Phill did great!

Took Phill to the hospital today for his surgery..after much consultation they decided to give him vallium by IV and then just do it locally with him awake..he fell asleep anyway and doesn't remember anything..he seems fine..if we have no problems during the night, I guess we will take our sleigh and head for Pahrump in the afternoon tomorrow.

I better get busy wrapping presents..sent somethings with Mark earlier today, he has already gone over..I still need to stop at the grocery for a few things to take..can't wait to see Christi and her family, haven't seen them since summer..Hans and his family will head out after he gets off work around 5 tomorrow..Mark and Belinda are going to make corn chowder so everyone can eat when they get there.

Life is great and we are so lucky that most of us will be together for Christmas..of course we will miss those who can't make it..everyone traveling do so in safety and have a very merry Christmas..Ruthie

It doesn't get better than this!!!!

Sunday with all the gift bags stuffed and tagged and all the bikes loaded, Phill and I made our rounds of deliveries..We started in Primm..what a humbling experience..those parents were so happy and there were so many tears of joy..they couldn't believe all the things we had for their kids..when the kids saw me they started shouting..one family we met in the parking lot and the kids saw the bikes..the mother said she couldn't hide them anyway, so we unloaded them and the kids took off with whoops of glee..she took the bag of gifts to hide until the 25th..I have no idea how it would feel to have Christmas almost here and not be able to get my kids anything..oh we have had some slim holidays but there was always gifts..I have been doing this type of thing for lots of years, but this year was the most rewarding..maybe I am getting older and the simple things get to me..after leaving Primm we came back to Goodsprings and I made more deliveries, also called some of the families and had them come over and pick theirs up..I hope we will be able to continue doing this for years to come..of course I would like some of the younger crowd around town get involved so they can learn the ropes.

Tomorrow is surgery..not doing it until 3:30 pm. need to be at the hospital by 2 so that means leaving here around 1..of course the guys are coming tomorrow to put more insulation in the attic..I'll have to have a neighbor come over if they aren't finished by the time we have to leave.

I need to get presents wrapped tonight..Mark is going to Pahrump tomorrow night, so will send everything with him..then if we can't go the kids will have their presents from Gramma and Popo..I still have to get 4 presents..after going thru my stash, I couldn't find anything for Belinda, Christi, Heath or David..I will run out while Phill is in surgery and grab something quick, maybe gift cards..I had hoped they would take him early and he would have most of the day wed. to recupe. We will make it I hope..also hope his INR comes up fast after surgery so we can stop the fragmin shots..he acts like I enjoy sticking him everyday..of course he may be right..

I hope everyone is ready for Christmas and that all you hopes and wishes happen..Have a great holiday and a great 2010!!!Ruthie

It just gets better and better!!!!

We took off at 7:45 this morning to get the bikes and toys..got there and the parking lot was full..they had all our stuff together, so didn't have to wait in line..the guys at Help of Southern Nevada are amazing!! Fuilala and Calvin were in charge and they had everything organized just perfect..lots of guys to load us..of course my heart fell when they said we would have to make two trips to get it all in..but alas, with careful stacking we got it all packed and strapped..Put most of the bags of toys in backseat and bikes and helmets in the bed of pickup..it was stacked above the cab with the addition of the bag of helmets..I had taken several tie-down straps and they came to good use. We could not have gotten a piece of paper in the backseat after they loaded us..we got lots of stares and waves as we drove the 45 miles back to Goodsprings..I hated to pull in driveway with all the bikes showing since the kids walk past the drive all the time.

I rested for a couple of hours, then checked all the bags for right ages and so forth..found some mistakes..added the gifts donated by Patty & Ian. Help did not give gifts to the kids who got bikes so we had to fill in. Everything and everyone's bags and bikes are ready for delivery tomorrow. I hope to get some of the Goodsprings parents to come pick up their childrens things tomorrow morning, called the Primm contacts and told them I would deliver between 1-2 pm. it is about 20 miles to Primm.

I sure have enjoyed putting this all together but I'm ready to conclude it..I can see that light at the end of the tunnel..it is beckoning me to get my own stuff done!!!

Phill is hating me several times a day right now..his sugar is out of control, so have to give him insulin along with the fragmin..sadistic me gets to stick a needle in him 3-4 times a day..I've just got to stop buying Pepsi, he won't stay out of it, sneaks one every chance he gets.

Shawntell got some really cute pictures of Carley with Santa and her gift up at the school..she'll probably post them on facebook..if you haven't checked lately I posted some more pics on FB.

More tomorrow after the delivery...Ruthie

Friday was even better!!!

Got up and started baking...made Swedish spritz cookies for the school program tonight...then made tuna salad and egg salad to use for sandwiches later...I put the sandwiches together about 4 pm. and got ready, then up to the school for the program and Santa..

