It's Tuesday

Time is dragging. I'm really, really ready for family. Our well defined traditions are changing which means more change is in the air. Sunday was quiet. Monday was quiet. So far Tuesday is quiet. Yesterday I got on the road and shopped at my favorite store...Last chance Goodwill. That place is so entertaining. Yesterday the store was crammed with Mexicans just having a blast looking through stuff and doing a super rescure job. It was a whole family affair with lots of very well behaved children sitting in grocery carts...Some for hours. It's a place that one pays by the pound and not by the items. So...lots of bargins. One is never sure what one will find. I call it a huge garage sale under one roof. I found some new to grandsons toys. I've returned to Goodwill the little baby things. No little babies. Did a little cleaning this morning. Boring, boring. Planning to go to the Y. That probably will be the entertainment for the day. It's snowing with it sticking on the trees. Pretty, pretty. It's not supposed to last because the temp. is pretty warm.

Christmas Morning

It's morning and the house is very, very quiet. Memories of not so quiet times are very vivid. Christmas Eve services...wraping gifts till three in the morning...(what were we thinking) along with early morning demands of time to unwrap those gifts that were wrapped for about 4 hrs at the most are some I treasure but know are past having been moved on to the next generation who have enough energy to support our active grandsons. So today will be church at 10:30, probably with a lot of old folks attending not having lived through those early morning demands. No big plans for the day. Our family celebration will be next weekend. Big plans with gifting and then a day at the Children's Museum. Yahoo. Should be fun. I'm tired already!!!! A little football, a glass of wine and a nap. Woo...that could be an agenda items for today. The weather is quite warm, in the 40's today. No snow for sure. The sewing machine might be turned on for a while and then again it might not be. So...wishing you all a Merry Christmas that includes what makes your day a good one. Depending where you are in life makes all the difference in what that includes. Have a good day, week and good season.

The next Monday after Sunday

Time to check in. Sister...Mary K. or Mary Kathryn, that I learned it is now and I traveled together to Ohio to honor the life of cousin Bernice and to be with her family for a day. A sad event in a sense but a good event in another sense. We did a lot of talking, laughing and remembering so many things about Bernice and her six children, first three boys and then three girls and a ton of grandchildren and even great granddaughter. We hit the memory road driving through that part of the country that was home to our childhood, down Schloneger Rd, among others once again seeing how beautiful the hills that are a part of Stark County really are. It was a trip over on Friday and a trip back to Indy on Sat. Woo...Sunday was a huge day for me at church. As usual Doug and I arrived around 7, set up for Hospitality time in the Community Rm. We had a record run(must be Christmas) on coffee, pastries, juice and more. At 11:00 a few of us turned the room into our first Arts event. About 8 North people displayed their particular practiced art form from photography, book writing and signing, fabric art, Imani store, CD music and concreations...check www.whispertrees.com to really understand what that means. I had to buy one. Peter and I would say that the event was a success probably to be repeated at another time and I'm hoping NOT by me although it wasn't a very hard job. Just one to be given to someone else. Then it was home for nap time and watching a football win by the Colts. Wooo. first win after 10 losses.
I did some hat sewing after washing all the fuzzy linings and I think I found the culprit. Still a little stuffy but the itching...etc. has not happened.

Today back to church at some point getting a few things ready for Christmas Eve service. A new banner will be hung, also a candle check and freshening the altar area. No rush but always trying to be ready for something unexpected that might change the rest of the week as it did last week. Teaching taught me to PLAN ahead preventing getting painted into a corner.
that's very uncomfortable.

Thursday after Sunday

Well, something new. I've been making hats and having such fun but I think the lining which is fuzzy material has something in it that has made asthma just a mess. I'll need to think before I continue this project. It's breathing, itchy eyes, sneezing, blowing, horrible coughing, breathing, sneezing, blowing, coughing with such a thick head. My inhalers are getting a most unusual workout. I feel like I'm trying to put out a huge fire with a little extinguisher. What a bummer invading my fun. Bread and bowl was this morning and like usual...lots of work. Last night I browned about 15 lb. of ground beef which was added to wonderful dishes that Diane made for the folks today. So...my Thurs. afternoon nap included a wonderful sleep that comes almost every Thurs. afternoon. Sleeping really was difficult to do last night so I'm delighted that this afternoon included another try. Tomorrow, Fri. Mary K and I are heading to Ohio for cousin Bernice's funeral which is on Sat. We'll be home Sat. night. That will keep me out of the sewing room with the fuzzy fabric which is a real blessing. I've got to get that into plastic bags. Washing the fabric before using might also be helpful. So that's it for a while.

Wed. after Sunday

Time is flying and I'm having fun. Found a great book at the library that has a ton of ideas to sew and I grabbed the ideas and now more Xmas gifts...this time for JB and maybe Kimmy. Eric might even be a recepient but I don't think Kat wears this...Ooops...It's been fun. Did the Y thing. Today...not much on the page at this point. But I would have plenty if I included all the things I put off. Sad news this morning. My most favorite cousin Bernice died. She was in her 80's and it will seem strange to not think of her as living. I did baby sitting for her kids...All 6 of them. Sad news. Tomorrow is B and B as usual. Tomorrow evening choir practice although I won't be singing Sun. We have an arts festival after the 11:00 service and I'm needed there more than ever sitting up the room. It's the first one after about a 50 year break. The plan is to keep is small but good. Hope it works.

Monday after Sunday

Hard to believe that almost a week has passed since last writing. The sewing machine keeps on punching stuff out. I worked on three dress up items for the Michigan Kids Christmas gifts. I think I'm up to 4 different selections for their play time. The Child Friendly ties are ready to head to Kenya on Friday and I've added some scrub hats that our doctors here in the states wear. Don't know how that will work in Kenya. Carol Lower asked that I finish a quiilt for her grandson so I did that on Sat. I added a back to a wonderfully crossed stitched sports theme quilt and then knotted all the layers together. I picked up another very interesting book at the library having lots of interesting things to make so I'll get to one of those this week. I think JB will find that interesting. The house is in a bit of a funk. Interesting how that happens while I'm sitting at the sewing machine. Thirty minutes of my time will be devoted to fixing the funk. The kitchen seems to be in the dump mode. Then...this afternoon it's Y time. Cold but no snow.

It's Tuesday.

Hard to believe but two huge events at North Church were NOT attended by me. I am over it. Nicer to stay at home and just think the smaller stuff. Sat. night was the 40th something Special Friends Party. It takes lots of folks to pull this off and I hear there were plenty to do that. I attended one years ago but have never gotten involved. Then Sun. evening was the Advent Festival. First year I did not attend. Woo...After a most eventful unbelievably busy Sun morning I was very glad they were NOT expecting me to work the evening shift. I will be so happy when the 25th gets here. Or even better Dec. 31st. That when the family Christmas happens. I did work at church Monday getting things in place for the third Sun. in Advent. It's the Mary Sunday and new things have appeared. I have a bulletin board to pull together on the 18th for the Festival of North's Art Community in the Community Rm. I'm home today...Yahoo. Cleaned up the sewing room. Got all the projects that needed to be finished in one place when I determine that I want to do them and fabric scraps are either tossed or folded up for another day. I hung the Kitchen Christmas curtain. At some point it's back to the Y today. That has been neglected. Not good meaning I'm not putting my needs first. So...back at it. The body works so much better since joining the Y. Tomorrow is the front desk work...Thurs. B and Bowl and if time it's the last day of preparation of Banner Cards we have been selling at church. Friday evening I'm staying with the grandsons. Yahoo. Should be fun to say the least.

Wondering

I'm wondering by my Thanksgiving blog has not shown up. I did it. I can find it but just go ahead and read below. Hope Wondering shows up as having another blog to look at.

Wonderful, Wonderful!

We had a wonderful week in Georgia. We left Indy after church on Sunday and after completing another Advent job Sunday morning. A great bunch of Sr. Hi Kids moved many nativity sets from the room over Kevin's office allowing people to put them in place in the sanctuary yesterday. It's that thinking ahead skill that really got a bunch of work druing November. So...off to Georgia not realizing how tired I was. I slept Sunday afternoon for hrs. and hrs. We stopped for an overnight stay just north of Knoxville, Tenn. Doug's shoulder was not being nice at that point and it was dark and rainy. Not a very nice drive. Then on to Georgia on Mon. morning arriving around noon. The place is beginning to feel like our home away from home. The family retreat house is a very old farm house that has it's charm in it's own way. There are leaky windows, uneven floor with soft spots here and there. Lots of space and it always seems to be like it was the first year we visited Dee. It's unbelievable accommodating. Dee stopped by in the afternoon and the mending began after getting the sewing machine settled in the living room. There really wasn't a whole lot to mend but there were pants to shorten, buttons to sew and seams to stitch. We ate our meals at the retreat center...Yoohoo...no cooking. A real vacation. We walked to the new Heritage Center...It's an amazing place with a wonderful bookstore, refreshment center, bonsai shop and plants of all ages and sizes and then to a history of the monastery. The barn part of the center displays how the monks lived after moving to Georgia showing monks living quarters in the barn as well as pictures of building the current monastery. What a wonderful way to explain who they are and what has happened in the past for them. It's a great history center, Dee along with others having much to do with the written words of explanation. We helped with fudge making one morning, watched biscoti being made all of which is sold in the store. Brothers stopped by from time to time. Rick and our Michigan Jared family arrived Wed. afternoon. Jared always stops at the Lego store so Jacob and Adam promptly put together their newest Lego cars. It's interesting to see how quickly they follow the directions allowing their cars to become a reality. Jacob and Adam and Eli quickly seemed to find their favorite porch to entertain themselves. We talked, ate, watch the kid entertainment, laughed, walked, and shopped during the next days. The weather was a treat with sunny clear days with blue sky in abundance. For the first time we were able to take advantage of the screened in porch. We had lots of pretend restaurant lunches with the grandsons there. Gathering bits of Georgia also was a part of the weekend. Pinecones among other things came to Indiana via the truck which was packed to the max and will find a home here and at church. Saturday evening found us picking up toys, cleaning out the cupboards anticipating a busy Sunday morning when beds were stripped and the door was closed with all of us back in our vehicles driving to the gate with a collection of memories fresh in our minds. Georgia and Conyers and another monestary visit has enriched us once again. Feb. 29, Dee or Cassian will be making his final vowes and once again we plan to make a trip to Georgia. Rain followed us home ALL the way. We stopped for an overnight at Berea. The next morning we visited a coffee shop for a little breakfast in the center of town, walked the street in the rain looking through many shop windows and then by 9 we were back on the road hoping that the bumper to bumper traffic would be less. In some cases it was and in others it wasn't. We took a wonderful road through the hills of Kentucky off the beaten trick arriving at Madison, Indiana. Woo...we found the howlers and hills and beautiful horse country in Kentucky. At 3pm we pulled into the house on Hillsdale, unloaded the truck, stretched a bit and finally with a very cold wind at our back were off to Steak and Shake for supper with memories of another time in Georgia with family. Snow is predicted for tonight...Maybe 3 inches. We're not in Georgia anymore. Thanks you Dee for another visit. Love to you.

