We just returned from a dream vacation at Joy and Dan's get-a-way in Desert Mountain, Scottsdale, Az. Everyone was able to come but Suzie, who has several model homes that are ready to install. She is in Louisiana today. ( it is with her help and patience that I am able figure out this blog) Our girls are all superb cooks and we enjoyed much good food. Sandy is the organizer and came early, did the shopping and had all the assignments ready. She is the expert pie baker and always had her daddy's favorite - mincemeat for him. Everyone left Sunday morning so we had 2 days of beautiful sunshine and gorgeous sunsets all alone. What a treat.
For some time Joy and Dan have been supporting the Maisha International Orphanage in Kenya, Africa. This summer, she and Andrew and Sam went over and volunteered. It was quite an experience. We are very proud of them.
We came home ready to jump back into the busy routine. Today was BINGO at the Assisted Living where our neighbor, Doris lives. Every Wednesday is BINGO and it is the highlight of their week, they tell us. Our friends are very generous about donating prizes and we usually make sure each one wins! Since their needs are small, we set up our "Bingo Boutique" and let them select gifts for their friends and families. Smitty keeps them laughing and we all have fun.
Over a year ago, after Doris fell, she finally agreed to move to a lovely new facility here in Lindale. It is privately owned and has only 20 apartments, each opening out to a large common living room. She has attached herself to Smitty and because her nephew in Dallas isn't able to come very often, he is her caregiver. He visits her almost every day and we have both become part of that large extended family. We love them all.
My passion is still cooking and I have been spending a lot of time in the kitchens at Bethesda Health Clinic and our church. I have great committees and we do Board dinners and lovely luncheons for groups interested in learning about the Clinic. Once a month I cook for the Soup Kitchen at the Catholic Church with my friend, Carolyn. We have fun and produce some really good food.
Our church was struck by lightening this year and we have been in the process of rebuilding. We work together with one of Smitty's former competitors who owns a box company here in Tyler and his wife. We cook dinner for the youth once a month and helped them open a coffee shop on Sunday mornings to raise money for summer camp. They named it "Holy Grounds". We get cookies donated and it has been a big success.
Our plan is to move to Edmund, Ok. where Joy and Dan live and to take Doris with us. Epworth Village is nearby and it is a lovely facility. She says she doesn't care where we go as long as she can go. She has visited there with us and loves our 14 year old Sam and talks about him a lot. She is 98, has macular degeneration, has lost a lot of her short term memory, doesn't hear well, takes NO medicine and really gets around very well on her walker. We should all do so well.
We are well and feel so blessed. While we were with the girls last week, we got the call that our dear friend, Ernie Warlick (former Buffalo Bill) died and we weren't able to get back for the service. Smitty's close friend and college roomy also died this year and we miss him. We wish you all health and much happiness this coming year.
smithawl@suddenlink.net 903-882-4729
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