THE BAILEYS 2005 NEW YEARS LETTER
with ROYCE, JUDY , JILLIONNA AGE 15 AND
JOSIANNE AGE 14
We are enjoying all the newsy letters telling about the events in your lives;
how we wish a personal visit with each one of you was possible.
JANUARY 2004 The new year found us
celebrating, in California, with Royce’s family, absorbing the
wonderful sunlight and warm family ties. The return home quickly molds
us into the routine of life: 9th grade, orthodontist appointments, piano
lessons, flute lessons, harp lessons, voice lessons, choir, bells, photo
club, youth symphony for Jillionna.
Royce was so proud of one of his patients that had lost 43 pounds. She
said to her friend, “You can have anything in my house, except
my husband and my treadmill.”
Royce finds Judy sitting on the couch in the middle of the day (very
unusual) enjoying a golden retriever puppy in her arms. If you remember
we had nine pups on December 20, 2003. They have taken over our laundry
room and would be outside in the garage if it wasn’t so cold.
Our friend’s five year old grandson asked his grandmother, “Why
is my nose stuffed up? Do I have diarrhea?”
FEBRUARY Judy’s mother is such a blessing with teaching skills
of 30 years, so we are home schooling again this year, as per Jillee’s
and Josee’s request. It allows flexibility in the school schedule,
so a trip to Branson with Doralee and Harold, Royce’s parents, gave
a nice reprieve. Thank you Papa Bailey for treating us to all the food
and sites. We reveled in the wonderful musical talent and fun spirit of
the Ozark Mountains. Jillionna and Josianne were enthralled with the sounds
of Branson and have come home wanting to take guitar and banjo lessons.
Josianne found Royce’s 40 year old banjo in the basement, had it
re-strung, taught herself to play and is now playing in the “Appalachian
Praise” band, as seen on 3ABN (3abn.com). Jillionna is playing the
guitar and even doing duets with Josianne (on the banjo) for various programs
in the area. Jillionna plays the hammered dulcimer so well; her music adds
so much to the “Appalachian Praise” band. The girls continue
their “classical instruments” too. The joke is that their shoes
are off for the bluegrass sound and they put them back on for the classical
tunes.
Many of our friends are trading their spouses for new ones. Royce said, “I’m
keeping Judy, I don’t want to have to learn new house rules over
again.” Judy says she just about has Royce house trained. And how
do couples stay together for over 50 years? Royce’s parents are an
example. Doralee talking said, “Harold, what do you think?” Harold
responds, “I didn’t hear a word you said, you talk too much.”
A patient told Royce, “It takes a dozen sheep to make a sweater.” I
didn’t know sheep could knit?
MARCH The girls took a computer class at Blue Ridge Community College
and enjoyed developing a power point presentation. This is a class provided by
a grant for homeschoolers. A parent is required to accompany the students and
it’s a good thing, because Judy needs the girl’s help. Ha Ha! Josee
complained that she couldn’t get anything done in computer class because
of having to help Judy.
We made a trip up to 3ABN to do some filming for “Kid’s Time” and “Kids
Time Praise,” with some dear friends. The three girls (includes Judy) played
several trio tunes and various combinations of instruments (harps, dulcimer,
flute, piano and banjo). It is wonderful to be able to share their talents with
others, and 3ABN is now in over 150 countries.
Royce forgot his lab coat. He left it hanging on the kitchen chair. Josee asked, “Why
did daddy leave his lab coat?” Jillee replied, “Because he’s
a man.”
The golden puppies are moved to the garage. Judy has her laundry room back-yeh.
APRIL Judy continues to play with the Blue Ridge Harp
Ensemble, Hendersonville Symphony and Rosewood Trio. She
is always practicing for some upcoming performance and truly
enjoys every minute.
We celebrated Judy’s 30th high school reunion at Newbury
Park, CA. It unexpectedly became a bittersweet celebration
as she recounted all the happy memories of her brother Jimmy,
while at academy together. It was great to see classmates
and friends again, some for the first time since graduation.
