Taking the Long Route

O.K., finally we got away.  The last couple of days of last week were chock full of activity and stress.  M wanted to see another retirement/skilled care facility, which we did.  She's about reached her limit and agreed to have her husband evaluated today.  Haven't talked with her yet.  They had a tough weekend with R sleeping almost steadily from Fri. afternoon to Sun noon.  He'd only had spoons of water, really not enough to keep him hydrated, and no food until Sun when he was actually roused by friends who brought dinner.  Nothing against M, however, she tried.  I wonder if he just needs more stimulation.  More on that story later.
I have basically nothing to show creative-wise for the last week.  I did spend 6 hours Sat. rolling fabric for rolled roses headbands.  I've sold 10 of 13 I took to Re and Relics Mar. 21.  Not bad.  I'm now 60% on typing my VBS session material.  I also listened to my VBS DVD and did the motions.  I also packed for this week.  We're spending a few precious days with some of our grandchildren.  We have some roof work to do from damage done during the last big wind storm there.
Sunday was good and the communion service was different but enjoyable.  I'd like to do it that way again--deacons serving from different tables across the front of the sanctuary.
Now, to explain the title:  When driving the grands back for naps after being with their other grandma while Mom and Dad helped B fix the roof, I missed my turn which would have been only another 15 home.  Yep, I went 20 mi. out of the way thinking that my turn was coming up any time.  That, of course, cost me about 45 min. more time tagged to the trip.  We were 45 min. late getting into bed for naps once I had finally backtracked and found the right route.  Ugh. I hate being wrong and more than that, I hate confessing that I was wrong.  Well, they're sleeping now and will probably sleep late which will upset their mother, who is a stickler for schedules.  Now to figure what to make for supper.  Maybe I can redeem myself  with a good one.

Just Another Day

It rained yesterday and I decided it wasn't a good day to call D for lunch.  I need to call and check on her but she never answered her phone--only has cell, no land line--maybe today but it's supposed to rain all day too.  M is supposed to call me about seeing another nursing facility so maybe I'll need to go with her today instead.
Wed. was a good day but I'm having to think hard about what I did--basically nothing of eternal value.  I spent a hour washing lettuce and spinach from our garden that Bill the Farmer brought in.  He loves that garden and so do I.  We had a great salad from it--I added to the greens: strawberries, apples, toasted cashews I still have from the Africa trip, cheese and turkey bacon.  It was great if I do say so myself.  Bill loves my "fruited salads."  As I'm thinking, I remember what else I did yesterday: cleaning and reorganized my closet and drawers, did more work on a lingering journal started moons ago, typed a session for VBS, listed another thing on Etsy, took photos of more items for Etsy then went to church.  I ate supper (and am so glad that I don't have to fix it every week but can go to church to eat on Weds), had practice with Jeff for 8:00 services for June and then practice for choir for the 10:45 services.  I'm always tired after that mental workout--too bad that doesn't burn calories like physical exercise.  It's just as exhausting.  Bill and I watched the finale of American Idol--down to two children, both great singers and we didn't care who won. Bed was welcomed.
Valuable: practices for services.

Full Days

The last few days have been very full.  I've wanted to feel like I'm not wasting my life so I'm determined to be productive.  Sunday, of course, is always full.  I started the day baking bread started two days before but the oven got turned off accidentally (thank you, Bill for helping) so I had to restart it and rebake the bread.  Fortunately I had started it very early--meaning 5:20.  I was only 10 minutes late leaving for early morning rehearsal at church.  Bill opened most of the doors inside and turned on most of the lights as well (usually my job while he parks the car, gets out the music and sets up the drum set).  I was exactly on time for rehearsal after having made coffee for us for after rehearsal.  I had a very bad one though.  It didn't seem like Bill and I were on the same page, so to speak, at all.  He made mistakes and I did too--all in all, not a very good time.  I was having trouble listening to the sermon so it was good that I heard it twice.  At home we had a quick leftover lunch and both of us hit the hay immediately afterward.  We had to go to a graduation party for our Minister of Youth's daughter, I had to go from there to a VBS meeting and then we had evening service where Bill lead music and I played the piano (I had to practice the offertory between VBS and service.)  We didn't watch very much tv that evening--too tired.

Yesterday I cleaned the house after getting up about 6:00.  We had small group at our house that evening.  At 11:00 I was to take my friend, M, to see a retirement home for her husband.  It's one of 4 she's viewed in the past couple of weeks.  It's very difficult for her since she really thought she was going to be able to care for him herself.  She's had in-home care 5 days a week during the day that has helped her get away occasionally (one S or two?)  but she has trouble moving him and he is becoming more and more unmoveable.  She's almost to the desperate stage now.  She loved the place, very beautiful and very organized and clean.  The more extensive care section was the cleanest one I've ever seen, however, it is not a skilled care facility.  I'm afraid after they assess his health status she may be surprised to learn that he does not even qualify for that facility.  She was to talk to her son about what to do and I was to get back to her today and didn't.  I'll call tomorrow morning.  Small group was great even though I didn't get home until 4:45 and it was at 6:30 and I still had some cleaning to do.  Bill helped though and we got it done.  The group had its best discussion ever.

