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go_granny_go
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Name: Mrs. C
Interests: I have addictions to blogging and lotion, and my life revolves around my family, friends, and my relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
I was blessed to be a homeschool mom for 18 years, and my husband and I (with God's help!) raised three awesome kids. I also have three adorable grandbabies that I go visit as often as I can!!
Is this picture really me? No, but a girl can dream, can't she?
Expertise: Probably putting my foot in my mouth, then back out again...that, and granny hugs!
Occupation: Obsessive gopher stalker.
Industry: Leopard print purses.
Message: message meEmail: email me
Member Since:
2/27/2006
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| Update On My Son Inlaw......
Hey y'all, just wanted to let you read some good news! My daughter updated her blog this week about her hubby...he was the one that had been diagnosed with a mild form of the Bubble Boy disease. After seeing 12 different doctors in the course of 5 months, he finally found one who gave them cause to rejoice!
I have copied her blog here, to let you all know that we serve a mighty God, and He answers prayer! I'm including a link to her site if you want to head over and give her an encouraging comment. BerlinettaGal
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After the overwhelming and semi scary diagnosis of an immune disorder, God sent us the PERFECT doctor for Travis. At long last, we were able to sit down with an allergist/immunologist who looked at ALL of Travis' health history and was able to see the whole picture. He had no doubt that all of Travis' problems were a direct result of a severe allergy to something that triggered an acute case of adult onset asthma.
Going without a diagnosis on this type of thing for so many months had only made everything worse, causing more and more problems. Yes, he did have low IGG levels, which means his immune system was having some difficulty, but this doctor assured us it was totally within normal limits and that with the right type of focused asthma and allergy treatment, Travis would be able to bounce back without having to go through the costly and extremely complicated IVIG infusions.
That was six weeks ago, and praise the Lord from whom all blessings flow, Travis is now almost completely back to normal! Whatever special combination of asthma/allergy medications and treatments that this new doctor gave Travis finally did the trick. Just two weeks after the initial consultation with this allergist, Travis told me he actually felt like SUPERMAN!  Can you believe that? I nearly wept for joy when he told me that because it had simply been ages since my baby had felt healthy, let alone like a super hero!
Travis continues to improve, with only relatively small set backs along the way. The adjustments now are coming because he is learning to live with asthma. He was able to go back to work a week ago and he seems to be right back into the swing of things. He even finished up another college semester with three more A's under his belt! 
We truly feel that it is GOD who has done a tremendous work in Travis' health and we give HIM the praise for everything that has happened in our lives these last six months. We also cannot tell you how much everyone's sweet prayers and encouragement have meant to us. The love we have experienced from the phone calls, notes, gifts, comments, etc., have utterly overwhelmed our hearts.
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| Tragedy to Triumph
One year ago today, a huge, extremely rare tornado destroyed the small town of Greensburg, Kansas. Most folks in the United States, and many around the world, have heard of this little town. It made world wide news by being hit by the largest tornado ever recorded (not the strongest), and only the second town in history to be totally destroyed by a tornado. The other town to be completely wiped out, was the little town of Udall, Kansas, in 1955... that night 82 people were killed.
On May 4, 2007, not one, but four tornados hit Kansas. All four were considered monster super cells. And all four were on the ground simultaneously...for 3 hours.
Greensburg has always had a special place in my heart...I have spent many happy hours there. My brother-in-law was born and raised there. He and my husband's sister have lived there two different times since they were married. We used to go and visit them on weekends. I always loved the small hometown charm Greensburg had. Full of beautiful, historic buildings and homes. Once a place where children played on tree lined streets, and neighbors visited over the picket fence, or actually had coffee together in their kitchens.
A very large percentage of the town people had lived in Greensburg their whole lives. It was an agricultural town, always full of farmers or ranchers. Many of these old coots enjoyed hanging out at the local Kwick Shop, drinking coffee and swapping lies. All of this is part of what made it a community. But what is "community"? I believe it's more than homes, businesses and people. What makes community is HEART. This little town has heart, and from that, they built their sense of community.
As I watched the national news coverage this week, commemorating the one year anniversary of the tornado, I was not surprised to hear the big city folks from the Today Show express their amazement...over and over again....at the goodness, kindness, sincerity, and generosity of the people of Kansas. That's who we are....we believe in helping strangers. We are the heart of the Bible Belt...the heart of America.
Greensburg (and much of Kansas) was founded by German Mennonites, who brought their strong, hardy red wheat with them. They also brought their faith and their work ethic. Not everyone in Kansas has strong old fashioned values...but here you will find more who do, than those who don't.
A true blessing was experience amid this tragedy...we found that we had kindred spirits, literally all around the world. People from all over came to Kansas to lend a helping hand. And many, many more sent donations. Even though the town was destroyed one year ago, the volunteers continue to arrive.
One thing America found out about Greensburg and Kansas...is that we have heart. We step up and help when we are needed, for as long as we are needed. We have a sense of community and pride. We are resilient. We hurt with our neighbors, whether they live next door or 200 miles away. We are family.
