Must love pigs!

I just realized it's been over a week since the kids were home and I haven't even posted the photos of our amazing granddaughter! It was absolutely the best weekend -- we celebrated niece Jessi's upcoming graduation (on the 27th) and Anna's birthday (on the 20th) -- and got to spend time with Kate (now 14 months and getting cuter all the time!) Kate had an entire family to show-out for -- and she did perform!



It's so much fun to see her laughing and running everywhere! She has this little stuffed pig they call "piggy" that she refuses to let go of. So I got up in the attic and found Casey's pig set that my sister Susan gave her when she was little. It's a mamma pig and three little piglets -- and I washed them and cleaned them up before their visit. Kate loved the pigs! She would bring me the bigger mamma pig and then try to carry all three piglets, all the while saying "Ph, ph, ph!"

Casey and John are bringing her up right -- she can't say CiCi or PawPaw -- but she can say "War Eagle" and "Auburn"! That's my girl!

Anna left on Monday for her mission trip to Africa with SERV Ministries. Prayers are appreciated -- and you can follow their trip and mission through SERV's blog. I got to talk to Anna today on the phone, and they are having an amazing time giving out food and ministering to the orphans. So proud of her and her dedication. I hope to one day join her on a mission trip.

Zoo memories

Zoo's are so much fun! Casey and Kate took a road trip to visit with Anna this past weekend, and spent the day Friday at the Atlanta Zoo. Such cute photos, and Casey said Kate loved it -- especially the petting zoo! She thought Kate was going to climb on the pig, because it was the same color as their dog Cherokee, and Kate climbs all over him!

When the kids were smaller, every time we'd go to Memphis to visit, we always took a trip to the zoo and Pink Palace with Nanny and to the Children's Science Museum with Grandpa Hank. They always loved the zoo. I remember one time when Casey was still small in a stroller, we were looking at an ostrich -- and Casey kept calling "duck!" It was hilarious, and everyone around us laughed! The monkeys and gorillas were always a favorite too, but their homes smelled pretty bad.

When I was a kid, we always took a trip to the zoo before school started with the Goodfellow kids (there were three of us and five of them)! Back then, they had rides at the zoo too -- the little boats that went in a circle in about an inch of water and a small train you could ride on. One time, they were moving a white rhino -- I don't remember in or out -- but they had him in a huge crate, picking him up with a crane. I got my picture in the paper that time with the crowd watching. We joked which way we'd run if they dropped the crate and the rhino got loose!

Even when I was in high school, we liked to go to the zoo! When my sister was about 13 or 14 (before she could drive), Kathy, Rose and I took Susan and some of her friends to the zoo. We got tired before they were through, so we went back to the car (a light blue Rambler station wagon, no less) to listen to the radio and watch for cute boys (like we were cool in a Rambler station wagon)! Then here came Susan and her friends with a policeman! I thought, "What on earth have they done now?" But it wasn't them, they had a flasher! Oh my gosh, it was hilarious! He didn't try to abduct any of them, and I don't think they were scarred for life -- but the parents had to take them to the police station to look at a line up and mug shots. I don't even remember if they ever caught the guy! But what a memory!

Just a couple of things . . .

I've been remiss in my blogging, so I have several things to add today.

MawMaw's birthday was April 12, and Gary and Carolyn were home the weekend before. We all got together for dinner on Sunday. She insisted on cooking -- but at least we did take her out to eat at the Old Mill the night before. We didn't have enough candles for the cake, ha ha! Happy birthday, MawMaw! We wish you many more!

Stacy's been waiting for five years to get a chance at tickets for the Masters. He went with Jimmy Ralph Brannon the year before he passed away. This year he was able to get four tickets to the Monday practice round. He took Vernon, Tony and his principal Harold (that's how he was able to get off from school!) They all enjoyed their "man trip"!

And last, but not least, it's Cystic Fibrosis Walk time again, and this is a reminder of Eleanor Guilford, who has CF. She is the daughter of Robert and Coleen, and the granddaughter of Buddy and Patricia. Check out Eleanor's blog, and donate to CF if you are able. It's such a wonderful cause, and it is through their research that the drugs that keep Eleanor healthy are available. Isn't she precious -- and such a joy to her family. If you would like to read Coleen's letter about Eleanor's day, email me and I'll send it to you. It is so touching, and Eleanor has such a big heart!

“Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.” Isaiah 65:24

Loving Savannah!

