As Time Goes By...

I am sorry to be gone so long. I owe you all a post on my parents party, but that will come later. For those who haven't heard, I've been sick for the last several weeks, and am just now beginning to feel better.

While we were in VA, I had a fast-running cold. As usual with me, it turned into a terrible cough. But I was doing better by the time we got home, and I thought I was out of the woods. Then the following weekend and into the next week, I really went back and fourth not feeling well, being sick to my stomach (and other places). I eventually went to the doctor and got something for the stomach cramps and got to feeling better. Yep, I was definatly out of the woods...or so I thought.

Last Saturday I started having terrible pain just under my ribcage that went around my back. If any of you have had a gallbladder attack - it was EXACTLY like that. Only my gallbaldder was removed 4 years ago. I went to the doctor (the appointment will be the subject of a later post) on Tuesday to find out that the muscle that is just under the rib cage was irritated (by the virus, being sick with the virus, coughing, picking something up or moving funny - pick one, there is no way to say which it was) and pressing on a bundle of nerves that goes around to the back. I am currently on drugs to reduce the swelling, and stop the pain. When I am on the drugs, I am feeling GREAT. When they wear off, I am still hurting. Apparently it will take a while to heal.

So I have spent the last 3-4 weeks feeling not-so-good. I am on the mend, but taking it easy. So that is why I've been quiet, not really doing much of anything. I am hoping to get into the sewing room, finish some other projects I've been working on.

Have a great week!

Song Sung Blue...

So, we're back. We had a wonderful time, and my parent's anniversary party was a great big success. I will write more about it in the next couple of days...(and I have lots to tell - meeting Jasmine for the first time, seeing a long-lost cousin for the first time in at least 10 years, visiting with family and friends - it was a great vacation!)

She-who-must-be-obeyed was VERY glad to get her parents home. I still have some time off, so I will spend that loving on her and her sissy and getting the laundry done - among other things.

My post-VA depression as officially kicked in. I told some friends it was good that we left the girls in Memphis, otherwise I am not sure Keith could have gotten me back here. I really miss it all - the family, friends, places, memories - and the pace of life (but not the traffic - definitely not the traffic). Sumerduck is QUIET - you forget, living in the city, just how quiet it can really be.

That said, I will be happy to be back at St. James on Sunday. I missed it terribly on Sunday - we went to St. John the Divine in Warrenton, VA. It was a beautiful church and a nice service, but it was no St. James! And I will get back to my life here in Memphis, which I enjoy - I head back to work on Tuesday and school on Wednesday, and I will enjoy friends who are like family and who make living 16 hours from home a little easier.

Good Night!

Tuesday, once again...

It's Tuesday. I do not have much to report. We are getting ready for our trip to see the family. It's all very exciting. Lots to do this week in preperation.

Last weekend Bishop Morse came to St. James for his episcopal visit. We had him over for a light lunch, then the vestry all met at The BBQ Shop on Madison for dinner with the Bishop. Finally, we had a wonderful service Sunday Morning. We had (at last count) 132 people in attendance - a record for our chruch. There were 2 baptisms, and 6 confirmations. All of that, and we got to receive communion, too! After the service, we had a nice luncheon. The only problem encountered all weekend was locking myself out of the house. Keith had gone on a hosptial visit, and I didn't realize that he was gone, or remember to have him leave the house unlocked. So, I hung out in the church watching Andy Griffith (E left her cd's there, TBTG!). It was a nice way to pass the time until Keith got back.

So this week will be busy, and exciting all at the same time. Need to get the hair done and maybe my nails. We are leaving the girls home. I will miss the little one terrible - mostly at night when I bug her while she sleeps. But it is best for them and for us, so...

No other news to report! I'll be back soon, and I hope to have lots of pixs from VA.

As Time Goes By

Well, how the heck did we get to August 2nd? Gosh, I hadn't realized how long it has been since I was last here. Sorry about that! July was busy, but I can't tell you with what...maybe work, and VBS (helping to set up for it - not working it), and school.

My class is going pretty well, and I have - for the first time ever, I think - started my project early. I am hoping to have to basically done tomorrow, be we ALL know how that goes.

And speaking of school - I have, from the beginning, had difficulty with Keller. There have been customer service issues (not all together a surprise here in the Bluff City), problems with financial aid, and we can't forget the whole "we can't find your file, you'll have to reapply" discussion. While things have been worked out most of the time, it doesn't seem to be getting any better. SO, I started looking around, and the University of Memphis has a program that is in the neighborhood of 1/3 the cost of Keller. It is much closer to home (within walking distance when it is not 99 flippin degrees at midnight!), and has a pretty good Business School / MBA program. I have decided to apply there this fall, continuing my classes with Keller in the immediate. If I am accepted, I will try to move over to UM in January. That's the thinking right now - but I have to get past the GRE first (this may be the thing that dictates exactly what I will be doing.)

We are looking forward to our trip to VA. I am actually beginning to make lists and put things aside to take. It promises to be great fun, and I can't wait to get there. Look out Fauquier - here we come! Axia and Carlos - we are looking forward to visiting with you! You too, Ann!

