Paige Update!

Here is Paige on Tuesday with her surgeon, Dr. Jodi Smith

Paige is recovering well at Riley Hospital. Major surgery is just major even for a little 5 year old. But she is once again talking (almost all the time) even though her medication is making her somewhat groggy. Being Paige, she struggled to stay awake most of Tuesday afternoon and early evening.

As you can see in his picture, she is not quite half way sitting up - the goal was upright by 24 hours. She will make it there sometime Wednesday morning. There are periods of pain that overcomes her and being 5 she reacts accordingly, but thank God she is doing well and we are confident she will be back to a normal for Paige very soon. She has experienced a lot of "stuff" for a little girl and I am so proud of how well she copes.

Grammy loves you Paige. See you later today!

Sunshine Society - Greenfield-Central High School

Last fall I received a letter informing me that I had been chosen by a Sunshine Society Member as her "Ideal Woman". Wow, that was exciting. Wonder who this young lady is....gifts were exchanged between the two of us throughout the year.

I was invited to Greenfield-Central High School to find out who my Sunshine Society Member is. My final gift was ready and my poem to her written and I read the letter one more time.

The invitation told me to attend the desert banquet on

Monday, April 28th

5:30pm

Cougar Meeting Room

Greenfield-Central High School

A Sunshine Girl for me to see,

To Greenfield-Central I must flee.

I know she is so very sweet,

As special a girl as I'll ever meet.

And now the time is finally here,

My thoughts I'm keeping very clear.

I'll see my very own Sunshine Girl,

Tonight I'll meet this Special Pearl.

My Sunshine Girl was none other than my very own Kirstin Erika Renee'

Paige at Riley Hospital for Children

Paige posed for Grammy as she left to go to surgery! Whitey went with her.

Paige went in for Surgery on Monday, 4-28-08. This Grammy of hers was waaaay too tired after arriving home to let everyone know how she is doing. So this morning I can tell you all, she came through surgery and this morning is recovering at Riley Hospital.

Her surgery went well according to her physician, Dr. Smith. We are so happy that God answered our prayers for Paige and she came through the surgery successfully, and we are trusting her recovery is uneventful and soon.

We love you, Paige, GET WELL SOON!

It Rained - not literally, but enough to fix the Earthquake Damage

I guess you can tell, my foot is hurting today, so I am sitting at the computer a lot. And here I am with another post.

The kitchen light was fixed this morning. And I didn't even have to wait for actual rain. The first picture shows Lee on a ladder. My ladder at the moment of the photo is empty, since I had to play photographer as well as assistant. Aren't I wonderful, so versatile.

The second one shows a light attached to the ceiling as some lights are meant to be, not hanging from one end.

Thank you Lee - now you have made your wife so very happy.

Burnt Toast!

It is a well known fact that Lee likes his toast WELL DONE, or as he puts it High Definition. He sits with a bunch of guys at Jim Dandy on Saturday morning each week while I do weekly shopping at Walmart.


The guys have learned how Lee likes his toast. Lee has learned over the years to get his toast as done as he likes it he has to tell the waitress burned toast and then it comes to him just perfect. Burned as far as most people are concerned, but really good to Lee.

Today at Jim Dandy, a wife of one of the Saturday morning coffee guys was with him and when Lee sat down, she asked if he was the "burnt toast guy" to which Lee answered yes. She said she is glad to have a face to attach to the burnt toast. Apparently Lee is getting a reputation around town! I'm really not sure what kind of a reputation that is, but so be it.

Visitors at Grammy & Grandpa's House

A call came from our youngest son - he was coming to visit. What a treat that is. Because with Nathan comes a little girl we haven't seen for a while. Isabella and her Daddy came to see us and we were delighted to have them here.

This little girl is growing so fast and is all smiles, coos and she just turned 3 months old. What joy to have her here!

Check out the pictures of the youngest Towle!

