John, Barbie and Jakob...May 30, 2009

Facebook Barbie Leckert Payton's Photos - Spring 2009



Here's some pictures Barbie posted on Facebook.....John told me there's a way to move them to my blog, so here's trying. Great pictures of John, Barbie and Jakob. Look, he's a Cub Scout!

Two days to put this puppy together! There are a lot of embellishments that can't be added until after the piece is quilted (i.e. bird's feet and perches, etc.), but the basic block is finished. I like it very much....not sure how the quilt will look once all the blocks are put together since the color schemes are wildly different for each block. Worst case scenerio---they'll be made into individual pieces instead of one quilt.

I have to admit I have REALLY enjoyed having two days at home at last.

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One of our big projects around here is to try and get the decking out in back repaired. When Roger added the extension around the hot tub, he bought some 16' WEATHERBEST decking. It's been two years and it's dissolving! Not nice. There's quite a claim form to try and have them replace it. It's guaranteed, but we don't even know if they're still in business. I think I will have to get dressed and go to the post office to send the claim forms certified mail.

Well, as you can see, George survived the "ambulatory EEG" just fine. He said it was uncomfortable to have things "glued" all over his head, but his little backpack was comfortable and he was even able to sleep with it beside him.

He DID NOT like having the sympthy that having his head bandaged produced. There was a man in a hard hat at the hospital who patted him on the head and said, "Don't worry, you'll be feeling better soon." People were very kind, but it made him uncomfortable.

He had the getup on from about 3p on Tues to 2p on Wednesday and was beyond grateful to get it off. The leads are actually put on with GLUE and apparently really uncomfortable. He slept on his back without moving to the side because there were leads over each ear. It appeared that it was a successful test since they took it all off instead of asking him to wear it another 24 hours.

I'm thrilled to report that he finally pulled one of the two teeth sticking out in space that make him look like Count Dracula....only one tooth to go! I even promised a $10 reward if he'd pull it, but it didn't happen. Both of his new teeth are in and the tooth sticking straight out is certainly getting on my nerves.

The trip itself wasn't without excitement. We were fairly close to a car pulling a car on a trailer where the tire caught fire! They chose to try and cross three lanes to their right instead of pulling off on the left and they had big-time flames before they got off. Much excitement had by all.

Out hotel was luxurious...on the Sacramento River and absolutely stunning view with over-the-top accommodations. Unfortunately, it had an air conditioner from hell and we had to be moved (after attempts to fix it, of course). Made it about 11p Mon. night before we got settled. It had a balcony overlooking the river and an claw-footed bathtub (that was pretty cool). Our big surprise was that "2 beds" turned out to be doubles instead of queens...fine for the boys but a little tighter for me and Heather. It qualified as one of the top three rooms I've ever stayed in, so we were inclined to forgive a little since the prices were the same vicinity as cut-rate. We were basically treated as visiting royalty, so it left little room for complaints.

Heather took off for ice and didn't return....Security came around and I was starting to panic before she callled and told me she was okay. Had to go to the lobby for ice (that seems true whether you're at Motel 6 or someplace really nice). We had a refrigerator and safe, but were wishing for a microwave for our popocorn LOL.

One of the staff members at the hotel was really sweet about George's bandages...he wanted to know if there was anything he could do and gave us a CD with Christian music as we were leaving. They made us feel like pretty special people, so I would expect we'll stay there next time, too. It's a great hotel, but a little empty for our tastes.

The boys were able to experience Sutter's Fort (even got a 3lbs. cannon firing demonstration) and we managed to see a 3D UNDER THE SEA Imax before we drove away. We were trying hard to give the boys a good memory in addition to the nasty EEG. I think we succeeded as they learned alot about Sutter and his Fort. All the kids got toys from way-back-when (Jacob's ladder, top, 9 pins and Andrew bought a pouch to sew for "gold"). The Fort is only a block from the hospital and we used it to deal with the time delay between the supposed 10a appointment and the REAL 2:30 we ended up actually having. They hadn't heard of us at all when we showed up, but Heather asked for a "Lianson Officer" and things happened and we did eventually get seen. Hosptials are very frustrating. I'm sure they're doing the best they can, but glitches cost big buck and much frustrations. WE took a lot of little Star Wars figures for the boys (saved our bacon) as they played for hours and hours without difficulty because they had those toys along.

Rog will get a CD and a report about the EEG, but we're expecting that it will be awhile. George doesn't actually have an appointment with Dr. Chez until October.

Night all.

Wish I could say this is what's happening today, but this is an older picture of Papa and the three boys fishing.

Spencer and Andrew and George have gone to a Bell family funeral over by Spencer's parents.

AnnaBell, Jonathan and Heather spent last night at our house but went home about 3p today because we got a call from the realtor and the house is being shown tomorrow at 10a. I'll be at work and Rog will be at church, so the timing for that is good at least.

Obviously, we are in a state of high panic here trying to make everything "pretty". It looks pretty good to us most of the time---but as soon as someone wants to show it, it doesn't quite make par.

Our holiday weekend isn't going to turn out so hot this year. I work Sunday and Monday. Monday night when I get off, Heather and I with Andrew and George head to Sacramento to have George's 24-hr. EEG. He gets wired for sound Tues. morning and wears the equipment 24 hours. When it's taken off Wed. morning, we may try and do something in Sacramento that's fun for him before we drive home. The new pediatric neurologist felt that his last EEG was poorly done. He put George on new meds that he is hoping will handle both the seizures and the migraines (George has migraines bad enough to make him throw up). The Lord is good---we were able to get into this special doctor without waiting the several expected months because of a cancellation. He did concur with our conclusion that George's seizures are called Benign focal epilepsy of childhood (Rolandic) and will probably disappear around 15 years old. Nobody knows for sure, but his odds are quite good that this will eventually go away.