Woo...made it!

I made it to Friday morning. That was a huge goal. I think the church decorating stuff is in place for a work session when I'm in Ga. That was huge. And it will continue after arriving back in Indy on Nov. 29th decorating other areas at church. Brought back lesson writing plans. Uck.

I have my sewing stuff packed ready for the Monks mending basket. Should be interesting to say the least. Dee has arranged for us to have a few meals in the retreat center. Fun, fun. I'm lovin it at this point. Today, I'm running the sweeper with the idea of getting this place in some sort of shape. Might even get the tree up although that is not a high priority as it was last year. I'm packing my electric skillet and rolling pin. That takes care of delicious easy pancakes and great pie making. So...what else is there in life? We're having crockpot meals with turkey from the big house. We'll fix a few other things. Even better then eating is seeing kids from Mich. and brother Rick from Richardson Tx. and ofcourse Dee.

Back among the living

Woo...I am so grateful. Yesterday morning was a huge bummer of a do nothing at all morning following a way to many days of doing everything.

By afternoon around 2 I decided to try the Y with a bit of walking. Well, surprise, surprise...after walking for 30 minutes...spinning for 15 and working on the machines I felt like a new woman. How does that happen? This morning I did some major cutting out of fabric for a summer wall hanging I want to put together the week after Christmas at the home of Becky R. She has an annual sewing retreat at her house where people bring machines and sew all day. Never did that with others and should be fun. So...most of the parts are ready to go but got to do a bit more to complete the hanging.

This afternoon it's Y with an update of machines to use. Tonight I'm meeting with a group of church ladies to bring together plans to update the community room kitchen which is completely, I mean completely worn out. Doors are falling off the cupboards after being reattached way to many times. Will the update happen? Well, someone needs to find a ton of money...NOT me. We're doing the "what do we need" part. That's needed before...how much $ do we need. There are two ladies on the committee who have done a ton of restaurant/kitchen planning and who have actually worked in restaurants. We are blessed...I hope. So...easy day so far and should continue.

Tomorrow morning I'm working the church desk. Thursday morning is Soup Kitchen. Friday is button up all the stuff needed for the first Sun. in Advent and then Sat...pack for Georgia. Sun. morning church and Sun. afternoon...we are on the road. Yahoo...Georgia, here we come. See you Monday afternoon. We're out of here for a week.

Wooo...

I'm getting way to old to be so busy with stuff. Today is catch up time...do one thing and sit for 30 minutes...one more thing and sit for 60 minutes. After a crazy week, Sat. and Sunday continued with the same theme. The memorial service and reception for Ross Faris was attended by at least 500 people. Just covering all the bases along with two other people was a bit much. It was an 8 am to 2pm event. Yesterday was just about as busy with serving apples and cider (from the reception...Ross was a huge gardener and farmer's market guy) along with all the regular Sunday jobs and then singing for two services. It was a great anthem and we had a guest organist from Spain...Unbelievable. At 3Pm we attended a grand birthday party for 5 year old Andrew. LOts of fun and I didn't need to do one thing. Kat, as usual was well organized. The 20 little church friends and some parents had a great time as well as Andrew's grandparents.
Today I started thinking about Georgia and decided on food. It's going to be simple crockpot stuff, pancakes and carry in pizza among other stuff. I'm shopping in Conyers for what we need. I'm not stressing out about Georgia. That's it for now. Back to the chair.

Woo...busy, Friday for sure`

Sometimes it's better not to know what is in store for one on a given day. This week seemed to have a lot of that. For instance...today the first thing I did was make a list of things that needed to happen today with a time beside the event. I'm on schedule. It involved the Y...taking trunks to the airport for Eldoret, making a bag for Andrew's 5th birthday presents which is today...going to the funeral home with my neighbor, and then supper at S and S with the birthday boy and his family. That took some doing but all will get done and the schedule of times certainly made that happen. Two trunks left today. Yahoo. Only 5 more to go. I think we are in pretty good shape with the possibility of all trunks shipped by the end of January. If that happens it's a very good thing. Tomorrow will start early with work at church for a memorial service for Ross Faris. His death was very unexpected and will be a loss for many folks. Ross was a pioneer in farmer's market work. He raised the best vegetables and fruits supplying many restaurants in Indy as well as his market work. So...that will take care of much of tomorrow at least until 2pm or so. We had the first snow of the year two days ago. So exciting just to see the white stuff floating around on the breeze. I worked on Advent things that will get us through the first Sunday of Advent in fine shape. More will happen after we are back from Georgia. So...another busy week. Life is good.

Cloudy Monday

It's a gray day with some rain here in Carmel. Not enough to keep me at home. The goal for today was to work at church, putting away All Saints Day and then moving on to Advent. I got both accomplished, storage rearranged to be more efficent and boxes, bags, old grapes pitched. The storage room looks much better and should be a refreshing change to start Advent. It would seem that if I need to depend on myself, I am able to work ahead better rather than waiting on others to work on their time frame. Maybe not a work saver but it seems to be easier for me. Our Doris card sale continues to grow every week. I think we are up to about 3500 cards with more to come. So...now it's Birthday Shopping for Andrew who will be 5 this week. Wow...seems like he was only born a year ago. Two disturbing deaths at church last week. One a community guy who joined church was getting off the bus and was hit by a truck, the other Ross F. was in a very freak bicycle accident. Such unexpected deaths. Sewing as usual learning how to machine quilt with many different patterns. Fun to do. I had three sets of placemats that all needed quilting so it's been lots of fun practicing. I'm learning. Off to the Y for the daily walk.

Wed. at church

Really sort of nice to just sit a spell. Yesterday afternoon I helped Sarah Ellen finish closing up 8 trunks that will eventually be sent to Eldoret. What a job. Sem said getting them all closed up allowed her to get to bed at 2:30 THIS MORNING. She was working on a presentation she needs to give to the US ambassador upon arriving in Nirobi. In the past she has not gone to bed the night before leaving for Kenya. How does she do it all. It's impressive and I could in no way keep up with her. She is taking 4 trunks with her and I will try to find someone eventually to take the other 7. Joe took 3 with him as well. So...we packed a lot of stuff. Today is always a bit sad knowing that I won't see her for another 6 months. It's great to have such a good friend. I need sponsors to send me back to Kenya. The next time would be for 2 months. Doug hasn't heard it yet but with little money...he doesn't need to worry. So...shell out folks! I get lonesome for that place. I've been doing a bit of sewing learning how to do machine quilting. Its fun and I think easy to do on small pieces. Big pieces are more difficult. I'm waiting on dimensions to do the next 4 wall hangings for the treatment rooms at Moe University. I continue to meet the quota of filling garbage cans with trimmings from the garden. There still is lots to do. I'm thinking about Advent at church and typed up some instructions for folks who will be working while we are in Georgia for Advent's first Sunday. We'll finish up decorating when we get back. I need to think about the Xmas Tree at our house. Always great to come home after Georgia and have it finished.

Sunny Saturday.

Another beautiful fall day in Indiana. I should go out and clean up the flowerbeds. I started last week with two huge containers for the garbage. If I do that weekly the place should be cleaned up sooner than later. Yesterday, the sewing machine hummed all day. I talked with SEM about wall hangings for the children's treatment rooms in the hospital and decided to get started. I sewed two banners 18x60 that have at least 6 different blocks cut from fabric African animal skins with an animal boarder. I think the renditions of the skins are really authentic looking. Lots of fun. After doing the first one and figuring out the dimensions the second one was easy. Today I'm starting on two more making the parts. The first two will each have seven brightly colored cars filled with lots of different buttons of different numbers and lots of trims. I want it to look like a wall hanging and not like a quilt so I'm thinking! I think after the cars are finished, I'll move on to trucks that will fill two more banners. That should do it for the treatment rooms. Three banners for each room along with the animal pictures that will be attached to the wall with paste should do it. We bought out Baby's R Us. Sarah Ellen continues to receive more recognition in Kenya for her child advocacy work concerning children and their health treatment while hospitalized. It's a new concept for Kenya as well as probably all of Africa. Doctors are learning to listen to questions raised by patients and parents. It's a slow process. I would guess about 60 years ago, Doctors were deficient in listening to patients here as well. Some still are. Sarah Ellen has Child Life nurses who stay with children during treatment. That's another unheard of effort! So...the treatment rooms will hopefully be a bit more child friendly. So...back to the machine and back to my sewing brain.

