Saturday morning

Yesterday was catch up day getting over Thursday's soup kitchen day. Seems the body just takes a little longer to rest up. I'm hoping that there is not a repeat next week with New Years Day holiday. Time will tell. I've got to do a better job of body control.

I worked at the church desk answering the telephone and talking to a few folks that came by. Almost all of them wanted something we could not give them such as rent money, clothes, bus passes. I referred them to other agencies that might provide help. Our funds are gone for the month. The office staff usually has all the publications done for the weekend on Thurs, such as bulletins etc. But the copy machine was being repaired and finished at noon. Then...it was print, print...bulletins...happenings(a weekely newsletter)...and North Notes. I left after the bulletins were finished around 2:30. Didn't do much in the afternoon. Watched the Pacers last night for about 10 minutes...Fell asleep around 7:30...not by design. Today I think I'll take down the tree and get the house in order for January. We'll do another Panera run tonight. Always interesting to see what the results of that run might be.

What a whirlwind!

It seems like ages since I've recorded anything. Let's see. Christmas Eve. We went to two services, the 7:30 and the 10:30. Missed the 5 pm and folks at that service said...where were you? Good grief! They have got to get a life of their own. 7:30 was a little sparce in numbers. But...the 10:30 was magical as it always is. The music was some of the best and the readings and message was all that it should have been. The church was full. We got home around 1am. I was a little wired so finally to bed around 2.

Christmas morning the Michigan kids arrived I think around 10:00. We had a light lunch and Jacob and Adam opened their stocking gifts. Eric and Kat came at 4pm and then the big times began. It was so much fun to see the grandchildren really get it with all the wrapping paper. Well, the big kids were also fun to watch. We ate around 6 with Pasties shipped in from the Pasty Central Kitchen at Kearsage Michigan. It was suggested that Pasties become a tradition. I think it's a great one since the cook loves being on vacation. We had the big sizes and for the most part...all were members of the clean plates. We missed eating on the Michigan picnic table.

The day after Christmas we did a bunch of talking and Kimmy and JB took back the coffee pot that was my present that had missing pieces. They also got my last years Christmas toaster replaced with a new on since the old one went on vacation after 10 months of working. Wooo, Wooo. The JB family took a walk and played on the playground equipment. The day temps were really mild. We all played for hours with Jacob's new cars...Mater was the favorite. Eric, Kat and Andrew came for supper and we had the Indiana works...turkey, corn for Kimmy, mashed potatoes for JB/Eric/Kat and Kimmy, stuffing, Eric's favorite that most of us ate, pickles for Kat, cranberry sauce for me and apple pie for all. I thought the big kids would be unable to move from the table but they managed. ALL the food was no where to be seen. They ate it all. I do have a bit of turkey left for us.

This morning JB and family left for Michigan. They are stopping in Fort Wayne to see JB's college roommate here from Colorado. Dave has yet to see the kids. Doug headed off to excise and I to Bread and Bowl. I never have seen so much donated bread in my life. The freezers are full. Everyone had a loaf in their take home bag and there was even more bread around the room for those who could use more. And...6 garbage bags of bread went to other soup/kitchens, rescue mission places as well. It was a morning of hard work getting everything in it's right place. We had a record number of visitors fixing about 80 bags with 3 take home soups, pastries, two salads, cabbage and lettuse and a loaf of bread. I felt like we were feeding the 5000.

I forgot to mention that we dove into big sweet rolls that came from the Hilltop bakery at Lanse, Michigan. That was another well enjoyed treat.

I do think life is quieting down for all of us. We're back into our routines or getting slowly there. It's been a wonderful three days again with the family. Christmas 2007

Two more sleeps

I love Christmas for many reasons. And there are only two more sleeps till Christmas morning. Yahoo. Presents are wrapped and the groceries are here. Tomorrow I've got to get organized in the kitchen. Shouldn't take long. I treat myself to little work on Christmas Day. It's playing with the grandchildren day~ Michigan kids should arrive sometime Christmas Day. And the Eric family will be out for supper and gift opening if we can wait that long! Today was a huge Panera day. The truck bed was full with some stuff stacked on top of other stuff. We had a great crowd that seemed to have a great time visiting with each other. I can't tell you how many pots of coffee Doug made but I bet it was close to 15. The bells played both services which makes for a very full morning when one tries to be at two places. The music was fabulous. Sermon was another winner. Colts also were winners. Tomorrow evening we probably will be at two services, 7:30 and 11pm. And then the kids will arrive sometime in the morning. I think we might even sleep in. Now that's a novel idea. Tomorrow, I'll get the gifts around the tree. I even bought bows this year. Now that a first. Woo...wooo!

Decision made!

That's right...I made the decision to take it easy on my neck this Christmas. No singing in the choir for sure. Wasn't as hard as I thought it to be. And...I feel good about it. Doesn't mean that I won't be at church, just not in the choir. The choir is accompanied by a small orchestra and it will be beautiful. There is something magical about Christmas Eve.

Bread and Bowl was yesterday. We had a busy morning but LOTS of good help. It couldn't be done without a host of people. I worked at the desk yesterday afternoon. Two little Jr. High kids...one of them a North church kid that I have known since birth got expelled from school for fighting. Their mothers are the best and had them come to church all day yesterday to work together. These little kids have been friends for years but the North Church kid was to fast to react to what he thought was going on but really wasn't going on. We had a great working day with a whole bunch of conversation about the cause of the event among other things. Little Ben really squirmed his way through the conversation. And preacher Kevin talked about some uncomfortable times in school with a fight. The boys worked in B and B and then prepared candles for Christmas Eve. It was just a delightful teaching afternoon with a whole bunch of love flowing through the conversation. Supper was served at church by another group of folks for the neighborhood folks. And then it was choir practice where I sat and listened. Such a treat. The day started at North at 7:45 and ended at North at 9:00 pm. A long day for sure but a good one that took a ton of energy. I also had an encounter at the desk with a gentleman who insisted that I was going to give him $20.00 for a taxi ride to Plainfield. North does not meet those kind of transportation needs and that also was a VERY interesting experience. He told me that he would have me fired! That conversation started at 4:30, continued through the dinner hour with other church people and finally was over at 7:30 with a conclusion that was not positive for the wishes of the man. It's really interesting to hear what people think the church should do no matter what. I gave him some alternatives which he thought were terrible ideas. Working at the desk brings an unbelievable variety of experiences. Some you can believe and some that just are unbelievable. Makes for a very interesting day. This morning is my regular morning to desk volunteer. I need to look for candles for the choir to carry, place altar flowers, answer the phone,talk to people who come in off the street at this time of year looking for help and set up bell tables for Sunday morning. There must have been a reason for getting all the shoping and gift wrapping finished last week.

One Christmas day surprise was delivered to our front door yesterday. Yahoo. It's a fun one.
The family will love it. I LOVE SURPRISES for them!

Wed...

Half way through the week. Feels already like a week of at least 8 days. The volunteer church job was CRAZY today. 4 phone lines ringing. People lined up at the counter with questions and the a lack of planning on the staff's part about Christmas services. I guess they were surprised that Christmas is back again. As I remember it comes every year. So I ordered candles for Christmas Eve and then went downtown to pick them up, got baskets to put them in among other things all on top of what I usually do every Wed. to get ready for soup kitchen Thursday. This could have been done in July! How I get into this is beyond me. Always covering for people trying to keep the wheel greased. Just tuckered out. Bell practice was the refreshing moment of the day. We are ready for Sunday morning service. Should be lots of fun.

monday evening.

Eventful day. I went to Dr. McSoley (ENT) for a discharge. He wondered how my neck was and I told him that I wished it was better. Well, the short story is that head and neck surgeries take a LONGGGGG time to settle down because of blood flow to that area is rich, and that part of your body is never still, such as swollowing, tongue movement, jaw flexing, saliva glands working etc, etc. so healing takes a long time unlike a leg wound that is in a quieter area. He did suggest a cortisone shot to break up scar tissue and promote healing at a faster rate. I thought about it for a minute or so and then said...go ahead. My first choice was to tough it out but then better sense said...go ahead. It was two sticking hot shots in the neck. I thanked him after it was over for taking care of me and he said thanks doesn't often happen after a shot in the neck. I am deeply indebted to doctors that get me out of trouble. I'm so glad I was not born in the 1800's. What a bummer. Come to think of it...I'd probably be dead by now. I took two little girl outfits that I sewed to my friend Nancy Jo in the church office for her great granddaughter. Ruffles are so much fun. Attended Greenspace tonight and saw raptors and owls. It was a good program. Now Monday night football. Yup...another game to watch.

Sunday.

Snow...Ice...and a little wind. That's what we got. Not as much as predicted but it was enough to slow everyone down. Lots of churches canceled but North carried on with two services. About 40 at first and about 120 at second. That's a good guess. Doug and I made the Panera run last night and come home in the ice storm phase of the evening. This morning we left around 7 and it took just 40 minutes instead of 20. Keystone...a divided highway wasn't plowed and if one followed the tracks in some cases one was off the road. It was a great way to start the day. Doug and I set up the Community room for Hospitality and finished around 8:30 as we usually do. Just worked a little harder and a little faster. One Sunday School class carried on but the rest of the folks just hit the pastry table and the coffee bar. Watched and still watching football. Looks like the Colts are trying to loose. There are so many hurt players so it's a little more difficult for PManning to get the job done. Loving the things that keep me warm...blankets...hot drinks...hot water bottle and anything else I can think of. It's an evening to just hunker down.

TGIF

That's the truth. Friday's on the desk at church are usually a bore. Well, today that was far from the case. It was a #$%^#@ Day. Wow...other people in the office couldn't believe the day. The phone rang...Childcare workers came in to get their checks...People were looking for all kinds of help related to money. Usually the staff has the day off but they came in so...made coffee for everyone along with hot chocolate. Shepherd people did a concert for a nursing home. Bulletins needed to be printed...Happenings needed to be put in baskets...I enlarged some music for me for Christmas Eve service, fixed the flowers for the altar and picked up 4 red carnations for 4 new babies. I can't relate it all but it was not a boring day. I must report that I sang at choir rehersal and NO sore neck! Wow...wow! That's something for all to celebrate. This evening I went to Meijer to grocery shop. Haven't done that in a long time. Of course the store was stuffed. It seems that the weather man is saying that we could have up to 12 inches of snow by Sunday. Now isn't that a shocker for Indy. Two guys shopping at Meijers had two shovels in the cart and they were heading out to the beer aisle. Made me laugh. I filled the gas tank, stopped for some fabric to make something, groceries are on the shelf and we are all set! The snow is to start tomorrow morning but the predicition is that it will really get going by Sat. night. I'm wondering if we will have church. Remember Michigan kids...this is Indy. If we get 12 inches...we are stuck for a few days. This should be fun. We just might skip the Panara Run. Remains to be seen. Pacers are on and I've got to go!