And Greensburg continues to make history...she will be the first "green" town in the world. Every house and business will be green. When the administrators began to plan the rebuilding of the town, it was decided to make Greensburg better than ever. And why not try and use the earth's resources a little more wisely? In fact, the Discovery Channel will have an on going series about the "green" town of Greensburg. It begins Sunday, June 15th.
And one final first for the people of Greensburg....President Bush was there today, giving the Commencement speech and passing out diplomas to the class of 2008. Regardless of their politics, these young people knew they were very fortunate to have such an honor.
President Bush also toured the town a year ago. One woman joked with him as he greeted her in front of what was left of her house. "I would invite you in for coffee", she quipped, "But I didn't have time to dust!"
I believe that statement is just a small glimpse into the heart of Greensburg.
They have moved from tragedy, to triumph.
Headed straight for the town of Greensburg, nearly 2 miles wide
Marine One, carrying President Bush, as he surveyed the damage
A once beautiful, tree lined street
The church where my brother-in-law and sister-in-law were married
The spirit and the humor
If you are interested in seeing some great before and after photos, please click on the link below.
http://www.thelope.com/2007/05/greensburg-before-and-after.html
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| Runaway (from the) Jury
This week I ran away from the jury....from jury duty, that is. It's not that I am against serving, because I am not. I just have been called many times, and have served more than once. This week, I sat for hours in the jury assembly room, waiting for my number to be called. After we had been there about an hour, they called between 20 and 25 numbers. Those people were taken up to be interviewed for a criminal case.
Three hours later they called a TON of numbers, and those people got to...get this...go to lunch! You can imagine how those of us felt who were (still) sitting there....quite uncomfortably, I might add. A small amount of people were now left...just looking around with sad, woeful eyes. Then they called about 10 or 15 more numbers, and those people were told they were free to go (imagine audible groans from the few of us who were left), but they had to call back later to see if they were needed the next day.
Finally the gal on the loud speaker said that those of us who were left were dismissed from serving! They didn't need us! I tell you true, the people who formerly had been looking rather sullen and forlorn, now had goofy grins on their faces! And yes, I was one of them. We were told that they considered our sitting there all morning as "serving", and we wouldn't be called to serve for at least a year. (Can you imagine???? In theory, a person COULD be called up to serve every year!!!!) So, being last had it perks!
During our orientation, the judge had asked us if anyone there was happy to serve on a jury....one lone hand meekly raised in the back of the room. That could have been me....years ago. No one else in a room of a hundred or so people was happy about it. John Cusack in Runaway Jury is about the only person I know who wanted to be on a jury. Although, when I was first married, at 20 years of age, I received a jury summons and gleefully skipped down to the courthouse.
It was a civil trial involving two women who had been in a wreck. Our one and only job was to figure out the percentage of wrong doing on both sides. The amount to be paid would be established by that percent. During the jury selection process, one attorney asked the judge to dismiss me....TWICE.
Each attorney is allowed to ask questions of the potential jury. Of course they ask ones that would be relevant to the case, specifically to their client. One asked if anyone had ever worked at a day care center. Well I had. I used to be a teacher for 4 year olds. He asked if anyone had been to a chiropractor...well I almost lived at mine. He asked if anyone had ever been a secretary....yep, me. He also wanted to know if anyone knew where a certain intersection was. Again, I knew. When asked how I knew where it was, (I lived very far from there) I told them we had friends that lived one block from that corner. It got to the point when an attorney would ask a question, everyone turned and looked at me! It was rather embarrassing!
After the trial was over, the lawyer for the defendant invited any of the jury to hang around for more details about the case, and to answer any questions that we had. I stayed and asked them why I was kept if the other attorney had asked for me to be removed. Well, it seems he changed his mind and thought I might be sympathetic to his client, the gal who was suing.
The second jury I was on was a murder trial. The young man (age 18 at the time of the crime) said he was WITH the people who murdered a man, and that his intent had been only to rob him. After the trial, we found out there was evidence that had not been allowed to be heard, that would have put some doubt on his story.
Even if it had been a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, it really didn't matter. The law clearly stated that regardless of the extent that he was involved, he WAS involved. If someone is murdered during a bank robbery, the driver of the get away car can still be charged with murder...not necessarily first degree, but murder none the less. If I remember correctly, he was given life in prison. I really did feel sorry for this kid, but the law was very clear.
As jurors, we need no expertise...we just listen to the judge tell us what the law says, and hear the evidence. Using our personal experiences and our judgment, we decide who we believe is telling the truth, and after listening to both sides, try and decide what really happened.
As I said earlier, I have been called for jury duty many times in my adult life. Several of them I had an excuse for postponing my service. With several other summons, I was an alternate and was dismissed without actually going downtown.
All in all, I know our jury system can only work if people show up and do their duty. And yes, it really feels like "duty". But I was very happy to be able to "runaway" from the jury this week...and so was my rear end!
