Summer Fun

I was just rereading the last post, and found myself snickering. I ended by saying we were going to enjoy the last rays of summer...We went to a 4-H meeting today, and the program was to make posters about waterfowl. So yesterday was spent learning about waterfowl. Yes, we really know how to soak up that summer fun! The boys did go to a sleepover at a friend's house last night, so I don't guess it was all work and no play. The other part I wanted to comment on was the reservations story. As my friend and I were planning out our route and site-seeing stops, we had to look for hotels. A couple of months ago I started to frantically hunt and then to despair as I found nothing available under $200! It seems there is something called the Sturgis Road Rally right about the time that we had decided to vacation. It is a huge motorcycle ride through South Dakota. Most families of bikers turn it into a vacation either before or after, so there is nothing available to rent! All of that to say we will be "camping" at Mount Rushmore and in Cody, Wyoming. The boys are not at all disturbed by that, though their grandmother may be concerned. In both places we will have cabins, so actually we will be off the ground, but the showers and bathrooms are communal. In Cody we have also rented a "teepee" for the boys. I will need to stay there as well, since the cabins are not near the teepees. #2 was really looking forward to camping on this trip, so this was my concession to him. The original plan had 5 kids going, so it was going to be a night of fun. Now I don't know how it will turn out. The whole idea of campgrounds is quite different than what I had imagined. As I looked at KOA places, I was astonished. They have hay rides, dances, pancake feeds, campfires and smores, and much more. We may end up finding a new way to vacation! I don't think we will have enough time to do the site-seeing and the events at the campgrounds. I think whatever we end up doing though is going to be a lot of fun. -------- So while the boys were at the sleepover, Hubby and I went to see The Proposal. I hadn't seen great reviews about it, but I laughed through most of it. Maybe I just needed a night out, but it seemed quite funny to me. Tonight is the Guys' Night Out, and I will be having dinner out with some girlfriends. Tomorrow is the first day of school. I guess I won't stay out too late tonight.

Two Days

Two days. That is it. No more sun; no more fun. Summer vacation's done. Of course that is what it would be if we were normal people. Yes, we officially start back to the books on Wednesday, but the first two days of school for the boys are an exchange day camp with another county. They will go to a different county for the day to learn and play with 4-H members from there and then they will be here the other day with members from the other county. Next week I think #1 has a day camp 4 out of 5 days! Then we head to WV to help clean out Grandma's house. The boys will do their school work on the ride up and back, but likely won't do any while they are there. And then we have a huge "field trip" planned for the last week of July and first week of August. We are Going West, Young Man. Yes, that's right. We are taking a family vacation to the western part of the states. We will go through NC, WV, KY, OH, IN, IL, IO, MN, SD, WY, MT, NE, KS, and MO. I think I got them all. The big stops are Badlands National Park, Mount Rushmore, Cody, WY, Yellowstone and Grand Tetons Parks, and Hannibal, MO, home of Mark Twain. There will be several other stops in-between, but those are the biggies. The boys will do school work during the rides, so really they will have lots of "book time" before it is over, but the main instruction will be to learn by seeing and doing. We were planning the trip with another family, but the woman's father is in poor health, and she is afraid to go now. So we asked the in-laws if they want to go. We already had reservations at a couple of spots--that's another story-- and didn't want to waste them if we could help it. Father-in-Law has always wanted to see Yellowstone, so it was good for all of us. Of course, all of this comes with the objective to save as much money as possible and yet have a memorable and fun time. So I have been using my coupons to buy prepackaged microwave food. I never knew there was so much available! I have found rice and pasta dishes, canned meats and fruits, and plan to stop every few days at a grocery for bread and fresh veg/fruit. We hope to only eat out once a day. We will see how it goes. We are thinking eat out for lunch while we travel, since that meal is less expensive, and then stop at a hotel about dinner time. Throw something in a hotel microwave, let the kids swim, and have a relaxing evening in. I asked the boys yesterday what could we do about souvenirs since we want to make it inexpensive. (And I had the ulterior motive of not allowing more junk in my house!) They came up with some good ideas...find a yellow rock (Yellowstone) or take a picture of a guy going really fast (Mount RUSH more). That lead us to the decision to make a movie. Now that movie making is so much easier, it won't have to be 30 hours of someone's vacation, but can be highlighted into a nice keepsake. So that is the plan as long as the boys get to take turns filming; that was the deal according to them. So we will spend the next two days trying to enjoy the last rays of summer before we hit the books. What a life!