Bushed in Carmel

Today is soup kitchen day. Lots of work but lots of help. We served about 50 folks who also took soup home. We had a winning combination. The additional bit of work was the delivery of food from McFarlings for the next month of Bread and Bowl. It amounted to about 1200.00 dollars. Lots of work putting food on the shelves where our cooks can find it. But Thomas and Marilyn and I got the job done. It's an energy sucker tearing all the boxes down as well. I had one solid nap already and it's only 2:10. So...this afternoon I'm not asking much of myself. I need to return something I bought for Eric and I did have some boxes saved at church for gifts but forgot them. They probably will get pitched. That's life. Yesterday 13 soup kitchen workers celebrated Doris Douglas 88 birthday. We had a blast and I had such yummy corn soup and fresh grilled salmon. It was delicious. It was a very special day. Bell practice was very good. I think we'll be OK on December 23rd. Tonight is choir practice and I'm going just to see how the music comes out of my mouth. So...it's another cloudy day in Carmel, not to cold and a little bit damp. Doesn't look or feel like Christmas. We escaped the ice that so many people got. I remember a huge ice storm just a few years ago. The worst was the cold house and cold food that just seemed to go on and on. Oh, yes...the noise of the chain saws everywhere taking care of broken down trees and power lines. Wasn't fun.

Today

Well, it's pea soup weather. Fog and rain and it's that all over again. Temp. in the high 50's. It's bug growing sick time. I just about finished Christmas shopping today. Wow...never have been at this place in December my entire life. I'm getting so excited and waiting for Christmas morning might be hard at this point. I just need to forget about some stuff. This Christmas should be as funny as a barrel of monkeys. Three little boys. What fun. There will be lots of surprises for the big kids as well as the little kids. I'm watching the Pacers play tonight. That is if JT can stay out of jail. I just wish some of the players would grow up. What did their parents teach them? Sounds like not much. JT takes such dumb risks. This is the third time car chasing after someone that fired shots at him. He should have been in bed! It was 3:30 a.m. Bad boy. Tomorrow morning I'm working at church and then good friend Doris Douglas is taking 12 Bread and Bowl workers out to lunch. Isn't she a good woman. She is celebrating her 88th birthday this weekend and is just as alert as can be. We have such a good time together. Bell practice tomorrow evening should end the day.

Patience

That's what I need. Singing a Christmas songs just pulls out the hotwater bottle for a very sore neck. Yup...I know...Christmas will come next year and all will be well by then. I'm learning that the neck area is a very complicated place in my body.

The preacher talked about silence and singing calls for silence this year. That's so unusual for me having sung in a choir since highschool. Humm. That's 53 years. I guess one Christmas in silence won't hurt although it does hurt in a different way. Church service was especially well crafted yesterday. Great sermon engaging the mind, youth and adult handbells...(adults is me!) great hospitality time with the hospitality room stuff full of anything but silence, wonderful Advent, Christmas hymns, super unbelievable organ postlude with the WHOLE congregation seated listening to end the worship hour. That's a tradition started about 3 years ago and this Sunday's worshipers were most attentive to that special closing time. Oops...a baptism and the liturgy that goes with the lighting of the Advent Candles. See what I mean!

Then...I watched three well really five...clicking back and forth...football games. And...the Colts came through again. It was a very lively game to watch although I need to admit that I missed most of the second part. Sleep took over having started the day at 5:45. It's always an early call for church but this was really unusual because of a bell practice called at 7:00. Uck. But necessary.

Today I want to wrap gifts and do a bit of shopping. Almost finished. I love to think of the excitement that family brings on Christmas morning. Yahoo. That also comes after another short night after mid-night service. Oh, well...who needs sleep? That can happen later in the day.

TGIF

Well, Friday is here. The weeks seem to fly by faster than 40 years ago. Yesterday was Soup Kitchen day and we did our Christmas give away with socks stuffed with toiletries and gloves. We had a great little appreciative crowd. Last night was choir practice. I took it easy. Neck is still a bit sore. No need to rush. This morning I'm working at the desk at church. A group is getting ready for Jubilee Christmas Celebration tomorrow morning. The church folks are providing baskets of food and toys for 35 families located at Coburn Place just down the street. It is an old school building remodeled for single mothers and children who are victums of a battered relationship. They are residents for 2 years receiving housing and a chance to get back on their feet. I think all the mothers are working at this point. Our contribution makes their money stretch a bit farther.

Wed. morning surprise

I woke up a little later than usual and notice immediately that the large beautiful pine tree just outside the window was covered with snow and slowly blowing in the breeze. It made for a beautiful picture. Yes...the first snowfall of the season is here. The morning walk to the mailbox for the newspaper was quiet and cold but not to cold. It will be even more beautiful when the sun arrives.

But...last night the Pacers lost but we still had a great time. Seats were awesome. People around us were fun to be with and the fourth quarter was really exciting with the Pacers pulling ahead with some great shots but like Baltimore...just not able to hang on. Little 6ft. 3 Steve Nash has about two times the energy of Kate (one of JB's dogs). He never ran out of energy. Now...Sunday...Baltimore can just go away when the Colts play them. That would just be fine but I think they will really be tough coming off the N England game. Off to church this morning and this afternoon, I SEWING!

Tuesday Afternoon

Cool weather here. Feels like winter. dah! It's December. Did a little Christmas Stocking Shopping today. I'm just about finished. I think this year I'll turn the wrapping over to Doug. Wow...that would be a first. I'm doing a little sewing for Andrew. Reminds me of sewing about 30 years ago. Same old same old as JB would say. Tonight we're going to the Pacer's game. I'm really looking forward to this. I told Doug we're leaving early. I want to make this an evening to remember for me at least. Andrew stopped by this afternoon and tried on my sewing adventure. I need to shorten the pants...NOT surprised. He is such a short little bundle of energy and so much fun. Kat is going back to work on Monday. It's a new adventure with Andrew and I have no reason to doubt that it will go well. So disappointed that Baltimore just couldn't put New England away last night.

The weekend

Yesterday was a gray rainy day. Perfect for sewing stuff. I finished the banner for the west entrance at church and hung it this morning. Just in time for Advent! I also filled the stocking order from Kimmy for Adam and Jacob. That was tons of fun. Any more projects, Kimmy? I have them ready to mail tomorrow. Doug and I did the Panera run and had a whole bunch of pastries for church this morning. The first Sunday of Advent is always so much fun with just an added touch of energy spilling out everywhere at church. The 40th annual party for Special Adults was held last night. That's an event that brings about 200 mentally challenged folks to church for food, dancing, santa, gifts and more. There is never a problem to get our church folks to work at this event. If there are 200 guests, it takes at least 150 church folks.
Tonight is our annual Advent Festival for church folks. That involves a huge pitch-in along with 5 different mission projects in various parts of the church. And...the morning church service reflected the season of Advent and it's 4 Sundays of waiting for the birth with advent candle lighting, good music and sermon. Our decorating efforts through out the church lastTuesday is the icing on the cake. Sat. our youth baked cookies to sell that funds their program during the coming year.
It's something like 10,000 cookies. They do this at a school and the organization of this effort is just tremendous. And...most people went home with boxes of cookies. So lots of energy went into this Sunday. And...then the Colts won! I always try to watch Eli Manning and the Giants and they won their game in the last two minutes.
The sore neck is still hanging around so I didn't sing and will continue to think about what I can do to get it to calm down. I have a dentist appointment next week and I'm beginning to think that changing that would be a good idea. I just don't want to risk stirring things up more than necessary. I haven't passed the 4 weeks since surgery so I'm feeling that this probably is a normal recovery.

Alive?

Well, just when I thought I was alive I headed on to choir practice and good grief...the bottom fell out. It takes so many neck muscles to sing and that was a new revelation for me. So...Sunday I'm in the pew. No need to rush out and do it all. I have one sore neck. Not pain in the neck but sore in the neck. Today I met with the ladies and got North Notes in the mail. We were finished in about 2 hrs. So glad I did a whole bunch of preparation earlier in the week. It could have taken us till afternoon if I had not. I took North Notes to the downtown postoffice for bulk mailing. Got the poinsettias on the altar for Sunday and did a few other things. Home by 3 and I've been sewing on the new banner. Whoopie. I love to sew.
The banner is all together and now I'm glueing mirror pieces to make stars tucked in various empty places. Need more glue that I'll get tomorrow. Doug's doctor appoint was changed to next week. I'm ready to sit and watch some basketball.

Alive and Well

I think I'm back to being alive. Wooo. That's good. Today was Soup Kitchen day. We had a bunch of left over turkey from a church near us and the soup was great. Turkey, mashpotatoes that thickens the soup, veg. and noodles. Tasty and thick. I said it was casserole instead of soup. Not many people came. Strange because it's the end of the month. One never knows. This afternoon I worked for a while on the North Notes church news letter. 8 people help me on Fridays get that letter in the mail each month and the preparation in getting things in place for the workers is a must. Makes tomorrow's people much happier. Then off to the fabric shop. I'm making a banner for the west entrance at church for Advent. That is so much fun. Found some tapestry CHEAP. The letters Star Child...referring to Jesus are cut out and I'm just about ready to sew some things together. I'm using mirror pieces to form stars all over the banner. I'm a little behind the times because it should be up by Sunday. I've had a few other things to think about. The rest of the church looks fabulous thanks to a ton of workers. I love Christmas when I'm at this point in the work month.
Bell practice last night. Choir tonight. Looking forward to seeing friends since I had surgery and then off to Conyers and haven't been at practice for a few weeks.

Tomorrow, Doug is seeing a Nephrologist concerning some blood tests that didn't not meet our internists standards for good health. This should be interesting. Maybe a trip down another health issue road. Hoping that all goes well. It seems that there is always an issue up in the air. Might be AGE!!!! Yeah Rick! We're the oldest. Get ready.