Savannah, Georgia, is my new favorite place! Since I had a conference there a couple of weeks ago, Stacy and I traveled a day early to take in the sights. Words can't describe how much I love that place! The architecture, the parks (squares), the old warehouses on the river, the history -- and the homes! Beautiful - enchanting - mysterious - delicious - shabby cool! The flavor of New Orleans without the seediness.

We walked from our hotel the first night down to the river-front district -- and ended up on the bluff at Moon River Brewery (named in honor of Johnny Mercer who wrote the lyrics to the same-named famous song from Breakfast at Tiffany's - he was born in Savannah). Although they turned the lights out on us right after we were seated -- participating in "Earth Hour" to demonstrate their "greenness" and tribute to their idol "Al" -- we tried to read the menu (black with tiny white type) with one little battery-operated (are batteries really green?) tea-light. But the food was really good -- I had the Awesome Ossabaw Dip (cream cheese, roasted garlic, sun-dried tomatoes & scallions baked) and a chicken Caesar salad. But trying to eat my salad in the dark and not knowing what I was spearing with my fork was a challenge! And the NCAA basketball championships were on TV -- and they turned it off! There were some unhappy people in that place! We laughed and told our waiter that we all worked for electric companies (a group of us co-op communications people), and that we loved electricity and thought they should be using it! I had to try one of their beer specialties -- Wacky Wit (a hint of cinnamon with an orange slice) -- loved it!

The next day (Sunday) we took the Old Town Trolley Tour of the historic district to get a feel for the layout of the area. First we rode the entire circle (takes about an hour and a half), then got off in a couple of areas we wanted to explore. I love to read southern fiction, and so many of those books have been set in Savannah -- none more famous than Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil -- and of course the movie Forrest Gump! I didn't get the see the famous "bird girl" statue from Midnight -- but I did get to see the Forrest Gump bench (it's in the Railroad Museum at the end of the tour)!

That night we all ate at One-Eyed Lizzie's on the river -- then took the Ghost Tour from Moon River. We didn't get to see any ghosts -- but it was fun hearing the stories! Had a delicious Po Boy sandwich with fried shrimp and a mango/something margarita. Yum!

Monday began my conference, and we were tired that night and stayed in after the conference reception. On Tuesday, Stacy went to the Fort while I was in meetings all day. I had to give a presentation on "Engaging Our Employees" that afternoon. I had begged my co-op friends (I called them my groupies at the meeting) that they had to put "fantastic" on the review even if I sucked! I didn't choke and they seemed to like it -- so I survived my first conference presentation!

Since Tuesday was our last evening there, we wanted to eat someplace that would be really good -- not necessarily expensive, just good. Someone had recommended The Cotton Exchange, so after the group Riverboat Cruise, several of us decided to eat there. I had one of the nightly specials -- Shrimp and Grits, one of my favorite dishes! It was wonderful -- and our waitress was so nice.

I didn't get to visit any of the antique shops there, but I did get a couple of original pendants (for necklaces) -- one an aluminum diamond shape and a the other a fossil stone with interesting silver scrollwork! Usually I get a coffee mug for my souvenir, but we're kind of overrun with coffee mugs right now, so I got a tiny "Waving Girl" statue to diplay in my printer's box. I got to check out a couple of the many artists' galleries there -- and of course, we had to get some chocolate praulines! Ummmm! I can't wait to go back to my newest favorite place!

Day 3 -- Where's the beef?

So last night was chicken and a salad. I found a really great low-fat honey mustard dressing and added some cranberries (that's good for you, isn't it?) and tomatoes and just a little cheese to the salad. Stacy said, "Is this it?" I caught him making a snack about an hour later -- but it was a bowl of oatmeal! I can't blame him!

Tonight it was broiled talapia, sweet potato in the microwave and the rest of the salad. The sweet potatoes were huge and very good - nice filler! Then I made strawberry pies from the FFA strawberries that came in today! I did use sugar-free Jello in it, but it still had sugar -- and I bought "lite" Cool Whip! It wasn't quite set, but the pie was delicious! Yum!

But now I'm ready for some good old beef! I don't know if I can be a chicken every night kind of person! Lord, give me strength!

Day 1 on our Heart Healthy Diet

Stacy's close call -- not a heart attack but he had one artery 90-95% blocked and had a stint -- has really got his attention -- and mine too. We're both overweight and need to trim up our diet. The doctor told Stacy that particular artery (behind the heart that serves the lower portion) does not show up in a stress test. He would never have known until he got hit with the "big one" -- which the doctor said was the "silent but deadly" blockage -- he probably wouldn't have survived it. The reason for the heart cath was that he was getting short of breath and having chest tightness.