Bye, Bye Virus

I like it when I click with people. I called the prof at NCSU, and I had a nice conversation with him. He isn't actually the guy I am to talk to, but that guy is on vacation next week, so this guy thought I ought to go ahead and speak with him. It went well. I still have a meeting scheduled with WVU on July 13, but now I feel like I have some more options. The prof I spoke with seemed very genuine and earthy; sort of what I would expect at NC State! I think I would fit in well there. The virus seems to have finally worked its way through my baby. He was up at midnight vomiting, but since then he has done ok. He has only had water, Powerade, and peanuts so far today, but I am hoping it is over. We will have plain pancakes for dinner just in case. A friend came over today to work on the day camp we are teaching in a couple weeks. I told her I need more than one day a week to just stay home. AND the days I do stay home need to not include a sick child. That is to say, the furniture is still not done being moved, shelves are not installed, and garbage is strewn around the house. I managed to sell three dozen eggs this morning at the farmer's market. I will try again tomorrow. You have to pay $5 to go on Saturdays, but the frig is so full of eggs that I will take the loss of $5 to get rid of them. Soon it will smell like the Lake of Burning Fire if I don't do something!

Highlights

Monday move furniture upstairs. Jump over things left downstairs. Practice presentation for Extension Agent and friends. Tuesday continue moving things and jumping out of the way. Couch arrives for the upstairs. YES! I didn't have to carry it. Mow grass, burn scrap wood pile, fight mosquitoes who are fighting for space after the chiggers. Wednesday leave at 7:20 a.m. for District Activity Day. WooHoo our kids did great!! Every one of our 4-H club member participants received a medal. #2 silver for his presentation on wildfire and #1 gold for his speech on basketball. Thursday awake to the sounds of vomiting as #2 lets loose with a virus. That's about all I can manage at this point. I need to disinfect the bathroom and take a nap.

Weekend

It has been a busy few days for me. Friday was my last day with thte "extra kids" until some time in August. They go away every July to visit France or family in other locales. This year it is France. The boys took french lessons for a good part of the year, but I don't know how much it actually helped. Before they left I asked the oldest how to ask where the bathroom is, to tell me he is lost and to ask for his MaMa. He couldn't do any of that. I suppose crossing your legs and crying would say the same thing in any language. Also on Friday I went through a lot of confusion. I am just not sure that going to grad school at WVU is the best option for me. There is a lot of indecision about which is better, a PhD or an EdD. That makes a big difference in how it is handled being in another state, and I may have to live there more than two semesters. I also am not sure that having a degree from WVU is a good idea, since we may at some point need me to work there while we care for aging parents. They don't hire their own. Also conversations with my professor father-in-law, and my mother-in-law and own mother had me confused. So I started looking at other programs again, and lo and behold, NC State in Raleigh has a program that looks like it will fit with me. I emailed the director and he is willing to talk to me. So I will be calling him today. Saturday was a trip to the beach with our church family. We took several friends, as did other people, so we ended up with about 25 people attending. Most of us didn't get too sunburned, the water was pleasant, little humidity in the air. It was just a very nice day to be at the beach. Then came Sunday. We took the Daddy to dinner at a Japanese Steakhouse that he likes. Then we came home and let him rest for a little while before we made him start carrying furniture upstairs. YES!! We have furniture upstairs. No, it isn't finished up there. Mostly we just need doors, but that is going to have to wait. I was afraid that #2 wasn't going to go upstairs; he had said on several occasions that it would be too far away from us. But when he saw his brother moving in, he decided it might be a good idea. It will take most of the week I am sure, but the beds are up there, as well as computers, desks, and a few other things, like the tv. So last night I got to enjoy my quiet livingroom.. I loved it! I think it will be a nice sanctuary for me. Today I will move my computer in there, and voila! I will be in a housewife's paradise.

