LAST DAY OF 2017

New Years Eve.  Why do we make so much over the New Year?   Just another day, I say.  At lunch at LITTLE TOKYO's yesterday we talked about New Year's resolutions.  I was "dubbed" as the one with wisdom, since I am the MaMaw and older. You would think I gathered a little wisdom along the way.  But alas, all I have is experience.  Maybe that could be called wisdom?  I doubt it.  Because I made lots of mistakes along the way.  Maybe that is how we gather wisdom.   It is if you learn from mistakes.  O.K. the wizard has spoken.  Make your own wisdom and live.

I just saw a jogger around the Lake.  Must be a visitor. Not many, if any, joggers here.  Maybe some used to be, not now.  We have gained a little "wisdom."  Full day ahead taking care of business.  I have talked myself out of the big New Year's Eve party, although it sounds nice.

Betty Boop

CLOUDY SUNDAY

I am planning to go to Church this day.  I really miss it when I can't go to Broadmeadow.  Brings a little norm to my week.  So much of my childhood and teen time was spent at Grace Church, long gone now.  Broadmeadow brings a new set of memories. 

I had my weekly Jimmy Dean--sausage, egg white, cheese, on an English muffin. I limit myself to one.  I have no idea what went wrong with color and size.  Can't bring it back--so I will close for today.  BETTER TOMORROW!!!!

Betty Boop

SATURDAY

Year almost over.  Seems it just got started.  I was skimming through my devotional book where I keep a short daily journal.  It seems I prayed almost every day for strength. I did have a few ups and downs this year.  Hope for a better year in many ways. Jan is coming today.  We will check odds and ends, visit and have lunch.  Good, Good, Good.  Truman never said "good" once.  It was always three times.  Hey don't make that turn down Memory Lane where My Memory Bank sits.  Don't check out a bunch of memories and then deposit them back.  I do that a lot.  Just keep on going and make new memories. My advice for the New Year.

Betty Boop  

STORMY WEATHER

Another song title "Stormy Weather."  Remember it?  Of course you don't.  I listened to the radio a lot as a teen.  I did not own a record player.  Could not afford one.  The radio in my room was where I learned so many songs of the day.

Bitsy thought all day it was night time and slept all day.  What a storm.  I am gradually putting away my decorations.  Turns out I put out all I had and it is a lot.  Wish I could find homes for my favorite ones.  Nobody decorates the way I did.  Guess someone will toss them when I am gone.  Not "blue".  Just marching on.

Betty Boop

GLOOMY

That is just the weather.  Inside it is cheerful.  Calm after the storm.  What a way to describe Christmas.  I really enjoyed the "storm" of family.  So much to take in. Most of us gathered a one time or other to be together.  After all that is what it is about.  I think Tommy and Jan's tradition of reading the Christmas story, one verse at a time by everyone means so much to me.  All hold hands for prayer. 

Breakfast at my table for two in the Cyber was nice.  Of course it was just me.  I don't care to join in conversation at 7:30.  People respect that.  How nice of them.  My eggs over light, sausage patty, Rye toast and coffee hit the spot.  Nothing planned today, so I will catch up on a few little things I have been putting off.  Know what I mean?  Betty Boop

P.S.   Josh Groban & Michael Buble' sure are good company.

DAY AFTER

Bit of a let down the day after. Maybe not exactly. More of a contentment.  I was so glad I made it through all we planned. It was so good to see most of my family.  Missed Ivy and Trip,  Lindsay and family, and Cary and family, but that is pretty good.  We have like many families, scattered far apart, but only in distance--not in heart.  Everyone cooked their best. Can't describe it all.  Just like most families, it is a time to show your love through cooking our best.   I know, for I have been there.  Today, just like the rest of my life, I have entered a new stage. I enjoy just watching and knowing I did have a part in their  desire to please their family by presenting their best!! 

Much has been planned for the New Year here at SCV.  That I can depend on.  How much I will join in is up to me.  I will do what I can and feel like.  Can't believe it will be 2019.   Lord, Why am I still here?  Not for me to understand--Just trust and enjoy.