The school kids did a great job with their play..funny and very entertaining..it is always fun to watch the little ones perform..I was able to meet the parents of the Primm kids and get their addresses and phone numbers..school was unable to provide that info due to all the privacy acts in place now days..of course when you only speak hillbilly american it is hard to communicate with only spanish speaking folks..good thing that one man could speak english and translate..I told them that I was picking up the toys and bikes tomorrow and would deliver them sunday or monday..they were so appreciative..it truly is better to give than receive..Christmas should be about helping others..of course I would never be able to do all that I do without the help of lots of people..I have gotten donations from Help of Southern Nevada, Sandy Mesquite Development Association, Patty & Ian Morrison, Julie & Troy Newberry and of course Ruth & Phill Rawlinson..I can't wait to get everything delivered and see the excitment of the kids..School Bells (a non-profit arm of the school district) is going to get clothes for some of the kids. Everyone seemed to have a great time tonight and enjoyed the food and friendship. This is the first year in a long time that we have had Primm kids and it sure was nice getting to meet all of them.

After the picking up of toys tomorrow, I will sort and start delivering and then I need to get my own family finished up. I hope to rest on tuesday and then be at the hospital on wednesday. We will be able to come home the same day, I just won't accept anything else..Gotta go to David's on Christmas eve..Still don't have my candy made, but I will.

I have no idea what to get Phill for Christmas. I was hoping for a new laptop but that will have to wait for awhile. Of course Phill says I have spent enough in gas due to all my volunteer work that I could have bought one..I doubt that, but then again he may be right. I miss having the laptop for when I go on my genealogy treks to the library and places. You get spoiled and don't want to take notes by hand anymore, it is much easier to just type it in. Dana gave me an early gift, of course Phill said I could just pretend it was from him. He worries every year since he's been sick about not being able to get out to buy me a gift..I told him today that he has given me so many nice pieces of jewelry over the years that he can just start regifting them..Well, I can only wear so many rings at a time and same with earrings and necklaces..He didn't think that was funny.

Guess I'll hit the hay got to be in Vegas by 8 am. so will have to leave here about 6:45..Talk to ya later...Ruthie

It's been a great Thursday!!!!!

Yesterday was the pits..many phone calls with can you do this, can you help these guys, can you do that...by three o'clock I was almost in tears from all the sad stories..I made a bunch of calls and got some help at the last minute. It is hard to get Christmas boxes that were not planned by Dec. 10. I went to bed last night wondering how I would face some of the little kids from Primm knowing how much help they needed.

This morning the calls started at 7:15 am. and I then started calling around and got the promise of some things for those Primm kids (the casinos in Primm have laid off about 1/2 of their employees until after the new year, making it hard for them to do anything for the kids). I had a wonderful surprise when Lulu's niece Patty and her husband Ian showed up at my house with bags of toys and even wrapping paper..What a blessing..I am so lucky to be acquainted with so many wonderful giving people..those bags had barbies, transformers, play dough, games and lots more..the kids are going to be beside themselves when they open all the gifts on Christmas...I am not just lucky but blessed to be able to help so many because of so many caring individuals.

I got all the gifts for the Santa program at the school wrapped today with the help of Dana and Shelbi. It is good to get that behind me. I will make sandwiches and cookies for the program tomorrow. Tomorrow should be an easy day.

I will be picking up all the other toys and bikes in Vegas at 8 am. on Saturday..I'll sort that stuff all out up at the community center and make up the family boxes. Hopefully I will be able to get some of the families to come pick up their stuff, the others I'll have to deliver. I need to get everything finished by Monday evening so I'll have tuesday to regroup and get in the medical mode for Phill's surgery.

Thanks to everyone who has helped with all the Christmas doing and know that you are thought of fondly. Ruthie

I Survived Monday

Today was one heck of a day..last night I got all the food boxes packed for 18 families..today I got most of them delivered with the help of Hans. If I never see a can of chicken noodle soup or a can of corn it will be tooooo soon!!! Please if you donate to a can drive take anything but corn or chicken noodle soup!!!! The fun today started at 1 pm. when the school kids came over to the community center to pick out gifts for their families. They were so excited and cute. One little boy just broke my heart..I asked him if he had a tree yet and he replied no but if we get some money we may get one. In his letter to Santa he had only asked for 1 toy (a scooter) and all the rest of the list was pants, shirts, underwear, socks, pencils and crayons. He's 8, I would have like to scoop him up and take him home with me..He also saw all the food boxes and wanted to know if he could have some food, so sad. I hurried and snitched things out of some of the other boxes and made one up for he and his mother, which I will deliver out to Primm tomorrow sometime.

