt good to share with our kids… I had a phone call from Judy in Clemmons, North Carolina… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

November 26, 2004

Thanks to Dewey in Clemmons, North Carolina for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book… Four more days of online journaling and that will be it for me. I am really going to miss keeping track of myself. I have people who have been following my journal for five years… I have been extra tired today and have did a lot of resting… I watched a beautiful sunset. I sure do enjoy the sunsets… I washed our blanket and hung it out to dry and now it smells so fresh… Dave and the dogs took an afternoon nap and I tried with no luck… I love being able to watch TV without needing my glasses. I have not worn my glasses at all today… David and Lori called and Kenny and Kathy came down to visit tonight… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

November 25, 2004

Happy Thanksgiving everyone… We have had a wonderful day. We left here around ten this morning and went to Okemah to Perry and Mayselle’s. They are Lori’s grandparents. We enjoyed a wonderful meal. I believe I counted 21 there… When we left David was on top of Perry’s house cleaning the leaves off the house and out of the gutters. I am glad he did that for Perry… On our way home we stopped in Paden to visit some old friends Rocky and Nobie. We both have been busy with our own lives and haven’t seen each other for many years. But visiting them was just like old times. Their children are like mine. We got to see two out of their five children. They are all married now and some have grandchildren… It was almost eight by the time we got home… I am thankful for so many things. Topping the list is God and my family… Kenny came down to visit after he got home from having dinner with Kathy’s family in Lawton. So I had some special time with both our sons today… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

November 24, 2004

I didn’t have any trouble sleeping last night… I have had a busy day. I tried to read my email but had a hard time as my good eye was watering so bad and the other one still covered with a patch. I washed a load of clothes and then got ready for an appointment with Dr. Hester so he could check my eye. My eye was still very dilated but I came out with a 20/30 vision even with the dilated eye. That is good and it should even get better… Dave has been really good at putting the drops in my eyes. Thank you honey… I will run around with a lens missing out of my glasses for six weeks then Dr. Hester will give me a prescription for new glasses… After the doctor appointment we went to Tinker Air Force Base to pick up some prescriptions. Then to the BX where Dave bought himself an early Christmas present and I got a Poinsettia. I couldn’t resist it… Then we went to IHOP for supper… I had a phone call from Helen, a school friend in Marietta, Georgia… I am really tired tonight… I will have another big day tomorrow… I am looking forward to Friday so I can rest… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

November 23, 2004

Happy Birthday Alfred!!! Alfred is our friend in Bethany, Oklahoma… I had my cataract surgery this afternoon and everything went just fine. I had some burning and itching and I asked for a patch because I was worried about rubbing my eye… I had phone calls from Sis and Karen… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma



November 22, 2004

I have been busy getting the laundry washed, hung up, folded, and put away so I won’t have to worry with it tomorrow. Listening to Christmas music on the radio as I go… The hospital called and gave me final instructions on the surgery tomorrow… I am a little nervous not knowing exactly what to expect. The next one will be easier… David called and invited us to go to Lori’s grandparents for Thanksgiving and we accepted the invitation… Josh called to see if any DVD’s came in from Netflix and to tell me he got all A’s and B’s on his progress report. Way to go Josh… Nothing but gray skies here today… I am heading for the whirlpool for a bubble bath... Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

November 21, 2004

Happy Birthday Peter!!! Peter is a DASNI Friend in the United Kingdom… Thanks to Norma in Fullerton, California for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book… Kenny called and asked Dave and I to go to Home Depot with him and we did… The rest of the day I played dominoes and solitaire… Tonight I fixed bacon, eggs, biscuits and gravy for supper and Kenny ate with us… I had a DASN board meeting tonight and I am tired… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

November 20, 2004

The sun came out this morning and it was a beautiful drive as we went to The Arrangement for their Open House and then to Moore. We went to Jenni and Chris’s home for Madison’s birthday party. It was a birthday tea party. Lori had made a beautiful cake that looked just like a teapot. It was really too pretty to cut and eat but we did and it tasted as good as it looked. Madison got a little of everything. She shouldn’t want for any toys, dress up shoes, or clothes for a long time… On our way home we stopped and bought a Forsythia bush for our back yard… I started putting eye drops in my eyes three times a day as told to do by the doctor in preparation for my surgery on Tuesday… It is raining again tonight… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

November 19, 2004

Happy Birthday Madison!!! Madison is our great granddaughter in Moore, Oklahoma who is three today… Last night Kenny and Josh came down. Kenny was busy talking to Dave in his shop in the garage and Josh went online to Netflix to pick out some movies… Dave woke me up early today so I could get the sheets and mattress covers washed before the maids got here.. Dave picked some more green tomatoes and bell peppers today just when I thought our garden was finished producing. We fixed some fried green tomatoes for supper and I am sure that will be our last mess this year… Josh came down when he got off the school bus and gave me a hug. He is such a sweet boy… Tonight Kenny called and asked me to ride with him to take Josh and Heather to their other parents and I said sure. I was ready to get out of the house… My Bougainvillea is finally blooming… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

November 18, 2004

Happy Birthday Bert!!! Bert is our long time friend in Peru, Indiana who is celebrating 70 years today… Today is the Great American Smoke Out. I hope many smokers were able to quit smoking today… It is still cloudy but at least the rain stopped until it got dark. I have had about enough of this liquid sunshine… I have been looking out the windows at my beautiful mums, pansies, and the burning bush is just beautiful. Also noticed the birds have finally returned to the bird feeder. They have been missing for a couple months… I have been busy picking up, doing laundry, and preparing for the Molly Maids visit tomorrow. I am looking forward to a clean house… I hosted two DASNI chats and deleted about two hundred emails. Now that feels like I have cleaned house.. We had leftovers for supper. These are leftover’s from Lori. We sure do appreciate her sending their delicious leftovers to us… We will soon be at our new home for six months. Time sure does fly… Dave has been busy in the garage, cleaning out his toolbox and working on a plane… I called Jenni and Martha… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

November 17, 2004

I slept really late this morning so late that if I had slept another half hour it would have been afternoon… We are still having rain and I am getting so tired of it… I have been useless all day… Tonight we went to a chili cook off with Kenny, Kathy, Josh and Heather at a local church here in Piedmont… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

November 16, 2004

Happy Birthday Dewey!!! Dewey is my brother in law in Lexington, North Carolina… Since I didn’t do anything around the house yesterday today has seemed like a Monday. I paid bills, did laundry, cleaned the master bathroom, and fixed supper… The Schwan man delivered my big order today so now we have plenty of food for a few days… Last night on our way to Kenny and Kathy’s we saw a deer just left of our propriety line… I have been trying to watch a DVD and do my computer work but I have had to restart the movie twice. I just can’t do two things at once any more… We still don’t have any sunshine. I am sure missing my beautiful sunsets… At the end of this month I will no longer be doing my journal, as I never did find someone to help me with my web page... I want to say one more time to my family that when I get too much for you to handle please put me in a nice home and don’t ever feel guilty for doing so… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

November 15, 2004

It has been raining all day and today would have been a good day to stay home, but I had an appointment at the McGee Eye Instute for a measurement of my eyes. They did something like an ultra sound on my eyes. This is all to get ready for cataract surgery next week… I got my haircut at the beauty shop here in Piedmont. I think I like it; I will know more once I shampoo it and try to fix it myself. We stopped at a Braum’s to pick up milk and Dave bought our first Cranberry/Apple pie of the year… I enjoyed looking at all the beautiful foliage while we were out today… Josh came down and we watched a movie "The Core" … Kathy has invited us up for dinner tonight. She is fixing roast beef, yummy… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

November 14, 2004

Happy Birthday Jake!!! Jake is our grandson who is nine today… Happy 40th Anniversary Brian and Jean!!! Brian and Jean are DASNI members and friends in New Zealand… I didn’t see a beautiful sunset tonight in fact we haven’t had any sunshine today. It has been rainy and the weatherman is saying rain and more rain for this week. I like it better when he says sunshine and more sunshine… I have rested most of the day. I fixed potato soup for lunch and fixed a delicious supper and played a few games of dominoes… Kenny, Kathy, Josh, and Heather came down tonight and we all got to see a deer with our new spotlight… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

November 13, 2004

Thanks to Barbara in Kokomo, Indiana for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book… We invited Martha and Alfred for dinner tonight. So I have been busy cleaning house and folding some clothes I found in the dryer. I also hosted the afternoon DASNI chat… For dinner we had Schwan Lasagna, salad, and Pillsbury breadsticks. It wasn’t hard at all… We visited and listened to the football game between Nebraska and OU… OU is still undefeated… Thank you God for another good day… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

November 12, 2004

Thanks to Aralee in Schertz, Texas for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book… I have had a busy day. My friend Martha called right after I got out of the shower and we got to visit for awhile… Then Dave and I went to Tinker Air Force Base to get our prescriptions refilled. First I have to tell you just as I was typing the word prescriptions there was James Garner on TV and as I was typing the word prescriptions he said prescriptions, this happens to me all the time. Is this normal? … Okay back to telling you about my day. After we picked up the prescriptions we went to get me a new ID card because the one I had was expiring next month. When we got to the headquarters building Dave and I were looking for the bathroom. We found one and without thinking I followed him into the Men’s room. I am still laughing at the expression on Dave’s face when he noticed what I had done. Luckily I didn’t see any other men and I hurried out and went to the Ladies room… Then we went to David and Lori’s. Madison who is about to turn 3 was sitting at the bar with her clay and was making a tractor. She is such a little farm girl… Later I was changing Macey’s diaper and Madison looked up at me and said “Grandma 3, you are so cute!” Then she said “You are my best friend.” Now I don’t think a grandma could have a better day than that.. We enjoyed some of Lori’s beef stew… Dave dug up some trees and bushes that Lori was giving me and we left. On the way home we made a stop at the commissary… When we got home I showed Dave where I wanted the bushes and trees planted and he got all of them planted… I have been writing a synopsis of my experience with Alzheimer's for a lady named Winnie Yu who is writing a book on Early Stage Alzheimer’s… I am tired tonight but I have had a good day… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

November 11, 2004

Veterans Day. A big thank you to all Veterans… Thanks to Dewey in Lexington, North Carolina for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book… I slept till almost noon. No wonder my days go by so fast. It seems I need much more sleep than I used to. I would take being able to sleep to not being able to sleep any day. I remember just a couple years ago I wasn’t able to sleep without a sleeping pill. Now I am off the sleeping pill and sleeping better than I did with one… I am so excited!!! I went into the guest bedroom to look at my plants and I noticed that the Christmas cactus has buds. This is the first time is has bloomed since my sister-in-law Judy in Lexington, North Carolina gave it to me a couple years ago… I did laundry, dusted, and worked on the Schwan grocery list and called it in… It is much colder today, down in the 40’s. I think we got our pansies planted just in time… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