4:40...End of day!

I'm calling it quits for today. Church advent decorating is finished. Thank goodness Christmas comes only once a year. We had 12 people show for work today and that was another thankful thing. We kept them busy for about three hours and the place looks great. Lots of gold and green with a tweak of color. The place is big but the church bones are very good so a little goes a long way. I feel like we did a lot but finishing at 12:30 is not bad. That's another thankful point. Andrew came with Kat which made me think once again of Eric and Jared church decorating with me. Andrew spent some time in Kat's back pack which I didn't do. He was a very happy little boy. We have at least 50 nativity sets out all around the church. They are such fun to look at. One is all mice. One has an elephant replacing one of the camels. One looks like the little dough boy holy family. Doris Douglas stopped in to check on things. Tomorrow I'm helping her with a banner lecture for Shepherd Center folks during the day. I'll fit that in while working at the church desk. I'm off my feet with a cup of coffee coming real soon. Judge Judy is over. Bummer...I missed it.

Looking forward

I'm looking forward to the end of the next two weeks. That's when the healing process should be completed with my salivary gland surgery. Today was a "feeling very slow" day. I did get the Christmas tree up after running the sweeper and doing a little pickup. I spent some time at church working at my own pace getting ready for the Advent/Christmas decorating day tomorrow. It's always a big day of work. Patty H. also came and I think we will be ready. We've had difficulty getting the number of workers we need so after writing some North Net letters and making some phone calls my hopes are up. We never, never have to many people. The goal is to be finished by noon after just three hours of work. Doors needing decorations, west entrance needs banners and nativity sets and the sanctuary needs swags and bows, banners, nativity sets of which we have many and our traditional angels. I'm praying for energy and will keep track of how full the energy well is. Football night might just need to be shortened.

Back home again in Indiana.

Seems like we've been gone a long time but 4 days in Georgia can make you forget a lot of things. We had a wonderful time. To make this really easy...visit http://rockinrfarm.blogspot.com Jared really has put together what the whole four days were all about. No need for me to try because I'll forget more than I'll remember. The monistary is bigger than I had imagined with acres of woods, ponds, trees, magnolia trees and great southern greenery along with many deer which will become fewer in a few weeks when bow hunting starts. Our accommidations for families of monks guest house were wonderful. Lots of rooms which could sleep 12 people along with a working kitchen large dinning room and livingroom. We had the place to ourselves and Dee was with us for much of the time. Seeing candy made in bulk was a new experience. The shop selling bonsi also was a new adventure. Kimmy, Jared and I are trying our hand at that one starting small. Small enough which might include a plant death that will not break the bank. We've got to think our project through to success. Good to be home...a bit tired...jaw continues to ache but I think that is normal at this point. There is a whole bunch of tissue that needs to heal. I'm spending some time at church today to get ready for our big work day tomorrow decorating the church. Back at it in Indiana.

Slow Tuesday

I went to church to freeze the food coming from Meridian Street. We had a super donation. But got trapped there with people wanting this and that and I said I'm trying to escape. It was just one thing after another. Got home around 11:00. Not to bad. Did a bit of grocery shopping to take to Atlanta. I'm fixing pies for the Russell's but decided to make them there. I hit the new Goodwill Store late afternoon. It's opening day and looks like a fun place to get bargins. Chili for supper...washed come clothes and the packing is finished. Kimmy and JB are also all packed so we should get a good start tomorrow morning. That is if I can get Doug stirred up.

Tuesday morning

Big Thanksgiving dinner last night with JB/Eric family. Great time at the table with Jacob and Andrew on either side of me. Adam slept through most of the dinner. The food disappeared and that's the way it should be. Not a piece of corn left along with mashpotatoes and dressing.
A little turkey and limabeans in the refrigerator. The pie is gone. Stitches came out yesterday and it will be about three weeks before everything is healed. Tylanol is my friend. This morning I'm making a quick trip to church to freeze food left over from Meridian Street Meth. Thanksgiving dinner. It's great soup making stuff. That should be the only trip away from home. Time to think about getting things ready for the trip to Atlanta tomorrow. I would imagine that the roads will be full of cars. Looking forward to the 8 lanes in and out of Atlanta. That's always a great attention getter. Eldoret, Kenya news!!! Check the website indystar.com to see what's new in Eldoret.

Big time happenings

Well, the computer is working again, thanks to Kat and JB's efforts. Thank you, thank you. JB, Kimmy and the boys arrived Friday night for a few days in Indiana. The grandsons are perfect as usual according to the grandparents. We're having a great visit. We'll be traveling on to Atlanta to see Uncle Dee and Uncle Rick who is coming from Dallas on Wed. This evening the Russell's on Hillsdale will be having their big Turkey dinner. Won't need to mess with it in Atlanta. Last weeks big event on Tuesday was the removal of a defunked salivary gland. That was a very good thing although I always have trouble with pain control. Would you believe that morphine never works! I decided to stay overnight in the hospital which was the smartest decision I've made in a very long time. Stitches come out today and tylenol is all that I need at this point. That's something to be very thankful for.
One more thing...in the process of getting the computer up and running I need to restablish my address book soooooooooooo if you read this...send me an e-mail at lruss71338@aol.com and you will help establish my address book. Lela

Friday

Another Friday. I remind myself that I don't have as many Friday's left as I did when I was 20. That's the way it goes. Bell practice was good. Laughed a whole bunch. Thursday Soup Kitchen was good. Laughed a whole bunch. Not so many visitors at Bread and Bowl but the kitchen help was good. Really bushed after the morning work and doing a food order for B and Bowl which will be delivered today. That means big time work. Did NOTHING in the afternoon except take a nap and watch daytime TV. That takes no brains. We did a lot of good Christmas music at choir practice. Christmas Eve services will be stunning. Doing a little Hodie...VonWilliams with orchestra. This morning is working at the church desk answering the phone and taking care of people who walk through the door. Hair cut at 1. Now the world knows my calendar of events. Pies in the Freezer is one of the events planned for the weekend. Got to work ahead.

Another Wed.

Thank goodness there is another Wed. Lots to look forward to. But some stuff could wait.
10 more sleeps till company comes! It's some of the best company in the world. I managed to stay on task yesterday. Makes me like my house soooooo much better. Changed a few things...cleaned a bunch of things...polished a few things...cooked a few things. We had so much fun with Andrew last night. He is such a great entertainer and is quite transparent in what he is thinking. He has decided that chunky food is not so bad after all. Cheese crackers are on his menu for sure. I think the coming birthday party cake will be something he really likes.
Now the stuff that can wait. If I remember and I really need to do that, blood draws and ekg and I don't know what else happens this afternoon for the coming surgery. It's getting up front and serious time. I'm just a tad anxious. Perhaps if I could deal with the pain I could avoid the events of the 13th. On the other hand the infections that come with this @%$&* really are not the best thing to be addressing over a long period of time. I'm still trying to talk my way into the 13th. There is just a dull pain in my neck most of the time. Sore glands. Enough on that subject. Don't want to think about it. Tonight is bell practice. Something I don't want to miss.
I'm enjoying ALL of the blogs. Starts my day off with good thoughts.

Recovering in Carmel

I think that's happening. I was so bummed out watching the football game. I think the Colts just ran out of corn/hay feed. Such good stuff for three quarters but it's the score at the end that counts. What a shame. But it's the same rules for all the teams. What's at the end counts. So...on to Monday. I had a three month Doc. checkup which I always dread because I fear the worst. I need a new brain. Well, the bottom line is that I'm just fine and some things are even better than fine. Calcium has improved which is very good since it was not three years ago. My sugar A1C is 6.7 which is a good number. I'm just cooking along. Cleaned the garden up and also pulled the corn stocks and found corn to feed the racoons. Burned some garden trash which is a no, no in this town. I still think we are country. I guess town people are never supposed to have garden trash. Doug and I took 5 trunks to the Med Center for transporting to Kenya along with huge packs of Bounty and thousands of donated toothbrushes. The Kenya office is so small and filled with Kenya trunks ready to be sent. I'm feeling a tug to do some volunteer hours for that office. It's a needy place. Tonight is Dallas...Can I watch one more game. Don't know at this point.

Beautiful Sat.

Another great weather day. Did a grocery run this morning and then moved the car SEM used for the month to our house and then tomorrow will return it to it's owner. Did some garden clean up this afternoon. Moved some plants, dug out some others. I also cleaned up the gourd arbor. We have about 35 gourds drying over the winter months. A heap of wrens will be happy for their new house.
Watching a little Michigan State and Michigan football. We'll do a Panara run later tonight. Tomorrow is the BIG game. Go Colts. Let's get this overwith!

Wed. evening

Great morning at the desk. Not much to do so I really did some searches on the internet. Then the afternoon was crazy. I got things ready for soup kitchen tomorrow. Counted bags, restocked the shelves, brought cans to the kitchen to open tomorrow morning etc. I stopped at McFarlings to buy Pepper. We buy it in 7.0 lb cans and it cost almost $50.00. Horrible. It disappears faster then ice on a hot day. Then on to the post office to mail North Notes. Back to church with mailing trays and met our coffee lady and got coffee and cups for Sunday from her. Talked to Rick a bit about candles. Then off to GSF for coldslaw for tomorrow. Lettuse is so expensive but the coldslaw cost as much as lettuse would have. Then to Sarah Ellen's house to look for a cell phone lost by John Stroh. Didn't find it and SEM was at the airport. Stopped at Once Upon a Child for a little toy for Andrew's Holloween and then to the grocery for a sweet potato to give him. I thought that was appropriate for a 11 month old. He was a little monkey tonight. I was so happy to get home at 4:30. SEM called from the airport and had a list of things to do that she didn't get finished...ex. wash out of the dryer, food in the refrigerator, bananas on the counter, trunks to take to the med center and a few other things. Got supper on and sat and watched TV. Pacers one their first game in overtime. I hope that isn'f a fluke! They have a long way to go to get me excited with all the stuff they have pulled the last two years. Almost all of those nuts are gone and we have a new coach. Maybe there is hope. Went to bed and couldn't sleep so it's computer time again. I've got to get my ducks all going the same way to put this mind to bed. Oh, the kids came around 7:30 also.

Today is Tuesday.

