Two Cooper birthdays yesterday

Yesterday we had two Cooper birthdays:   Sara Jane Stacy Dyer

and Allen Britten Cooper II.   One of them I bore, with the help of Dr. Wayne Croom in Kennett while the father watched the ball game in the other room.  That was the way it was done then.  The other, my brother Autry's child, was 56 yesterday.  What happened to the years?   I want my kids and nieces and nephews to be in their 20s.

Another wish bit the dust.   Get up and get busy.  It's a new day!   If you don't use it, you lose it.  I'm finding me something to do....and fast!

Had a great day in Charleston yesterday! I hope you enjoy the pictures!

Fall decorations are up!

It is in the air!  Played our first football game last night ...and won!  Karel came and put up decorations and I am ready for Fall!   Of course, water main broke and students went home until next Tuesday!

And the birthday parties go on!

Last night Diane Sides from the Presidents offic hosted a birthday party for me at Bella!  It was supposed to be for the two of us and Bev Hickam but I saw everyone and went from table to table!  Fun night!

I'm Daddy Today

I am my Dad today.."A B Cooper with pigtails" Hartrel Brock called me! And I was and am!

I am faced today with four friends who need help desperately and someone has to act in mission mercy! I tried to tear up the letters last night but I got up after a sleepless night and scotch taped them together! Daddy told me once "shag, don't ever be afraid to ask someone to give to something that is worth believing in!"

These four cases are on my heart! Help me pray and then, if you are convicted, think about putting "feets" to your prayers!

Good news!

Got word today that Lynn Stacy is doing so far, so good!  So I will move on to the stack of meetings and papers I have to do today!  All of them require thought on my part!  I will give it my best shot!

ALS Challenge

Debbie Bickings your next.

0:36

You can't divorce love!

I was their aunt for thirty years and then a judge said the ties were broken!  I even helped it along thinking it would be better in the end!  But Robin and Kristi and Sheri are still my nieces and they know it and want it to be so!

So Rob, hang in there today as your dad goes into surgery...I love Lynn Walne Stacy-- I wanted them to change it to Walnut because he belonged to the nut family--and know that I am here!  If you need me, I will be there!

My body aches in new places!

When I married my father-in-law had a Mayflower moving business.  At the end   of the day, you headed for Bengay and hoped it would help!

That is where I was last night!  Two furniture stores called me to say they would donate beds but we had to pick them up and deliver!  We got it done complete with sheets and towels and soap!   We looked like dogs in this heat even the people who refused to be in the picture.   But you know what--the king size went to a young woman with two young children whose mother came with her and they were sleeping on a pallet on the hard floor.  The full size went to two African students who were doing the same!    Thanks for the privilege of the aches.

Crepe night at home

What a wonderful night-- filled with kids all over the house--horsing around, making crepes, serving and then washing  all the dishes!  Me, Raphael from France, Nelson from Kenya! Lu and Jun from China, Eric from Jackson and Sindi from Sri Lanka!  The house was full of jive talk and eating and a new way of French kissing!

Picnic when it's hundred!

Sure I went and sweltered !  These are my buds! And they are far from home and they used my car to go get groceries!

In addition, I went to Hutsons and talked them into giving us their trade-in mattresses and furniture.  Some of these students slept on the floor on blankets all last year!

Another day and one less dollar

I have miles to go before I sleep and I haven't wasted a second!  Started out with Greg Brune and John Lohr trying to help someone find her way, and soon I couldn't answer all the calls!  Then I had lunch with Trudy Lee about a breakfast I am giving for retired faculty at Homecoming at Ruby Tuesday!  Then trying to locate desk and beds for internationals!

Now to go to Nigerian picnic and go buy outdoor furniture for BSC!

What a day!

First I had a conference at Baptist Student Center with Bruce Gentry about ways to reach out  to other groups, then I met Don Simpson who is looking for counseling opportunities, then I went to Kent and talked with Twylla James about having a session about English as a second language! Then they filmed me for an oral history on Dr Scully!

Then I went back to BSC and interviewed myy friend Kerry Davis about taking over the music at chapel!  Then we all went down to Cup and Cork for cheesecake!  Lord, I am exhausted!

Sleep comes to those who wait!

My prescription came and I swallowed that tiny pill!  I slept from ten to five and then went back to sleep until six-thirty!  Yes!!!!