The vacation also allowed us to spend some time with Doralee
and Harold in Ojai and make more happy family memories.
We made another trip to 3ABN for more filming of instrumental
music and with the girl’s “Appalachian Praise” band.
Our car can almost make the trip on cruise control.
One of Royce’s pacemaker patients thought she was going
to die. Her husband, believing, as we do, that the dead in
Christ will rise again at the second coming of Jesus, said, “Then
you’d just take a little dirt nap.” She did fine.
When at Prayer Meeting the prayer requests got lengthy, the
girls wanted to leave. Judy told them only five more minutes
then it would be over and they could go home. After five
minutes they asked again to go home. Judy said, “That
wouldn’t be polite.” They leaned back and said, “But
Exodus 20 says you shouldn’t bear false witness, you
lied, you said we could go after five minutes.” Judy
leaned over and said, “I’ll ask for forgiveness.”
We’ve sold the last of the golden retriever puppies
and everyone is sad.
MAY We are anxious to wrap-up the school year and have a habit of finishing
every word in all the books. I’m glad the girls have that trait of character
to complete what they start.
The girls made another trip to 3ABN to film 32 songs with the “Praise Hymn” Choir.
It was a fabulous experience and all the children had a Bible text to share with
each song. While at 3ABN, Josee’s mare (Sassy) delivered a beautiful brown
and white paint filly and we couldn’t wait to get home. Royce manned the
farm while we were away and couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw the mare
and her filly running up the meadow later that evening. He had just seen the
mare fully pregnant an hour before.
Judy said during a theological discussion, “State of the dead,” and
Grandpa Wolter heard, “Satan’ in bed.” We laughed till we forget
what we were talking about.
Friends were over and Royce asked, “Where are the girls?” One of
their male friends said, “Upstairs grooming themselves.”
One of Royce’s patients got the girls a violin to fiddle on and a mandolin.
They both are quick learners on new instruments, however, we plan no lessons
for these “just for fun” instruments.
JUNE Jillee started guitar lessons and Josee started banjo lessons. The
girls are now also taking lessons in sewing, and organ. Yes, they still have
time for their animals-horses, goats, dogs, rabbits, chickens, turkeys, guineas
and peacocks. They started to ride their two year old mares for the first time
(Cassy and Ginger Snap). They have broken these horses themselves (to break a
horse, is to train it to ride), with minimal help from Royce. Our goal is to
keep them so busy that they stay out of trouble.
Our Carolina Camp Meeting was wonderful and the three girls did their part with
music. We’ve lost our minds, and we went back up to 3ABN (fourth time this
year) for their camp meeting (third year in a row). Jillee (dulcimer) and Josee
(banjo) played in Southern Illinois on live TV, with their friends, the Wagners,
in the “Appalachian Praise” band. Royce asked out loud, “Tell
me why we have three concert grand harps at home?”
Jillee’s mare (Louisa) surprised us with a 12 months gestation (horses
pregnancy is 11 months) and delivered a healthy and beautiful black and white
paint filly at 5:00 PM. This gave us the opportunity to not only see the delivery
but also invite all our friends to experience the miracle.
Jillee had her 15th birthday party. Wow, she has grown too fast.
The baby horses were born eight days apart. We lost a peacock to the red fox.
Both girls are driving Royce’s truck around the property (to the barn and
to the Wolters).
Royce and Judy celebrate their first date, which was on June 22, 1983, in Loma
Linda, CA. We had Chinese food that first night, Royce remembers.
Our friends celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They had decided before
marriage that he would make all the big decisions and she would make all the
little ones. He relates the reason for their 50 year together is that he has
never had to make a big decision. Judy asked, “In 50 years, were there
no major decisions? The answer is, “Men are left brain and women are right
brain, and if you disagree you have no brain.”
JULY Isabel, our golden retriever, surprised us with
three “randomly bred” puppies, but so cute. Who said you
can’t get pregnant through a chain link fence?
