My Friend Karen

     I think of Karen quite often, but yesterday was the big day.  You are wondering why Sunday, October 14, 2018?  No it was not her birthday.  I can't even remember my grandchildren's birthdays.  Landon had his on Oct. 12 which was last Friday, and he was at our house, so I was reminded all day.  Does not mean I will remember next Oct.  No, it was not the day of her death.  I would have to look that date up also.  It was back in February. 
     The day started off by being a Fall day, trees changing color and leaves falling.  Karen loved the fall colors so much, that she would jump in the car with her husband John and travel to follow the colors of Fall.  This involved many fall trips traveling across states to find the best colors.  She also loved the whole fall thing about campfires and hay rack rides. She would plan yearly church hay rack rides at Santa Woods.  As the number of kids increased at church, she needed more hay rack rides to hold everyone.  A lot of the increase was due to her many grand children attending Millard Community Church.  She would have fall camp outs with her grand children as they hung out around a camp fire making memories.  
     Then yesterday while at church, it started to snow.  Karen loved the snow as much as the fall colors.  She would hear about snow in a nearby state, and then jump in the car with John, and travel to see and play in the snow.  She loved road trips, so the snow would give her a chance to kill two birds with one stone. 
     She also planned snow outings with the grand children such as sledding at Mahoney State Park.  I think she called the weekends "Grandma's Winter Wonderland".  Sometimes the snow would melt, but she and kids still had fun.  I remember one winter, she had scheduled winter snow family pictures.  The snow was not on the ground, so she hung fake snow flakes in the trees for the pictures.     
     I do not like the snow and cold.  That is one reason we travel south in the winter.  I sat at church complaining about the weather, since we were going to go camping with our camping club Sun. afternoon, but we canceled out.  Karen would have went camping in the snow.   I sat at church and thought of Karen and prayed for her husband, children, and grand children.  Karen loved going to church and learning God's Word.  She was able to see her children and grandchildren growing up and studying the Scriptures also.  She also loved the chance to get together with her church friends also.  We have been going to church together and friends for a long time.  My girls and her kids hung out and grew up together.  
     Yesterday, was that day when memories filled my mind.  Also blessings filled my mind, so I wanted to write about memories and blessings on this cold day. Monday, Oct. 15,2018.
     Blessings:  I know I will see Karen again, since we both believed that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, and rose again.  John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
    Children and grandchildren are blessings from the Lord.  I have lost count of the grandchildren that Karen had maybe 30 or 40?
    Eye sight:  getting another shot on Thursday morning to save the little bit I still have.  Karen lived for years with only one eye, since one was removed due to cancer.  You could not tell, by the way she drove and got around.  Maybe a little by the way she pulled out of driveways, asking where did that car come from?
    Health is a blessing,  I survived a brain aneurysm/stroke Jan. 2012. I am still around to make memories with my grand children.  I may not remember them later, but hope they will. That is one reason to write things down.  A guy from church that had just started visiting, but knew a lot of folks died yesterday from a stroke.  I think, he had 10 children and a wife. 
Karen had various health problems, from cancer to kidney transplant but never complained.  She had her faith and love for the Lord that got her through her struggles.  She worried more about her husband John's health than hers.  He is still suffering in ill health but hanging on for his family.  She told him that he needs to hold the family together and to toughen up on her death bed.  She also wanted him to share the gospel at her funeral.  He was able to speak at her funeral, making one of her final wishes true.
   I just remembered that there are spiritual health blessings that we get when we read and study the Bible.  That health gives us the strength to cope with physical health problems and death of a loved one.  Helps us in surviving the cares of this world/life.
      

In the News: School shootings My two cents

In the News: School Shooting, My Two Cents

2/21/18

     Social media is full of teachers and parents thoughts of why these events keep happening.  I know my two cents is not worth much, but it gives me something to write about.  As a retired teacher of 30 plus years, I have some experiences to share.  My future holds the odds of a grandchild or two going into education.  They can read this and be thankful that they did not have to experience violence that teachers have had to deal with in the past. 

