Eat Your Oatmeal

Now that we have the pleasure of early morning church, Sunday afternoons can be enjoyed baking delicious treats. Truth be told, even when we had church in the afternoon, I always found time to bake a little sweet treat for us.

These little babies are a variation of a holiday treat that Quincy made for us when we went to visit her last December.

They are superb.

Jeannie's Oatmeal Bars:

2 cups Quaker oatmeal
1 1/2 cups flour
1 cup melted butter
1 1/2 cups brown sugar (not packed)
2 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking soda
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 bag Ghiradelli chocolate chips (I only use this brand).

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine the first six ingredients until dough forms. Reserve 1 1/2 cups of dough. Use the remaining dough to form a crust in the bottom of a greased 9x13 pan.

Bake for 5 minutes. Let crust cool for a few minutes.

Melt one cup of chocolate chips in the microwave for one minute or until melted. Stir in condensed milk. Pour over baked crust.

Add the remaining chocolate chips to reserved dough and sprinkle the mixture evenly over the top.

Bake for 25-29 minutes or until golden brown. I usually bake mine for about 26 minutes.

Cool for about 1 hour.

Enjoy!

The little darlings are a great way to get your daily amount of oatmeal.

I sure am glad that oatmeal is so healthy!

The Waiting Room

The Emory Eye Clinic waiting room.
It hasn't changed in 19 years.

A few months ago, I called Quincy to report the details of my doctor's appointment at Emory University. As we were discussing the good news of my doctor's visit, I proceeded to tell her about a couple that I had the pleasure of meeting.

I can't remember their names. The husband had recently been diagnosed with glaucoma and they were shocked to learn that I was diagnosed when I was 21. They shared with me some of their life's experiences. I learned that she was a war bride. They were married in 1944 right after he was drafted. She told me how she prayed and pleaded with the Lord to keep her groom safe. Tears came to my eyes when she told me about the miracle of him never being shipped overseas. He stayed at home to teach aviation. I learned that they had lost a baby after the war due to her taking a vaccination for influenza. I told her about Elijah.

"You never get over it," she told me.

"I hope not. I don't want to get over Elijah."

"No. People do not understand that," she agreed.

They were kindred spirits.

I mentioned to Quincy that I have met very some unique people over the course of almost 20 years in that waiting room.

"I should write a book about all of the interesting people I have met!" I teased.

"You should at least blog about it," Quincy suggested.

What a fantastic idea!

Mrs. Germany, Cora (wearing one earring), and Mr. Brandy.
I sat on the end next to Mr. Brandy.

Today I went to Emory prepared to take a picture of the waiting room. What I didn't expect was the hilarious chance encounter I would have with three very interesting characters.

First I sat by Cora. She said hello and I said hello in return. She then pulled out a bag of jewelry and started telling me how much she loved her necklace. It was broken and needed to be repaired. The jade necklace was very lovely. Then she revealed to me that she was only wearing one earring. She had misplaced the match but still wore the other one because she liked it so much.

My name was suddenly called to go see the physician's assistant. It was a very busy morning at Emory, so after she checked my pressures, my vision, and dilated my eyes, I had to return to a second waiting area.

When I sat down, there was a very loud woman talking on her cell phone. She spoke with a very thick German accent. I was secretly proud that I could tell where she was from.

She finally hung up.

"Did you find your earring?" she asked Cora with her thick German accent.

"No."

"You know, I just do not understand why the jewelry makers do not make three earrings for us just in case we lose one. We always lose one. Wouldn't that be so nice if all earrings came in sets of three?" Mrs. Germany directed the rhetorical question very loudly to us like we had all been engaged in an important conversation with each other.

Well, I burst out laughing and told her I thought that was a fabulous idea!

Then Mrs. Germany started teasing the kind gentleman sitting next to me and asked him where his earrings were.

He shook his hands in protest!

"Oh No! I have no part of that nonsense," he blurted out.

"Are you all patients of Dr. Beck?" Mrs. Germany asked.

"Yes!" We all said in unison.

What happened next is hysterical.

We all started sharing how long we have been patients of Dr. Beck. Mrs. Germany said how wonderful he is. Cora said she had been coming for years. I said I had been coming to Emory for 19 years but had been a patient of Dr. Beck's for only 11 years. The nice man pointed to his eyes and shared how Dr. Beck saved his vision. The nice man won the prize for knowing Dr. Beck the longest.

