April Fool's Joke?

I guess as long as it stays on the trees and not on the roads we'll try to not complain. More on the way tonight. Surely that's an April Fool's joke, right?

More hula hoop fun; news about Grandpa Stauffer

Here's a fun little video I took yesterday when Austin was cracking himself up with his hula hoop tosses.  

I'm sorry if I sound like an insufferable grandma, but he is amazing me with his knowledge of  numbers, letters, and shapes.  Unfortunately, I can't find any place that I wrote that stuff down for my kids, so I don't know if Austin's unusual or not.  The other day I heard him saying to himself several times, "Sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, NINETEEN!"  He always said 19 like it was some kind of prize winning, haha!  Yesterday he was playing with a new toy I got for him that involves shapes.  I heard him saying, "hexagon" as he put one of the things in its place.  Unfortunately, it only had five sides, so I'll have to teach him pentagon now.  He recognizes squares, circles, triangles, rectangles, ovals, diamonds, crescents, hearts, always pointing them out wherever he sees them. 

The news on Dick's dad is that on Monday there was evidence that he had suffered a mild stroke at some point - slurred speech, weakness on the right side, difficulty swallowing.  A CT confirmed it.  It felt like very heavy news.  But last evening I spoke with Arlene and she was feeling encouraged.  A physical therapist, an occupational therapist, and a neurologist each told him yesterday that he had already improved more than expected from the day before.  She said that Dad was also feeling much more encouraged yesterday.  We are awaiting results from a second CT scan which will give more information about the effects of the stroke on his brain.  

Well, yippee, I must get ready to go to the dentist now.

Sadness and joy all in a weekend

On Friday evening we drove to Dick's parents' house in Lancaster County.  We learned that Dad Stauffer had had a hard day in the hospital.  He felt so weak and horrible he didn't want any visitors and expressed a number of times that he wasn't sure it was worth it to have had the surgery.  

On Saturday morning Dick and I went to a local country store and took our good old time getting to the hospital.  When we arrived we found out that Dad had been moved back to the ICU because his oxygen level had gotten too low.  They had found and removed some kind of particle from one of his lungs, after which the oxygen level returned to normal.  He had been heavily sedated for the procedure and slept the entire time we were there.  I regretted that we hadn't gotten to the hospital earlier so we could have been with Dick's stepmother (Arlene) while they were doing the procedure.  She was scared and all by herself.  By the time we arrived she was okay because of the outcome.  

Later in the afternoon we drove to Stevens, PA (also in Lancaster County) to the house that Sam and Jenn were moving into that day.  We got to meet Jenn's parents and sister for the first time.  Frank and Darla, who live just a few miles away in Ephrata, also came to help.  In an hour or so the entire truck was unloaded and we had fun in the process.  Here are some pictures of the house (a duplex on a culdesac) - quite a step up from Sam's tiny third floor apartment in Downingtown.  

From there we went to my stepmother's house for a mini family gathering.  Just Grandma Mary, my sister Mary Ellen, my sister Doris and her husband, daughter Ellen, and two of her grandchildren.   And Dick and I.  But we had a good time and plenty of delicious food. Mary showed us her many pictures of the six weeks she spent in Florida this winter. 

Another sister picture.  This time we didn't have to do the self timer thing!

On Sunday morning we did something we probably never did before.  We went to Grace Community Fellowship, our home church for the past 24 years, and did not have ANY responsibility for anything.  We were warmly received after having been away for eight weeks, and it was just wonderful to see and talk with everyone.  But the best part of all was being led in worship by my former team members and their new leader, Herb.  I was able to truly worship, no distractions, just feelings of tremendous thanksgiving to the Lord for how He has led and provided.  To top it off, the special song was done by Karlee, a former student of mine and very, very dear to my heart.  

Afterward we went to a local restaurant for lunch with some friends from church.  When I walked to our table I was overjoyed to see, at the next table, another former student, Megan, and her family.  I had not seen her since our last MCDS Worship Team program almost two years ago.  We hugged and hugged and cried.  And Karlee and her family were sitting at another table.  Karlee and Megan hadn't seen each other since that last worship team program either, because they go to different high schools.   I just want to totally kick myself that I did not think of taking a picture with those two precious girls.  After everyone else had left I thought of my camera and at least got a picture of our table, friends Barry and Lois, Diane, and Jane. 

