3-31-13

Wow. Resurrection Sunday was great. Went to church at Trinity Bible Church. The message was right on. Was able to talk to many old friends. Then sarah fixed a huge meal and ac virginia melissa Hayden david sarah leanna brian Ralene and I had lunch. Wow what a meal

Received a couple of messages from pastor friends and other friends that gave me a lift. Thanks.

Spent the evening just talking with david and sarah. I think a good time was had by all

3-30-13

Got up and sarah fixed a big breakfast for david and me. The I went with ac to get new appliances for the new house. It looks like they will close on the house they are moving into on Monday. Still unsure when the closing on their present house will be

Anyway ac and I spent the day putting new appliances into their new house. Then we went to dinner. Had a good time just talking and enjoying ac virginia leanna brian david sarah melissa and Hayden. Thanks for a great evening

David came home and immediately he went out to run a mile. He is going to get into shape. Me I am destined to be a fat old bald guy.

Remember resurrection Sunday is coming Looking forward to church in the morning

3-29-13

Wow had a full day. Got up and went to nancy and Dwight's for breakfast. Their grandson Andrew is having birthday. 2 years. Also their granddaughter Eliza is having her first birthday. I feel honored to be invited to their birthday celebration

After breakfast I headed to Oklahoma city for ac's retirement celebration. So I got to see him retire and then we ate cake. Then we went to their new house. I think they are going to close on it next Monday. Then david sarah and I went to a Good Friday service at the church. Very good presentation of the death of Christ and how He died for your sins and my sins

Then we came back to david and Sarah's house. Then david tried to kill me. He wanted to go for a run. He wants to get in shape. Well so do I but not by running at night. Well anyway we started to run. I didn't make it very far but continued to walk. David ran a mile in just over 10 minutes. So. I Walked about 8 tenth of a mile with two short runs. Bottom line I am out of shape and knees just won't take running. But it was a start so now I have to continue so that I will have better endurance

3-28-13

Got up and ate breakfast. The sun came up and it turned out to be a beautiful day. I was outside working on small projects and realized that I had too many outer garments on so I took one off. I had lunch with david and Suzzann and then went back to work outside. My outdoor cat stayed pretty close to me today. I got sweaty so had to get rid of the jacket.

Then I cleaned up and went to sonny and Judy's for supper. We watched a little NCAA men's basketball

Found out from social security that I will not be able to receive benefits from Barbara's benefits. They say I make too much money. I didn't know that there was a way to make too much money. But according to them I make too much so will not be able to increase my benefits to what barbara was making. Yes she make more from social security than I did

Overall had a good day.

3-27-13

Woke up at 2:30 this morning and looked out the window. The moon was bright and it seemed light out. There was a deer in the yard about 15 ft from the house. She was just eating and was not in a hurry to leave

Didn't get a lot done today. Just did lots of little things

Then tonight I went to Awana we had 16 boys 10-12 years old. It is always a challenge to keep them occupied for 1 3/4 hours. I am so glad I get to work with them. Trying to change the world one boy at a time

3-24-13

Woke up this morning and we had snow on the ground. Leanna and I went to church and after church we headed to OKC. I am going to help ac and virginia move this week. I slept until we got to Tulsa. Then I drove and leanna slept. I got to david and Sarah's house just in time to go to church with them. We had a pot luck and then stuffed Easter eggs for the children

Woke up this morning and the male fish was dead. Don't know what caused it. I cleaned his water yesterday and at supper he was swimming like crazy.

3-26-13

Got up this morning and had breakfast with leanna. Ten I headed to Lamont. Got here just in time for a nap. The cats wanted my attention but I wanted a nap. Guess who won. I did get a nap but it was shortened by needy cats

Did some mandatory stuff as the death certificates came in. So I picked them up and sent one out as required by insurance.

Didn't get much else done.

Saw first hint of snow at nowata most of our snow has melted.

3-25-13

Got up and had breakfast with Leanna and brian. Then I headed to chickasha to help ac and virginia pack to move to a new house. I was assigned the Barbie room and ac was painting at the new house. The cat and I got the Barbie room packed. Then we found out that the finance for the lady buying the house was not ready to close on Friday. So we stopped packing and I came back to OKC and spent the evening with david and sarah. Not sure when the move is going to happen.

