I have been Tagged! My Quirks

Ok, my niece Denise has tagged me. So here goes.

1. I have very talented tongue! I can touch my tongue to my nose, I can curl my tongue, I can "spritz" people with my tongue. I discovered that when I was little riding in the car and I yawned. I can fold my tongue. I joke that being able to touch my nose with my tongue comes in handy with a tongue and get the normal remark ewwww!

2. The biggest quirk that I have is MICE. I can't stand them. I freak out just at the thought. I have my house treated monthly "just in case". I feel the amount I pay is well worth the possibility. We live across from a farm and one time a field mouse was in my house and I honestly was ready to put the house on the market. Christopher who was about 3 at the time said, "Look Ne-Ne a squirrel" and I looked to see the mouse. I lost it completely and think poor Christopher will never be the same. At work there is an understanding with each pastor that comes. If ever they come to work and see a post a note with nothing written on it on the door and me no where in sight, they know that there has been a mouse sighting and I am gone,... out of here until it has been found and taken care of.

3. Also, I hate the feel of paper bags, can not stand to fold or crease them. It causes the roof of my mouth to get goose bumps on it. This also happens when I fold paper napkins. So if you come to my house either you deal with unfolded napkins or someone else has folded them...or use cloth ones! Not because I am fancy by any means!

4. I can not tolerate any kind of legume! It is not the taste I dislike, it is the texture. I like green beans, but that is about it. NO Lima's, northern beans, kidney beans etc. Ewwww. You can have them all. I love the broth just not the bean itself. Now if you puree them I can handle it. Go figure. It has to be the texture. When I make chili I will throw the beans in the processor and then I can eat them. Or use no beans at all.

5. I dislike mean spirited people. I can not see any use in people making fun of people to hurt someone on purpose. If everyone would just try to accept people for how they feel in their hearts and souls not their appearance outwardly this world would be so much better off. I know that is simple but sometimes simple is all we need.

6. Children make my heart sing. The joy in watching them just gives me such happiness. If I could give one piece of advice to parents these days, please just get down on their level. Get down on the floor & play with them. Laugh and giggle with them. Get outside and kick that ball, throw a Frisbee, slide down a slide, swing on a swing. Do hands on activities, and hug them! In these trying economic times, the time you spend is so much more valuable than the "material" things. My children remember all the times I sat with them and actually did thing with them. Simply colored pictures, and as my son said recently, "we always had fun, even if we didn't spend money." That really made this mom feel good. He said he remembered all the good times. Now I am to the age where it really hurts to "get down on the ground with my grandchildren, believe me I try, and they are so good about trying to help me get up. But it breaks my heart that it is almost impossible to do these day. I will keep trying as long as I can. I will figure out something! Parents one day this will be you too and you will regret it if you don't do it now!

7. Ok my quirks kinda got side tracked. I apologize for that. I kinda got on a roll about children. I guess that is where my heart is right now. Love and hugs, Sue

A Quiet and Productive Weekend

We can hardly believe it, a weekend with no plans! Yup, that is what we had. So we got up on Saturday, and decided to get some much needed work done. Sue headed out to do some "acts of kindness" and Roger went through the food cupboards in the kitchen and reorganized them.

When Sue returned, she helped finish the cupboards, then on to fixing lunch for her helper hubby. After lunch they decided to make applesauce. So out came the bushel of Mac Intosh apples and the peeling, coring and cooking began. The aroma was wonderful. The applesauce finished and cooling, they went on to moping floors and cleaning bathrooms, and laundry and putting away clean laundry. Sue started dinner and then we settled down in the family room to watch both the NASCAR race and the Boston Red Sox play the Jay's in Florida.

Well Sue loves her new chair, and it is very comfortable...a bit too comfortable. Yup you guessed it. She lasted a good while but the Red Sox decided to go extra innings (well actually, Sue didn't last through the 5th inning). Bless his heart, Roger stayed awake til the end of the game. It lasted well after 1:30AM. It is sad that it ended in a loss for the Red Sox but it is 1/1 and now they head to Boston. Home advantage we hope. Roger was pleased that Matt Kennseth was second in the Nascar race!

Sunday, Sue got up and fixed Roger breakfast in bed (after all he deserved it after staying awake to watch her team that late!) Then we went to church and Sue's United Methodist Women had a meeting after church. We came home and had lunch. Back to work! We did a few more things around the house (Sue finished putting away things in the smaller spare bedroom, that had piled up in there). Doesn't everyone have a place that when you don't have time you say, "oh just stick it in there"? Well that is where Sue puts stuff. So she was determined to get that all straighted out. After finishing things (somethings they wanted to do) Sue prepared what they were going to have for dinner, cleaned up the dishes and then went down to join Roger in the family room. Later we had dinner and returned downstairs. You guessed it, she sat down in "her chair" and out she went. She woke up and went to bed. She had no idea when Roger came up to bed. But he had to get up at 3AM to go to work today. So, it was a nice weekend, we got lots done and a nice change to be home with no actual plans!