Tomorrow I have to get all the presents from Santa for the school kids & preschoolers wrapped and tagged. In the evening I have a CDAC meeting in Vegas from 6-9...Never enough time to do the things I need to do for myself..Wednesday I have to take a carload to Sandy Valley to the food share program and then back to Sandy that evening for middle school winter concert. I promised a couple of the Goodsprings kids that I would go and watch them perform.

We have gone from cold to mild, today was beautiful and about 50 degrees.. I sure am enjoying the new heat pump, flicking the thermostat beats the heck out of carrying wood and coal.. I need to get some fudge and pecan rolls made sometime this week, Christmas will be here before I am ready. Got to have fudge for Christi when she gets here.

We had a nice chat with Ralph yesterday, got to talking genealogy and it is interesting to hear what he is finding in Nauvoo.. I hope Phill and I will be able to get back there this summer before their mission is over. He is extending thru August I think he said.

They delivered Phill's fragmin shots today, he starts them on Wed. and will continue until about a week after his surgery..he is not looking forward to the shots...he doesn't seem to mind the idea of surgery, just keep the needles away.

Well it is still almost 3 hours until my bedtime (midnight) but I think I will turn in early tonight, of course I'll probably regret the early turn in when I wake up at about 3 am. Take care everyone...Ruthie

Snow, Snow and Snow

We woke up to a winter wonderland this morning. Everything was white and pristine. Columbia Pass to Sandy Valley was closed, bus couldn't get middle and high school students over to the school. Also some of the teachers couldn't get to Sandy, they kept everyone at the Goodsprings School until it was decided nothing would run, then they sent Goodsprings kids home and bused the Primm kids home. It was a chili kind of day so put on a big pot and fed some of the neighbors.

I have the CDAC bus tour tomorrow...need to be in to the government center before 8 am as the bus leaves at 8 sharp. Hope we don't get a bunch more snow tonight..it is predicted.

I worked out in my workroom all afternoon trying to get a handle on Christmas, but didn't seem to make much progress. Last minute Annie that's me. Phill's mother used to laugh and say it wasn't Christmas if I didn't sew until 2 or 3 am. to get everything under the tree.

More later...Ruthie

Shoppings Done

Wahoo, shopping is done. Julie and I went shopping for the kids today and what I thought would be a piece of cake this year turned into a big deal. I am so out of tune with what kids want and like that I felt ancient in the store. One child asked for a robot dog to attack her brothers, I thought she was joshing but there actually is a robot dog and cat. What do I know!! We drew the line on BB guns but got the scooters 5 of them wanted. Of course we thought the babies would be easy, duh. There are just too many things to pick from. Phill went along to help with holding on to our purses, coats and the list. He uses one of the store electric carts so we filled his basket with our belongings. It was fun but it took too long to pick everything out for 23 kids.

Weather is still cold..big storm coming in on Saturday..couple of teenagers decided to go up on the mountain during last snowstorm and broke down, search and rescue had to send a helicopter after them at 2 am. Dumb and dumber, tried to make it up in 2 wheel drive truck.

I need to get my stuff finished for Christmas, what I really need to do is find the time. I am setting up Monday for the school kids to come to the community center at 1 pm and pick thru toys that I got donated. I am going to let them take something for each of their siblings and wrap it for Christmas. Also setting out some leftover bingo prizes for them to find stuff for their parents. I'll have wrapping paper and tags, so they can take them home and put under the tree.

Guess I better get busy here at home as I've been gone all day. Ruthie

Cold Weather Has Arrived

Well, winter has arrived..Snow yesterday and today...freezing temps...cold, cold, cold. I hate the cold, give me hot hot summers that I can handle. I don't lik bundling up, the fewer clothes the better. The only nice thing with winter is Christmas. We are planning to go over to David's in Pahrump, there will be 17 of us on Christmas eve and morning. It will be fun to have Santa with the little ones. We haven't planned dinner yet, so don't know what we'll fix.

We went out to David's saturday and I helped Belinda finish her gingerbread house. It is great..lights..colored windows..lots of candy..we used frosted miniwheats for the roof so it looks like a thatched roof. Hunter was so excited when we finished and turned on the lights, he just said WOW with great big surprised eyes. He was on a sugar high all day, he kept sneaking candy.

The results on Phill's needle biopsy came back and they have to operate. Of course they have scheduled it for 12/23. The doctor seems to think Phill will have no problems and should be fine the next day. Of course he hasn't had to deal with the 18 other hospitalizations, so he has no idea that if something can get complicated it will with Phill. Guess we will just keep a positive attitude. We will have to start giving him fragmin shots on the 16th and stop the coumadin until after surgery. He hates getting the shots, I've never seen anyone who hates needles as much as Phill.