     The news last night was full of school threats from students to others and schools.  One father talked about how things need to be reported.  Some of the survivors of the FL thought the killer had problems, but they were never reported.  He also talked about how students now days are taught to accept all who are different.  Schools have to educate all because that is the law.  We all know that schools transfer the “problems” on to another district.  Some districts will send the “problems” on to special schools that can help with the emotional or mental illness that they are dealing with.  That does cost the districts $$, so let’s try to educate them in our own schools.  The news also told of the Millard South killing of a principal and wounding of another principal on Jan. 4, 2011. 

     My daughter and I taught at that school.  Some of my students that year attended that school.  My school was just minutes away, so we used that school for swimming and gym activities.  Schools in the district were all in lockdown that day.  Teachers are trained to deal with these things when they happen.  The shooter was at large and may have wanted to hit other schools, but was found later dead in a nearby parking lot.  Another event was a mass shooting at a local mall that my students had just had an outing of shopping and eating lunch.  I had changed our bus pickup time just after lunch.  So we were all safe and back at school when the phone calls from parents came flooding in.

     I loved teaching; sure there were times of stress.  Times I called 911, a school resource police officer, principal, school psychologist, or resource teacher to deal with behaviors that were not acceptable.  Once while at an offsite location, a student was out of control, so I called 911 more for a threat and then hung up.  I learned they call you back.  When I answered, some students were screaming and crying since I had the para send them to the restroom for their safety.  The out of control student had left and was locked out, so we were safe.  I ended up calling our resource officer instead to go out and search for the student.  Yes, I have called 911 for real.  A mom had the nerve to call me back later that afternoon.  She did not like that the call may have went over the scanners, since her ex was an officer.  She was called from work to take her 19 year old home since her child was not coming back to school and they did not want him either.  You ask what he did.  He was mad about something, so he decided to throw a chair at me as I was walking towards him.  He missed me, along with other students, and a huge window, but left a huge dent in the wall by the window. 

     Principals/program directors get called all the time.  That is why they make the big bucks.  Once while subbing in an elementary classroom, I had student that was non compliant.  I called the principal and he removed the other students.  He told me that he would call the dad at work to remove his child from the classroom.  He said the students learn fast to follow the rules, because dads don’t want to have to leave work to discipline their child. School Psychologists are the best help.  Our psychologist had worked with my young adults (18-21) when they were younger. She knew how to talk them down from a meltdown.  She was also a great source of information on dealing with the students and parents.  Resource teachers were also very helpful.  I was one for many years while teaching middle school.  I always say that if a teacher survives teaching middle school, he or she can teach anything.  Classroom teachers call us to remove the noncompliant students and then call parents and give out consequences.  Once while having a middle school student stay after school to make up some school work out side of the principal’s office.  My new car was keyed and the front school window was broken out. 

      While teaching I used the word consequences a lot and gave them out.   We had our students attending fun outings like bowling.  If a student was having a non young adult behavior before or during bowling, then the consequence would be no bowling.  Parents would be called if bus drivers refused to transport out of control students.  Parents did not like to be called.  A parent was very upset at me, when she found her son staying after school to clean up his mess of spit wads.  She said, “That is what janitors are for.”  Don’t get me going on parents who blame teachers for school behaviors.  “My child did not act like this last year.”  As I thought, yes she is going through a divorce this year.  You left her dad for her best friend’s dad. Both girls are in my class because the principal did not take my words of wisdom. 

     I have worked with three districts and a Christian preschool.  So I could go on and on about stories of out of control behaviors.  I do wonder at times, what happened to some off my past violent students.  Are they serving time?  Did they get the mental help they needed?  Are they homeless or leaving in shelters?  While waiting in the parking lot of a homeless shelter. I found myself watching the residents leaving for a smoke break looking for a past student or two.

