Correction

In one of my postings from several days ago I mistakenly gave our dates in Belize as ll/10/07. I meant that we would be arriving on 11/7 and departing 11/15. Liz pointed out that slipup and asked whether we actually intended to be there for the wedding. I blame it on the anethesia or something.

Looks like we might get some rain tomorrow. That's good b/c my plants are looking sad.

I love all the blogs. Keep it up!

remembering May 30, 1969

Andy and I were still in Columbia Hospital greeting happy visitors. We weren't allowed to have the baby in the room when outsiders were there. That is a more latter day development. Visitors could only gaze through the glass window at the newborns. I was surprised at how chunky Andy appeared at birth. He was a couple of pounds heavier than Phil, Jr. and on such a tiny frame, 2 pounds makes a big difference. Funny how moms remember such small details. It was truly a momentous day in our lives as it is for any parents.

Looks like here in southwest Florida, we are finally going to get some rain. It is somewhat like the news shows up north talking about a coming snowstorm. They talk and talk and talk. Sometimes something actually does happen.

Recovery from surgery is taking a little longer than I anticipated. I am still moping around like an old cat. But today is much better than yesterday. Hurray

May 29, 1969

It was a very good day. At this moment 38 years ago, Phil, Sr., Phil, Jr. and I were on our way to the Silver Spring grandparents' home to drop lil Phil off so we could go to Columbia Hospital to see Andy into the world. It was most exciting. We took our time getting to the hospital and were met with a scowling doctor who thought we would be there a lot sooner. Every thing turned out well though and about 4 hours later, we had our first look at Andy. Times have changed haven't they? That was before sonograms.

I do want to wish our boy the very best birthday ever. We miss you and think of you constantly. This will be a very good year for him and Julie. We heartily welcome the prospect of a new daughter-in-law. May you both have a wonderful life together.

5/25/07

Happy Birthday to my lil' sister. We won't discuss how old now will we? Liz, we hope you have a great time tonight. We are thinking of you.

'Nother day on the bed. This may be the last. Phil is starting to look a little disheveled. But he is such a good nurse. I have regular bowls of sliced strawberries and watermelon, carefully prepared crackers and cheese and fantastic salads. Presentation is perfect-tiny carrots layed in the chicken salad mound which is inside the cantalope bowl. Ain't it grand!

We are thinking of going out tomorrow for a short time. It is so comfortable in this house, I really just want to stay here.

There is a brush fire not too far away and the smoke has invaded our outdoor space. We need at least a torrential downpour.

Sorry to miss the farm this weekend. Maybe we can get there for the 4th of July.

Love, Jeanie

Dreaming of Wedding in Belize

Julie and Andy's wedding is on my mind these days. It is going to be sooo nice. There will be some interesting folks there. One of the things I like about Ambergris Caye is that we can do things together or in smaller groups. We can be laid back or we can get out and explore. I am bringing some projects just in case lounge chairs beckon. On the other hand, Leezie says that there is a modified form of diving that is perhaps suitable for the more timid of guests. I am willing to try.

We got our airline reservations set yesterday and it turns out we will be there from ll/10 til ll/l8.

surviving back in the saddle

Whew! I am hating TV, can only stay with reading a short time, Phil and I are attempting conversation but since we are confined here, there isn't much we don't know about one another. btw, Phil is officially finished with UMD. He graded his last paper day before yesterday. Now what? He does get to the golf course almost daily (I encourage).

Can't wait to see El and PT again. Some time needs to pass before El will be able to jump into my arms. I love her to pieces-she has personality oozing out her pores. Little PT looks so sweet in his pictures. He is really a love of a baby.