From there we went to the hospital.  Dad was out on a chair, but napping most of the time we were there.  We were told that he has an infection in his lung from the particle they had removed and that he will most likely be in the hospital this entire week.  That was extremely discouraging news for Arlene.  She is such a trooper and it takes a lot to get her down.  But she was down and Dad was even further down.  

This morning Dick's brother told us of another possible complication, but we have not had any news since.  It is so hard to be this far away. (We drove back home to State College last evening.) 

 I took this picture and have given it a soft focus in order to respect Dad.  I just want you to get an idea how day after long day Arlene sits by his side.  This is love in its truest sense.   

Lord, hear our cry for healing and encouragement!

A big deal

Yesterday was a big deal for us.  Dick gave his two-week notice to Pepboys.  For several weeks he's been in conversation with Blaise-Alexander Chrysler Jeep about a position there, and the decision has been made.  It's easy to make such decisions when it's clear that it will be better financially.  Unfortunately, that is not the case.  However, the conditions at Pepboys have become absolutely intolerable - lack of work resulting in low paychecks, extremely inefficient, unprofessional management, general unhappiness and anger among the employees, and mandatory weekend work.  A less easy-going person would have given up on trying to make it work a long time ago.  For the most part we are relieved and are especially looking forward to getting away from the every-other-weekend grind.  Actually, I think Dick is more than relieved.  We rejoiced and celebrated on the day he was offered the job at Pepboys (after many months of job hunting in '08-'09).  I think we will need to have another celebration on the day he walks out of there in two weeks.  

We'll be spending this weekend in Lancaster County for many reasons.  We are very eager to see Dick's dad as he recovers from his surgery.  Sam and Jennifer will be moving from Downingtown to Denver, PA on Saturday.  Some of my siblings will be having a pizza party at Grandma Mary's Saturday evening.  Jeremy will be coming to Lancaster County from DC.  (WHAT????  I'll be seeing him twice in one month???)  And we will be going to our home church on Sunday morning for the first time in EIGHT weeks!  We have never been away from there that long in 24 years!  I can hardly wait.

I'll try to remember to get my camera out of my purse once or twice this weekend!

Daffodils - a mixed pleasure

When the weather is as dreary and cold as it is this week, these beautiful daffodils give my spirit a lift.  I bought them to support the American Cancer Society's Daffodil Days fundraiser in honor of my niece Lori Peifer, who continues to courageously fight colon cancer.  I just wish I wasn't bothered so much by the smell of these daffodils.  I seriously can hardly stand them and am about ready to put them out on the porch.  But they're so bright and cheerful and I want to be able to look at them.  

Dick's dad's heart valve surgery was successfully done yesterday.  The surgeon was pleased with how it went and how well Dad did during the surgery.  We have not heard how his night was, but as of last evening they expected that they would already be getting him out of bed for a walk by noon today!  Thank you, Lord!

Wild rocker Austin, Grandpa Stauffer's surgery tomorrow

One thing Austin loves to do when we arrive at my house is to sit on the porch rockers - he on the one and I on the other.  We used to sit there like two old people enjoying the sun.  But today his rocker was too close to the railing and was bumping with each backward rock.  He LOVED it!  I took the following video, then during lunch I propped my phone against the candle on the table and played the video for him.  He loved that even more.  Every time it was finished he would say, "Again!"

He takes his nap on a camping cot that I placed between our guest room bed and the wall.  Do you think I should get him his own pillows so he doesn't have to use Destiny's pink stuff??  Amazing how such a wild, crazy boy can be so still and peaceful!

I am asking for your prayers for Dick's dad and step mother.  He will be having heart valve surgery tomorrow morning (Wednesday) at 11:00.  The doctor has assured him that he has a strong heart, and since he has  had such an active lifestyle, he is a good candidate for this surgery even at his age (85).    But the reality of it was a bit unnerving once the decision was made.  I truly believe he will do well and will enjoy many more active years. 

How much can you pack into 24 hours?