It was as if we were trying to "one up" each other on how wonderful we thought Dr. Beck is.

Then Mrs. Germany and Cora started talking about Cora's jewelry again. I turned to the gentleman and asked his name.

"Jehu Brandy. Jehu like the prophet and Brandy like the drink. But I have never tasted brandy!" He declared.

I did not tell him I have never heard of a prophet named Jehu. He wanted to talk about the loss of vision in his eyes. We talked about prayer and fasting. I told him I had experienced miracles in my life. We discovered we have both experienced a mini-stroke in an eye. Unfortunately, his had led to the loss of vision in his eye.

A medical person walked by.

Mrs. Germany announced to her that we were all "patiently" waiting to see Dr. Beck.

"We're the well behaved group--the four of us!" she announced very loudly.

I tried not to laugh.

Mr. Brandy then asked me if I would pray and fast for his vision. I promised him I would.

I then asked Mrs. Germany if she was indeed from Germany.

"Austria!" she answered proudly and loudly.

I was devastated to have guessed wrong. She is still Mrs. Germany to me.

"Oh, I thought you were from Germany," I responded trying not to reveal how disappointed that she was not from Germany.

"No. But we are neighbors," she added.

Then the four of us started talking about how long we have been married.

I got my courage at this point to ask them if I could take their picture. They graciously obliged and were happy to know I was going to write about them on my blog.

Mrs. Germany's name gets called to go see Dr. Beck. "Bye-Bye! It was so nice talking to you!" she said as she walked away.

I really liked that nice lady--even if she wasn't from Germany!

It was then that I learned that Cora had been widowed for eight years but was married for 45 years. I shared that I have been married for almost 16.

At this point I drifted out of the conversation. Mr. Brandy and Cora were talking. He spoke in low tones, but I could hear her responses.

"Yes. I date." "No. I don't want to get married." "No. I do not miss a romantic relationship."
I thought Mr. Brandy was attempting to make his moves on her. This caught my attention.

"Mr. Brandy, have you ever been married?" I asked.

"Yes. For 57 years.!"

"You're married?" I was incredulous. I thought he was going to ask Cora out from the way he was talking to her. He told us that he had six children. A daughter had passed away when she was 21 in Liberia of rheumatic fever. I was so sad to learn that. He and his wife also have two sets of twins. I could not believe it! He and Cora started speaking again, so I turned my head for a while.

Then out of the blue, Mr. Brandy asked me a question.

"Are you a Capricorn?" he asked nonchalantly.

Well, I almost fell off my seat.

"Why, yes! Monday is my birthday." I was incredulous.

" I knew it. Capricorns are good and kind. We love people. We are romantic. I knew you were a Capricorn." He said kindly to me.

I thanked him for his kind words.

Mrs. Germany comes prancing around the corner again..

"You are all still here. Can you believe it? I forgot my money to pay for my parking. I had to ask Dr. Beck to give me a few dollars, so he did. He is such a good man. Now, I won't have to go to work so I can go home!"

My mouth was gaping open. Mrs. Germany actually asked Dr. Beck for money! I simply could not believe my ears.

Mr. Brandy's name is called to go back.

"Goodbye, Dear. Don't forget to pray for me!" were his last words to me!

"I will pray for you! I promise!" I said as we waved good-bye.

When Mr. Brandy left, Cora got up to sit next to me.

I told her that I sincerely thought Mr. Brandy was going to ask her out for a romantic dinner.

"Yes . . . men in this country always approach me," she started to explain.

My name is called to go back.

I had to go.

"Men approach you because you are so lovely. Good-bye, Cora. It was delightful talking to you," I sincerely told her.

"Goodbye!"

Talking and laughing with these wonderful people was like a gift to me today. If you happen to stumble upon this blog, please pray for Mr. Jehu Brandy's vision--that it may come back. I have been blessed with a miracle like this.

For many years, I dreaded sitting in the waiting room. Now, I look forward to meeting delightful people.

You never can tell who you will meet in the waiting room!

It's an Honor

Posing for me at his Christmas concert

Earlier today, I had a lovely conversation with Quincy. We talked about important things like how happy we are that she is getting past the nausea stage of her pregnancy, our excitement over Kirk being mentioned on Design Mom's blog, and the importance of prioritizing the way we spend our time.

