Another birthday celebrated!

Good evening from the valley! Well, we three sisters and two sisters-in-laws went out for dinner Monday evening to celebrate Bev's 59th! Yeehaa! Well, okay, I was so tired and so was Debbie, we didn't exactly kick up our heels but we did have a very good time. I should have taken a nap beforehand. (doesn't THAT sound old? *feeble grin*) NEVERTHELESS! On our way home, I managed to take a wrong turn. I went north instead of south, which took us a bit our of our way and then I missed the turn to take Cheryl home and had to find a turn-around on 33 that wasn't marked as an illegal u-turn AND THEN.....not being used to driving the big conversion van I was driving (it's Bill and Sandy's), I didn't put on the brakes as soon as I should have and we almost wrecked in trying to make the LEGAL u-turn on 33. hallelujah. BUT I managed to get everyone home safely! More and more when I go out for the evening, I am finding myself walking in the door, calling out "hello, honey, I'm home" and going straight to bed. Of course, this is after having been up all day and being busy. (I WAS busy all day, wasn't I? *tapping my chin as I try and remember....BUT.......to no avail*)
Anywayyyyyy.......here is a pic of me and the girls at Applebys:


















Oh, and as I was leaving Bill and Sandy's I just had to take THIS picture:
Bill is a plumber, so I guess it is fitting that he would have a commode filled with flowers in his front yard, hm? *grin* I think it is lovely!!!

To stay or not to stay?

That is the question. Oh, I'm talking about going and staying at family camp. *sigh* A part of me really wants to. It is so nice to stay because I can truly relax, have three meals a day prepared for me, visit and relax with friends, enjoy the morning service, relax and nap in the afternoon after lunch, I'm already THERE for the fantastic evening services and afterward, I can just head over to the dorm or my room and go to bed. Only this year I am remembering to take my earplugs because lights out is not until midnight and sometimes I just want to go to sleep early, you know? And if I don't stay, it will mean I have to drive to camp each night or ride with someone and then make the trip home. I won't be able to come up for the morning service which is usually really good! BUT, I don't like being away from Ed for five days and Ellie and Rocky. I know that Ed prefers for me to be here at home but I also know that he really doesn't mind if I go, either. This will probably be a spur-of-the-moment decision. What to do, what to do! Decisions like these used to be so easy for me to make! Is it my age and physical limitations that are causing this indecision?

Monday, Monday!

Well, here I am on the other side of another weekend, ready to start a new 7-day stretch! *smile* I've been doing my normal Monday and morning routine tasks: changing my bed, laundry, feeding the animals (including Ed) *grin, touching up the bathrooms and so on. I read a quote recently about finding happiness and contentment in doing the necessary, daily tasks and I can say that I've reached that place and it is good. ~~~~~~~~~~
Daniel and Erin were at church with us last night. She looked absolutely beautiful! I wish I'd had my camera with me! Daniel played the drums and was just awesome! I cannot believe how much his playing helps MY playing on the keyboards. I feel so strengthened and I swear I play sooo much better when he "drums" with me. Of course, I realize that we have the mother/son connection, too. Daniel plays the drums with such annointing and he is such a worshipper. Needless to say, I am so proud of him. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bethany and little NATHEN (read the comments section of this post! *grin*) got to go home late Saturday afternoon. Now, mind you, she just gave birth to the little guy 24 hours previous to this! I just can't believe how soon they let them go home! We can only pray that there are no complications and there haven't been, thank you, precious Jesus, except for the little guy having his days and nights mixed up already! (Welcome to parenthood, Drew and Beth! *smile*) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Well, I need to be about my day here. I have dishes to do and then it is off to visit a friend from church who had hip-replacement surgery. She is home and recovering and in need of some company. (I hope I'll do......*grin*) Then it is off to do my swimming and water exercises. Then it is back home to rest a bit and get ready to go out with the girls (sisters and sisters-in-law) for my sister Bev's birthday dinner this evening. ~~~~~~~~~~
(((HUGS TO EVERYONE!!!)))

Nathen Andrew Yerian!!!

