I only have a few more days I'll need to blog since all my chickens will be local again on Sunday!! Woo Hoo! Although I know it will be hard for Hannah to leave, we will be so happy to have her home again. I just hope we don't wear her out with vacations. Somehow vacations really do wear us out at times instead of rejuvenating us. However, I'm guessing that just all of us getting to spend time together will be refreshing no matter what else we do.
Tuesday seemed like kind of a lost day. I did a trip to the bank, library (got my Happy Meal coupon from the summer reading program!), and Giant Eagle. Hadn't been to GE in a very long time, but I bought lots of cereal for college girls to take to school with them, and I got extra fuel perks for it too.
I think that was the day I watched WNTW with Abby in the afternoon which was very fun. I missed Stacey and Clinton!! But then I had to make dinner so Abby could eat before she went to dance--I made Chicken Fajita Pizza which was good--pizza crust with chicken and peppers and onions all sauteed in a pan with some salsa mixed in and put on top of the crust with cheese. And seasoning on the ckn and peppers of course. I used the spices Lisa had given me from Tastefully Simple so it was a little spicy too.
I had fun Monday night at the TS party at Kari's house. We tried lots of different things which was nice, and I got to see some neighbors too. Beth said they are hiring someone at her insurance office because they had to fire the girl they just hired three days ago because she couldn't take a phone message and when she did, she threw some of them away. And when she made a label for a file, she put the first name first instead of last name first so she could file it correctly. She kind of asked if I'd be interested, but it starts at minimum wage, and I'm not sure I'm really wanting to work in an insurance office.
Wednesday, we had Carrie and Karen over for lunch. I made this sausage, egg, cheese casserole over crescent rolls. Kind of like quiche and overnight omelet, but different. We had a great time with them as always. So nice to hear about plans for BOW--lots of new families and new teachers. So happy things are moving forward!
Abby was a good friend and went to visit Alex in the hospital and took him a mango smoothie from work on the way. She almost visited Mikayla too, but she had had surgery and wasn't up for visitors. How strange to have two friends in the hospital. Praying they are doing better soon.
Wednesday evening, Jeff and I went to church with Rick and Carol to work on redecorating the "fellowship hall" which was ever so fun and satisfying! If only we had all the right things, it'd be truly spectacular, but as it is, we did the best with what we had without spending any extra money so far (except for stuff to hang the pictures). I really like working with R and C because they just jump in and do things and hang pictures, and change things and don't worry about trying new things. We still have big plans for other things, but at least for now, it looks much more inviting when you first walk in, and that is all I can say--you'll just have to see it for yourselves very soon!
Today I walked even though I didn't feel like it. My feet and ankles have been really sore--one day, maybe Tuesday, I walked three times: once alone in the morning, once with Abby and MN, and once with Jeff in the evening. It makes me a little concerned for NYC with as much walking as we do there. I hope I can keep up!
It stormed overnight--big thunder and lightning, but Abby said she slept right through it--I think she's pretty much exhausted from getting up early every morning with the dog. But at least MN didn't freak out and wake her up. She's afraid of storms too.
It's been raining off and on all afternoon with a little thunder too. I'm thankful for the rain. Don't have big plans for tonight--may have to divide our presence with each doggie so no one is afraid if it keeps storming all evening. Too bad we can't have them both in one place!
Tomorrow I get my hair done for which I am very thankful! It's definitely time.
Well, I guess that's the highlights for now. Going to rest more since I have a sore throat and headache too and my nose has been running a little. Not a good time to get sick! Too much fun to have soon!
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Monday, July 23, 2012
Life after Painting
OK, last week--painting was the main event, and it turned out to be very satisfying when it was all said and done. Lots of work, but worth it to have such lovely bedrooms for the girls! Much more peaceful and "oasis-like" than before!
Friday I caught up on all the other work that hadn't gotten done with all the painting: laundry, cleaning, etc. And since Abby was coming home in the evening, I made dinner too. They got home around 6:30pm from LT, and it seems like everyone had a wonderful time. Learned a lot of good stuff that will change their lives if they let it!
Saturday, we walked, and Abby had to start her house/dog sitting job. Let's just say that Midnight is very sad to have her owners gone, but seems to be adjusting to having Auntie Abby take care of her. We went to Kohl's to use my 30% off coupon, and Abby found a very cute comforter set for college, plus a mattress pad, and we got everyone new pillows too!
Then home so Abby could get ready for work at 4pm, and Jeff and I went back to Walmart so we could return the wrong roller covers I bought and get frames for the senior pictures--FINALLY--now that everyone's graduated! And we went to Marc's and the VDO. Jeff got some clothes and I found some lovely white, flowy curtains for Hannah's room--white looks so good with her walls!! Oasis!