A few weeks ago Lori told me that she had research sites in York and Lancaster that she wanted to visit in person.  She said she could take Austin with her and I could go along for the ride if I wanted to visit anyone.  I knew immediately that I would want to visit Manheim Christian Day School where I taught for so many years.  I haven't been there this entire school year.  

So yesterday after church Anthony, Lori, Austin, and I left for Lancaster County.  (Dick had to work yesterday and today and couldn't go.)  We timed it so Austin would be napping while we drove.  Unfortunately, a little over half of the way there, we hit sudden stop-and-go traffic due to an accident, and Austin woke up.  

We went to Park City mall first, because Anthony needed to go to the Apple computer store.  Austin enjoyed the children's play area.  We got some yummy Auntie Anne's pretzel nuggets for him to eat as we drove to Grandma Mary's house, which is about 30 minutes from the mall.  

When we got to her house she was ready to serve us a wonderful supper of chicken corn soup and chicken salad sandwiches.  Austin was already tired of sitting and wasn't hungry either, so he did not contribute to a peaceful supper conversation one little bit!  In fact, he acted like we would have given him crack right before we got there!  After a while Mary's son Jay and his wife Crystal came too.  Anthony and Lori enjoyed a wonderful conversation with them while Austin and I played in the next room.  I never once thought of getting my camera out of my purse.

We went to Dick's dad's place overnight.  Grandma Arlene had just gotten home from the hospital where Dick's dad has been since Friday.  He has been having increasing episodes of light headedness and blacking out.  After many tests and procedures they have determined that he needs a heart valve replacement.  The surgery will take place in a few days.  Although he is 85 years old, he's in good health otherwise, and they believe that he will be up to handling the surgery.  Naturally, we are praying for the Lord's protection over him.

This morning we all went our separate ways.  Grandma Arlene went to the hospital again, Lori and Anthony went to visit her research sites, and I went to Manheim Christian.  HOW FUN!!  Seeing my co-workers and the students was just fun, fun, fun!!!  Again, my camera stayed in my purse the entire time.

After about two hours, I left to go to the hospital.  My sister-in-law Deb was there as well as Arlene.  We had a good visit.  Dad Stauffer is feisty and tired of being in the hospital.  After he gets that new valve he'll be acting like he's 60 again! Again I did not think of taking my camera out of my purse.

I met up with Anthony and Lori at Dad Stauffer's house right after lunch, and we were on our way again.  Austin slept almost the whole way to State College.  

The weather had become very warm by late afternoon and Austin and I had a lot of fun going for a walk and playing outside.  There are so many things he can do better now than last summer, especially the steps.   I think he went up and down those big cement block steps by their deck at least fifteen times.  SO MUCH ENERGY!!!  Again I did not think of getting my camera.

Sorry about this boring, pictureless post.  I really did do all that since yesterday.  You'll just have to take my word for it!

Bringing you a smile

Here are some videos from this week that will bring a smile to your face.  The first was taken at the YMCA on Friday when I took him to Playpals.  His favorite things there are the sliding boards and hula hoops.  As you can see, he does not walk, he runs, almost like he's afraid he's running out of time or someone else might get there first!  I love the way he twists his hands when he flips the hula hoop.  He learned that back in his spinning-the-bowls days!!


And here's one Anthony posted the other night.  I absolutely crack up every time I watch it or think about it.  Lori is such an awesome mom.  It seems she has endless energy and patience.
 

And a picture that brings a smile to my face.  Destiny sent me this picture of herself from her new home in Florida yesterday.  I miss her so much and treasure every chance I get to talk with her. 

Hair, Japan, contacts, choir, sick boy

I guess it's time to let you know I'm still alive.  I don't think I took one picture all week, so just a quick review of a few things I've done.

On Tuesday I again went to Empire Beauty School to get my hair done.  I asked for the same girl I had before, and this time she didn't have as much help from her teachers.  She did a fine job, but was very, very slow.  Again I realized that my 9:00 appointment (the earliest possible time slot) was stretching well past 11:00 and I couldn't possibly pick up Austin on time.  I could feel my shoulders tensing and my jaws tightening as she ever-so-slowly worked on my hair.  I felt sorry for her and for me.  I finally texted Anthony to see if he were possibly available to pick up Austin, and was SOOO relieved when he finally replied that he could.  All in all, the extreme savings cost-wise, makes the frustration worth it to me.  