      My main thought is: why there is school violence.  Remember it is just my two cents.

·       Sin. We all are born with a sin nature.  Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.  I could not say this as a teacher, but I did think that some students were demon possessed.  They would get this look in their eyes, and then become out of control.  That is when I would pray for safety.

·       Mental illness.  Drugs.  Suicide (violence to oneself) I have lost students to suicide.  Lack of help for the mental illness. Drugs that do the opposite that they are meant to do. 

·       Parents or lack of them.  No role models. Wanting to belong to a family/group like a gang displaying negative behaviors, and peer pressure.

·       Not wanting to be corrected/consequences.  Anger.

·       Seeking negative attention verses positive attention.

·       Wanting to get even to those who have bullied or made you so mad to seek revenge.  Those who abused you in the past.

·       Negative thoughts verses positive.  Low self esteem.  Lack of friends, caring teachers, or other positive role models such as grandparents,etc.  Lack of Bible teachings, positive church role models and examples.  These may not cause the violence but may be a influences in being a good human along with other positive influences.

·       Evil world we live in.

     I want to end on the positive.  Thank you all who I have worked with in the past helping our students become mature responsible adults.  Thank the students that I have had that have become mature responsible adults.  Thank the parents who have helped your children along and guided them along this path.  Thank you for supporting education.

Grandmas

Grandma’s Blog

2/10/18

     What is a Grandma?  We all can answer that question with various answers.  My daughter would answer this question with, and has told me that the restaurant is always open at my house.  When the grandkids come to my house, yes they can eat all day and night long.  The fridge is stocked with pickles (the good ones), olives, whipped cream, grapes, ice cream plus other frozen treats can be found in the freezer.  We also have an endless supply of fish crackers.  How on earth can they consume that huge box of fish crackers so fast I ask?  I think that my two dogs and my two grand dogs must help out.  Landon is just learning that things to eat within the dogs reach belong to the dogs.  Weston when he was little would carry around snacks that Riley would jump up and steal, and then cry and scream that his snack was gone. 

     Pat loves having the grandkids come over.  It is not just the hugs and snuggles.  It is the left over snacks.  We don’t have ice cream stocked in our freezer, yet last week I caught him with the biggest bowl of ice cream.  He was finishing off the ice cream that Jocelyn had bought at the store last week when she was visiting.  He took her grocery shopping, since quote “All I had was rabbit food in the fridge.” 

    I once told a young mom at church, I can’t believe these kids expect to have three meals a day when visiting.  She laughed and thought that comment was funny.  I only make Pat one meal a day, a semi big one at lunch.

     OK grandmas are the house restaurants open all the time? If you are reading this and you do not have grandchildren, think back to your own grandmas.  My grandma Em baked and always had homemade goodies to eat.  She made red velvet cake with the good cream cheese frosting for my birthday, and every Sat was baking day. I would walk over to take home food and eat some along the way.  My favorite was apricot kolaches,  my grandma Em was Czech from South Omaha, and lived a few blocks away from us.

     I am guilty of not making the grandkids homemade items that they like. I tried once to make homemade mac and cheese.  They just complained and said it did not taste like moms mac and cheese.  I now serve them the box mac and cheese they so love.  I don’t bake with sugar. The candy I eat is choc. 72%, so it is not very sweet tasting.  Easton once asked for a candy bar.  I said sure honey.  He spent some time trying to wash the taste out of his mouth.  I just had a small piece of dark choc. 72 %, and I only had to take a drink of water to wash the semi bitter taste down.