Here is the newest addition to our family! Isn't he adorable????? He is my great-nephew.....Nathan! And, excuse me, but I must be honest here. I don't think ALL newborns are cute. But this one sure is! Okay, I might be just a tad biased. *grin* Nathan was born shortly after 3pm Friday afternoon. He weighs 7lbs.15oz. and is 19 inches long. We had a regular family reunion in Bethany's hospital room yesterday. Of course, it isn't just a room. It is more like a suite, so there was room for all of us. I am so thankful to the Lord that everything went well with Bethany's pregnancy and little Nathan's delivery and the Drewster (Bethany's sweet husband and Nathan's daddy) held up really well, too! *smile*

Patience is required......

......and I hear it's a virtue, too. (PATIENCE) *sigh*

Welllllll.......as you can see, I am endeavoring to redecorate a bit, but it is indeed a learning process that is made even slower because of DIAL-UP! Talk about needing patience.
Anywayyyyyy, I have a rather full day, so this will have to do for now, but I am planning to stop by the library later today where I may very well finish the redo here on my blog. I have a piano lesson to give at ten, then Ed and I are going to have lunch with Daniel and Erin. Next, I will be helping clean the church, water exercises, library......if my body will allow me to do all of this. Time will tell! *smile* So, I must be off, as I tend to get behind before I even get started each day. (This isn't good, is it? *feeble grin*) And I would love to go to camp this evening! Pray for me!

Go figure.

I remember many years ago, talking with my youth pastor, Bro. Kramer. I don't remember the actual gist of our conversation, but he ended up telling me that even though we're christians, that doesn't mean everyone is going to like us. And when we come across someone who doesn't like us, we can't take it personally. It is a choice THEY have made. It doesn't mean there is anything wrong with us. Gosh, but that bit wisdom has helped me many times through the years, because I tend to look at the world through rose-colored glasses, think the best of everyone and just think everyone should like me. I mean, what's not to like? *grin*

Anywayyyyyy......this past week, I just happened to run across two people in particular who have never been especially fond of me. How do I know, you ask? Well, first of all, they act like it kills them to even say "hello" to me. You know, the just common, most simple acts of common courtesy. And, I do feel that I am a very approachable person. Oh, and we've never had any trouble between us, as we've never had anymore of a relationship than just saying "hello". But I can just tell that they don't particularly like me. So, the one lady is retired and working as a cashier at a local convenience store. I had gone there to buy some produce and meat for our supper, not even knowing that she worked there now. There were actually several of us there at the same time that had worked at or were still working at Smead, a local manufacturing plant. You know....they had just gotten off of work and were picking up some things for supper and so on, like me. Well, THIS lady retired from there. Anywayyyyy, so she is just talking up a storm to one of the other ladies that I had also been talking and laughing with, but then when it came time to check me out, she got this really sober expression on her face, though she did say hello and ask me if I was still at the library. BUT why couldn't she SMILE and be jovial with me. WHY did she have to act like it PAINED her to talk to me and be courteous? Well, I don't know the answer to that and don't need to know the answer. It's her problem. I smiled, endeavored to be friendly and so. Tis all a body can do.
Next, I am going to a local motel (Baymont Inn and Suites) three times a week, where I go swimming and do exercises and so on for my lower body. Dr. Gedeon recommended this as a great help, exercise and yet easy on my body. Soooooo, I see another lady there, who, over the years, has acted as though it pains her greatly to be courteous to me. BUT, I said hello to her anyway and she just kind of looked at me and said nothing. What? Huh? Go figure.
I am really past this bothering me, yet I just don't understand people who are like this. Maybe just because I am such an out-going person, that makes me much more sensitive to insensitive people like the above-mentioned,hm?

On to other things:

Daniel got his first paycheck this past Friday! It was a nice one, let me tell ya! His first REAL job and REAL paycheck. I am so happy for him and Erin! They are so blessed and fortunate! He also now has full health benefits for himself and Erin and one week of vacay!

Bethany, my niece, who was pictured with me in my previous profile pic (how do you like the new one?) is due to have her little baby July 24, so it could happen any day now!!

