MY HONEY

As many of you know who read Sherri's blog, Dean is now home from the hospital. They "oxygenator" machine (which is what I call it) - it's actually a compressor of some type, is installed. He goes everywhere with a 57 foot hose, and it's really not daunting at all. Today we will have our first "outing" and we will have to take a couple of tanks with us cause they don't last long!!!

We are both hoping that he will eventually be weaned off the oxygen. This is another complication with the CLL---but we are optimistic that things will get better, and more "normal."

The above pictures are a sculpture Dean did of himself. His FIRST time ever sculpting!!! I think he did an amazing job for the first time. Other than working with wood, he's not ever done anything "arty." He really enjoys the process of it also. We took a class together and me the one who loves art and crafting was bored to tears! I eventually dropped out----and he was best in class. he wants to do more of it----and he is also really getting into wood carving, and belongs to 2 groups. This is good, because he is all done with doing big wood projects like furniture and bookshelves and such. It's too hard on his lungs to deal with all the dust and mold of woodworking.

Me----I'm well, and doing fine. I've very excited about card-swap coming up, and looking forward to life, and whatever comes. Although I'm very very sad to miss my son's graduation in May (we can not travel at present) I will be here for my grand-daughters' confirmation. What a blessing!
Thank you all of you who have been remembering us in your prayers.

Oh---congrats to Sherri for making the play. I knew you could do it. Hopefully this is just the beginning of doing a fun thing for yourself!!!! TTFN!

HAPPY EASTER

We had a wonderful Easter at the Karp house. There was lots of candy and I was lucky enough to receive a beautiful pink glass oval basket (bowl) with candy in it! It makes me so happy!

Sherri prepared a wonderful meal (church was Sat. night) of ham & bacon and cheesy potatoes, and lots of sides and lemon cheesecake----all home-made of course! We really enjoyed the day with Sherri & Brian and the kiddo's even if Brian and Dean did watch the golf play-offs! :-)

I hope EVERYONE had a wonderful Easter and sang as we did "Jesus Christ has risen today, Alleleuia" ---- we just kept singing it and humming it.......and meaning it!

PAY IT FORWARD

ok---I hope I get this right. To the first (5) people who respond to this blog, I will make you something. With my own hands.... No time limit. Ok, I have the rest of the year. All you have to do is promise to pay it forward by posting on your blog that you will do the same.

Neat idea, huh? Kinda fun..... So let's see who responds.

I'm waiting.....

BUSY TIMES

Here is a picture from Caleb's 6th birthday (3-16-09). Life has speeded up, or maybe we have just slowed down so much, that it seems fast.

Caleb loves his birthday (all birthdays) because he really loves cake....and parties! We had a really good time with his "buds" Nathan & Nate, and his "girlfriend" Chandlor (13) & his sisters and brother, and mom.

I'm late putting this on because everything just takes so long to do. ;-) Today Dean & I worked at the library as we are now "friends of the library" and we are having a big book sale during the Dogwood Festival. So the next few weeks will be busy getting those books ready and priced.

Caleb lost his first tooth recently, and I'll try and post a photo of that soon. I didn't get any Easter cards made (gasp) because Easter just snuck up on me this year. We are having a swap soon, and I have to think about that also!!!!!

Ok, so I'm feeling a little overwhelmed. We are also getting ready for our big trip next month to Missoula, Montana to see John graduate, and spend a little time with him and our sweet Rachael. We are driving, so we have to get the van ready (we are taking the van, b/c John has stuff he wants us to bring back) and it's old and worn out. Such is life.

Ok, now I'm going to sort some clothes....cause stuff has to get done around here. I'll write more later......