Loved the day. 5 of us worked on North Notes this morning getting it ready for mailing. A dear little lady came to church from Chicago with her daughter who attended a meeting at church sponsored by the humane society on dog fighting. Lots of animal lovers were there as well as vets and police. The mother, Haddie worked with us on the mailing and also helped Patty and I with All Saints Day set up. What a delightful new friend we made. We told her she needed to commute to North on Sundays. We probably will never see her again but she and we have made a wonderful memory for each other. The church space is ready for Sunday. That's a good feeling. We took all the Kenya lesos down and then got a call from Second Presbyterian Church preacher David Berry who wanted to borrow them for their Sunday's service. He is connecting the people of western Kenya working with Orphans and Vunerable Children to All Saints Day. So...I delivered them to that church this afternoon. Those Lesos are really traveling around telling a great story. After delivering the lesos, I came home and took a long nap. That seems to be happening when I watch TV for some crazy reason. Spending tonight at home. Yahoo. How abouot those Packers! Made me nervous and I went to bed at the beginning of overtime.

Go, Go, Go, COLTS!

Now just weren't they awesome! So steady. Just like Dungy! They are such fun to watch. This next Sun. should be really, really interesting with hard hearted N. E. I think the disposition of these two teams are as opposite as one can be. Ours is a great team problem solvers for one thing.
Church again yesterday. It was an early morning again with Hospitality time set up and handbell rehearsal. We arrived at church at 7 am. That's EARLY but necessary. Handbells rehearsed at 7:30 and the prelude started at 8:20. Handbells played...Womens choir sang, Catherdal singers sang, talented organist played and great sermon on including all, once again. Our church budget for next year is 1.4 million and last Sunday's pledges brought in 1.2. Great start toward collecting the remainder. People have a super committment to North's programs. We're not there yet but closing in on the target amount.
Today, I'm taking it easy. Tomorrow Patty and I are working at church on visual arts. All Saints Sunday is next Sunday and there will be lots of white hangings with candles for those members who died this past year joining other saints not with us. Kimmy, I'll remember your wonderful grandmother at that service. She is living with the sainted ones in glory as the song goes. I love the church calendar year that comes and goes and then repeats it's self over and over with rich memories. It's a never ending calendar. All of our Kenya reminders will be taken down but not forgotten.

Friday Night

Thursday was one of those more than full day. Left for the soup kitchen at 7am. Made a whole lot of soup. It's the last Thursday of the month and I know it will be needed. Also chopped lettuse and got the pastries ready to serve up. I heard later in the day that every drop of soup was eaten along with everything else we fixed. We usually are open from 11 to 12 but ran out of food. We probably fed 70 people with take home food as well. Then...I left at 9 am and spent the morning and most of the afternoon with Sarah Ellen, shopping, shopping. She always has a huge well organized list and she tells me what it is and then I try to drive to the stores in a logical sequence. Wooo...did we HIT the stores. I can't tell you how many but we got most of what she had listed. I got home at 4 and sat down and fell asleep! Up again for farmers market at church. It was the last one of the year. The vendors were invited into church for a pizza party and I made coffee and sat and visited with them during the supper hour. Then off to choir practice. Today was a very quiet peaceful day at church working the front desk. Not many phone calls and no staff was in. I did more shopping by myself for SEM...took it to her house and that was about it for the day. Had yummy bacon, lettuse and tomatoe sandwiches for supper. Probably the last tomatoes from the garden. Tomorrow not much planned but will do shopping for hospitality and collect from Panera bread and probably do some setting up for Sunday at church. We really are short of Hospitality workers. One person is in the hospital, another two are gone and I have early bell practice for church. We'll be jumping through some hoops to get all of the work accomplished Sunday morning.

Good day.

Yesterday, I changed my drawers from summer to winter. And...unloaded some things at Goodwill. So happy to have that finished. I need to do the closet soon. It rained for much of the day. The kids came for supper and I played with the little guy. He is so much fun to watch. I found two toys at Goodwill that he had great fun with. We all commented on one which has drums and music to it saying that Jacob will love to dance to the music. Today is working at thc church desk and hopefully in the flowerbeds again this afternoon. I think the rain is past.

Wooo. Wooo!!!

How about those Colts. I was a bit off in anticipation. Carolina next week and then New England. One at a time. Our welcomed rain continues today. It's slow and gentle. My dad always said that winter could not come until the creeks were full. That was his almanac perdiction. He could have written his own book with all his sayings. Nothing on the calendar today. That's a first in a long time.

Go Colts

Goodness...I hope tonight goes well. There's nothing like Monday night football. This could be a great game. Wonderful Sunday service. Music, music, music. And 4 great testimonies on generosity. It was a great morning that tuckered me completly out of energy but worth it.
We sang both services and had a gang buster hospitality hour. What fun.
Today I visited the ENT doctor again about my worn out salivary gland. The decision is to take it out! There have been reminders of past events with soreness and the doc said that the gland is very tight and not working as it should. Surgery will happen Nov. 13 if all goes as planned. It will be wonderful not to think of some unexpected happenings that are quiet painful coming on at an unexpected time. I should be well enough to head to Georgia the next week. Yahoo. And...playing with the Michigan boys will just be the icing on the cake while they are here. What fun to think that all the little cousins will be together for a few days. Cleaned up some flowerbeds today. Our two trash containers are jammed full so I needed to stop. No place to but the clippings until the trash man comes tomorrow.

Saturday...

We had a wonderful time at Doris' luncheon. Jim Stroh and I talked about Kenya. Four of Doris' friends from Trinity joined us. We had lots of great questions and just a whole bunch of good talk. This morning we're making coffee for the orchestra people to have during their break, getting some baskets and stands in place for the service tomorrow and singing and singing. I'm hoping to get some things in place for hospitality time since tomorrow our preparation time for that event will be limited. We're both singing at both services. The rest of the hospitality committee will carry on in a splended fashion, I'm sure. Tonight it's the regular run to Panara. They are very generous. The church people are gathering in bigger numbers in the Community Room and it's really promoting conversation time that allows people to meet those they don't know. I hope this afternoon to clean out more flower beds. It should be warm. We have a family of 5 deer living in the neighborhood. My sweetpotato plants have provided lots of good munching. I also found 5 Monarch catipillers on the rue in the herb garden. Poor things. I'm trying to figure out what to do with them. It's getting cold. If I figure out something it might include taking them to Georgia over Thanksgiving.

Wow...It's Friday already

Time flies. Wed. I worked on the desk, shopped at Goodwill in the afternoon and then Bell practice in the evening. We are playing the 12 days of Christmas. It's a crazy piece on bells...time changes from 4/4 to 3/4, key signature changes from sharps to flats. It's so much fun and keeps one on their toes. Lots of good laughs when the unexpected comes up. Thursday was soup kitchen. Lots of good help and a lady from Kohls came and volunteered 5 ladies from the store to work with a contribution of $500.00 everytime they work. One never knews what surprises will come. That is a big one. Farmers market and then choir practice. Lots of music in the Sunday service along with a small orchestra. It's pledge Sunday. That's always an exciting time. Today, I'm working the desk again at church and at 12:00 I'm going to a luncheon at Doris Douglas' house. She invited a bunch of ladies from Trinity Ep. Church and she wants me to talk about Kenya. I gave her table cloths, pictures and a bunch of other Kenyan things. She's really excited about the luncheon. I worked in the garden a bit yesterday. We've had rain and the warm weather continues. I cut down a bunch of things that I usually let winter over. Cleaning up the beds already and will probably move somethings if I have time this afternoon.
I think I heard Jacob on the answering machine. What a guy. Tomorrow, we have a big choir rehearsal in the morning with the orchestra.

Unplanned Tues.

Well, Patty has not resurfaced from her jury duty as of 8:30 pm. I would think she was NOT dismissed. Probably tuckered out to say the least. This should be a good story. So...no Christmas planning. Cleaned the gourd/tv room. Threw out a bunch of stuff and rearranged gourds. Makes me feel better. Then a early afternoon snooze. And an invitation to the kids to come for supper was accepted. Had a great time with them and the little kid. He is little but great body control. Fun to play with. Time for bed soon.

On to the next thing!

Yesterday, after a short trip to church to finish the putting away jobs, I came home and slept for the rest of the day. Just tuckered out. Last night Judy A. and I went to Greenspace and heard a wonderful program on the life of Monarch Butterflies. Just before going I took a quick walk through the woods that Greenspace is clearing out. We're spending about 35,000 dollars on restoring this woods that is filled with honeysuckle. UCK. We now have a woodland garden, fern walk and a redbud walk. More work to do but it's becoming a pretty little spot. Eagle Scout projects abound in the woods. Today...Patty and I are meeting to plan the Christmas visuals. I feel we're a bit late already on this project. Patty was called yesterday for jury duty this morning so that has put a crimp in the works but hopefully will not delay us all day. We're getting the furnace cleaned today. It's still quite warm but probably not for long. We haven't turned the furnace on yet. That's always delayed as long as possible. Wow...Eric had a great day yesterday.

An UNBELIEVABLE Weekend

What a blessing. Sat. night's Kenya Gala was just wonderful. 900 people attended at a new downtown hotel. Great food, great pictures and great Kenya stories. The committee brought over 5 Kenyan Doctors from Eldoret. It was JUST WONDERFUL. There were about 24 North people attending. Wooo. Woooooooo.

Then...Sunday at church. Great African anthem, benediction and sermon on generosity. The dinner was stunning. The meal was catered with new potatoes, pea pods, a beef and chicken wrapped in a very light filo dough and baked, salad with rasins and walnuts and red cake. The tables had black clothes to the floor with a bright African Leso overlay, grass centerpieces and Eldoret pictures in black frames along with gourds and black chairs. Even tightly managed Mabel Hohlt thought it was stunning. Wooo. We scored big time with Mabel. Joe and Sarah Ellen talked and showed slides. This function was part of our finance drive theme of Generations of Generosity. And their talks reflected that in no uncertain terms. It was a day filled with great things.

Now I'm on to ironing all the Kenya fabric we used. I'm about half way done and the day will include holding the iron and thinking about yesterday and all of it's perks. Hind sight tells me that my idea of going to Michigan and not following through was the best thing I could have done for me for today and the rest of the week. This old body needs time to catch up with its self. That's what today and tomorrow will be used for. The memory bank is full and it has been a wonderful unbelievable weekend of blessings for me as well as the church folks and Kenya. Yahoo!