Of course the dreadful situation in Japan is pulling on my heart.  Today I saw a sweet, young Japanese mother weeping as she told the reporter that there was no baby milk.  I wept along with her.  What in the world would you do with a baby that's hungry, if you were not breastfeeding, and there was no milk available?  When they talk about the people that are now told to stay indoors because of the nuclear situation, the cold temperatures, the empty stores, the devastation, I just feel such despair.  Yesterday I saw someone interviewing Franklin Graham from Samaritan's Purse.  They are quickly and efficiently responding to the need, and I plan to send money to them.  

Would you believe what the first thing is that comes to my mind when I imagine a sudden disaster like that?  Contacts, contact solution, and glasses!!  Do ministries and agencies that respond to the need ever provide such things?  Seriously, I am so extremely near-sighted that if I ever suddenly lost my house, including my glasses and extra contact lenses and solution, I would be desperate and handicapped.  

We had choir practice this evening.  The songs we're working on for Lent and Easter are SO beautiful.  They are running through my head all week long.  We always have so much fun at practice.  

Austin got another ear infection and a very croupy-sounding cough this week.  It sure is tough being a little one.  When he woke up from his nap today he just wanted me to hold him on the rocking chair for at least half an hour.  Of course, I just hated that, hahahahaha!!!  We had an absolutely beautiful Spring day today, and later when he felt better we went outside for a walk.  He is still obsessed with picking up last fall's stray leaves.  He found one really big one that he thought was a real prize.  Every other leaf he picked up he handed to me.  But not that big one. 

Our dream weekend in DC

We're back home in State College after an awesome weekend in DC with Jeremy.  It's like a dream that we could just drive to see him.  The weather was just perfect for all the walking we did - 50's and 60's.  I have so many pictures, and I'll have to figure out as I write this post which ones to include here. 

Like I said in the previous post, we arrived at his place right after he got home from work between 9:30 and 10:00 PM.  He amazed us as he was telling us over the phone which streets to take, where to turn, etc. Dick said, "How does he know all this already after being here just a week??"   We found that not only does he already have the driving figured out, but the entire layout of the city.  On Sunday as we walked to Georgetown with one of his friends, Jeremy said, "The letter-named streets run East and West, the number-named streets run North and South, and the state-named streets are diagonal."  Tom looked at him and said,  "Really??  I've been living here since October and never figured that out!"  

First of all a picture of the condo building in which he lives.

 

He is temporarily staying with the brother of a friend, sleeping on a couch.  You do what you gotta do when you get a good job offer.

Across the street was the artsy hotel where we stayed, complete with a very delicious complimentary breakfast each morning.  If it had been warmer we could have enjoyed our breakfast on the lovely patio. I was going to take pictures of our room after we packed up our stuff, but I forgot.

On Saturday Jeremy took us to see the headquarters and warehouse for Regency Furniture.  His first job is to design a complete makeover of the headquarter's offices.  Then he'll move on to a redesign of the huge warehouse and the fourteen stores in the Baltimore-Washington area.  I couldn't believe how many people at headquarters and in the warehouse already knew him after just three days of work.

Here he is in his office, minus his laptop.  What this picture doesn't show is his drafting table set-up just to the right.

We spent a long time in the warehouse outlet looking at livingroom furniture.  I think I found what I want.

 

We went back to his place and hung out for a while.  Actually, I took a good nap. Then we headed out for a brisk. beautiful walk through Dupont Circle to an Italian restaurant, The Darlington House.  On the way we also passed the escalators that are used to get down to the Metro.  I was tempted to go down and back up just to use those huge escalators, but I didn't.

 

On Sunday we slept in, then at Jeremy's I made grilled cheese sandwiches and my yummy cream of tomato soup for lunch.  Tom, a friend of Jeremy's, who moved to Arlington from Tampa last October, came over and joined us for a LONG walk to Georgetown.  Wow, I haven't walked that much in a long, long time, and my feet were not too happy about it.  But the weather was just gorgeous, and the historic architecture of Georgetown, complete with brick sidewalks everywhere, was beautiful. I forgot to take my camera, so I used my cell phone, thus not quite as good pictures.

