Dont' say the "m" word!

Just so you know, Mom and Dad are NOT talking about the "m" word (move) for a while, and maybe never! They are so happy to have that subject off their minds! Truthfully, for now, we are too! Sure, it would be great for them to be closer to all of us, but they aren't ready to leave their place, and they may never be. They have so much pride in knowing that they cleared that property and built their beautiful home! You may not know that Dad was their own General Contractor! He takes a lot of pride in that!

I spent the day with Mom and Dad Monday, Jean and Jimmie went Tuesday, Danny picked Dad up Friday and took him to the deer lease and Saturday they came to town for birthday lunch for Glenda at her house! They had plenty of family-time this week! On Monday I took lunch and served them chicken/sausage gumbo, Jean took them pot roast with veggie, the boys fixed steaks for Dad Friday night and we had home-made bean soup Saturday! Hopefully Mom didn't have to do much cooking this week! We girls have decided to take food often to help relieve Mom of that burden! So far, they seem to have enjoyed it!

In addition to helping with food, I encouraged Mom to schedule a housekeeper to come twice a month and to have Jerry come two to three days a week rather than just a few hours here and there. Remarkably she agreed to both! I think that his her concession to being able to stay there rather than move! She is also recognizing that she needs the help.

Mom is having a cataract on her left eye removed this Thursday morning. I am going to spend the night with her Wednesday and drive her into Austin early Thursday morning for the surgery. She has to be there at 6 a.m.! I'll take her to my house after the surgery because she has a follow-up visit the same day at 1 p.m. After the follow-up visit, I will take her home and Jean will take over and stay with her Thursday night and during most of the day on Friday. Danny will be there Friday night and Saturday and Glenda has Saturday night and Sunday! From what I hear and read, she may not need anyone after that, but we'll work out a schedule for the week of Thanksgiving if so! It's the least we can do! Even though several friends of hers have told her about how easy their cataract surgery was, Mom is still a little apprehensive about the surgery, so please keep her in your prayers.

On Saturday Mom, Dad, Ollie, Clint, Austin and I gathered at Glenda's for her birthday. Mollie was playing soccer and the rest of the gang had other obligations. Mom and Dad drove in about 1:00 and we had a late lunch around 2:00. Glenda had played soccer that morning, so we got a little later start. It worked out well since Mom didn't have to get up earlier than usual or have to rush. After a nice lunch we all were drawn outdoors by the beautiful weather. We tossed around Austin's little football and played "Monster in the Middle!" We even got Mom involved! She's such a good sport and got some good chuckles out of it! Dad "supervised"! During the midst of our game, Austin decided to take a time-out and go give his Papaw some hugs! It was so sweet! Dad ate it up! Everyone headed home about 4:00 because Glenda had another soccer game at 5:00. The team she and Mollie play on was in an all-day tournament and they won it! It amazes me that Glenda who is OLDER THAN I, can run and play soccer like she does! It makes me, her YOUNGER sister, look pretty out of shape!!! I bought new running shoes Friday, so I plan on remedying that situation!!!

Thanksgiving will be spent at Jean and Jimmie's house again this year. That is our family's tradition since Mom's last knee surgery, which was about 6 or 7 years ago, I think! It seems like we've been doing it forever! Jean and Jimmie's sister, La Rose, spend Wednesday together preparing the turkey and making the dressing. The rest of us girls make the appetizers, the side dishes and the desserts. It works out great! Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It's a low-stress, good food, happy family kind of holiday!! I pray that yours will be just as wonderful! I am thankful to be part of a loving, respectful Christian family and extended family, which includes all of you! I also pray that you will have safe travels and a blessed day with your loved ones! I will leave you today with a Thanksgiving prayer that our family will say together...

Dear Lord, Our Father in Heaven, we give thanks for the pleasure and privilege
of gathering together on this Thanksgiving day. We give thanks for the freedom to enjoy our lives, and for the men and women of the military services who protect our freedom. Thank you, Lord, for all of the blessings that You so generously shower upon us. We give thanks for this food prepared by loving hands. As we partake of this food, we pray for health and strength to live as examples of Your love. This we ask in Jesus' holy name.
Amen.