Update on Mary

• Got a call from Mary Tuesday around noon.  Her blood sugar was scary high.  I threw some stuff in a bag and got there after the nurse checked her out.  It's now Wednesday afternoon and she is resting and taking good care of herself.  Her blood sugar is under control and feeling much better.  Bruce will come up early this evening after work to stay the night and take Mary to her doctor's appointment on Thursday.  Fortunately, he can do his work via his computer, so will be able to juggle both tasks from Mary's.  There may be a few rust spots here and there, but he sure is our Knight in Shining Armor.  I was going to do the doc visit but Mary needed her special chair and knew I couldn't lift it or push her all the way up to the office without hurting myself.
• Going to do my Bible Study on Friday and write some checks for a friend which is something I do once a month. 
• Sunday am going to a Potluck to celebrate the completion of a project my friend, Cherlyn, did for a group of young women in our church.  It's called Apples of Gold.  Anyway, I was involved in one phase.  Saturday I'll be pounding chicken for Chicken Kiev.  One of the few things I can make that's really good.  It's a big job but my KiSA usually helps me.
• By the way, Dad, hope you're cold is better.  Love you.

Update

Hi All,

• Friday I had lunch with Cheryl, Jean (co-grandma) Emma and Eden.  Cheryl is amazing.  She juggled the care of her bambinos and made it look easy.  She's such a good mommy.  Her mom, Jean, gets kudos from me for raising such a special daughter-in-love.  Odds are we won't see Jean until the next baby.  Goodbye, Jean,  thanks for all you did to help make Eden's entry into this world including you and Rob delivering her!!!  It was great to see you and have a safe trip home.  Best to the rest of your (who are now ours also) family.  God bless you all.
• Emma is giving the best hugs now and now calls me Grammy!  I love it.  She's so precocious that she's already into her terrible twos!  LOL  A little stubborn independence rose up in her about eating her lunch.  But the magic  words were ice 'ceam'.  After she ate lunch she ordered ice 'ceam' all by herself and relished every spoonful.  Emma accepts her baby sister without any apparent jealousy.  Eden cried a little, nursed a little and slept a lot. 
• Saturday, we picked up lunch for Mary, Annie and ourselves.  Got to give more hugs and kisses all around.  Thanks, Annie for all you did to get Mary home and settled.  Mary, we're praying for you to get better.  Tim and his friend were getting all gussied up for prom that night.  Hope it was wonderful, guys!
• Afterward we went to Austin's other Grandma's house for Mona's surprise 70th birthday.  Bruce plans to post pictures he took so anyone who wants copies can have them.  Good man, my Bruce.  Mona's gardens are really lovely.  Their were oranges ripe and ready and what looked like little green apricots on another tree.  If Monet were alive, he would have enjoyed painting.  Made me want to paint.
• Today is Sunday.  We went to church, came home, ordered pizza for dinner and did absolutely nothing else all day.  It felt good.  Annie, have a safe trip home. 
• Hey, Dad, congrats on your new car.  Saw the picture Bruce took.  Nice Blue!
• Heather, haven't heard from you in a while.  Hope and pray for good things to happen for you and Samantha and Hayley.  Also pray for a softened heart for Manny.  Hi, James. 
• Still don't know how to post photos.  Had a super one of Austin playing in Mona's yard but I'm missing a step or twelve somewhere.
• Dave and Nicole, love you too.  I always look forward to seeing you Sundays.
• God bless and love to you all, Barb

    

Jury Duty

No more jury duty for one year.  I was one of over one hundred who was released before noon. Mary texted that she spent a good night sleeping in her own bed in her own HOME!   Dad is going to see her and Annie is there too.  I plan to spend time with my tutorial today.  Love you, <3 

Jury Duty

• Gotta do my civic duty Wednesday!  Jury Duty tomorrow. 
• Mary can go home with Home Care Service daily.  A nurse will come each day to do her IV/medicine.  Annie's coming in to Ontario at 10 am.  Bruce will pick her up for me.  Annie will work out a schedule for after she leaves.  Hopefully just for daytime but we'll do what's necessary to get Mary better.  Will keep you up-to-date.   Love B    

Happy Earth Day

• Happy Earth Day!  It's good people are greening up this beautiful earth God made. 
•  Here is a quote from the cartoon, Baby Blues:  "Every day is Earth Day when you have a sandbox in the back yard."  Thought of you, Cheryl.
  