I went to see Dr. Gedeon Friday morning for the first time in about three weeks. I then went swimming and exercising. Now I am taking the swimming and water exercising slowly, so as not to aggravate my back, hips and legs too much. Well, the pain level has really spiked the past two days and night and my ability to walk and get around has really been hindered. I've not slept much the past two nights and have spent most of them either sitting up or in the recliner. I was not able to make it to church this morning, but will this evening. I'm not sure what is going on but I hope this, too, passes in time. I've not had this much pain and difficulty getting around for a loooong time. It has been a bit concerned actually. I'll keep you posted! Not to worry, though, for the Lord knows the path I take and "I am trusting in Christ alone"! *smile*

If you'd like to read a really cute and funny post, click on over here to Aidan's blog and have a read!

Oh, and I finished the Beverly Lewis' series "Abram's Daughers". Wow....it was a great read! I can't wait till I can get to the library to get another series. I'm hooked!

WARNING

I am thinking of doing some redecorating here at my blog. I've found some really pretty templates. BUT.......once I get something I like, it is kind of difficult for me to change and I am pretty happy with my blog the way it is. I was thinking, though, that maybe if I did a little updating, redecorating and so on, I would be more inclined to post more often. Sooooo, I think I'll start with a new profile pic!

I have had such a nice day today. I have been home ALL day! I did my usual morning tasks. Then I proceeded to finishing the afghan that I have been working on for my friend, Sonja. She gave me a bag of yarn and told me what she wanted, the colors and so on. It turned out really pretty. Here it is:

Well, it is late and I need to take myself off to bed as I have a lady coming EARLY in the morning to have her hair done! Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

More about our trip to Maine!

I told you somewhat about my and Stacy's trip to Maine here. Now for some more of the little details. :-/

Stacy is 25. She has flown before. One other time I believe. Wellllllll......she was just soooooo spazzzzing out this time for some reason. For one thing, it was raining the morning we departed Dayton, so there was quite a bit of turbulence than what she had experienced previously. She kept asking me if we were safe. "Yes, Stacy, we are safe."

"Are you scared at all?", she asked me repeatedly.

"No, I'm not frightened at all. We are safe. Sit back, relax and enjoy the flight." Right. It was not to be. I mean, we are talking near to hyper-ventilating here, where Stacy was concerned, that is. I just couldn't believe it! Why me, Lord? And we were on a smaller plane than what she had flown on previously, so that made a bit of a difference, too, for her, anyway. Sooooooo, when the plane would make a noise or jostle around a bit, she would get this terrified look on her face and ask me or someone sitting near us or the stewardess, er, uh, excuse me.....I mean, flight attendant.....if we were safe. After awhile, it kinda started getting to me. Oh, I wasn't afraid, but I just couldn't understand her fear. I mean, she had told me that she had flown before and was fine with it. Mmmhmmm, right. Why does this stuff only happen to me? So on the second leg of our flight, from Detroit to Bangor, she kept asking the gentleman seated across the aisle from her if it was normal for the plane to make "those noises" and to jostle about like it was doing occasionally to which he replied yes. She asked our flight attendant a few times if everything was normal. Oh, and I forgot to tell you this: When we were getting ready to depart Detroit, one of our pilots came on the intercom to tell us that "something funky" had happened with one of the engines, so they had to shut the plane down and do a restart. Well, wasn't that just great??? I'm telling you, the girl started to hyperventilate. I got out the little barf bag. She was ready to bolt! But I prayed. Ohhhh, did I pray. And a couple of the other passengers talked to her and she finally calmed down and our flight took off as planned without incident. (thank you, Lord) You see, I wanted to go to Maine, but I was mostly going because Stacy wanted to go, knew she was going to have to fly and didn't want to go by herself. I had no idea that I was going to have to contend with this all the way there and back. Soooo, I thought the trip home would be better, seeing as how we had gotten there safely and in one piece, but nooooooooooo. Before we left for the airport for our return trip home, she was starting to get all jittery again and I thought: "I can't take this again. Please, Lord." Well, again, it was raining and there was thunder and lightning as we departed Bangor on Thursday afternoon and the trip to Detroit was rough BUT we survived and I kept Stacy intact emotionally. Again, we had a very undertstanding flight attendant who helped me in keeping Stacy somewhat calm. So we have a three-hour layover in Detroit, so by the time we leave there it is dark. She had asked me on our previous flights, "Can they see where they are going?" *sigh* I told her that they didn't need to SEE where they were going. They had instruments and the control tower personnel to keep them on course. I thought to myself, "Surely she doesn't think they won't be able to SEE where they are going because it is dark?" (help me, Lord.) Now, I don't know what difference the darkness made, but the girl got settled in, she was by the window, and slept the whole way to Dayton, which was only a 35 minute flight. But she said the darkness helped her for some reason. Sooooo, from now on, she is only going to fly at night. Go figure. All in all, we did have a great time. But it did get a bit tense a few times as I endeavored to reassure her and calm her. Will I travel with this young lady again? Well, if I've ever learned one thing in this life it is: Never say never. :-)

You wouldn't believe me even if.......