November 10, 2004

I like to say I have accomplished something everyday; sometimes I have to really think to come up with what I have accomplished. Today it is really hard for me to come up with something. Let me see if I can remember what I accomplished today. I hosted the afternoon chat, fixed lunch and supper and I am afraid that I didn’t accomplish much today… We had a good rain this morning and we had a tornado touch down near Oklahoma City this evening. We just never know when they may come. It doesn’t have to be April or May. I sure am glad we have a storm room to go to in case we need it… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

November 9, 2004

Thanks to Jeanne in Honolulu, Hawaii for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book… Dave and I got out this morning and planted the Pansies. We also pulled some weeds out of the flowerbeds. The Pansies look real pretty and I will enjoy them all winter and into early spring… While we were outside our neighbor Kim and son Ethan came over to visit. Then a couple guys came up and were asking us about the lot across the street from us. We are hoping it would stay vacant as we enjoy just having the woods to look at… Another pretty sunset tonight… The weatherman is talking about a hard freeze for Thursday. I guess it is about that time of year… I went over 40,000 hits on my web page today but don’t know who was number 40,000… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

November 8, 2004

I slept late again this morning but woke up feeling good. The sun was shining so I got outside and washed a few windows. I love sparkling clean windows and these windows are so large it doesn’t take long for me to get tired… I hosted the DASNI chat and we had a good group of people that showed up. We had people from France, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, Indiana, Missouri, and Oklahoma… After chat Dave and I went to Home Depot for a large spotlight so I can see the deer better and a few other things then to the nursery where I got Pansies. They are really nice, I can’t wait to get them in the ground… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

November 7, 2004

Happy Birthday Heather!!! Heather is our granddaughter in Piedmont, Oklahoma who turned thirteen today… I slept late this morning; I must have been extra tired… I watched the news on TV and then I watched a church service… On the news they had James Dobson on. Our friends Alfred and Martha now live in James Dobson childhood home… Another beautiful day up in the 70’s… Dave picked the remaining bell peppers from the garden and I got them ready to put in the freezer. I went through magazines and got rid of several and I watered the houseplants and tried to rest the rest of the day… I am pleased to announce that I am about to hit 40,000 hits on my web page. If you are the 40,000th. one to visit will you please let me know? … I am still praying that someone will come forth and help me with my web page. If not I probably won’t be able to do my journal much longer and that makes me sad… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

November 6, 2004

Happy Birthday Aunt Florence!!! Aunt Florence lives in San Antonio, Texas and celebrates 88 years of life today… Dave and I went to Martha’s this afternoon. The guys stayed home and watched the OU/Texas game. Martha and I went to the Arrangement shopping. I got some scented oil for my Lampe Berger this time I bought the Orange/Cinnamon. Before I had used the Ocean Breeze… We got home in time to see the ending of the football game and OU is still undefeated… When we got home the dogs were really sniffing us they could smell that Dave and I had been holding the little Schnauzer puppy… We walked up to Kenny and Kathy’s for a little while until I got so tired I had to come home. Kenny drove me home so Dave could stay and help Kenny get his new computer hooked up. Heather was having a birthday party and had several friends over… I called Aunt Flo and she was having a good birthday… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

November 5, 2004

We had a very enjoyable evening last night, a great dinner and entertainment of by a comedian, can’t recall his name, but he was very good, also music from Edmond High School. I won a prize by having a green dot on my program… Dave gave me a Vit B/12 injection last night. After that he put a band aide on it and this morning I found out I was allergic to the band aide and it doesn’t feel so good around that area... It was so nice to wake up to sunshine and a furnace that is working… I had spent several days in bed just trying to keep warm. So when I got up this morning I had tons of work to catch up with… I picked up around the house, did three loads of laundry, dusted, and cooked supper. I think I have even balanced the checkbook… Dave mowed our yard on his tractor and he loves doing it… I had a phone call from David and Madison. Madison is saying “Grandma 3 I love you so doggone much” now. LOL I called Chip and he is behaving while Sharon is away on a little respite… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

November 4, 2004

It was after three O’clock today before we finally got our furnace fixed. I was not a happy camper. I got pre-admitted for my cataract surgery today… I had a call from Jaunita, a neighbor in our old neighborhood. She says she misses me even though we seldom saw each other… Tonight we are attending an appreciation dinner, which will be held at The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. We will be able to tour the museum before the dinner… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

November 3, 2004

Congratulations to Jamie for being accepted into the LPN program. Jamie is our granddaughter in Mammoth Cave, Kentucky and will start LPN school in January… I noticed I was very cold last night and the furnace was blowing nothing but cold air. Dave did some checking and found out that the furnace wasn’t getting any gas. So we put the electric blanket on our bed and got out the space heater. I have spent most of the day in bed trying to keep warm. The high today was only in the forties… After several calls Pro Home sent someone out to check the furnace and found out the valve was bad. By the time the guy got here and found out the problem the place to get a new valve was closed. He should be back in the morning and fix it. I sure hope so… I kept the TV going all night listening to the election results. I would sleep awhile, wake up and listen, and sleep some more… Congratulations to President Bush for getting to be my President for four more years… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

November 2, 2004

Election Day!!! I hope everyone got out and voted. Dave and I did… Congratulations to Karen and Jack on their new baby boy born yesterday. Karen is our niece in Huntington, West Virginia. They named their son Joshua Benjamin… Dave and I got out in the cold and I mean it is cold with the strong northern winds to go vote and we must have hit it at just the right time. Because we were only there for a half hour. There was no problem in getting permission for Dave to help me. I have a little trouble understanding the state questions but no trouble at all on whom I want to be president… I folded clothes and put them away, cleaned up the kitchen and hosted the afternoon chat… Josh came down and had supper with us tonight. He is really interested in this election and wishing he was old enough to vote… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

November 1, 2004

Thanks to Lori in England for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book… This morning Dave and I unloaded the motor home and I got started on the laundry. At first it took me a little while to figure out how to start the washing machine but after a little thinking I figured it out. Not being able to start the washing machine kind of scared me for a minute… I received my copy of Betsy Peterson’s book “Voices Of Alzheimer’s in the mail today and got to see my name mentioned in it… Josh called and wanted me to watch a DVD “The Ring” with him. Dave and I went to pick up Heather at school because she stayed after school for her honor choir. And then we watched “The Ring” with them. Then we had a bowl of delicious chili with them that Kathy had made… We heard on the radio tonight that we have snow in our state in the panhandle. I don’t think I am ready for winter yet… I paid the bills and worked on the checkbook… I am still having wonderful memories of the weekend. I forgot to mention that Morris Friedell and his bride Andrea were there at the conference. Morris was one of the founding members of DASN. Morris and Andrea met on DASNI and later married. I feel so honored to be Vice President of such a great group… I have been very confused on what time it is today, some of our clocks have been changed and some have not… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

October 31, 2004

We left Wednesday afternoon to go to the Checotah KOA campgrounds where the DASN International conference was to be held… Jan and Wade were our host and hostess and did a wonderful job. Jan and Wade prepared and served meals and Jan made a big birthday cake for us to celebrate DASN’s fourth birthday. This was the second conference that Dave and I have attended, the first one was in Livingston, Montana two years ago… We got home tonight from the Conference and we really had a wonderful time. Three days of meetings and each day got a little bit better… Carole Mulliken and Tracy Mobley did a wonderful job putting the conference together. Thursday we picked up Judy from Brazil at the airport and brought her back to the campground and an hour later we were on our way back to the airport to pick up our DASNI President Lynn Jackson and Elaine from Canada and Jeanne from Hawaii… We had three DASNI authors signing their books, Jeanne Lee, Tracy Mobley, and Larry Rose… I would like to try and name everyone who attended but I know I would leave someone out so I won’t even try… We shared stories, hugs, laughter and tears… We went on hayrides, made lais out of fresh orchids that Jeanne had sent in from Hawaii, built a bon fire and had smore’s… We really had a great time and the weather was really nice during the daytime but last night it started raining and it rained all night and all day today… Dave and I left before noon to take Lynn and Elaine back to the airport and then I went back to finish up the meeting… We decided to leave a day earlier than we planned because of the weather and having three dogs to walk in the rain isn’t a lot of fun… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

October 27, 2004

Happy Birthday Kathy!!! Kathy is our daughter-in-law in Piedmont, Oklahoma



October 24, 2004

This morning right after our breakfast and watching the morning news Dave and I started loading up the motor home… I am starting to feel better now that we are finally getting stuff put in there. There is so much to remember… I now have the times and flight numbers for Judy who is flying in from Brazil and Lynn and Elaine who are flying in from Canada for the DASNI conference on Thursday. Dave and I will be driving into Tulsa International Airport to pick them up and anyone else who may need to be picked up. I am getting excited about meeting new friends and some of the ones I have met before again… I have been doing laundry all day and I washed one load without putting the clothes in the washer. Just an ordinary day in the life of a person with Alzheimer’s… Thanks to my friend Susan who sent me a message on ICQ at two o’clock today to remind me to take my medication. I am blessed with good Internet friends… We made a trip into Wal-Mart to pick up a few last minute items. Then we picked up a Mrs. Smith’s Pumpkin pie and some cool whip before we went to Alfred and Martha’s for supper. The supper was great and so was the pumpkin pie. This was the first pumpkin pie for all of us for this season. Martha and I used to eat pumpkin pie for breakfast. So we made sure and leave them some for their breakfast tomorrow… Red Sox won again tonight. Yeah!!! This may be my last entry until I return from the conference. I will be back soon… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

October 23, 2004

Wow what a day this has been. David, Lori, Chris, Jenni, Madison, Macey, Kerry and Erin show up at our door around noonish. Lori brought two large pots of her delicious chili, one with beans and one without. She also made a large pan of brownies. She is one special daughter. My sons did good in picking out their wives. Kenny and Kathy joined us for lunch… We listened to the football game off and on to make sure the Sooners were winning and they did… Dave, David and Kenny stayed here while we all went to the Pumpkin Patch to pick out pumpkins. Madison was so cute. she grabbed a wagon and ran around picking up little pumpkins just like she knew what she was supposed to do. She would go up to the large inflated pumpkins and scarecrows and pose for her picture to be taken. It was quite a warm day in fact I got too warm while we were at the Pumpkin Patch… I got to feed Macey her bottle a couple of times and her little cheeks are getting quite chubby. She would cough and then she would laugh out loud. She was smiling all day long. I don’t think she ever did sleep. Jenni and Chris have been blessed with two good babies… Thank you God for blessing me with such a wonderful family… I loved having all our family here. I forgot my afternoon medicines and didn’t remember them till after 5:00… I called and invited Kathy down for supper and then we watched two CD’s of pictures that David and Lori took while they were on their trip. They were just beautiful. The next best thing to being there… I am extremely tired tonight but couldn’t go to bed until I knew the Red Sox won the baseball game tonight... Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

