Recent Happenings!!

These are just a few of the events in our lives recently.  So thankful for our health and a full, busy life to spend time with our friends and family!! Each day has it's challenges, but we know that the Lord is with us every moment and will direct our steps if we will just listen for Him! We are blessed!! 

Sun going down and shining through the trees where Bob hunted deer this year.

Bob removing the cover from his deerstand to put up until next season. Bob didn't get to hunt much this year due to his upcoming heart surgery and recuperation.  He is doing great and hopes to get in some serious hunting next year!

Wind generators by Canton Lake.

Hunter playing with Bloonies!

Mema got to keep Remington recently while mommy and daddy had other plans.  He's such a sweet happy little guy, and you can see that Sissy Cat was keeping him company too!!

This is the innards of our Samsung tv.  Recently we had been having a lot of trouble getting it to turn on.  I did some research on the internet and found that this is a common problem with this model tv.  Anyway after watching a tutorial and getting the  needed parts, Bob and I set out last Saturday to see if we could repair it and save us several hundred dollars in repairs and parts bills. I had ordered the hopefully needed parts online, and we proceeded to dismantle the tv.   After removing many screws and getting the back off, Bob then had to remove the defective part which was soldered in, then solder the new one, (capacitor) in.
With that accomplished and back put back on we held our breath and turned it on.  Whoo hooo!! It came on first try and has been working great ever since, and the parts cost us a total of $14.95!  So now I  have a tv repairman living here!!

Praise the Lord, moisture in the form of some big, beautiful, wet flakes!! Don't know for sure how much we wound up with, but it snowed all day, and there were still several inches on the ground this morning!!! So, so thankful for the moisture!

Loved watching this coming down!!

Frosted Bushes!!

Thursdays!!!!

You can ask these little guys what happens on Thursdays, and they will tell you, "we go to mema's house"!  Since Hunter was about 3 months old mema starting keeping these little boys for the day, so mommy could get a little break, and mema could have some special time with them.  Winston stays with mema in the morning while Hunter is at pre-k, then we pickup Hunter, go to Taco Mayo to meet mommy and Remington for lunch, then Hunter stays with mema in the afternoon.  Well, now there are 3 little boys, and Marshalene said the other day that Hunter asked when Remington would stay with mema, and she asked him if he wanted to give up his time sometimes so Remington could stay with mema.  Guess he thought a minute and finally said  "when he, Hunter, was older and didn't stay at mema's anymore then Remington could stay at mema's"! lol  These little boys are such a blessing to Bob and I, and they do keep us young and moving!!

Winston making a cake!!
Ingredients:
vinegar, soda, flour, water, sprinkles, and food coloring, and a little liquid bath soap!



Hunter giving mema his funny face!!
See the Candy Land game, he beats me 4 out of 5 times!!

Joy's Birthday Party!!

Sunday we celebrated my sis, Joy's 80th birthday at The Indian Creek Winery.  All her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren were able to attend.  There was lots of fun and visiting and, of course a delicious meal of hoagies, cheese and cracker trays and fruit trays.  Below are a few pics I got of this special celebration.  Her birthday was actually Jan. 11th. 





Picture of Joy's grandson Eric & great grandson's Noah and Eli on Joy's cake.

Joy's beautiful birthday cake.

Joy and her daughter, Kara, daughter-in-law, Sherry, and granddaughter in-law, Danae getting ready to cut her cake!



         

Grandson Eric giving them some advice.

  
 

Good turnout of family and friends!

Daughter, Kara, and her husband, Dennis

Joy getting some help opening her presents from twin great grandsons, Noah and Eli.

Checking out a memory collage.

Joy & daughter-in-law, Sherry

Banner Noah, Eli, and Kara made.

Joy's brother-in-laws, Martin and Bob having fun.

My Sister Joy

A week ago today a very special person in my life had her 80th birthday.  My sister, Joy, has been all things to me over the years.  We lost our mother when I was 20, so Joy has been sister, mother, and friend to me and my family over the years.  She is one of the most giving people that I know and loves to crochet and do embroidery, and over the years has had huge gardens that her daughter-in-law says are big enough to feed all of China.  Much of the things she makes and grows she gives to her friends and family.  I think her big love is her flowerbeds and miniature rose bushes which are always beautiful.  She has had to slow down the last couple of years due to arthritis but still does all she can to keep busy like keeping the cookie jar filled for her grandsons!
I wish you many, many more years, Joy, to enjoy your family, friends and all the things that you love to do!!
Following are some pics of Joy's growing up years.