We got Chipotle for dinner, ate, and went to "Abby's" to watch TV and keep MN happy. She barks a lot when she's alone.
Sunday, church, music, lunch at A's, watched GG, A had ice cream with Alex from work who is starting chemo today--pray for him...dinner, framed pictures, watched GG with A, bed.
Today it's been hot and humid again. Abby and I went to Target for her bagels and ended up spending all of her gift cards for college stuff plus some cute clothes too. Then Shaffer's and lunch and she went off to work at 3pm.
I'm going to a Tastefully Simple party at a neighbor's (mainly just to see the neighbors) tonight while Jeff golfs, but I need to go and let MN out again before I go.
Great news today! Kaite got the Starbucks job and so did Andrew!! Woo Hoo!! So happy for them!! And Kaite got a tutoring job too that sounds very interesting: reading Romeo and Juliet with a German 8th grader before school starts. God is good!!
OK--off to make some egg salad for dinner before the party. I eat weird things when I'm home alone. It's stuff I like that no one else really eats, but I can make in small amounts!!
So looking forward to having Hannah home next week!! We are counting down the days!
Friday I caught up on all the other work that hadn't gotten done with all the painting: laundry, cleaning, etc. And since Abby was coming home in the evening, I made dinner too. They got home around 6:30pm from LT, and it seems like everyone had a wonderful time. Learned a lot of good stuff that will change their lives if they let it!
Saturday, we walked, and Abby had to start her house/dog sitting job. Let's just say that Midnight is very sad to have her owners gone, but seems to be adjusting to having Auntie Abby take care of her. We went to Kohl's to use my 30% off coupon, and Abby found a very cute comforter set for college, plus a mattress pad, and we got everyone new pillows too!
Then home so Abby could get ready for work at 4pm, and Jeff and I went back to Walmart so we could return the wrong roller covers I bought and get frames for the senior pictures--FINALLY--now that everyone's graduated! And we went to Marc's and the VDO. Jeff got some clothes and I found some lovely white, flowy curtains for Hannah's room--white looks so good with her walls!! Oasis!
We got Chipotle for dinner, ate, and went to "Abby's" to watch TV and keep MN happy. She barks a lot when she's alone.
Sunday, church, music, lunch at A's, watched GG, A had ice cream with Alex from work who is starting chemo today--pray for him...dinner, framed pictures, watched GG with A, bed.
Today it's been hot and humid again. Abby and I went to Target for her bagels and ended up spending all of her gift cards for college stuff plus some cute clothes too. Then Shaffer's and lunch and she went off to work at 3pm.
I'm going to a Tastefully Simple party at a neighbor's (mainly just to see the neighbors) tonight while Jeff golfs, but I need to go and let MN out again before I go.
Great news today! Kaite got the Starbucks job and so did Andrew!! Woo Hoo!! So happy for them!! And Kaite got a tutoring job too that sounds very interesting: reading Romeo and Juliet with a German 8th grader before school starts. God is good!!
OK--off to make some egg salad for dinner before the party. I eat weird things when I'm home alone. It's stuff I like that no one else really eats, but I can make in small amounts!!
So looking forward to having Hannah home next week!! We are counting down the days!
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
An Overdue Update
What a neglectful updater I've been--but skyping kind of takes care of the updates at least for a while.
So, we skyped with Hannah on Friday night after a crazy-busy week of painting Abby's room (Monday and part of Tuesday), meeting Abby's roommate (Wednesday), coloring Abby's hair with Carrie's help (Thursday), and finishing Abby's camera bag in time for LT (also Thursday). Friday I walked alone then with Veena for about an hour, then cleaned, we went to Wal-Mart to get some stuff for LT, made quiche for dinner.
The Hares came to our house around 9:30 to spend the night before leaving at 6am for LT. We didn't really get to bed until 11pm at least, and we were up at 5am--good thing too because Chuck and Kayla were here at 5:45am! Everyone got their stuff loaded and off they went with little Rosie driving our big van! I prayed a lot for her because I knew she was nervous about that!
Jeff and I went back to sleep--I thought I'd never fall asleep, but I was wrong. We went for a walk in the late morning which was kind of weird because it wasn't too hot--it was cloudy which made a huge difference.
We were going to talk about budget stuff, but started talking about church stuff instead which took most of the day. We're working on a 5 year plan.