Have you ever been called? Have you ever served? They say it's the "luck of the draw" on who gets picked and who doesn't.....am I lucky or what??!!!!
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| Spring Has Sprung....Or....Gopher Granny Gets Her Gun
Hi y'all!
Hope everyone is up and well....with spring well on it's way, it makes me want to run out and dig in my flower beds! But, alas, flower beds are not what they used to be around here. We have a huge mole and gopher problem (hence on my sidebar, I have listed under my occupation: obsessive gopher stalker), and my flower beds (and yard) are full of tunnels and holes.
We have tried a TON of stuff, from poison pellets, to devices that beep, with the hopes they will make the little critters run for the hills! (I would settle for them running to the neighbor's yard, but that's really not very nice, is it???) We have even been known to try and blast them out...use your imagination on that one!  At any rate, I just want to get outside and do something while the weather is so mild. When summer cometh, I runneth, so now is the perfect time for me to be outside.
Hubby and I started a new routine last week. We are getting up and heading down to our detached garage to work out! We moved the treadmill down there recently, where our gym machine was already located. I have asked Mike to be my personal trainer. He was so funny when I asked him that! He said, "You have made my day....why....I even have a little tear in the corner of my eye!" If you have seen the picture I posted last year of him flying through the air, you would know why I want him for my trainer!!! In fact, I'll go hunt it down and re-post it here again....
....don't you wish he was YOUR personal trainer???!!!!!
Anyway, I am wanting to make some life changes, and I feel really good about that. I wake up seeing my dear, sweet mother staring me back in the mirror...and as much as I loved her, I just don't want to BE her....ya know??? Do I hear a witness?? Any other gals out there that would prefer not to turn into their mom??? I just wanna be ME!!!!
Okay, enough of the dramatics...I shall now go jump on my chores. Hope everyone has an awesome day!
Blessings,
Beth
A.K.A. Gopher Granny
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| I Brake For Bargains......
I have been feeling "thrifty" lately, so I am putting back up "Bargain Granny". Isn't she just the most adorable thing you've ever seen?! Well, she is if you have a sense of humor!
Did you recently see the news clip of the 17 month old girl who could read? It was amazing! Her folks didn't teach her how...they found out by accident when she was 13 months old....13 months old!! Mom was at the grocery store with the little one in the cart. The baby was holding on to a box of cereal, and she looked at it and read, "corn". Mom looked at the box....no picture of corn was to be found! This little gal was too cute! The news correspondent had words and sentences printed out on flash cards, and the baby was able to read them all! She had the sweetest little voice too! Just the fact she was talking as well as she was, was amazing enough for me, but to see her reading like that gave me chills! She even read something written in cursive. Mom quipped, "I didn't know she could read cursive!!!" In case you missed it, here are a couple of links:
When I returned from Texas last week, I had to hurry over to see the grandkids. Afterall, it had been three whole days since I had seen them last! When I looked at Faith from across the room, she had this funny mark on her forehead. It almost looked like a dirty spot. Upon closer inspection, I notice it was an "owwie". It was a bunch of little random scabs in an area the size of a half dollar. Her Mom told me that Faith had been using an adult brush to brush her own hair. She loves to have her hair brushed...and she brushed and brushed....after 20 minutes they realized she had been banging the brush and it's coarse bristles in the same spot on her head, as she brushed her own hair. Hence, the sporadic scabs on her forehead!
Her brother Micah, is currently 7 months old. He is a TANK!! (Just like his Uncle Logan as a baby.) Great-grandpa has nick-named him "The Hombre". The Hombre loves to get into everything! He does this funky crawl, where he is on one knee, rear up in the air, and the other leg is straight. Just a month ago he was getting around by belly flopping his way around a room. He gives the biggest, most sloppy kisses...I love 'em! He will grab my hair on either side of my face, and force my face up to his. Mouth open wide, he comes in for "the kiss". I try and turn my head to the side, to make it a little more sanitary, but he can slobber all over my face if he wants to! I love it!
One of the benefits of being down in Texas so much (even if I am there for unpleasant things), has been to see Clarke, grandbaby number two. OH MY WORD!!! He looks so much like his momma did at that age!! He is all eyes....and I must be honest with this second one....ears, and big toothy smiles! What a dear he is. Very mischievous...also just like his momma! Clarke isn't quite as wild as his mom...I found her on top of the kitchen table at 5 months! It is so awesome to be able to see my kids growing up all over again in the grandbabies. Very cool indeed!
I know, I know, where are the pictures? Please give me a little more grace when it comes to posting pics...I can't even begin to tell you all the problems I have had with them! Don't give up on me....I'm still working on it! (Singing in her 'ittle head, the fabulous David Soul hit of the 70's, "Don't give up on me Baby......")
Well, I'm off to jump into what I hope is an amazing week! There are lots of bargains to be braking for.....
Later!
GGG
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