Potential Hip and Knee Replacements

As I grow older, many things on the body begin to wear out. I'm having some difficulties with one hip and both knees. While on a mission trip to South Dakota, I checked out this animal for a possible donation. His joints worked magnificently, and he doesn't need them any more.

Fun at the Dentist

I should not have titled this one, especially using the word "dentist." I have a fear that many of you will not choose to read this post because of your fear of dentists or fear of going to the dentist. I promise, this won't hurt you. Yesterday, due to a cancellation, I was able to get into a dental surgeon to have a tooth checked. The tooth in question has already had a root canal, one of the seven I have. (I passed out and fell on my chin, breaking teeth when I was a teen.) Anyway, after several xrays and examination tests, the doctor wasn't sure. So we proceeded with the exploration. Fortunately, she drilled through the crown instead of taking it off. Good news/bad news. The tooth was hurting because it was cracked horizontally, and it had a fourth canal, untreated, that wasn't visible without the microscope. So for two hours the doc labored away and was able to do half of the job. She sealed the tooth temporarily and sent me on my way. As I was making my next appointment (which wasn't for 3 weeks) I suggested they call me if they had an opening. Good news, I guess. The doctor came to the desk and said she had an immediate opening. Would I want to return to the chair for two more hours and complete the job? NO! But I said yes. The doctor was able to complete the other two canals and fill the tooth. After four hours and a healthy bill, I was able to walk out without making another appointment. Maybe I will lose some weight as I give the tooth time to settle down and heal. Hopefully, I will not have to see a dentist for at least 6 months.

We Have Homework!

It's time to get serious. I mean, I brought home all this work to do over the summer for school, and all I have done is move the stuff around. After all, my dining room table is loaded down and is surrounded by boxes of important stuff. Today is the day. The other fourth grade teacher, Becky, and I are going to get busy with the math standards. Yes, we are going to do school work during our summer off. Yes, we are going to be productive starting today, this morning, this summer. Does it sound like I am trying to convince myself to get started, to actually work? If I hadn't already invited Becky over to work, I would not do anything on it today. Thanks, Becky, for making me be productive even though I could scream and don't want to do anything. But then I need to remember how blessed we are in the states. It could be like the schools in Honduras. They are thankful also.

If I taught there, I wouldn't have to worry about academic standards or current math books or computer programs. I would only worry about traveling an hour and a half up the mountain on boulders and washouts for the road, teach 50 students in the morning and another 50 in the afternoon. Then travel back down the mountain.

To Watch the Race Or Babysit??

I had front row seats, the best in the place! I was up close to the action. I was in the middle of the debree. I helped fuel three times. I finished in record time in the pit stops. No sunburn, no hard seats, no inebriated spectators. I chose well. I babysat my grandson all day while the others went to the race. I WON! What a sweet time. I was even showered with milk in the winner's circle. I love you, Cubby!

Horses, Chickens, and Goats, Oh, My!

My granddaughter Toots and I have spent this past week attending the 4-H County Fair. Her most favorite thing was the snow cone. She had one or two every day. Next, she loved looking at, petting, and talking to the animals. The goats were her pick and she loved receiving kisses from them. Not sure how thrilled the goats were about that. LOL Her cousins had beef cows for their projects and let Toots help a little in getting them ready to show. Toots is tall for her age, but nothing to compare to the beef. At times I was a little fearful for her close proximity to the cows, but she had no fear. Hope when she is old enough to show that she chooses goats and NO cows.

More Honduran School News.

While visiting the school in Honduras, I took some shots of the "centers" developed by the teacher for the students' use. The pictures are of Science and Math centers. All of the centers were perched on a narrow shelf across the back of the room with each clearly labeled. I marveled at them. From the items contained within each, I assume the teacher had to find/buy his own. But I should not judge what it takes to instruct the children. I know that my students would be so bored with the items while the Honduran children are so blessed.

Time For School in Honduras

We have so much! When I boxed up my room to make way for the renovations of our building, I had over 70 large boxes of books and supplies. I dread having to unbox and shelve all my stuff when we finally get into our upgraded school buildings. But check out these photos of a school in Honduras. And two bathrooms were sufficient for the whole school.

Lawn Care the Honduran Way

In any neighborhood in our state one can find meticulously manicured lawns, the pride of the owners. In Honduras it is a little bit different. You can see in the one picture the lawn before cutting. The other one is of a boy using the "mower", a machete to cut the lawn. And the young man was wearing flip flops.

And Sew It Goes

What a night! Severe thunderstorms! Tornado warning! No power! Power back on! Power flickering! Heavy rains! But at the appointed time the faithful servants began arriving to begin our mission of sewing diapers for Haiti. We had 9 sewing machines whirring that beautiful sound, 8 ladies and 1 man operating the machines, one 5 year old who worked diligently cutting wash cloths apart, restacking, cutting threads on diapers, carrying items to sewers, and counting diapers and me, cutting elastic, clipping and turning diapers. What an awesome sight. What a way to allow God to use our talents to serve Him in this mission. Thanks to all who served. Looking forward to doing it again tonight.