3-24-13

Woke up this morning and we had snow on the ground. Leanna and I went to church and after church we headed to OKC. I am going to help ac and virginia move this week. I slept until we got to Tulsa. Then I drove and leanna slept. I got to david and Sarah's house just in time to go to church with them. We had a pot luck and then stuffed Easter eggs for the children

Woke up this morning and the male fish was dead. Don't know what caused it. I cleaned his water yesterday and at supper he was swimming like crazy.

3-23-13

Ok you can tell I am retired and don't have a clue what the day is. Yesterday I thought it was the 23rd but now I realize that really today is.

Leanna and I had a slow day. We worked a little on cleaning up the house I burned the trash in the fire circle while it rained. It was a light mist most of the day so I burned the limbs and stuff in the fire ring

Then we went to sonny and Judy's for supper. Judy wanted to play cards so that she and leanna could beat us guys. Didn't happen. We won both games

Still raining when we drove home. Supposed to get snow but will have to see it to believe it

Remember, Sunday is coming.

3-23-13

Did mundane stuff this morning. Change sheets, feed cats clean kitty litter. Feed fish stuff like that. Then for lunch leanna and I met Michelle Johnson in independence. We bought girl scout cookies from her for our friends in Oklahoma.

Talked a lot on the phone today. Leanna thinks the phone grows out of my ear

Notice my favorite position. In front of fireplace. Of course when I sit down the cat wants to sit on me.

The other cat is the one that wants to be with me when I am outside.

Brian went to doctor this morning. Doctor thought his problem was sever muscle spasm. He has new medicine that will give him relief but allow him to go to work.

3-22-13

It was right at freezing this morning. I went outside and ground two tree stumps. Then I came in and leanna and I worked on a project inside. She put on her crown and pretended to be a princesses Can't make a princesses work we had fun then we took a nap

For supper we went to the days. We enjoyed being their children very much. Their children make me smile and laugh.

Tracie has been released from the hospital. She will be recuperating at her grandmothers house

Brian is doing better and he goes to see the doctor in the ,orning

3-20-13

Spring is here. Was outside working in the yard. Boy did I get tired. Must be getting old.

Update on tracie. Surgery went well. Recovery went well. Gallbladder is gone.

Update on brian. He is out of ER. They say it was not a heart attack. He has appointment on Friday to see his personal doctor

He did spend the day in class so I think he is feeling better. He is talking to leanna as I write this

3-19-13

Busy day. Got up went outside to spread round-up at the lagoon. So I was working away and the phone rang. Leava said that tracie one of the pall bearers for barbara was on the hospital in Tulsa she was having trouble with her gall bladder. So I cleaned up and drove to tulsa to see tracie. She will be having surgery tomorrow. Leanna met me at the hospital then we drove on to Kansas but she got a phone call from brian that he was having chest pains. He was in Dallas at a class. So he headed to the emergency room. Leanna decided that we would come home leave a car and head to Dallas. Dwight and nancy called and wanted us to have supper with them so we (knowing we needed to eat supper) went there to visit. While there brian called and said he was being released so we didn't need to come to Dallas

It was not his heart. They aren't sure what caused the pain. He is to visit his own doctor this week when he gets back home

Thank you God for being in control

A friend of mine Mario Garcia left this morning to become a full time missionary in Nicaragua

3-18-13

It was chilly this morning so I stayed in front of the fireplace and made telephone calls

Then I went outside and removed some tree stumps. Yes that would be physical labor. Then I worked on the shed. I put a piece of trim on it. The day turned out to be very nice.

This evening I read a book. Can't seem to put the book down until I am finished

So going to bed tired and sore but feeling good. Thanks for all the hugs today

3-17-13

Woke up and it had rained 3/4 inch. Went o church. Had lunch with sonny and judy at a Resturant. Then I took a nap as I tried to watch the golf tournament.

Then I spent the rest of the afternoon on the telephone. Then it was off to church this evening
A fried gave me a book on grief as a result of losing a spouse. It said to cry a lot. Wow got that down. I can cry almost on command.

Thanks to you all for putting up with my meandering mind. I will get it together. I hope.

Another thing the book stressed is that I say "i love you". And give lots of hugs.

3-16-13

Boy was I tired I used muscles that had not been used in a long time. I got up at 2 and took. Long hot shower to try to ease the tight muscles. the cat wanted to purr so that was ok

Today I spent outside working in the yard. Then I came in and watched KU take he big 12 title

One cat likes to be petted while inside. The other one goes outside with me and stays pretty close.