I went to Shaffer's just as Abby called a little after 5pm to say they were there! Then Kaite came over after babysitting for the Eatons, and we ate dinner, walked, she did laundry and off she went again!
Sunday was busy--church, then lunch with Erin, then Aldi for fruit for small group, then cutting up the fruit, making scotcheroos, and to the Eatons for a cookout. It was really fun, and even with all the kids running around, we got to talk. Sad thing though--Zakk turned on the treadmill, slipped or something, and got some bad scrapes from the belt--especially on his leg and arm. Poor guy! I'm sure they will now understand why they've been told to stay off of it!
Monday I had a lovely day with the Lord, reading, journaling, walking and praying. It was nice to have a whole day to just have a long quiet time. I was going to go to Angie's again since the guys were going to go out for the evening (minus Jeff who was golfing), but then Jeff didn't golf, Jason didn't go because Emily had an ear infection and Angie was at the doctor with her too late. So, I returned Abby's library books, picked up a book from Linda and chatted with her which was very nice, and went home. Started reading Soul Healing again. Good stuff.
Today I felt like I was forcing myself to do everything. Maybe I'm just lazy, but I didn't feel like starting the painting process again by myself. I did clean out Hannah's room, and I started to tape, then Jeff and I got the furniture out tonight so I can start painting tomorrow. I hope the yellow covers without too many coats!!
I also went to get paint, went to the bank, and went to WalMart. Now that the remodeling is mostly done, it's much better...but it's still WalMart!
I made fish with tomatoes, peppers, and onions on top with rice and green beans for dinner. Tasted pretty good.
I also talked to someone about the new school program at UV. She asked if I could volunteer on Friday afternoons to help out with the jr. high and high school students. I'm not sure if I will or not. So hard to make a decision when I don't know what I'm doing or should be doing or will be doing...so I'll keep praying about it and try to be patient.
That about sums it up for now!
So, we skyped with Hannah on Friday night after a crazy-busy week of painting Abby's room (Monday and part of Tuesday), meeting Abby's roommate (Wednesday), coloring Abby's hair with Carrie's help (Thursday), and finishing Abby's camera bag in time for LT (also Thursday). Friday I walked alone then with Veena for about an hour, then cleaned, we went to Wal-Mart to get some stuff for LT, made quiche for dinner.
The Hares came to our house around 9:30 to spend the night before leaving at 6am for LT. We didn't really get to bed until 11pm at least, and we were up at 5am--good thing too because Chuck and Kayla were here at 5:45am! Everyone got their stuff loaded and off they went with little Rosie driving our big van! I prayed a lot for her because I knew she was nervous about that!
Jeff and I went back to sleep--I thought I'd never fall asleep, but I was wrong. We went for a walk in the late morning which was kind of weird because it wasn't too hot--it was cloudy which made a huge difference.
We were going to talk about budget stuff, but started talking about church stuff instead which took most of the day. We're working on a 5 year plan.
I went to Shaffer's just as Abby called a little after 5pm to say they were there! Then Kaite came over after babysitting for the Eatons, and we ate dinner, walked, she did laundry and off she went again!
Sunday was busy--church, then lunch with Erin, then Aldi for fruit for small group, then cutting up the fruit, making scotcheroos, and to the Eatons for a cookout. It was really fun, and even with all the kids running around, we got to talk. Sad thing though--Zakk turned on the treadmill, slipped or something, and got some bad scrapes from the belt--especially on his leg and arm. Poor guy! I'm sure they will now understand why they've been told to stay off of it!
Monday I had a lovely day with the Lord, reading, journaling, walking and praying. It was nice to have a whole day to just have a long quiet time. I was going to go to Angie's again since the guys were going to go out for the evening (minus Jeff who was golfing), but then Jeff didn't golf, Jason didn't go because Emily had an ear infection and Angie was at the doctor with her too late. So, I returned Abby's library books, picked up a book from Linda and chatted with her which was very nice, and went home. Started reading Soul Healing again. Good stuff.
Today I felt like I was forcing myself to do everything. Maybe I'm just lazy, but I didn't feel like starting the painting process again by myself. I did clean out Hannah's room, and I started to tape, then Jeff and I got the furniture out tonight so I can start painting tomorrow. I hope the yellow covers without too many coats!!
I also went to get paint, went to the bank, and went to WalMart. Now that the remodeling is mostly done, it's much better...but it's still WalMart!
I made fish with tomatoes, peppers, and onions on top with rice and green beans for dinner. Tasted pretty good.