Already Thursday

Well, lots of fun this week. It started on Monday with shopping with SEM. That was a hoot. Always is and always will be. Tuesday was doctor day with Doug. Once again we heard that the tear was huge. We have pictures that only doctors can really talk about but make us curious about what we're seeing. Lots of repairs for sure. Doug has exercises that must be done. It brings back memories for me remembering how difficult they were to do after surgery. Doug is finding out the same. We're back to the doc in 4 weeks. The arm continues to be in a sling for that whole amount of time reminding us that this was a huge tear as discribed by John the doc assistant. Doug tried to sleep in bed last night but found that impossible. Yesterday I got my scissors sharpened. That's a big yahoo. The difficulty is finding someone to sharpen. I took a lot of receipts to church to get reimbursed. Then to the garden shop to buy two holly bushes we will use on the altar at church during Advent. Something different and not Poinsettias. Enough of them for this year at least. We'll see what the complaints are. I'm sure I will hear. Could be dangerous but I'll chose not to listen! Then home for a bit and then on to SEM's to pack trunks for Kenya. We ended up with 11. It was a birthday day for her and we had another hoot afternoon. It's toys...office supplies...kitchen stuff...holiday stuff...craft stuff for the children...medicine...some books...crayons...and more. All needed, used and much loved. I did a sub job once again for bells. Woo...busy week. Doug mentioned that it was nice I stopped in for supper! I'm thinking about that statement. Well, he read all day so did he miss me? This morning is soup kitchen and the end of the month. We will be busy with enough stuff to keep 6 people busy preparing for the 11 o'clock hr. This afternoon is the Y...a trip to the fabric store for a great sale and then thinking and planning 3 wall hangings for the treatment rooms for children at Moi University just outside the Sally Test room. Should be lots of fun. Choir tonight. Doug plans to go. He can drive now but needs to make a few concessions with turning on lights, turn signals and seat belts. But...it's doable. He's going to heart rehab this morning but will just use the treadmill/bike. No weights for a long time. Life goes on. That's it from Carmel.

Sunny Monday

Well, today was a hoot. It was busy, busy and started with a trip to church to hang new bannersand water flowers and then I spent almost the entire rest of the day with Sarah Ellen. We shopped in 8 stores...I'm always the driver and my little car was full almost to the roof. We started at 10:30 and finished around 4 purchasing a card load of stuff to send back to Kenya. Wed. afternoon is packing day. This happens every time SEM comes home. Lots of time to talk in the car. It was two happy ladies having a great time together. Yesterday at church it was the best music ever. Such a wonderful up lifting message through lots of music about caring for the earth among other things. We became whales if you can believe that. Well, almost. We sang both services. Hospitality time continues to be fast and full meeting the need of allowing folks to gather from the four corners of our city and counties around. Sarah Ellen and Bob Einternz did a Kenya talk during the 9:45 hour in fellowship hall. Joe was called back to Kenya to meet some important folks like the US ambassador who has something to do with funding. Good for him I guess perhaps but bummer for us. Colts lost big time...Boo Hoo. Way to many things went wrong. The sewing machine continues to hum. I made 5 bibs yesterday as well as some fabric baskets earlier in the week. The quilt is finished and I think will travel to Georgia with us. I'd love to see the boys playing on this one unless I send it earlier to Michigan. Tomorrow morning Doug sees the surgeon. He continues to do well, taking little medication for pain. We'll hear about therapy tomorrow I hope. He is keeping it in a sling at all times and is in compliance. We hit Steak and Shake for Supper. Doug's favorite but almost becoming my least favorite place to eat. No diversity. Doug doesn't mind that for sure. He eats the same thing for years!!! Not me. Now on to Monday night football. I hope to see a good game.

Rainy Wed.

Cold and wet today. The weather is changing. Doug continues to do well. That means he's not doing much but probably could do more. But the doc did say he must be very careful with his shoulder to prevent another tear. Doug is in compliance for sure. No pain medicine since Sunday except for Tylenol. My latest project has been candle making for Advent. I think I'm finished for this year. I've had my fill of wax messes. 4 new 2 ft. blue candles, for the sanctuary. We already have a pink and white 2 ft. plus candle. 1 pink and 1 white fat candle to use along with 3 short blue candles for the Advent Festival and a host of little votive candles to take care of all the services during Advent and Christmastide. That's off the list. Yahoo. Tomorrow I'm meeting with a friend and we are going to put together the quilt that I'm making for Eli. Should be fun but in this case the more hands to do the putting together...the better. Then I'll start quilting with the sewing machine. Today Ruth S brought me jars of buttons and ric rac. Fun stuff for sure. My stash of buttons is getting low and it 's great to have a new supply. Lots of neat old and new buttons. Subbing for handbells tonight. One more thing that I really don't need but bell subs are almost impossible to get. This is it for a while. We did some visual arts work Tuesday changing banners, creating some fall arrangements for different places in the church and putting together two huge Christmas wreaths in blue and white and gold to hang at the back of the church. The rest will be blue Christmas banners and some arrangements on the altar along with the large candles at the front of the church. Easy and done! At least that's what I'm hoping.

Very eventful two days

Thursday was another busy soup kitchen day. Rickie was out of it and I needed to sit with him so the other folks were not scared of him. He was seeing someone and was quite mad at them...I told him to pick up his fork and eat...Humm...there is somewhere a story about pick up your bed and walk. Then it was off to lunch at Doris Douglas house with some other very delightful ladies. The food was yummy for sure. Then off to the market to pick up huge mum pots for the altar this Sunday and next. Doris always has her house decorated so beautifully so I decided to up the stuff I had done at church a few more degrees. I can do better. Then...home for wonderful bean soup and then off to church for choir.

This morning Doug had his rotator cuff fixed. He was a bit nervous about it although he didn't want to say the same. But actions speak louder than words. The repair was much more complicated than thought but the Doc said it was completed. Doug should be wearing a sling for 4 to 6 weeks. The doc. had talked about a 2 week sling time so that's changed a bit. He must be very careful not to tear it again. I hope he will follow doctors orders. Right now the nerve block is working but that should end around supper. Then it's on to big time pain pills.

I'm getting boxes, suitcases, clothes etc. moved around to make life a little easier for winter. The weather has been perfect. The flower garden is unbelievable beautiful. Monarchs are still here. I love having cut flowers in the house. Such a good close up of what is available for cutting.

Yup...another Wed.

This Wed. I did not work at church but I certainly worked much harder here at home. Woo...I'm bushed. It started with the thought that the stove needed cleaning. Well, really the whole kitchen needed cleaning. I finished the last of 4 candles for Advent and no matter how careful I am...wax gets everywhere when I'm candle making. So...the stove was an utter mess. Health board would have closed me down. So...it was scrub, scrub and scrub some more. I tore the whole top of the stove apart and then decided that if I did an oven cleaning the drip pans and rings could go in the oven. So...I did that. Then it was on to the counter tops which have been neglected far to long and then the table with mail stacked and that got uncovered and I changed the placemats...got out the pumpkin and got it lit, brought some beautiful flowers in and then finally on to the floor. I would love to say I cleaned out all the cupboards but that's another day. OOps...started the day on the sewing machine. So relaxing. Then it was putting fans away which means taking them apart and washing all the dirt out of them. Neighbors grand children are visiting from Denver so Anna and Alley came over and we made headbands together. Judy brought apples so Anna and Ally and I made a pie and it's baking in the Armstrong oven. Doug and I went to Long John Silvers for a greasy lunch meal. My choice but one of those meals will do me for the next 10 years or more. So now it's 7pm. Wish football were on tonight.
The goal now is to get the fans put in the closet but the closet needs cleaning out. One thing leads to another for sure. Doug had his preop check up today ready for shoulder surgery early Friday morning. Tomorrow is soup kitchen and a lunch at Doris Douglas house, then choir practice tomorrow evening. Looks like there will be no minutes to do much here.

Friday evening

Yup...not Wed. I just let it pass by. Fun week again. As usual the sewing machine just keeps on sewing. I finished another denim back pack along with a few more small denim purses that hold billfold, phone and a little more. So much fun decorating with crewel yarn, belt buckles, ribbon and buttons. Every one is different. Sold one and had an order for another one and Beth G is participating in a fall craft sale and wants to sell everything I have. We'll see. But the inventory just keeps on growing. Eli now has a huge pillow with cars/trucks, wall hanging and the top for the quilt is finished. Big sale at Hancock Monday and I'll get the rest of the stuff I need. It's been a blast. Great eye candy. So sorry it's almost finished although the quilt is the bigger of the projects.
Doug has been taking pain pills...unknown to me...silent suffer...for a very sore shoulder. So...to the ortho doc he went finally and now rotator cuff is scheduled for the 14th. He doesn't mess around but wants it FIXED asap or better yet yesterday.
Weather has been wonderful...some warm...some cool and some in between. Kenya activities have slowed down...thank heavens...Sarah Ellen and Joe will be back next week on the 15th.

I'm substituting for a friend playing handbells Sunday. I feel like I'm filling in the space and I do get about 75 % of the notes after one rehearsal, playing for the introit...bells, organ, piano and choir. So...who will miss a bell or two. NO ONE.

We've had fun Sat. mornings watching Andrew play soccer. Last game is tomorrow morning at 10 at the Y. I'm on the treadmill every day for almost an hr most days. Wooo...it's a fast clip that makes me sweat. Should do wonders for the sugar factor.

Can you believe...Wed.

It seems that my blogs come every 7 days...What a habit. Today I'm at the front desk at church again. It's always a very interesting place to be. One never knows what will walk through the door. I've been having a blast on the sewing machine once again. I finished 24 blocks for Eli's quilt. This afternoon I hope to purchase more fabric to sew the blocks together. Lots of cars and trucks on this quilt. Jacob has little farmer boys...Adam has chickens and Eli's quilt is filled with cars and trucks. It's far from completed but it's on the way. I also used up the last pr. of demin jeans making another backpack. Everyone is different and just fun to see what one can make with a throw away pair of jeans one can get from Goodwill. We have a last chance place Goodwill where one can purchase by the pound. What a bargin although jeans are heavy. I'm spending time at the Y and have figured out how to read while walking and spinning. I'm reading Animal Dreams by Kingsolver. I'm up to 30 minutes walking at a pretty fast clip and spinning 30 minutes and machines every other day. My body is working much better...Yahoo.
Sarah Ellen and Joe are here from Eldoret. We delivered some empty trunks to their house Monday evening and had a great little 20 minute visit. I'm hearing often from Regina Owene who was here for heart surgery. She is doing wonderfully well back in Eldoret, climbing stairs, walking and doing even some dancing. Her favorite. Her surgery and recovery has been filled with miracle moments. When she first came before surgery, she had difficulty walking up a low incline ramp.