      I can’t talk about grandmas without talking about shopping.  Last week while Jocelyn and Angie were here, we went shopping for shoes.  Jocelyn only had over sized boots to wear, since her other shoes were left in the car on the way to Grand Island.  Julie her mother, takes after me with her spending habits.  She bought Jocelyn an oversized pair of cute boots to grow into from a thrift store or consignment store. Angie my oldest does not take after me, since she has a closet full of shoes.  Angie needed a pair of workout shoes to wear.  I am laughing right now, just wondering how her workouts are coming along.  I think that is why I can find really nice workout clothes from thrift stores and cheap.  Jocelyn and Angie did find some really cute shoes, and it was buy one get one half off. I told Joc that the shoes were her early B day present. Her B day is in the summer.  I know you grandmas do the same thing.  We do not spend a lot of money on presents for our grandchildren.  I have picked up souvenirs for the kids from thrift stores.  When Jocelyn was born, I picked up a whole bunch of baby clothes from the thrift store that I was volunteering at.  Julie informed me that they were outdated, but they were so cheap.  I quit buying clothes or toys, and just give grandkids money.  Once while on vacation Katelyn asked for a Bible, so she picked out one plus a carrying case.  Easton later asked for his own Bible for his B day.  I am waiting for Wes to improve in his reading ability, so he will ask for one.   

     My grandma Bussell would give me books I never read (because they were not Hardy Boys mysteries) and handkerchiefs I did not use except for maybe Barbie clothing.  Did she not know about tissues/ Kleenex?  She also gave us that hard candy that one bought in the 60’s but did not eat. It just sat in  olive green candy dishes on end tables.  Maybe you munched on a piece while watching the Lawrence Welk Show on a black and white tv.  Grandchildren we did not have color tv back then.  We had to go to the nearby candy stores and buy our own candy cigarettes and junior mints.

     My grandma Em took me on the bus, since she did not drive to shop downtown at Brandeis, huge department store back in the day. I still remember the olive green dress that I wore a lot, and I still have a ruby/diamond ring that she gave me in 8^th grade. I am sure I have other treasures from the past that she gave me.  The grand girls love playing in my makeup.  They learned how not to crunch up the lipstick after using lipstick.  They also love trying on my jewelry.  They would ask for some and I would say, “Wait until I die”.  I stopped saying that and now say their finger needs to get fatter so the rings fit.  They both have jewelry that I have bought for them on our trips.

    That is another thing that we do with the grandchildren.  We take them on trips, making memories that hopefully I will remember.  I did tell my doctor at my yearly checkup that I think I have Alzheimer’s, but he just laughed.  I do blog or write about our trips with the kids, so they can read the writings to me as I sit in the rocker at my nursing home.  That is one reason we took out nursing home insurance years ago. 

    How many of you grandmas take your grandchildren on trips?  I see a lot of your photos on Facebook as you travel.  It is harder to take trips with our 2, 6, 8, 10, 12 year olds.  They are so busy.  Just this past week, church, Super bowl party, homeschooling, Valentine party with co op, swimming lessons, dance lessons, and archery.  I may be missing something.  Julie is so busy running her websites and making things to sell or just selling over stock that she has.  Landon shot a 300 in archery to get a piece of candy this morning.  He is two.  They live over 2 hours away, so we keep track of what they are doing from Facebook pictures. 

     Grandmas keep sharing those grandkid pictures.  We all love seeing them, and hearing your stories when we get together.  Just today I saw a good teacher friend’s granddaughter’s picture that she was tagged in, since she does not post much.  I also saw a cute picture of my brother in law combing his granddaughter’s hair during a visit to Omaha from CA.  Keep on sharing pictures and stories.  I know not all are grandmas, so enjoy your nieces and nephews, dogs and cats, job stories, etc.  Remember your grandmas, living or no longer here on earth.  My friend who died 1/28/18 was a great role model of what a grandma can be.  She was the grandma of 40 plus grandkids, along with one great grandson.  I will be able to watch her grandkids grow up and marry and have their own children, as most attend our church.  My own two girl’s grandma Louise died 1/27/18.  They are left with their memories and stories.  I wonder what stories and memories my own snuggle bugs (as I call them) will remember about me when I pass on and go to sleep with the Lord until He returns for the dead and then living.  I was just going through some paperwork today and was a year off from my date in my mind.  It was April 1974 that I realized I was a sinner saved by the blood of Christ dying on the cross for us.  It was grace by faith that I can spend eternity with my husband, children, and grandchildren.  Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.  Grandparents you can share this gift with your grandchildren plus others.  I know it was the best gift I ever received.  Angie just recently just wrote about receiving this gift of eternal life back when she was about five after watching a scary show on tv.  She also shared that her second best gift was the cemetery site we bought her for Christmas a few years ago. They had a sale going on, so we bought three plots.