  

Mama and Joy



Joy and cousin, Lynn

Joy and Lynn With Puppies

 

 

Joy's Grade School Pic

 

 

Joy With Cousins, Violet, Marjorie, and Sis, JoAnn

 

 

Joy with cousins Lynn, Violet, Julian, Patsy, Brother Kenny, and Sister, JoAnn

 

 

Joy's High School Pic

 

Joy This Summer With Friends, Monette and Shirley 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Easy Crockpot Corn Bean Soup

Over the years since Bob has dealt with heart issues I have tried to cook heart healthy meals, but since he just had 5 bypasses due to blocked arteries, it has become even more important, so I am always on the lookout for heart healthy and gluten free  recipes, since I deal with gluten issue.
A few days ago when I was looking for something to fix and didn't want to run to the grocery store I came up with a recipe for crockpot corn bean soup that is super easy, heart healthy and also gluten free.  I actually had the ingredients on hand.  It is a little bit like taco soup, but not quite as spicy, but you can make it as spicy as you like.

Easy Crockpot Corn Bean Soup

 

1 lb. of extra lean ground beef

1 med. chopped onion

1 stalk chopped celery

1 14 or 15 oz. can butter beans

1          "                northern beans

1          "                green beans

1/2 bag frozen corn

1 large carton gf beef broth

1 can mild or spicy rotel

1/2 or whole pkg of taco seasoning.  I used a half of package because of the high sodium in it.

 

You brown the meat, onion, and celery, drain if needed,  put this mixture in the crockpot, adding all the rest of the ingredients, stirring well, then cook on high if you want it fairly quickly or low setting if you want it to simmer for awhile.  I actually did cook mine in a pot on top of the stove, and heated the leftovers in my crockpot. 

We had it with lowfat shredded cheese on top and tortilla chips on the side.

Double the recipe if you want several days of leftovers.

I did not put any salt in it as I salt my food now on my plate since Bob is on a low sodium diet, so you can season with salt and pepper to your taste.

 

 

 



  

Truitt, Wimer Holidays!!

Cannot believe how fast this year has flown by, and we have once again celebrated Thanksgiving and Christmas with our family.  It is a time that I always really look forward to, being able to see our kids together which doesn't happen very often with these busy times and many relatives and in-laws to share the time with.  Family is so special, and I thank God for the beautiful family that Bob and I have together.  Most of them did get to come, but Terry's family and granddaughter, Sarah and husband, David, weren't able to come, and they were missed. This year it was a little more of a rush getting things done, because right after Thanksgiving Bob had to have open heart surgery and had 5 bypasses done, so with recuperating, rehab, trips back and forth to OKC, it hasn't really been a time when I could just enjoy the magic of the season and the blessings that the Lord has given us, but He has blessed us with Bob doing well from his surgery, and everyone had recuperated from the flu and colds and had safe travels back and forth. I'm looking forward to the new year and what the Lord has in store for us and know that whatever the new year brings He will be with us in it all!! The following are a few pics from our holiday get togethers!!

 Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and has a joyful New Year!!   

Wimer Family Thanksgiving

Wimer's gathered for Thanksgiving.  Our numbers were short because Terry's family didn't make it and Cody and Chelsea couldn't come, but we enjoyed plenty of food and fellowship!

Brad and Scott checking out the latest on Scott's Iphone.  Technology is amazing, and addictive!!

Marshalene and sweet little Remington posing for mema!!

Remington loves his Uncle Scottie!!

Wimer Family Christmas

Think these little guys are ready for something to eat!!

Mommy and Remington resting from all the celebrating!!



Little Saylor taking a little nap and getting some cuddle time with mommy!



Brad sweet talking his sweetie!!



Granddaughter, Chelsea, and her beautiful family, little Saylor and hubby, Cody!

 

Mommy and her little boys!! Had to take a lot of pics to get these little guys all together!!
 