I have a busy day doing oral history on Dr Scully at Kent library and then interviewing a person at Baptist Student center!  Need my head on straight!

Equipping and feeding

Last night over 300  international students gathered to eat  at centenary  Church and pick out free home goods they needed!  One of them jumped to have Jim Stacy's old chest!  And towels and dishes,etc! 

My f our grandchildren were there:  Lu and Nikki from China! Nelson from Kenya and Raphael from France!  It is strange for them to call me "grandma " but they need one as much as they need pots and pans!

Need a bed to lay your head on!

Last night I toured a new international house that dr Wanda Pipkin, a local veterinarian and a member of Cape Bible Chapel had bought for international students to live in!  Wanda and I loaded up a chest of drawers and old towels at my house and hand soaps.  These people cannot carry much in their suitcase!  

But we still need beds and mattresses!  Many if them sleep on floors!  Goodwill and places like this cannot resale mattresses so we are pleading for mattresses!  It will come!

Why can't I sleep on Saturday Morning?

Too bad.  Just quit tossing and get up and get coffee.  Bev, me, her sister, Nancy, and another friend, went to Grace Methodist last night for the visitation for Barb Kinsey's dad and so did everyone else from Cape, it.looked like.  Then we went to El Sol for Mexican dinner.   I could have easily slept in but I have a schedule to keep:  Heather will be here at 9:30, the people are coming to pick up a chest for the new International House tonight that I am donating,  then Lu is coming to work and we will go to the opening and blessing at 5-6.  Not a bad schedule for a  76 year old.  Still waiting for results of kidney test and passed on the sleeping medicine after I heard it was $200 a month and insurance wouldn't pay.  Cheaper meds or I will cope.

Sent flash drives to Jim and Mark and scrapbooks to Mark and Adam.  Hope they got them okay.  Had a new  pic made at the church.  Happy weekend!

Mark Kasten -- doctor!

Some things are not natural --even after you have done it for years.   Imagine going to a doctor who was son of neighborhood friend.   But I go to Mark Kasten --just like I went to his Dad, Melvin Kasten.  And I went yesterday.   He doesn't let me off the hook --we are still checking your kidney, now, Jane, so don't fight it! !   No, Mark, I am not having a colostomy  --cancer doesn't run in my family.  Strokes and Meanness do and I didn't catch either!  (He doesn't like my humor).  but he liked the fact that I had lost 20 pounds since my last visit.  He thinks it is his dietary program --heck, I threw those materials away before I left the office last time.

So even after he had pronounced that I looked good, was involved in the world, and all the other stuff looked good, I am waiting on tests.  Yeah, he gave me something to sleep and I am waiting on that prescription to be delivered.   I have become an erratic sleeper and I hate it.

So thanks, Mark!  Hope the test is fine so you can quit worrying.

Barb Kinsey and me

I

In 1973 I started working with Barb Kinsey at the University!  I did all these athletic events at Homecoming and I soon learned that if I wanted sane answers, I should shun all others and go to her!  It was good advice I gave myself.

After we both retired, we continued to see each other and she was under tremendous pressure taking care of her parents!  Last night they found her dad dead in the front yard and I was called quickly by friends!  Barb has been there for me steadfastly and I never wondered, for a second, if she would be there for me!  I hope she never wondered about me!

Lottie Moon Goes On!

When I was growing up in Charleston, Mo.,my brother, Jim, was in Baylor University! We were "big" Into Lottie Moon Christmas offering in our church and Mama read about Dr Marshall Ku, coming to Baylor from China as a result of this offering! The difference was she and Daddy put "feet" to their prayers! Marshall came home with Jim for Christmas, the people in the church responded financially and we became life-long friends!

I believe in missions on an individual basis! Churches and society change but God gives us daily opportunities to reach out to others!

I have a relationship to the Baptist Student Center and to their ministry to international students. Especially my two "grandchildren from China" , Lu and Jun Li! Lottie Moon lives on there every day--some things never change!

Cancellations free one up!

I like schedules.  I did way before cell phones were ever invented!  It was called datebooks and I lived by mine ferociously and with fervor!  Now it takes no energy to erase a lunch date when someone has to go to a funeral!  Doesn't even mess up the book!

I can just veg out and look at the beautiful flowers and note that my scholarship recipient, Raphael Pellenard, brought me!  And listen to the news about Robin Williams suicide!  He was double manic hilarious on the outside!

Sunday night having fun!

