Home again, Home again,....jiggidy, jig............

WE ARE HOME AGAIN AND SO THANKFUL TO BE HERE.....

EDWARD WAS DISMISSED LATE MONDAY AFTERNOON....AS HIS PRIMARY NURSE I AM LEARNING TO DO THINGS I HAVEN'T PREVIOUSLY DONE ........I CERTAINLY HAVE A HEALTHY RESPECT FOR HEALTH PROVIDERS AND THINK THAT IT'S A CALLING..........

WE HAVE TO BE AT THE HOSPITAL EARLY IN THE MORNING FOR BLOOD TO DRAWN AND AN APPOINTMENT TOMORROW AFTERNOON WITH THE SURGEON FOR A CHECKUP.......

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.......

IF YOU WOULD LIKE A CHUCKLE, GO OVER TO ERIN'S BLOG......ERIN'S ARTISTIC EXPRESSIONS........BETTY

Sunday morning........Thank you Lord......

This is the twelfth day in the hospital for Edward.....he has had some very rough times but God is sufficient......

He is doing well from the surgery.....he has two long incisions and his arms look as if he has been in hand to hand combat....he has been given 3 units of blood. He has had several tests to determine why his hemoglobin is low. We hope the diabetes will clear up after receiving so much dextrose, etc.....

His doctors are to meet in the morning to decide when he can come home.....he wishes it would be today......

He has been blessed so abundantly with caring nurses and doctors....the housekeepers, the food servers, etc., have bent over backwards to try to make him comfortable as well as me.

They seem to sense that sometimes a hug is as important as a dose of medicine....I earnestly hope that I will remember the kindness of so many and pass it on to others who are facing trials......

Your prayers, thoughts, concern, comments and emails have meant so very much to me.....and to Edward and our family....to think that people from many other states and countries are thinking of us still just blows my mind.....

My thoughts and prayers go out to the people in the mid west with the flooding and to the people in China.....so much suffering....but I do know that our Heavenly Father is sufficient in every situation.......

Thanks again.....I hope to be back blogging soon. Please take this as a thank you for the comments and emails. I am looking forward to visiting with all you soon....Betty

THANK YOU SO MUCH..........................................

Thank you all for your precious prayers for Edward....so much has happened in the last seven days....Amy brought her laptop over today, Wednesday, so I wanted to say thank you.....

Edward had two procedures done by his vascular surgeons that were only partially successful....then Monday he underwent over four hours of surgery to remove blood clots and plaque from his left leg.....he is out of ICU now and in a room. He had a very rough night last night but today has been much better....a few other problems have been discovered but can be dealt with.....

Your thoughts and concern are so appreciated and your prayers to our Heavenly Father warm our hearts. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts....

Possibly we will go home either Friday or Saturday if Edward continues to improve.....

I'm looking forward to continuing our Marion-John-Betty-Edward saga.....oh, how we miss them.....

Prayers Requested

Hi everyone. Amy, here. Mama asked me to do a quick post to let you know why she hasn't been around to blog. My daddy has been in the hospital since Wednesday with blood clots in his left leg, and Mama hasn't come home at all during that time. So I'm sure they'd both appreciate your prayers!

Daddy had a procedure today that did take care of one clot at the top of his left leg, but there is still a clot at the bottom that will have to be surgically removed, either tomorrow or Monday...depending on how he does tonight. He's been in a lot of pain, and the procedures have been painful for him as well. And at this point, the doctor doesn't know where the clot(s) came from. So please pray for his recovery, wisdom for the doctors and medical staff, and strength and peace for Mama. I'm sure she'll update when possible.

They were supposed to leave for Branson, MO on Sunday afternoon for a short vacation...but that trip has obviously been cancelled. Maybe another time!

Thanks in advance for your prayers. It makes a difference!
Amy

The little cabin in the mountains........

Note: This segment was posted a couple of days ago out of sequence....so if you think you've read this.....you have!

After a little more than an hour driving and stopping for a bite of supper we arrived at the cabin.....when we are staying at the cabin we always fly 'Old Glory'......when the Queen is in residence at Buckingham Palace, the flag always flies....when Betty is in the cabin....the flag flies......