    Grandmas what will your grandchildren remember about you as they share stories and memories.  Enjoy them as much as you can.  Maybe even send them a message, or if they are around give them a hug.

Thank you Lord

Thank You Lord Blog

2/9/18

     While working out downstairs this morning on our elliptical machine, I found myself crying.  That is not unusual having just attending two funerals this past week 1/31 and 2/2/18.  I was listening to a recording of the funeral on 2/2.  As I waiting for the service to start, with tears flowing I found myself praying and thanking the Lord for His many blessings in my life lately.  I am writing about these blessings, since we tend to forget.  I also write these blogs for my own family/ grandchildren, so when I am gone I will have left them a memory of their Grandma Rene McQuinn.

     I am going to start with blessings from Dec.15, 2017.  We left for Grand Island, NE to spend our early Christmas with the grandkids, Julie and Sean, and Angie.  My family plus Pat is a major blessing in my life that I thank the Lord for throughout my life.  We had a great time, eating, opening presents, hugging and snuggling.  We left that next day for our fourth winter in Rockport, TX at Wilderness Oaks RV Resort. While reading this blog, just assume these are all blessings, as I ramble on.  We had good weather and a safe trip traveling south. The campground was all cleaned up, and our site was ready for us.  On 8/25/17 hurricane Harvey hit Rockport and destroyed the town and the Wilderness Oaks RV.  The workers at the Wilderness worked very hard in getting the camp ready for what we call Winter Texans. It was great to be back for the winter and seeing many great friends.  It was also a little sad to see the destruction, but joy in the stories of the volunteers who came to help rebuild. 

     We were able to attend a few events at the campground like concerts, dinners, Christmas dinner and gift exchange, card games, but not my favorite line dancing.  I love walking the park and its surroundings.  Friends help walk me as they walk their dogs, since Pat does not let me walk outside of the park.  It is probably a good thing since I get lost and step in front of cars that I can’t hear or see.  The second week of Jan., I walked 38 miles.  I had been reaching a daily goal of 10,000 steps a day.  On Monday, Jan 15 I woke up with a nosebleed that would not stop.  Pat later that evening took me in to the local ER room.  They tried to stop the bleeding, but ended up sending me to a Corpus Christi hospital by ambulance. I had passed out and threw up due to loss of blood etc.  I was more worried about the dogs, so Pat had a friend take care of them and let them out.  At the hospital they were worried about my blood pressure and heart rate.  I was taken in on a crash cart to do something that the nurse called, feeling like you have been kicked in the chest by a horse. Pat wasn’t even allowed in the room.  Prayers were answered by my many praying friends and family.  Thank you all for the many prayers.  I threw up a lot of blood, and then my heart rate went down.  I was ok to be sent home.  They had no room in the hospital, since it was full of people with the flu.  I got back to the campground early in the morning, and while sleeping and still bleeding my heart rate went up and passed out again.  Pat called an ambulance and was taken back to the same hospital in Corpus to a floor where they monitor your heart.  I had a young doctor that was very good.  He made sure I saw an ear, nose, and throat doctor who then sent me to surgery to stop the bleeding after 3 days.  Many blessings and prayers again since, I made it through and the bleeding stopped. I had every heart test available and everything was ok.  No heart attack or stroke.  The next step was to see a heart specialist on Mon. that I saw while in the hospital, after being released Sun Jan. 21.  A friend next door took care of the dogs the week I was in the hospital. Pat called the Doctor’s office that Mon. and they had not ordered the heart monitor that I would have had to wear for the next three weeks and possibly get a pacemaker after the three weeks.  I did not want to be trapped for three weeks in TX while my mother in law Louise was on her death bed with COPD according to my sister in law.  My dear friend of 30 years Karen Malone was also near death for a very fast growing cancer.  I wanted to see them both and say goodbye. 