Relaxing Day

Can't believe I said that. But it's been a very easy day. Messed around this morning doing some clean up in the gourd/sewing room. It was a mess. Still not what I want but it's getting there. The gourds that were in that room are now at church for table decorating. This morning I went to church and finished the centerpieces for tomorrow's dinner. That was fun. Gathered some other things that will be used. It was slow and easy. Watched a little of E. Michigan and Ohio State game. Bought a pair of shoes for church. First ones in a long time. The last pair were given to me before JB's wedding. Haven't spent much on church shoes in a long time. I think these should last at least 10 years. That would be about $10.00 a year spent on shoes. The next big thing is the IU Kenya Gala at the downtown Mariott Hotel tonight. That should be tons of fun since I'm going with Mary Jo Stinette. Great food and great company and great entertainment. What could be better. I'm wearing my Kenya made dress. Daddy will be doing the Panera Run by himself. He rather do that any day then sit at a banquet. I did do some set up for tomorrow's hospitality time. Fricks are not going to be at church and if we get finished with hospitality set up early, daddy and I will sing at first service. That's if we finish early. That means an early Sun. morning up and out the door again. That's it for today. I feel a sleep coming on. Now that is a relaxing thought.

Been a While

And not because I've been sitting on my tush. The thought has occurred that I was not as busy when I was busy at school. It's out of control at some points. Got to work on balence.
The big push this week is getting ready for the Sunday Mamlin Dinner. That means a whole bunch of stuff like all the centerpieces for 27 tables. I'm almost there and that's made me busy. 27 grass and live forever arrangements, 27 pictures to put in frames, at least 35 gourds washed, stained, sealed and waxed. They are beautiful. Lots of Kenyan fabrics washed and ironed that will be used for a whole lot of things. Such a good feeling to know that I'm ahead of schedule. Sem and Joe missed their flight to Indy this morning so they will arrive this afternoon. Patty H. and I are getting transportation to Joe at the airport. I'll finish up the arrangements later today, I hope or tomorrow morning. Tomorrow evening Mary Jo Stinette and I are going to the Kenya Gala down town. It probably will be the first and last one I'll go to. The food sounds wonderful. Then Sunday is the big dinner here at church. Set up is Sat. night with 12 people getting the dinner together following the fund raiser called Designer's Closet with great used and new clothing that raises big money for Colburn Place, a renivated school down the street for battered women and children. Families can live there for 2 years until they get back on their feet. The clothing selection are ones that professional women would wear as well as lots of fancy things. The attendance has been wonderful. It's a three day sale that usually results in over $20,000.00 being raised. I bought my winter coat there two years ago. I thought I would go to see the Mi. kids but life is to hectic and that's when accidents happen. I'm staying home and being safe.

Tues. night already.

Well...bummer. The Cowboys won. Didn't deserve it. Not even close to earning it. Today the temp is super. Feels like a little bit of fall coming on. I pulled up some deadbeat zinnias. Took the PT Cruiser with 4 new tires to the Mamlin Garage, took gourds and lesos to church for centerpieces at the dinner on Sun. My weeks to do list is getting shorter. Went to a long UMOJA meeting about mission work in western Kenya. Very interesting. Loved every minute. I got home at 6:45 and daddy said the magic words...Let's go to S and S. Tomorrow is working at the front desk, setting up for bell practice and B and B Thursday morning. Kimmy, are you have withdrawal? So glad Melissa is better but I hope she still takes it easy.

Monday Noon

It's hot, hot. This should be the last day of 90 degree heat. Thank goodness. Yesterday was a great day as usual. Hospitality time was really busy. The room was stuffed. That's the way we want it. There are 15 minutes between first service and Sunday School and I'm hoping that people are not late for class. There now are 6 on going Sunday school classes for adults that are pretty full. Spent the rest of the day on my tush either sleeping or watching football. Go Colts. I could not believe that the Packers lost after I went to bed. What a bummer. Oh, well, the Bears coach is a good friend of Tony Dungy, the Colts coach. They worked together at some point. Do the Michigan folks know that Detroit stinks?

This morning I cleaned more gourds. I should be finished soon with all the gourds hiding everywhere. Got to stain and seal and wax them. Took the PT Cruiser in for a tire check and it needs two new ones. I'll call Leslie this afternoon and give the report and hopefully by tomorrow noon the car will have two new tires. Then I want to get it to the Mamlin house asap. Chalk one thing off the list. The list is way to long but I'll keep working on it.

A great day.

Last night was a not much sleep night. 5 hrs. just doesn't cut it so I finished up sleeping late this afternoon. I hate those wake up at 4am nights. Went to the store this morning and then off to Christian Theology Seminary for a 4 hr. choir retreat at 9:30. Lots of fun and lots of laughs and great singing in the chapel and rehearsal room. We're going to have an interesting year of song. We picked up a cute little car for Sarah Ellen borrowed from the Knoxes. Just 20,000 miles on it. I'm always surprised at the excess cars people for some reason hang on to. SEM will have it's use until Oct. 1 when they return to Kenya. Hefners are loaning Joe one of their cars. So...the Mamlins have wheels when they return to Indy Friday morning. Thank you, Thank you people for your genorosity. Got back home around 3:00 and then it was nap time. This evening when it gets a little cooler, I want to finish staining and sealing and waxing the gourds we are using for centerpieces at the Mamlin dinner next Sunday. I have about 20 finished already but need more. One never can have to many gourds! And then Doug and I will make our Panera pastry run at 8:30 for Hospitality time tomorrow at church. Off to bed and up at 6 am tomorrow ready to go!

It's TGIF

Wooo...I've had some busy days. Wed. was a blurrrrrr. It's interesting to me that big church people just find it difficult to understand that it's a good thing to remember where things belong and then put it back at the right place. Wooo. We could hire someone just to do put away stuff. It's a constant put away job. Yesterday was B and B and we had plenty of people to work. Early afternoon I went to see Ida and Lanny. Ida had company and I told Lanny I would take him out if he had a place to go. He said drugstore. Well, Ida finished up visiting real quick and said she was going along. I really wanted Lanny to have time by himself but it didn't work. So after the drugstore visit we took a long ride through the country. I enjoyed it and I think they did to. Back home for an hr. and then had an Advent/Christmas worship planning meeting. After that it was choir practice and bed time. Wow...for a change I slept till 6 this morning. That was a huge change from the past weeks. I'll take it. Today, I'm on the desk at church and then meeting with AnneMarie about posibilities of centerpieces for the Mamlin Dinner on the 14th.
I think that's all for today. That's enough. Tomorrow is a four hour choir retreat at Christian Theology Seminary. Sunday...church!

Tuesday is OVER!

How fast time flies. Took it easy this morning. I think my antibotics are making me sick to my stomach. So...I'm going to skip tomorrow morning and see what happens with the pills in the evening. Got off to a slow start. But...by 8:00 am I was on the way to church to get the church monthly newsletter in the mail. I have about 6 ladies that show up to work and it's just a time of talking with the oldest who is 95 and still driving...the next one is Mabel who will be 90 real soon. I said...great Mabel. We'll have a party in the parlor for your birthday which always happens for those who make the 90 marker. Well, that was the wrong thing to say which didn't surprise me one bit. She wants no part of a church celebration. She says that is a dumb idea. She is one tough opinionated ladyand has been a church member all her life. Then the next two are in their 80's and the rest of us are young whippersnappers. It's always fun to talk over old times. This afternoon I cleaned the kitchen, swept around the house, had to take the sweeper to get a new belt and just mainly kept the activity level low. The weather is wonderful with fall temps a little high but littly humidity. My neck is really doing well. I just pray that continues until I see the doc the 22nd of Oct. One can never tell when these glands will try to push though a stone again. I'm having trouble staying awake past 9 pm. Missed most of the football game last night. Bummer.

It's Monday

Where did the weekend go? Now to catch up. Friday night Eric and Kat stopped by after attending the Carmel Football game for just a bit. And...we got to play with Andrew. He's WALKING. What a hoot. That's such a mile marker in my book. Layed around Sat. Loaded up at Panara Bread for Sunday morning gig. Sunday during the 9:45 hr. we shared our Kenya experience with the church. A huge crowd in Fellowship Hall. I think Joe and Sarah Ellen Mamlin have given our church such a good Kenya foundation about what's happening in that part of the world. And...we just put another layer on top. We showed our DVD and then three of us told stories about our experiences. We all went out to Stake and Shake after church with Kat's family. Then it was FOOTBALL time. Colts won again in case you needed to know. This afternoon I'm leather dying gourds. Haven't done that for a long time. I think we'll use them for center pieces for the Mamlin Sunday Dinner. I also finished ironing the last of 20 lesos that Ellen Daniels-Howell brought from Kenya for the church dinner. We have enough! They will be part of the table covering. Jaw/neck feels better. Yahoo.

Skipped Friday

I skipped a really big event. Bummer. Yesterday, I worked at the desk, went to see Lanny and Ida, home for supper and then made a trip to Sarah Ellen's house to pick up 20 lesos for our church dinner next month. Daddy drove and the drive through what is mostly woods with the sun filtering through the leaves was much enjoyed. Well, I skipped a big one. That was lunch at Doris Douglas' house with a big bunch of church ladies. That was a very bad skip. I just blew it off and forgot the whole thing. Missed good food, good ladies and a change in my routine. What a loss. I'm hemming some of the lesos. A leso is a brightly colored piece of fabric that Kenyan mothers use to carry their babies, carry groceries, carry anything. it's about 4 ft. by 6 ft. We are using them for part of the table covering for the Mamlin dinner. Stores sell the cheap ones with no hems so I'm hemming them. It will make them last a long time. I still seem to own a jaw that is very sore. The important thing is that it doesn't get worse. I think it must feel like having the mumps. I love my hot water bottle in the bed. Today, my goal is to work in the courtyard at church. The weather should be great and I want to make that little gem of a garden better. It needs a fall cleanup. Some things need transplanting that didn't happen this summer.

Today I'm BIG time tired.