Remember Sunday is coming don't forget to wear the green as it is st patrick day.

3-15-13

At 2 woke up and cat wanted to purr in my ear. So I talked to her for a while otherwise had a good night. I got up and had one breakfast. Went outside to work. Beautiful warm day. At 10:40 the ups truck came and had 75 trees for me to plant. So I put what I was doing on hold and planted 75 trees. These are replacement trees. I plant others last year and the heat and no rain killed them. Anyway got them planted then went to Dwight and nancy for grilled burger and icecream floats.

It was a big day for their grandchildren. They all got to ride in grandpa' tractor and also in bob's convertible.

Pretty tired after a day of work

3-14-13

Spent the day trying to pack up some of Barbara's clothes. Then leanna and went to the cemetery then leanna headed home to spend time with her husband

I took some medicine to the free clinic they appreciated getting the medicine

Then I spent some time with sonny and judy. Yep got to eat with them. Then we played a game. Then I was tired. So I headed home. Talked on telephone for over an hour.

This will be first night I have spent here by my self. Should be ok one of the cats wants to purr in my ear.

Thanks for all the prayers and cards and calls and text messages

3-13-13

Slept late even leanna was up before me. Boy was I tired.
Then we took items to their owners. Then we we to sonny and Judy's for lunch. We had to hurry home so we could take a nap. After the nap we packed a couple of boxes. I went to Awana this evening. The boys said they missed me. It was fun to be back with young people.

3-12-13

Brian and I went o bible study at 6 this morning. It was nice out today so we planted one of the plants from the celebration. Then brian left to drive home.

I worked on paperwork for a while then leans and I delivered bowls and containers to people who sent food to the house.

David and Sarah's appointment regarding adoption was canceled today. I think it is next week

3-11-13

We got up this morning and found out the Tammy had a birthday and didn't want to tell us because we were grieving. Duh if barbara taught us anything take the opportunity and celebrate. So candles went into her eggs and we sang to her. She was getting ready to leave so we took her to see big brutis. You have to be from here to even know about it. Well she enjoyed it a lot but her father called just as we were getting ready to leave and wanted her to come home. Tammy takes care of her parents. So being with leanna and brian for a few days was a relief for her.

Then we came home and did some packing of Barbara's sewing stuff. Then we finished the thank you's.

I feel better since they are written. David and sarah just left They have an adoption interview tomorrow so they wanted to get some rest on their own bed

Busy day but a fun day.

3-10-13

David sarah brian and I went to church today. David claims that he is now the mature one as he did not fall asleep. Hum I think we were tired. Leanna and Tammy stayed home to sleep as they knew they were tired

After church the kids wanted to make me Chinese dinner for my birthday. Yep I am going to stretch this out as long as possible. But I had to do the deep fat frying. It sure tasted good. Just as we finished sonny judy Brenda and Elizabeth came bringing a birthday cake. Party till we troop

Then it was time to get serious and work. We sat down and wrote thank you's. It was nice to have so many helping. We are almost done. Will finish in the morning.

3-9-13

What an emotional day. Got up at 2 this morning. Couldn't sleep. Read in Jeremiah. Seemed to help but no sleep but was able to pray. Pastor is trying to get us to committing to ape ding 30 minutes to prayer,

Then it was time to go to lunch. We had over 75 family members for the lunch. Thanks to all the family that supported barbara and me. Then it was time for the celebration. Brian sang "how great thou art". Then Alan sang a new song that barbara had asked him to write especially for the celebration

The church was overflowing. Both pastors did a great job

Then we went to the cemetery. There as a tribute to barbara we set 4500 ladybugs loose. It was great fun.

It was fun to watch everyone trying to release them into the air.
whew I was tired but we went back to the church and talked. Then we cleaned up the church. Took the pictures back home

Then the family and ac virginia mike and melissa ate pizza for supper

Day is done

Set your clocks forward. You get one less hour of sleep

Remember Sunday is coming

3-8-13

Wow. Got up and was crying by 6:30 this morning. Then decided that maybe if I prayed about it God would get me through it. So we went to Sarah's mothers funeral. Then we left OKC and came back to Altamont for the visitation for Barbara got here just in time to go to the funeral home. We seemed to be busy. Thanks to everyone for your love and prayers.