October 22, 2004

Happy Birthday Lela!!! Lela is our friend in Port Charlotte, Florida… We enjoyed Alfred and Martha’s visit last night. Their little Schnauzer puppy is so cute and well behaved. She is only eight weeks old. I can’t remember her name but I think it was Mini. Our dogs were jealous of the puppy… I got up early this morning to get ready for the maids. I did more laundry and did some more picking up… While I waited for the maids Dave took Cindy to be groomed and then he went to Tinker Air Force Base to pick up our prescriptions and get groceries… It feels good to have groceries and a clean house. Cindy looks cute, the girl put orange and black bows on her ears and a jack-o’-lantern bandana… While Dave was out he got groomed also and he really needed it… I had some Me time today and I was needing that… I called Lela in Port Charlotte, Florida… We got a good rain and the leaves are starting to turn. I love this time of year… I played some dominoes and solitaire and didn’t do so good, it has been to long since I have played… Tonight Dave and I watched a DVD “Hidalgo”.. My back still hurts and seems always to be worse in the evening… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

October 21, 2004

The Red Sox won last night and they will be in the World Series. I am happy about that. See Bert, I told you they were going to win… Our neighbors had six large trees put in today. They are so large they had to be put in by large tree trucks. I am glad to, now I will have large trees to look at in the back yard also. I am not sure what kind of trees they are. The trees should bring in some more birds too… I have been busy all day picking up and doing laundry trying to get ready for the maids visit tomorrow. I think I am about to get finished… I had a phone call from Chip and he says he and I and several other DASN members are featured in a book that is about to be released soon. He highly recommends it. The book is: “Voices of Alzheimer’s” by Betsy Peterson. Betsy contacted me a long time ago about taking parts of my journal for her book she was writing and I had forgotten about it… Martha called and they will be here tonight with their new puppy… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

October 20, 2004

Madison called me this morning to remind me of the Pumpkin Patch trip on Saturday and she says she will call me again tomorrow. It really amazes me how well she can talk and how smart she is and she isn’t even three yet… I put a few things in the motor home and working on lists of things I don’t want to forget. I called and made an appointment for Cindy to get groomed on Friday… I helped Dave unload a few more boxes in the garage and yes we are still unloading boxes. I found a pair of scissors that I used years ago when I worked at the hospital as a nurses aide… I hosted chat, fixed supper by myself and watched a DVD “Sweet Home Alabama” by myself… Dave and Kenny were flying their model planes… It has been a beautiful day with lots of sunshine… We watched the Red Sox win again last night. I don’t know if I can handle another game like that tonight or not but I am sure going to give it a try… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

October 19, 2004

Thanks to Phil in Oklahoma City for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book… Last night Kenny called and invited us up for some peach cobbler. Anyone who knows me knows I would never turn down peach cobbler. While we were there we finished watching the Red Sox and Yankees game. I was happy that the Red Sox won the game after I forget how many endings. Kathy didn’t know what to think when I started yelling for the Red Sox, she had never seen me act like that. LOL… On our way home we saw three deer. They were so neat, one large and two smaller ones… I have been busy making notes of things I don’t want to forget for the conference and washing sheets to take for the campers at the conference next week and I must have had a ball point pen in my hand when I loaded the washer because there was one washed with the sheets and yes they are all stained now. I am sure the people who sleep on them will understand. Because they are people like me who are always running around with a pen and making notes… I hosted chat and made out a long list for Robert the new Schwan man who comes today. I watered the houseplants and I am starting to bring in the outdoor plants for the winter… Today felt much more like October than yesterday did… I talked to Madison and we are going to visit the Pumpkin Patch on Saturday here in Piedmont. Then we will come back here for a bowl of Chili that Lori is bringing out. When Madison heard what our plans were she said that is a great idea grandma 3, she was ready to come today and I was ready for her to come… I will be watching the game tonight again… Martha and Alfred are going tonight to pick up a Schnauzer puppy. I can’t wait to meet the new puppy… The sun never came out today so no sunset for me to watch. Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

October 18, 2004

Today is the anniversary of my sister Lula’s death. I can’t remember how many years ago it was that she passed but I know she had just turned forty years old at the time of her death. Lula died of Hemochromotosis. I still miss Lula, she was a great sister and a wonderful aunt to our sons… My back felt better today. Dave gave me a good massage and rubbed some Blue Stuff on my sore spot last night. Dr. Dave keeps telling me it is a sore muscle, I don’t know if I believe him or not. Anyhow when I was starting to help Dave with supper tonight my pain came back. It seems being on my feet will make my back start hurting. Supper tonight included mesquite chicken, mashed potatoes, fried green tomatoes, and home made bread with apple butter. It was oh so good… I folded and put away clothes that had been in the dryer for a few days and hosted the afternoon chat. I am sure I got more out of the chat today than anyone else… It has been a very warm October day, up in the eighties. I hope this weather will stay for one more week so we can have nice weather for our DASNI conference. I went to our motor home today hoping to get started on getting ready for our trip. But when I was out there it was too over whelming for me. I will try again another day… I am watching the Red Sox/Yankee game tonight reminds me of when we lived in New Hampshire and I would root for the Red Sox… Lynn our DASNI president just returned from Japan attending the ADI conference. Lynn posted this to the DASNI list and has given me permission to post it here.

Dear Adidasni and DASNI, I was so excited in the airplane today on the way home when I read an article regarding the Japanese people with dementia who spoke out at the ADI conference. The article was in the International Herald Tribune and it is the "world's daily newspaper published by The New York Times." The paper is called "The sahi Shimbun". There were of course other reporters at the conference and you be sure that this same type of article was convered in the Japanese newspapers which would have an even larger distribution! This was the first time that Japanese PWiDs have come out and spoken publicly - a huge step for them and Japan in decreasing stigma and increasing awareness. Here is how the article went: On the very front page of the newspaper - top right - was a lead-in with picture of two Japanese PWiDs that said "Speaking Out" Dementia Sufferers take the stage at conference." The actual article was on page 18 of the paper. The Article reads as follows: Dementia sufferers address conference Patients call for understanding of their degenerative disease. Kyoto - Hoping to put to rest misconceptions about their disease, for the first time in Japan, dementia sufferers took the stage at an international Alzheimer's disease conference in Kyoto over the weekend to talk about their fears and their efforts to lead a normal life. In all, about 3,600 people from over 60 countries - among them 21 dementia patients from Japan and elesewhere attended the 20th International Conference of Alzheimer's Disease. Among those speaking out about the degenerative brain diseae that afflict them was one 73 year old man from Ibaraki Prefecture. After announcing "I suffer from Alzheimer's" he described how the disease made itself known to him about five years ago. Happily retired – doing volunteer work, transcribing books into Braille and playing on a seniors baseball team - he realized one day while behind the wheel of his car that he had no idea where he was going. From that day he lived in constant dread. Afraid to consult a doctor, he worried that "one of these days, I won't be able to recognize my family" Finally, he decided to speak out and dispel the myths about dementia: People tend to think the onset of dementia deprives you of everything, that you are lost. That's not true. I wanted to send the message that I am getting on with my life, just like normal. "My brain may be failing, but I won't be alone. I will continue to try and live out my life my own way" Two men from a home for elderly dementia patients in Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture, spoke of staying active. Hideo Maeda, the 88 year old chairman of the residents association said: "I'm the one who always give speeches and toasts at get-togethers." His 92 year old fellow resident boasted of playing the romantic lead in a play this summer. The first sufferer of the disease to become a director of the Alzheimer's Disease International, Australian Christine Bryden, 55, said it is crucial for patients to participate in all the decison -making processes regarding policies and care. She noted the attitude common among the public that Alzheimer's patients have lost their grasp of everything in their minds and exhorted the audience to help fight such prejudice. Speaking from the audience, a psychiatrist with experience in the treatment of dementia said: "In Japan, little attention is paid to what dementia patients are actually feeling, which results in a grave lack of care. This conference is a turning point here in Japan". There are 1.6 million elderly dementia patients in Japan, and one in every 15 seniors reportedly suffer symptoms. The figure is expected to reach about 2.5 million in 2015. Though there are about 70 known causes of dementia, over half of the patients suffer from Alzheimer's disease a degenerative disease that kills off brain cells. While more Alzheimer's patients in the West are speaking up and taking action, Japan greatly lags in dementia awareness.

You can also read the article here: http://www.asahi.com/english/nation/TKY200410180113.html

I feel so proud that Dave and I have met both Lynn Jackson and Christine Bryden in person… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

October 17, 2004

Dave made us a delicious omelet for breakfast. Then we had breakfast in bed while we watched the morning news and drank coffee… Dave spends most of his time in the garage working on his planes. I have been getting caught up on reading my emails and watching television with a heating pad to my back… I have no plans of doing anything today but resting… I have finished the Cipro today… I had a phone call from Sis… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

October 16, 2004

Lynne and Larry from Iowa Park, Texas arrived early afternoon. It was their first visit to our new home. I met Lynne online many years ago in an Alzheimer’s chat room. She and I are only a week apart in age. And I think Lynne was the first person I met in person that I had talked to online. Dave and I flew down to Iowa Park to meet them several years ago. We sat outside and watched Dave and Kenny fly their model radio controlled airplanes. Dave had his sailplane up also… It was a beautiful day and we really enjoyed Lynne and Larry’s visit. Lynne and Larry brought me some hen and chickens lawn ornaments and they look really cute out in the back lawn around the birdbath. Thanks Larry and Lynne I love them… I had phone calls from son David and friend Carole… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

October 15, 2004

Today has been just another day. I did laundry and picked up around the house… I had a phone call from Chip and Martha… I am still complaining of my back hurting. I expect it is something besides an infection now because I have been on the antibiotics long enough it should have been cleared up by now if it was an infection… Dave got the grass cut and our yard is looking really nice now… We are still getting a few tomatoes, bell peppers, and okra from our garden. I want to pick some green tomatoes and have fried green tomatoes before the freeze comes… I received a nice newsy snail mail letter from Lynn a school friend in South Dakota... Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

October 14, 2004

Thanks to Frank in England for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book… Lynne and Larry we are so sorry to hear about the loss of your little Cinnimon. We are looking forward to your visit this weekend… This morning I swept the kitchen, hallway, and utility room then I went out side and swept the front porch and back patio. After all that I was worn out and had to rest for about an hour… Josh came down and we watched “ The Passion Of Christ.” I fixed supper and washed our bedspread… We turned our heat on today for the first time and Dave has the fireplace going. We are drinking a cup of hot tea so we are nice and cozy… I went to our DASNI chat tonight and Dr. Mitch was there and it is always a treat when he can join us. He will also be a guest in our afternoon chat tomorrow… Several of our DASNI members are in Japan for the Alzheimer’s Disease International Conference. Thanks to Lynn Jackson, Christine Bryden, Paul Bryden, Marilyn Truscott, and all of the others that slip my mind right now for representing us… I watched another beautiful sunset tonight. I enjoy sunsets so much out here and I get to watch them from my chair… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