I think all the stuff that preceeded today is catching up with me. No pain but just soreness in my teeth, neck and jaw. Soup Kitchen was a bit difficult today. 5 people called in with an excuse of some sort. So...5 of us carried on. Just not quite enough people. But the success of the day was adding another hr. of work in the kitchen from 7:30 to 8:30 for me. I had my fingers in just about every part of the preparation. And...we were ready at 11:00. One of the workers arrived at 11:00 so I just sort of melted away doing other things from 11:00 to 12:00. I took my usual Thurs. afternoon snooze. And we will be going to farmers market and then choir practice tonight.
I called Dr. McSoley's office and set up an appointment for October 22 and I'm hoping the surgery can be done the first of November. I'm keeping October open for Sarah Ellen and ME. That's my treat to me. SEM. They should be landing in Indy tonight but I don't think I'll see them before the 13th of Oct. Their off to the ocean with all their kids/relatives coming for a week or so. It's catch up time for them. I love hearing all the grandchildren stories. Melissa/Kimmy/Penny/Kat. It sounds like a whole bunch of playtime. I need some of that. LR

Wed...

Movin' right along in the week. This morning was a morning on the desk at church. When I got there at 8:30 I worked on things that I usually do in the afternoon after I get off at 1:00...That means getting ready for soup kitchen tomorrow. Restocking the shelves, getting gal. cans of vegetables in the kitchen to open tomorrow. It just makes Thursdays easier. The desk was relatively slow. Checked my e-mail. Surfed the net among other things. This afternoon I finished what I didn't get done this morning. I'm looking for Passion Fruit juice so I checked at Trader Joes and a specialty store in Nora. Made supper and went to church with Doug. The men are singing Sunday. I spent the time working in the court yard. The zinnias are looking terrible so I pulled them out. Add enough weeds to the bag to fill it. Enough work for the day so I quit. The jaw is doing better but I have horribly sensitive teeth on the left side. I did do one pain pill this evening. And now...It's doing better. Tomorrow I call the doc to tell him how I'm doing and I guess I'll tell him to take the gland out. That's so hard to do when it's not hurting but so easy to do when it is hurting.

Easy Day

This morning was a take it easy morning. Just didn't rush around. Had lunch with the Muldoon ladies. They are three other teachers that taught first grade together 1 year at good old Forest Dale. We've met for at least 12 years now. Then I went to Meijers and bought lettuse for soup kitchen Thursday. I took it to church and changed the case in the west entrance, filling it with musical instruments from Kenya. I hung another leso. Great Kenya teaching tools are everywhere if people want to learn. This evening is just a quiet evening. Yahoo. I had one good strong jaw pain job at lunch. I got up from the table and found a quiet corner until the pain left. A sip of coffee brought it on. I'm staying away from cold drinks and thought coffee would be good. Well, not today. Now...one pain a day with just little twinges here and there is a great improvement.

Monday and Football and more!

Yup...it's monday night football. I'm just a crazy lady. I said it first.

This morning I took my face to see the doctor. I had questions...Why is this happening? Answer...the gland is damaged. What can I do for it? Answer..Take pain pills and antibiotics. What can I do so that it won't come back. Take the gland out. I'm calling Thursday with a how I am answer and really thinking very seriously about the gland out part. I don't have time on my schedule for pain pills and antibiotics. And besides those two things will do me in after a while. Nothing is for sure except taking the gland out. There will be no side affects. The other glands kick in if one is missing. I'm upping the dose on pain pills and really thinking about what I'm eating. Meaning...less of everything on the plate because I don't need another round of pain. Nothing cold...nothing sweet...nothing that makes me chew very much...what a diet! I had a small order of french fries and hot chocolate. I drank the hot chocolate with a straw so that it stayed away from the problem area. I think I managed quite well. Slept all afternoon but watched a little of the Columbia University lecture with the pres. from Iran. Didn't learn much between the naps. So...back to the chair with a hot water bottle. That's a very good thing. Add football and that's a very, very good thing.

Football Sunday

That's one reason I like Sundays. Football. I'm keeping track of wins and losses for all the teams. That's fun. I know...little dumb things keep me happy. As usual...off to church at 7:10. Doug and I and another couple set up the Hospitality Room. It looks so yummy with Panera pastries and a touch of Kenya decorations. We also have a cart of books people can choose from if they want to read. And it seemed really noisy today which is a very, very good sign. People are using a new way to connect with each other. Very hard to do when folks come from every corner of the city and the counties beyond. I gave choir a shot but I flunked big time. The old jaw decided to scream with pain so I bailed out. I sat among the non choir people and sipped and spit salt water. Sounds yucky but I don't think anyone noticed. And...I could be there. This afternoon lots of sleep. I'm not surprised. Well, I saw a lot of football but I also missed a lot. Colts won...Three in a row. Now we'll see how the Bears rip up those Cowboys. Usually wild animals win. That's my prediction. That's about it for Sunday. Back to watching the big fight on TV! Good luck tomorrow, Melissa.

Bigger trouble in River City.

Well, I haven't had a weekend like this in a long time. Maybe never. The blocked gland continued to be blocked and the pain, exactly like a kidney stone but in my jaw came in waves. And I think I've had some tidal waves. Reminded me of the waves of pain during child birth but the pain is all in the jaw and neck. And...it doesn't end. So...called the doc on Fri. afternoon. Doc wasn't there and nurse told me to take tylanol and come in on Monday. I knew I was in big trouble. This is not a tylanol pain. Friday night I had about two hours of sleep between 2 and 4. Not good at all. And this morning was an earthquake, tidal wave and tornado all at the same time. I told Doug we are on the way to the emergency room. So Codeine #3 is now on my drug list and it's working to some degree. Any degree...I'll take it. I'm sucking lemon drops to unplug the duct but I think the darn thing is still plugged. But...the good part is that I'm not moaning and growning and crying. It's really hard to stay on top of the pain. But...THANK YOU Mr. Codeine#3. I'm even catching up on sleep even if it is a drug sleep. Lots of people do that all the time. I tried to eat supper but the pain is still there but somewhat covered up! Yahoo for the covered up part. I'm loving my drugs. Avelox is the drug of choice for an antibody. I'm using all these names for you know who. I wish he lived closer so I could be better educated on all this stuff. And I just wish he lived closer...period. What a weekend. Uck. We're going to Panara Bread tonight for pastries during the hospitality hr. . That's an 8:45 pm trip. Sort of fun to see who is out and about at that hr. Tomorrow, church should be fun with all the visual arts we now have hanging at church. I want people to feel covered up with Kenya. And...I'll get church pictures to the other you know who in Georgia. Kevin' Armstrong is back from vacation. I ALWAYS look forward to his sermons. He can make me think a whole lot and the services are crafted so carefully with scripture, music, prayer and sermon coming together. What a worship team! The bar (not the drinking kind) remains high at North. Yahoo. Oh, dear. I feel a sleep coming on. Not a bad 6 pm idea. Just took a drug.

Trouble in River City

A not very nice thing has returned. What a bummer. Last winter I developed a blocked salivery gland. Tiny stones get stuck in the gland and the saliva cannot escape. It's quite painful. I guess I'm just a stone thrower...kidney stones but so far not gallstones. Well the blocked gland has returned. I have a horrible painful jaw from time to time and then it just goes away. Crazy. Not much sleep last night and then I remembered the old home remedia of saltwater rinses. That gave me some relief. Thankgoodness for that. I'll probably call the doc today if this continues. Eating seems to trigger it also so I'm laying low on food for a few days. Nothing wrong about that. I have plenty in storage. I've got to watch that the glands in my neck remain free of infection. Last time they got as hard as little balls. Not good. So...I think I know all the ins and outs of this trouble. Don't worry...JB...I'll go to the doc if I really think I need to. Sounds like something I've heard from the NORTH!

More on retirement

I've been thinking long and hard about how my life has spun on since I left the classroom. Here are some thoughts. Most obvious differences...a retirement salary, less homework, fewer children hours, much more time spent with adults, able to have just a bit more control over what I do. Similarility to the past way of life....still up early...busy, busy days and evenings chuck full of meaningful work. The last thing is probably the most important.
Yesterday was another block buster. I'll let you use your imagination. It's the same old same old as JB would say. Handbells went well even though I still have a hand full of blisters. I think I probably use my fingers more than the center part of the hand. Blisters look very healthy. Yahoo. Soup kitchen today. I always spend time Wed. afternoon with preparation for Thurs. That's a teaching habit that serves me well. It makes it a whole lot easier to get up on Thursday. Cans have been washed and ready to open, bags are counted, bread is sorted and pastries are ready to prepare for the bags, completely empty freezer now has some deserts ready for a rainy day. It's like money in the bank. Choir tonight. I love Wed. and Thursday evenings.

Wednesday's Second Try

What a bummer...I wrote and wrote and now...once again this is the second attempt. Yesterday was a furry of activity. Since the car was not finished, Doug drove me to church for a morning of visual arts work with Patty. Goodness...life looks a whole lot different at the top of a 12 ft. ladder. We hung Kenyan fabrics everywhere and it really looks festive for the next six weeks. At noon Patty and I headed out to a wholesale house where we purchased greens to use at Advent and a huge amount of bearded wheat that we will use in November. Then it was home via Patty and since the car was finished I walked to the Honda shop, about a three mile walk in the hot sun. Wasn't as bad as I had thought. Then on to see Ida and Lanny. Ida wanted to shop at the dollar store so into the car we went and shopping we did. That means...look a lot and don't buy much. I finally got home at 5 just beat. Went to S and S to eat and I said I prefer to eat lying down! After we ate it was on to Ellen Sayles, Ida and Lanny's daughter and five of us had a evening of talking about the progress made and how we might support Ellen and her parents. Woo...My head hit the pillow at 10:00 and I don't remember a thing until the alarm went off at 5:30 this morning. My hand continues to look like it's healing. I'm working at the desk at church today. This afternoon is watering time and tonight will be handbells. Oh...the retirement years! What a joke. LR

The good and the bad!

This morning I took the car in for a check-up. That was good. The bad is that I made the appointment for last Monday. Yikes. That explains the fact that my appointment did not appear on the appointment sheet. The good is that they said they would take it anyways. I checked the calendar after I got home. MY mistake. I'm so glad I didn't make a fuss. I've been on the web about burns. Dr. Russ has determined that I have a deep second degree burn. There's nothing good about that. It takes up to three weeks to heal. That's real bad. The good is that it is free of infection so far. The bad is that there is not much I can do with the hand and the weather is great for gardening. The good is that my clippers still works in my right hand. The left hand fits very well inside a clean rubber glove. I've been watching lots of TV. Don't know if that's good or bad. I did wash the sheets and change the bed...That's good. If the car is finished by 5 that's real good for a car that has 120,000 miles. The shuttle brought me home in a new Civic. That was better than good. $18,000 would get me a new car! Don't know if that's good or bad. Tonight I'm going to Greenspace with Judy, my neighbor. The program is about cooking with herbs. I think that will be real good.