Jillee and Josee wanted to paint the pool changing rooms in an under
water theme. So Judy taught them how to paint in the garage–you
can’t mess up a garage. From there, they faux finished the walls
in the pool rooms, in cool water colors complete with fish, light houses,
sea animals and plants. It is spectacular! This project was finished
just in time for our annual Fourth of July party. This year we celebrated
with 125 friends, complete with a full blown fireworks spectacular–the
whole valley enjoyed the display.
After painting the garage, the girls took their paint brushes and started
in on the family room. Judy decided to test Royce’s color discernment.
She has always maintained that since Royce can’t dress himself
(choose the right combinations and colors) that he is color blind. She
had four color matches for the wall. She asked, “Which is the closest
to the wall color?” Royce picked one over the others. Jillee said
they were all the same color. The colors were exactly the same, thus,
confirming that Royce is color blind. Judy said. “Its OK, I still
love you.”
Our pastor, in his sermon, asked a rhetorical question, “Who owns
your life?” Judy leaned over to Royce and said, “3ABN.”
Jillee’s first harp wedding processional and Josee’s first
harp wedding recessional occurred in a local Methodist church. The girls
were thrilled to be asked to perform. Congratulations Ken and Mehri.
Several of the goats got sick, we treated them with worming medicine;
all survived but ‘Tommy,” a six month old. The Spanish Boar
herd is 14 goats strong.
Classy, Josee’s two month old filly, decided to run into the barn
ladder (nailed to the wall) and cut open her right shoulder, requiring
19 stitches. There goes any profit.
We babysat our friend’s indoor Maltese dog-“Shadow” for
a week. She is so cute and smart.
Royce asks one of his heart patients, “How’s your breathing?” He
answers, “I don’t know, but I’m still doing it!”
AUGUST
Josee got a new open hole flute (for her 14th birthday), which, through
the process of elimination, was chosen specially for her.
Jillee received her driver’s permit and has only taken out two flower
pots; that was while driving the blue harp mobile.
We spent a wonderful weekend at Stone Mountain, GA, with friends and we
reveled in the history, beauty, and refreshing nature of God’s creation.
One of Royce’s patients came to the office complaining of having
fallen off his new ladder. He says the moral of the story is, “Don’t
take the fifth step on a four step ladder.” Overheard from one of
the patients: “Don’t think of it as getting hot flashes. Think
of it as your inner child playing with matches.” Another patient
said, “It’s hard to grow old, but I’m glad to have the
privilege.”
We lost another guinea hen to the fox family. We now have two. We started
the year with seven of these ugly faced, beautifully feathered birds. The
girls let the chickens, guineas, turkeys and peacocks out during the day
and herd them back in at night, but some of them at times are stubborn
and won’t go back into their enclosure. Sometimes we have no cooperation
from our daughters in making sure the birds are all back in and the next
morning they end up missing. The girls get up at 6:00 am each day to get
their barn duties done before worship, breakfast and then school at 8:00
am.
SEPTEMBER After a busy wedding season for Judy, on
the harp, we traveled to Orlando with Judy’s parents (Jim and Doris
Wolter) and special friends to relax and enjoy the Disney experience.
We were out at sun-up and saw all the beautiful fireworks in the evening.
It was a great vacation even though we started a day late due to the
hurricanes. A big thank you to Grandpa Wolter for helping us with fallen
trees, yard duty and fencing repair post hurricanes.
The three girls entered many photos in the North Carolina Mountain State
Fair. They each received several firsts, seconds and thirds. Josee won
best picture of the show for her age group. While Judy won Judges Choice
for adult non-professionals, selected out of over one hundred pictures.
Mondays are always the toughest school days for the girls to concentrate.
Judy told Royce after a very difficult day, “If I have another
day like tomorrow, I’ll turn in my motherhood button.” Royce
remembers hearing his mom tell his dad (four kids), “If you come
home and see a pile of bones on the front porch, I’ve eaten the
children.”
The girls are arguing about who will get what, when we are placed in
the a nursing home. They have decided that Jillee gets the house and
Josee gets the junk in the house.