We are hoping that most of the family will be here for Thanksgiving this year. Some of our family have moved this year due to promotions and some even out of the country. We are hoping that this will not cause too many to not make it to Thanksgiving. For those that can't come be sure to know we understand that as families grow there are changes. Here is hoping that as many as can will be here and those that are not, will have a wonderful day but know they are in our hearts and thoughts.

The Birthday That Never Ends (according to Roger)

Roger says Sue's birthday never ends. Sue and her mother shared the same birthday. They had a tradition of celebrating "Forever" as Roger use to say. It went on and on and on according to him. It was always a joke between Sue and her mother. Of course Roger just laughed about it.

Well the tradition continues. Sue has two friends that makes sure it does. They each give Sue a birthday bag the beginning of the week. Sandy and Bonnie. The bags have a gift to open each day of her birthday week. So this is one full week of gifts. Then she gets gifts in the mail, ok? Then there are cards in the mail, on the internet,& birthday calls. Usually Roger grabs the phone when he is home. So he seems to be there when people call. Thursday, Sandy took Sue to "Ladies Night out" at her church for a dinner for her birthday. Friday, friends the "Hickman's" took Sue and Roger out to dinner for Sue's birthday. Then on Sunday night Lee and Tara and Trinity came over with flowers, a balloon, and a sweet card! So the party still went on!

Now lets' go back a bit. When Sue's parents lived in Staunton before they passed away, Sue and her mother had this "plan". On their birthday, they decided to get the most out of it! So, Betty (Sue's mom) would have Dick (Sue's dad) take Sue out to eat for her birthday and of course she would have to go along. At the meal Sue would say, "Dad when are you going to take Mom out for her birthday?" And then he would say, I am now." Sue would reply, "No this is for my birthday." So this would mean he would have to take Betty out again. So when that would be arranged Betty would say, "I can't go without Sue, so Sue would go when Dick took Betty for her birthday." So we would all go again. Then when we would go again, I would say to Roger, "When are we going to take Mom out for her birthday, Roger?" And again we would have to go out. Then when we would go out for Betty's birthday, mom would say,"Roger when are you taking Sue out for her birthday?" Then Roger would have to take me out and I would say we can't go without mom, I went with her for her meal." ..... We would all laugh over this scheme!!!

I decided this year when Roger said, "your birthday still goes one forever," that Sunday after church we were going out to eat for "mom's" birthday. And we did. Roger liked the idea! It was really neat to go out in memory of mom's birthday! I think we will keep up the tradition. It has been hard the past 10 years to not have her with me on my birthday. But now I am going to celebrate her birthday every year in her honor!

Return for Vacation

Our vacation was wonderful. No travel troubles, and lots of rest and relaxation! Just what we needed! The weather was not perfect but included everthing. We had some days of sun and blue skies, some overcast days but still able to go out and enjoy the beach and one day that was just pouring down rain.

We walked the beach, we sat on the beach, got in the ocean and just had a great time.
We read, we rested, we did count them...8 zigsaw puzzles, watched amazing little television. DID NOT have computer access. Which actually was a blessing.

Unfortunately we did have cell phones and Rogers work cell woke him up on the first day! He got calls all week but they did subside some as the week went on. The day of the storm was kind of exciting. We did go to Willimington and shop some that day. Came back to shingles blown off the cottage, and one of the bathrooms water leaking into it from the roof. That was kind of exciting for Roger! The rental company had to come and take care of that and said they would have to get roofers to come and work on the roof.

So Roger did get some weather excitment. I am so happy for him. He loves weather!!!
I however am grateful it wasn't real bad! All in all it was a wonderful vacation.

We are off!

Well we made it. Today after work we will head out! There have been a few bumps in the road, but we are all packed & will leave when ever we get home. Sue had her routine blood work done Wednesday morning. Yesterday she got a call at work from her doctor. The call went like this. "Mrs. Hilt, this is Dr....., can you leave on your lunch hour?" Sue's response was, "I don't get a lunch hour, however I can leave if necessary." To that the Dr. said,"I want you to go to the pharmacy and pick a prescription." Sue said,"ok". Her Dr..."I am looking at your blood work results and your potassium level is dangerously low, I can not stress dangerously enough. You need to leave and go get this now and take one immediately, then another one this evening. I want you to come get paper work and have repeat blood work next week. How soon can you go get this prescripton?" Sue's response was, "as soon as it is filled". That was the jest of the conversation. Of course Sue immediately looked up on the computer what this could mean. That of course was scary. But, she is now taking the medicine...a humongus pill by the way! Also eating bananas, spinach etc. Of course she ok'd the fact she will be away and agreed to have blood work as soon as she got back. She has a check up also when she gets back that is why she had to blood work anyway.

Have to admit it was startling that the Dr called at work in the first place but with her words, "I can't stress dangerously, "enough" on top of that... it sure did add a bit more concern. Sue does feel fine other than being a bit more tired than usual. She contributes that to trying to get everything done before vacation. She and Roger are looking forward to a relaxing week for sure! We feel really blessed that right now there are no forcasts for hurricanes! So, we are off and ready to enjoy the sea air. Take care!

We are on a countdown!

