I'm back!

I apologize for my lapse in posting on the blog! Since June 2nd, Ollie and I have attended three family reunions and driven over 1500 miles - to St. Louis Missouri and back!  We were very blessed to have had safe and happy travels!  We shopped numerous antique shops and malls all the way home and found several interesting items for our business!  Plus, we had lots of fun!
 

On June 2nd, we gathered at Jean and Jimmie's ranch for a reunion of the relatives and descendants of my Grandma, Mabel Pauly.  How blessed we were to have Mom and Dad healthy enough to join us!!  It's so amazing to think that we thought we were going to lose Dad just a few weeks ago!  Praise the Lord for helping Dad to recover and be with us!

We had a beautiful day with a pleasant breeze that kept it from being too hot.  About 40 of us enjoyed a great lunch with a conglomeration of tasty foods provided by each family and lots of visiting!  Jean had a book that she had purchased in 2002 from Clarence Siegeler with a lot of family history and pictures in it.  Everyone enjoyed looking through it and updating it with family additions and changes. ( I have emailed and left a phone message for Clarence to find out how we may buy more copies. Once I have that information, I will contact the heads of each family and see if we can get an order together).  Mom and Dad spent the whole day there visiting and enjoying everyone. Dad had a great nap in Jimmie's chaise lounge! 

   
Once the day was over, I realized that I had taken very few pictures and forgotten to take one of Dad (Harvey) Aunt Mary and Aunt Dorene, the three surviving children of Mabel.  Please remind me to do a better job next year!  


June 3rd found us in Rockne for the reunion of the Goertz family, the descendants of Mom's grandparents, Michael and Ottilia Goertz.  My Grandma Clara Goertz Grohman, Mom's mother, had eight brothers and sisters, so this reunion was really large...that day 195 people attended, and that's not nearly all of the family!  Pretty mind-boggling, isn't it?!  Mom and Dad attended this reunion as well as Dad's the previous day!  So many people took the time to visit with them and let them know how special it was to have them there!


"In every conceivable manner, the family is link to our past, bridge to our future." -Alex Haley


By Monday, Mom and Dad were ready to spend some time in their chairs!!  It took them a few days to recuperate!


Since then, Mom started having pain in her right side, in the lower part of her rib cage, that would move from the back to the front.  She was also a little short of breath, so she decided to go visit her gp. He sent her for chest x-rays to rule out pneumonia and they did a blood test. A cat scan was also scheduled. Mom went to this visit alone, so I had a lot of questions that she couldn't answer, like why were they wanting to do a cat scan, why they did a blood test, what would the cat scan show that the x-rays wouldn't, etc.  While Ollie and I were on the road home from St Louis, I asked Mom to please make a doctor's appointment for Wednesday afternoon so that I could go back to the doctor with her and we could ask more questions.  She wanted to know more also and was happy to make the appointment. 


I was a little sneaky in asking Mom to schedule on Wednesday afternoon!  I don't care for her usual gp and he is out on Wednesday afternoons!  The doctor who works on Wednesday afternoons is older, doesn't rush in and out but takes a lot of time with Mom and me answering our questions, explaining things and even showing us pictures in books, if necessary.  This time was no different.  At our request, he showed us the x-rays and spent an hour answering our questions and explaining what he could see so far. The lower third of Mom's right lung is either full of fluid or has collapsed, hence the pain. There is no clear explanation, only speculation at this point, as to why this occurred.  The cat scan will confirm whether what is on the x-ray is fluid or a collapsed lung and further tests will be done, once they know what they are needing to treat.  Ibuprofen helps her pain, fortunately.  The cat scan was done Thursday morning and the results should be in the doctor's office Monday.  I had Mom schedule another visit with Dr Cravey, the man we like, for next Wednesday, so he can go over the results with us and we can find out what is the next step to getting her healthy!  She tires easily, so we are all encouraging her to take it easy and have Jerry, the daytime caretaker, come more often.  They do still have caretakers for Dad at night, so that is a comfort.  I also reminded Mom to wear her emergency response button and put Dad's on him.  That way, if she was to have an issue, all Dad has to do is push the button and 911 is alerted.  I love that technology!

Mom also has a problem with her retina.  It may not have totally healed from her cataract surgery, or she has done something like lift something too heavy or applied some extreme pressure that caused the retina to start to detach.  Again, we have all requested that she allow Jerry to come more often, even daily, but she hasn't conceded yet!   She knows all of the things to avoid so that the retina heals.  She also has this problem with her right index finger...a cyst was removed from the nail bed, but another cyst has grown back in its place.  She has an appointment next week to see her old dermatologist in Austin and get his opinion on how to treat this.  Bless her heart!  When it rains, it pours. Through it all, though, to look at her and talk to her you'd think she is the epitome of health, for an 86 year old woman, that is!  Her attitude is always positive and upbeat!  She is a phenomenal Godly woman!  She is the best example I know of a strong, uncomplaining, unselfish and compassionate woman. I pray to for God to make help me to be like her.