   

I liked this house that had a cupcake shop on the first floor.  It was painted brown with pink stars!

Enroute to the Potomac River we passed the very modern Swedish Embassy, which was interesting to us for obvious reasons.

We sat by the river for a while.  Across the way was the Kennedy Performing Arts Center and the Watergate Complex. 

 

 

We finished up with a visit to a mall, the Shops at Georgetown Park and a taxi ride back to Jeremy's place.  

Then it was time to say goodbye, which was  much easier than it has been for the past seven years, knowing it won't be months and months before seeing each other again.  

Our trip home went okay once we found our way out of the city.  Mapquest, Google Maps, and our GPS all ganged up on us and insisted on taking us a way we did not want to go, but we did not know enough on our own to disregard their directions.  We were home before 10 PM.  Still seems like a dream!   

 

 

We're in DC

It seems almost unbelievable that we left State College at 5:30 last evening, and four hours later we were with Jeremy in DC.

I was so excited yesterday that I woke up at 4 AM and couldn't go back to sleep. I wasn't sleepy on the drive last evening either.

I forgot one big difference from our normal Friday evening trips to Lancaster County in the past year. We would drive three hours to Reading, pick up Destiny, drive another hour to Manheim, sneak quietly into our parents' house so we wouldn't wake them up, and hit the sack.

Not so here. Jeremy had just gotten home from work when we arrived. After checking us into an awesome artsy hotel across the street from his place, we walked around the block to a restaurant called The Commisary. I got the BEST salad - Bowtie Caesar with Grilled Chicken.

Of course we had fun, but when I finally got in our bed at 12:30 AM I was out in no time.

I'll take lots of pictures today to post after we get home Sunday night.

Snippets from my day

Dick had off work today.  He had an appointment with the doctor this morning about his sciatic pain.  She upped the dose of his medication and gave a referral for physical therapy.  

While he was there he got a phone call from a car dealership in town where  he's had a job application in for several months.  They scheduled an interview.  We're eager to hear what they have to offer. 

We also had a brainstorming session with the pastor of Fillmore UM this morning about the possibility of starting a contemporary evening worship service.  

Then we picked up Austin from daycare.  He's always so delighted to see Pawpaw.  The cutest thing today was when Dick was playing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star on his harmonica and Austin started singing along!  Where was my camera??

We took Austin to a follow-up doctor appointment after his nap, and he spread his charm there.  His ears and chest are getting all cleared up, thank God. 

This evening Dick and I went to Houserville UM (very close to Anthony and Lori's house) for Ash Wednesday service.  I played piano with their worship team.  

We got home just in time for American Idol.  I was turned off and didn't watch it for several years, but this year, thanks to some of my boys and their texting to me about it, I am watching it again and LOVING it!!  The talent is absolutely spectacular this year.  

Jeremy had his first day of work for Regency Furniture today.  I'm eager to hear how it was.   We're hoping to go down to DC this weekend to see him.  

Gotta hit the sack now.  Lori leaves early in the morning for two days, so I'll be heading to their place first thing in the morning. 

When it snows in March

After Dick left for work this morning he called me and said, "Have your camera ready when you drive to Anthony and Lori's." I did. It was the most amazing sight, and I took so many pictures. I'm posting just a few of them, but please do click on them to get the full effect. We probably got six inches of heavy snow that clung to absolutely every twig.

Getting snow in March, especially after having had some Spring-like weather, can be very depressing. But you just can't help but be amazed at its beauty.

This afternoon Anthony played outside with Austin. They built a little snowman and went sledding.

 It was a perfect day for playing outside in snow, because the sun was so bright and warm.

Lori's mother was here from Long Island this weekend and left for home this evening.  I enjoyed spending some time with her this afternoon, but did not get a picture of her.  We get a kick out of trying to figure out which of us is Ma or Mom or Grandma or Nana or Jean.  We're both Jean!!  

This evening I practiced with the worship team at Houserville UM.  I'll be subbing for their pianist at their Ash Wednesday service this week.  We had a great evening together. 

And praise the Lord, I had an entire day with no headache!!!