Isabella's Visit

Grandparents Day, Eden Elementary, Greenfield

We were at Grandparents Day on Friday at Eden Elementary School for Paige. Every school has a different plan, but that makes it all so much fun. We signed in and waited for Paige in the Gym. Her other Grandparents, Kenny & Mary Gregory, Lee & I waited patiently for our little girl.

Our first stop was cookies and punch with her in the Cafeteria. Paige lost her 1st tooth this week and she was excited to show it while sitting in the Cafeteria.

After our little snack, we went back to the gym to have our picture taken with Paige. That went rather quickly and we left there to go the Library for the book fair. Anyone who has grandchildren, probably little girls more than boys, knows that the book fair is a favorite place. And girls like to shop, even if it is at the school book fair - not necessarily for books, I might add.
Paige was successful in convincing a Grandmother to buy her a black & white kitty. And that made the day. Paige was one very happy little girl.

After the book fair, we then proceeded to Paige's classroom and met Mrs. Stevens her teacher. Paige showed us around her room and showed us her picture on the wall that she had colored. When it was time for the Grandparents to leave, Paige showed us the picture of Grandma & Grandpa that she had made. We also were privileged to get a picture of Paige with her very own proof of loss of a tooth.

It was a fun day with our 5 year old Granddaughter! Paige is a sweet little girl and it is a delight to be with her.

Thank you Paige for a fun afternoon. Below are some pictures
Paige and Grammy really like!

Grandparents Day - Eden

Spring on 50 East

I am sitting at my desk this morning. There isn't any rain outside only beautiful sunlight at 7:30am. So I am enjoying the beautiful ornamental pear trees blooming in my neighbors front yard. They are beautiful and remind me how much my God loves beautiful pictures. He gave us so many of those pictures throughout the year!

When will it Rain???

I'm looking for rain. I check every day. I look every morning at the sky. All I see are beautiful, sunny days. I need rain. Well I guess I should qualify - Why - I need rain.

As everyone is aware, a 5.2 earthquake hit southeastern Illinois on the 18th of April 2008. Well like many others in Central Indiana, I fell it and I survived the '08 earthquake. There was some minor damage to my home from that earthquake.

The quake hit as Lee and I were in the kitchen preparing to leave for work that morning between 5:30 - 6:00am. I stopped and asked what was that? Lee didn't have an answer, the noise and movement stopped and we went to work. Later that day when I turned on the kitchen light, there was a small problem - it was dim. So I looked up and wow! Houston, (aka Lee) we have a problem!!! The movement of the house during the quake shook the kitchen light loose as you can see.

There was debate between my husband and I as to how to fix this problem. At the time I was on crutches and unable to get on a ladder to help him. Kids contacted were very busy with many activities. After Dr. O'Connor finally released me from crutches, we decided that we would do it ourselves since I am ladder able.

Now as to why I need rain! This dear sweet man I am married to reaches a certain point in the year when it is "outside time". In other words, he spends his days outside, working in the flower beds, mowing, working in his garden and at times just riding around our property in his golf cart.

To take time to fix earthquake damage needs a day that is rainy and he cannot be persuaded to work inside the house on a sunny day. So I am looking for a rainy day. The first one has been designated as earthquake damage repair day. Now you know where Lee & I will be the next time it rains.

Grandparents Day at J B Stephens Elementary

It was Grandparents Day at J B Stephens in Greenfield this week. Grandpa and I went to school to be with Klaudia. We were so excited to be with her and she had two of her friends join us, Marisa & Sarah. These girls were not able to have their grandparents with them, so we were happy to have them with us. Mrs. Matthias, Klaudia's teacher explained what would happen during our visit. And then we were on our own with the 1st graders. What a delight.

Here is Klaudia smiling for Grandma while her friends read their book.