In the mean time, we have our annual Bishop's visit. We are looking forward to seeing Bishop Morse. This year we have 2 Baptisms and several confirmations. It is a very exciting time in the life of St. James. Last week we had the VBS presentation, as well as a vote on if we should purchase the church property we have been renting for 4 years (including the house we live in.) The result was almost unanimous to purchase it! All of that and we had 101 people in church!!

Today we went to the Gylfe's home for a cookout, and swimming (for the kids). We had a great turn out, and a good time was had by all.

I had a hole in my tire, but it was quickly repaired to the tune of $16 - much better than the cost of our tire issues from a year ago! Keith was weed-eating the church lawn a couple of weeks ago and it picked up a rock and flung it across the parking lot into his rear window, breaking it into a bazillion pieces. So now he is driving a whooptie which has plastic covering the window until we can replace it (don't ask - it has to do with the aforementioned issues with Keller.) And I won't go into the fight Keith got into with the basketball hoop pole (using my car, of course!). Really - there was not much damage - just enough for me to keep giving him a hard time!

Well, that's the long and the short of it. What's up with you?

PS. Jasmine turned one - can you believe it? I hope to get pictures up soon.

...and we're back!

Good Evening everyone! I hope this finds you well.

I am sorry I have been gone so long. School kept me busier than I had imagined - but I did well in all my classes. I have been out of class for over a week, but was just too tired to spend *one more* evening writing something. I am taking an accounting class, which will not require a big paper at the end - which I am happy about.

So here is what I've been up to:

* School, of course
* The BIG ole bible study (which has not gotten the attention it deserves - I may be held back!)
* Planning for - dreaming of - my trip to Virginia in August!!!
* Hanging out with friends - and having a great time doing it!
* Quick trip to Jonesboro to see the Honey-hams, and Fr. Foos who was with his school choir visiting from CA.
* Quick trip to Jonesboro for what was, hands down, the most eventful funeral I have ever attended.
* Co-Teaching (or more or less) Sunday School
* buying all manner of used books at used books stores and used book sales.
* finding a really cool bag pattern which I am hoping to begin working on soon.

Doesn't seem to be quite as long as I imagined or it felt...

I found a book at that book sale that I thought I would put in the church library. You never know - someone might like it. Well, I picked it up the other day and started reading. The book is called: My Beloved: The Story of a Carmelite Nun by Mother Catherine Thomas. It is about a young woman who is called to the vocation of a Carmelite Nun in the late 1920's.

I am completely taken with this book. Now, don't think for a minute that I want to be a Carmelite nun, or a nun of any flavor for that matter. I am just finding the story, and her insight, captivating. I believe the word is convicted...

I am not done, and I am sure I will need to read it at least one more time to really appreciate it - but I've already started marking in it!

This poem is included in the book:

My Beloved is my Bridegroom

And my Lord - O what a joy!

I will henceforth all the powers

Of my soul for Him employ;

And the flock that once I tended,

Now I tend not as before

For my only occupation

Is to love Him more and more.

I have gone away forever

From the haunts of idle men

And a sharer in their follies

I will never be again.

They will say, and say it loudly,

I am lost; but I am not;

I was found by my Beloved,

O how blessed is my lot!

St. John of the Cross

Beautiful, no? I believe that St. John of the Cross was a monk, or brother. I also believe that he wrote this about going into the contemplative life. But even so, I find it speaks to me. I am just using this to contemplate my own relationship with Christ - which is what, I believe, Mother Catherine Thomas wanted when she wrote this in 1955.

Cheers everyone - I'll try to be around more!

Stay Tuned...

Sorry that I have been absent so long - life has gotten busy since starting school. I'll be back very soon!

Hello...is it me your looking for?

I know, I know - it's been a very long time. I can't believe that it has been over a month. Lots have gone on since my last post - the walk down memory lane.

I have started school - and two classes it a lot harder than I thought they would be. I go to school on Monday and Thursdays. It makes the weeks speed by, though. I am enjoying work. It is busy, and crazy, and frustrating, and fun - and I love going everyday. One of my co-workers is going through the process of being put on the heart transplant list. Our friend Perry was able to go talk to her and share with her his story. Please pray for Pat. She has been through so much in the last year or so.

This is the beginning of Holy Week. It will be a long week, but it is such a beautiful and meaningful progression from Maundy-Thursday to Easter Sunday. It is deeply moving to me. The church is doing well, and we have had over 80 people for the last several Sundays. We had over 100 this Sunday. There is a group from a different church who may be joining us. It is sad to think of other church having difficulties and splitting, but it is nice to have a growth spurt. It is an exciting time for us at St. James.

I have finally finished that sweater for Jasmine - and found a button (well, really a couple of buttons) for it:
This button was "custom made" - I found them at Wal-mart in the obviously-being-closed-down sewing /crafting section. The big white button has a flower pattern on the front, but it looked too old fashioned for a baby's sweater. The small pink flower was too small for this sweater, so I turned the white button over, and added the pink one on top. Yea! it worked and looks cute!
Now let's just hope that she is not packing things to go off to college - I just know this will be too small for her, now that I got the button dilemma worked out!

And speaking of Jasmine, here are some pic's that I promised - ones her daddy sent to me - taken in January, I think:

I can see a lot of her daddy in her, but I see glimpses of mom, too. Either way, isn't she sweet?