Do I budget my time the way I should?

Why does it give so much pleasure to say "how busy we are?"

Does this make us feel more important?

I have been pondering these questions all day.

I don't have any answers.

But, I do have some news.

Mr. Baseball came home from school and announced that he was was selected to sing in the 5th Grade Honors Chorus for our county.

This is a really big deal.

I need to go call Quincy again, so I can tell her Everett's fantastic news.

Plus, I forgot to ask what they're having for dinner tonight.

It's so Sad

Have you ever seen a better New Year's Eve spread?
The Simpson cousins know how to throw a real party.

On the morning we were to come home after a NINE day visit with Brad's family, he had the following conversation with Cozette:

"We have to go home today." He told Cozette.

"Oh." Cozette responded not really understanding.

"Yeah, we have to leave Grandma's house." Brad continued.

That sentence caught her attention.

"Oh, it's so sad." She expressed like she has the wisdom of an adult.

Cozette's words best describe how much fun we have and how difficult it is when we have to go home.

Here are some of my favorite pictures of our week:

This is what we did for 9 days straight!

Brad and Sam having some brother bonding while they are licking their lollipops.

We discovered a yommy sandwich shop called Which Wich.
"Which Wich do you want?"

We love going to the Children's Museum.

Are you in pain and need a good doctor?
Dr. Everett and Nurse Caroline.

Or do you have a toothache and need to go to the dentist?
Everett's patient isn't looking so great.

We had not eaten in a whole 45 minutes.
Meredith decided she needed a little snack!

Scott and Everett.
What a resemblance!

Random pictures from our family photo shoot.

On the top left in the center is a picture of my brother-in-law, John. He has more pain than anyone I have ever met. Regardless, we are still glad he was able to be with us for a few days. This trip to Columbia was very special because the entire family was able to be together. There's a grand total of 21 of us. It was wonderful to be with all of the adults in the Columbia, SC temple.

Walking along Lake Murray Dam.

At the end of January, Kayleigh and Everett will start talking about our trip in July. They usually start a countdown 6 weeks before we leave. They speak about all of their cousins on a daily basis. It's amazing to me how the days turn into weeks and the months fly by.

Before too long it will be the end of our week in July.

Brad will once again tell Cozette that we have to go home.

And she will say, "It's so sad!"

Thank you Bill and Shirley for being such gracious hosts.

We love you dearly.

Gifts

Every year I secretly admit that I am more excited for Christmas morning than my children. The old adage states, it is better to give than receive.

It truly is.

One day they will understand the meaning of these words.

The magic of Christmas morning brings joy to a parent. We plan and prepare to give gifts that will bring happiness to our children. Some gifts given have been requested and others because there is a need for it. The best gifts come to them as a delightful surprise.

Giving to my children this year prompted me to reflect on the gifts I have received from my Father in Heaven. He has freely given the gifts that I have requested and others have come to me as a surprise. Many have been given when I needed them most. I have received His choicest gifts.

My children were so gracious as they opened their Christmas presents. They expressed thank you over and over. They smothered us with hugs and kisses. Their expressions of joy are etched into my memory.

Have I been a gracious recipient of my gifts?

I will spend the next year showing my Heavenly Father that I am worthy of what He has freely bestowed. I will give generously to Him by striving to be more like His son.

This is my resolution.

And my life's goal.




I wish that I had snapped a picture of Kayleigh's and Everett's expression when they thought Santa had not left them any presents.

Oh, they were so sad.

They looked at each other and they looked at me.

"Maybe it's in the family room." Everett said to Kayleigh who was completely puzzled.

She looked to me with questioning eyes.

I shrugged my shoulders.

They stood there almost panicked.

I couldn't stand it any longer.

"Oh, what is that under the tree?" I innocently asked them.

Their eyes got really big.

There were three boxes wrapped in special paper just waiting to be opened.

Santa pulled a fast one this year.

I do love a good surprise!

Brad looks so yucky in his Under Armour!

"Life is God's gift to man.
What we do with our life is our gift to God."

~President Harold B. Lee

p.s. Thanks to a little elf with red hair, Brad gave me a lovely pink stop watch with some pretty fantastic features.