The only way I can sleep at night is in knowing that Mom and Dad are being watched over by our sweet Lord!  It's so hard for me to leave their house because I want to watch over them and do more for them.  I know, though, that I have to have my own life and do as much for them as I can.

You shall stand up before the gray head and honor the face of an old man, and you shall fear your God: I am the Lord. Leviticus 19:32

 
I will be honest and tell you that I discussed with Mom and Dad the subject of moving them into an independent living facility so that Mom won't have so much to take care of.  I fantasize about them sitting together in their chairs enjoying each other, rather than Mom working all day every day.  As always, the toughest thing for Mom is figuring out what to cook for her and Dad, so consequently, in my opinion, they don't have a very balanced or healthy diet.  I also fantasize about them being able to go down the hall for a nice hot meal that someone else prepares for them! Actually, Mom said that she and Dad had been talking about moving again, even before I brought it up.  When I sat down with Dad, he adamantly shook his head 'yes', that he does want me to start looking at some places to show him and Mom.  That is my project for next week, other than going to the doctor with Mom on Wednesday.  I will keep you posted on all accounts!

Please continue to keep Mom and Dad in your prayers!  


Lord, watch over my Mom and Dad, Mildred and Harvey Smith. Keep them as healthy and active as possible. Should they have distress or weakness, assure them of Your faithfulness. Please do not allow them to suffer.  Comfort them with the knowledge that their lives were well spent. Enable them to serve You well through their remaining time on earth. Jesus, we commit them to Your care.
Amen

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me...

Things are going well for Mom and Dad!  They are in their "new" routine of spending their days without assistance and having someone there every night.  Jerry does come a day or two each week, as he did before Dad was in the hospital.  This seems to be working out well!  Mom likes to get up each morning, as the caretaker is preparing to leave, so she can find out how Dad's night went. He is resting better at night and is back to sleeping until 11 or 12:00 every day.  It works for them, and that's what matters!

Dad went to Mass with Mom last Saturday evening for the first time since he was so ill!  That made Mom so happy!  They went out to dinner after Mass, and have been eating out a bit more now that Dad feels well enough to get out of the house!  I know that makes life better for Mom!

Danny and Ollie and the guys hosted their monthly poker game at the deer camp last Thursday and Dad attended!!!  Mom met Danny about half-way and then Danny took Dad home after their steak dinner and a few hands of poker!  It means so much to the guys to have Dad there!  Dad also enjoys the camaraderie! 

Our daughter, Neely, husband Carl and our twin 3-year old granddaughters, Livi and Madi are coming this weekend from Coppell.  We will take them out to Mom and Dad's for some entertainment!  The twins are a hoot!  They'll put a smile on anybody's face!!!

Not much other news...no news is good news!!!  Praise God!  Congratulations to all our family members who are graduating this month, and to all the other students...have a happy and fun summer!!!  This is for you...

1 Timothy 4:12
Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.

Amen!

 

Mother's Day really was HER day!!!

 

If ever there was a gift that made Mom feel and act younger, Glenda found it!  Look at the smile on Mom's face and the faces of everyone else!  Glenda bought Mom a 3-wheeled bicycle for Mother's Day!  We didn't know if Mom would like it or even try to ride it!  Not only did she ride it, she LOVED it!  She tried it out first on the porch!  She giggled and giggled!  At first, she ooh'd a little bit because she was using her knees in a whole new way.  But, after a few rounds on the porch, they loosened up and so did she!  She rode by Dad and said, "Look at me!"  In a bit I heard her say, "I like this!"  She rested a little while and a few of us had to take our turns on it!  I have to admit that it really was so much fun to ride!  Glenda later took Mom out to the road and ran by Mom as she pedaled over the rocks!  Mom said she couldn't wait to get it home.  Well, she does have to wait until I go to see them because it wouldn't fit in her car, of course!!  

Dad even tried out the bike!!!  No, your eyes haven't deceived you...you really just read that Dad tried out the bike!!!  The wonders of God never cease!!!  Dad was feeling so spry that he wanted to try out the bike!!!  It was absolutely amazing!!  Wouldn't it be even more crazily amazing if he could learn to ride it?! I sure won't be the one to think he can't, because he clearly has shown us that he can do just about anything he puts his mind to!  If you doubt it, then you just don't know Harvey Smith!!