     We told our campground friends goodbye and see you next winter and on Facebook that Mon. afternoon.  I was able to get a doctor appointment with my Omaha doctor on Fri. before he left on vacation.  Pat drove a few hours that Mon evening, and then drove 17 hours to reach Omaha Tues evening.  Arrived at home to snow, that the next door neighbor had shoveled, but driveway was ice covered.  The RV kept sliding down the driveway, so that was solved but extra lumber stored in garage.  We unloaded RV on Wed, so we could get it back to storage and winterize it.  Pat informed me that we need a smaller RV because I take too many clothes, and too many spices.  I do like to cook and not eat out while camping. 

     Thursday was our goodbye day.  We got to spend time with Karen and Louise. Louise was alert on Thurs. as we talked but not very alert on Fri. and died Sat. morning 1/27/18 while family was on their way to nursing home.  Her daughter Marcia was able to be there with her.  Sat afternoon I got a message that Karen wanted to say goodbye.  I sat by her bedside as she said goodbye to the majority of her 40+ grandchildren and four children, and church friends.  She died early Sunday morning 1/28/18.  Louise’s funeral was Wed. morning.  Many church friends came to Louise’s funeral to support our grief as they were going through their own grief.  We were able to see old friends, family, and relatives we rarely see.  After the service we all went to Pizza Ranch.  Angie spent the week in Omaha and it was great spending time with her.  On Fri. 2/2/18 was Karen’s service.  It was a beautiful service full of pictures, eulogy by a long time friend and gospel message by her husband. Because of the big crowd Karen’s service was at a larger church Westside in Omaha.   After the grave site, we all went to our little church Millard Community (our church home since 1975) for dinner, crying, and sharing. Our church looked really nice.  Karen loved snow and winter.  The tables were decorated with Karen’s huge snowman collection and fake snowflakes. 

     I am slowly getting my strength back starting this week Monday.  I try to work out an hour a day.  I am getting two adjustments a week by a friend and doctor.  I see my doctor the end of Feb. to recheck my blood levels.  He said I was low on iron. Things were caused by blood lost, dehydration, blood pressure meds that were being overdosed, which caused low blood pressure and passing out, my white coat syndrome, weak blood vessels, and the super big one stress.  My heart rate only went up once this week due to stress.  Blood pressure has been fine.

     Sorry to go on about these medical things.  I remember that old saying that when you get old you talk about your illnesses.  My point is blessings from the Lord.  I never did get the flu when the ER rooms were full of sick people.  Thank you Lord for that.  Too many people have the flu.  I never got any infections that you hear about while in hospital.  Thank you Lord. The one baby incision that they did to stop the sinus bleed healed up well according to my Omaha doctor.

     Pat wants to see the Yankees during Spring training, so he is planning on making a trip to Florida in March.  I will go along for the trip but not the ball games.  Life is short, and we need to travel when we can.  Then Easter weekend we will spend time in Branson, and hopefully go to Silver Dollar City with the grandkids.  Praying friends and family will be needed on this trip also, to make this a safe healthy trip.  The last time I made the trip home from FL I ended up in the ER on that trip.  I will end this with a prayer that is on my heart.  Lord bless those in our family as they deal with the loss of Louise.  Bless Karen’s many loved ones as they struggle with their loss.  We all have our memories, and we all struggle with losses of loved ones.  The only way we can make it is to believe that Christ died for our sins, and rose again.  We will see those loved ones who believe when Christ meets us in eternal life the dead first then the living.  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 eternal life.