October 13, 2004

One of my clothes orders came in today but they were too large. It upsets me that I have to pay almost seven dollars for the order to get here and then another seven dollars to return it. There ought to be a law… I had a phone call from Evelyn and she had great news. Bert’s radiation is working and his cancer is shrinking. Thank you God. I know prayers are being answered. Please keep praying for our dear friends Bert and Evelyn… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma



October 12, 2004

I woke up to sunshine this morning and it was good to see it shining. I have felt achy all day. I sure am missing the Vioxx… Alfred and Martha called and came over after supper. They brought me a rooster tea towel and a couple potholders… Martha and I looked on the Internet for Schnauzer dogs while Dave and Alfred watched Kenny fly his plane… I am putting extra blankets on my bed tonight… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

October 11, 2004

Happy Anniversary Martha and Alfred!!! We got over five inches of rain and it is raining again.. No sunshine today and very chilly. It won’t be long till we will be turning on our furnace. I am already trying to get Dave to try out our gas logs in the fireplace but he hasn’t done it yet... I am still not feeling as good as I want to be… I had phone calls from brother George and friend Martha. George said that Carole is out of the hospital but still not out of the woods yet. Martha is searching for a Schnauzer puppy. This will be her first dog… I got very little accomplished today… Kathy called and invited us for supper. We had already eaten but we went up anyhow. I had to eat again because Kathy had made potato salad and she makes the best potato salad… I hope for sunshine tomorrow… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

October 10, 2004

Thanks to Aralee in Schertz, Texas for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book… Kenny, Kathy, and Josh came down last night to visit. Kathy had made a birthday cake for Kenny and brought it to share with us. I couldn’t eat mine last night because I don’t dare eat and go to bed, especially chocolate. So I saved mine for today and it was so good and moist… We woke up to a steady rain and it has been raining all day. The dogs want no part of going out in it and I can’t say I blame them… Dave fixed me a big breakfast this morning bacon, eggs, and biscuits. Thank you Dave, it was delicious. I seldom have anything except oatmeal but while I am on Cipro I am not supposed to have any milk. So I will be having toast from the German bread David and Lori brought from Germany and putting home made apple butter on it that Martha’s friend David gave me… I still haven’t found a volunteer who will help me with my web page after next month. I am afraid I may have to give up my journal if I have no one to help me. Now that worries me a bit… Dave and I watched a DVD “Windtalkers,” I hope the sun will come out tomorrow… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

October 9, 2004

Happy Birthday Kenny!!! Kenny is our youngest son in Piedmont, Oklahoma… Happy Birthday Claude!!! Claude is a friend in Canada... Thanks to Jeanne in Honolulu, Hawaii for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book… Today I did some more laundry and washed a few windows… Josh came down and watched the OU/Texas game with us. OU won 12/0 they are undefeated and also, Josh and I watched “Independence Day”… In the evening I get tired all of a sudden and can’t get to bed fast enough. It is all I can do to brush my teeth before I crawl in bed... Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

October 8, 2004

Happy Birthday David!!! David is our oldest son in Norman, Oklahoma… I was still hurting when I woke up this morning and didn’t sleep well last night. I will be happy when the Cipro kicks in… I did laundry, cleaned the kitchen, and watered the house plants… I had a phone call from Evelyn in Peru, Indiana. Evelyn is a long time friend, we go way back… I called David. I made a call to Travel Smith and Lands End and ordered some new clothes for winter… Josh and Heather came down after school and we watched a DVD together… Dave has been working on his models most of the day… I watched a beautiful sunset tonight… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

October 7, 2004

Thanks to Wayne in Cary, North Carolina for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book… I was on my way to see Dr. Seims at eight o’clock this morning. After she ran a urine test on me she said I had a bladder infection. Now I know why I was hurting. She started me on Cipro. She said it would take care of both the bladder infection and the diverticulitis . She also started me on Fosamax for my bones and a calcium pill. I didn’t think I needed another pill… I was two weeks over due on my vitamin B/12 shot and since Kathy was working late Dave gave it to me. I know he would rather Kathy give it to me but I was needing it… We put out some Halloween decorations for the neighborhood kids to enjoy. There are a lot of young kids moving into our neighborhood… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

October 6, 2004

Thanks to Jim in Tampa, Florida for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book… I have had a backache all day and I am tired of being whiney so decided to call and make an appointment to see the doctor. I don’t like any extra pain as I already have a plate full of it… Didn’t do anything much today except help Dave fix supper… I had phone calls from George and found out his friend Carol is in the hospital. I hope she is released soon… David and Lori called and Lori is back to baby-sitting with Madison and Macey and she has her hands full and David is back at work… Dr. Hester’s office called and gave me my cataract surgery date. It looks like I have a good month to worry about it… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

October 5, 2004

I had to crawl out of bed earlier than usual this morning for an eye appointment. This is a new doctor and he gave me a thorough exam. He said one of my cataracts was ready to be removed. So I will go in next month for that and the other one he said might be good until six months or so… We went by the mall just to do some window-shopping. The only thing we bought was Dave a robe… I made out my list for Phil, our Schwan man, and was disappointed when he said this would be his last visit to our home. He is being transferred to Yukon. Now we wait to see who the next man will be. I hope he is as nice as Phil… I have been having nightmares. The other night I had one that I was crying so hard it woke me up and my crying even woke up Dave… I am going to watch the debates tonight. I am starting to feel like a widow now that Dave got two radio planes delivered today

October 4, 2004

Thanks to Amy for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book… As I have mentioned before it means so much to me when someone takes the time out to vote for me, sign my guest book or send me an email… We had a good rain last night… I did laundry, folded clothes and got everything put away. Then I fixed lunch and cleaned up the kitchen. By the time I finished all that my back felt like it was breaking… Kathy hemmed my kitchen curtains and hung them for me and they look real nice. They have roosters on them… I helped Dave fix a Spaghetti supper and went to a DASNI board meeting and worked on the checkbook and paid bills… I had phone calls from Martha and Aunt Florence. Aunt Florence’s eyesight is getting worse and I feel so bad for her. Aunt Florence loves life and is so thoughtful of others… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

October 3, 2004

Thanks to Barbara, John, and Blake in Kokomo, Indiana for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book… We slept really late this morning; it was almost time for lunch when we woke up. Couldn’t believe the dogs let us sleep so late… I put in a load of wash and dusted the furniture… I had a phone call from Chip in Florida… We got ready to go pick up David and Lori at Will Rogers Airport. We got there in plenty of time. That was fine with me because I would rather be early than late anytime and I love to people watch… We brought them home with us and I fixed a quick supper and then they gave us Belgium chocolates, German bread, and a beautiful plate. They were happy to be back home but were very tired. They picked up their car and off they drove home to sleep in their own bed… I am a happy Mom to have my kids all back home… Thank you God for giving them a safe trip… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

October 2, 2004

We can finally say that tomorrow David and Lori will be home. We will be so happy to have them back home… I took it easy today except for doing some grocery shopping at Aldi’s. That is my type of grocery store because it is small and reminds me of our neighborhood grocery when I was a kid and the prices are good there also… We went to Home Depot and returned the curtain rods that we got yesterday because they weren’t really what I wanted. I found the ones I really like at Bed Bath and Beyond… We stopped at WalMart and bought the book South Beach Diet so now I will read it and try and get motivated… We watched the DVD “About Schmidt” tonight and it was late before we got to bed… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

October 1, 2004

This morning when Dave gave me my medication he had removed the Vioxx that I have been taking for a couple of years. I sure don’t want any heart problems or strokes. I already have plenty to deal with… Dave took the dogs to the vet to get their shots. They seemed to have handled it okay… Jenni came with the babies and I fixed a nice lunch for them. I love to watch Madison eat and she loves to eat just like me. She ate steak fingers, macaroni and cheese, broccoli, cauliflower and carrots and asked for seconds. I fed Macey her bottle and the rest of the time they were here she was sleeping in my arms. It was Jenni’s first time to visit us in our new home… Tonight Dave and I went to Yukon to the Arrangement store. It is such a neat place to browse. I could spend hours in there just looking. Of course I didn’t leave with out a purchase. Later we met Alfred and Martha for a nice Mexican dinner. From there we went to Kohl’s and Lowe’s to look for curtain rods and etc.,, I had a wonderful day… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

September 30, 2004

Happy Anniversary David and Lori!!! Happy Birthday Larry Rose!!! Larry is our friend in Arkansas… Thanks to Stephan and Pascale in Overpelt, Belgium for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book… I picked up around the house, dusted, cleaned our bathroom, washed a load of clothes, and fixed supper… I had phone calls from Erin and Martha… We will watch the debate tonight… I was reading our weekly newspaper and there is a lady who writes a column each week and she was talking about handkerchiefs and about how she would entertain her children in church by folding it to make a cradle with two babies in it. It brought back some memories for me. Do any of you remember doing that? Please continue to pray for our friends Bert and Evelyn in Peru, Indiana, Janey in Plainview, Illinois and Alfred and Martha in Bethany, Oklahoma… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

September 29, 2004

It has been a beautiful day in Piedmont, USA. The windows are open and the Air Conditioner turned off. My favorite time of the year except I also love spring… I paid bills, cut out coupons, fixed lunch and helped Dave fix supper. My back has been hurting and I can’t stand very long in fact I can’t really find a comfortable place to sit… . Dave and I walked around all the trees we planted. I am not sure if they are all going to make it. We now have thirty-six trees planted on our two and half acres. Now I just have to wait until they get big. That is something I have to look forward to. I need something to look forward to all the time to keep me going… I hosted chat this afternoon and the hour went by so fast. We had a great time. One of our newest chatters Judi from Iowa said that she and husband Harry may come visit us January. That is something else to look forward to… I also have the DASNI conference in October to look forward to. There I will get to meet old friends again and also meet some I have chatted with but never met in person… I received another email today from David and Lori. Here is a little of what they had to say, “Yesterday we went to Amsterdam and checked out the big museum there, there was so much to see! We saw paintings that Rembrandt did 350 years ago, it was amazing to think about all the different aspects of the paintings. How long it took to paint one, the artistry of the painter, the subjects in the paintings and the generations of people that have taken care of and preserved them, simply awesome!! We have taken many pictures so we will be able to share alot of what we have seen. Stephan & Pascale have really taken very good care of us, they have been very interesting to talk with, we have learned so much!” Stephan and Pascale are the friends they are staying with this week and used to live on David and Lori’s farm… I had a call from a DASNI friend Sandy in Ohio this afternoon. Sandy I hope you are feeling better soon… We are going to watch a DVD “Hoosiers” since I used to be one so I think I will enjoy it… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