I also talked to someone about the new school program at UV. She asked if I could volunteer on Friday afternoons to help out with the jr. high and high school students. I'm not sure if I will or not. So hard to make a decision when I don't know what I'm doing or should be doing or will be doing...so I'll keep praying about it and try to be patient.
That about sums it up for now!
Sunday, July 08, 2012
The Weekend
The big news of Friday night was Abby finding out her room assignment and roommate situation, but since y'all know all about that, I'll go on! But it was fun!
Saturday we walked early because it was SOOOOOOOOOOO hot! Abby had to be up early for work. Meme and Pops came around 10:30am. We chatted, and I made brownies for the h2o party. I really think that Aldi brownies made in disposable foil pans baked for 22 minutes at 350 degrees turn out the best!! Especially with chocolate chips in them too.
They left around 12:45pm to go to Paul's to see Lynne's garden and visit. They pulled in just as we were pulling out for Kent later in the afternoon. I felt bad leaving, and I thought maybe I should just stay home, but since it was so late in the game, I just went. I'm glad I did too. It was fun!
I hope Hannah had fun seeing her buddies at the party. I know everyone enjoyed getting to chat with Hannah, Sarah, and Elsa. Not quite like being there, but at least better than nothing!
It was fun to see those beautiful little kids up close: Henri with his blue eyes and LONG eyelashes, Phoebe with her amazingly thick and shiny blond hair!! And of course all the others were adorable too--Carter was playing Wii with Jeff just like the old days when we used to babysit (it was cute how excited he was to play again--Carter, I mean--OK, Jeff too!), when he very diplomatically said to Jeff, "How about you put the controller down and let me finish?" Hahahaha! So cute!
We got home around 7:30ish and chatted more with Meme, watched a GG, went to bed. Oh, but before watching GG, I noticed that the freezer was more frosty than usual which prompted me to look behind the refrigerator to see if it was wet. It was--don't know if I mentioned that Jeff had seen a couple of ceiling tiles in the basement with water stains on them right below where the frig is a while back? It had warped the floor a little, but wasn't wet when we found it. Well, now it was. So he figured out it might be from the water line to the ice machine. So we stopped the ice maker overnight, and it was OK. This afternoon, he found the leak in the hose and is attempting to fix it with "Super Super Glue" before having to replace the whole hose. Hopefully, that will work. I sure hope none of the other appliances notice all the attention the washer and frig are getting and want attention too. I'm getting kind of tired of this!! After all, the van and Saturn have been competing for the car attention lately. If it's not the kids, it's the appliances and cars!! :)
Today Kaite helped with music and also helped Abby and I with Jr. Church. It went OK even with ages ranging from Derek at 3 to 6th graders. One funny thing was when I asked the kids if they remembered when they accepted Christ since the lesson was about salvation. Leah was saying she had been 7 and watching the Left Behind movie. Derek pipes up, "I like to watch wrestling!!" I said, "Well, I don't think many people accept Christ watching wrestling, but it could happen!" And any time I explained about the gospel or even after I prayed about it or Kaite told her testimony, Derek would say, "That doesn't make any sense!" Someday, my friend, someday! :)
We came home and ate, watched a GG, and Abby went to work. She took a 3-close shift for someone today. Meme and Pops left from their reunion, so we just said good bye to them when we left for church. Soon we will walk when it's under 80. It's almost 20 degrees cooler today than yesterday and the high was still over 80!! The heat index yesterday was 107 and the actual temp hit 100 I believe. It's supposed to be in the 80's this week with lower humidity! Yay!
Planning to move furniture and tape tomorrow in Abby's room and then start painting tomorrow or Tuesday depending on time. Looking forward to having one room done at least!! Then Hannah's room is up next!! I'm sure Abby will have many pictures of the process!!
And that's what's up here!!
Saturday we walked early because it was SOOOOOOOOOOO hot! Abby had to be up early for work. Meme and Pops came around 10:30am. We chatted, and I made brownies for the h2o party. I really think that Aldi brownies made in disposable foil pans baked for 22 minutes at 350 degrees turn out the best!! Especially with chocolate chips in them too.
They left around 12:45pm to go to Paul's to see Lynne's garden and visit. They pulled in just as we were pulling out for Kent later in the afternoon. I felt bad leaving, and I thought maybe I should just stay home, but since it was so late in the game, I just went. I'm glad I did too. It was fun!
I hope Hannah had fun seeing her buddies at the party. I know everyone enjoyed getting to chat with Hannah, Sarah, and Elsa. Not quite like being there, but at least better than nothing!