Grandpa, Grandma, Klaudia and our adopted friends, Marisa and Sarah toured the classroom. They showed us the eggs in the incubator which will be soon be chicks. We saw the grass and flowers they have planted and are watching the growing process. We checked out the class calendar, also the green, yellow & red cards which Klaudia explained the purpose of these to us. After saying hello to the caterpillars we went on a tour of the school with the girls.

Outside the library, they read their Important Books to us that they had written. We visited the Office, Computer lab, Gym, Cafe' and Playground. We had a really fun visit with Klaudia and her friends.

Grandpa gave up the walking through the school process shortly after it started and waited for the Grandmother (on crutches I might add) outside the library on a comfortable bench. Grandma then raced, well that is a relative term, as racy as I could on crutches around J B Stephens. Then after returning the girls to their classroom, thanking Mrs. Matthias for letting us visit I collected Grandpa and collapsed in the car to recover. Just kidding, sort of.

It was a wonderful time with Klaudia. She is a special little girl.

I had a great picture of Klaudia I was going to show you, but blogger is acting strange and won't let me, and the balance of my Grandparents Day blog will remain pictureless. Sorry Klaudia!

New Inhabitants in the Field

Bandit lives next door to us and used to reside in the field closet to our property. Well Bandit has had to make a move. He is now in the south field of the Johnson's west-side. He seems to be okay. He still runs to see us when we venture over to talk to him. He thinks Lee is his own special friend. See Bandit in his new field!







Well apparently a horse is not enough. There are new farm animals for us to keep track of. Last week two goats appeared, one named Misty and one which shall remain nameless for the simple reason, I don't know her name. One of these cute little farm creatures is going to have baby goats in about 4 months. Won't that be fun to watch. Maybe we will have twin or triplet baby goats by the end of the summer.











Today Jayde and I found out all about the newest farm animals that Chuck now has. Baby chicks. Yellow ones, black ones and yellow and black ones. They really are cute. Check them out!

So now you know all the additions to our world. I know all our Grandkids are going to be so excited to see each and every one of them. I think it will be the most fun when the "kids" goat kids are born! I'll show pictures of them when that event happens!

Lee's Afternoon Driver This Week

Jayde usually is picked up by her Aunt Donna from school. But since Aunt Donna is out of town this week, we have the privilege of having Jayde here after school each day.

Lee is using this situation to help himself.

Jayde is his very own 'personal golf cart driver'. She also has been a 'Grandpa's helper'.

I do think Jayde kind of likes driving the golf cart. But I have observed Jayde doing work for Grandpa. Picking up limbs that were trimmed, taking Grandpa to get vegetable plants growing in Chuck's polyhouse, carrying things for Grandpa and just being a special helper in many, many ways. Jayde is busy these afternoons being with Grandma & Grandpa

It is fun for us to have her here with us these afternoons. She is a very good young lady.

Half Free

I have been using the crutches and (foot) air cast for the past two weeks. Yuck, maybe even double yuck!!!! At any rate, I saw the doctor yesterday for a repeat x-ray to see how much healing has taken place.

Bad News - Good News. The good news is the best - no more crutches!!! I cannot express how free that makes me feel. It is still somewhat of a trial to walk with this larger than life foot, but oh how free I feel - NO more crutches. Guess maybe you get the idea I really didn't like the crutches.

Now for the bad news. The fracture is the same as it was two weeks ago. My doctor says this type of fracture takes a looong time to heal. He wouldn't give me any guesses as to how looong. But I am content to wait for that healing, because now I am walking on two feet again.

I am Thanking the Lord this morning for the fact that I am free of half of my assistive devices!

Take me out to the Ball Game !

It must be summer or almost. Baseball has started and I have a baseball player to watch. Brendon played a game this week and his Grandmother was in attendance, along with other family members. I know I will have other Grandkids to watch later this summer, but Brendon has played his 1st game.

What fun it is to watch our grandchildren playing games we watched their parents play. Brendon played the game I attended this week on a baseball field at the Boys & Girls Club in Greenfield. I attended many games at that field watching his Dad play baseball. It felt just like going home.