  

Mom's next adventure was out in the paddle boat on the big tank nearest Jean and Jimmie's house. Jean recently found a cute 2-man paddle boat at a garage sale and kids of all ages enjoy it! 

Jean paddled Mom all over the tank and, as you can see, Mom had a ball!  If you look at Austin's face, you can see the mischievousness in his eyes!   He hurried out of the water, up onto the dock, and bombed the girls as they paddled by, soaking his Mamaw!  The older boys had already splashed them, although not as "successfully" as Austin, so he thought it was great fun! Monkey see, monkey do!! Jean had to share some clothes with Mom while hers hung outside to dry!!!  

We were all so very thankful to our precious Lord that Mom and Dad were able to join us at Jean and Jimmie's for Mother's Day!  One would never have known that Dad had been sick!  He was perky and happy, and only napped once the whole day!  He sat with us on the porch after lunch, smiled from ear to ear while Mom was riding the bike, sat with us out at the tank watching the kids fish, swim, paddle the boat, etc, and enjoyed every minute of it!

We all had such a memorable day!  We were so thankful to our precious Lord for enabling Mom and Dad to be there and that we had such perfect weather!  We were also so grateful to Jean and Jimmie for providing us with such a special place to be outside together and have so much fun together!  Needless to say, none of us had trouble sleeping Sunday night, and a one of us didn't even make it home before falling asleep!  God bless him!

Praise God for our family, for our love, and for our passion to be together and enjoy each other! "I will praise His name in song and glorify Him in thanksgiving."  Psalm 69:30

Amen!

When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted. (Psalm 138:3)

When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted. Psalm 138:3

Mom just called me...when I asked how they were doing she quickly answered, "Fantastic"!! She went on to explain that Dad had just walked with his cane from the bathroom to his chair in the bedroom!  That is the first time he has attempted to walk since he was in the hospital!  It was Mom who brought him the cane and suggested he try it!  Good for her!  

I was just talking to Danny yesterday about finding ways to keep Dad from getting bored.  It must be so easy to get depressed when one sits in a chair all day without anything to do!  Once Dad gets back his mobility, he and Mom can go places and do so much more!  Mom really wanted Dad to go to Mass with her on their anniversary, but he didn't feel he was up to it. If we can Keep Dad moving and regaining his strength, he can start attending their Church again, which he truly loves and which will mean so much to Mom! 

This Sunday we are all gathering at Jean and Jimmie's ranch for Mother's Day.  It is Mom and Dad's plan to be there!  That is so exciting to all of us!  We are hoping to get Dad into the Kabota and take him down to the creek to watch the boys fish and go for a little ride around the ranch!  Just having him and Mom there will be such a blessing! 

Happy Mother's Day to all of you and to your mothers!  "She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Many woman do noble things, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.  Proverbs 31:26-31 

Amen!

Cousin Marci Grohman Stagman shared this with me!

Such a honor to be here...

I will now backtrack and tell you more about my visit, starting with Wednesday.  WHen I arrived, Mom was gone running errands in marble Falls.  Jerry was here and Dad was in his living room chair.  He seemed surprised to see me and gave me a great big hug and "Ah!"  Shortly after I was here, he started getting up fro his chair and told me he wanted to go outside.  I got his cap and off we went!  The first stop we made was at the rose bush across from the garage by the house.  He told me to pick one!  as we progressed down the driveway, he had me pick any different flower that we passed.  We went out the gate by the house and went all the way to the road and then to the shop, picking flowers the whole way!  He'd see one that we hadn't yet picked and point it out to me!  By the time we were through, we had quite a beautiful and colorful bouquet!  He was gathering Mom's birthday bouquet!  Jerry put the flowers in a vase for him and he was quite pleased with the results.  That was the most love-filled bouquet of flowers that Mom had ever gotten, I'll bet! 

Dad got back in his chair and was very alert, so I asked him if he wanted to go for a ride in the suburban.  At first, he shook his head 'no'.  But I was persistent.  I told him that it would be so good for him to have a change of scenery and that Jerry and I would help him get in.  And, he agreed!!  I was elated!!  Jerry helped Dad into the front seat, but he did it almost all by himself!  He's a lot stronger than I realized!  Off we went...we drove down the road to the last development that Dad and Leslie did together, but the big gate was closed and we no longer knew the gate code.  I made a few calls and left messages to see if someone could give it to us.  From there we drove a little farther down County Road 120 and drove through Cavern Ranches, another development of Dad and Leslie's.  Dad pointed out all the houses tucked back in the trees.  While we were in Cavern Ranches, a realtor with listings in Stone Mountain returned my call and gave me the gate code, so we headed back there.  We were successful at getting through the gate!  Dad swept his hand out and showed Jerry that this was the product of his work!  Jerry had never been in that development, despite the fact that he drives by it twice a day when he is staying with Mom and Dad!  We drove all over that subdivision admiring the views and the gorgeous houses! 

