Christmas 2012 and More

Looking at my blog, it has been several months since I have written anything.  It has been a very busy few months...so I will try to catch up.

We spent a quiet Christmas.  Jason, our youngest son, invited us over for dinner yesterday.  We had gone over to his house for Thanksgiving too.  It was nice...Sybil fixed a nice turkey dinner with all the trimmings.  One of her sisters was there with her adult daughters and their boyfriends.  Courtney, Sybil's daughter, and Chris were also there.

It was a very rainy day so it was nice to be inside, enjoying the food and fellowship.

On Christmas Eve, we spent about 11 hours at the airport.  The local chapter of the Patriot Guard Riders did a 12 hour vigil at the airport welcoming military personnel coming home for Christmas.  They had no idea how many would be arriving...as it turned out they welcomed 54 people.  One guy proposed to his girlfriend when he got off the escalator...that was pretty awesome.  Six of us met for breakfast at an IHOP restaurant that is near the airport.  We were at the airport by 9 am.  The vigil was from 9 am to 9pm.  It was a "come when you can, and stay as long as you can" kind of mission.  I think there were as many as 22 there at one point.  The evening ended with 7 of us.  Gerry and I were pretty tired by the time we got home.

It has been really busy with PGR missions.  One of the highlights that I participated in was the "Snowball Express" the early part of December.  The family members (spouse and children) of fallen heroes are invited each year to go to a major city for a weekend of fun.  American Airlines donates the planes and crews to fly these families and it is all expenses paid.  The last 2 years Sacramento has been one of the cities where a plane is assigned.  Also, for the past 2 years they have gone to Fort Worth/Dallas, TX.  The morning they left, the PGR guys had to be at the airport by 4 am.  They help the families with their luggage and assist them in getting on the plane.  American Airlines decorates the plane being used and has some activites for the kids to take part in, including hot chocolate and donuts.

I got an idea to make Christmas cards to give to each family when they returned from the trip.  As it turned out, I made cards for each child, 27 of them.  Some of the guys contributed a $1 that we tucked into each card.  The night they came back, I had some help in giving a card to each child.  One little girl came up to thank me and then asked if she could give me a hug.  I, of course, wrapped her up in my arms and gave her a big hug.  That was such a sweet feeling.

The lady who usually makes a card for the military personnel we are welcoming home was out of town for a few weeks so I was asked to make a few cards.

We are working on making some lifestyle changes.  The middle of November I was diagnosed with having Type 2 Diabetes.  In the same week I got that news, I also found out that my cataracts are quite bad and I need to have surgery.  I also have glaucoma, high cholesterol and high blood pressure.  Wow, just overwhelming news all at the same time.

I am taking medication for all of it.  In January I will have to have more blood work done to see what my glucose readings are...and maybe add insulin injections if they are not good.  I am hoping I don't have to do that.  It has been a real challenge trying to figure out what I can eat...my gout has also flared up...I am finding out foods that are good for diabetes are not good for gout.  Gerry has been a super, big help in all of this...it affects him too.

My cataract surgery should happen sometime after the first of the year.

We traded our Nissan Quest van in and bought a 2010 Nissan Sentra...it has very low miles and looks brand new.  It is loaded with leather seats, a sunroof, keyless entry and ignition. navigation system, power doors/windows...a few other things.  Gerry has been wanting to cut down on the expenses of a larger vehicle.  I wasn't too thrilled about it, at first...loved the van.  The Sentra is a nice car and it will be better for us.  I haven't been driving for the last 3 or so months...hoping that will change once I have my surgery.

My great granddaughter, Chayse Katherine is growing, still a beauty.  She celebrated her 1st birthday in September.  Hard to believe the year has gone by so quickly.  Denise and her family spent last weekend in Fayetteville so they could have Christmas with Chayse.  They took lots of pictures and posted them on Facebook. :)

I think I've written a book...lol! 

Happy New Year!!