Betty Boop

CHRISTMAS GIFT

MERRY CHRISTMAS

 

&

 

HAPPY  NEW YEAR

 

Dot 

LET THE PARTY BEGIN

It began at Tommy and Jan's house after Church, with Florida, Jackson, Madison, Michigan, family.  The excitement was still there.  I felt good and enjoyed the first round. To get hugs and sweet words from everyone is what it is all about.  Food was 4 kinds of our favorite soups and 2 kinds of sliders and a fantastic array of cookies.  Perfect.  Tonight the second round with our traditional Eve party with a salute to my Mother(fried chicken),  which she always cooked herself.  Today her daughter, me, depends on Mr. Kroger.  That is just the centerpiece.  My nieces Karen and Kathy and members of their family always join us.  What fun we have at Paul and Sophie's most interesting and beautiful home in Fondren.  Oh yes the cat is there, but you have to search for her.  She can't be bothered but I think she likes the company.  We will enjoy and look to the next day.  Christmas.  Tell you later about that.

SOMETHING SILLY

First, the silly.  I love writing poems and since I love for them to rhyme --it can be a challenge for me.  But here is my January offering for the VILLAGER.

 

OATMEAL

 

by Dot Ellis

 

"Eat your oatmeal." Mama always said.

"It will keep you warm and full all day."

Something I think she read.

Surely not for me, I say.

 

But today, I really like it.

With fruit, how can that be beat?

Now I will tell you a real hit.

Add Peanut Butter for a special treat

December 23, 2018

 

I have just finished my breakfast of homemade bread a dear friend brought me.  So good.  I have received so many cards and gifts.  I am blessed with new friends.

 

Betty Boop 

 



TIME IS SHORT

Time races on for me.  They say the older you get the faster it seems.  True for me.  I still have 3 Angel ornaments.  That means I have given 50.  MY , My, I seem to have been busy. 

Joseph and Linda are due here today.  Will have lunch with me and Jan and Tommy here.  I haven't been feeling top notch--hope I am not coming down with something.  I have been trying so hard to keep up for I have much to do that I want to do.  Family is first on the list.  Karen and  Kathy's family Christmas Eve at Sophie's house.  A tradition for my  Mama, with fried chicken.  O boy.   I see the sun is out--good omen.  Let's get on with it.

Betty Boop

CHRISTMAS CACTUS

Several years ago, my "boys" gave me for Christmas, a beautiful. bright  red Christmas Cactus in a pretty white wicker basket.  It bloomed faithfully each year around Christmas.  Although I almost threw it out for lack of luster and almost dying.  I gave it a chance and attention through this past year.  It rewarded me with the most blooms ever---at THANKSGIVING, could not wait till Christmas.  I enjoyed it, for it was so pretty.  Imagine my surprise when buds began to form last week.  It is in full bloom for a second time, just in time for Christmas. Maybe you have had the same experience?  I am enjoying it for the second time.  Will it do it again?  Just shows me how a little TLC can go a long way.

Betty Boop

GOODIES

I have been receiving too many good things to eat.  I think everybody has missed their kitchens and the time to cook things they always made for Christmas.  Every thing from fudge,other  chocolate candy .chex mix. cookies. (the kinds only made at Christmas)I tangerines. I got sugar free candy from a thoughtful friend.   Many beautiful cards and notes, that mean so much. I have been trying to pace myself and still enjoy a little. 

It is still early and I have had my oatmeal with bananas.  I am trying to get going.  Things to do. 

Betty Boop

TOO BUSY

 I have been busy trying to keep up with so many wonderful musical programs.  My I do love them.  Our Activity Directors do a wonderful job oat Christmas and every other occasion too.  Quality programs just an elevator away and down the hall.  My what could be better.  The days fly by and I am still enjoying thanks for my little paper clip Angels.  And receiving so many beautiful Christmas cards and gifts of goodies.  Many I must only taste but that is all right.  I get to enjoy things I can't eat regularly.  I get the feel of the season. 

SATURDAY

I woke up early enough to go eat breakfast with the {group} , then changed my mind.  Sometime you don't feel like chit chat early.  We all do it.