On a more sobering note, he wants Andrew to be screened, too. Because of Andrew's poor attention span and major learning disorders he wants the EEG to rule out that he might be having a seizure disorder, too. Andrew went to his local pediatrician to be referred to the same doctor---but it may be a few months in the coming.

Seems like Heather and Spencer are sure having a time of it---Jonathan failed his pediatrician's visual test the last checkup, so he has to go to see the opthamologist. Andrew's ears are a continual problem, so he's needing to be seen for scar tissue and to possibly be fitted for hearing aides (he has about a 40% loss in one ear the last we had tests). Whew! One doctor to another, it seems. Prayer appreciated for the doctors to have wisdom and for finances to pull of of this stuff out of our budgets! Thanks.

Jake's Field Trip May 09

Barbie just sent some new pictures of Jakob. He just had his seventh birthday and he and John and Barbie live in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. This looks like it was a fun field trip he took with his school class. Jake is about 9 months younger than George and our only non-local grandchild.

It's hard to have him so far away.

Quilt Show May 17, 2009

The Red Bluff Quilting Guild had their quilt show this weekend. I worked 12 to 2 Sunday....in a huge warehouse. The bad news is that it was 107 degrees! Way too hot....probably won't be able to help next year as I'm a cream puff and can't take that kind of heat (building wasn't air conditioned).

Because this was my first year, I didn't know to go early in the day to see the show. I was so sick and hot, I really wasn't up for looking at the show.

The beautiful ladies in the first picture are Karon and Cindi. They own my favorite quilt store in Redding. They had a booth very close to mine and I took the opportunity to get a snapshot of them. You can see what "fun" personalities they have in the picture (Cindi's holding up a "fan" behind Karon's head for the picture).

The next picture was actually my favorite quilt. I've already said that I love applique and this one really pleased me. There were hundreds of quilts and I didn't spend more than 15 minutes looking, so I'm sure there were others that would have been fun to capture.

The dress at the bottom was a color I love and I was impressed with the pinstripes all across the front of the bodice...not sure it shows in the picture, but it was worth taking a picture.

All-in-all, a good experience but I was sad not to have more time to browse.

Papa, the jungle gym

Fairly self-explanatory......looks like they're having a good time, doesn't it?

Karen and Paul's new rig May 09

Good friends Karen and Paul came through Redding a couple days ago. I was able to snap a couple pictures of their new rig. They are on their way home after Paul's open heart surgery in Las Vegas. They've been gone from Homer, Alaska since last September---so glad to finally be on their way is an understatment.

Karen was able to share some of her knitted prowess (awesome reversible sweater) and I got a chance to show her Kimmie's blanket---joint project by Karen, Heather and yours truly. We probably only had an hour or so while she ran an errand and got some groceries, but it was good to see her.

Happy Birthday, Heather 09

Here's the morning "Pile up" on Papa's bed. We had the kids last night so Heather and Spencer could have a night off. They are growing up so fast! It won't be long before the four of them won't fit on Papa's bed!

These pictures were taken with my new Canon camera. I wanted a little digital to keep here at home since Heather's "borrowing" the good camera most of the time---with my blessing because I want good pictures of the children. Looks like this one will be fine for me. I still haven't figured out how to use it (I need to make the flash go off when there's a window in the background and it doesn't) before I can really get all the shots I want.

May 7,2009

Silly boys! Andrew is enjoying making rabbit ears on people these days! He's not fooling George for a minute. I swiped this picture off Heather's blog....it's one of my favorites.

Heather and I took Jonathan on a date today. He had hot chocolate at Starbucks, lunch at Arby's and a tour of Heather's new gym. I have to admit, I was impressed. There's an outdoor pool that has a full covering (like a riding rink out of metal), but the sides are open so the chlorine fumes don't build up. There were a lot of things to do (weight room, racketball, tennis, cardio room, pool) with locker rooms OR family changing rooms if you're the shy type.

I'm still working on Kimmie's baby blanket. Put it together and didn't like it, so spent about the same amount of time pulling the yarn that joined the pieces out to try something else. I'm sure I'll eventually figure out something I like, but it's not coming together as fast as I'd like.

Sounds like my Dad continues to not feel very well. The latest developments appear to be pleursy and maybe rheumatism. Poor fellow's having a pretty tough time of it. Sounds like the major concern is his inability to eat and his rapid weight loss. All prayers appreciated.

May 1, 2009 Andrew's new shoes

Andrew was a happy boy today! Grandma took him to the doctor's this morning while Heather took the other kids on a field trip for school. He's got bad ear infections (still) and a horrendous cough.

After the doctor's office, we went to Starbucks where he actually told me he'd rather have that "pink" thing instead of hot chocolate. The "pink" thing turned out to be a strawberry creme frappucino.

We soldiered on to WalMart to get his prescription and a few groceries for Grandma. He convinced me he just "had" to have a make-it-yourself pizza lunchable (what are Grandma's good for, after all?).

After we got home, he spent the rest of the day splitting his time between homework and the computer. He even squeezed in a couple half-hour tv shows (Ashley and Mary-Kate stuff from when they were little).

We had cesaer salad and chicken for dinner (polished off with a popcicle). All-in-all a pretty terrific day---he even managed to finish 18 pages of English in spite of all the play.

Rog brought George home for the night when he took Andrew home, so George should have a great day tomorrow. Jonathan had a "date" with his mom.....Barnes and Noble and dinner out, so everyone but AnnaBell has had a special outing (sure is inconvenient to be the 'baby').

Grandma's working both Sat. and Sun. this week, so won't be blogging any time soon.