Riley and Missy's New Year Letter

12-28-16

Riley and Missy’s Holiday News Letter

Hope all our friends out there did not eat too much over the holidays.  We sure did, so mom is trying to take us on forced walks.  I love the walks, but my sister Missy would rather stay back at the RV, and sit in Dad’s lap.  She is Daddy’s lap dog. 

We have had a great year sniffing butts on our travels and walks.  We have visited our cousins/Mom’s grand dogs Maggie and Zoey in Grand Island, NE.  They have rawhide bones all over, and a really cool doggie door that we can use all day long.  Maggie is getting older and can’t jump up on their couch.  I have troubles also jumping, but not due to age but the extra pounds that I am carrying around. 

 Mom calls me “Fat Boy”.  There is a really fat dachshund here on 4th street by the dog park. He has had way too many dog treats in his life.  His mom works in the office here, and Mom takes me and sis into check the mail.  Well if she does not get me my treat right away, I bark and bark.  Mom said I am grounded from the office, because of my barking.  It is an office, and dogs need to be quiet!  I just get so excited that I bark when treats are involved.  Yes, I do bark at big dogs and some little dogs.  I can’t forget the cats that I bark at named Gracie and Rags.  Their moms walk them in a cart around the park.  They will not let me sniff their butts.  Missy did get to play with a cat at the treat/feed store that we get to go and pick out our chew treats.  She had a really good time playing with the cat.  Mom thinks Missy lived with cats in her home before our home.    Dad would find her in the trees in our back yard when she first moved in.

We go camping with mom and dad when they camp with their camping club.  We miss Nellie since she does not camp any more.  We camped with Joey from Norfolk,NE.  We first met him in Texas three years ago, but his parents make him stay in the cold of NE. We camped in North Platte,NE with a pup named Cooper. We might get to see him again in Rockport.  We also camped in Pueblo, CO for a Newmar Rally.  We met a new friend Maximillion who was a service dog.  He could go with his parents to the dinners and the shows and to restaurants.  That was not fair.  We are guide dogs for our blind mom, but we don’t have a vest to wear.  Come to think of it, we really don’t do a very good job as guide dogs.  Today mom walked out in front of a car again.  She has done that a few times in the past.  She has also gotten lost, we tried to find our way back to the camper but she did not listen.

We have some old friends coming back to the campground that are not here yet.   We are still waiting to see Sprocket and Mattie.  We have made some new friends.  There are two cuties on 4^th street named Baily and April.  Old friends like Penny, who does not bark just sits with a toy in her mouth.  I think she thinks I will steal her toy.  Samson and Goliath are back, they are really big dogs.  Last year mom went walking with them.  Samson is really scared of us.  We have also sniffed the butts of Tiny, Missy, and other short dogs.  We keep away of the big scary dogs.  There are a few of them at Wilderness Oaks in Rockport Texas.  We love the weather, our park walks, rides, treats, and butt sniffing. Have a great new year to all our friends out there.  PS  I had a lot of troubles typing this, since my paws are so large.

In a Blink of an Eye

6/17/2016

In A Blink of an Eye

            “Tragic, makes us all hug our little ones tighter.  Our lives could change in a blink of an eye” was a comment that I read regarding the recent event in Orlando.  My niece answered with “the other night was really the first night that I was perfectly fine with dealing with a crying baby in the middle of the night.  I mean you deal with it.”  We know what you mean Anna.  God blessed you with a precious little one for you and Jason to love and care for.  Being a parent involves ups and downs as everyone knows.  Just living whether a parent or not involves being thankful for your own blessings.  When I read Anna’s comment I thought of Pat’s snoring.  He was in the recliner snoring away while watching HGTV House Hunters.  I may lose him in a blink of an eye.  I need to appreciate that sound just like moms do with their crying babies.  Notice I said MOMS, I still feel that dads and grandfathers just can’t deal with that sound.

            Children are to live longer than their parents.  Parents should not have to attend a funeral of their child, or grandparents of their grandchildren.  We are to celebrate their birthdays and wedding days.  So why does God take a little one so early?  Or we may ask ourselves, why does bad stuff happen to good people?  First thing is we cannot blame God.  He is the one who makes us and then takes our life according to His plan.  We are born as a sinner.  We do not need to teach our children to lie or disobey.  They are born sinners along with their parents.  Just as God has a plan for our lives, He has one for us humans.  He sent His son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for all our sins and then rose from the dead; His grace through our faith is that plan. 