• Bruce surprised me with a Mac last Friday and I'm loving how easy it is to use.  (I'm also loving the man who gave it to me.)  He received a surprise bonus and spent the whole thing on me!  It just blows me away!  Thank you again, Sweetheart. 
• I'm still in the learning stage and so far haven't been able to add the pictures I want.  I need some time with the tutorial and assistance from TutorMan (Bruce).  I intend to add pictures to my current postings when I learn more.
• Love and God bless you all

Good News

• No jury duty Tuesday!  Will be able to visit with Mary tomorrow.
• Sunday afternoon was a delight at Rob & Cheryl's.  Rob barbequed burgers and Cheryl made the best brownies  plus all the other fixings for an enjoyable repast.  We all got to see little Eden and enjoy Emma and Austin. 
• Emma served me about 20 cups of pretend tea.  Also on her menu was corn, peas, a banana and watermelon with steak sauce and ketchup.  She really loves her playroom and has a fine collection of cookware, dishes and plastic food.  She also has the cutest little kitchen.  She invited her Aunt Nicole in for a quick cup of tea and Aunt Heather got tea and a big hug when Emma toppled her trike and needed some love.  These are the most precious times and I thank my precious Lord for them.  I hope next time Samantha and Hayley will be able to be with us.  Love you all!  
  

Saw Mary today.  She's okayed to walk around the second floor and her appetite is  hearty.  Her specialist wants to keep her at San Antonio for a couple more days.  Then she will go to a nursing facility.  I was her official "drug runner/gofer" today.  Picked up stuff from her house, then went to her allergist in Upland to pick up her shot medication and drove to hospital in time for lunch.  Last night, Bruce and I were drooling watching her eat dinner.  She made sure we knew how good every bite was.  So today I went down to the cafeteria and got a meatloaf sandwich and custard.  It was every bit as good as she said.  We visited some and I left when she started to get sleepy.  Oh, by the way, Annie, The basket of flowers and teddy bear came while I was there.  Really cute!  Mary was thrilled.  Love to you all. 

Testing, testing, 1, 2, 3!

Lar, at the bottom of this posting it says: comments.  Click there to leave me a comment and I will get back to you.  Love you with all'a my heart!  Had comments on what a handsome lad you were.

Update on Mary

We both went to see how Mary was late this afternoon.  Bruce gave her a beautiful photo of a lavender rose that he took and I brought Emma's almost finished baby doll for her to ooh and aah over.  She had a good dinner.  She was in good spirits and  was dozing off when we left.  We'll stop by Sunday after the family gathering with the latest news and pictures.  Dr thinks Mary will be able to go home Monday.  Fortunately, I'm not needed for jury duty Monday, so I can take her home and do whatever she needs done.   Will give you all an update after we see her Sunday.  God bless, Barb

Trip to Buckeye

Had a super visit with my friend (bff), Val, in Buckeye. (That's where Dad used to work.) She and John live in a beautiful new home with Three Guest Rooms. As usual, we drank coffee in pretty cups, enjoyed time with John and Gizmo the kitty, and we talked! We talked and laughed every waking moment. It was so much fun! She especially enjoyed seeing pictures and hearing about what was new with us. And I enjoyed the same about her family. Our Dave and her Andy played together when they were little guys. Next year we might go to Sedona for a mini vacation with our husbands. All of Sedona is one big photo opportunity. Bruce's camera will shoot a lot of breathtaking pictures and John is a man who likes to hike and be outdoors. As you know, Val, is an author, so she will be soaking in fodder for her books. Me? I'll get me some good walking shoes, enjoy the company of friends and wish I could start painting again. Thanks, John and Val, for a delightful visit. Love and God bless, Barb