Ticks and Other Pests

I'd Like to Check You for Ticks by Brad Paisley Every time you take a sip In this smokey atmosphere You press that bottle to your lips And I wish I was your beer And in the small there of your back Your jeans are playin' peek-a-boo I'd like to see the other half of your butterfly tattoo Hey that gives me an idea lets get out of this bar Drive out into the country And find a place to park Cause I'd like to see you out in the moonlight I'd like to kiss you way back in the sticks I'd like to walk through a field of wildflowers And I'd like to check you for ticks I know the perfect little path Out in these woods I used to hunt Don't worry babe I've got your back And I've also got your front I'd hate to waste a night like this I'll keep you safe you wait and see The only thing allowed to crawl all over you When we get there is me You know every guy in here tonight Would like to take you home But I got way more class than them Babe that ain't what I want Cause I'd like to see you out in the moonlight I'd like to kiss you way back in the sticks I'd like to walk you through a field of wildflowers And I'd like to check you for ticks Now ooohhh you never know where one might be And ooohhh there's lots of places that are hard to reach I'd like to see you out in the moonlight I'd like to kiss you baby way back in the sticks I'd like to walk you through a field of wildflowers And I'd like to check you for ticks Oh I'd sure like to check you for ticks Come on! I'm sure you are all wondering what religious connotations I get out of this song. I really like Brad Paisley. It might be that he is from WV, or that I like his wife, or that I can almost always understand what he is saying. I like him for certain because his songs are clever and often funny. The videos I have seen of his music are also quite humorous. But religion? Not on this song. I just got into a bunch of chiggers a couple of days ago, and thought it was an appropriate song. Too bad you can't check for those until it is too late, though Hubby has offered.

Fried, Son-ny Side Up

Yesterday, and to be honest still this morning, I wanted to fry my son. As I think about the situation, I suppose it is just fate playing a sarcastic trick on me. I do not put much emphasis on testing students. In fact, I tell my kids that though the standardized test is important for them to do well on, it doesn't mean anything. Huh! Until your kid gets the scores back, and he flopped big time. Now, how am I supposed to convince others that this test doesn't matter, when I am so disturbed by his scores? I suppose saying that I KNOW he can do better because he has done better in the past only makes me look like a coddling mother. To say that the teachers told me he was always the first one done, and that he was done in 7 minutes when it should have taken a half hour, makes me look like a mother that makes excuses and doesn't expect much from her child. But to be a mother that wants to get a higher degreee so that she can convince schools to stop placing so much emphasis on testing, and then her son royally screws up, makes it look like there are some sour grapes somewhere. The truth of the matter is that he still scored about average. He made a little improvement in Reading Comprehension, even getting done as quickly as he did. But he didn't make the expected overall improvements that I was seeing in the classroom. So what did this mother, who is against testing, tell the son who scored so "poorly?" This is the last year you can get a score like that. You'll be lucky to get into a community college with scores like that! Yes, it seems that I didn't score well on the Mother Test.