Weather in southwest FL is glorious. Every morning I go out on the lanai with a cup of tea and just gaze at the pool and the palms. Then the sun gets a little hot by mid morn and I go indoors til the shade comes back again. The only frustration is that as I sit outside, I can think of dozens of jobs to be done in the garden. Not sure how soon I can be hauling 25 pounds of potting soil about or dragging filled pots around. Right now that scenario seems remote. The bottom line may well be that Phil and I will have to hire someone to do heavy jobs. Since we have never done that, the loss of that kind of independence seems awful. I do realize that adjustments have to be made all through life and the happiest folks seem to be the ones who just go with the flow. I don't think we have been "go with the flow" types in the past. We are trying.

Strength comes back almost without realization. I find myself thinking of just one little ladder project-only 3 steps or so, to hang some outdoor fabric panels. I think the look would be dramatic and would provide some privacy on the lanai. The sewing machine is already threaded with the appropriate thread. All we need is the ironing board and some energy to get going. I wouldn't be able to live without the sewing. Life simply would not be as satisfying.

We are set to go to China in August with a group from Washington and Lee Univ. in Virginia. We leave August 5 and return at the end of the month. We are visiting some places we have not seen before and there is a cruise of the Yangtse River and a side trip to Tibet. Will this be our last trip to China? Maybe. Even after having been there 4 times, there are places we haven't seen. But maybe we should do some other things while we still can. This summer's trip ends with several days in Hong Kong. I am looking forward to doing some shopping and comparing Hong Kong to the Hong Kong we visited 20 years ago.

We will be traveling with 2 other couples from Phil's Air Force days in Turkey. Talk about long time friendships. Both the other guys were in the Navy and sort of adopted Phil while they were stationed in Turkey. I believe the common interest among these guys was PARTIES. Now they are much more subdued but still like to relive some of their youth. Because of them, I have learned a few Turkish words but have also learned not to use them in public because the precise meaning may not be what the Turks understand. The guys had a sort of pigeon Turkish invented on the base and I doubt the Turks would appreciate it.

Well, it's getting close to my morning nap time here in the nursing home. Please keep in touch all of you and other cousins, etc. who don't share blogs, please consider joining. It's a great way to stay together. Grandpop would approve.

Love each other.

Jeanie

Back in the Saddle

I am finally up to using the computer again. The last 10 days are foggy but I am happy to be back on the horn. Love the blogs, girls. You live such wonderful lives and I am delighted to share in them however vicariously.

We are still in FL and Uncle P has been a great nurse. I don't think he ever envisioned himself in the medical profession but he may have another career path to follow. He does really great meals, changes the bed like a pro and puts up with moans and groans from the patient.

We will probably stay here til around 7/1 and then head up north. The weather is good-not too hot yet.

this 'n that

There is so much smoke around here that visibility is only 1 mile. Because of the drought, brush fires have popped up all over the state. The smoke we have today is reported to be due to fires as far away as Gainesville and southern Georgia. Hard to imagine, but the wind is blowing it directly at us here in southwest Florida. There have been fires closer to where we live but not close enough to evacuate.

Tomorrow we are driving up to Orlando to attend Ernst and Young's Retired Partners Meeting. I have mixed feelings about going but once we get there we will have a great time. There aren't any daytime activities aimed at spouses and that is fine with me. I am meeting Kathy Salter Myatt for lunch one day. She lives in central Florida and we have been trying to get together for a long time. With regard to the retired partners' meeting, we are probably among the older people who will attend. I can clearly remember being among the youngest. There must be a quote from Grandpop about aging but nothing comes to mind at the moment.

Another birthday

Birthdays have become ho-hum. There have been sooo many of them. Still, I have spent some time today reminiscing - mostly about Grandmommy, Grandpop and Phil, Jr. Admittedly there is a large lump in my throat but there are plenty of good memories too. I am trying to concentrate on those memories, devotion of a husband and wonderful son, the beauty of Grandchildren, loving siblings, dear nieces and nephews and their spouses and all the future spouses. There are good times to come. Let's celebrate our closeness. The seed was planted by Grandpop. Let's keep it going for future generations. Their lives will be so much richer.

Phil, Sr. flew up to DC today to teach his last class at U of MD. He believes it's time to hang up his professorial license.