Amy came with Ryan to pick up the Honda he bought from we yesterday.  He needed an extra car so he would not have to drive his big old truck so much.  He does a lot of travel between his businesses .  I did not feel sad.  Just glad I had the good sense to stop driving.  My balance is off and I can't see well enough to feel safe.  Safe for me and anyone else on the road with me. I think I am smart to decide it on my own. Of course it puts others in a position of taking me everywhere I need to go.  I am sorry for that.  Amy, Jan and M.G. and sometime Sophie gets in on it too. They always tell me they are happy to help, but you have to get used to being dependent on someone else.  That is just part of the process I think.   Of course I am glad I can still do sooooo much on my own.   I have singing programs to go to all next week.  I am looking forward to it.  Some are children and that is a joy.

Betty Boop

SECOND CONSERT

This afternoon at 3 we do the second SCV SUNSHINE CHOIR Christmas program.  I hope it goes as well as the one did on Tuesday.  Maybe I will not get so tired. Tired but proud we could bring such a great message in song to so many.  Kind of doing our part to celebrate. 

My little angels continue to please.   I am so proud of them.  I rested all day yesterday and I do feel some better.  Lord help me to get through it.  I wonder if I am pushing too hard to do all I want to do?  Things keep popping up to take care of and even though I have help, it bothers me that things continue to have to be taken care of.  Nothing stays fixed!!!!

SO BE IT

Betty Boop

PROUD OF CONCERT !!

I was so proud of our Choir concert.  We sang our best I think.  Just like the Little Drummer Boy, which is my favorite song in the concert. It sounded good in the Chapel.  I was however very tired when we finished.  It really takes a lot of energy.  Tired but happy.  MG and Ryan came and presented me with roses.  Everyone is in awe of them.  I was so proud and they are beautiful and mean to me that they love me.   I love them too.  We have a day of rest and we will do the program again on Thursday.   Amy and Tommy are coming for that. So many people here have nobody close to come.   I am blessed.  

Betty Boop

24 IS COLD

Oatmeal with banana was good on a morning  like this.  Did your Mother ever tell you that a hot breakfast was a good start?  Well it is for me.  I love oatmeal.  Did not like as a child.  I was a picky eater.   Somewhere down the line I changed a lot. Now I pretty much like anything.  Even spinach. Here I sit with my second cup of coffee and thankful I feel  better today.  Our first performance of our Christmas program of our Choir. Did you know it is called SUNSHINE CHOIR OF SCV? Hope I continue to feel "up to it."  Tommy is coming for History Club.  And lunch. Second session about Leonarda da Vinci.  Partly about his painting of The Last Supper. Should be very good. 

Betty Boop

WINTER IS HERE

Winter is here, be thankful no ice and snow (yet.)  I spent the day yesterday being thankful I could be inside.  Up and down two Halls  I went to deliver my Angel ornaments.  Did not realize why I felt so bad.  Shaky, and disorientated .Took the blood sugar test and was sacred when it read 265.  Very high. I spent the rest of the day trying to get it under control. Slowly it came down to 133 before bedtime.  This morning it read 144 before breakfast and meds.  I want to go to Church-don't really feel great, but what else is new? I usually feel better when I go.  So here I am--Don't know what to do. 

Betty Boop

STAY AT HOME DAY

Kind of like Winter.  Not real cold but the rain makes it seem colder.  Time for a fireplace? I had breakfast with friend Judy.  We seem to enjoy each other's company.  So it was different and good.

FLASH!!!!  I sold my car yesterday.  It was time and  I am glad I had the "Grace" to do it.  I have not driven it since I can't remember when, having Amy drive it to places I need to go.  I decided to sell.  I don't think I will feel safe to drive anymore.  SO BE IT.  Just one more step in time and I accept.  Some don't and that is wrong.  I am very fortunate to have many willing to help me get to the places I need to go. I bought it new when I moved here, so it is not tied to any memories of Truman.  He taught me how to drive when Linda was 6 months old.  I rode the bus many years, like most people did when I was growing up.  Much of the time, Daddy did not even have a car. he walked to work!!