We drove past a man walking his dog and Dad indicated that he wanted to back up. I asked him if he wanted to say hello to the man and he said yes.  I introduced myself to him and said that I had my Dad Harvey Smith in the car.  The man, Terry Jones, was thrilled to get to see Dad and shook his hand very excitedly!  He told me that Harvey was such a nice man and that he had never heard anyone say a bad thing about him!  I told Terry that I was very proud to be a daughter of Mildred and Harvey Smith! 

We headed out of the development and back home.  Mom was home when we got back and she was shocked that Dad was willing to go for a ride!  She teased him and said, "I guess you think you're smart getting out like that!"  Dad gave her a big grin!  Once we were in the house, Dad showed Mom her birthday bouquet and she was so moved!  They are still the cutest couple I know! Needless to say, Dad headed straight to his living room chair and took a nap after our excursion! 

Wednesday evening we started watching "Wheels of Fortune", one of their favorite shows on television, and continued watching TV until 11:00!  Dad went to bed about 10:00, but Mom and I had to stay up and finish the movie we were watching. 

Thursday Jean came about 10:30.  It was Mom's birthday and she brought her some beautiful blooming plants to put in Mom's cast iron pot by the garage.  Jean and I took Mom to Burnet and had Mexican Food for her birthday lunch. Mom decided that it was too far to drive to Rosie's, but we agreed that we would meet there the next time she was driving into Austin.  We had a great girl's-lunch and then went to an estate sale to shop!  It was more like a garage sale than a true estate sale, but Jean ended up buying a paddle boat for their big tank at their ranch!  Her grandkids are going to love it!

We spent the rest of the afternoon at the house and Dad was awake and visited with us a good bit of the time!  Mom asked me to run into Marble Falls and get Dad some fried chicken.  He likes chicken wings and that's what she told me to get.  But, I also bought some fried chicken livers, cream gravy, and fried okra, knowing Dad also loves those!  I guess that's where I get my love for them!  He said a BIG "Ah" when I started setting the food out in front of him and told him what all there was!  I haven't seen him eat that much in weeks! 

Jean left about 5:00.  After she left, Dad told me that he wanted to go for another ride!  I couldn't believe it and, of course, Mom and I were thrilled!  I took him to the front seat of the buburban and he climbed right in!  I barely had to help!  As we drove out the gate, Mom asked him if he wanted to go get a strawberry milkshake and he nodded a great big 'yes'!  We headed into Marble Falls and went to Sonic!  I then asked Dad if he would like me to take him and show him the progress of the new bridge that is being constructed over Lake Marble Falls at the south end of town, and he nodded 'yes'!  We drove over the bridge and into the subdivision that parallels the lake in hopes of seeing the construction on the water-level.  The houses and trees blocked our view, but we enoyed seeing all the lovely homes along the ridge.  From there Dad was ready to head home. 

I don't know if I told you previously that the suburban I drive used to be Dad's!  Prior to his stroke, he kept telling Mom that he wanted one and she finally told him that if he wanted one, why didn't he go buy one?!  So, he did!  Ollie, Mom, Dad and I took it on our trip to Snyder in June of 2009 when we went to the West Texas Western Swing Dance Festival!  Dad was so pleased with it!  After his stroke, he still enjoyed riding in it!  Mom, however, loves her Lincoln and preferred to travel in it.  Ollie and I would borrow the suburban when we went to a book sale out of town because we could pack at least 15 boxes of books, our shelving and our luggage in it with no problems and no worries about weather.  After a trip to El Paso, Dad and Mom made us an offer on it that we couldn't refuse!  But, in my heart, it still belongs to Dad!  When we got home from our drive yesterday, he gave it a good inspection and pointed out a little scratch on the back bumper!  I had to explain that someone in a parking lot must have done that!  I just nodded and headed towards the house!  Whew!  I guess I passed inspection!!!   You can be guaranteed that it will be sparkling clean any time I visit, just in case he wants to inspect it!!!

Once we were back in the house, Mom let Dad have a little nap, but didn't want him to sleep too much for fear he'd have a restless night.  We watched several episodes of "Wild Russia" on television, which was very interesting and kept Dad's attention!  We ended the night watching a sappy Hallmark movie!  All in all, it was a great day!