It was fun to see those beautiful little kids up close: Henri with his blue eyes and LONG eyelashes, Phoebe with her amazingly thick and shiny blond hair!! And of course all the others were adorable too--Carter was playing Wii with Jeff just like the old days when we used to babysit (it was cute how excited he was to play again--Carter, I mean--OK, Jeff too!), when he very diplomatically said to Jeff, "How about you put the controller down and let me finish?" Hahahaha! So cute!
We got home around 7:30ish and chatted more with Meme, watched a GG, went to bed. Oh, but before watching GG, I noticed that the freezer was more frosty than usual which prompted me to look behind the refrigerator to see if it was wet. It was--don't know if I mentioned that Jeff had seen a couple of ceiling tiles in the basement with water stains on them right below where the frig is a while back? It had warped the floor a little, but wasn't wet when we found it. Well, now it was. So he figured out it might be from the water line to the ice machine. So we stopped the ice maker overnight, and it was OK. This afternoon, he found the leak in the hose and is attempting to fix it with "Super Super Glue" before having to replace the whole hose. Hopefully, that will work. I sure hope none of the other appliances notice all the attention the washer and frig are getting and want attention too. I'm getting kind of tired of this!! After all, the van and Saturn have been competing for the car attention lately. If it's not the kids, it's the appliances and cars!! :)
Today Kaite helped with music and also helped Abby and I with Jr. Church. It went OK even with ages ranging from Derek at 3 to 6th graders. One funny thing was when I asked the kids if they remembered when they accepted Christ since the lesson was about salvation. Leah was saying she had been 7 and watching the Left Behind movie. Derek pipes up, "I like to watch wrestling!!" I said, "Well, I don't think many people accept Christ watching wrestling, but it could happen!" And any time I explained about the gospel or even after I prayed about it or Kaite told her testimony, Derek would say, "That doesn't make any sense!" Someday, my friend, someday! :)
We came home and ate, watched a GG, and Abby went to work. She took a 3-close shift for someone today. Meme and Pops left from their reunion, so we just said good bye to them when we left for church. Soon we will walk when it's under 80. It's almost 20 degrees cooler today than yesterday and the high was still over 80!! The heat index yesterday was 107 and the actual temp hit 100 I believe. It's supposed to be in the 80's this week with lower humidity! Yay!
Planning to move furniture and tape tomorrow in Abby's room and then start painting tomorrow or Tuesday depending on time. Looking forward to having one room done at least!! Then Hannah's room is up next!! I'm sure Abby will have many pictures of the process!!
And that's what's up here!!
Friday, July 06, 2012
Karen girls and Psalm 139
Today I got up early to walk since it's supposed to be close to 100 degrees. Our thermometer said that earlier this afternoon. It was still so humid that I was drenched in sweat at 8am. Yuck!
I got myself ready and went to pick up the Karen girls around 10am. EDD, EDP, ET, BB, and Bobbi, which is what Ba Bler goes by these days, came with me today. Abby had a bread bash at 10:30 but thankfully, was home after just a few minutes--at least by 11am. So she took them all to the pool until around 12:30. It was super hot, but they still had a lot of fun. No way I could sit by the pool with them though, so Abby got that job. Bobbi is 15, EDD is 14 and the others are 12/13. So there really aren't any "little" kids anymore to be worried about.
While they were down there, I made "soup and rice" which seemed quite ridiculous--to be making chili when it's 100 degrees outside, but they ate it up! I had gotten out some of the bags of clothes that Abby had gotten rid of, and they looked through them and took out what they wanted. EDP was walking around in Abby's old blue robe and slippers for most of the afternoon!
We made more of the same kind of craft that they did for Valentine's Day with the tissue paper glued onto poster board. But instead of using hearts, EDD made a star, and Bobbi made a flower. ET still made a heart though. We barely finished those before it was time to take them to UV for Kids' Club. They are all helpers now. Hard to believe! It was also Patriotic Day, so they were all supposed to wear red, white, and blue. They all managed to find things either with what they brought from home, or from Abby's stuff. And at the very last minute, they tied R,W, B ribbons in their hair too--almost made us late!!
I came home and cleaned up all the mess from the craft, the crumbs and cups from lunch, and the clothes/wet towels from swimming. The three younger ones didn't get the memo about drying off before coming inside so they were dripping everywhere! Plus grass from walking barefoot on the way home...I think I got it all cleaned up!
Had a quiet time and Jeff should be home soon.
