Not the Greatest of Times

Unfortunately we have had to end our week on a bad note.  We had to have the paramedics come and take Grandma to the hospital.  She has pneumonia again.  I have not yet received a full report, but both lungs are full.  It was caught more quickly this time than with her last two episodes, so I hope and pray things will go better this time.  Right now I'm just in a holding pattern - waiting for more news on Grandma, and for the girls to get home, which should be anytime now. 

Becky

God Moves In a Mysterious Way

God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footstaps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never-failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs,
And works His sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take,
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.

Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.

                                  -William Cowper

Autumn

 
The trees are starting to put out their finest colors.  I enjoyed driving the girls to my mom's after church Sunday, because the stretch of road we were on has some gorgeous views.  All the oranges, reds, golden and bright yellows, and some purple and rust as well.  Of course, all of that is mixed in with the ones that have yet to turn, and the evergreens.  It was beautiful.  Next we'll start smelling all the piles of burning leaves.  I don't know why I like that smell, but I do.  I also enjoy the smell of damp leaves, crushed acorns and whatever else it is that makes fall smell the way it does.  It's my favorite time of the year.

I wish I could have enjoyed the drive to South Carolina yesterday for our milk, but it started out overcast and began drizzling before we were halfway.  By the time we got to the farm there was nothing for it but to get soaking wet while we loaded up the car.  I should have taken more than my shawl, but you don't usually think of colder as you travel south.  I have decided to use the weather channel and input the farm's address to get their forcast in the future.  I'll also get a weather resistant, hooded jacket.  And, I'll not wear a medium weight denim if it is going to rain.  Those don't dry much at all in a car.  So, in short, this was a learning expirence.  And I still have plenty to be thankful for.  I was expecting delays on the way back because of the rain, but traffic moved along very well, and I made my drop off at my usual time.

Well, I have several new books to pour through before the girls get home, so off I go.

Becky  

Special Time

Hubby and I have spent a wonderful day together.  I won't tell you how late we slept, let's just say we ate breakfast after the lunch rush at one of my favorite all day breakfast restaurants.  But afterwards, he took me to the newest thrift shop that just opened up in the city our town boarders, and we were able to get several skirts, a couple of dresses, and a few tops for the child who is most in need right now;  Bree, who is currently 12 and has been hungry for at least 2 years.  I couldn't tell you how many shoes she's grown out of in the last year and a half and we have no more hand-me downs because both Kay and Ri have stopped growing (besides, Bree is almost as big as Ri). 
Then my adorable hubby took me to Barnes and Nobel, helped me sort through the books I was most interested in, bought me a hot chocolate, and let me sit and read for as long as I wanted.  And the blessings didn't stop there.  Instead of the two books I was going to buy (I was taking info. about another 4 so I could plan on purchasing them later), he bought me all six!  I couldn't believe it.  Isn't he great?!
He'll be either taking me out for supper in a little bit, or going to pick it up - whichever we decide on, and then we'll spend a quiet evening together.   It's all been terrific.

Becky

Clothes Everywhere

The girls are going to my mother's tomorrow after church to visit for the week.  In order for me to get them to mom's house (in a city about 45 min from here), I needed someone to be able to come stay with Grandma, so I called my uncle.  He was kind enough to arrange for her to visit with him, and his and dad's youngest brother for a couple of days each so that hubby and I could have a day or two to ourselves.  Between all the packing for the girls and Grandma, which by necessity means we have to wash ALL the clothes, we have had clothes everywhere.  Ri set up her own blog this week and has a very cute post on it here  http://purityandpetticoats.blogspot.com/2009/10/stacks-of-laundry.html .  
One of my uncles came to pick up Grandma last night and drove off with her and a car load of stuff necessary for her comfort, convience, and health.  Right now I'm just praying that everything that left with them makes the complete round trip through both my uncles homes and back here. 
My next hurdle to jump is managing to make sure the girls have milk for the week.  They strongly dislike, and I don't like for them to have pasturized, homogenized milk, so I usually bring two or three gallons with us when I drop them off and then bring more milk mid-week.  I'm just not sure Grandma will be up to a trip over there and back.  It wouldn't hurt them to go a few days without milk, but mom has her own views about the necessity of children drinking their milk, so I will honor her preference - I'll just provide the milk.  Of course, I guess it is kind of hard to eat cold cereal (ugh!) without milk, so she does need it.   Maybe I can sweet talk hubby into making a milk run for them Wed.
After all that's figured out all I need to do is locate the stack of books we just got from Vision Forum so I can read them this week.

Becky