Sunday afternoon

I'm watching the Colts! Looks good so far but two points can melt away. Fingers crossed. Some things to be thankful for. My hand looks very good even though the blisters continue to fill. Uck. But no big red inflamation marks. That's good news. I'm keeping it clean and covered. More poison ivy has not developed. Whoo. Very busy at church with Hospitality Hour. It's such a good place for people to develope friendships. After church I attended a short workshop hosted for greeters. Lots of laughs and good suggestions. I've had my afternoon nap and now feel like coffee would be good. Less than a minute...the Colts are making me nervous. OK...it's over. Wooo. I've heard from Ellen Daniels-Howell who is now in Eldoret. It's the rainy season and many places in Kenya are in a crisis state with way to much rain and floods. Traveling the Kenya roads will have it's problems.

A big goof!

Kat said that my blog must reflect what my term is a HUGE GOOF. Friday seemed to be a rather full day but it started out with good intentions but went down hill real fast. Remember...Pie making was the order for early morning. Most important thing to remember...Brown sugar will melt if placed in the micro wave to long. Pie making needs brown sugar for the topping. I put the bag of b. sugar in the micro to soften and when it came out it had liquified and instinctively when seeing that liquid was heading for the floor, I put my hand under the bag to catch the dripping sugar. Well, don't do that. I now have a hand that is filled with painful blisters. Uck! It took a spatula to dig the sugar off the floor. The sugar hardened immediately on the floor and on my hand. So...into the ice the hand went and it stayed there all morning while I was working the church desk. Thank goodness for time to do that. Last night I popped the blisters with a clean needle and I am determined to take care of this until it heals because for this reason, every time I pick up something with my left hand I'm REMINDED! I've had lots of practice with burns...glue guns, infected arm burn, pizza burn to the roof of my mouth all needing trips to the doctor are just a few I can remember. Dr. Goens reminds me often of all of these. The burns are bandaged and miracle salve used on the third degree glue gun burn are part of the treatment along with a rubber glove. I've gotten a safety paragraph from JB already. Thank you youngest son! Church was fine yesterday and my little group of workers started work at 1 and the letters were at the postoffice by 2:30. Yahoo. Kat and Eric came for supper and we all spent the evening being entertained by the little man! What a fun kid. My plan was to get him walking but he had other plans and of course his plans won out! Am I surprised? Not one bit. But it was LOTS of fun and hundreds of laughs just trying. This morning the redness has left the burn site and more med. has been spread around and I know I'll be fine. Just watch the sugar in the micro. I really did a dumb thing and you heard that from the source. The PIE was delicious. I think I'll do icecream next time even though I know Apple Pie is the tradition.

Wed, Thurs.Friday

I'm out and about on W Th and now F.and it's really been an about week. Nothing new about that. I think the best thing about the week is reading the blogs and I do that right here sitting on my chair. Meagan O'Neill's blog has been filled with heart felt experiences. I laughed with her and cried with her thinking about dear Kenya. I'm hoping that you are following her work and play in a very special place. Her Nile River experience is one only done by someone in her age group. She had such heart tugging experiences on the wards. Joe and Sarah Ellen Mamlin who are living and working there and members of North will soon be on their way back to the states for a month. SEM's letter asking me to locate cars for them during they stay, I can now say has been successful. Two people have generously made car committments for the last almost three weeks in Oct. Ellen Daniels-Howell is on her way to Kenya right now for 14 days of work on a new project that will provide support for orphans and vulnerable children in western Kenya. It's called the UMOJA Project, UMOJA meaning UNITY. Prayers for safe travel as well as for those she will be working with while she is there would be appreciated. Meagan, Ellen and Sarah Ellen and Joe will all arrive here at the end of the month. How richly we will be blessed. I continue to visit with Ida and Lanny. Both are doing well but the adjustment to apartment living within a community and Lanny's giving up his driving still are adjustments that are difficult. This morning I'm working at the front desk again and this afternoon I have a group of 7 people coming to church to work on the first mailing of our coming finance drive. I've gathered people for three years now and it will be a great afternoon of visiting and supporting the church though our volunteer efforts. Supper will be great tonight with Eric and Kat and Andrew coming. I can't wait to see all of Andrew's new tricks. It's simple Sloppy Joes and of course Apple Pie. I've got to get going on that one before I go to church this morning.

Yikes!

You heard it I checked for poison ivy and you guessed it! It's here So...I'm watching it like a hawk. So far, two spots on my left arm. It's in the one bump stage and so far...that's all. Can't believe after all that washing with special soap. My doc said that once I bump into it...it's to late. The oil goes right through the first layer of skin. Today the weather has been beautiful. Low 70's with little humidity and a very gentle breeze. I pulled a trash can full of weeds. Trimmed up a few things and what an improvement. The hostas have taken a beating. The heat just really burned the leaves so things are not as pretty as they could be. But...I'll take what I can get. This morning I closed some of the windows but they are all open at this point. It's a beautiful day.

Monday Evening

I loved today. Well, most of it. 9:00 and I was on my way to the park to work on the fern walk.
We had one area to clear in the woods and a few more areas to till. So...I went to clear the area. A whole lot of wood had been tossed into the area and grape vines were everywhere. Sue...the leader came along and said that she had sprayed a whole bunch of ivy which she said wasnt the poison type which at this point was dead . So...the loppers, shovels and clippers got busy and we started to haul out a whole bunch of dead wood. Leaves we threw back into the woods area. We saved some of the logs to line the path. About an hr. later...Patty Chester came along and told me that the ivy was really poison ivy. I believed her. Yikes! I'm horribly allergic to poison ivy having gone to the doctor and skin specialist this summer more than once over a months time. So...I headed right out of there and into the shower using special soap and scrubbing for at least 10 minutes. Well, the woods visit was great. The woodland garden has done quite well and on the next visit I'll just sit on a bench and listen for the birds. We had a lot of great help. Gardeners are great people to be with. I made a 10 minute stop at church. That's a new record and then this afternoon I watched the hearings on the war. Monday night football is on! Got to run as Payton Manning says...This time it's the Bengals and Ravens. I need a bowl of popcorn.

Monday Morning

This morning my eyes are itching. Guess the count is up! It's starting to get light and the temp is wonderful and should stay that way all day! Yahoo. Yesterday was church Lots of people came to the hospitality hour and once again Panara came through in fine shape and Doug's coffee was the best. The community room was buzzing all morning. What's just what we want. Lots of visitors arrived early for the second service and came on in to enjoy each others company. Football and sleeping took care of the rest of the day. I just couldn't stay awake as hard as I tried. Maybe sleeping is what Sun. afternoons are for when you get OLD! Seems my parents did that. I 'm planning to work with Green Space folks this morning. That's a gardening group I belong to. We are creating a fern walk in our newest Carmel park. We will be spending about $30,000.00 cleaning out a woods full of invasive bushes and planting a woodland garden red bud walk and now the fern walk. This project started last year. It should be a beautiful garden when all the plants are settled in and all the invasive stuff is gone. Gardeners are control freaks and very protective of what we identify as "good" plants. That means they don't push out other plants but get along with all plants. I've spent the summer killing out a self seeder what has roots that invade everything. If left alone that's all I would have. UCK! Roundup is my friend.

Usual Saturday

What a bummer. I wrote a paragraph and the darn thing wouldn't post. Lost it all. Oh, well there might be a message there somewhere. Not much has happened yet today. It's coffee, paper and cherrios. Should rain today. It's so MUGGY. Looking forward to the rain. This morning it's off to church again. I forgot hospitality stuff...juice, cream ets. last Sunday so we did a turn around. Today, I'm getting that stuff out of the house. The Africa theme will make it's first appearance tomorrow. I'm using a table cloth during the hospitality time that Eric brought home from South Africa. Yahoo for thematic teaching! Then this afternoon I'm seeing Ida and Lanny again and encouraging Ida to pick out her clothes for church tomorrow. And the sweeper might make an appearance here at home. No dog makes a HUGE difference with how many times I see the sweeper. Then a little college football today. I love that game but the pros make it more interesting to say the least. I think that's about it for today. Now...I hope this posts.

Braggin' more. new Kenya address

Well, of course I didn't have anything to do with it but how about those Colts. They came alive after the half time break. Must have needed some good strong coffee. Happy to see the Michigan Russells tuned in! This morning I'm at the church desk answering the phone and getting some things ready for Sunday. I'm also putting up a display the first of many Kenyan items near the sanctuary. I love to do that. This afternoon I'm visiting again with Ida writing for her a thank you memo for the church bulletin and newsletter. I'm looking forward to being home tonight. Next Tuesday Patty Hefner and I will hang many beautiful fabrices, gifts to us April Kenyan travelers, all over the church. They are just beautiful and will really make an impact against what is a beautiful but gray colored sanctuary. I love color. All of these will hang until the Mamlins go back to Kenya. You can find out about their Kenyan HIV/AIDS program designed by Joe Mamlin and his Kenyan counter parts by checking on line...iukenya project. Its one we worked in last April. Chior party was great and Ida and Lanny did well.

Thursday

A bit about last night. Martin...our bell leader is just so much fun and teases like crazy. Well, I didn't move to the part of the table as he said I would so I have it pretty easy. It's f and g. That's all. But it's one bell off of what I rang last year which does a mind trick when one reads music. I'll get it eventually. The brain needs a little stress once in a while. Today was soup kitchen. A very small crowd. We pushed the food out. The men loved it because they had more sweets then usually. They love that sugar. I think it has something to do with the drinking that some do. Took a nap as I do every Thursday after working all morning and then we did a visit to farmers market and on to our annual choir party with a great pitch in at one of our choir members home. Lots of people that fit well into their huge house. And...now it's COLTS time. Booo. New Orlene's just scored. It's a tie game. The city has been rocking big time all day long. Big party on the circle. That's it....I'm off to my comfortable chair for the rest of the evening.

Something left out.