My little Angel"happies" are flying to friends.  Well accepted. I am  proud of them. Well, I will get on with my day and try to get them all delivered today.

Betty Boop

SORRY

Sorry I have been busy and did not take blog time.  So many things to do and so little energy to do what I used to.  I must stop thinking that way and use what energy I have. It has been hard to pace myself.  We here have so much to do.  I try too hard to do it all.  I am delivering my "Christmas Happies".  That is a big job.  I wish I could cover it all at one time--can not do it. Everyone seems to be in a hurry.  Or is it just me slowing up?  Little of both.  We have many new, younger, residents, anxious to do a lot.  I am so glad and at the same time a little sad too. because I catch myself saying too many times,  "I used to do that too."

SO BE IT

Betty Boop

LAKE

The Lake is beautiful this morning.  Too nippy to sit out on Balcony, but I do have a view from the window.  How nice.  It reminds me of Riverwood.  There is something about water, no matter how small, it  is good to have.  I am blessed to live on a Lake again.  Riverwood Lake was always our best thing about our home.

I am drinking coffee from one of my Christmas cups.  I gave my old ones away when I moved, but have managed to collect a few new ones since. I   am glad I brought them down from the shelf and am using them.  I  used  to
,drink hot tea for breakfast because Truman did not drink coffee at breakfast.  Now it is plain old Kroger breakfast coffee for me.

SO BE IT !!

Betty Boop

MONDAY-MONDAY

Sunday at Church was good as usual.  I am liking our pastor as much as I did Rob.  His sermons hit me the same and I listen to every word and learn something new to ponder.  He leaves me satisfied, yet wanting more.  Is that possible  or is that the way it should be? 

Lunch with the gang and as usual, great.  They all have so much contagious energy and I feed off that.  News from all around them is   exciting and I do love it. We were making Christmas plans and glad Whitney and Linda and family are coming.  .

I finished the cards I am putting  in my happies-- now to cut tissue paper to wrap them and put them in festive bags. I plan to deliver them as soon as possible.  50 is a lot.  I know that many people around me?  Yet in my little apartment I can still feel private.  How nice.

Betty Boop
P.S. I have 6 Christmas mugs, all different and from friends.  I got them out and am having my coffee or tea or hot chocolate in them.  Good idea to use them?  I gave all my old one away.  Don't remember got them when I moved.

SUNDAY EARLY

Beautiful day.  Sun is shinning.  Let us be glad and rejoice in it.  Cecil used to say that a lot.  Good thought.  I  heard yesterday that Whitney was planning a visit during the Christmas  season. How nice that would be.  Her family is growing up too fast.

Amy finished the paper clip Angels for me and now I will bag them up.  Time is getting close to I deliver them.  I think there are 50 or maybe less.  Have to count again. They look so cute and impressive.  Like we worked so hard and we did.  At least Amy and Jan did.  They proved too much for my hands and they had to take over.  Bless them again. 

Well I must get ready for Church.  Don't know what to wear.  Weather is so strange.  Say that every year.  This is it-- for Mississippi.  Seems like after 91+ years I would understand, but I do remember colder Winters as a child.  Maye it was the way we heated our homes then? And other things.

Betty Boop

EXCITED !!!

Nothing much to you, but to me it is a treat.  I got to sit on the Balcony for the first time in days.  Hey, 66 degrees is perfect.  I guess we had a little rain last night, their were signs of a little.  The Balcony was wet half way so the cushions were dry.  I really enjoyed it early.  Saw a man or woman (couldn't tell which) walking a huge dog.  Can you imagine having to take a dog out every  day rain or shine?  Just living in a small place with an animal of that size?  Must be love.  Saw ducks and more. People walking.  Cabin fever? 

Amy took me to Dr's appointment. Check up required fasting so we went early and did that first , then breakfast at McDonalds.  best for a plain old breakfast.  Always love it.  Good report (sort of.)  We are still working on trying to get my balance better.  I have a prescription for some therapy.  Also had a CT scan on my brain.  You have heard of getting you brain checked? No joke!!  I wonder if they even had trouble finding a brain to scan?  I haven't heard from that yet.  So we will wait.  Pray for me.

Betty Boop