September 28, 2004

Thanks to Norma in Fullerton, California for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book… This morning Dave and I planted a couple Loblolly pine trees. These were seedlings that were given to us when we were at the fair. I watered the trees and watered the outdoor flowers… We receive and email from David and Lori. Here is a piece of their email. “ We are having the time of our lives. Imagine lying in the widows net of a 360-foot sailboat cruising through the almost purple waters of the Mediterranean. We are learning so much about so many places. And doing things we never dreamed of. Life is Beautiful” I am so happy they were able to make this trip. They were on the boat for a week and now they are in Belgium touring and I don’t remember where all they were going. It is something I had always wanted to do. Maybe I will do it in my next life. I can’t wait till they return home and we can see pictures and hear all about their trip… Jenni our granddaughter called and she had a phone call from them… I was outside this afternoon waiting on the school bus and a butterfly (Monarch) landed on my shirt. It made me smile… Josh came down tonight and we watched a movie. He got his progress report and he got four A’s and three B’s. Heather got four A’s two B’s and one C. Way to go Josh and Heather!!!… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

September 27, 2004

I woke up this morning feeling tired and overwhelmed with all I needed to do. It was a Monday for sure… I did three loads of laundry, picked up around the house, made the bed, hosted the DASNI chat, fixed us a sandwich for lunch, and fixed dinner for Alfred and Martha who came over tonight. Martha got up on a ladder and put all my greenery up for me. She is such a great friend and very talented when it comes to decorating too… I had forgotten about my DASNI board meeting when I invited them over. So at 7:00 I had to go online for the meeting while Martha did the decorating… I have had a headache on the right side of my head most of the day. I laid down for awhile with a ice bag and that seemed to help a little… After Martha and Alfred left I wrote a check for our DASNI conference and got it ready to mail… Kenny came down to visit with his dad and I gave him his birthday shoes early. I have already given David and Lori their birthday shoes now the only birthday’s I have left are Kathy’s and Heather’s… I bet I sleep well tonight… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

September 26, 2004

I watched a movie this afternoon and then we got ready to go to Martha and Alfred’s house… Martha and I went to several stores looking for greenery and etc. to put above my kitchen cabinets and around different areas in the house. We shopped till we dropped but we did well in picking out everything. We stopped a Subway and picked up supper for us and the guys who were starving by the time we finally got home… A fun day but I am really tired tonight… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma



September 25, 2004

I slept till about ten this morning then got up took my shower and listened to my garden show on the radio. I get so many helpful hints from them. People call in with their lawn and garden questions and get answers from someone from the OSU extension office… Alfred and Martha came this afternoon and I saw poor Alfred’s legs, boy they sure did a job on his legs when they cut out his veins for his surgery. Makes me think about eating healthier. Alfred looked good and seems to be doing well. Martha helped me fix a delicious meal. Food always taste better with good friends. We had a great visit and Martha and I made plans to go shopping tomorrow while the guys work on getting Alfred’s new lap top hooked up… Kenny and Kathy came down for a short visit… Dave and I watched a DVD “The Last Samurai.” Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma



September 24, 2004

Thanks to Joyce in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book… This morning I got up early to get ready for my monthly visit from the maids. I washed our bedding while Dave gave the dogs a bath… The maids did a great job on cleaning my house and I gave them some fresh okra to take with them… While the maids were here cleaning Dave and I sat out on the patio and enjoyed the Monarch butterfly's... I had calls from Norita, Tracy and Martha. Alfred and Martha are back home in Bethany. I am so happy they are home, I have really missed them. I am also missing David and Lori… Tonight our neighbors Cliff, Kelly and Kalie came to see our new furniture. Kelly is going furniture shopping tomorrow… Dave and I are very proud of our new furniture, we both came from very poor families and to have a new home and new furniture is something we are very thankful for. We donated some of our old furniture that was still in very good condition to a church… My Internet server is giving me fits. I couldn’t get into chat tonight… I hope it will allow me to post my journals tonight… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

September 23, 2004

Well today I paid for yesterday, I haven’t been worth killing… I know better than over do it like I did yesterday but I just keep on doing it… Heather came by after school and read to me. She read “What Is Happening To Grandpa.” It was relaxing to me to hear her sweet voice read to me… Dave fixed our supper and I washed the dog’s bed and I rested and rested… Tonight Kenny and Kathy came to see our new furniture. They really liked it… I had a phone call from our niece Andrea in West Virginia… I can’t wait to go get in the whirlpool and then get in my bed… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

September 22, 2004

Today has been a very busy day. We got our new furniture and had it delivered. Then as soon as they left we went to the state fair… We had a perfect day for the fair and I really enjoyed it. Dave pushed me all over the place. We enjoyed an Indian taco and a funnel cake. I saw Elvis there in fact I saw eight Elvis’s. LOL The crowd was large and the noise was loud but I thought I handled it all pretty well… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma



September 21, 2004

Happy Anniversary Jenni and Chris!!! Jenni is our granddaughter in Moore, Oklahoma... I woke up still tired this morning when I have a day like yesterday I always end up paying for it the next day… Dave sold our hangar today. So now we will have some cash for new furniture… I made out a list for Phil our Schwan man. I showed him my web page while he was here. Our little Chihuahua Karmelita always gives Phil a hard time. She wants to bite his ankles… Josh came down tonight and we watched a James Bond movie called Live And Let Die, after Big Brother… Josh edited my journal for me tonight while Dave worked on the motor home. We now have our motor home in our drive way before it was up at Kenny's house... Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma



September 20, 2004

We left early this morning to go for an eye appointment for Dave he needed new glasses so he ordered a new pair and while we were there I made and appointment for an eye exam and I tried on glasses and found a pair I liked so if I need new glasses I have the frames picked out already. Then we went to Tinker Air Force Base to pick up our medications. Then to Dillard’s at the mall to pick up a rooster lamp that I have had my eye on for a long time. Later we went to the Honda shop for our Honda’s 130,000-mile check up. We had the people at the Honda shop take us to our favorite furniture store while they worked on our car. We looked for hours for furniture and we are still undecided… When we got home Kathy called and asked us to eat dinner with them. She had fixed a delicious beef roast and all the trimmings. I was thankful for that call because I was exhausted… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

September 19, 2004

We visited with Kenny and Kathy last night… Dave shampooed our furniture and carpets today while I supervised. It is amazing how dirty carpets and furniture can get with three dogs and we lived here quite awhile with nothing but red dirt outside. Hopefully now that we have grass it won’t get so dirty… I cleaned out the refrigerator, made more nectar for the hummingbirds, and took care of the houseplants and fed them. Also watered the flowers outside and then I hosted the afternoon DASNI chat. If you would like to learn more about DASNI click on the turtle above… I had a phone call from my brother and his son Roger is visiting so I got to talk to Roger also and my cousin Carolyn… We are still enjoying cantaloupe and okra from our garden. I am still putting plenty of okra in the freezer and still plenty to give away… I watched a beautiful sunset tonight and then we watched the Emmy’s on TV… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma



September 18, 2004

Thanks to Sis in Rusk, Texas for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book… Well I am finally able to post my journal again. We went back to Juno and that fixed the problem... I recently approved the 250th member to DASN International. We are continuing to grow slowly… I still don’t feel very perky but am doing a lot of resting and that seems to work as good as anything… Goodnight all... Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma





September 17, 2004

At eight o’clock this morning we got a call from David in Nice, France. They had just finished a delicious French breakfast. They will be getting on a ship tomorrow for seven days to go on a cruise and then they will take a train to Brussels and visit their friends in Belgium where their friends will be their tour guide… … I haven’t felt very good today another attack of diverticulitis. I called the doctor but he never returned my call… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma





September 16, 2004

Happy Birthday Edie!!! Edie is a school friend in Dayton, Indiana… David and Lori left early this morning for Nice, France. They called us from the airport. I still can’t post my journal and I am beginning to think it is my new ISP, Earthlink. We are talking about going back to the one we had which gave us no problems. We only went with this one because it came free for six months with my new laptop. I have always believed you get what you pay for… I am still getting a big wave from Josh and Heather when they get off the school bus everyday. Grandma never forgets to out and watch for them to get off the bus… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma





September 15, 2004

This morning David and Lori came with the two great granddaughters Madison 2 and Macey 8 weeks. I was so happy to see all of them again. I fed Macey her bottle while she was here and changed her diaper a couple times. She is making cute little noises now and smiling more. Madison was telling me that Macey was her best friend… David had a piece of chocolate french silk pie. Lori turned it down, oh how I wish I had her will power. She has lost so much weight and I am so proud of her… David left his car “ Winston” a Mini Cooper with us so we could keep it in our garage while they are on their trip abroad… I had phone calls from Chip, Jan, and Joanne from the Tulsa Alzheimer’s Association. I gave Joanne permission to give my phone number out to newly diagnosed patients who don’t have a computer to contact me… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

September 14, 2004

Last night I was finally able to get into the chat room and when I was typing I was having trouble seeing the keys with the lamp on the end table. I do fine with typing until it comes to the numbers plus I am still trying to get used to my new laptop. They moved the shift key on me. Anyhow some one had asked me in chat how old I was, well I hit the wrong key. So I asked Dave if he would turn on the headlight. I meant to say the ceiling lights. Lucky for me he understands what I mean, not what I say… I have been working since I got out of bed. Cleaning windows, dusting, paid bills, cooked supper, cut up more okra and put it in the freezer, did the afternoon chat, and cleaned up the kitchen… Needless to say I am really tired tonight… Dave told me this morning before he left for his hearing test that he had to go to a pilot’s meeting tonight and when he got ready to leave I asked him where he was going. When he told me then I remembered… Praying for all who are in the hurricane area… I have been trying to post my journal every night but angelfire doesn’t seem to work so meantime I will save it on Word… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

September 13, 2004

I finished up the laundry and cleaned up the kitchen but still pushing myself… Spent the rest of the day trying to make a decision on what clothes to order from the fall catalog. Never did come up with a decision on anything… Josh came down this evening with a video for us to watch and after the movie I tried to get in the DASNI chat room but it wasn’t working… A very hot and windy day here in Piedmont, USA… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma





September 12, 2004

Happy Grandparents Day to all Grandparents... Thanks to Judi in Bettendorf, Iowa for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book…I woke up still tired this morning and very irritable. I don’t like it when I am that way. I don’t like myself a bit when that happens… I pushed myself into doing some laundry… Tomorrow will be a better day… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma







