I guess that I have disappeared for quite a long time.  I have just not felt like posting ... but that is no excuse to ignore my friends here on Xanga. I have through December to remain on Xanga before my membership runs out. I started a site on WordPress... my blog name is carojesu. I haven't posted there in an even longer time, because I couldn't keep up with both blogs, and wanted to stay here as long as possible. Thank you for caring, praying, and being my friends.

REPORT RE: MY BACK: As I put into my last blog posting, I had my first treatment for pain on Sept. 11th, for the costochondritis. Within one week, it was much improved. The stenosis pain wasn't really helped by the three pain treatments that I had ( & each of the four treatments were 2 weeks apart), so I talked with my pain doctor about discontinuing the treatments. I checked back with my family doctor, and he got me started with physical therapy ... last week being the first. I'm very pleased with my PT person, and while I am not sure at this point how much these will help, but at least I feel that I'm getting to do something to help with the pain. I now know that the stenosis is apparently genetic to some degree (Dad had it, & my younger sis, too ... I hadn't known this before), & that it is mine now to deal with from now on ... so, I shall learn to deal with it!  One thing ... I try to space out things so that I can do something more each week; and new ways to roll over in bed, get up, bend over, etc.  I am hoping that soon I will be able to be handle going to church again. It's been since July 20th. Thankfully, I've been much blessed by reading my Bible, reading and listening to good things on my computer, and enjoying some visits from folks from church.

O.K. -- Here are some pictures as promised from the open house for Mom's 90th, our time with our Indian sis. I haven't been taking pictures much -- my camera isn't always reliable. So ... most of the pics have come from other people. The first 2 collages are from Mom's actual birthday - the 18th - when we had family together to celebrate.  A few pictures of the grandkids - of course! Our Indian sis Kailas arrived in time to celebrate with the rest of the family. It was her first time to meet Mom, & Shaun's wife & children. The last two collages are from the open house two days later.  The two cakes were made by a 13 year old girl from my church who is very talented! I told her some things I wanted to be on the cake, and so she came up with the crossword design. The other cake is Mom's favorite kind -- Texas cake. The decorations were simply the sign on the wall, and the balloons that were everywhere.  

There is one more collage to share at this time: That gift from Shaun and Melissa to Mom was a beautiful display of family pictures that Melissa had made for her.  This set of pictures will give an idea of the gift.  Shaun was so proud of his wife (rightly so), and she was so happy that Grandma liked her gift!  Shaun held up each of the three parts of the wall hanging for us to see.  He sat next to his Grandma with his arm around her, telling her that he loved her throughout the evening.  His birthday was on the 3rd, and so we also gave him gifts and the one picture is of his Grandma showing him the Bible Story book for him to share with his family.

Proverbs 17:6 (NLT) Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged; parents are the pride of their children.