Granny Overwhelmed?

I went to see Granny this past Friday. I walked in and she was in the kitchen. She looked up at me and she said, "Oh Beth, I am so glad to see you." It wasn't a happy sound. She was overwhelmed. I asked her what was wrong. She said, "Oh you just don't know what a mess I am in." I was really getting concerned. As you remember this is laundry day. The dryer was going. As we passed her bedroom, she pointed to her bed and said, "Look." I saw the sheets were off the bed and I asked her if they were in the dryer. (It was around 10:00 a.m.) She said, "My bed is not even made." I told her not to worry that I would take care of that. She said, "Oh no, that is not all!" She told me to follow her. So I follow her as she slowly walks in the living room and again she said, "Look." I looked around and saw a couple of baskets of peas that she was shelling. She was really concerned that she would not get it all done. I told her not to worry and that I would help her. I told her to sit down and take a deep breath and that I had a surprise for her. I wish you could have saw the look on her face. She looked at me as if to say she didn't have time because she had so much to do. She didn't say that but I just read her face. Then I showed her Sherry's card, 50.00 for her quilt, and the crocheted book marks. She got big tears in her eyes as she looked at them.

She read the card out loud to me and with tears in her eyes she told me that the card and crosses & my visit made her day. She placed the crosses in her Bible.

Then I surprised her and pulled out another 100.00 for 2 more quilts.
She just could not believe it. She was so happy. She told me to make sure and tell all of my friends that she makes the quilts to keep you warm. I told her that I told everyone that. I told her that everybody loves her quilts. She looked at me and said, "they must like them-I have never sold this many before."
This seemed to calm Granny down and ease her mind. So I told her that we better get busy shelling those peas. She said that she didn't think she would be through before Monday and that she had to start another quilt. I told her that it was just Friday and that I was there to help her. I had not planned to stay there as long as I did but I just could not leave her with all of that to do.
Granny has to eat her lunch around 11:30. I saw that it was about 11:15 and I told her that I was going to run and pick us up something to eat. She isn't used to going out too much. I asked her if she would like a hamburger or vegetables. She would not give me an answer and kept telling me that she would just warm up some green beans that she had the night before. It is not that she doesn't have more, she just eats that way. I finally convinced her to let me go and pick up something. I brought a to go plate with turkey and dressing, cooked cabbage, okra, pinto beans, and cranberry sauce. I also brought us banana pudding. I even bought her a glass of tea. I knew that she likes milk but I went ahead and got her one thinking if she doesn't drink it I would enjoy it later on. But she wanted it. She acted excited. She said that was enough for 4 meals for her. It was so funny....she eats with a spoon. I knew that but she got the little plastic fork that came with the meal and started using it. All of the sudden, she looked at me and said, "Do you care if I get my spoon?" I said, "of course not, Granny." She really enjoyed our lunch. I really enjoyed our lunch! She said, "Look Beth, I only have my spoon to wash!"

While Granny was at the sink washing her spoon, I ran out to the dryer and put her sheets on and made her bed. She didn't notice for a few minutes. She was putting her food up so she could eat it at supper and looked over at her bed and said, "Who came in and made my bed?" I told her that I did it. She said, "when?" I said while you were washing your spoon. I honestly think that she thought someone came in and did it. I also had folded her little load of clothes and laid them on the dresser. She saw that and could not believe that it was already done. I didn't attempt to put them up because she has told me when someone puts her stuff up she cannot find anything. She is so funny.

So here we go again, shelling the peas.

Granny uses scissors to cut the end of the peas to make it easier for her to open.

I was on the other side listening to her talk about how long it was going to take her to get this all done. I was determined that I was going to try to finish shelling them before I had to leave but I don't think she believed me.

She worked so hard. I found out something about Granny.

I always thought her "Grunt, Sigh, & whistle" was just when she quilted but

she made the same sounds while doing the peas!

I just love pictures of Granny at her sink.

This is when she was washing her spoon.

Precious.

We are finally through shelling the peas!!!!!
Granny was so happy and so was I!

Me & Granny don't want to see any more peas!

I wanted you all to notice the collar on Granny's dress. It has a safety pin in it. I asked her why she had it pinned. I can't remember the words she said but it was all about being modest. I thought that was sweet.
Granny & I had some sweet conversations that day. One time she looked at me and said, "What are we doing this hard work for?" But she also let me know how thankful she was. There were a lot of quiet times too. They were precious. Along with hearing her grunts, sighs and whistles, I listened to her breathe as she worked. She would stop and show me the really pretty full peas. She would say they are beautiful. I thought about how much work this woman had done in her lifetime. Granny will be 96 years old on Oct. 24th.

I hated to leave but I had to. Before I left I vacuumed her house. I wonder if she noticed that. I don't even think she heard the vacuum cleaner. I loved helping Granny. I need to do it more.

I helped her wash and pick through all of the peas. Then I put them on the stove.
Granny was so tired. She never lays down during the day. (That must be where I get it. I cannot sleep during the day.) But I had to leave to go pick up my grandchildren from school. I told her to let them come to a boil and then turn them off. She said her back was hurting so bad and that she might lay down. I told her that she couldn't lay down until the peas were turned off. I was going to try to run back over but I got so worried about her forgetting about those peas on the stove that I called my aunt Carol. She lives down the road from Granny. I asked her if she would go and check on Granny and the peas. She said she would, so I felt so much better. I clean houses to make extra money and had one job to do after I left. I just could not leave her seeing how overwhelmed she was. So I was so relieved when my aunt said she would take care of it. My day with Granny was so special but I can tell you one thing she is a hard worker. I had never saw her overwhelmed before so I didn't know anything to do but to help her. When I left I think Granny was feeling better, just tired. Once I talked to my aunt, I was feeling better.
Thank you, Aunt Carol!
Special Note:

Please go and read Martha's Blog. She is the first blogger that purchased a quilt from Granny. She started this ball rolling for Granny. In this post she honored me and my Granny today, Sept. 13, 2009. I am speechless and in tears. Thank you Martha.