Today was basically a Find Birthday Presents for Caleb Day.  I had to search for a couple of items he requested and found only one in town.  The other I had to order online.  I had a couple of others and just had to fill the rest of the package with candy--as I always do for 7 kids.  I got it done and mailed.  I've kept the house cleaned and picked up today.  I love it clean but hate doing it.  I put some Etsy stuff on tonight, typed my second of ten VBS sessions and cruised through flickr while Bill mowed the lawn.  We had leftovers again--good, though--ribs from SmoKing.  Yum.  Compliments of M who took us both out to lunch yesterday.  We watched a little tv and then Bill was in bed early and I'm doing this.   Yes, I lead a quiet life.  I like it that way.  It makes me nervous thinking about how I have to lead 200 kids and workers in VBS for two sessions a day.  I actually have to put on my "actor" mode--a totally different person than I am.  I make it work with God's help.  Thinking that one person may be saved in VBS is worth the effort--I keep telling myself.

Just Saturday

I was up a little ish after 5 this morning but we'd gone to bed at 9:25; I checked.  I was rested but had been awakened by Bill's laptop announcement, "Virus Database Has Been Updated!"--a lovely arousal, I must say.  I went to dailybible.com to view the graphic Bible verses of the past month (while drinking my usual Breakfast Blend.)  I love the connection some of the photos have with the scriptures.  I'm caught up now until a few days have gone by and then I'll remember to check them again.  I paid bills, got an Etsy order ready to send, walked with Bill, ate breakfast and then got ready for the day.  I went to the P.O. to drop off the bills and Etsy and stopped at a yard sale on the way home--my kind o morning.  Reverie was broken when our neighbor girl came by and we went to Adopt-A-Block on the South Side.  I had previously seen a few droplets and was hoping we would have enough to cancel--not so.  We went and it was ok.  Though my heart wasn't in it, it was a good thing for our little friend, a new Christian, to learn to live like Jesus (however, Jesus would have relished this; why didn't I?)  Home.  Bill mowing; I slept.  I know how to exercise.  A deep tiredness invaded my body and I couldn't help it.  We ate salmon salad for a quick lunch and Bill was back at it.  He mowed the whole lawn today!  He's almost 100% since his January radiation treatments.  He was so glad that he was able to help on a roof the last two days, too.  This man loves work.   (Could I have a little of that, too?)  This afternoon he slept and I--well, I did this plus I washed lettuce, filled the dishwasher and fixed him a Shirley Temple cocktail. We mellowed together a while.

Hurry Up and Stop

Seems like that's what I've been doing the last three days.  Wed and Thurs were end-of-the-year preschool programs and since I'm the music teacher, the program, of course, was musical.  They did a great job and I was proud of them.  It's my last, though.  No more preschoolers--here, at least.  I do have a number of preschool grandchildren that will keep me busy in the next few years, I hope. 
Wed. after school I went to lunch with Deena, Cancer Survivor Supreme.  She's doing pretty well regardless of tumors that have popped up since her WHOLE BRAIN RADIATION!!!  I know, I can't believe that she does so well after that.  She gets upset with herself because she used to work at a bank and now she can't even balance her own checkbook.  She gets words mixed up and has a little trouble thinking things through but I tell her, "Now, you're just like me."  I'm not sure that pacifies her.  Turns out our day was a little longer than expected.  Her grandson broke his leg at school badly enough that he has to have surgery and she wanted to get him a present to keep him busy.  We shopped and he helped us find what he wanted via his electronic game!  Go figure that one.  Took her home, then to church.  I was exhausted and prayed for God to play the piano for me.  He did and I'm thankful.  Home felt good.
Thurs:  The second preschool program, luncheon with the Preschool teachers to celebrate a couple of summer birthdays, to the store for our church secretary who overcommitted (just helping her out), to the church to deliver the food to her and help a little in prep for the meal she said she'd make for her small group that night (already 3:30).  She was supposed to have pre-op info on her daughter for her upcoming surgery on Monday (tonsils, adnoids and tubes), but she wasn't given the correct info sheet and had to arrange to have it done--that day!  Haven't talked to her today to see how it went.
Fri.  Hair cut.  Why am I so tired.  All I wanted to do this morning when I woke up about 6:00 was to sleep on.  Got up anyway, devotions, coffee, flickr, email, got ready and hair cut.  Then to M's to pick up some food I left at her house on Tues. and more coffee and chat--things we both needed.  What else do I have to do today?  I did some yard saleing--happy with the jewelry I got and some things I hope to resell.  Neighbor girl came back today and I had finished the shirt I was working on for her.  I didn't push myself to finish the shorts, though.  I'm thinking I need to gel.  Why do I feel worthless? Cause my house is a wreck and I don't care--enough to clean it, anyway.  Maybe tomorrow afternoon.  Adopt-a-block is tomorrow morning.  I'm praying for rain and God's praying I help someone else--maybe.  Another cup of coffee with help me, I sure.  And, of course, there's the ever-looming VBS I haven't completed --Hmmm.