I read Psalm 139 yesterday and today. Just taking a section of a time and finding it very encouraging to think about how God knows me so well. Verses 1-6 yesterday--God has searched me and known me. He understands my thoughts. He has His hands behind me--to catch me, to nudge me forward, to let me lean on. Before me--to lead me forward. And He's laid His hand on top of my life to bless it. What a comforting picture! Especially as I'm thinking and praying about my future which is so unknown to me--God knows me, so that even if I can't figure out what in the world I'd want to do with my life next, He knows just what is best for me. Weird, yet extremely comforting, to think that someone knows me better than I do!
Today I focused on verses 7-12. No matter where I go, God is there. He's in every place and in every time. So when I go forward into the unknown, God is there. Even there His hand will lead me, and He won't let go of me. (We sang this song at the Pastor's Conference that I've thought of often--Oh no, You never let go, You never let go of me) And even when I feel overwhelmed at the darkness--not being able to see ahead into what the future holds for me--the darkness isn't dark to God. Darkness? Light? Doesn't matter to God. It's ALL light to Him--clear as day--no shadowy corners He can't see. So I can walk forward knowing that He sees it all clearly, and when it's the best, most loving time for me to see too, He'll show me.
Now if I can only be patient and wait and keep walking, doing the things He shows me each day...
I got myself ready and went to pick up the Karen girls around 10am. EDD, EDP, ET, BB, and Bobbi, which is what Ba Bler goes by these days, came with me today. Abby had a bread bash at 10:30 but thankfully, was home after just a few minutes--at least by 11am. So she took them all to the pool until around 12:30. It was super hot, but they still had a lot of fun. No way I could sit by the pool with them though, so Abby got that job. Bobbi is 15, EDD is 14 and the others are 12/13. So there really aren't any "little" kids anymore to be worried about.
While they were down there, I made "soup and rice" which seemed quite ridiculous--to be making chili when it's 100 degrees outside, but they ate it up! I had gotten out some of the bags of clothes that Abby had gotten rid of, and they looked through them and took out what they wanted. EDP was walking around in Abby's old blue robe and slippers for most of the afternoon!
We made more of the same kind of craft that they did for Valentine's Day with the tissue paper glued onto poster board. But instead of using hearts, EDD made a star, and Bobbi made a flower. ET still made a heart though. We barely finished those before it was time to take them to UV for Kids' Club. They are all helpers now. Hard to believe! It was also Patriotic Day, so they were all supposed to wear red, white, and blue. They all managed to find things either with what they brought from home, or from Abby's stuff. And at the very last minute, they tied R,W, B ribbons in their hair too--almost made us late!!
I came home and cleaned up all the mess from the craft, the crumbs and cups from lunch, and the clothes/wet towels from swimming. The three younger ones didn't get the memo about drying off before coming inside so they were dripping everywhere! Plus grass from walking barefoot on the way home...I think I got it all cleaned up!
Had a quiet time and Jeff should be home soon.
I read Psalm 139 yesterday and today. Just taking a section of a time and finding it very encouraging to think about how God knows me so well. Verses 1-6 yesterday--God has searched me and known me. He understands my thoughts. He has His hands behind me--to catch me, to nudge me forward, to let me lean on. Before me--to lead me forward. And He's laid His hand on top of my life to bless it. What a comforting picture! Especially as I'm thinking and praying about my future which is so unknown to me--God knows me, so that even if I can't figure out what in the world I'd want to do with my life next, He knows just what is best for me. Weird, yet extremely comforting, to think that someone knows me better than I do!
Today I focused on verses 7-12. No matter where I go, God is there. He's in every place and in every time. So when I go forward into the unknown, God is there. Even there His hand will lead me, and He won't let go of me. (We sang this song at the Pastor's Conference that I've thought of often--Oh no, You never let go, You never let go of me) And even when I feel overwhelmed at the darkness--not being able to see ahead into what the future holds for me--the darkness isn't dark to God. Darkness? Light? Doesn't matter to God. It's ALL light to Him--clear as day--no shadowy corners He can't see. So I can walk forward knowing that He sees it all clearly, and when it's the best, most loving time for me to see too, He'll show me.
Now if I can only be patient and wait and keep walking, doing the things He shows me each day...
Thursday, July 05, 2012
Fourth of July
How do the days keep going by so fast? Let's see...Tuesday, we planned to go shopping for paint for Abby's room, then it looked like it was going to storm, so to spare the little dog from being scared, we waited and watched GG. Finally, we went, and THEN it stormed!!
But we got Abby's grey paint at Home Depot, went back home, ate lunch, then to Target and found some cool geometric off-white/yellow comforters for the bunk beds which we hope will look good with the grey. And they were only $20 each--comforters can be expensive!!