Note About Mary

I'll start at the end...Mary is recovering from a bout with Bronchitis at San Antonio Hospital for the next day or two. Bruce got a phone call at 3am this morning from her that she needed to go to the ER. She is on a bipap machine. It is helping. She is resting and coughing less. Please say extra prayers for a swift recovery. Love, Barb

Open Letter to Austin

I just heard about Hazel. Austin, I am so sorry for your loss. You too, LeeAnn & Larry. It's hard to let go of someone you love, but it a true sign of your love to let that someone go. Honey, I hope you will treasure the memories you have of Hazel. In that way she will live in you forever. You're a brave and wonderful grandson and I love you very much. Grandma Barbara

Happy Birthday Larry

Friday, April 18th is your big day, Lar and I just want to say Happy Birthday, brudder. It seems like just yesterday we were in a shoving match over who got the best railing on our porch to play cowboys and Indians! I have a great present for you. How about I fly up to Oregon and drive back with you to Corona, stay over however long you can and we drive back up and I fly home? Bruce suggested it as a special time we can share together. Say yes, Lar. Love to Clara. Love you with all'a my heart, Sis Barb

Open Letter to Mary

• Will gladly see that you get a white iris after it multiplies (math term just for you LOL) more.


• We're having the 'Second Sunday' get together at Cheryl and Rob's on April 20th. Maybe you & Tim can come to it. That new baby is beyond precious!


• Hope your cold is better.


• Got a real kick our of that picture of Tim & Kevin on the roof. Still chuckling.

Dave and Nicole

More wonderful flowers. 2007

James, Hayley, Samantha & Heather

More beautiful flowers from my garden taken Christmas 2007.

Rob, Cheryl, Austin & Emma

More flowers from our garden. Taken Christmas 2007 .

Flowers

Midnight Blue Iris.

Flower

Light blue Iris.

Flowers

White Iris

Apricot Iris

Annie, this bud's for you! Or I should say, bulb...no corm. Whatever the root, it just came up in our garden from last year. I thought it had died or been tossed during the yard makeover. When you come in May I'll try to get some starts for you. (I might [LOL] need a reminder.) Somewhere there is a soft blue and the Midnight Sky, dark purple, is blooming too.

Austin

Super Athlete 12 years old.

Samantha

Pretty Princess, 7 years old!

Hayley

Lovely little mermaid 5 1/2 years old.

Sweet Emma

Three pretty flowers. And the prettiest is Emma. 19 months old.

Eden Awake

Perfect eyes and look at those toes!

Eden Kay Gilliland 14 Hours Old

She's perfect. Her fingers, toes, ears and nose... let me just say... they are perfect. She has that serenity that I've always admired in her mother. We were invited over for our first visit and a bite of dinner. When we got there Cheryl and Eden were on the couch. Cheryl was sitting up, her hair combed, looking rested and little Eden was all swaddled up asleep on her lap. It turns out Cheryl had what she called the perfect delivery. She still had enough water to have a normal delivery. Her hard labor started around midnight Tuesday the 8th and Eden made her debut at 2:48am. Actually, Robert and Grandma Jean delivered Eden at home with no complications. The midwife missed the delivery by 10 minutes but was there to take care of the mundane stuff like weighing her etc. Emma's not to sure what to make of this little usurper who is taking her place on Mommy's lap. I think she liked Eden better inside her Mommy. Bruce and Emma played on the stairs kind of a peek'a'boo game which delighted her no end. Austin was the cool older brother who spent his time upstairs except for dinner and a hello and goodbye. What I would expect from a 'tweenager'. Bruce has blue-skoos of pictures of the whole family on his web. I have to finish Emma's baby doll; thought I had two more weeks! I guess I was the only one stressed during this whole birthing. We just had a sermon, Sunday, on how worry is a waste of time. Did I remember the wisdom? Noooo. Well lesson learned. And just in case you didn't know....Eden is perfect. Love you all.