Another Day Another Dollar

Yesterday, like the day before I walked with Bill in the morning--about a mile--just to exercise.  I went to the post office to mail the b'day pkg to Ian and mail some bills, I delivered flowers and two shirts to Amy's and she wanted to talk so I stayed about 30 min. longer.  I went to M's, took her to the grocery store, came back to unload, went to lunch (she pays because I drive, plus she gives me extra money sometimes at the end of a long day), went to get her hair cut, then home to clean up the kitchen, dump garbage, check emails.  I also posted on slssite.  E came over, the little 5th grader from next door.  She wanted to know what my dress form was, I told her, put a dress on it to show her.  She wound up trying on a lot of the partial pieces of dresses and slips I use in my flower and shirt making and came to the pile of jeans clothes I'm working on.  She tried them on and they all fit and I agreed to finish them for her.  She says she doesn't have anything to wear to church --new Christian who's been coming for a few months.  I believe her because she shows up in long pants and a tshirt and not a good one.  Her parents just got divorced, Mom left to another state and she's Mom-lonely.  She said, " Since Mom's gone and she doesn't like deer meat, you could make us some of that soup, like when we moved in." (Hint, hint) I asked her what she had for supper the last few days and she said, Pizza for the last two weeks.  I don't think Dad's too concerned for their health or his.  It's also way easier to just buy pizza.  I'll have to inform him that he can buy ready-made food that is healthy--plus, I'll probably make that soup as well.  She came over, hoping that Bill was going to church (did last week for a special violin recital for Suzuki group and took her).  She said she loves going to church.  She was a case, though, pestering Bill and running up and down the stairs to the balconey while he was setting up.  He came home, pestered and put out and puffing, saying he was glad they didn't have to stay longer than the setup.  I feel sorry for the girls and Dad's not much of a nurturer--physically or spiritually, though he confesses to have grown up in the church--doesn't make you a Christian.  I made supper after she left--leftovers, just what I had planned and enough for just Bill and me--too bad I hadn't planned a whole meal. After supper I cleaned up, ran the dishwasher, made loaves from the bread dough that had been rising all day and Bill and I sat on the couch and watched a tivoed show, bath and bed.  Bill had wanted to just mow the lawn, that needed it desperately, but E's Dad was waiting to talk to Bill and, of course, they talked.  Bill excused himself and said he just had to mow.  (E's Dad goes to work at 6:00 and comes home at 2:00.  At least, he's there when the kids get home.)
Valueable :  Talking to E, helping M, talking to Bill

It's About Time

I'm going to try this as a journal about what I do everyday.  I want to see if I do anything of value and check on myself--to be accountable to myself and God. 
Today I made eight layered flowers from chiffon:  cut, seared,sewed beads, adhered to hair clips/barrettes, carded and priced.
I went to the luncheon for the Preschool teachers from Woodland--my last year.  We received beautiful impatiens to replant.  I had 1/2 turkey/cheese sandwich and creamed rotinini/pork/spicy soup and coffee.  Good time.  Staff, Committee members and Preschool staff were invited.  All the preschool staff came : Marcie, Jill, Mary, Nancy, Jolene, Brittany and me.  Staff: Joel, Bill, Mark, Stephanie, Rick and me. Committee: Chuck, Kay and me.  Yep, I just realized that I'm all three.
I took pictures of two pieces of jewelry, edited them, listed them on Etsy tonight while Bill was at Deacon's meeting.  I had made leftover turkey and gravy, new mashed potatoes and green beans and garlic bread for supper while Bill mowed for a half hour.
I went to WalMart after the luncheon, finished up buying birthday for Ian, wrapped his gifts and packaged them all.  Payed two bills. Swept the kitchen, filled the dishwasher and ran it, cleaned up after supper and filled the dishwasher.  Looked at email, facebook and flickr.
That's about it for today.
Most valued: presents for Ian, talking to Jennie, facebooking Brett, talking with Bill and flirting with him at the luncheon.  Good day.