Wed. again and again

This is getting to be a habit. It's the third Wed. The weather has been wonderful. Cool in the day most of the time and great sleeping weather. The sewing machine continues to be busy. I am gathering fabric to start a third quilt. This one is for Eli. The Y continues to have visits on the treadmill and bike and machines. Yesterday Doug and I drove to Fort Wayne to pick up a Cabela tent almost like our friends Marcia and Dennis have. Theirs is an 8 persons tent...ours is 6 persons tent. Now we need to set it up at least once before we go camping next year. We have camped with Dennis and Marcia foryears. They introduced us to Cabala. The third Cabala tent on the campgrounds is also a 6 persons tent so I think we know what we have without even getting it out of the box. This evening I'm going to some sort of gardening meeting with neighbor Judy. Something different for sure. Tomorrow is soup kitchen day and our soup maker will not be here so it will be double duty. I've got to arrive early for sure.

Wednesday again.

It's a lovely cool Wed. morning. Yesterday was over 90 and I think or hope that's the end of the 90's. Enough is enough. Yes. Texas is still out of control. Yesterday the sewing machine had difficulty stopping. It was another bag day. Six new ones and one smaller denim bag. My back was killing me by the end of the day. I have NO sense. I'm going the Y almost every day with treadmill, spinning and weights on some days. Getting stronger. Trying to hold off old age. That could be a joke. Not much more new stuff going on. JB would say same old same old.

Wednesday

Well, the Carnival is over and the temp reached 100 degrees in the afternoon. It was the hottest day I think of the year or at least it felt like it. The Carnival did well and I feel it is one of the more worthwhile efforts I make during the year. But it was HOT as @#$%@!@. Sunday evening was a wonderful time at the Macky house with a ton of friends who are associated with the Umoja Kenya project from at least 4 churches in the area. Lots of good food and wonderful conversation. Winnie and Joseph were honored guests returning to Kenya on Tuesday. Winnie was here for three month and Joseph 3 weeks. I've connected on Facebook with Regina who was here this summer for heart surgery. She is doing wonderfully well, back in Kenya walking, climbing steps and more with a heart that works. Many, many lasting friendships were made this summer.

I'm sewing, sewing. At the carnival kids design more muslin squares that now are incorporated into 15 banners that will be sent to 15 Umoja schools in western Kenya. They are beautiful and are about 70% finished. I needed to take a break from that project. I'm also working on a skirt for Kenyan friend Salome with tie dye fabric that she brought from Kenya and...another project is in the planning stages...5 small room indicator banners for the churches' first floor children's rooms. So the sewing machine stays busy. All of these projects has an element of design that I get to complete. Fun, fun. So my life stays busy. Choir practice starts Thursday evening, Bread and Bowl continues, working at the church desk on Wed. , watering flowers, eating melons and watching pumpkins ripen, working out at the Y and going out to lunch with friends.

Friday 9/2

Wooo...it's hot in Indy. Yesterday at least 99 and hotter. Today the same. Tomorrow maybe 92. Makes me tired. The Umoja dinner last night was a smashing success. Lots of good food. The decorating part was outstanding and I'm soooo glad it's over although it was a fun project. Today is lunch with my teacher friends. What a change of pace. I will love it. I do need to make another trip to church this morning to get things back to where they belong. Tomorrow is the Kenya Carnival. We hope to raise 35,000 dollars for Umoja support. Next Tuesday noon I'm having lunch with Patty H. It should be a good talking time. Also next Tuesday our Kenya friends, Joseph and Winnie head back to Kenya. Joseph has been here for 2 weeks, Winnie for 3 months. It's been a Kenya person summer. Regina who had heart surgery is doing well. She should be back to work in another month. The Y is giving me a good workout with treadmill, machines and bike. Missed yesterday but back at it today. The fact that the Y is less than 3 miles away and I pass it every day on the way to church keeps the place fresh in my mind. Time to get moving.

Monday...29

Well, busy but can't remember all the details. I'm watering flowers and they look like they are enjoying the little extra attention. We're eating melon and tomatoes from the garden along with using lots of herbs. Makes things tasty. One thing that I'm thinking about is cod fish. We're eating more cod then ever. I think it's the lake experience but Cod is also good and cheap. I'm trying to eat in a more healthy way. So...tonight...Cod, tomatoes and melon along with water melon. Not to shabby. I joined the Y a couple of weeks ago and try to go for about an hr. a day. Some days are a bit longer. It's 8 machines that build muscle and then it's the treadmill for 30 minutes. So far so good. I'm enjoying it alot. We were invited along with a bunch of other folks to some church friends house Sat. evening for a dinner with our two Kenyan friends who are here in the states. Nice evening and lots of good talk with lots of friends. This week on Thursday evening we are having a huge dinner at St. Lukes Meth. for our Kenyan friends with about 170 folks coming. I'm in charge of decorating tables/walls and altar for worship. so I've been collecting stuff. I think I'm in great shape to transform a huge gym. Sat. is the Kenya Carnival at Sec. Presb. and I'll be working a booth at that Carnival hoping to raise about $35,000.00 for tuition payments for about 125 highschool students in western Kenya. The plate continues to be full with things to do.

It's Saturday...

This week has been way to intense compared to the last two weeks. Goodness do I know vacation is over? You bet. I made a huge commitment a few months ago on a project having to do with a mission trip to western Kenya by 6 ladies from central Indiana. And...the project is 99% done. I sewed 150 8 inch squared decorated by Kenyan children into banners. Woo...that was a huge job and I am sooooo thankful that job is completed. I met the deadline in good time. There are 13 banners of various sizes from 6 block banners to 21 block banners. It will be a hot Christmas day in Alaska when I do 150 squares again. Soup kitchen went well. We've had dinner on the patio watching all the birds coming back to the feeders that were empty during the Michigan trip. Yesterday afternoon I joined the Y. Do I want to exercise NO...do I need to YES! So...Hope that happens with not all the effort I think now is needed. I'm hoping that my body is not so tired and that it utilizes sugar better. My numbers are good but there is just to much weight around that effects my sleeping patterns and my numbers could still be even better. Today the temp is up again. Can't wait till summer heat is gone for good. As of today...no deadlines for the coming week. Hope that continues to be true.

Vacation and more

This years vacation was the best ever. So many laughs and so many memories. The 5 little guys were just a barrel of monkeys to say the least. Jared and Kimmy were right next door with Kat and Eric about 6 campsites away. It was pancakes for just about every day for the Michigan family. So much conversation and a laugh every morning. The weather was perfect with high perhaps in the 70's somewhere and the evenings were less than that for sure. Sleeping bags felt good on at least 2 nights. Doug and I ate lots of smoked salmon with a pasty now and then. Not much cooking on my part except breakfast. We hit the restaurant on some occasions. Great Sandbay and Superior were sure winners in my book. Good talk with Leslie and Dennis...lots of laughs with Marcia and another Dennis. Trips to the icecream shop happened every evening as well. We took two days for the trip going and coming home. I think I was at least 10 million corn stocks, huge wind farms in Northern Indiana and more trees the numbers infinate. Most of the camping stuff is packed away although the garage needs a good clean out. I've been to meetings to many to count or so it seems. The Indiana routine hit me in the face full bore two hours after arriving home. Today...wed...was a huge all day event with Doris Douglas as she lecture about litergical banners to about 80 folks gathered in the sanctuary at North. She talked about 12 banners and filled an hour with lots of information. Doris and I were treated at Woodstock for lunch with 4 very interesting ladies, two of her old friends and 2 new to her and I as well. Tomorrow is soup kitchen. Wow...the Indy routine has hit me full in the face. Just 50 more weeks is what we have told the kids and we're back in the UP. Fun, fun.

A full week later

Yesterday was the last day Regina Owino was with us. Her stay has been so rewarding and I'm feeling a bit tight chested today. She has moved to Linda W. house for a few days and then on to Emily Matthews. Emily will get her on the plane a week from this Sunday for a long trip home arriving in Niarobi Monday night and then to Eldoret Tuesday morning. How excited she will be to see family and friends, some of who said a trip to Indiana would be futile wishing her to live with a heart that might or might not result in sudden death. It's been weeks of great experiences from a trip to the north and a trip to the south to see a little of Indiana country...making corn porridge every morning which I ate as a child in the evening with the name of cornmeal mush. Different names...same thing. In Regina's case, lemon juice was always added to her cup. Then there was the yummy Kale dish. Yes...yummy cooked only to the first degree of doneness. Tomatoes, onions and cilantro and hot peppers along with bush meat (beef stew) were Regina's delight. Me trying to understand the queens English and trying not to say to many times...what did you say and the Regina trying her best but being defeated in talking like an American. We talked about Red Neck stuff...her children...two girls and a boy, one finishing law school, one a senior in highschool and her 8 year old son...my children...finding out that she was born in 1970 just as Eric was...hearing about her mother carrying for Gift...wanting to buy a motor bike and laughing when her late husband saying he would not wave if she drove by...ladies don't drive motor bikes in Kenya...being the first on the dance floor...making tea the Kenya way, it must be boiled...eating egg plant making it the American way...sleeping in till 11 one day and then back to sleep in the afternoon helping her newly repaired heart mend...her last meal with us included liver at her request and at my request a trip to Dairy Queen. Every day was packed with a little of this and a little of that. She is returning to Kenya with a huge photo album of nearly 300 pictures of places she has been and the miles she has traveled. So..Kenya came to me and I am all the better for clearing a room of unneeded things...borrowing a bed and making a place for a new friend to teach me more than I could have imagined. We have been blessed. In two days we are off to Michigan anticipating a wonderful two weeks camping with 5 grandsons as well as their parents. Now I would say that this summer has been especially eventful with not to much grass growing under our feet, not a whole lot of time to sit but more than imagined learned.