She's Here!

Eden Kay Gilliland was born at 2:48am, Tuesday, April 8th, 2008. She is 7 pounds 9 ounces and 21 inches long. According to Rob, "She is so beautiful!" Cheryl and baby are doing fine. We've been invited to come see our newest precious grandchild early this evening. Rest assured Grandpa Bruce will have pictures! Sorry if I messed up your sleep patterns this morning. I was just so jazzed and relieved that she was born and Cheryl was alright. Congratulations Austin and Emma on the birth of your new baby sister. Congratulations Great-grandpa Herm, all you aunts and uncles and cousins. What a wonderful friend they have in Mara for keep Emma during this time. And thank you, God, for answering my prayers. Love you all.

Goldfinch

I just saw the prettiest, bright, little goldfinch. It was as yellow as a buttercup. And chubby and fluffy. Over the seasons they go from drab to olive green to yellow. Anyway, it was dancing around the fountain taking a bath and drinking water. I'm so pleased with the way our yard turned out. The fountain has attracted so many birds. You should see a hummingbird bathe. It sits right on the bubbler part and flaps around. Kinda makes me flinch when it does that. The goldfinch just jumps right into the water and splashes around.

She's On Her Way

Received a text from the baby front about 4pm. Cherl is having contractions and Eden should be here in about two hours!

Silence

The silence is .....I am so stressed...Where is Eden? Well, we know where she is, but she hasn't made her appearance yet that I know of. To distract myself, I'm going to work on Emma's baby doll until I hear something. I want her to have a baby of her own so maybe it will be easier for her to adjust to her little sister. I wonder how Samantha handled Hayley's arrival. I think Heather told us on a Second Sunday, but I don't remember. They say the memory is the first to go. I'm not sure what the second and third thing is. LOL Back to busywork until I get some news. Cheryl, you and Eden are in my prayers. Love you all. B <3

No Eden Yet!

No baby yet as of 10pm Sunday. That's 12 hours after Cheryl's water broke. Heather & James picked up Grandma Jean from John Wayne Airport Sunday morning and dropped her off in Corona for us to take her the rest of the way to Menifee. When we got there Cheryl was on her feet! The contractions stopped. I guess that is not unusual. She, Rob & Jean were all very tired, so we left them to nap and wait for Eden. Emma's at Mara's, a friend with small children. I'm sure she's having a good time and not stressed. By the time we got home my adrenalin rush had worn off and I took a very long nap myself. We'll let you know when anything happens. Love, Barb

Eden's on Her Way

Eden's on her way. Gotta go. Will follow up w/ more info later when we have it. I'm so excited!!!! Love, B

Arboretum Rose

UCR Arboretum

Today we went to the Arboretum at UC Riverside. There was a column about it in the paper yesterday which I showed Bruce. This morning he woke me up with, "How soon can you be ready to go to the Arboretum?" In less than an hour we were on our way. You can see some pictures on his blog. The weather was overcast but he managed to get some really nice pictures. I carried my camera in my hand the whole time and never took a picture! Afterward, I had a whopper of a sinus headache and took a nap, Benadryl and Tylenol when we got home and feel somewhat better now. I want to go again. We joined the Friends of the Garden and will have access to trips to other botanical locations. I'm excited. The only thing I need is to figure how to stay well when we go. Love <3

Spring is in the Air

After reading everyone's blogs about this beautiful spring we are having, I got to reminiscing (?) about Spring in Wisconsin where I was born. There is a smell to Spring that is so unique. It is the ice melting into the earth, the sun warming the soil and the flowers pushing up through the ground. I really miss that smell. Oh, and the robins are back from where ever they go. They make such happy sounds. Usually they come in pairs. Their chirping sounds like they are conversing about what a wonderful day it it and where they will build their nest. It feels so good!!!! Another thing that makes me feel good is the wonderful family of which I am a part. Thank you and God bless you all.