We are going to do the shopping for school kids and preschoolers on thursday. The teacher sent their letters to Santa to me yesterday, they are a little better this year, only 1 request for a laptop and 1 for a motorcycle. Last year they all wanted laptops, cars (these are grade k-5), ATVs, and lots of other expensive stuff. This year they seem to have come down to earth and are asking for simple things like, barbies, remote control cars, games, books. All 12 of them asked for something that we will be able to buy. We have 11 preschoolers also, of course they are easy to buy for. The school children will put on their Christmas play on the 18th and after their performance Santa will arrive and chaos will prevail. It is always fun and I feel fortunate to be a part of it.

I have again been appointed by Comm. Braeger to the Community Development Advisory Committee. We are a committee to review applications for Community Development Block Grant monies received by Clark County. We meet every other week from the middle of October til middle of March each year . Applicants come to our meetings and give a presentation as to why their agency should receive grant monies. This year we have 22 million to award and 53 million in applications, we are going to have some disappointed people. We also hear applicants for Emergency Shelter Grants and HOME funds. After all applicants have presented, we then make recommendations and forward to the Clark County Board of Commissioners and they have the final say. I have served on this board for about 15 years out of the last 20 and the commissioners usually go with our recommendations. Saturday we will go on a bus tour to all the sites asking for grants. We leave the government center at 8 am sharp and won't get back until about 6 pm, long day..It helps to get out and look over the projects.

I need to get all the Christmas decorations up and presents wrapped. Got some more sewing to do, baking and candy making. Got to have homemade candy when Christi gets here. Still trying to get cookbook finished, but not going to make it. Everything seems to get in the way. One of these day I am going to do just for Ruth, for a month or two anyway.

Oh yes, still have to get all the food boxes put together with all the donated canned goods. I have a list of about 20 families so far. I think the load we got will do, if not I'll have to get more when I go in for the toys to go to some of the families (this is different than the school toys). I am sure blessed that Hans will help me with all my pet projects. Don't know what I would do without his grunt labor. Phill used to help alot but is unable to anymore, of course he gives me lots of moral support and encourages me in my endeavors. I am a lucky woman!!!!

Hope everyone is getting in the spirit of Christmas...Ruthie & Phill

Post Thanksgiving

Well, as you can see I survived Thanksgiving. We only had 43 brave souls and everyone seemed to enjoy the food. It was alot of work but worth it. We sured enjoyed hosting everyone. I was pretty prone on friday and supposed to drive out to Pahrump on saturday and help Belinda with a gingerbread house, begged off and we went on sunday. We only got it designed and baked, I left all my gingerbread house gimicks and stuff out there and we will go back tomorrow. Belinda is going to make a large house and I am going to make a little one for Carley.

Belinda and David want to have Christmas at their house, so guess we will take the trailer and go over day before. Hans, Shawntell & Carley will go with us. Mark & Terry taking their trailer. Christi, Heath, Christa and Jr. are coming from Pheonix, Belinda's parents and sister are also coming. Guess we will be a crowd. It will be fun to have so many little ones enjoying Santa. It will also be nice to sit back and let the young ones do all the work. hahaha.

Phill had his biopsy on monday, doctor called today and said it needs to be removed (cancerous), they scheduled same day surgery for 12/23 at the surgery center. I told him the last time he was scheduled at a surgery center the anesthesiologist would not do it at a surgery center and we had to go to the hospital and he ended up staying 3 weeks. Doctor was going to check the records and probably do it at the hospital and then he would do it on 12/16. They will let us know on monday. They have already removed cancer twice last year from this same site.

We are going to shop for the town Santa gifts on the 10th. This will be over 96 years that the school kids put on a Christmas play and Santa comes with gifts for all the kids age 12 and under. We had one Santa for over 20 years. I have pictures of that Santa with Ronnie, Hans, David, Christi, Caitlin and Tyler. That is a span of 32 years. Of course Ronnie was about grade 6 and Tyler was almost 1. Also Phill and I went into town yesterday and Help of Southern Nevada filled up the bed of our truck with canned goods and non perishables. Hans unloaded everything with the help of a couple of kids, while I started sorting everything. Dana, Megan and Colleen came and helped. Took us about 5 hours to unpack all the boxes and sort. Tuesday I am going to start packing the boxes for the families that we will deliver to. We only have about 16 different households to deliver to, so shouldn't be too bad. After the 15th I can go in and pick up toys for some of the families.

Well winter has arrived, it was 19 at 6 am. this morning. Our hot water line was frozen, didn't thaw out until around 11 am. It doesn't freeze the water very often. We are sure enjoying the new heat pump, no more carrying wood and coal. We do fix a fire in the evenings sometimes. I think we are going to have a very cold winter. Las Vegas is under a freeze alert tonight.

Enough for now, hope everyone is happy, healthy and wise. Ruthie