Just a bit of musing on the past month.

Exciting Day?

Today was Doctor Day for Regina. We arrived at Meth. Hospital around 10 and didn't leave until near 3pm. Long day. We met with Dr. Williams who is the doctor in charge. Surgeon was doing surgery so we skipped that doc. There is a significant problem with a heart murmur which was heard before surgery but with all the strange things that were going on in the impared heart chambers it was low on the radar but now it's at the top. It is significant according to Dr. W. We're waiting to hear how that will do to her leaving date on Sunday. Something tells me that's not going to happen. We were off to an x-ray and them echo and then having a monitor installed that will track what her heart is doing until 3pm Friday. So...what's happening...we'll see at some point. She was dissapointed to say the least but kept a firm upper lip. Good for Regina. Porriage continues to be the favorite morning meal along with banana or pineapple etc. I'm learning to cook some Kenyan dishes and that seems to fill the need. Tomorrow morning she is coming to Soup Kitchen to see all that happens to make that work. We shopped for a few unusual kitchen gadgets, unusual for her but not for us. Weather continues to be warm to HOT. Sleeping is not really comfortable but day time naps fix that somewhat. It is almost easier to stay in the hot environment instead of dropping in on air conditioning and then back to hot. Funny how that works.

Friday

Interesting and rewarding week. Regina came to my house Tuesday evening and is doing very well considering having had open heart surgery on the 7th. Her ability to eat and even ask for seconds is just wonderful. She is healing. We've taken a few trips out looking around visiting a farmers market and doing what ever she has energy for. I'm cooking porriage as she calls it...Mush and lemon juice to me (her favorite)as well as having bush meat last night for supper. That's a beef roast in a crock pot. And that's been ordered as well for today. These new names are very interesting. Some other events are planned for her before she leaves for Kenya on the 24th. It's been a lot of fun having her here with us.

Almost a week

Yes...it's almost a week since I wrote. Finished turning the computer room office into a computer room bedroom for Regina, my newest Kenyan friend. Regina was released from the hospital on Friday after a long and difficult heart surgery. She is staying with Linda Wilson until Tuesday evening and then it's my house for the rest of the recuperation time here in the states. We've done lots of visiting, laughing and just trying to keep everything going in the right direction. She is having some eating issues, even when eating Kenyan prepared food. So...that will probably be one of our bigger challenges. Garden continues to do well although the birds distroyed some of my favorite flowers. I think they are seeing the bloom as delicious seeds. But there are plenty of other flowers. Today I took two huge vases filled with flowers from the garden (white daisy,cone flowers, hosta flowers and leaves, day lillies, fennel, grasses, wild carrots) for the altar flowers. They are stunning. That happens once or twice a summer depending on need and ease of transportation. The morning hospitality time went well even though we were really short of help. I had to keep thinking about the little engine that could. Tonight I want to go to a session on Servant or Sucker at Lockerbi UMC. Our minister Brian Williams has had this series at church but I'm always working hospitality. Should be interesting. Tomorrow is an Umoja meeting...MK...sister is taking me out for birthday lunch which is really the 13th but I need to be with Regina on that day. That's about it for today. Might take another nap. Sunday afternoon is saved for a few if those. 20 days till camping starts!

It's the 4th

Cloudy gentle rainy morning. Hope to go to the Carmel parade this morning with the kids...should be fun. Later today I'm off to Methodist Hospital to see Regina. Her healing is slow but it continues. She still is in the cvcc unit but hopes to be moved out very soon. At one point we anticipated that she would be released from the hospital today but I think we missjudged. Weather has been in the 90's but should move back to the high 80's this week. Garden continues to do well. Beans are growing, melons are setting on, peas are coming on beets are growing. It's time to take a cup of coffee and walk through the garden. Funny things happen during the night. Wish I knew what was going on. Melon vines were moved all over the place Sat. night. Time to spray for the deer again.

Clean house

Well, that happened today but at twice the price quoted to me. I couldn't be home and I think they pushed something on to Doug. But...it's finished and I'm not fussing about it one bit. Carpets are drying once again and tomorrow we should be good to get the house back together.

Today was Regina Owino's heart surgery and it went well with no unexpected surprises. That makes the carpet issue a non issue. We taking little steps and soon we will be running.

Flowerbeds are looking wonderful but I just moved the sprinkler. It's getting necessary to water just a bit.

Temperatures remain very reasonable and makes for good summer sleeping. Just saw a hot air balloon fly over the house. Having great fun watching the birds in the backyard. We really have quite a variety with a cardinal next 2 ft. from our upstairs window. It's a birdseye view. Wren's are nesting and just saw a Downy woodpecker as well as a nuthatch. And...ofcourse millions of sparrows. Oops...left out many bright yellow finches. They are beautiful.

Wrong again

Must be doing something wrong. Carpet people were scheduled this afternoon and...you guessed it. Didn't show up...I called and they said it wasn't scheduled although they had my name address, cost of the procedure etc. I almost said screw you but I didn't. They gave me 10% off the cost...big deal. I should have demanded at least 20%. So...perhaps...maybe...could happen...don't count on it...perhaps...tomorrow at 10. I certainly am not holding my breath. The house has been torn up for over a week now and that could or couldn't not be corrected tomorrow, depending on the screw you crew. Life has it's challenges, that's a sure thing at this point.

More important...Regina's heart surgery is tomorrow. It's a huge surgery and it must go well. The heart muscle must be reduced in size so that the valve can do it's work. So...the carpet is a minor infraction just a little aggravation if I've got my head on correctly. But...I want my carpet cleaned so that Regina will have a decent place to sleep in the coming weeks. Go figure.

Changes

This is a week of changes. Changes in the date the carpet gets cleaned...That's another story I won't bother with but the fact that I was so upset with the first crew made me finish the garden digging,,,that was a lot of digging and clean out the garage. That was a lot of dirt. So something to show for my experience with Stanley Steamer. Sears will be out on Wed. afternoon. Yahoo. I hope!

Another change. This past Friday Regina came to the states from Eldoret for heart surgery. I met her Sunday evening and what a gem has come our way. Monday we saw lots of things. She asks a million questions and is interested in EVERYTHING. What fun. So it was a visit to the Tractor Service store because she wanted to know what was in that store, Goodwill and then to Pet Smart to see lizards that people buy here where as in Kenya they are thicker than flies. Then a stop at the church and at 2:00 PM there was a Cath. of the heart and an Echo gram in preparation for surgery on Thursday. The heart muscle has thickened and is affecting how the valve works. Serious stuff which involves cutting away part of the heart muscle. Scary stuff. Hard to comprehend that is possible. So...pray, pray, pray. Regina is a widow, 41 years old the mother of three children, the youngest just 8. Just a young lady. She will be staying with us after surgery and a short stay with Linda Wilson. Yesterday was a long day and Doug and I had dinner at S and S at 9:00. Today I would love to take her to the Children's Museum. That's quite different than the tractor store for sure. Tonight is another meeting at Sec. Presb. about the recent trip made by a group of ladies in May to Kisuma Kenya. Tomorrow is work at the church desk, carpet cleaners and then getting the house back in order, I hope! Wooo...always something going on. Life is to live and love. Sun. evening at Sec. Presb. we sang Great is Thy Faithfulness. Remember the part...strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow. How vivid that has become to me.

Goodness...6idays later

Where does the time go. Help. Well, the only thing I can say is that it's great not to know what is ahead of one. Might refuse to get out of bed if I knew. We had one gangbuster of a rain storm yesterday and even though we are on a hill...you guessed it...water in the lower level. 2 inches at least. It was one continuous cloud burst of about 4 inches at least in perhaps less than 3 hrs. I think we need new BIGGER spouting. So...yesterday was one heck of a day. Fans are still running and the floor is still wet. Crazy, crazy. Not much fun if any. We had the same thing happen about 8 years ago. This is the summer of rain for sure. Garden was completely flooded and there was rain pooling in places I've never seen the likes of. Keystone Ave. culvert collapsed. That's a major thing for sure.

So...today was a bit slower. Tomorrow morning a few of us will change the liturgical colors from red to green. That's such fun when one is prepared. I spent a bit of time today getting things ready for the work crew. Seems to make things go a bit smoother. Today was another cataract day for neighbor Judy. I'm so happy for her that her surgeries are over. Yearly fish fry is coming up Friday. Eric/family and friend Salome are going with us. Should be fun. Thursday evening I have an Umoja meeting with folks from other churches. Love to meet new folks with Kenya interests.

Cool is a good thing

Still cool and add the rain to that. It's COLD. Yesterday I liberated two huge pine trees of ivy and more. At least 6 feet of ivy growing on the trunk and now all the ivy higher than six feet will need to die on it's own. Will probably take two years for all the junk to fall off the tree. I really did a number on my hands...it 's arthur at his best that shows up around 3 am. Uck. Happens more and more. Hands just are meant to be used but I guess not abused. Never think of that until 3 am in the morning and I guess I don't know what abuse is without use. Life certainly could be worse. Bought a few more plants to fill in empty spaces. The gardens look just terrific. Well, at least good compared to my neighbor. She keeps me going. We ate lettuse yesterday, beans are waiting for blumes, peas need to get going, herbs are doing nicely, pumpkin hasn't died and the melons are progressing across the garden.

Cooler in Indiana

The last two days have been the best temps ever. Sort of like camping along the lake. The outdoors are most enjoyable. This morning I dug around all the flowers...found some deer nibbles and got everything spruces up again. Did a doc checkup and then got a tree uncovered from lots of stuff growing around it. Need JB to finish the job. It takes a tree climber. And then to the drugstore for a Shingles shot.