The blog is bless-the-rains.blogspot.com You know...Kenya has rains and not rain. Megan can give you some real good accounts of Kenya roads and rains! LR

Wednesday...almost done

This morning I worked at the front desk answering questions and talking on the phone. Wed. is Shepherd Center day and there is a steady stream of people going left and right. Michael O'neill called on the phone with a question and I asked about his wife Megan who is in medical school and in Kenya working at the Moi Hospital in Eldoret in IU's Medical Exchange program. Well, she is fine and has a blog that you all should read. It's bless-the-rain.blogspot.com It's a wonderful account of life in Kenya as we saw it and she is experiencing. She has some great mud stories that we didn't have because we were there in the dry season. Some things are good, some very sad. She has another three weeks of study. Michael and Megan both sing in our church choir and both ring handbells. Speaking of Handbells. Tonight is our first rehersal. All of our bell positions have been moved. This should be interesting to say the least. It's the best way to advance in technique but it's a #$%^ of a thing to get use to. I've rung in 3 places and this should be the 4th. Problem is that now instead of ringing 4 bells it will be 4 in hand which means responsibility for 8 bells. But only 2 in each hand at a time. Now some of you are confused for sure. I fixed 2 dishes for the choir pitch in tomorrow night. I've got to figure out how to watch the Colts game and sing. I think practice will be short! It's very warm. I think 94 degrees today. Will summer ever be over?

Tuesday

So far so good. What more can I ask for? This was bulletin board day at North. More pictures up about Neema Home for Children at Eldoret. And...a little information/pictures about the Umoja project in western Kenya that 10 churches in the Indianapolis area have joined with a coalition of churches in western Kenya. The goal is to provide some necessities for orphan children to go to school etc. Checked out the supplies for Sunday's hospitality time. This afternoon I had a good visit with Ida and Lanny. Ida is going out for lunch with a church friend tomorrow and Thursday they will be at our choir pitch-in. Tomorrow morning I'll be at the desk at church again. That's an interesting place to work with people coming and going all morning. So far so good...What more can I ask for? Nothing.

Labor day

Hummmmm...Labor day was a day of rest. Yesterday Sunday a day of rest was a day of work. Crazy how things turn out. I did do some grocery shopping and watered flowerbeds. Now that's just about it. Watched tennis and slept. We had our first sweet corn of the year. Yumm. Nothing like picking corn and in the pot and on the table in 10 minutes. We finished up the meal with tomatoes and apples. Now...isn't that healthy eating. More tennis tonight. I'm ready for some football. Colts play Thurs. evening. I did print some pictures and write some stuff for our Nemma Home missions bulletin board at church and got some answers from Sarah Ellen by e-mail. Wooo, Wooo. Kenya is as close as my keyboard. Well, sort of.

Sunday...a day of rest?

Humm...I did rest this afternoon but this morning was a blurrrrrrrr. We got to church a little late because we had to retrace our truck steps since I forgot the orange juice and half and half were in the frigerator. So...Dear Waldene had everything pretty much set up by the time we got to the community room. Doug made the coffee and I got the pastries on to all the trays. With two people who help not being there, we did pretty good. The crowd was a bit slow because of the holiday weekend. I hung all the choir robes up and got the surpluses into the boxes and added some pictures to our Neema House Bulletin Board. Ida and Lanny came to church for the first time since they were beaten in April. What a great morning for them as well as all who have worked so hard to make this day happen. Alice Brown and I sat with them in church and we ushered them back to the church bus and Alice rode home with them. Hopefully they will soon be able to travel with other church members and not have a special escort service! I am encouraged. This afternoon I slept for what seemed to be all afternoon. Tennis is on now and then it's to bed at some point. What a wonderful morning. Miracles do happen.

Bushed in Carmel

I've been the washer woman today. I washed 18 black cassocks and checked all hems, some were in terrible shape, recorded sizes and then did the same for 18 surpluses. Goodness I'm glad this happens only once a year or for some robes not at all. And I'm glad I'm not part of the monks house. Yes...Bro. C. yours are white. New choir members will have something to wear. That is probably after I do a bit of heming to make them all fit. Ida got her fingernail polish today. She was really more out of it than I have seen her for a while. I think she was very tired which makes short term memory worse. Tomorrow morning will be filled with to do stuff. Choir robes back on hangers...coffee to make...Doug's job and pastries spread out, creamed cheese in bowls and juices available. We are short two workers so this will really be a busy morning. I'm bushed and will be sitting on a chair tonight. Took a nap already.

Time flies...9/1/2007

Last night the WBA Indy Fever beat Detroit. Those ladies can play! The Colts lost and the US Open fit in at the commercial breaks. And in the middle of all this Doug and I made a run to Panera Bread to learn how to collect day old pastries for our Sunday Hospitality Hr. at church. Wooo...I was ready for bed after an unbelievable day of doing. This morning I'm back at church collecting a huge number of choir robes that will be assigned to new members. That means two washing machines loads full of choir robes this morning. Ida and I have a date this afternoon to get fingernail polish. I love that lady. She is a wonderful gift to have. My hope is that I can spend some time in the flower beds later today. We might even have an ear or so of corn for the first time this year. I keep looking for nice fat ears.

Yesterday...Today

Thursday is always an interesting day. Up early and out the door by 8:00. I pick up an 80 year old man on the way to Bread and Bowl. Yup...it's a pick up! Soup making etc. starts at 8:30 with Sam and others as they arrive during the morning. We serve soup, a lettuse salad, hot toasted and buttered bread and pastries donated by Kroger. Some days we also have loaves of bread. Yesterday was the 30th. (Kimmy and Jared's 4th Wedd Anniversary) S. S Checks, income disability money is long gone and our numbers really swell as the month comes to an end. The soup pot was filled to the top...approx. 30 gal. and we ran out of food by 11:45. Between 11 and 12, I met with Alice Brown and Rick Pickering planning a strategy that would encourage Lanny and Ida to get back into the pattern of coming to church. With their cooperation we are hoping for a return on Sunday. This idea needs some prayer time. It's been 4 months since we've seen them at church. I stayed with Sue Hirshman's grandchildren for about an hr in the afternoon between school dismissal and Ann's arriving at home. Then Farmers Mkt. at church and a meal with neighborhood folks and CHOIR PRACTIVE. It's great to see everyone again. Our musical selections this year are well planned to fit into the service. Sunday, it's Devotion by John Ness Beck with words I am thine O Lord, I have heard thy voice, and it told thy love to me. And I long to rise in the arms of faith and be closer drawn to Thee.
And also it's Lord I want to be a Christine all sort of woven together in Devotion.

Today...working with my 7 volunteers getting North Notes ready for the mail and then a visit with Ida and then back to church to unpack a shippment of food for Bread and Bowl. Wow...Friday night football with the COLTS and a bowl of popcorn. That's the cherry and whipped cream on top of the milkshake for me. The day will be over.

A variety...

Today it was a variety of things that occupied my day. I got to church this morning around 8 am. I watered the flowers in the west entrance among other things and then opened the desk at 9am. First guy in...Bird Man. He comes to B and B and often is as drunk as a skunk and hard to deal with but when he is sober he's a great guy. It appears that he has been in jail and now needs to do community service. If he doesn't it's back to jail. He "worked" at church for 2 hours yesterday. I told him to come back at 10 when our administrator was in to see about work. Well, he didn't come back. Answered a bunch of phone calls. Friday is the day to mail North Notes so I did all the prayer inserts to 780 N. N. I worked till 1 and then got things ready for B and B tomorrow, checked on the supplies for Sunday's hospitality hour...talked to Rick P about the Prices, cleaned up in the parlor and out the door by 3:30. Made supper and then off to Meijers for lettuse for B and B tomorrow and to Office Depot for a few things to make some rather large posters for the UMOJA project to hang in the west entrance in Sept. This is a new mission outreach in Western Kenya with orphan and vunerable children in that area. Well...99% of the children are vunerable because of AIDS/HIV deaths of parents. It's a program that is supported by 10 other churches in the Indy area. We also are awaiting a grant of 2.1 million from the government. This is big. So...it's education time for the church. That's my day!

Woo! Woo!

I am so excited so I thought a second blog for today was just fine.
Today was major throw out...not up...morning. The mood stayed with me through two huge garbage bags full of stuff for the trash can and another bag full of stuff for a women's shelter that I will deliver tomorrow. Yeah! But...my little room still could make more contributions to something. Most of this stuff came out of the closet. It's gone! The stuff that is and not the closet. Early afternoon was spent with Ida and Lanny Price members of our church who were beaten up in their home in April. They now are in an assisted living facility. Ida received major brain damage and Lanny was beaten but no brain damage. I have visited with them every Tuesday since they were able to receive visitors in June. It's such a sad story for two wonderful people. Ida is 80 and Lanny is 84. The guy that did this is in jail, caught after he had found his 5th victom who could identify him, all victoms living in his neighborhood. He wanted money but he took much more from a lot of people. Ida and I went shopping at the drug store. She loved it. Lanny and Ida were both choir members for at least 30 years and Ida sat beside me in church for most of those years. I ended the afternoon staying with two little girls until their mother came home from work. The girls grandmother is a good friend not back from the lake so I'm helping grandmother out for two weeks. One more day. GIRLS!!!! The fourth grade girl is really something that makes me happy to have had easy going boys. One hour of her is one hour that is way to long. Tomorrow morning is my volunteer time to work at the front desk at church. Loved the Truman story! What a dog.

Tuesday

A wonderful morning to be up and about. I just read another great Truman story. Check it out. Jared's dog never allows one to have a dull minute. Now Kate is another story. She STILL is not with it but she keeps me happy. At times...her owners have another picture. Cleaning and throwing out. Didn't do much throwing (one bag full) but I did manage to put things away. Wow...made me feel much better about this place. Funny how my brain likes order. We're eating lots of tomatoes from the garden and the corn should be ready by the weekend. Yum, yom. There is nothing like sweet corn going from garden to mouth in 20 minutes. I had a scheduled church newsletter North Notes mailing today but that will not happen till Friday. My eight little old ladies and men workers received calls yesterday to come to work on Friday. Doug out some "in the wrong place" hostas yesterday. The tree they were planted under is long gone and they hate the sun. We have a huge number of butterflies all over the flower beds every day. I must have a good combination of flowers. I'll plant the same next year. I also think that watering when we had no rain has allowed plenty of necter to form attracting the butterflies. Butterflies add the right touch to the flowerbeds. More putting away and throwing out today. Yahoo.