I took my scholarship recipient, Raphael Pellenard, from France out for his birthday dinner to Beef o Brady's last night!  When they found out he had a birthday and he was French, they brought out beignets with hot caramel sauce on the house!

I ran into Dan Elkins who has Danielle's and we had a blast talking about when he was a student and helped me!  It makes me feel like that I did something good along the way to living!

Colin Dyer's Birthday

It's my grandsons birthday, Mr Colin!  He's the little guy who sat on my lap in church and in the maroon chair at home to watch movies!  To honor that church memory, I am going to church today after a 20 year absence from the pew so I can pray for his happiness and mental success!

So Colin, reach for the stars but keep your feet on solid ground!  You have the world before you and the world is filled with individuals who need a kind smile and an open heart!   You have both!  Reach out to the masses but know that they are just individuals in disguise!

Happy Birthday, Col Baby!

Tina's Birthday

Never in the world did I realize what a blessing I would be getting when my son, Mark, married Tina Estrada!  Her dad was a doctor, originally from Colombia and Tina was a beauty!  But she never had a clue about how beautiful she is!  

She does her job, and goes about her business!  She loves Mark, Bryan and Andrea and I am included in that list.  She stands her ground with her common sense of what is right!

Damn, I am lucky!   Happy Birthday Tina!

 

Making decisions while you can!

L

I consented to do oral histories at Kent Library about my memories of my years there but I told Roxie Dunn that I wanted to start now because I don't have the memory I used to have!  So we start next week about Mark Scully!

It's the same about cleaning out the cobwebs at my home!  I want to do as much as I can to give things to others!  I don't want my children to come in and deal with my junk like I am a hoarder!

So anyone have any ideas about the Desert Rose China I got as wedding presents or gold silverware!  If you want it, it is yours!

Talking to Julia Warren

I talked to Julia Warren this morning, my sister, and we chatted like magpies.  Sunday I talked to Betty, another sister, and we did the same!  We talk about the old days and the tie that binds us together!  We are too old to mess around; we want to laugh together!

I wonder if all siblings are like that!  Julia is in a nursing home and likes the friends she sees each day!  Betty has her church choir and it keeps her going!  I have friends who keep me eating out all the time, and the world keeps turning, like the old television scripts!

Cutting down a tree

My neighbors, Henry and Tammy, are having  a tree cut down today in their front yard!  It is not a simple operation!  The street is blocked off and it looks like a trolley car in landing on top of their house!  Wierd sight!

Reminds me that life is not simple!  There are people who have perfected every project and there are people who will do the project if the price is right!  Thank goodness I don't need the big guys of tree trimming!

I have enough projects going on today!

Cleaning out the cobwebs

I am downsizing!  I have accumulated all I would ever need and I  need to get rid of the crap!  Today we filled a car full of cookbooks and DVDs which I have never unsealed!  

I feel good about the empty shelves! Better than laden with crap!  On to seasonal tea pots!

My Cooper Connection

I went out to lunch today with Dean Loretta Prater and provost Jane Stephens!  We had long discussion about University personnel who was just sentenced to 33 months in prison and why such a thing happens!  I love both of them dearly!

Then I ran into Marshall and Jo Ellen Whitworth awhile were in the Sunday school class I taught and it was so good to see them!  I am so blessed!

Considering wasting a day!

Yes, I am considering wasting the day!  I have nothing on my agenda and no big projects!  No one is coming to help me today do anything!  I may sit on the couch and watch the world at war or sleep or gather things for Kent Library!  Or nothing!

Hey not bad in itself for starters!  My get up and go has got up and went for today!  Or it has just not kicked in yet!

Luckiest of lucky!

I know how blessed I am every day!  First, I live in a daily world of friends who reach out before I ask!  This morning, for example, I went out to breakfast with Lucas Presson!  Then I came home and Heather Minton was here with my diet coke to help me set up some computer accounts!  Both of these people worked for me in the Alumni Office when they were students!

Like I said, I am truly blessed!

And he saluted!

My mind continues to remember the visit to Ft Campbell over my birthday week and how fun it was to see Bailey and Landon!  I think of walking that long Tarmac to see the bird that Landon propels and the design on it that Colin designed and painted!

I hoisted my rear end up in the plane, which was not an easy feat and Brandon saluted me!  I felt like a general with a minuscule army!  But I saluted back!  There is nothing wrong with a general who has no army!