Yesterday was church, Salome for lunch, heard a wonderful brass concert and then off to Winnie's birthday party with lots of food a Kenyan might eat. Delicious to say the least.

Tomorrow it's taking Judy to the eye surgeon, then a yoga thing and who knows what else. That's it...the living is easy. Must be summer.

Hot In Indiana

It's hot again and high today of 94 or so. Plants are loving the fact that their feet are not sitting in the water. It's time to take it easy. I love getting in the garden when the dew is still on the grass. Then it's break time till evening but the bugs are out big time. Still fighting the deer but have a new solution to spray that I hope works. Time will tell. Sarah Ellen is back in Nirobi by now and off to Eldoret when it is Wed. morning for her. There is a 7 hr. time difference. I miss her. We had such a good time working together. She is so far away. Doug and I delivered 2 more trunks to folks leaving for Kenya this morning. Just 5 more to find transportation for. Salome and I attended a Kenya Carnival meeting Monday evening. We worked all morning at church getting Pentecost banners up and then Salome came home with me. We went to the grocery store and Target at her request mainly just to look around. She made a wonderful tomato, red onion, lemon and cilantro salad. Then to the meeting and then I took her home.
This afternoon is the dentist...Uck. Thurs B and B and Choir. Same old same old.

A busy week

Well, it really was a week that had lots in it. A really big project was packing trunks for Kenya. There are a total of 13 this time around for Sarah Ellen. Lots of work to get the job done correctly and believe me we were correct. We worked like crazy and got 7 totally completed and the rest were about 95% finished. I was one tired lady but it's got to be done. I spent most of Wed. afternoon at an Umoja meeting at Sec. Presb. with Salome. I gave her a trip around Carmel, stop at our house and then to S and S and then took her home. Thursday was soup kitchen day with more stops at IU and other necessary places, farmers mkt. at church and then choir. Today I was home! But...that really meant that I made a stop at Rosie's for more plants and then worked in the yard all day. The flowerbeds are gorgous. All is freshened up with some replanting where plants died. It's the best garden I have had in years. Now...it's keeping it going. We had supper on the patio and just sat and watched the hummingbird, butterflies and bees and wonderful gold finches. Low humidity and great temp. made it just the best place to eat. Tomorrow is Eric's 41st birthday. Where have the years gone. Saw him on TV at the Indian's game. Wish we could have celebrated with him. Tomorrow morning we'll see the grandsons with parents at soccer practice. It's a great way to spend Sat. mornings.

It's Sunday

Just a few days later. Rain has stopped for now and today it's in the high 80's but doesn't feel really, really hot. I would think the plants are lovin' it. Friday night the kids...all 4 came for supper. We had a wonderfully special evening. Noah is still dragging a bit but Andrew seems to be over for the most part what he had. Sat. morning we went to Andrew's scoccer game and Kat has posted a wonderful picture of Andrew and his very best scoccer friend. Dug a bit around the flowerbeds but not to much. Need to think about mud balls but that will be history in a few days. Today was church and the 4 Duke interns were at the service. Three will be going to western Kenya on Thursday. One stays here for the summer. Tonight Patty Hefner is having a supper for a bunch of Kenya connected people. I'll need to leave early to connect with SArah Ellen at the airport. Should be interesting because today was the Indy 500. It could be a zoo experience. Beginning to make more plans for Regina who is coming to Indy for heart surgery in June. She was Joe Mamlin's first nurse at Eldoret. Three of us will be housing her for her stay here in Indy which I think will be around 2 months. Makes me clean and throw out! Yahoo. Never hurts to do a little of that and I have a great reason to clean out a room.

Interesting few days

Much going on with the weather this week. Storms, STORMS and MORE STORMS. I'm hoping it's over soon. Continued to work in the garden before the rains came. Lots of interesting plants and more to be planted when the storms are over. It's been a week for sick grandchildren Andrew and Noah. I think Noah got the worst of the illness but hopefully he is ready to turn the corner avoiding hospitalization and on to better health. Sick kids are no fun. Just makes folks worry a bit wondering when things will turn for the better. I did a little sewing with squares of fabric brought back from Kenya, worked at the church desk for two days and ready to just chill out for a bit. Soup Kitchen was nice and quiet today. John Marshall H. S. is over for the year so it was just back to the old folks. Made it much easier. My wrist is doing some funny things and friends think I got a spider bite. I think not but it is extremely sore and swollen with some rather pink spots. It's a crazy thing. When I finish at the desk this afternoon Doug and I are going to McDonalds across the street and then to choir practice. That's a nice way to end the day.

5 days later

Just back from a very nice little Kenya party put on by John Herron Highschool. Good music, food, good dancing, and good visiting with lots of folks hearing about the latest trip to Kenya made by three good friends. The weather was perfect for the party. Yesterday and today...NO rain. I started scratching in the garden, pulling out dead plants and planting two more flats of flowers. It's beginning to look like things might survive. Maybe! I'm beginning to like my flowerbeds. Will do a bit more tomorrow, maybe even tilling the rest of the garden. Depends on the soil. The beans are up, hope the peas soon follow and the onions look like they might start growing. I have a pumpkin to plant along with a few more herbs and another tomato. I hope the rain holds off for a few more days. Busy sewing more bags and now I've got to start selling them again. Jim is still here and we're going to hear the symphony tomorrow at 5 pm. That's it for the five days.

Monday afternoon.

Well, I was out of here Friday morning heading north to see Ada and bro. Jim. Had a great time and then headed back home Sat. afternoon in the RAIN. It poured there, drove through no rain and then at home I thought the flood was coming. The ground is super saturated and the plants are saying HELP! Some I just pulled out because they were way to far gone. Others might be following. Such extreams. Today I did a little scratching in the dirt but not much. The herb garden is a mud bath center. Hard on the plants for sure. The temp is a bit cool but that's great since there is so much water in the ground. If it were hot there would be a major, major melt down. Maple seeds are everywhere so I got the patio deseeded this morning. More coming but I can stay ahead of this. Jim should be around this week. Not keeping to much on the calendar.

Well, I've been scraping the dirt out from underneath my fingernails getting stuff in the ground. I hate garden gloves. Got to feel the dirt. Tilled Monday morning. Worked like crazy to miss the rain and it has disappeared entirely so...watering this morning. I was hoping I could avoid that. Not so. I planted snow peas, beans, onions, peppers, and two tomatoes along with a slu of herbs and lettuce. The heat is here to get things moving along. Last week, way to much rain...this week we are missing all the big storms. Never satisfied. Planning a trip North on Friday to see cousin Ada and big brother Jim. It's time for a road trip. Did some cleaning yesterday. It's crazy how one could clean the whole house in a day and now...two rooms are the max. with an extra sweep here and there. Should get to the kitchen today. I think the outside is pretty well done for this week. Cleaning the house is not one of my favorite things to do.

Sunny Monday Morning

It's great to see the sun shining in the window. Rain is predicted again for tomorrow so today I'm breaking out the rotatiller. It's my one chance. Last fall when I put the thing away I had a horribly sore knee. I finally just gave up on garden work. Yahoo...not any more. My knee is sooooo good. I poked around in the dirt yesterday and planted a few flowers. More to come. Had lunch with Eric and family as well as Kat's family. That was fun. Sat with Andrew while we ate and we had some wonderful conversations. I love 4 year olds. He tells jokes that just don't make any sense except to him and we just laugh and laugh. Did a few more bags for Kenya, collecting matchbox cars at church for Joe Mamlin and that seems to be going well. Cars are great diversion toys for sick children. Packed trunks on Friday with SEM. That's going well. She will be here till Thursday morning and I'm off to the airport with her at 6 am or earlier for an 8 am flight to Columbus O. She'll be back on Race day the 29th. Wonder what the trip to the airport will be? Probably not good. Morning is cool. Hurry up sun and warm this place up. I'm ready to play in the dirt.

Wed,

Brrr...we are having cold weather. I mean cold. And I can't forget the rain. It keeps on coming. That means that it's impossible to work in the flowerbeds and garden. I did get some plants moved to shady places so the sun garden is pretty bare and it's impossible to do anything to fix that since the rain just keeps on coming. I lost a bunch of stuff probably because of the dry summer and the snow pack that came and stayed for the winter. Yesterday was a big sew day. Playing with fabric is so much fun. I made 10 more bags that can be used at the grocery store. Hope to sell them somewhere. I have some good possibilities. Friend Sarah Ellen is here from Kenya. Seeing her this afternoon after I leave church. It's organize the garage afternoon. This morning is my morning to volunteer at the front desk. SEM and Patty and I had a wonderfully delightful time with beautiful, fun loving, beautiful sop. singer Sylvia McNair on Sunday. She has been to Kenya with Sarah Ellen and wanted to connect with her again here in Indy. So she left three concert tickets for us and we had a blast. Sylvia sang at the Circle Theater Sun afternoon. We had supper with her and such a wonderful time talking, which brought back so many old memories, until 9pm. She set her lap top computer on the table and 400 Kenya pictures flashed by while we talked. What a treat. Such good Sunday memories. The rest of the week should be same old same old as JB would say. Soup Kitchen tomorrow/choir practice tomorrow and then I'm hoping for some weather to plant but nothing is for sure at this point. I think our computer problems have been fix. Good wonderful Eric G. came over last night and got rid of a bunch of stuff and changed some stuff and now the computer feels like it can work again. Yeah for Eric. Phones are working and I'm hoping all the troubles are over. Now if we could only fix the weather.