Blah-Blah-Blah

Well, I got it. The sore throat/cough/runny nose thingy that all the Karp Kids have or have had. I just can't keep my hands off of those sweet sweet babies (to me). I just pray Dean doesn't get it. He's in his work shop, and probably carving something. He was "best-in-class" in our sculpting class. He really has a knack. He sculpted a small bust of himself, and now wants to do one of me (!) And now he's joined not one but two Wood-Carving Clubs. I'm so glad he's doing this. Being retired and having your honey around 24/7 is a lot harder than you think. This would have been bliss when we were first married.....but now.....well, let's just say it's kinda like being "stalked". Ha-Ha. Between the projects I have lined up for him, the sculpting, wood-carving, and his reading he should be pretty busy for a while!!!

I finally figured out out to open a pay-pal, go on e-bay AND Amazon.com, and order stuff. What fun. I ordered several Jodi Picoult books (a lot of them used and heavily discounted) and a discontinued Stampin' Up Stamp set. It's like getting presents in the mail. I love it.

My new vanity top came (ordered from Lowe's) for my new taller vanity for the bathroom. When Dean gets it done, I'll post pictures. I'm sure it will be beautiful. We are already planning the two bookcases we are going to build in the living room and dining area. We just need more space for our books. I give a lot of mine away, but Dean likes to hold on to his----and even though we have a 12 foot wall of bookcases in the den, and one in our bedroom, and a small one in one of the bathrooms.....well, we still need MORE!!

We celebrated Caleb's 6th birthday this past week also. I can't believe he is 6. He is my youngest grand-son and my God-son. He is so fun, and such good company. I love being with him----and all of my grandkids. They are uniquely individuals and with interesting talents and personalities.

I won the Grand-Prize at the Mary Kay open house in Siloam Springs. It was a huge basket full of product, and gift certificates. I can't believe I won. I shared with Sherri, and gave her the beautiful white fluffy robe and some product. It's so fun to win something. I'm so glad we made the effort to get up on that rainy gray day and go to town. And thank you to Sylvia for inviting us!

Well, that's what I'm thinking today. I'm trying to decide if I'm well enough to attend our "game-night" with our golf group tonight. Dean will go, and I may too. Depending on how much my nose is running. TTFN (ta-ta for now).

LUNCH

I had lunch today at my friend Laura Lee Flynn's house. It was so delightful! We had a fabulous sandwich (home-made bread) and a wonderful fruit salad!! We talked & talked and had a grand time. I was there for almost 4 hours and the time just flew! I love going to lunch or going out to lunch with friends.

But here's the funny part.....or sad part, depending on your point-of-view. I have a kind of panic-disorder whenever I meet someone the FIRST time alone. After I've known someone, and I'm comfortable, then it's ok. But I can only think of one time when I've to meet with someone for the first time, but it was a family situation and I wasn't alone. When I think over my friendships in my life I think in every instance the person has sought me out first and made the first appointment or whatever. I know the ladies at Trish's or even my Sat. night dominoe group would find this odd.

So I've known Laura for years, and she's mentioned several times we should get together, and I've always said yes, but never made the first move. Last night at book-talk group she asked me to come for lunch and I said yes......even though I knew I would dread it at first.....because I really wanted the opportunity to have her for a friend. Why am I like this? I don't know.

But I had the most marvelous time and I hope we do it again. But she will probably have to ask. Weird, huh?

BODY CLOCK

FYI I'm a firm believer in body clocks. Ever since I can remember I have never liked getting up. I don't drink coffee (which might help) and just need a little "time" to be well....awake. Of course I had to get up with children (but I was never really fully awake) and I worked for several years. But I found a job as a legal secretary where I could work the hours I liked.

When my older two kids were in 7th grade they requested that I NOT get up with them anymore. I have no idea why, but I was really relieved.

Now that we are retired if I let myself follow my real "body clock" I will stay up until 2 am or so, and then get up between 10-11 am. I'm getting the required 8-9 hours of sleep----just different hours. AND....I wake up happier!! I know many people who just love mornings and are chirpy (PA-LEESE) and gung ho to go.

I can get up early whenever I need to and I'm ALWAYS an on-time person. But if I have choice, you will find me sleeping peacefully..........until I get up for breakfast at 11 am!!!