Brendon is one of the pitchers for his team. Of course this Gram of his thinks he is perfect. Oh, I know he is still learning at this point in baseball, but he is good and I thoroughly enjoyed watching him play.

Baseball is sort of like football to me - I don't know the rules and so I sort of stumble along trying to figure out why they make the calls they make. Wow that doesn't make much sense, but then neither does the game make a whole lot of sense to me. But I am learning. And I am enjoying the entire process of learning while watching my Grandkid play.

Check out the pictures of my Baseball Pitcher - Brendon!

Baseball - Brendon Style

Shopping for two Handicapped People . . . .

It's Saturday and my kitchen was running out of things to cook for two people. So a plan was made for a grocery store trip. Many years ago, a relative of mine told me don't say 'grocery shop' always say 'food shop'. According to this man in my life - food shop doesn't sound like I am going to bring home the entire store. Whatever - it was time to go get some food to eat.


The plan was that the injured woman would drive them to the store. The 'semi' blind man would push the food cart. And the injured older female would drive the motorized cart. Seemed like a
plan that would work. So we started out for our local Walmart. Yes for those of you who think only 'old, slow' people are at Walmart early on Saturday, that is where we headed. You probably know who you are that maybe think like that. Anyway on with the story.





Remembering that person I know (and probably a lot more like him/her), I was aware I had to keep it moving. At my age, I didn't want to be associated with those OLD folk who take a long time to make decisions, go slowly through the store and take extra time at the checkout - slowing down all the young folk needing to get home to their little children.


I was moving on out, pedal to the medal - well maybe finger to the control, since this cart moved with my hand. I would occasionally look behind to make sure the man of this group was keeping up and pick a convenient place to stop and wait for him when he lagged back, then press on. We went from one end of the store to the other, getting everything on the list in record time. I felt so proud about how well we did.

We left the store with a cart full of food, (the man of the group in charge of the cart, the woman now on crutches and veeeeerrrry slow, wishing for that motorized cart), loaded all the food in the car and headed home.


Once at home the food made it to the pantry via that wonderful man I am married to and then with his incredible help it was all put away in very short order. What a man - giving up his early Saturday morning with the guys at a local restaurant to help his wife get food for them to eat in the next week.


My man then stopped at the door to the pantry and asked me "Did you have that cart moving at its top speed?" Me: "Yes, was I going too fast?". My Man: "Well, I found myself wishing for a rest several times throughout the store". Me: " I had to keep us moving as fast as possible. I didn't want us to be labeled as old, slow, Walmart shoppers". My Man: All I can say, I'm glad Dr. O'Connor says this is only for two weeks." So am I Lee, so am I.........no crutches can't come soon enough!

Learning to be Thankful !

You never know what you had until it is gone. I have heard that comment sometime in my past - not sure exactly when, but that is certainly a reality in my life at the moment.

Several years ago, I limped around, had constant knee pain, used a cane to navigate and generally experienced a 'USED' feeling where knees and legs were concerned. Then Dr. Jeffrey Pierson did his magic on my knees, assisted I might add by my very good friend, Dan England and all the misery I had with bad knees was history. Unfortunately I forgot what it was like to move around with difficulty.

WELL - now I am remembering. Ten days ago, I fractured a metatarsal in my right foot. I heard the snap and thought "oh great, I think that just broke". With minimal swelling and just a little pain I figured I would be wasting the Doctor's time and my money to go get a x-ray. It didn't seem to get better so, two days ago, I saw Dr. O'Connor and now you know the rest of the story - I am paying the price.

Now I am trying to get around on crutches which on a 1-10 difficulty scale - for me is about an 8. Not good. So I am learning to be more thankful. Thankful for bones in one piece that a person can walk on.

Now I know what I had - and it is gone!