Made it through the evening. Then leanna david sarah and brian and I had supper and just talked. We miss barbara. Lots of people have lost spouses and they gave me advice tonight. So thanks for that.

We have a big day for tomorrow

3-7-13

Made the drive to OKC with leanna to be with david and sarah at Sarah's mothers visitation. Please pray for them as the get ready to have a funeral for Paulette and then rush to Kansas to do the same for Barbara.

Bought a new shirt so that the family could be matching. You know how that would make barbara smile.

Got to help david do some minor repairs to the house. Just trying to fill up my days with activity.

3-6-13

Thanks for all the birthday wishes. Suzzann brought breakfast and sonny and judy came to have a birthday breakfast. Then leanna and visited with te funeral home people and we think we got everything settled. Then Dwight and nancy brought birthday cake ice cream. Never heard of it but it was good Then tonight leanna and Tammy had dinner for me and gave me presents. Whew what a day.

So a year older and much wiser. Not. Thanks to all for the birthday wishes.

The plan s to honor God and Barbara on Saturday.

Ok for those who wonder how Barbara and I could leave the big city and move to Altamont 3 years ago. Notice the sign in the grocery store window. The store owner put a big sign in window for people to pray for individuals. Including Barbara Thompson.

I think I will buy my groceries from that store

3-5-13

I miss my wife. But I know she is better off and that she is with her Lord and savior

Just to clean up some matters. Visitation is at the for a Hoffman funeral home 510 wabash Altamont Kansas on Friday march 8 at 7 pm

The celebration of her life will be at the first baptist church 400 wabash Altamont Kansas on Saturday march 9 at 2 pm

Burial will be at Elston cemetery 2 miles northeast of Altamont

At this time we will not be having a memorial service in OKC

If you would like to make donations the funeral home will assist you. Suggest donation are
Girl scouts western Oklahoma
First baptist church

Thank you for the kind words about barbara.

3-4-13

Wow what a day. Barbara is with the Lord. The flow of love and God's grace has kept use going today. Thank you to everyone who has called or sent encouraging notes.

Ok the celebration of Barbara's life will be as follows:

Friday march 8 at 7 pm we will have visitation at the funeral home in Altamont Kansas.
(don't freak out make it to Altamont and ask anyone where the funeral home it )

Then Saturday march 9 at 2 pm we will have a celebration of her life at the first baptist church in Altamont Kansas. The church is on the south side of the road of highway 160 in the middle of Altamont. Can't miss it. If you do just ask someone they will help you. Besides you might make a new friend. People friendly

I am putting together a memory book about Barbara so if you have a favorite memory send it to me and I will put it in a book. (to be read when I am down and missing my wife of 43 years)

3-4-13

Barbara went home to be with the Lord this morning at 10:00. She died in bed at home. Her children and I were with her to the end. I want to thank you all for your prayers for this last 15 months. If you remember dec 2011 she was told that she had 11 weeks to live. Well with surgery chemo and radiation she lasted 15 months. Thank you God for the good times and the miracles you have bestowed upon us these 15 months

We are going to miss Barbara but know that she is in a much better place

I will be writing at least one more blog with information about the the upcoming celebration of her life.

3-3-13

Barbara has lost her appetite. Her breathing has apnea. Sometimes as much as a 10 sec pause between breaths. Not good. So the nurse has been her quite a bit of the time. Ac and virginia and melissa and Hayden came up to visit it was good to see them. Barbara does not appear to be in pain.

Brian came up. He brought with him a blow up minny mouse. Nice picture below.

3-2-13

Barbara got up at 4 and ate Then she got up at 8. She has lost most of her appetite. She wants to eat but not a lot. She has also developed breathing apnea The first time it happened it scared me. The nurse said that it is common. So now we have a oxygen machine that helps to give barbara oxygen, which helps her breath. Barbara's brother richard come to visit. Yes he brought Alice with him. Thanks to Suzzann for fixing lunch for us. We do appreciate david and Suzzann

Remember Sunday is coming

3-1-13

March is here. Barbara got up and ate at 5:30. Then she went back to sleep. Most of the night she had been restless. But she slept very sound until i woke her for her bath and to eat lunch. After lunch she went back to sleep. She is just very tired and seems to need a lot of sleep.
She says that she does not have any pain. I think that is because of all the prayers from her friends. God's grace has helped barbara during this process.