Truly a GIFT...

The big news for me in 2011 is that I will return to college after over 35 years!! I have some apprehensions, of course. The main apprehension is that I will not "miss" any critical information in the class.

I have only 20% of my hearing left. Although the hearing aids give me closer to normal hearing, I have lost much of the clarification and sound distinctions that are needed to form "words" that I am hearing. Many words sound too similar, and I cannot always "guess" what is being said.

For Christmas this year, my husband found an amazing gift for me. Truly, it's simply wonderful how helpful it will be in college! The PULSE Smart Pen is a mini-computer that will RECORD my notes in class WHILE recording the lecture in audio! When I return home, I will plug the pen into my laptop and will have a visual AND audio copy of the class session!

Now that extreme apprehension of "missing" vital information due to my severe hearing loss is MINIMIZED. You cannot imagine how much stress is lessened with the knowledge that I can REPEAT the information without asking over and over!

(BIG SIGH)... What a THOUGHTFUL GIFT! He knows me pretty good, huh?

Happy Thanksgiving! Giving more thanks...

Isn't today just a WONDERFUL day that the Lord has made?

I just finished the pie making with Joy EARLY this morning. I am SO THANKFUL for daughters who are sharing the big job of meal preparation when we have a big event for our BIG FAMILY. Truly its a blessing to share the load. Over the years we have fallen into a pattern of who prepares which part of the meal, and this year Joy decided to try her hand at pie making (normally Ruth's contribution to the meal, but she won't be with us today). So all of us planned to bring pies and Joy came early to learn how to make my "tart" lemon meringue pies, my specialty that developed over the years. She did an AWESOME JOB!  [We hit a few snags when we discovered that my sugar supply was almost depleted and we had to borrow some very early.] But we finished by 6:30 AM and were able to play a hand of cribbage over a cup of tea before she went home to spend the morning with her two boys. (She won!)

Brunch?  Looks like mincemeat pie is on the menu for our mid day meal, since early dinner at 2:00 is too long to wait for food... yummy day in store!

Have a wonderful holiday with your loved ones! See you!

UPDATE: Dinner done and food and fellowship was GREAT! After the meal, Sally beat me in a hand of cribbage... so I am on a SLIDE! Twice in a day! (Just wait!)

I'm tagged AGAIN? Well, I am thankful, anyway...

Ten things I am thankful for (can't top Alice's cool photo list, so won't try).

1. My salvation... (don't leave home... or earth... without it!) and my church!
   
2. My family... well, everyone knows ten numbers won't cover each one by name, so I will start with my three remaining siblings who give me nieces, nephews, etc. to love and pray for.
   
3. My spouse who gives me way more than I will ever deserve.
   
4. My four lovely daughters and best friends... who love me in spite of me.
5. My nineteen growing and glowing grandchildren, of all ages (well, 2-almost 20, anyway).
6. My special times with aforementioned grandchildren, who never cease to amaze me with their mental, spiritual and physical growth. This often makes me recall some of the unusual things I would think up, too! They keep you on your toes!
7. Sons "by law" that have become SONS in the flesh, that someone else "grew up" for us!
   
8. My computer with internet... who knew? Friends across the world at your fingertips!
9. My health, both mental and physical... I enjoy it while I have it! I won't take it for granted!
10. MY BIBLE! Oh, yeah (thought I forgot, didn't you?)... like air, ya GOTTA have it! Makes the day so much better (and gives some good answers for those inquisitive youngun's)

Let's see, I tag... ummm... how about Lindsey! I have been watching your blank blog for a week and I see you are feeling better...YAY! Good to see you again! Go for it!