Well we are counting down to a vacation. We finally decided we are going to take a real vacation. We tried to take a week at home earlier this summer and it didn't quite work out the way we had planned. Roger has worked so many weeks without a day off and both Roger & Sue have had a lot of unexpected pressure at work lately. The decision was made to take their final week and go away. After weeks of looking and looking we were not able to decide where to go. We threw our hands in the air and said, we will just get in the car and see where we end up.

Then last week, Roger decided we are going to the beach. He rented a place at Holden Beach. Sue thought, ok...with all the hurricanes. But as it is, the forcast looks clear hurricane wise. So this Friday after work, we are starting out. Roger decided Sue does not need to drive all the way down in one day with her back. We are looking forward to a relaxing week at the beach. We plan just to kick back and relax. Sue is looking forward to reading and Roger is hoping to get his fishing pole wet. (of course from the shore, definately not from a boat! He gets sea sick)

In the meantime we are busy trying to get everything done. Sue trying to get all the work done at both churches ahead of time. She does all the work for while she is gone... all bulletins, and mailings prior to going so they have all they need while she is gone, and the housework and packing. Roger, all potential work that is scheduled and any preventative maintance, billing etc., and the grass mowing at the house. So, we are busy this week, but excited about getting away.


We hope everyone is enjoying this cooler weather and enjoying the beauty of God's blessings each and everyday. Please keep those trying to recover from the aftermath of the recent hurricanes in your prayers. The families that lost loved one and victims recovering from the Metrolink accident in California in your prayers. Our family knows what it is like to go though a horrific situation like this personally, the waiting and the not knowing, the after effects and the tremedous loss, and the years of recovery it takes. So, please keep these families in your prayers, that they will be wrapped in the love and comfort of the Lord, through their time of grief.

Remember, to do a simple act of kindness every day. Not only will it make a difference in the world and for the one you do it for, it will make your life so much richer. Love and hugs, Roger & Sue

What a special husband I have!

Most of you know I have back issues. Well my sweet husband can tell just by looking at me when I am having an episode. I walked in from work yesterday and didn't say a word. He took one look at me and said, "On, no!" How did he know? I looked at him and said,"You are amazing."

Off to the bedroom I went. On went my TENS unit. I took 2 Motrin on an empty stomach (which I learned later was a mistake), put a wedge behind my upper back, a wedge under my legs and tried to get somewhat comfortable waiting for the Motrin to kick in so I could go to sleep. Next think I knew my sweet husband was asking what I wanted for supper. We ate a bite. Then he went downstairs to watch TV while I drifted in and out of sleep. He told me he kept coming up to check on me. However I was asleep and awake lots! Every time he came up he said I was asleep. He came to bed about midnight and that is when I woke up. I was awake until 2:30AM, then got up took a hot shower and came back to bed. I finally drifted off again and woke back up about 6AM. Roger was awake and said, "OK" enough is enough, we have to find you something you can be comfortable in."

Up we got, dressed, had coffee, and a bite to eat, we went to our church ran the bulletins for Sunday. Then the "great search" started. Little did I know my sweet husband had done lots of research. I didn't particularly want to ride around in his little red truck with seats that cave in. My poor back doesn't like them. Plus I was not feeling well, but he has to work all day Sunday and Labor Day so it is today or who knows when. So we went to a local furniture store. I must have tried 2 dozen chairs. I found one Lazy Boy chair that 'would do' and it was on sale. Roger said, "we will get the sales lady's card" but we are going to look more. UGH! "OK" (I just wanted to go home.)

Then we went up to Harrisonburg. First to one store. Roger said "I want you to try out this European style chair." I thought European? I am American. OK. So in we go. I sat down in this funny looking chair. Oh my goodness. Tears ran down my cheek. I have never sat in a chair that has felt so good in my life. All I could do is look up at him. What a wonderful man he is. He had read up on what would be best for me. How could I be so lucky? How could I have found this wonderful, caring, and so loving man? How was I blessed to have a man that thought so much for others? And he does! Then I looked at the price tag. IKES. It is way more than a recliner! He told the sales lady to put it on hold we would be back.

Then he said I want to take you to one more store. I was still in shock. Off we went to another store. It carried a brand called EKORNES they were very similar to the chair I just tried. They explained all about them and how they were endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association. They went through how they were built etc. They have a whole line of furniture. Oh my. From chairs, couches, love seats etc. They are gorgeous! In my wildest dreams I would love to have a room completely outfitted in this furniture. Roger let them explain all about it. I was very impressed. I sat in one. The saleslady left us alone. I said, this feels the same as the other chair at the other place. Roger simply smiled. Then I looked at the price. OH MY GOSH! (some of the chairs sell for as much as $3,000.00) I looked back at Roger and he said, "Now may I take you back and buy you the chair at the last store?" I looked at him and smiled and said, yes and thank you very much. I love you."

What a wise man to take me to this store after I had sticker shock at the last store!

So we went back to the other store and purchased the Lane chair that is the same style as the EKORNES chair. Roger told me that if it doesn't hold up which he thinks it will, that he will get me an EKORNES chair later but for now at least I have a chair to get me by until then!

Like the title of this blog.... What a special husband I have!

Love & Hugs!