Picture Pause

While I'm typing Tut is on my lap interfering. He reaches his paw up to remind me to pet him. Tut is the epitome of entitlement. I titled this post "Picture Pause" because the site is being funny about loading pics again; if I wait to post until it's better, I won't ever get a post up! I just got back from having two molars pulled today. I go back for more stuff later, but I'll deal with (and pay for) that later. Basically, I need to get my teeth in the best possible shape and keep them that way (duh!). I inherited these weak English teeth, and that, plus diabetes, makes me very prone to problems. I do very well at brushing and flossing, and now that I have an electric toothbrush it's so much easier. It is worth it to buy one, if you haven't. Also, floss picks make flossing much simpler. I'm sure all this will help my overall health. So that's what's been going on with me. We are going to Melinda and Danny's for Thanksgiving this year, with people assigned food to bring. Mark has green bean casserole, rolls, gravy, fruit salad, dressing, and chocolate pie, I think. It's fun having traditional food, year after year. We always fix a lot and eat very little, but we live on the leftovers to make up for the expense. Right? At the Redwood house, we stored leftovers in our garage. Maybe we'll have to put them in our car this year, if we have any. I looove leftover fruit salad, with cherries, mandarin oranges, grapes, pineapples, and other fruit, plus whipped cream. I feel for Phillip, out in Afghanistan. We miss you, Phillip! Stay safe! We had a great visit with him, when he took his leave in October. He paid for Megan and Sabriel to visit us at the same time, and we got some great family pictures. I'll keep trying to post them. One thing we did while he was here was have a Halloween party at Danny and Melinda's. The Darringtons from down the street were there, as well as West Virginia friends and the whole Fam Damily. We all were in costume, and there was chili and Mark's hot chocolate, freshly-made cider from Kattie and Ben's, and tons of rice crispie treats, salsa, chips, and so on. We played a fun and engaging game where one person stands in the center and says something they've never done. Then, everyone who has done that thing gets up and switches chairs, while the person in the center does so also. One person is minus a chair and becomes the next to say what hasn't been done. Phillip was so grown up and personable this time, and he actually wore his Army fatigues on the trip home (the first time I've seen him in uniform!). He flew for 29 hours straight to get home (with a one-day layover in Kabul (?)). Anyway, he was up a long time! It was great to meet Sabriel, who is so Far Side-ish and squishy and pretty and pleasant. I miss holding her, but at least we have Irelyn and Emme to hold. Soon Ben and Linda will have a little sister for Josh, Bethany (I believe), named after a literary character. Babies everwhere! I'm loving seeing all the "kids" growing up. Aiden actually calls me sometimes, to ask me questions or talk. That's so amazing to me that he is his own little person now. Gables had their Halloween party, with trick-or-treating down the halls (Gables provided the candy that was distributed). They also had a great meal, a fishing pond, a cakewalk for little prizes, and a tossing game. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and the staff really took part. It felt just like the old Gables that night. We also had a talent show here, and handmade items and collections were on display at the side of the room. Alex sang "Oklahoma" in a cowboy costume and "White Christmas" in a Santa one. Ben sang some little songs with Josh, only Josh passed on the singing. And Ben and Linda sang one duet. There were other singers and piano and accordion players, and Mark graced us by reciting two of his own poems, to be posted here later on (they were humorous, of course). The best part was the warm apple pie with ice cream, topped with a butterscotch sauce. Yummy! Irelyn was blessed, but I wasn't able to attend. :( I finally found a great doctor, right here in IF, Dr. Harris. That is why I'm getting various problems checked into and attended to. I'll get my hearing checked as soon as I get a chance, and the ritter rac surgery. You're probably wondering how Mark is holding on. . .let me tell you, just barely! No, he's doing well, other than some pain in his feet. We have both cut back on our eating, which ain't that easy to do at The Gables! Seth is looking for an apt., and he's been working and saving up for that. So glad our sons are growing up into solid and honest men. They are growing brains! Leto is here with us and doing great. He and Tut have their little routines which are so funny. Leto is really smart and well-behaved here. The residents don't see him often, which probably accounts for their loving him. Mark and I got ourselves the best Christmas present! It's already here, and I can't wait to show you. It's like a little woodstove, but it's actually a heater, with pretend wood embers and flames. It looks soooo realistic, and it's so comforting. It makes this apt. feel homey and bright. It's in a dark red, which goes with our color scheme, and has adjustable settings for both heat and flame. You can have them going separately or together. Now you know we're getting old, when we're so excited about a heater! But really, the effect it creates makes you feel like you are sitting near a warm fire. Makes winter seem so much nicer! I think I'll post this for now and write more later on. Please post comments if you read this; they are much appreciated!! With much love. . .xoxoxo