Marion on the footbridge over the little creek......
Eating supper on the deck................



Start your rockers..............
We rode down to Nacoochee Valley and to the 'Old Sautee Store' museum full of anything you can imagine......
Marion and John on the front porch...we all sampled 'Hank's Black Cherry Soda'....since our girls were small we've always gone to the store and had a bottle of bud wine bottled soda...now 'Hank's Black Cherry Soda' has taken its place.....
John has found the Crocs he's been searching for.....
Marion is adding to her collection of Crocs.......


No, we aren't in Bavaria......we are in Helen, Georgia...A beautiful little Swiss-looking town that was begun many years ago. One of Georgia's tourist attractions.......



A kind lady passing by offered to make our picture....so many nice, thoughtful people ........


The fountain in downtown Helen...............
Who is this dashing performer? Maybe another 'Indiana Jones?'
John is playing the 'player' piano in the Dahlonega General Store. We had lunch at the Ice Cream Shop.......yes, Marion found another pair of shoes.....actually that makes 3 pairs today, but who's counting......
Meanwhile, back at the cabin...Marion and John just 'a swingin'...

Now it's our turn.......I just realized I made no pictures in the cabin....maybe Marion did......if not, I'll post on the interior one day......

We leave the cabin on Wednesday morning and head south....the next stop will be a 'culinary delight to the palette as well as the eyes'..........to be continued.........

Sunday Meme

I’ve been tagged by Sandy to do this meme….I hope you will do it and let me know so I can read your answers….I’m not tagging anyone either….if you’d like to play, please do……..

Two Names You Go By:
1. Betty (My Mama called me B.R.)
2...Mam

Two Things You Are Wearing Right Now:
1. White Bermuda shorts
2. Multi-colored sleeveless knit shirt

Two Of Your Favorite Things:
1. My Bible
2. My laptop

Two Things You Want Very Badly At The Moment:
1. God will have mercy on our nation
2. Rain

Two Favorite Pets You Have Or Have Had:
1. Bandit (Our Shitzu that lived to be 12)
2. Ling-Ling (Our blonde seven year old cat)


Two People You Hope Will Fill This Out:
1. Ruthann
2. Amy
(I would say Marion but I don’t think she wants to do memes)

Two Things You Did Last Night:
1. Deleted odds and ends off laptop
2. Watched a movie

Two Things You Ate Last Night:
1. Delicious Fudge
2. Kashi Honey and Almond Bar

Two People You Last Talked To:
1. Granddaughter Ellie
2. Edward

Two Things You Are Doing Tomorrow:
1. Hair trimmed
2. Iron

Two of Farthest Trip Taken In The Last Five Years:
1. Vincennes, Indiana
2. Ashland, Missouri

Two Of My Favorite Holidays:
1. Christmas (birth of our Savior)
2. Easter (resurrection of our Savior)

Two Favorite Beverages:
1. Iced Tea with Splenda
2. Diet Rite Cola

Finally the first night in America........

Note: The segment I posted yesterday about the cabin in the mountains should have followed this one. I'm taking that one off and will post it again after this one to keep them in sequence. Much has been going on this week and I had a senior moment, or hour, or maybe even a day....does anyone relate?


Note: You might want to check out Marion's blog, Reflection of the Seasons, to get a different perspective on our visit......

After leaving the airport in Atlanta, we drove a little over an hour to Mindy, Chip, Davis and Drew's home rather than three hours to our home........




Mindy had prepared a delicious meal for us. Marion and John experienced their first southern dishes of fried chicken, baked pineapple, green beans, squash casserole, biscuits and FOUR LAYER CHOCOLATE DELIGHT..... Edward's favorite dessert or as our guests would say favorite 'pudding.'

After a night's rest, a tasty breakfast, we made plans for the day.....the little town nearby has many interesting shops and gorgeous antebellum homes (Imogene, Chip's Mom) gave us a guided tour and interesting tidbits about many of the homes....the ladies decided shopping was foremost. Edward, John and Davis drove out to the farm to look at the crops.......
Marion perusing 'In High Cotton'.......................
Betty, Imogene, Mary Hayes, Mindy and Marion after a delicious lunch at a popular tearoom.....the men opted to go for a 'man's meal'.
Deciding where we should go next.........let's go to Mary Hayes.....
A guest has beat us there........