            I discussed this event of the loss of this 2 year with a couple of friends from church Wednesday night.  One friend worked with the mom at UP until she quit to be a stay at home mom.  Mike and another friend Erica are neighbors to this family.  Erica and her daughter organized a fund raiser called Lemonade for Lane that we are currently watching on our local news today.  Erica understands what it is like to lose a child.  Last Sunday I was praying for her after reading her Facebook post that read, Today marks 9 years that we held our sweet baby in our arms for the last time here on earth.  I still remember that funeral.  It was sad time, but the Lord was praised and Christ’s love was shared by Erica and Cory.  They will see Anessa Lee in Heaven because they believe that Jesus died on the cross for their sins and will live in eternity with their Anessa Lee.  We need to pray for the Graves family as they go through this tragedy.  I am also praying that sometime in the future these friends of mine who are neighbors will be able to share the gospel of grace through faith to the Graves family. 

            We- adults are not sent to Hell because of our sins.  We are not sent to Heaven because of our good works, church we attend, Baptism, Last Rights, or anything else that man thinks up.  I believe what the Bible says on the subject.  Up until 1995 I thought that I might go to heaven because I was a good Catholic girl who may have become a nun according to my mom.  I started to read the Bible and wow I was going to Hell/Lake of Fire because I was trusting on the above things, and not what God’s Word says.  Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

            We could lose a loved one in the blink of an eye.  That is why parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends etc.  must pray daily for safety of our little ones as they live in this world.  For our older ones we pray that they follow what the Bible says vs what the world says.  Satan wants to take control of their lives and ours by destroying families.  Protect our families with His Word, hug our loved ones, count and be thankful for our blessings like crying babies and snoring husbands or wives (I have never heard myself snore.)

Disabilities

Disabilities

            I have been thinking about writing about disabilities for awhile.  I was at a fair for those who have a visual disability.  There were various agencies and organizations represented that work with the blind and low vision adults and children.  Attending this event brought back memories of the many fairs that I would organize and put on for those with developmental disabilities and their parents.  I would invite all school districts and we had great turnouts.  Back in the day I would invite one organization that would send out a blind young man who used a white cane.  This young/older now man was attending the vision fair with his organization NFBN – National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska.  I had attended a picnic they had four years ago, but did not attend any meetings.

 Four years ago I thought that I was visually impaired vs blind.  The past few years I felt that I was no longer legally blind in my mind.  I quit using a white cane, and learned to use the little bit of vision I have and depend on my husband, family, and friends to guide me when I could not see.  My vision has not improved, in fact it is declining.  I get eye shots to try to hold off the loss, and may need surgery if the doctors feel that it will help.  Four years ago surgery was not an option since it is a brain/eye problem.  No, the doctor I saw last week is not talking about having brain surgery to correct eye sight; more appointments this month will be scheduled. 

At that vision fair, Pat saw that guy from the past.  I reintroduced myself and we talked.  We had a conversation about being blind and how important it was to use a cane, and the whole being independent subject.  I told him that I did not want to be disabled.  He replied with, “You are.”  I want to think I am so independent, but deep down I know I am not since I rely on Pat so much.  We also discussed a training that was happening in the near future, that would teach cane travel, technology, cooking skills, and Braille.  I left telling him that I will think on it, but really thought, NO WAY!  Yes, it was the fear taking over; I would have to be really blind all day by wearing sleep shades.  I later thought about maybe this fear of the dark can be worked on.   So I told myself, “Suck it up Buttercup”, and I registered. 

That training was last Friday, so I dusted off the dust on my white cane and used it that day.   I survived and built up a little confidence and overcame a bit of fear of the dark/blindness.  I had a change of attitude when I arrived for the training.  I had just seen one of my eye doctors (the one who gives eye shots) who said my eye sight is declining at a fast rate.  I put the sleep shades on, prayed, and tried to overcome my fear of the dark.  I think I did a pretty good job.  I had no major accidents, just one minor one.  During cooking, I was cutting an avocado with a sharp knife, and got confused of which was the sharp side.  I sliced my thumb opened, and then asked how a blind person knows if he/she is bleeding from a cut.  A blind helper told me how he tells.  I went to wash the thumb and cheated by lifting up my sleep shades to see the cut bleeding.  It was interesting to hear the stories of those who are blind.  They are living independently, supporting themselves, families, by using the tools and skills that they learned.  One young man that is taking a 6 to 9 month training class for the blind, said he has gained the confidence to get out and find employment vs just hide at home. 

I could relate to that.  Four years ago, I wanted to hide at home and not go anywhere.  Yes, it was fear.  That was not fair to Pat.  I was retired and Pat wanted to travel.  I told myself, “Suck it up, Buttercup.”  He, my daughters, and grandchildren helped me on our vacations that we took in our RV’s.  Julie sat up front and guided her dad through the big cities, while I played with the kids or worked on school subjects.  We traveled in the fall, since one can do that when your grandkids are home schooled. 