Royce’s nephew (age four) had been naughty and was asked to choose
his punishment. “Christian, do you want timeout or a spanking?” His
quick reply was, “Is there a third choice?”
OCTOBER
Judy and Royce celebrated 19 years together-October 6. Royce said back
then, that he wanted to get married because he was tired of finishing his
own sentences.
Royce walked past the girls rooms and remembered when he would hear Josee
telling a story to herself (she was always an orphan). Jillee would be
singing. Now we hear the girls playing banjo and guitar as we get ready
for bed.
Royce gave the medical lectures at the Southern Union of Seventh-day Adventist
Medical and Dental Meetings in Gatlinburg, TN. Six hours of Continuing
Medical Education (CME) was definitely exhilarating. He did a great job;
these lectures can be obtained through American Cassette Ministry (www.americancassette.org).
Judy is a board member of Park Ridge Hospital, so we went to the annual
planning sessions in Hilton Head, SC. It was stimulating and also offered
relaxation. We were able to spend time with friends and enjoyed the Sabbath
out on the ocean in their spacious sailboat.
Josianne auditioned on the flute for the Buncombe/Asheville Youth Symphony.
The night before her audition she said, “If I’m dead in my
bed come morning, you’ll know I died of fright.” She was accepted.
You should have heard the screams of excitement. Jillionna is their principle
harpist and loves playing with a full orchestra. She also plays with the
Blue Ridge Civic Orchestra which is composed of very talented adults. This
year she played, “Waltz of the Flowers,” along with other tunes
for their Christmas concert.
NOVEMBER The girls played a four hands piano duet-“Simple Gifts” and
a church member said, “that sounded like 20 fingers!”
We hosted our 12th annual Thanksgiving Dinner at the church and enjoyed the largest
number of guests yet. We like to keep the family atmosphere, just like at home,
and even had the children play after dinner music.
Judy starts her busy harping season. She plays at churches, symphonies and the “Biltmore
House” (multiple times).
All the windows on Royce’s truck were iced up one morning, when Royce was
ready to leave for work. Judy’s parents were re-doing their driveway, so
their cars were in our driveway. You can guess the rest. Royce rolled over the
side of one of the extra cars. There was no damage to his truck, but major damage
to the wayward car. Royce said, “They bend so easily!” We’re
doing our part to help the local economy.
One of Royce’s patients asked the new allergy doctor for help. “What
kind of allergy are you experiencing?” asked the Doc. The patient said, “I
have an allergy to work. Can you write me a excuse note.” The same patient
came to the office with his index finger wrapped up in a large band-aid. He had
a large cut on his finger and said he was, “allergic to knives.”
“How do you treat shingles,” Royce was asked. Grandma Wolter answered
before he could, “With a hammer.”
DECEMBER We enjoyed a family tradition and this year instead of journeying
through “Walk Through Bethlehem,” we were part of the cast. Since
Royce was on-call he couldn’t be included so we kept him in suspense, not
telling him which part each one of us had. It was great watching his eyes as
he recognized each one of us in full costume. Judy was Miriam, Jillee was the
woman at the well, Josee was a shepherd girl, Grandpa Wolter was a carpenter,
and Grandma Wolter was a beggar. One of our friends was so nervous in his part,
that when asked if baby Jesus might be a girl, he answered, “The baby was
a girl.” The parts were not only a lot of fun but reminded us of the ultimate
gift that God gave each one of us and more vividly portrayed the fulfillment
from Bethlehem to Calvary.
Grandma Wolter made the “Dickens” costumes for our annual “Christmas
Picture” this year; she creates so many wonderful memories with her sewing
machine.
Grandma Wolter complained that Grandpa Wolter lost her Christmas gift. He had
hidden it away for Christmas. He says, “No, I didn’t lose it. I just
can’t find it.” He still hasn’t found it.
So it goes in the Bailey household this year. May your new year be enriched with
heavenly blessings. We love you all.
Contact us at: http://members.aol.com/harpists4u
THE BAILEY BUNCH
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