September 11, 2004

George left early this morning going to Smithville, Tennessee to visit Richard, another one of Dave and George’s brothers. There were seven boys in Dave’s family and three girls. He and I both came from large families. There were four boys and three girls in my family… Dave and I went to Camper’s World to get a part for the motor home step but when we got there they didn’t have it in stock so we will have to order it… We stopped at an estate sale but just looked, didn’t find anything we could not live without. Then we went by the Aldi store and picked up a few groceries… When we got home my Dillard’s order had been delivered. My chicken scratch dinnerware is just what we needed… I also got my Dell printer that came free with my new laptop… We had a phone call from Alfred and he sounded very weak but he hopes to be released from the hospital on Tuesday… After supper we watched a movie “Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood.” The Oklahoma Sooners won another football game. I hope they continue to do so… I am tired and when I am tired I can’t get to bed quick enough. It is all I can do to get my teeth brushed and into my pajamas… Goodnight All… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

September 10, 2004

Happy Birthday Allison!!! Allison is our great granddaughter in Mammoth Cave, Kentucky… I hosted chat this afternoon and fixed a delicious supper. Pork Roast and gravy, Mashed Potatoes, stir fry vegetables, sliced tomatoes, and home made bread. Key Lime pie for dessert… Martha called and Alfred is doing good. I also had a phone call from Norita… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma




September 9, 2004

Happy Birthday Karen!!! Karen is our niece in Huntington, West Virginia… Dave’s brother made it in safely and I fixed a good supper for all of us… We left early this morning and went to Linda’s to get me a haircut then on out to see David and Lori. We had a bowl of delicious stew with them. And while the guys looked around on the farm I played with the grandkids. I got to hold and love on Macey and I sang “You are my Sunshine” to her. I had a tea party with Madison. I always feel better after a grandkid fix… Tonight we received a message that our friend Martha’s husband Alfred had a triple bypass. He became ill and they Medi-Flighted him to the New Mexico Heart Hospital in Albuquerque. Our prayers are with Alfred for a speedy recovery… Dave has offered to go to New Mexico and drive back the motor home when Alfred is ready to come home. Martha will let us know, she may try to drive it back herself but knows she can call on us if needed… I spent some time with Josh and Heather tonight. George brought some genealogy on the Lockhart’s and Josh was so excited to see it that he called Dan, George’s son, and asked if he could send him a copy of it. He wants to show his teachers. Josh had no idea how large the family was and was so tickled to see his name in there. Thank you Dan for sending Josh a copy of it. Josh has Asperger’s syndrome, a type of Autism… Goodnight all… Keeping the Faith In Oklahoma

September 8, 2004

Happy Anniversary Honey!!! Today is our 44th Anniversary… We didn’t do anything special today. We are expecting Dave’s brother George later today from Black Forrest, Colorado. We will be enjoying his visit and celebrate our anniversary at a later date… Plans are being made for a big DASNI get together later next month. It will be held at Jan and Wade’s RV park. I am hoping many of our DASNI members will be able to come for a face to face meeting… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma



September 7, 2004

I hosted the afternoon chat and ordered the dinnerware online at Dillard’s… I made a big list for the Schwan man that came today… Later went up to Kenny and Kathy’s to watch a dvd with them. But when Josh was putting in the DVD he noticed it was cracked and it wouldn’t play. We were a little disappointed but will send it back to Netflix and they will send me another DVD of “50 First Dates” Later Josh and I went out to pick the pumpkins because the squash bugs were eating them. We now have a bunch of pumpkins… Kathy and Heather came down later and we watched Big Brother together… Dave has been busy in the garage making a new workbench… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

September 6, 2004

Happy Anniversary Kerry and Erin!!! Dave and I spent Labor Day at the mall and Home Depot shopping. I showed Dave the Chicken Scratch dinnerware that I liked at Dillard’s and he likes it also. They didn’t have the complete set in it so I will order it later online… I am very tired tonight. But had a fun day… Goodnight All…. Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma





September 5, 2004

Happy Birthday Kerry!!! Kerry is married to our granddaughter Erin. When I called this morning to wish him Happy Birthday they were in San Antonio and on their way to Sea World… Thanks to Evelyn in Peru, Indiana and Wayne Roper in Ratliff City, Oklahoma for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book… My old laptop died on me and one morning when I woke up Dave told me he had ordered me a new one. It came in late Friday evening and Dave has been busy transferring stuff for me. I really like my new one but I am still trying to get used to it… We have been enjoying cantaloupe and watermelon from our garden. There is nothing like peanut butter on toast and cantaloupe for breakfast. Dave picked okra and I put five quarts up in the freezer. I sure was tired by the time I had finished and went to bed before nine that night… We asked Kenny and Kathy down for supper last night, we had fajitas. Food always tastes better when you are sharing… One night we had Martha and Alfred over for supper and after we finished eating Martha and I went to Dillard’s while the guys flew Alfred’s radio control plane in the back yard. We were gone for several hours and neither of us bought anything and the guys were sure shocked. But I sure got some ideas. I want some Rooster dinnerware and I plan on doing my kitchen in Roosters. I seen one pattern I really liked it, was called chicken scratch. I plan on taking Dave to see it soon… Alfred and Martha left yesterday to go on a three-week vacation in the motor home. We will sure miss them… David and Lori called this morning and they are getting excited about their trip to England later this fall… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

September 2, 2004

Happy Birthday Austin in Elkland, Missouri.







August 30

Happy Anniversary to Judy and Dewey in Lexington, North Carolina.







August 28, 2004

Thanks to Margaret in Seattle, Washington for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book… A big thank you to all who have written me and tell me you read my journal. You all made my day… Last night Dave and I noticed our newest neighbors Cliff and Kelly had their sod delivered so we went down to help lay it. Really I only supervised. But someone had to do it. Robert and Kim were there also helping. I enjoyed visiting with the ladies and watching the children play. Cliff and Kelly have two daughters Nikole and Kailey, they are very sweet girls… This morning I went to the garden and picked cucumbers, tomatoes, yellow squash, and I picked our first cantaloupe and can’t wait to try it. It is in the refrigerator chilling and we will have it for breakfast tomorrow. Dave picked the okra and a watermelon… I answered emails and I think I am caught up on them, paid bills, unloaded dishwasher, deadheaded the hibiscus and fixed supper… I called our long time friends Bert and Evelyn in Peru, Indiana and got some sad news. Bert had a heart attack and while he was in the hospital they found out he also has lung cancer. I would appreciate you praying for Bert and Evelyn. Bert and Evelyn were so good to our boys and me when Dave spent a year in Thailand. Bert would change my flat tires and he would take David and Kenny fishing. They just celebrated their 50th. Anniversary… The humming birds are back and I noticed this morning that both feeders were empty so that could have been the reason they quit coming. They are both filled now with nectar… It has been a beautiful day in the low 80’s… Going now to watch the Bill Gaither Homecoming on TV... Thank you God for a great day… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

August 27, 2004

Thanks to Aralee in Schertz, Texas, Andrianna, and Dewey in Lexington, North Carolina for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book… Last night I got distracted and forgot to do my journal. I started smelling gas and I asked Dave if he smelled something and he did. He shut off the gas and I sat outside for a long time talking to Kathy. Then we had to open the windows and sleep with them open and I believe it was the hottest night ever. I didn’t sleep well… The people who handle our propane came today to check for leaks. They seem to think it is our cook top that is the problem. So Monday the appliance people will come out. Anyhow the smell is gone for now and the gas has been turned back on… The good news is that the maids came today and cleaned our house. I love a clean house and with no clutter. It doesn’t take long for us to make a mess again. But I do try to keep everything in it’s place… I want to say a big hello to my friend Norma in California who is a faithful reader of my journal. I would like to hear from you if you read my journal. I love email and I need all the encouragement I can get…. I haven’t seen any hummingbirds lately. It is so windy they probably got blown away… I made several phone calls to good friends. I called Sis, Norma, Chip, and Martha. I had many more I could have called but got tired of talking… For supper I fixed Cat Fish, Hush Puppies, Corn, and Asparagus. All was from Schwan’s. I often wonder what I did without them… I was outside sitting on the patio at five past four waving at Josh and Heather when they got off the bus. They always wave back and I hope it means half as much to them as it does me… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

August 25, 2004

Our prayers go out to Janey, our friend in Plainview, Illinois who is in the hospital and is in serious condition. Please keep Janey in your prayers… August weather is here. It got up in the high nineties today and very windy… I am finally back to doing my journal. We have been busy changing doctors, getting one closer to our home and just not feeling like doing a journal. We picked Dr. Brown and we are pleased with our choice. I have had several tests done and have failed all but one… Dave had a hearing test and needs hearing aids and he also broke his glasses and I am seeing dollar signs… I have been sitting outside in the afternoons watching for Josh and Heather to get off the school bus. They run in the house and start their homework. Last night Dave walked up to see the grandkids. I miss them since school has started. They have been back in school for a week now… Josh is tickled that our little Chihuahua Karmelita has finally made up with him after trying for seven years. I bought the book “What is Happening to Grandpa” by Maria Shriver and Josh read it to me and I will ask Heather to read it to me also. I so want the kids to understand what is going on with me and why I act the way I do… Dave has been taking me for walks every night. He pushes me in my wheelchair. We are enjoying watching the olympics... Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

August 7, 2004

Happy Birthday Sharon!!! Sharon is our friend in Satsuma, Florida I was still tired all day yesterday from my busy day the day before… I got up early yesterday so I could get the sheets and mattress covers washed and dried before the maids got here and just barely got that done before they arrived. There are three of them that come and they are in here and out in about an hour… Last night Dave pushed me in my wheelchair up the street to see all the new homes that are being built. It was a perfect evening, nice and cool and we enjoyed a nice sunset, were hoping we would see some deer but never did. We do have tracks in our yard where they come up during the night. I noticed one of my Magnolia blossoms that were just about to bloom was on the ground. I am thinking the deer might have done that… This morning Dave fixed us delicious western omelets. I sliced some tomatoes from our garden to go with them… I had a phone call from Chip and a call from Sis. Chip and Sharon are back home in Florida after a trip to Ohio for Chip’s Mother’s funeral and visiting family and friends… I called and invited Alfred and Martha over for supper. We had a great meal which included oven fried chicken, potatoes, asparagus, squash, sliced tomatoes and Chocolate Silk Pie. Later we all watched a DVD “ Down On The Delta.” We had a very enjoyable evening with our good friends… Thank you God for a great day… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