.....I told you the whole sordid story. Well, okay, "sordid" might be a bit strong. But it was baaaadddd. *sighhhhh* I'm talking about the day I had yesterday. Oh my word.......unbelievable. Although I did live to tell about but I'm choosing not to tell about it.....well, at least not today because I am still too tired and rung out to even begin to tell about it. But let me say this, at least: It started out as a rather ordinary day. I had my plans made, my time allotted for the things I needed to do, having given myself plenty of time to accomplish the things I needed to. BUT, all of this was before I joined my young friend and sister-in-the-Lord! Yes, the same young friend and sister-in-the-Lord that I took the CAAHHRRRAAAZZZYYYY car trip to Dayton with! The SAME young friend and sistah-in-the-Lord that I flew to Maine with! When will I ever learn???? Anywayyyyy......I may tell you more about my day yesterday tomorrow (does that make sense?!?!?) BUT today I am just not up to it,k? But I am trying my best to post more often for my faithful readers.......(((HUGS TO YOU!!))) I'll be back! :-)

What have I been up to?

Wellllllll......I've been keeping busy, let me tell ya! But then, I go a bit slower than I used to and have to take more breaks, so it takes me longer to do the things I used to do in a whipstitch! Anywayyyy.......this week I've had church, choir practice, worked on choruses and songs for the multi-media, done hair for my ladies, taken care of my home (that's more detailed than you care to know ;-o) and so much more.
This morning I woke up so full of energy! Of course, this burst of energy was mostly on the inside and when I tried communicating it to the outside of me.....well, I met with some resistance.....but I pushed through. I got all of my usual morning tasks done and then commenced to baking a cake (from scratch). It is called Pineapple Sheet Cake or Mexican Wedding Cake and it is my favorite! I made cream cheese icing for it and oh my word, is it delicious with a hot cup of coffee! I then made a huge bowl of macaroni salad....another one of my faves....and fried chicken for lunch. Ed spent the morning, until about 12:30, mowing and trimming grass. It looks sooooo nice. I'll try to take some pictures tomorrow and post them. Oh, and I've also been working on an afghan for a friend. It is about two-thirds of the way done. I'll post pics of it, too. I promise! :-)
I spoke on the phone to my sister, Debbie, to my niece, Bethany, whose little baby is due the 24th of this month, and to my friend, Neda (we had some catching up to do) *grin*.
And in between all of this, I've been working on music for church tomorrow, putting some finishing touches to it.
Now, what kind of puts a real time crunch on all of these things is the fact that I am reading a really good series: Abram's Daughters by Beverly Lewis. I am on book two of five, The Betrayal. I don't often read fiction, but a couple of weeks ago, while in the library, I found her Annie's People series (3 books) and I couldn't put them down! Same with this series. *sigh* I just can't wait to finish the necessary things so I can READ! There's nothing like a good book that you can get lost in!
Previous to reading the Beverly Lewis books, I had just finished John Bevere's "Breaking Intimidation". A friend has highly recommended his book, "The Bait of Satan", so I put it on hold at the library. Before that, I read Rick Warren's "God's Power to Change Your Life".
I've also been listening to the CD's from Maine's Campmeeting. Bro. Alan Abbey was the day-speaker and he is just so awesome. The Lord has really ministered to me through Bro. Abbey's messages: "Where Has the Passion Gone?" and "The Watchman on the Wall" Oh, but I want to be continually growing spiritually and drawing closer to the Lord.
Andddddd, I've endeavored to enjoy the beautiful weather here at home, sitting out on the porches with Rocky at my feet, reading or crocheting, listening to my CD's, when I have the time to do this.
I'll try to be more faithful in my posting because I feel that if I am going to have this blog, I need to BLOG! (Right, Pat? *grin*)
I hope you are having a wonderful weekend!