So now we're on the first day of our "Heart Healthy Diet"! On my shopping trip to the grocery store yesterday, I didn't purchase anything unless it was low fat, low sodium or no fat! His mom offered to buy shrimp last night, but Stacy said no thanks -- so she made him his favorite homemade Tomato Soup (no salt)!

I've been checking out recipes on different websites. Tonight's came from the Mayo Clinic:

Pork Chops with Black Currant Jam Sauce

1/4 cup black currant jam (I substituted blackberry jam)
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoons olive oil
6 center cut loin pork chops (trim off all fat)
1/3 cup wine vinegar (I used red wine vinegar)
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
6 orange slices (I left out the organes)

In a small bowl, whisk together the jam and mustard. In a large, nonstick frying pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the pork chops and cook, turning onece, until browned on both sides, about 5 minutes per side. (I sprinkled with Mrs. Dash and a tiny bit of sea salt). Top each pork chop with 1 tablespoon of the jam-mustard mixture. Cover and cook for 2 minutes more. Transfer the pork chops to warmed plates.

Cool the frying pan to a warm -- not hot -- temperature. Pour wine vinegar into the pan and stir to remove the bits of pork and jam. Pour the vinegar sauce over each pork chop. Sprinkle with pepper. Garnish with orange slices if desired.

We also had mixed steamed vegetables in a "light" sauce. No more meat, veggie & starch for dinner! Maybe I can have my rice and his mashed potatoes every once in a while! For desert, low fat yogurt or ice cream. Plus I have enough left over for another meal (I only cooked 4 pork chops.)

I give this pork chop recipe 4 stars -- it was very tasty -- nice flavor -- with a sauce (I don't like dry meats). It was a different type of flavor that I thought was very good -- a little sweet with a touch of the mustard taste for spiceyness! Stacy says he gives it 4 stars also! In fact, his comment was, "Was that really a healthy one?" So yea! Tomorrow night -- chicken!

CiCi Heaven

I spent three days in Montgomery with eleven high school juniors going up and down stairs in the Capitol and State House, but it only took one year-old granddaughter to wear me out! Whew! Parenting is definitely for the young!

But I dearly loved every minute I got to spend babysitting my beautiful, precious granddaughter Kate last weekend while her parents took a much-needed vacation ski trip to Utah! That one-on-one time I got to spend with her was priceless! Although she got sick with an ear infection, and we spent four hours in the Urgent Care on Sunday (and I forgot the pacifier) with about a hundred really sick people (I disinfected Kate, me and everything we took with us when we got back to the house)!



The first night was an experience. Kate has a precious room upstairs with a really nice baby bed. But these new baby beds (that convert as they grow up) don't have "let down sides" like our old-fashioned baby beds did; and me, being a little (maybe a lot) on the vertically-challenged side, couldn't reach all the way down to the bottom of the bed! So after I rocked her to sleep, I tried to lay Kate in her bed. Since I couldn't reach all the way down, I tried to "drop and roll" her into it -- it wasn't that far down! But it did wake her up -- and I knew that wasn't going to work. Casey said not to sleep with her in the regular bed because she might fall out-- so what else could I do? I got a comforter off the bed and laid down on the floor with her to sleep! Even with the comforter and carpet, that floor was still pretty hard!

She was so funny! A couple of times she woke up during the night, and she would put her face right up to mine and look at me so seriously -- like she was thinking, "Who in the heck is this person on the floor with me?" Then she'd flop back down and go back to sleep!

She also likes to run her hands through your hair while she's trying to go to sleep, then she'll grab your hair at the top and just pull -- and pull -- and pull! Gladly my hair is still intact!

So the next night, I said the heck with it and we slept in Casey and John's bed with pillows piled up on the sides to "fence her in"! That worked just fine -- she didn't fall out -- and my back was saved!

Of course, I just about let her do whatever she wanted! We played farm -- watched Elmo videos (she loves Elmo) -- read books (really fast, you have to skip the words!) -- took walks around the neighborhood with Cherokee (their black lab I also babysat) -- sang "Itsy Bitsy Spider" -- and played with the remote controls! She doesn't mind telling you (with grunts and turning her head) when she doesn't want to eat any more or she doesn't like something (like her medicine)! In fact, she kind of reminds me of her mom Casey when she was little! It's amazing how much you forget once yours get grown! It's also amazing how fast it all comes back -- and how much things have changed in thirty years since I had kids!

Thanks, Casey and John, for letting me have this time with my beautiful granddaughter! Although I had to go back to work to get a rest -- I wouldn't take a million dollars for that fun CiCi and Kate time!