DARE Graduation - Harris Elementary School

Jayde's DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Graduation was today, Wednesday, April 9, 2008. For the second day in a row the Grandparents attended an event at Harris Elementary School.

Cpl. Steve McCarley is the instructor for DARE. He spoke briefly regarding what DARE is and what it teaches the kids. Following that, he distributed Diploma's and DARE t-shirts to each one of the 5th graders.

Each student is required to write an essay at the end of the semester telling what they learned in DARE. Four students were awarded a medal for having written an out-standing essay. Jayde was one of the four who won a medal.

Grammy and Grandpa enjoyed our visit to Harris this morning. We are so proud of you Jayde! Good job in your DARE classes

Below are pictures taken.

DARE Graduation - Harris Elementary

The Latest in Fashion Accessories...

As you know, yesterday afternoon Lee and I attended Grandparents Day. After that event was over - we were introduced to the latest in fashion accessories.....

We went to see our favorite doctor - Dr. O'Connor. The first announcement was brought in by Tammy, his nurse...check this out...here on the right.....

As if that wasn't fashionable enough the good Doctor made it clear that this ~~~beautiful~~~ boot would not be complete without a set of these here on the left.

All I can say is Thank the Lord I am past the portion of my life when I worried about how good I look.

One little confession, I had predicted that Kansas would win the NCAA basketball tournament because I like the color of their uniforms. Lee told me he would take me out to eat if I was right. Well you know who won, and he wanted to take me out last night. Before I could go, I had to ask Lana if I looked 'dorky' (if that is a word) in my new fashionable attire that the doctor seems intent on my wearing. When Lana replied I looked fine, I ventured out and we had a great time dining out - and I didn't even have to do the dishes.

So much for Tuesday afternoon and evening. Today is another day and I am all ready to face the day wearing my new "stuff".

Grandparents Day, Harris Elementary School, Greenfield, Indiana

Today was Grandparent's Day for Harris Elementary School in Greenfield. Since Lee and I have a young lady who is in the 5th grade at Harris we were in attendance.

We went in and made our way to Jayde's classroom. After we found Jayde, she showed us chairs and we were two of maaany grandparents who were there. Mr. Murphy and two other 5th grade teachers had a presentation for us to enjoy.

After the event in the classroom, we went to the gym for the annual, necessary Grandparents with our girl picture. Jayde will be bringing the pictures home later in the week, one for her and one for us.

Below are a few pictures that I was able to snap for our memory book! Better than that - now that I am learning to scrapbook, I'll try to use them in a scrapbook! Thank you Jayde - you were a perfect hostess and we enjoyed our day with you!

Grandparents Day, Harris Elementary School

Spring Yard Work!!!!!

I didn't realize that it has been so long since I blogged. Guess nothing very exciting has been happening at my house. At least, I haven't been keeping up to date with "stuff".

Lee told me this morning that I would be needed to help him this morning and afternoon. This morning I picked him up at work, we stopped and fed Jewel & Bandit, the horses. Yeah, we are on horse duty this week. After that I helped him by sending three 16' pieces of trim through the router. Messy, messy job. Sawdust EVERYWHERE.

Then this afternoon we spent two hours picking up stove wood and stacking it out behind the shop to dry this summer. It had been in the parking area of the driveway all winter. And now I am absolutely worn out. It is only 6:45 and I am ready for bed - I will be hitting the sack as soon as I finish writing - no typing. I am tired because even though Lee is the only one pictured picking up wood, Bette picked up her fair share of that wood and I'm tired, and not only from typing. Although now that I think about it, typing this is even making me feel weary. As my Cindy used to say when she was just a little girl "Just kidding". But only kidding about the typing part of this paragraph. Wow, I must be tired. I'm sounding like a broken record - repeating myself. Time for bed.

Just a few pictures of my man while he packed the wood. I couldn't get a picture of me handing it to him and for that I am totally grateful.

Moving Stove Wood!