I am legally blind!  I am disabled!  I said it, but that was really hard.  I worked as a teacher for the disabled, and taught my students that their goals were to be as independent as possible.  I remember one lesson teaching them about people some famous who have disabilities that they have learned to live with.  Those disabilities can be hidden ones or visual ones like those in a wheel chair.  Some are born with their disabilities or others have had accidents,  or a brain aneurysm, (that takes your eyesight, short term memory along with the left part of your brain) and are having to learn skills in different ways and relearn skills you once knew.  I may need to dust off my white cane in the future and use it for independence.  I am praying that maybe there is an eye surgery that will help, but the risk is that the little bit that is left may be destroyed.  I need to stop writing, since that darn fear thing is taking over.

 2 Timothy 1:7 For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 

Philippians 4:6-7  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your minds in Christ Jesus.

Do You Have Favorites?

Questions to think about:

Can parents have a favorite child that is if they have two or more children?

Can grandparents love a grandchild more than the others?

If you do not have children or grandchildren, then do you love a niece or nephew you love/favor more than another?

Is it possible to love a pet more than another pet?

            I got thinking about the subject of loving one child more than other yesterday, as I was listening to the Old Testament story of Rebecca and her loving Jacob more that Esau and Isaac loving Esau more.  Yes, I do realize that this was God’s plan, and sin plays a part in our lives.  Sin can have an effect on those we love.  You hear about this in the news.  Your son kills someone and you hate the action but still love your son.  He will pay his consequences, as we pay our consequences when we sin.  Some of us pay with spending eternity in the “Lake of Fire” due to sin, while others who believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose again for our sin will spend eternity with our Lord.  Yes, we still sin but can ask for forgiveness from our Lord.  We read story after story in God’s Word the Bible about sin, love, consequences, and forgiveness.  You do hear in the news and from others regarding my child was not raised this way.  “I can’t believe he shot, robbed, ______.  You fill in the blank.  He does live in a sin filled world and has choices that he must make.

            I have two children Angie and Julie that I believe that I love the same.  They both have their own strengths and weaknesses; at times I love some and others that I don’t understand.  I feel that I do not favor one over the other.  Angie thinks that I love and favor Julie more than her.  I hear that from her all the time.  Julie is a lot like me.  Angie did this thing that she took training on last month called Colors.  You answer questions and then you are placed in color groups.  Julie and I came up really close, while Angie and Jocelyn scored close, and Katelyn was more like Julie and I. 

            A good example of my not understanding is in the area of money.  Angie is like her father and likes to spend money, instead of saving it.  Julie is a saver and is currently saving for a cruise to Alaska with Sean for next year.  Angie is getting better about her spending habits and trying to save money.  She just has to stay away from the outlet mall when she comes to Omaha to visit.  Julie shops for used items that she can flip and make money after her kids use an item such as a baby swing.  Her car stops at garage sales and consignment stores.  Back when I could drive my car did the same thing.  Julie is not as bad as I am about spending money, and is always giving me her words of wisdom when I complain about Pat spending money on things that I feel we can live without.  A good example of this is when we were in Grand Island for Easton and Katelyn’s ball games.  It was a cool evening and I froze at the game.  Julie, Angie, and Pat wanted to stop for ice cream.  To me that was just a waste of money.  We could have a healthy fruit snack when we got home.  I did not order any treat since I could not tell how much the cost would be, since they charged buy the ounce.

 I do remember getting cones for Angie and Julie when they were little and the gas station had a special on for 10 cent cones.  We ate lunch at Little Kings with our free sandwiches with the library reading program.  No pop with the sandwich, but would buy them each a pickle.  Did I make you share the pickle?  Yes, you always remind me of the time or times that I made you share a happy meal.  I called myself thrifty back then, while you girls thought I was just cheap.  We went to the zoo this spring and lunch cost us $60 for slice of pizza, drink and chips.  Sorry Julie, I promised not to complain about that.  Your kids are just like you; they have to have lunch and can’t wait.  I understand that now, and will always have snacks in my bag to hold them over until we find a cheaper place to eat or get home.  I am always saving for something.  In my early years, it was clothing, a new suede jacket for $54 in 1970 and a white leather coat that was $60 in the 70’s.  I kept that suede jacket and still have it.  Do I wear it?  NO! I have hoarding in my bloodline, mother, father and siblings. Beware Angie, do you really need a closet full of shoes and purses?  I do like a good pair of shoes and will buy them from a store vs garage sale or thrift store.  I do wear Angie’s old shoes, but they don’t get a lot of wear.   

I love how my girls both went into teaching fields.  Julie started as a young child downstairs with her dolls and chalk board and babysitting kids that I watched.  Then went on to teach high school at Millard South, and now is homeschooling my five grandchildren.  That is a lot of work, and she does a great job since my grandchildren are very smart.