August 5, 2004

Our deepest sympathy goes out to Norita in Isabella, California who recently lost her sister… We got up early this morning and went to Bethany to drop off our mantel clock to be adjusted. Then went to Midwest City to a couple Doctor’s offices to pick up prescriptions and stopped off at the glasses place so Dave could get his glasses worked on. Then we went to Apple Medical to get Dave’s CPap machine adjusted. Then to Tinker Air Force Base to drop off the prescriptions and from there we went back to Oklahoma City to Linda’s beauty shop to get my haircut. From there we went back to Tinker to the post office so I could mail mine and Kathy’s quilt squares to Shirley in Australia. From there we went to the Credit Union to get some cash then back to the pharmacy to pick up medication and then to the commissary… It was about five when we got home and we fixed a supper all from our garden except for the ham. We had corn on the cob, fried squash, sliced tomatoes, and cucumbers. It sure was good and we were hungry… I called Aunt Florence in San Antonio, Sandy in Ohio, and Norita in California… I made up another batch of hummingbird nectar... I am tired tonight but have good reason to be… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

August 4, 2004

Happy Birthday Richard!!! Richard is Dave’s brother in Smithville, Tennessee… I got woke up early this morning with the sound of thunder and we got a good rain out of it. I was able to go back to sleep and slept till about nine… I had a phone call from school friend Helen in Marietta, Georgia this morning. It is nice talking to a good friend that you have known since you were in high school… Dave has been busy working in the garage all day and I stayed in where it was cool. I paid bills and tried to balance the checkbook, watered the house plants, and fixed supper… We are going to watch Along Came Polly and get to bed early as we have a big day ahead of us tomorrow… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

August 3, 2004

Yesterday wasn’t one of my better days. I spent most of the day being a couch potato… It is feeling like August here, our outdoors thermometer is showing 108 degrees and it is in the shade. I haven’t been outside for a couple days now and don’t want to even go out in this heat… I did a load of laundry and did some picking up around the house. I started fixing supper but had to ask Dave to help… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma



August 1, 2004

Happy Birthday Martha!!! Martha is my sister in Peru, Indiana… I didn’t do a journal last night because when we got home from the lake I was too tired… We did have a wonderful day at the lake at Martha and Alfred’s motor home. They had invited other friends Linda and Paul. We played a card game called Phase Ten. Dave and I neither one had played the game before but we sure did enjoy it. Then we had a wonderful catfish meal with them… David and Lori came out this morning and had lunch with us. Lori and I went to the garden and picked some squash for them… Later I went to Kathy’s and she and I worked on our DASNI quilt square. We are pleased with what we did. Now I will mail it off to Shirley in Australia and she is collecting squares from all over the world for our DASNI quilt and then when finished it will be auctioned off to the highest bidder… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

July 30, 2004

I was still awake at one this morning. I just could not fall asleep after tossing and turning I asked Dave if I could have a sleeping pill knowing I had to get up early this morning. I think maybe being with all the strangers last night at the Mary Kaye party might have had something to do with me not getting to sleep. I think I was … shoot can’t bring up the word I am wanting to use. Oh well. That plus my knee was hurting… While I was sitting in the doctor’s office waiting on the doctor I finished Tracy Mobley’s book “Young Hope” I think it is a great book for PWiD’s (People with dementia) and Tabs (Care-Partners) to read and it is very easy to read and it is large print. To order Tracy’s book go here: www.emeraldfalconpress.com ...Dr. Clinkenbeard gave me a couple of injections in my knee. At first I thought it was working but I am not sure yet… I got to come off Flagyl and Levaquin, the antibiotics I have been on for seven days for my tummy. I now can have milk products and ICE CREAM… I called Larry Rose but Larry was out so I visited with his friend Katie then I called Joanne, a friend in Benton, Arkansas… I remembered and went to the evening chat tonight and got to visit with Alan in New Zealand and Charley in Missouri… I am feeling very tired tonight… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

July 29, 2004

Thanks to Tom in Ft Worth, Texas and Garnette in Corsicana, Texas for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book… Dave and I watched the movie A Beautiful Mind last night… This morning I was a bit confused but my day got better as it went on… I had to call Molly Maids to cancel my cleaning for tomorrow because of a Doctor appointment. I sure hated to do that but they will come next Friday so hopefully the health department doesn’t come before next Friday LOL… I got the bills paid, worked on the checkbook and ordered some more checks, did laundry, cleaned our bathroom. I would get a lot more done if I could just remember what I was going to do… Tonight Kathy and I went to Kim’s, our neighbors across the street for a Mary Kaye party… Phone call from friend Martha tonight inviting us out to the lake where they are camping this weekend to go out in the boat with them… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

July 28, 2004

Happy Birthday Carolyn!!! Carolyn is a friend and DASNI member in Canada… Happy Birthday Chip!!! Chip is our friend and DASNI member in Satsuma, Florida… We enjoyed having Martha and Alfred here last night. But the guys weren’t able to fly because it was too windy. Martha and I sat out on the front porch hoping we would see some deer but the kids across the street were outside playing so probably kept the deer from coming out of the woods… We got a good rain this morning and it was much appreciated. I don’t think it got much above 70 degrees, that is so unusual for July in Oklahoma but we like it… I got the laundry folded and put away that was still in the dryer from yesterday. I got the hummingbird feeders filled with nectar and made some more. The hummingbirds are coming constantly now and we have birds at our other feeder all the time also eating the sunflower seeds… Dave fixed supper tonight. The package was too complicated for me to figure out. Some days are like that… David called and I called Chip… I finally made an appointment to see a doctor about my knees… Kathy gave me my B/12 injection… We are getting more squash out of our garden than we know what to do with. Yesterday I gave some to the Schwan man and to Martha… Thank you Dave for all you do for me everyday… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

July 27, 2004

I have had a busy day. Cleaned the kitchen, did laundry, gave three dogs a bath, went to vote, got groceries, and went to Pets and People and donated some furniture, books, and odd items we no longer needed. Pets and People are having a big garage sale next month. I helped Dave cook supper and made out a list for the Schwan man and read some of Tracy’s book “Young Hope”. It is a really great book and so easy to read even has large print which I really appreciate. I can relate to everything she writes. I tried to call Tracy today but she wasn’t home, talked with her husband Allen and he sounded like such a nice care-partner, just like my husband… Martha and Alfred will be over later tonight and Alfred and Dave will fly their radio-controlled airplanes and Martha and I will put our feet up and visit… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

July 26, 2004

The sunflowers are all in full bloom now and the Hibiscus that we transferred from the other house are blooming. .. I got all the house plants watered today and meant to feed the flowers outside some Miracle Gro but gave out too soon… Kathy and I went to see Jenni and the new baby Macey Ann this afternoon and she is so tiny and such a beautiful baby. While we were there Grandma Lori came in with Madison who had spent the night with her grandma. Lori did good and didn’t once try to take Macey away from me. I got to feed her twice while we were there. I am happy now I got my grandkid fix… I got home just in time to fix supper. Then Kathy came down with green beans she had picked and we broke them… We got to see several deer tonight, they were on the lot next to ours… My knees are really giving me trouble. I hope this doesn’t last because I can hardly walk. I am even considering knee surgery. That is how bad they are hurting… I was so happy to get Tracy Mobley’s book “Young Hope” in the mail today and I can’t wait to read it. I am mentioned in this book also…. My webmasters Teresa has quit doing web pages so unless I find me someone to help with my web page this will be my last year for it so please pray I find someone… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

July 25, 2004

We broke a record today with a high temperature of 75 degrees and is supposed to get down in the fifties tonight. Our windows are open and it is so nice… Dave went to the hangar this afternoon and finished bringing every thing home and cleaning the hangar. We now have a one car garage and a two car shed. More boxes to unpack… We walked up to Kenny and Kathy’s tonight and Dave helped Kenny with a project he had going and Kathy and I went to the garden and picked some cucumbers and a couple watermelon. We will see if they are ripe when we cut them tomorrow… Kathy and I have made plans to see Macey Ann tomorrow… I called Jenni and she said that Macey is a good baby. So now they have two good babies. Lucky her… I got a few things done today but now can’t remember what they were… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

July 24, 2004

Thanks to Barbara in Kokomo, Indiana for visiting Mary's Place and signing my guest book... We got two and half inches of badly needed rain last night and it has really cooled off... It is almost too chilly tonight... I opened some windows and Dave and I took advantage of the cooler weather and unpacked some more boxes in the garage. We did a lot of tossing too. I was playing supervisor telling Dave to throw stuff away... I fixed a pork roast and invited Kenny and Kathy down for supper. I even made homemade bread from Schwan's. It was nice having Kenny and Kathy down. Later Kathy and I cleaned our rings and our husbands rings in some ring cleaner I had found in the garage when we were unpacking. Our diamonds really sparkle now... George, my brother, called this morning; he was in Peru, Indiana enjoying the big circus parade. I have great memories of going to that parade every year with my Mother... Marie in Miami, Florida called it was so good to hear her voice again... Goodnight all... Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

July 23, 2004

Today is the tomorrow that I have been waiting for. . I have been busy since I got out of bed this morning… I got all the laundry done, dusted, picked vegetables, did the DASNI chat, made nectar and filled hummingbird feeders, fixed supper, called Pat and Jean, and took some fresh vegetables over to Robert and Kim our neighbors across the street. Robert and Kim have two little boys about three and five years old. They remind me of David and Kenny when they were that age. Which was a long time ago but it seems like only a little while ago they were little. And now they are grandpa’s… Dave and I were out checking on our trees and they are all still living. While we were looking at the trees we noticed some deer tracks. I sure would like to see the deer… Robert and Kim said they had seen some but they live closer to the woods than we do and put out corn for them… We haven’t seen the turkey in awhile… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

July 22, 2004

Today has been another down day as I am having tummy problems and no energy… I received my copy of Internet Babylon from Julie Miller at Apress. Thank you Julie. This is the book I had mentioned before that my web page is featured in. Greg Holden is the author. Please check it out… Tomorrow has to be a better day… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma





July 21, 2004

Congratulations to Chris and Jenni on the birth of their daughter Macey Ann born yesterday morning… We now have six great grand children… Josh spent Monday night with me so I would not have to be alone while Dave spent the night in Midwest City in the hospital for a sleep study. Josh and I had a good time watching movies and just talking. I did almost have a fire though. We were making popcorn in the microwave and it over heated and we had a kitchen full of smoke. Josh took the burnt popcorn bag out to the garbage can outside… I didn’t sleep well with Dave gone because I missed hearing his C-Pap machine. I have gotten so used to hearing it every night and it was a bit too quiet with out it… Kathy’s two-week vacation is over and she had to go back to work today… Heather is spending time with her father and Josh left to go spend time with his Mother… I checked on the garden and picked cucumbers and tomatoes and noticed the pumpkins are turning orange… Kathy came down last night and sat outside with us. It was a nice evening to be outside. I never noticed any mosquitoes… I haven’t gotten much of anything accomplished today. I will try and do better tomorrow… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