Mema getting to spend some time with the babies!! They really do make the holidays special!!



Grandpa Scott and his sweet family!! Think I see a proud daddy & grandpa!

Papa and Remington visiting!!
Papa is getting over open-heart surgery, so he couldn't  stand and hold the babies because at this point he can only lift 5 lbs. until his chest heals.  So glad he is doing well.

Grandson, Kyler, looking forward to spending his gift card!!

Hunter was really tickled to get the remote helicopter he had been wanting!!

Winston just taking his time checking it out!!

Saylor likes the bags the best!!

I think Remington is a little overwhelmed by all this commotion!!
Bet he'll figure out these toys pretty quickly though!!

These two are a hoot!! Think they are really going to be friends.  Saylor loves to give kisses!!

Grandpa Scott and his precious baby girl!!




Whew!  We're ready to relax and watch a little "Bob The Builder"!!



 Truitt Family Christmas



Sweet family, Brenda, Kevin, & granddaughter, Katie!!



Katie checking out her Vera Bradley bag!!





Grandson, Thomas has plenty of ammo now! 
 

Alison got a couple of good books!! I've already put my name on the list to get to read them when she's done.



I think, granddaughter, Micah, is happy with her money gift!!  She will be able to use it on her mission trip this summer!

Don't think Tate will have any problem spending this!! He may have to watch little sis, Michaela, she may want to borrow some!!



Ups & Downs

This last month and a half has definitely been full of ups and downs!  We have gone to some awesome football games watching grandson, Gage, and his team work their way to the state finals.  So exciting to see your grandkids having fun and excelling at something that they love! These football games culminated last night at Stillwater, Oklahoma with Gage's team, the Blanchard Lions, beating the, Kingfisher Yellowjackets, 28 to 21 to win the gold ball.  We are so proud of Gage and his team who worked so hard to make this happen, the last time was in 1979, so it was a very  long dry spell for them.  We did not get to go to the game because of the down side of the last few weeks.  I did get to watch it livestreaming on my computer, though!
Bob had an appointment to have an angiogram done the Wednesday after Thanksgiving due to the fact that he had been having chest discomfort most of the summer.  We went to that appointment in Oklahoma City expecting possibly stints and an overnight stay at the most.  When the doctor came in and told me after the test that all his major arteries were major blocked, I was totally shocked.  He said that we were looking at possibly 5 bypasses, and possibly a two week stay in the hospital.  We were not prepared for this situation at all.  For one thing it is a 100 mile drive back home to Fairview, bills needing to be paid, a house cat, Sissy, who we needed to make arrangements for care, Christmas just around the corner, shopping not done, etc.  I can drive in OKC, but do not like to, and it makes me very nervous, so there was that lurking in my mind on how to get back home and get the necessary things for an extended stay at the Oklahoma Heart Hospital, but the really big upside to all this is the support and prayers from family and friends that we had from the word go! The day of the angiogram when we found out the news, our pastor, Bro. David, friends, Galen and Sharon, Bob's boss, Bill, Bob's brother, C.A., our kids, Brad & Marshalene, Lawayne, Susan, and Sarah were all there to help Bob and I through this.  They all helped make the decisions needing to be made.  Then our friend and neighbor, Charlie, took over kitty duty at home, visiting and feeding her everyday that we were gone and just more or less  house sitting for us. Don't know what we would have done without her! The minute the news hit Facebook we had scores of friends praying for us all through the surgery and time in the hospital.  We totally believe that those prayers are what brought Bob through surgery just fine, (5 bypasses).  He was in ICU only 2 nights, and walked all the way from the ICU room to his regular room which was a long ways.  They said that he was ahead of schedule on how well he was doing, and by the 3rd day we were hearing rumors from the nurses that he might get to go home very soon.  On the 4th day, Bob's birthday,  the doctor came in and told Bob he probably would get to go home soon.  Bob told him it was his birthday, and he'd hoped to go home, and the doctor looked at him a minute then said "I think we can do that"!! Amazing a possible 2 week stay down to 4 days!  Only by the grace of God could all of this have worked out this way! Prayers, loving family and friends, blessings that cannot be bought.  What an awesome way to close out this year of ups and downs!!