Sunday - planted some lovely flowers around the house and in a couple of planters and that was fun and tiring.  Monday we celebrated Kyle’s b-day at the Pryor’s house and we had a good time.  Mom couldn’t come because she has been ill.  Monday night I got about 30 min to 1.50 hr of sleep.  We were up very late dealing with a flooding yard and we were trying to keep it from flooding our house.  I really wished I had sand bags but we didn’t have time for that.   House remained dry so I am quite thankful.   Record rainfall for our area for the month of May so you can understand why our yard  a bit wet.          

 Tue. I had to take Roy to the airport early in the morning so he could go to CO. then I went to work and after work I went to bed.   

Thur. I had my thyroid appt and Lori took me since Mom is still sick and Roy was out of town.  The Dr. decided not to do the fine needle aspiration (yea).  She was not at all convinced that it had grown.  I have confidence in her and I didn’t want to experience that pain again so in about 6 months we will take a look at it again.  Thur. night Roy came home-always glad to have my hubby back by my side….or at least downstairs watching basketball. :)  

Friday - after work - a much needed break from my job.  I don’t know how much longer I can endure it there.  Of course, I have said that before….many times.        

I guess that sums it up.  A roller coaster week and exhausting - guess you had to be here.  

out    -  g  -        

I had a good time this past weekend.  We went to Little Rock, AR to UAMS graduation where my nephew Michael was to graduate.  He didn’t feel too good and that was not fun for him but everyone did a great job and we had a good weekend.  The only thing is that it went too fast so I didn’t get to spend time with everyone I wanted to.  I miss them when I don’t see them so  I am  very happy whenever we do get to see them.  I really don’t do a good job of keeping in touch with people but I do keep them close in my heart and prayers.

Elmer is leaving this weekend.  I am praying protection all around him as he heads off to defend our country.  And for Holly, in being the loving supportive wife -it can’t be easy but she is a Marine wife so she can do it.  (Let us know if you need anything Holly).

On the 29th I am having a thyroid nodule fine needle aspiration.  Did I say that right?  I don’t know but last year when I had this done it HURT when they pulled that needle out of my neck.  On one hand this Dr said it is not uncommon for people my age to get thyroid nodules.  On the other hand the nodule on the right side has grown and that is why they are doing this biopsy thing again.  I have never had surgery so I am scared that the Dr will tell me she recommends surgery.  I know that I don’t have much to be vain about (I have a good wrist and I like my pinky finger and maybe I have ears that are a pretty good size…) but I don’t really want a scar on the base of my neck - that part of me doesn’t look too bad.  I think they should be able do go up through my belly or my armpit, where no one will see the scar…. ok, now I am assuming surgery.  Well, best case, the Dr will tell me that we will continue to watch the nodule…..actually best case is that it would disappear.    

I am thankful for family, the Marines and good physicians. 

G                      

A photo of Sarah and her Mom right before Sarah left the reception last Sept..  Bye, Bye Punkin’.

Last night, my parents, my sister and her husband and 3 of their children came over to eat and have a little family night.  Originally we were going to get together because my niece wanted to get together and cook.  However, she was asked to baby-sit and the babysitting time was extended so menus were changed and the only thing we cooked together was the frosting for the cake I had baked (which was delicious by the way).  We attempted to make our own shish kabobs. 

1. Lesson number one - maybe each person should watch their own shish kabob or somehow mark which one belongs to which person. 
2. Lesson number two - cut the yellow squash into smaller pieces next time. 
3. Lesson number three - when sliding the food off the kabob stick, do not squish the little red tomato.  Since I do not usually eat tomatoes I did not realize how this little thing will explode and squirt on you like a spitting camel. 
4. Lesson number four - have a few extra kabob sticks filled with meat to give to hungry guests when their supply is quickly eaten. 
5. Lesson number five - make sure you husband has his propane gauge, that he got for Christmas, on the propane tank so you know when you are about to run out of propane and so you will have plenty of time to warm your oven to cook the rest.

I am not sorry I tried the shish kabob meal.  I have been waiting to make shish kabobs since 1980.  I traveled to England and Holland with a friend and her family in 1980 and one of her Aunts’ made shish kabobs and I thought that was so fun and yummy.  When I returned home my Mom purchased these nice metal shish kabob sticks but they sat, unused in their pkg. and had never been used until last night.  I brought the kabob sticks with me when I married and I purchased another package of the exact same metal kabob sticks yesterday and I finally had shish kabobs.  I don’t regret making the meal last night (even though there were issues) because I have always wanted to have people over and have shish kabobs…it only took 28 years.   I really don’t want to wait so long to do things I have wanted to do, even it it’s a silly little think like making shish kabobs.

Some of the guys played crouquet and we were hoping to have another game later but we had quite a rain while we were eating. 

All-in-all, it was a nice evening with family and you can never have regrets about such a lovely evening with ones you love.

gs 

Tonight KU is playing NC in the final four tournament.  Although I don’t really watch basketball that much or follow KU, my husband does watch basketball a lot and is a huge KU fan and apologist.   Today, you can feel the excitement as the game is about to begin.  NC is a very good team so I don’t know how the game will turn out but I hope it will be an exciting time.

Rock Chalk Jayhawk  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEPB_OEo5hE

I just finished the book, Faithful Women and Their Extraordinary God by Noel Piper (Crossway Books Copyright 2005)    On page 160 I read a story that I hope I will remember.  This conversation is between Pastor Ndugu in Africa and Helen Roseveare, a physician ministring in Africa.  She had trouble with her temper and with busyness, losing focus in her ministry and Pastor Ndugu would have to reprimand her in love.  This story is one of those occasions. Helen is writing…

   Opening his Bible at Galations 2:20, he drew a straight line line in the dirt floor with his heel.  “I,” he said, “the capital I in our lives, Self, is the great enemy…..

  ”Helen….the trouble with you is that we can see so much of Helen that we cannot see Jesus.”

  …My eyes filled with tears.

  “I notice that you drink much coffee,” he continued…apparently going off on a tangent.  “When they bring a mug…to you…you stand there holding it, until it is cool enough to drink.  May I suggest that every time, as you stand and wait, you should just lift your heart to God and pray…” and as he spoke, he moved his heel in the dirt across the I he had previously drawn, “…Please, God, cross out the I.”

  There in the dirt was his lesson of simplified theology - the Cross - the crossed-out I life…”I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians2:20).  

    I love how this African national pastor showed Helen this powerful yet simple lesson.        

Roy taped me making a snow angel.  The first time he thought he was recording and he only taped my feet after I had finished my angel.  Oh well….take 2.   I enjoyed watching the clouds float by as I made this snow angel.  

I really like to be out in the snow.  Have you ever sat outside in the evening while it is snowing or just as it has finished snowing and then just listen?  Everything sounds different when there is snow on the ground.   I think it is peaceful.  I am thankful for a beautiful snow fall and I am thankful for a warm home that I can enjoy after being in the snow.   

San Diego with Holly and Elmer - we ate at a Brazilian steak house type place and the waiters sang to Holly in Portuguese.