July 18, 2004

Dave and I went this morning to Lowe’s to pick up two more bags of bermuda grass seed and a few other things he was needing. They were having a free health fair there put on by the Lions Club. So Dave and I took advantage of it and went in to be checked. They checked our b/p, eyes, hearing, sugar, and checked me for bone density. I failed the sugar test and the bone density and was told to see my family doctor. Dave failed the hearing, sugar and eye exam… Last night Kathy brought our supper down to us. She brought chicken, fried squash and macaroni and cheese. I had fixed some stir fry vegetables. It sure was good… It was Jamie, Allison, and Mathew’s last night here. They left this morning early for Kentucky. We are sure going to miss them. Their two weeks here flew by. I do know they were ready to see Mitch and I am sure Mitch was ready for them to get home… I hosted chat this afternoon and helped fix supper, cleaned up the kitchen and dusted the living room and dining room. This house is big and it keeps me busy trying to keep it clean and the laundry done too… Dave got the grass seed all planted and someday we will have grass instead of red dirt on our acreage… David called, he and Lori had been down to visit Lori’s Grandparents and help them out. Lori wasn’t feeling good she had to have a wisdom tooth cut out… I am going to watch the CBS movie… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

July 16, 2004

Thanks to Sis in Rusk, Texas and Vicky in Kewanee, Illinois for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book… We have been busy the past few days and now to remember what we have been busy at… Kathy had us up for supper on Wednesday and we enjoyed a delicious meal. Jamie made the dessert, a cheesecake. Yummy… Yesterday morning I took a whirlpool bath. I should do it more often but getting in and out is such a chore with these bad legs of mine. I just get in and drop down since my knees don’t work well and to get out I have to call for Dave to help me, even though I have helper bars. But the time I am in the tub is wonderful… In the afternoon Dave made us appointments for a full body massage. Kenny and Kathy had given us a gift certificate for Christmas for a one-hour massage and we have been too busy to go until now. With building a house, showing and selling a house and moving and getting settled in. The massage was wonderful. I wish we could afford to go often… Then we went by WalMart and picked up a few things. We got a Spiderman toy for Allison and Mathew and they were tickled… Kathy invited us up again last night for a Spaghetti supper. I took up a couple Schwan’s pies, a Chocolate Silk and a Key Lime… Later Dave and I watched “Monster” … Today I have been busy doing laundry while Dave was in the garage building something… It is looking like rain I sure hope we get a good one… I am still enjoying the hummingbirds. They keep me busy making nectar and filling the feeders… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

July 13, 2004

I made a list out for the Schwan man who came this evening. We are really enjoying their meals… I transplanted three plants and made a big mess. I had potting soil all over the utility room. It was so bad I didn’t know where to begin. I sure am glad I have a sink in the utility room… I watched the Oprah show this afternoon and I cried through most of it. I am so happy that Oprah is doing shows on Alzheimer’s. My psychiatrist told me he didn’t believe that a person in their thirty’s, forty’s, or fifties could have Alzheimer’s. I hope he watched the Oprah show today. I have not been back to see that psychiatrist and have no plans of ever seeing him again… I cooked green beans and squash for supper. They both came out of our garden… Dave and I watched a DVD “ Mystic River” … Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma



July 12, 2004

Happy Birthday Norma!!! Norma is a DASN friend in Canada… Happy Birthday Vern!!! Vern is a friend in Hawaii… I did it again, went to bed last night with out my medication. I tossed and turned all night and finally it dawned on me that I had not taken my medication. It was 4:30 AM when I finally got up and took it. I had planned on going to Oklahoma City with Dave to see the doctor and then to David and Lori’s. But after having such a bad night I decided it was best that I stay home… Thanks Lori for the fresh peaches… I got all the laundry done, even our bedding and the dogs and did some more reading… I bet I won’t forget my medication tonight… Tomorrow Oprah is doing a show on Alzheimer’s… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma





July 11, 2004

Congratulations to our friend Janey in Plainfield, Illinois on the adoption of her new dog Sammy. Lucky dog and lucky Janey… Yesterday Dave and I took the afternoon off to watch a DVD “Open Range” and we both enjoyed it. After we finished watching it I took it up to Kenny and Kathy’s so they could watch it… It has been a quite weekend, very peaceful… Dave hung some draperies for me… Our house is sure beginning to look like a home. We both love it.. I walked up to check on the garden and picked a couple more tomatoes. We also have bell peppers about ready to be picked. Dave started these bell peppers from seeds he saved from some bell peppers we had bought at the grocery store last year. It was his first time to ever try this. We had always bought the bell pepper plants before… We had our first ripe tomato last night with our hamburgers. It sure tasted good… As I watched Lawrence Welk on TV I was thinking of my Mother in heaven and wishing I could call her one more time. I miss her so much… I fixed a Schwan’s Lasagnas for supper… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

July 9, 2004

Our deepest sympathies go out to Chip and Sharon Gerber. Chip lost his mother early this morning. She had been suffering with Alzheimer’s for a very long time… Congratulations to Tracy on her book Young Hope being published. Tracy was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in her thirties and has written a book about her life. I can wait to read her book. You can order Tracy’s book here: www.emeraldfalconpress.com … I feel like I have so much to write about I just hope I can remember it all… Yesterday I went for a badly needed hair cut. They were here installing our blinds when I had to leave for my appointment so I asked Jamie to come down and stay until we got back. She was happy to stay because she said Kathy was working her to death. LOL… They have been caning dill pickles… Josh came down yesterday afternoon and we watched Spider Man. Kathy and Jamie had taken all of the kids to see Spider Man 2 earlier in the week and they really enjoyed it… Carole in Missouri called and we talked about the quilt we at DASN are working on. I plan on making a square and Kathy is planning on making one also in memory of her father… I went to the garden and it is looking good. Dave did some tilling and hoeing and it looks so much better without all the weeds. The cantaloupe I planted are finally showing up but my beets never did show up. Josh has some little pumpkins showing up from the seeds he planted. I picked the first tomato finally; it isn’t completely ripe but will be in a few days. My tomatoes have never been this late before… My brother has been having ripe tomatoes for quite some time already… He called yesterday and was so happy that he finally found and old Singer treadle sewing machine. Singer was my maiden name but too bad we aren’t related. I have a Singer sewing machine but only the head… We went shopping again for a table and chairs and we finally found the one we wanted. It is solid wood oak with chairs that swivel and have castors and very comfortable. They were offering six months without any interest so we hope to have it paid off in six months. We are very happy with our purchase and it looks so good in our kitchen nook… Kathy, Jamie and Allison came down to see our new table and chairs and I gave Jamie a special violet pot to put her violets in. By the way, my violet is blooming again. Jamie gave me the violet when we went to Kentucky last year to visit them… Tonight Alfred and Martha brought Alfred’s brother Tom and his wife Vera, who are visiting from Florida, over for a visit. Tom and Vera brought their beautiful dogs with them. One was a Labrador retriever and the other was a Brittany Spaniel. I fell in love with both of them. We had a great time visiting and later after Kenny, Kathy, Josh, Heather, Jamie, Allison and Mathew finished their volley ball game they all walked down and Kathy was carrying a ice cold watermelon so we all had some watermelon out on the patio. Dave and Kenny entertained us with flying their remote controlled planes. The big dogs wanted to chase the planes. LOL I think they thought that they were big birds… A really nice evening… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

July 6, 2004

Happy 46th Anniversary Claude and Susan!!! Susan is a friend in Canada… Yesterday I was still recovering from my big holiday celebration… We had a surprise visit last night from Mathew and his grandpa Kenny. Mathew knew I was his grandma but he said he couldn’t remember my name. Mathew just finished kindergarten and is sharp as a tack… Dave has been working all day in the garage making room for another trailer load he will bring in from the hangar later… I did a couple loads of laundry, fixed lunch and supper, cleaned the kitchen and hosted chat, and unloaded a big box of bed linens and towels. It always feels good to see the bottom of another box… I received a postcard from my Sister in California and another DVD came in the mail today. It is the one I have wanted to see for a long time, “Cold Mountain”… While Dave was at the hangar I read some more of “The Book of God.” I am on page 82 and only about six hundred more pages to go. When Dave gets home we will watch “Cold Mountain” together… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

July 4, 2004

Kathy brought Jamie down yesterday to see our home and she really liked it… My friend Jeanne in Hawaii called; it was good to hear from her as her computer has been broken for some time… Later Dave and I went to a few stores looking for a dinette set for our kitchen nook and we are still going to look some more. Stopped by to visit with Martha and Alfred and had pizza with them. Alfred had just recently had some knee surgery and he is doing fine… Then we went to Wal-Mart and picked up a few things and then we got back to Piedmont just in time to see their fireworks display… Today we spent most of the day at Kenny and Kathy’s for a big 4th celebration… Allison and Matthew have grown quite a bit since I had seen them in November. The kids had a great time jumping on the trampoline and swimming in the pool… I think there must have been at least thirty people there. After a big lunch I came home to get my medicine and it was so quiet so I just stayed here… Later Lori came down to check on me. She understood that the crowd was a bit too much for me to handle and I am sure everyone else did also… I showed Lori our garden and she went home with a sack of squash… We watched the CBS July 4th special… I called Lynne in Iowa Park, Texas and invited her and Larry up to visit us… I am really tired tonight… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma

July 1, 2004

Thanks to Sis in Rusk, Texas for visiting Mary’s Place and signing my guest book… Last night Dave I went up to Kenny and Kathy’s to ask Kathy to give me my B/12 injection. Kathy jumped up and was happy to get to stick the Mother-in-law… Afterwards Kathy, Heather and I put on our boots and went out in the garden to pick vegetables. Heather was so cute. We are determined to turn her into a country girl. She picked vegetables but didn’t care for the itch the okra caused. She picked green beans, cucumbers, and squash with no problem but when she was picking the corn she was grossed out every time she seen a worm. She says she will never eat corn again. I was pleased to see her taking interest in the garden… Dave and Kenny flew radio-controlled planes while we were in the garden… Dave got a radio-controlled sailplane for Father’s Day. He has been working on it but hasn’t flown it yet. I am looking forward to seeing it fly… We had more thunderstorms during the night. The loud thunder woke me up… I slept late this morning and it felt good… I had a phone call from Chip in Florida and he sounded good. We both love our spouses and appreciate them and enjoy our grandchildren and watching the birds… I did laundry and picked up around the house getting ready for my monthly visit from Molly Maids tomorrow and am I ever ready for them to come… I went to our DASNI chat and met a new lady from Virginia, her name is Linda, also chatted with her husband Bill. Sandy in Ohio and Tracy in Missouri were there too. I am happy we are getting our chats going again… I got a call that they will be here next week to install our blinds. I like not having any blinds but it is like living in a fish bowl with all these windows when people drive by they can see right through our house… Dave set up my medication for the week. I am so thankful he does that for me… Goodnight all… Keeping The Faith In Oklahoma