Tuesday ramblings

Today has been a busy day and I am checking is as the boys are having "quiet" time. They have to be quiet for an hour. If they need a nap, they usually go to sleep but sometimes they just rest. I have to do this not only for them but for me too. I need that quiet time as well. :)

I went to the nursing home this morning for a Care Plan meeting for Mama. The nursing staff feels that she is in the last stages of Alzheimer's but would not commit to a time frame. I understand that completely. She will go when it's time, not before. They are taking her off her last Alzheimer's medicine. I feel sad about that but no need to pay for it if it's not doing her any good. She did not really know us this morning. She loved the roses I took to her. She told my brother over the phone that they came out of my garden since she didn't have an rose bushes in her yard. (She has had rose bushes since the beginning of time!) I am not sure who she thought I was today - maybe someone she grew up with? Other than that, she seems to be doing well. She goes in and out of kidney failure but the nurse seemed to think that also had to do with dehydration.

I left the nursing home and went to the grocery store. Our local Bi-Lo is having a promotion of spend $35 and receive a token. When you have 10 tokens, you can trade it in for a $25 Exxon gas card. I already have one $25 card and am working on the 2nd one. I asked the cashier to ring my order up in $35 increments. I don't think she liked that but it is not against the rules. Anyway, I ended up with 2 tokens from today. Most of the items were close-out or coupon sale items (except for the bread, fruit, and milk). I need to figure up my savings on these sales.

One of the items they had on sale was stew beef. I got 2 packs and have one pack in the slow cooker now to make vegetable soup. I thought today would be a good day for that. My children are so excited over having "soupa" tonight!

In a little while, I am going to shampoo our living room carpet. I noticed a lot of little stains from tea and juice. This will be a good project for the boys to help me with. Well, it's almost time for them to be up so I need to get on the move.

Church

Deniska got into the Oreo cookies and I thought I would take a picture of him! He is such a silly goose!

We had a wonderful day at church yesterday. I always love Pentecost with the priests dressed in red. Yesterday was Father Smith's last Sunday. He has been assigned to Beaufort, SC. He has grown up before our eyes and he will be sorely missed.

Father Newman will return next Sunday from his Sabbatical. I can hardly wait as he returns to the pulpit. He is just awesome!

The boys are doing a little better in church. We still have lots of squirming around. I can understand that since the service is almost 1 1/2 hours long. It's hard for little ones to sit still for that long.

Today was Memorial Day. We stayed at home since Dennis was on call. So far, he has not had to leave. I hope he doesn't. I made chicken pot pie for lunch and we had sandwiches and left overs for supper. Nikolai ate 3 jelly sandwiches! Deniska finished up everything else. Both boys have healthy appetites but are not overweight.

My day today

This is a picture of my 2 boys - Deniska and Nikolai. They are 6 years old and keep me on my toes. Today, Deniska fell on the gravel and had a skinned knee and hand. Poor little thing.

Nikolai continues to gain English everyday. He is just a little sponge soaking up the language and having a home. For the first time, he asked if he could have some ice cream. Perhaps he is feeling like this is home and he can ask for food! :-)

Dennis took the boys to Lowe's today for their children's workshop. They made toy wooden race cars. Lowe's provided all the material and each boy came home with a race car, work apron, and goggles. Oh, I almost forgot, a Nascar race patch. They were very proud of their handiwork.

While they were gone, I repaired the wagon. I don't know why I always get stuck with doing repairs around here?!!!

I visited Mama in the nursing home tonight. I don't know which is hardest - the times that she doesn't know who I am or the times that she is clear minded. Tonight she knew who I was and wanted to know about the boys. I told her about the work I had been doing in her yard, which pleased her. She didn't want me to go and kept kissing me. I left in tears. I miss her so much.

Well, I guess that is all I will write for tonight!