Angie has worked with troubled youth the past 14 years and is currently working for the State teaching her clients a variety of skills.  She does other tasks as well.  She loves her job and coworkers.  She is a very hard worker and puts in many hours.  She has a great work ethic which is hard to find now days in the work place.  I have met her bosses a couple of times and they always have good things to say about Angie.  It is so great to have Angie back in NE.  Her nieces and nephews love her so much.  She takes them on outings, attends their activities, and enjoys spending time with them and Julie.  Angie will take me shopping and makes me spend money when I need something new.  She will take me to health food stores and tries to be patience as I read labels.  She makes me eat out at Blue but, I do love that place when it is happy hour.  Angie can talk to anyone and has a sense of humor, so people like to be around her.  Back to the subject of favorites, Angie has always been my mom’s favorite, and my sister’s favorite.  Sorry to the others in my family, but that is the way I feel.  My mother loved all her children the same, but we all want to think that we were our parent’s favorite.  It is human nature. 

Julie is a great mom and wife to her husband Sean.  Again I have the kindest, sweetest, well behaved grandchildren due to having her as a great role model along with their dad.  I love all my grandchildren the same and I have no favorites.  Even though Katelyn while looking through photo vacation books and asking if that was her, and I keep replying, “No that is Jocelyn, “She then replied, “Grandma you never took me anywhere.”  We changed that last summer when we took her to Indiana all by herself.  Same as with my own kids the grandchildren have their strengths and weakness that I love and that I may not like.  Jocelyn with her eye rolls and thinks she is so knows so much, to her wanting to sleep downstairs with me.  There are two beds and I thought she would take the empty one.  She still is not too old to snuggle next to me along with Missy and Riley on a single bed. I better enjoy these years of her making craft messes all over.  She loves all types of art projects and maybe be an artist like her great grandma. She is getting ready to go into the tunnel of a teenager and not come out until older. Katelyn is my helper; she is always asking to help. She has such a kind heart and a rule keeper. She makes her messes when she cooks up different recipes.  Katelyn and Jocelyn know how to make a variety of things and are a great help to Julie for lunch, dinner, and their favorite snack.  Last time I saw them Katelyn was making some banana bread from some old bananas that I had. Katelyn gets like her mom when she is tired, so beware.

 Easton lives in his own little world.  This involves building things, and working on math.  I tried to get him to work on reading and he refused, but then read when mom talked with him.  He is always working on some kind of project, like collecting insects to building a working radio.  He is so much like his dad with his likes of archery, hunting, and fishing.  Weston likes the same things his big brother does, since he and Easton are best buddies. Weston still likes to snuggle, and spend time with me when he is not on his I pad.  He will go on walks with me to the park to play.  Landon is my smiley snuggler when not crawling all over getting into things, soon to be walking, since he is standing at 7 months.  I have no favorites with my grandchildren. We have a lot of pictures and video of Jocelyn and took her many places, so the other kids may think that we favor her.  It is just what you do with your firsts. So for the fifth one he has no video of his birth.  Grandma saw the first four being born, but not the fifth. 

Now on to my last question, can one love/favor a pet over another?  In my case I have two dogs and it is harder to answer.  For you who have a cat and dog this is an easy question, the dog wins.  Missy and Riley our two dachshund rescue dogs are loved the same.  Riley likes to go on walks with me while Missy needs to be forced.  Missy sleeps next to me under my covers, while Riley sleeps at my feet.  Riley loves any kinds of treats, and Missy can be picky at times.  Missy is also stubborn and loves to lick everything she can.  Riley wants to say hi to whoever is eating at the park when I walk him.  He just wants to see if they will offer him a snack, so this turns into a tugging/power struggle match.  They are both good watch dogs and my untrained service dogs when I am out walking, since they bark to let me know someone is near.  Yes, I love them both.

I rambled on about those I love, but did not discuss my husband Pat.  He of course is my favorite husband. (He is the only one I ever had.)  He is a great husband, father, grandfather, and daddy to Missy and Riley.  He is a hard worker, and is working as I type this.  He has put up with me all these years, so that tells you something of his character.  Yes, I can be a cheap skate at times, and complain about the prices of things.  I am living in my mind back in the past when gas was low, movie prices were affordable, and you could get a 10 cent ice cream cone.  I get on him about eating unhealthy foods, such as eating chips and ice-cream instead of the healthy fruit and vegetables we have around to eat.  I also hint around about getting some exercise, when I ask if he wants to go on a walk with the dogs and I.  He did really good with exercise this winter in Texas and did a lot of bike riding.  So I know he can to it.  I better stop writing, since I am starting to complain about my dear sweet loving husband since 2-2-74, you do the math.