Sewing Diapers for Haiti

It's that time again! We are ready to sew diapers for the Northwest Haiti Christian Mission's birthing center. The mothers come to the center to give birth at no cost, increasing the changes for a safe birth and a live baby. While at the center, the staff witnesses to the mothers, telling them about Christ, their Savior. When the mothers leave, they are given a diaper bag with several cloth diapers, a blanket or two, wash cloths, a couple of shirts, etc. Without the diapers the babies wear dirty rags or nothing. So come help us make diapers to cover those precious bottoms and further witness to the families. (Laurie, this is not the post for your blog. I have a little more to say on the subject.)

Baby Fix

I was honored to spend time with my grandson, "Cubby." He has filled out well since his early entry into this world. He smiled for me a time or two while I held him. But mostly his eyes searched my face and seemed to be saying "I'm not too sure about this." I rocked him, gave him a bottle, and patted his bottom which he seemed to enjoy the most. Looking forward to more times of enjoyment with my little one.

Sewing Ideas for Honduras

I would like to share a little of what Lorraine and I were able to do during the mission trip to Honduras. With limited strength abilities, we were not able to do the construction of the walls, painting the clinic, throwing rocks down the hill, or digging out the ditch, but we were able to share our gift of sewing with several of the ladies. His Eyes for Honduras mission receives large amounts of clothing from the USA to be used in many ways to further the mission. Unfortunately, "gringo guilt" sets in and we Americans send clothing that is too large (4X), winter coats, sweaters, etc. The mission has all these bags of clothing that is not usable as is. Our goal was to teach the ladies how to alter, reconstruct, create something new, and save buttons, zippers, belts, ribbing, and straps for later use. I showed the ladies how to make purses and tote bags from jeans and bib overalls, braided rugs from strips of torn blue jeans, a skirt from jeans, drawstring backpack from two legs of jeans, decorative pillowcase from pajama shirt, and a small purse from the leg of dress slacks with a man's tie for a handle. Lorraine showed them how to make a smaller sized tee shirt by cutting XL shirt, reusing ribbing from other shirts, and constructing the new one. The ladies were so thrilled to be able to do this. They were able to make the shirts with one easy lesson and the language barrier. The mounds of clothing will yield them many new shirts in the correct sizes. We were able to teach alterations of hems, sleeves, darts, and removing turtleneck collars. The ladies were quick learners and were able to whip out items so easily. One of the ladies came back the next day with a drawstring purse she had made out of a decorated woman's shirt. Such talent!! We were asked if we could just stay in Honduras to teach more sewing. When the answer was no, they asked us to come back soon. The Lord willing, I think that can be arranged.

Back From the Mission

We are back from our week-long mission trip to Honduras. We had an awesome experience. I was excited to be able to teach several ladies how to create purses, bags, skirts, backpacks, rag rugs, and quilts from oversized or unusable clothing. Lorraine, another lady who went with us, taught the ladies how to make a "new" t-shirt from old, oversized t-shirts. The ladies were quick learners and were so enthusiastic. Wish we had had more time to teach/work. They have already asked me to return soon or even move there.

Need Motivated

I've got work to do today. But I am not motivated. Maybe when someone arrives to spend the day with me I will gain my motivation to work. She will probably require a list. So I better get ready.

Ride It Again

I don't like to ride rides at the carnival. They make me ill. Well, last night I stood and watched as our granddaughter, Toots, rode again and again. Her favorite was like a giant swing that would take the seated people back and forth until it went over the top. She rode it about 10 times. My fear is that she will want to try that on her own swing. LOL While riding the scrambler, she turned sideways in the seat and closed her eyes to add more thrill to the ride. I was afraid she would slip out, but she made it just fine. It was interesting to watch her in line with other children, how she struck up a conversation and got them to do what she wanted. I felt sorry for one little girl who got into a spinning car because Toots made it spin the entire time. The girl was holding her head and stomach. Bet she looked over her shoulder to keep out of the way of Toots for future rides. Mom and Dad, you got your money's worth for the rides. She would do it all over again today!

Let's Make a List

Yesterday, Toots and I made a list of all the things we wanted and needed to accomplish for the day. 1. Finish sewing felt hearts for the mission trip to Honduras. (She loves doing mission work.) 2. Watch tv. (Have to give her some reward and motivation.) 3. Bake brownies to take to share at swimming. (She ate her share and mine.) 4. Play outside. (We went to the big park with lunch before!) 5. Water Toots's flowers. (She can do this all by herself.) 6. Take a breathing treatment. (She gets so winded while swimming.) 7. Go swimming. (She can swim across the pool with face in the water on one breath.) All in all, it was a marvelous day. And I am sure she would be ready to do it all over again.