Then to Aldi for groceries. I made dinner, we ate, and Abby took off for the first of the July dance classes she's taking: ballet and tap. Which she liked very much.
Wednesday was the Fourth of July. We walked in the morning, but I had a hard time breathing because it was hot, humid, and there was little wind. Kaite came home for the day. We ate lunch--grilled turkey burgers, potatoes, green beans, pineapple, strawberries/blueberries, watermelon. Then we watched a GG before Abby had to go to work at 4pm. She was home by 8pm, and in the meantime, Katie, Jeff, and I played Boggle and Pounce. We decided that all games go slower without Hannah here. She speeds everything up because she's so fast, and without her, we just kind of chug along!
We watched Pride and Prejudice with the commentary on--and Kaite agreed to spend the night since it was late, and I was a little concerned about her driving home with all the people who had been drinking and watching fireworks all day/evening.
She left this morning, Abby and I cleaned, I did laundry. We got food ready for the Varugheses' visit tonight with was very fun. They were visiting family for the 4th, and we were so happy that they made time to see us too. Like Abby said, we can just pick up where we left off with them, and there's no "warming up" needed!! Such awesome people. Wish we could see them more.
Finished off the evening with a GG, and now I must head to bed because the Karen girls are coming over tomorrow to go swimming for a while. Picking them up at 10am, which means I have to get up and get going.
I'm sure there will be more stories about that tomorrow night!!
But we got Abby's grey paint at Home Depot, went back home, ate lunch, then to Target and found some cool geometric off-white/yellow comforters for the bunk beds which we hope will look good with the grey. And they were only $20 each--comforters can be expensive!!
Then to Aldi for groceries. I made dinner, we ate, and Abby took off for the first of the July dance classes she's taking: ballet and tap. Which she liked very much.
Wednesday was the Fourth of July. We walked in the morning, but I had a hard time breathing because it was hot, humid, and there was little wind. Kaite came home for the day. We ate lunch--grilled turkey burgers, potatoes, green beans, pineapple, strawberries/blueberries, watermelon. Then we watched a GG before Abby had to go to work at 4pm. She was home by 8pm, and in the meantime, Katie, Jeff, and I played Boggle and Pounce. We decided that all games go slower without Hannah here. She speeds everything up because she's so fast, and without her, we just kind of chug along!
We watched Pride and Prejudice with the commentary on--and Kaite agreed to spend the night since it was late, and I was a little concerned about her driving home with all the people who had been drinking and watching fireworks all day/evening.
She left this morning, Abby and I cleaned, I did laundry. We got food ready for the Varugheses' visit tonight with was very fun. They were visiting family for the 4th, and we were so happy that they made time to see us too. Like Abby said, we can just pick up where we left off with them, and there's no "warming up" needed!! Such awesome people. Wish we could see them more.
Finished off the evening with a GG, and now I must head to bed because the Karen girls are coming over tomorrow to go swimming for a while. Picking them up at 10am, which means I have to get up and get going.
I'm sure there will be more stories about that tomorrow night!!
Monday, July 02, 2012
A Very Weird Day
Kind of a weird day with a weird start and it never really did feel "normal" either.
Woke up when Jeff got up for work, fell back to sleep, woke up to phone ringing at 8:18am. It was Jeff. Apparently his "felixness" wore off 24 hours too early. He has an appointment to have the Saturn fixed of its "clunking" on Tuesday morning, but Monday morning on the way to return a tool that he used to fix the washer (very successfully on Saturday), it clunked its last and stopped. So he called a tow truck, and I went and picked him up. Thankfully, he was fine, not on the expressway because it had been stopped going north when he left, so he took Arlington and was on a fairly non-busy street, and the tow truck came soon after I got there to get him.
We still went to return the tool, came home, I ate breakfast, went for a walk, then got bank stuff ready and went to the bank, library, and GE. However, just before I left I was checking the hose in the garage which is apparently leaking somehow even though the water's turned off?, and I heard scurrying and scuffling under the workbench! EEK! Don't know what it is/was, but I was afraid to find out. So I left, and I'll make Jeff go check it out tonight. I'd have to be a whole lot braver if I didn't have him! Not to mention that he mentioned right as I was falling asleep last night, that apparently there was something leaking behind the refrigerator that went down to the basement ceiling and stained a tile or two. Why tell me right before bed? And why another thing that is broken or leaking or clunking or making weird noises? Cause the van made a really weird noise too as I was driving it for errands. Jeff had the Honda, so I was hoping it wouldn't die too, since Abby had no car to come and rescue me. I made it home, but yet another noise for Jeff to check out. Hope he's having a great night golfing because I have quite a list for him when he gets home!
