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Showing posts with label Gram. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gram. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

A Time to Laugh

After such a sobering week dealing with my Grandpa's illness and his move into a nursing home, accompanied by Gram (and I'm so far away, so far...), I needed a little laughter.

Rocky's favorite books are the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series of "graphic" novels. I have to say this is genious! Simple, fun "kid's life" stories with doodle-style cartoons to illustrate the most serious or funniest moments. Last year, when the movie came out, Rocky and I had a "date" and went to see it. It was way funnier than I thought it would be. This year, they came out with a sequel, and you know we'll have to go see it!

I found a great link on Facebook to "Wimp Yourself" promoting the movie. I couldn't resist. So here's my version of myself in the Wimpy universe. ;)

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

A Time to Weep

I happened to call my parents this evening about 15 minutes before they hit the road to drive from Iowa to Oklahoma. My grandpa, Don, is in the hospital with clots in his legs and lungs. They're running tests, but believe this is the result of some form of cancer. They're recommending hospice care.
He's 90-years-old and his health, mentally and physically, has been declining steadily over the past few years. This year, however, has been the most dramatic. I was fortunate to be able to visit last July and, although he was obviously confused and slept a lot more, Grandpa was up playing cards, escorting my Gram to the senior center for lunch, dabbling in the yard, and walking to the post office for mail. When my mom went down last week for her spring break, he was so weak that he had to lean on her when she took him into the yard. He had little interest in things and couldn't tell the difference between the suits when they played cards. She had gone down, not only for a visit, but for a serious meeting with her brother and sisters about getting her parents into an assisted living facility with security in case Grandpa went wandering. It's a difficult transition that has been the subject of discussion for the past few years between "the kids." By the end of the week, no move had been made, and now this – just 4 days later.
I am praying peace over Grandpa. I'm praying peace and strength over Gram, Momma, Uncle Rodney, Aunt Carol, and Aunt Susan. Please join me with your prayers.

Grandpa Don Huffer – July 4, 2010
"To everything there is a season. A time for everything under heaven... A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance." Ecclesiastes 3:1,4 

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

A Few Pictures from Summertime, Small Town Oklahoma

Last summer we had the amazing good fortune to visit my grandparents in Oklahoma. My mom's parents, my Gram and Grandpa, live in a tiny prairie town: Marshall. All the former businesses are shut down and abandoned. My aunt and uncle's farm is on the outer edge of town, that's where my grandparents raised their children and ran a dairy farm. We celebrated the 4th of July in the pasture with extended family. I seized the opportunity to photograph my grandparents (both around 90 years old) and the aunts, uncles, cousins, second cousins, etc. that we rarely get to see anymore. Who knew that moving to Florida (5 years ago) was like moving to another country? I hope you enjoy the fresh simple beauty of this corner of my heart.


Sophia (my niece), Luca, and Carlo running down the middle of Main Street.

Luca and Sophia visiting the horse and pony living in the middle of town.

Sophia & Carlo having fun at the park with playground equipment from the 60s.

Red dirt path between Main Street buildings and the park.

Sabina and puppy from my childhood "leaving town" to walk the 2 blocks to my grandparents'.

My Grandpa, Don Huffer

My sister, Holly, picking mulberries in our grandparents' backyard

My Grandpa still loves to tinker around outside

My Gram, Evadean Huffer with the newest Great-Grandbaby

Great-Uncle J.C. is the only man I know with a handlebar mustache!

Luca, Carlo, and Rocky at the farm pond getting ready for fireworks!

Beautiful sunset clouds behind farm pond.

Their own fireworks -BOOM!- of dry grass.

Sophia enjoying the countryside.

Fun with Fireworks! Ah, the freedom of living in the country!

Sabina tuckered out at the end of the night; mosquito bites and all, isn't she an angel?