ITS BEEN WAY TOO LONG

It has been way too long in my posting. I do have a valid reason for not posting sooner. When you are gone from your own computer for 4 months, well I think you know how I feel. We're home now, I have my own studio, my own computer, and more important, my own bed. It was great of our kids to put up with us for so long, and we sincerely appreciate each and everyone of them. We spent a couple of weeks in Iowa getting the Veterans Clinic appointments all set up for my husband and since they were a month away I decided to go to Indiana to visit with my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. We stayed with my youngest daughter and her husband and had a ball there. We had fun watching this petite little girl (woman), drive her school bus, especially when she would stop on the highway out front, and put the bus in reverse and "fly" backwards to the bus's parking spot. The first time was a "...OMG...", then after that it was just a fun site to watch. While there, we visited an apple orchard getting a half bushel of apples. What do you do with so many apples? Well of course you make and can apple butter. We also bought some Concord grapes and canned grape jelly. Oh, these are so wonderful tasting, and during our long winters they sure will taste good on hot toasted buttered bread and biscuits...yummy for the tummy!!! My daughter was taking the high school marching band to a competition and asked if I would like to go along. I couldn't say No, as it was not only being able to see first hand her handling of the school bus, but also to see my son-in-law (who is the music director of the high school) in action with the high school kids. All I can say is WOW, what a full day this was. It was an amazing day being with the kids on the bus and listening to their chatter. I even got an earful on what they thought of my son-in-law as their teacher - which they couldn't say enough about how he interacts with them and how they all love him. Made me feel very proud of not only my son-in-law, but also of my daughters (one of which is my son-in-laws wife and my very proud daughter/mother of three of my grandchildren). These kids were the greatest in my eyes, but in the judges eyes they weren't. I personally think that the judges need glasses and a bit more non-supportive of another school. But, what the hey, I'm only a very proud mother-in-law is all. We went back to Iowa and started in going to the Veterans Clinic so my husband could get his check-up. He definitely has interstatial (sp) fibrosis, has a scarred heart (no heart attack was found though), and needs a knee replacement. Other than that he is healthy as a horse - yeah right!!! We weren't able to see the eye doctor as he was out ill with the H1N1 Flu virus. To reschedule the appointment meant waiting another month which we couldn't do, so home we came. Since coming home he has gone to the eye doctor here only to find out that he has Glaucoma, and he definitely needs glasses. So, we now have glasses on order for him, and he now has to put drops in his eyes to hopefully relieve the pressure. Ah, it is so good to be home but now I have to put on my running shoes to get ready for our Christmas dinner. I'll post more later this week with some photos too. Here's hoping you all have a very Merry Christmas with Gods love, joy and peace. Stay tuned in for more.