Tues. after Easter

Big bummer. Computer is still not working. Seems it has something to do with Brighthouse! TV freezes up and computer none functioning. Tec. coming Wed. to see what's up. Doug did one of those...put all the bills together to save money...Well, it's not working yet. We're paying for stuff that doesn't work. $#%^&@#! Finding computer at the library and church to keep up with some of the stuff that is going on. Holy Week over!!!! Easter over!!! It's recuperation time!!! I spent some time sleeping Sun. afternoon, evening and night!
We met the deadline and all looked good. Continue to watch basketball. Playoffs are always good. Pacers need a win tonight in Chicago. That's a tough one. The sewing machine continues to crank out purses. I need a marketing plan. It's not getting old yet. My brain keeps thinking of new ways to use fabric and the sewing machine makes it all easy. You've got to love it. Fingers crossed that the tec. guy finds an easy fix.

Sunday

A few days after Thursday. The house continues to work with phones etc. That's the good news. Today was Palm Sun. at church. A wonderful service starting with a parade around the block. This is the latest that Palm Sun. can ever be in the calendar and you might have thought we would have really great weather. Well, it was great but not really. The donkey showed up and was a very good donkey. And the parade was just the right length. The sanctuary looked stunning. Intense purple looks so good against the gray stone walls. Purple being the color for Lent. We had our own life size fake but very good fake donkey in the sanctuary with huge GREEN palm plants near by. The donkey had a purple drape across him adding color. And there was much purple other places. Music was OUTSTANDING. The bells played, the children sang and the choir sang the postlude surrounding the congregation. It is a beautiful rendition of Blessed Redeemer, an arrangement by Steven Potts, and a song about Holly Week. It was a very good Sunday. New minister Brenda Fredge preached. What a gift to us. It was a blessed day. Now...on to more Holy Week. Tomorrow we're taking down all the bits and pieces of Palm Sunday evidence beginning to strip the sanctuary of all color. I hope to set tables for Thursday evening service on Wed. Then there are two services on Friday with the church totally bare of anything liturgical. Then Saturday morning bright and early we will be getting everything ready for Easter. Thank goodness I have a crew coming in for that with the jobs being mostly hanging stuff we have already prepared. The sewing machine continues to work. I met a friend I worked with about 20 years ago. Remarkable how we recognized each other. She once had a purse business and loaded me up with an unbelievable amount of purse making stuff. I'll never use it all but it's fun to think of some new ways of doing things. Her work is really remarkable. And she must have a Bentley sewing machine. Well, at least it can embroidery. Watching playoff games. Pacers lost in the last 3 minutes or less. Boo Hoo. Another chance Monday night to win. That's it for now from Hillsdale.

Thursday

We once again we have internet and phone service. Wow...it was quiet. New phones are in the house as well. Today was Bread and Bowl. Lots of good help and the group was a bit smaller than last week but ALL the food was eaten. Weather is wonderful. I need to get the preen out...Weeds are growing. Now on to Palm Sun. and Holy Week. It's a busy time. We had a work day Monday to get ready for Easter. A few things remain to be finished. Life goes on.

Can you believe it

Well, after being with no land line since a week ago last Tues. we were told today Friday that AT&T can not do what they told us they could do. So...it's been a crazy 10 days. So...we're just hoping that the land line can be reestablished. We'll see.

Messed Up Big Time

Doug wants to switch us to all AT&T. and it's been what I call a mess. AT&T disconnected the phone last Tuesday and then we didn't get any reconnect and they will finish...MAYBE...on this coming Thursday. What a bummer. So...we are on cell phones which most people don't know the number so it's been really quiet. I'm checking e-mail at the library and at church. Technology!!!! Other than that...life has been good. I continue to make bags and have sold 40 so far...Yahoo. It's $10..00 a pop. Mostly all profit. Money goes to Kenya. More orders coming in. Sh oping for fabric at Goodwill is just a barrel of monkeys. Sometimes I find stuff like table cloths and drapes and sometimes it 's jeans making jean bags. And sometimes there is nothing. Keeps me out of trouble and I tell Doug that I need to get to the play room, meaning the sewing machine. Soon I'm off to the fabric store to buy 10 yards of muslin for a Kenya girls project that will be be worked on when three different groups from Indy are going to Kenya this spring. I'll cut the fabric in 9 inch squares and get them on their way only to have them returned decorated and then I will sew them into banners only to have them returned at some point to Kenya. Weather is warming...Plants are popping out of the ground. The church court yard is being landscaped this week. It will be great space to use when it's a bit warmer.

Goodness

It's been 6 days. Where does time go anyways. Butler is on a roll. Great game last night and good old Duke is GONE!. They got us last year. Made more bags this week. Sold 10 on Sunday so it's another 100. for Meridith who is going to Kenya. Worked at church for a couple of days and the weather turned COLD. Well, the warm weather was wonderful while it lasted. Won't be long before we'll be saying it's to hot. Don't have to much more to report. Same old same old as JB wiould say.

Warmer weather

Yes...we've had some warmer weather but it's a little cool right now. After turning off the furnace I opened the doors and let the wind blow through. And...we have not returned to the furnace so today socks feel good and the cooler temp is keeping me going for sure. I spent the better part of three days outside raking, bagging, burning and tearing out stuff that somehow got stuck in the garden during the winter months. I could barely walk after the first day so the second day I took pills before I went outside and it was better. It's just sore muscles. The knee is working wonderfully well. What I found in the yard reminded me of how difficult working in the yard last summer really was. Surgery was Sept 9 so that took care of the rest of fall. So...much is done and a little more waits to be done. Can't remember that I ever was this far ahead by March 18th. Now...I must clean the house!!! !@#$%&%

I've also continue to make bags and tomorrow I'm taking a few to church to sell with the money going to Meridith and her mother who are taking a trip to Eldoret Kenya this June. A group of ten from 4 different faiths will be in the Umoja area of Kenya near Lake Victoria for a couple of weeks.

Watching a lot of NCAA basketball this week. Butler...(graduated with a masters in 67) is still in the hunt for the top. They are playing Pittsburg tonight rated no 1. This will be a test for sure.

I have a new project that will make me sweat a little. I'm making a window seat cushion and valence for a church friend. I think the hardest thing will be to find somewhere in the house where I can put the fabric to cut. The fabric is 60 inches wide. I think I'm up to the challenge. Always need to stretch a little to see where I can go. I need to think about fabric repeat pattern and yards and yards of piping for the seat. I'll take it slow and careful.

Interesting

This week has been interesting. More fabric grocery bags are coming off the assembly line. I used 4 at the grocery and LOVE them. They are so strong and I can just fill them full providing I can life them into the cart and out to the car. They are the ideal recycle item with the fabric coming from the aisle runners that a bride used at North and the custodians were ready to pitch after the runner had been stashed in the closet for a while. I said a big NO not even know what I was going to do with the fabric. I made 12 small bags for children's activities during church service some time ago.

Another interesting thing that I accomplished this week was a grand throw out day of visual arts items that have been around church for at least 25 years. There were forms, wire, wood, Christmas roping etc, etc, from another time that were just sitting around. Well, that other time is past and I cleaned house with the nudging of our building manager. It was time. Boxes are fulled and identified. We filled the dumpster and it's such a good feeling to know what we have is organized and where it is at church and what we will never use is gone. The room now looks like a more orderly collection of things we use and all the other stuff stored there, windows, boards, building drawings, etc. has been moved to where they need to be. I was bushed but recover has occurred. Yahoo. It's off the bucket list. I've been at church all 5 days, the first of the week decorating for Lent. Joe W. was a huge help Monday and yesterday the custodians were unbelievable helpful. Next week should be a simple church week.

Watching lots of basketball this weekend while keeping the sewing machine happy. fun, fun.

Been a while

Busy, busy with stuff. I'm in to making bags for grocery carrying. Took a few to Kimmy this weekend and Kat has a few as well. Anyone else want grocery bags to save the earth?

We did spend the weekend with JB and family. Eli is now one year old and we were at the weekend birthday party. Lots of fun to watch all the boys with their parents. We got there early enough on Friday to watch Jacob get off the bus. What a big, responsible boy he is. Adam is just the best brother. And Eli brings up the rear. Lots of pictures on Facebook posted by Kimmy. Lots of snow in Michigan on the ground. It's major rain here in Indiana. Major for sure but warmer than Mi.

Yesterday morning Joe and I spent the morning at church splashing purple all around for Lent. We got the job done with some different banners, crosses and purple climatis flowers. We are having a major brass cleaning restoration and more brass left for the cleaners and more came back to church. The restoration is awesome.

Sewed more bags yesterday afternoon and evening but my body was very sore from climbing ladders, stairs and doing a bunch of thinking. I also think that sitting for 6 hrs. in the truck on Sunday afternoon had something to do with all the stiffness, aches and pains. This morning I'm heading back to church to do the futzing part of decorating and taking pictures. Hard to remember from year to year what has happened the previous year.

That's it from Carmel, Indiana on Tuesday March 8 as Garrison would say.

Saturday Morning

Well, we got hammered again with another snow storm on Friday morning. Opened the garage door to get the paper in and said...FORGET IT!. 4 more inches and it was wet, heavy and slippery. Messy morning but by afternoon the sun was out. Doug shoveled the driveway once again. I can't remember how many times he's done that this winter. Way to many for sure. He shovels it in short chunks of time. Sewed and sewed finishing up a bunch of stuff. I love my sewing room. It's my little hide away. I live there.

Two grandson's birthdays coming up so that got me to thinking!!! In the not to distant future...after March 2, there will be grandsons ages 1,2,3,4,and 5. Kat figured that out for me.

This morning sewed some more. My eyes need a rest. Snow is still here but they say a ton of rain is coming so that should make a messy mess next Monday. They are talking about floods. There is nothing new under the sun.

Butler basketball this afternoon. Should be fun to watch. Pacers lost last night. They stunk!
Back to the machine! I need to look through my sewing books again. That's more fun.

The next Monday...

Not quite a week but close enough. Sunday, the banners that we hung last week looked wonderful. We have new lighting in the sanctuary and the new spots really shine big time on the front arches where the banners were hung. They are smashing.