The Hospice aide is due here at 9:45 to give Dad a bath.  I'd better get out of my pj's and get some clothes on before she gets here!  I pray that each of you has a safe and happy weekend!  Talk to you soon!

Psalm 86:10...For You are great and do wondrous deeds. You alone are God.

Amen!

Happy 86th Birthday Mildred!!!

Today, May 3rd, 2012, is Mom's 86th birthday!  She was born and raised in Rockne Texas, a small Catholic community south of Bastrop, third child to Clara and Adolph Grohman.  Helen Keller said, "Life is either a daring adventure or nothing."  To me, Mom has definitely lived her life as an adventure!  She's told me many great stories from her childhood, and many of them are of her innocent mischievousness!  As the only daughter, and having two older brothers, she was a Daddy's girl and could get away with most anything!  She was a bit of a tom-boy and has told me that she thought she could do just about anything that a boy could do!  She and her friends were a close-knit bunch and had the run of the countryside!  In her teenage years, she and her friends attended every dance held and had a rare kinship.  Not ony were they best friends, but most of them were related to each other!

Most of the young women from Rockne stayed in the immediate area, married local men, had lots of babies and lived humble lives.  While I do believe Mom to be one of the most humble women I have had the honor to know, she took a much different path than most of her friends and relatives in Rockne!  After she graduated from high school, the Texas Highway Deparrtment was building a new highway outside Rockne.  Mom's cousin Edith Goertz Ayers called Mom and said she was leaving a job with the Highway Department and wanted to know if Mom wanted her job.  Since she didn't know what she was going to do after graduation, Mom took the job and was a soil tester.  Once the road consrtuctions was completed, Mom moved to Austin and continued working for the same division of the Highway Department.  Dad had also worked for the Highway Department, but was away in the Air Force.  On leave during the summer of 1945, Dad visited his boss, Mr. White, who told him that he had a young woman that Dad needed to meet!  There was and instant attraction!  Most of their courtship was carried on through writing letters, since Dad was in the service.  They fell in  love very quickly, and Mom and Dad were married that next May, as soon as Dad got out of the service! "The Lord God said, It is not good for the man to be alone.  I will make a helper suitable for him.  No doubt, Mildred was very suitable for Harvey!  And the rest, they say, is history!  To all that know them, it is a great sixty-six year love story!

I came yesterday, spent the night and will stay until Friday night.  When Mom woke this morning, I went to her, hugged her gently and told her that I feel so blessed to have her and Dad still with me, as so many of my friends' parents are no longer with them.  She hugged me back and told me she loved me dearly and that I will always be her baby girl!  I am not the least bit embarrassed to tell you that, at 56 years of age, I am still a Momma's baby, and I'm proud of it!!  It is one of my greatest blessings to be able to have this quality time with Mom and Dad!  I cherish every moment!  My presious husband Ollie is also one of my greatest blessings in that he self-sufficient and unselfish and enables and encourages me to be here! 

Dad is up, briefly, moving from the bedroom to his chair in the living room.  He and I sang "Happy Birthday" to Mom and he and the three of us teared up!  It was a precious and sweet moment!  They kissed and looked at each other with total and complete love in their eyes.  I am honored to have witnessed that intimacy.

Jean is joining me here today and we are taking Mom out to a restaurant for her birthday lunch!  Mom's favorite place to eat is Rosie's Mexican Food Restaurant between Marble Falls and Austin, but I don't know if she will let us take her that far!  Otherwise, we'll let her choose her favorite place in Marble Falls!  Jerry will be here to care for Dad, of course.  How I wish Dad could join us, but he's not quite able.  More about Dad later.

On Saturday, Mom and Dad will be celebrating their 66th wedding anniversary!  They were married on May 5th, 1946 in the office of the Sacred Heart Church in Rockne Texas, and their reception was held afterwards at Mom's parents' home outside Rockne!  Dad was not Catholic at the time, which is why they were married in the Church office rather than inside the Church.  They each had one attendant.  Dad has always told us that he had to borrow $10 from Mom's brother Mike to pay the priest!!  Like any marriage, theirs had its ups and downs, but the ups highly outnumbered the downs!  Mom and Dad taught us great lessons about love, faithfulness, devotion and selflessness!  Jean, Glenda, Danny and I had the most precious gift from God when He blessed us with Mildred and Harvey as parents!  They are a blessing to all of our family and all of their friends!! 

May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. A loving doe, a graceful deer - may you ever be captivated by her love.  Proverbs 5:18-19