Marion, Imogene and Betty on the patio......
Shutters keeping out the sun..........inviting rocking chairs.....
Imogene tries out the swing..................
We like the shelf in the breakfast room.......Mary Hayes has so many interesting collections and antiques handed down from her family.....she is a born entertainer...........
Next, we toured Imogene's friend's gorgeous garden or rather gardens.......It wasn't possible to include all the pictures I made ....
Who wouldn't want to swim in this unusual pool......
The outdoor kitchen........

Marion enjoying the view.......
Beautiful vistas in every direction........
Foxgloves, etc, galore.........
Back porch with masses of pink roses.......
Tiered geraniums........
Reflection pool................
We toured a second garden .....I really like the garage.....
Brick walkways, garden walls, statuary, flowers of all descriptions made this garden a treat to walk through......even had flowers that move themselves.....the swimming pool and outdoor fireplace were very inviting........

John, Marion, Mindy, Betty and Sandra.......
Imogene, Marion and Mindy
Finally back to Imogene's home after a busy but enjoyable day.....we collected Edward and John and headed north to the little cabin in the mountains........

Front porch at the cabin......Happy 17th Birthday to Erin and Elisabeth

Rhondi at Rose Colored Glasses is `having a porch party today and has links on her blog to all those who wish to share their porches...and it's Rhondi's birthday....HAPPY BIRTHDAY!


These are pictures of our cabin porch in the mountains......when all fourteen of our family are here together we make many memories.....we have a few more rocking chairs inside the cabin and red printed cushions for each. Adults usually claim one before the children can.... Their are two openings at the steps and lattice gates that slip down into each opening. It has been like a big play pen for all eight grandchildren....a kiddie pool is placed on the deck end for the toddlers while the older ones play in the creek in front of the cabin........

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Today should be declared a National Holiday.....it's Erin and Elisabeth's 17th birthday.....seems like yesterday that the twins were born.....so tiny yet so perfect......what a blessing they've been to us....'the girls' as they are always referred to and I are going out for lunch and a shopping trip. What more could a grandmother or in my case, a Mam, ask for? If you have time, please drop by their blogs to wish them a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

We meet at last........Marion and John arrive.......

What an exciting, wonderful, fantastic time we've been blessed to have during the last few weeks......finally we met our dear friends, Marion and John, face to face......




We had spent a few days up in the north Georgia mountains at our little cabin...we don't go up through the winter months so we needed to do some cleaning before we carried Marion and John up for a couple of days........on Sunday, May 18th, we left about 11:00 am going to the Atlanta airport to meet our long awaited friend's plane. Everything went well until we were almost down to Atlanta where the road paving began....creeping along inch by inch.......we......along with all the people on their way to the Brave's game. It got nearer and nearer the time for the plane to land and I became tense and more tense. What would they think if we weren't there to meet them?

Finally, we made it to the airport and to the area we had agreed to meet. Edward walked around and found where Marion and John would enter.......we decided to wait there.....Edward asked a couple of times, "are you sure you will recognize them?" I confidently answered, "yes."

At one point a handsome young man walked up to me and asked, "what are you doing here?" Taken aback for a moment I didn't answer. Then I recognized Rob who is a friend of our daughter and son-in-law......He was arriving home from a trip.....Imagine running into someone you know in all those thousands of people!

After nearly two hours had passed I began to get a little anxious that we had missed them.....I asked a passing stewardess about customs and imigration and she said it very well could take up to two hours.......many, many people comprise a steady stream as they walk by to the baggage carousel. Suddenly I recognized (I thought) John who was nearer to the side where I was standing....I said, "Marion?"
The man stopped and the lady looked at me and I knew instant
ly it was Marion and John.......Marion and I hugged each other and it was a wonderful moment.....time stood still......

After retrieving their luggage, we left the airport and headed to spend the night with our daughter, Mindy, Chip, Davis and Drew...........

To be continued...........