Last week and this week are still sewing machineless. Boo Hoo. I'm reading lots of quilting books and got three novels to read. I'm on the second one. Interesting writing about a group of five ladies and how their friendships and living developed around yarn. Nice easy, interesting writing.

I did hit the fabric store this morning for the early bird discount. I'm spending my children's inheritance. Got that kids? Just a lot of fun fabric two pieces being for Easter Placemats for Kat. This set is going to be simple compared to the Val. St. Pat. set I gave her a couple of weeks ago. The fabric is cut and ready to hit the sewing machine along with the stole for Lisa. Great basketball yesterday with Purdue beating Ohio State. But the girls team lost by one point. More ball tonight. Lots of rain today and it's cold and rainy. Just something different in the middle of the winter. It's sleet/rain/snow and more just about 30 miles north. We escaped.

I've been following a blog written by a young teacher living in Copper Harbor. They had gale force winds of 60 and 70 miles last week. And she did a video of herself on snowshoes being blown across the ice covered harbor from the lighthouse to her house at the end of the harbor. She is laughing most of the way. The ice is quite thick with ice fishing and the water/ice so clear she said she could see to the bottom of the lake in the harbor. You have got to love those hardy souls that love the cold and hunt outdoor things to do in that part of the country.

Her blog is at http://www.daharbor.blogspot.com/

Your can find her video within her entry. It's just crazy and will give you a picture of winter on the harbor.

The next Tuesday.

The last I time I looked there is no grass growing under my feet. Thank goodness. A few things have been happening. Since last time...I finished two banners for church that had been waiting in my closet for two years. Just needed to get moving on it and make decisions which I did. Bits and pieces were finished but they needed to be attached to some beautiful green velvet. They are now hanging at church and I hope to get them in the sanctuary by Sunday. Another thing...one of our ministers...Lisa has been assigned to a new church starting April 1. Big loss for us but just a wonderful opportunity for her. The youth wanted to give her a stole and now you know the rest of the story. They printed hand prints on fabric and I have gotten the stole together finishing all that I could just a few minutes ago. The sewing machine is at the shop for it's checkup so I can't do the final stitching until it returns and that should happen before the presentation date. All the hand work is finished so that will go on the back burner for a few days. I went to the monthly meeting of the quilt guild last Friday and brought home some Charity quilts that need to be tied. They are given to people/babies, etc. Good thing to have to do if the sewing machine is gone. Did a little house cleaning...just a little and taking a break for a few minutes. This morning I went to church to talk to a group of ladies about the Community Rm. kitchen. It is worn out and needs to be gutted. So...I'm compiling a list of things that would work for us in the kitchen area. The situation is that the changes might be made after I'm 80 years old. I'm just doing what I'm told to do. I ordered canned food items to be delivered to church on Thursday morning. I try to do that about every 6 weeks. The shelves are empty. It's a $1,000.00 order. Uck...getting those cans on the shelves is a pain in the neck. I always try to have help. It's a huge job. We are having warmer weather although the snow is still here. The huge ice storm residual has really slowed down the melting. But the warmer air is really appreciated. Oops...one more thing. Saturday sister Mary K and I went to the Carmel Palladium to here the Carmel symphony in their new hall. That's one amazing place and the hall provides a wonderful foundation supporting the best sounds coming from the orchestra along with a wonderful piano rendition. Just a really fun evening with great music.

Tuesday evening

It's pancakes for an easy supper. Reminds me of camping but I get to sit down and eat pancakes, not standing and making more and then more and then more. But...the camping company is always worth it. Yesterday and today I've tackled a huge project. Well, huge in my mind. One of our church banners was coming apart and the solution to put it back together was not an easy one. A whole bunch of the banner's problem involved hot glue gun and that presented huge challenge. I discovered that using a hair dryer to warm up the glue was part of the solution. The other part involved covering the old glue with bits of yarn. So between those two solutions the banner is being put back together. It was an all two day project and it's not completely finished. Three more hours should do it. It's an Advent banner so the pressure is not to significant. And...with Doris bring back Advent banners to North, we are not really desperate. Getting this banner back in to circulation has been on my mind for a couple of years and I finally said to me...get on with it. I knew it would be full of lots of headaches.
The weather temp. remains in the basement but should be in the 40's one day at the end of the week. The ice still remains on the driveway and Doug did chip a little yesterday but it's almost 3 inches thick. Way to heavy to lift even small shovel fulls. It should be in the 40's by the end of the week.
Pacers are playing tonight. The cranky coach was fired last week and they have won every game since then. They are fun to watch. That's about it from Hillsdale.

2 days

Winter just keeps on giving. We missed the big snow event during the week but now we're getting a snow slam. A wonderful friend...Jane Phelp's memorial service is this afternoon. I spent many Thursday mornings with Jane in the soup kitchen. She truly was a gift. I was looking forward to celebrating her life with others.
Well... I went out to pull the car out and there is at least 4 inches of snow on top of the two inches of frozen sleet with more snow coming for at least 3 more hrs. in the driveway So...I shoveled for about 30 minutes and called off the trip to church. The radar is very dark blue and all over central Indiana. It's pretty but it's another day in the house. We did go to Steak and Shake last night for supper. I guess it will be a basketball afternoon with some sewing besides. Boo Hoo. I wanted to go to the memorial service. It's not to be. The Panera run tonight should be interesting.
You have another winter weather report from central Indiana. It just keeps on coming.

Three days...

Well, the storm came and the Xmas tree is back in the box along with some other stuff. The storm was a dozie. Way to much sleet, way to much wind, way to many cold temps. But...little snow and little ice. It could have been much worse. Power failures were predicted but our power stayed on. Currently...all is white and the sleet has turned into about an inch of ice on the ground and will stay there until the temp takes care of it. I've managed to stay in the house since Monday afternoon. The sewing machine is providing much entertainment. I managed to do two small tie pillows, three mats for hot dishes made from the braided tie lining as well as the patriotic side of 8 place mats for Kat and 8 place mats and napkins made from some fantastic drapes given to me by friend Beth G.

The church has been closed for three days which means that the soup kitchen has also been closed. I guess the parking lot and sidewalks are covered with ice as well. It's the beginning of the month and many of our B and B eaters have a little money from retirement or disability. Our number of folks eating always is less at the beginning of the month. There have been pictures on TV of folks skating and playing ice hockey. It's crazy weather.

Might venture out today. I need clothes line rope to make baskets. Well, maybe don't need but want. I'm adding that to the cool placemat group. That's it from 10420.

Less than a week

I just read Dee's blog. Funny guy. Makes me laugh.

A couple of news things...It would seem that we are going to get slammed with the mother of all ice/snow storms. Not to scary for us retired folks. No deadlines to meet, no jobs that cannot be put off for another day. The big caution is that the inch of ice predicted could bring down power lines and that would not be good. Cold in the winter is not fun. I guess we could just go to bed if that is the case.

The sewing machine has been humming. Doug says he needs to throw water on the motor to cool it off. It's not that bad but I've had fun with some new stuff. Well, old stuff come to think of it. I'm into pillows now that are covered with silk ties that are taken apart and embelished with thread. Beth G gave me some wonderful drapes that she had. I tore them apart, washed them and tomorrow I'm making placemats with one of them. The fabric is fantastic. Kat's placemats are finished. Well, one set. It's valentine fabric on one side and St. Patrick's fabric on the other.

If the blizzard comes tomorrow, the Xmas stuff/tree is scheduled to go back in the box. Well, that's the plan at this point. We'll see.

I'm calling what follows my beginning of the next part of my life check up. I'm seeing NO Doctors this week. Last Fri. was the last for I hope for a long time. All systems checked out and I know enough about what's going on from upper to lower gi. Heart valves are working, neck arteries are clean, eyes are doing great, knee is doing just fine when I'm nice to it sugar levels are within reason and all is well with the world.

That's it from Hillsdale Dr. for this Monday evening! Sounds like G. Kealer.

Just a week...

This time only 7 days have passed since I wrote. I passed the tie project on to it's owner who was most appreciative. My Hancock fabric friends told me about a shop that sells recycled items. Recycled ties would fit the catagory. I visited the store yesterday and it's a wonderful place in Clay Terrace. So...there might be a small business in the making. Well, maybe not. Doctor visits continue to be part of this week. One more to go with an upper gi on Friday. Doc. Goens will know everything about me inside and out. I finished a set of 8 placemats for Kat. Valentine's Day on one side St. Patrick's Day on the other. More to come but I can do them later. Other than a busy week with Doctors, not much going on.

A month or so.

It's been a while. I just had to climb a huge mountain to admit that I forgot how to post pictures. What a ditz I am. So...you will get the printed word. I could show you so many things but that's not going to happen now.

I've been busy as usual. No to much has changed. This morning I'm working at the church desk. This Friday evening we are having a huge Umoja Kenya dinner here at church that has kept me more than busy. First I was the table decorator person. That's easy. Then I became the lady in the kitchen working with a Kenya lady cooking Kenyan food. That's harder. I'm declaring that this is my last Kenyan event that I'm helping to implement. Nothing like this will be on my plate for a long long time if ever.

I've been having fun with the sewing machine again. I took it in for a check up and 15 days later I picked it up with an un checked up. I have an appointment for Feb. 14th. So...the project of the month is to make two wall hangings and a huge pillow with neckties given to me by a choir friend whose husband died last year. Much to my surprise I've found this fun to do. For the most part the tie selection has lead to some wonderful pieces. I've included lots of hand work which has added a lot of interested. At least, that's my evaluation.

This month is also physical check up month. I'm seeing a whole bunch of doctors as dictated by my internest. He's nuts on sending patients to doctors and I think is looking for a needle in the haystack which he hasn't found so far. I really commend his aggressive treatment looking under the mattress, under every rock and is not satisfied until he does. A lot of doctors go to him so I think I'm in pretty good company. I think about strokes a lot. I think she was 74 when she had hers. I'm not far behind that number. Just two more doctors to go. I've been to two already not counting my doctor.