But I have been reminding myself that I am SO thankful that we have electricity (some people just got power back after storms on Friday night!), that we have running water (that we can DRINK right from the faucet), that we have AC and fans to keep us cool in this very hot weather, that we have the money needed to fix the things that are broken, that our family is healthy and doing well even if we're spread out far apart right now. We have little annoyances compared to many much bigger trials others are dealing with.
Soon after I got home from my walk, Kayla came to spend the day with Abby. She got her braces on where Hannah did--and they are having a postcard contest this summer. Hannah should send one cause there's a prize for the one from farthest away!! She was here until Abby had to go to work, and they were making packing lists for LT, etc. Nice they got to hang out since Kayla will be moving/is moved.
I had a QT and read after Abby left. Talked to Meme on the phone, and they are coming over Saturday-Monday because she has a reunion with some cousins on Sunday. Read more, ate some dinner, now Jeff is home, and I get to be the bearer of news in various forms!
So, yeah, just a weird day where I never felt like I accomplished much of anything but I don't really have an excuse like last Monday when my mouth was numb from the dentist!
Oh, found out Abe and Theresa are coming to Ohio this week, so we'll hopefully get to see them on Thursday. And we should really try to have the Karen girls over too because Summer SOS starts next week. And Jeff is off work on Wed. for the 4th, so I'm not sure we'll be able to paint this week. Too many things going on, but we have to do it next week for sure!! Now that Abby's room looks so awesomely cleaned up!!!
Off to chat with Jeff and hear about golf!
Woke up when Jeff got up for work, fell back to sleep, woke up to phone ringing at 8:18am. It was Jeff. Apparently his "felixness" wore off 24 hours too early. He has an appointment to have the Saturn fixed of its "clunking" on Tuesday morning, but Monday morning on the way to return a tool that he used to fix the washer (very successfully on Saturday), it clunked its last and stopped. So he called a tow truck, and I went and picked him up. Thankfully, he was fine, not on the expressway because it had been stopped going north when he left, so he took Arlington and was on a fairly non-busy street, and the tow truck came soon after I got there to get him.
We still went to return the tool, came home, I ate breakfast, went for a walk, then got bank stuff ready and went to the bank, library, and GE. However, just before I left I was checking the hose in the garage which is apparently leaking somehow even though the water's turned off?, and I heard scurrying and scuffling under the workbench! EEK! Don't know what it is/was, but I was afraid to find out. So I left, and I'll make Jeff go check it out tonight. I'd have to be a whole lot braver if I didn't have him! Not to mention that he mentioned right as I was falling asleep last night, that apparently there was something leaking behind the refrigerator that went down to the basement ceiling and stained a tile or two. Why tell me right before bed? And why another thing that is broken or leaking or clunking or making weird noises? Cause the van made a really weird noise too as I was driving it for errands. Jeff had the Honda, so I was hoping it wouldn't die too, since Abby had no car to come and rescue me. I made it home, but yet another noise for Jeff to check out. Hope he's having a great night golfing because I have quite a list for him when he gets home!
But I have been reminding myself that I am SO thankful that we have electricity (some people just got power back after storms on Friday night!), that we have running water (that we can DRINK right from the faucet), that we have AC and fans to keep us cool in this very hot weather, that we have the money needed to fix the things that are broken, that our family is healthy and doing well even if we're spread out far apart right now. We have little annoyances compared to many much bigger trials others are dealing with.
Soon after I got home from my walk, Kayla came to spend the day with Abby. She got her braces on where Hannah did--and they are having a postcard contest this summer. Hannah should send one cause there's a prize for the one from farthest away!! She was here until Abby had to go to work, and they were making packing lists for LT, etc. Nice they got to hang out since Kayla will be moving/is moved.
I had a QT and read after Abby left. Talked to Meme on the phone, and they are coming over Saturday-Monday because she has a reunion with some cousins on Sunday. Read more, ate some dinner, now Jeff is home, and I get to be the bearer of news in various forms!
So, yeah, just a weird day where I never felt like I accomplished much of anything but I don't really have an excuse like last Monday when my mouth was numb from the dentist!
Oh, found out Abe and Theresa are coming to Ohio this week, so we'll hopefully get to see them on Thursday. And we should really try to have the Karen girls over too because Summer SOS starts next week. And Jeff is off work on Wed. for the 4th, so I'm not sure we'll be able to paint this week. Too many things going on, but we have to do it next week for sure!! Now that Abby's room looks so awesomely cleaned up!!!
Off to chat with Jeff and hear about golf!
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