some new things happening

Whew! And a much needed and deserved rest too!

I'm sorry to hear about your sister's health problems. I hope everything works out for all of you, and that the moving in works out for all involved.

I'm sure your Mom would appreciate them whether they are frozen or not.

Gotta tell you (this kind of hit Matthew and myself funny), my Mom always hated artificial flowers and used to say (long before she ever even had her first stroke) "When I die, don't put artificial flowers on my grave!" Well, the first visit my oldest sister made back to town after our Mom passed away, she brought a bouquet of yellow silk roses in a container and stuck the spike on the container down into the ground to hold it there nicely. Nice gesture as yellow roses were our Mom's favorite flowers... but not artificial. Two days later Matthew and I went to the cemetery (and there had been no wind for a couple of days) and there was the container of artificial flowers about three feet away from her gravesite. We looked at each other and started to laugh, knowing that my Mom would have been laughing too. I picked up the container and put it back into the ground where my sister had put it, and said "Okay Ma, I know you don't like artificial flowers, but Mary put them here and she would be really mad if I take them away, so I have to put them back."

A few days later, the same thing happened. This went on for about three months, then finally one day I went up and the flowers were waaaaay over in a field beyond the edge of the cemetery. I guess she REALLY didn't want them there! LOL I finally *had* to tell my sister, and I told her that our Mom didn't like artificial flowers. She got all sulky (my Mom would have looked toward the ceiling about that) and said "Well, I can't very well put REAL flowers there, they would be gone in no time!" It doesn't matter... Matthew and I plant flowers there for both my parents throughout the spring and summer, and then put Christmas Wreaths there around this time of the year until spring thaw when we can get back up there again.

I am so sorry about your friend, Norma, but that is so nice that you had such a loving dream about your Mom. See, they are always with us, even though it sometimes doesn't feel like it.

"Norma" spun a very fine yarn in message news:KxPff.4872$ snipped-for-privacy@news20.bellglobal.com...

And you know how WE feel about YOU, Norma!

Oh, Norma!

There's something of a real 'closure' in actually 'seeing' the headstone....

Never underestimate the power of the 'beyond'. I'm sure your friend is truly 'happy' now, and I'm glad your Mom came to you in a dream.

Miss you, LOTS, Norma! Hugs, Noreen

Great to hear from you, Norma. It sounds as though you are really enjoying your time with OES. How long is your term of office? I am sorry to hear of your sister's illness. I will add both of you to my prayer list. Also sorry to hear of your friend's death, but at least she is at peace now.

Higs, Katherine

Hi Norma,

It's good to hear from you and all you are doing. Just be careful with the night driving if there's snow around. Not the best time of year to be out and about.

I do hope things work out with you and your sister living together and your Mom approves. Maybe that's why the dream, she wanted to tell you that she is all right with it and to welcome your friend.

Hugs,

Nora

Dear Sister,

It is so nice to hear from you Norma.

I am so sorry that in such a busy year so much has happened. I know how busy you are and you are in our prayers.

I am trying to get in more often now and will try to keep in touch.

Star love and God bless,

Dennis & Gail

P.P. & P.M.

Thank you to Gem, Noreen, Katherine, and Nora. I am in office for one year. (thank goodness!) I don't think I could do it for any longer. LOL I am so lucky that I have a lot of support from my home chapter. I never travel alone, and we usually share the driving. If I take my car, then I will drive to the place and one of the others will drive home. And I thank the Lord every day for DH. I sure couldn't do this without his help.

We were laughing the other day. There will be a reception/roast for me at the end of my year. I am taking the paper work I have to carry everywhere I go, with me in a rolling briefcase. I sure couldn't carry it! I keep getting asked if I'm planning to stay the night where ever I go. I wouldn't be surprised if they don't do some kind of skit featuring a really big suitcase! LOL

We went up to the cemetery today. The stone is lovely, except that the star they put on it isn't an "Eastern Star". So I was feeling quite upset at that. I am going to go and see the monument company tomorrow and try to get them to put a proper one on it. The star is supposed to be between the dates - and they did put a small star there- but now they will have to put one up in the right hand corner. At least I'm hoping that they will. The one they used wouldn't even tell an OES member that she belonged. Wish me luck with this, ok?

Nora, I think you are right about Mom's visit. I think she is approving, too, and I do think she came to help Evelyn.

Yannow what, Norma? I think that you are a fabulous Grand Matron (?), and that they should try to keep you!

Higs, Katherine

Hell, WE just think she's a fabulous PERSON, much less fabulous Grand Matron, We only LENT her to OES for a year, they have to give her back to us! LOLOL! Noreen we're NOT gonna let them KEEP her, slaps Katherine silly with a lambskin glove and runs like the dickens.

You have a point, Noreen. What *was* I thinking???

Higs, Katherine

LOL, I *knew* you'd see it my way after being slapped silly with those lambskin gloves, grin! Hugs, Noreen

Dennis and Gail, It's soo good to see you here again. Thank you for your kind thoughts. I will pop in here when ever possible. Hugs to both of you!

Ahhh, you guys. you make me feel better already!:-) Thank you.

Nods head. Yep, Norma, that's what we're here for! LOL Hugs, Noreen

Hi Norma, I don't know if mental telepathy works but I am sending all my persuasive powers. In my experience, it doesn't work to get mad at them but letting them know how sad you are can sometimes work wonders. Good luck.

Guess I know who to call when someone around here needs the sense knocked back into them, huh? ;-))

-- Carey in MA (who can get silly enough without being slapped, thanks....)

Yep, and lambskin doesn't feel as icky, ooky, acky as a wet noodle either! Noreen

Thanks Jan. I did talk to the owner of the company. I am sending him a couple of suggestions on what might be done. Apparently, that star that was used is used all the time. I told him that if so, that it's possible that I might have seen one at some time. If I have, it didn't register that it was supposed to be an "Eastern Star". We might have to pay more money, but frankly we don't care, we just want it put on her headstone. He seemed very nice on the phone, and I'm hoping that he will be able to do something. He will call me when he gets the info and let me know.

LOL

Higs, Katherine