Color

Jamey Johnson, In Color Lyrics I said, Grandpa what’s this picture here It’s all black and white and ain’t real clear Is that you there, he said, yeah I was eleven Times were tough back in thirty-five That’s me and Uncle Joe just tryin’ to survive A cotton farm in the Great Depression And if it looks like we were scared to death Like a couple of kids just trying to save each other You should have seen it in color This one here was taken overseas In the middle of hell in nineteen forty-three In the winter time you can almost see my breath That was my tail gunner ole’ Johnny McGee He was a high school teacher from New Orleans And he had my back right through the day we left And if it looks like we were scared to death Like a couple of kids just trying to save each other You should have seen it in color A picture’s worth a thousand words But you can’t see what those shades of gray keep covered You should have seen it in color This one is my favorite one This is me and grandma in the summer sun All dressed up the day we said our vows You can’t tell it here but it was hot that June That rose was red and her eyes were blue And just look at that smile I was so proud That’s the story of my life Right there in black and white And if it looks like we were scared to death Like a couple of kids just trying to save each other You should have seen it in color A picture’s worth a thousand words But you can’t see what those shades of gray keep covered You should have seen it in color You should have seen it in color I can't really say that this says anything scripturally, but it says a lot to me on many levels. Of course, the most obvious is that you can't know what someone is going through until you go through it yourself. You can't understand the death of a spouse, the destruction of a home, an unexpected birth, a terminal illness, or being alone until you have gone through it yourself. What you can understand are just shades of gray. There are lots of happy things you can't understand either until you experience them...the love in someone's eyes, the birth of a long awaited child, a new home, friends around you. Those colors seem brighter and cheerier; I like them. Pastels of a quiet walk with God, holding a sleeping child, listening to a love song, or reading a good story are just as comforting, if not as bright. I guess the way this song touches me religiously is to know that Christ went through all of those emotions and he sees it all in color. There is no gray area with God; He knows it all. Praise God for colorful lives. ----------- The boys are back!! Yeah!!! Tomorrow we will go to the free summer movie and then hit the park for pizza with some friends. It will be a celebration of my three little ones finally seeing the two bigger ones. It has been a month since they have been together. They really are like brothers, and they miss each other. This is my last week with the boys until August, the little 3 anyway. They head to France for a long holiday with their parents. School starts in a couple of weeks for us here. I am trying to get the schedule together, and feeling a bit overwhelmed by it all. The older they get the harder school is to get through. I also have to remember that I have to grade everything I assign. Ugh.

Sound Like Life

Got a call last night from an old friend’s wife Said I hate to bother you Johnny Ray fell off the wagon He’s been gone all afternoon I know my buddy so I drove to Skully’s And found him at the bar I say hey man, what’s going on He said I don’t know where to start Sarah’s old car’s about to fall apart And the washer quit last week We had to put momma in the nursing home And the baby’s cutting teeth I didn’t get much work this week And I got bills to pay I said I know this ain’t what you wanna hear But it’s what I’m gonna say (Chorus)Sounds like life to me it ain’t no fantasy It’s just a common case of everyday reality Man I know it’s tough but you gotta suck it up To hear you talk you’re caught up in some tragedy It sounds like life to me Well his face turned red and he shook his head He said you don’t understand Three kids and a wife depend on me And I’m just one man To top it off I just found out That Sarah’s 2 months late I said hey bartender set us up a round We need to celebrate (Chorus)Sounds like life to me plain old destiny Yeah the only thing for certain is uncertainty You gotta hold on tight just enjoy the ride Get used to all this unpredictability Sounds like life Man I know its tough but you gotta suck it up To hear you talk you’re caught up in some tragedy Sounds like life to me Sounds like life This reminds me a lot of the book of Ecclesiastes in the Old Testament. Listen to a couple of excerpts from chapters 2 and 5: A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, and knowledge, and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand over to the one who pleases God. ...Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him- for this is his lot. Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work- this is a gift of God. I am happy to say that God has given me that gift. I do enjoy my work and my life. ---------- The boys are at camp now, but I do have a funny conversation from the little bit of time they were here. I was talking about prom and girls wearing strapless dresses. The boys walked in and asked what was going on. I asked #1 what he thought of strapless dresses. He said he didn't care one way or the other, why? I said they are supposed to make you want to kiss on the girl. #2 says, "Right now that sounds disgusting, but in 5 years it will probably be delightful." I belly laughed on that one. I will have to remember to ask him if his first date is delightful. ------- Hubby and I took the free afternoon yesterday to watch the new movie, Up. It is a nice movie, great story, not for kids in my opinion, and I hated it. I cried through so much of it. I think it was hitting a little too close to home right now. It is about a man whose wife has died, and he fulfills a vow to her to go to South America and have an adventure. Lots of tears. It was very much a Sounds Like Life movie.

Home Again

Gatlinburg was wonderful as usual. It is such a beautiful place. I didn't feel like we had enough time to just enjoy the scenery. My mother asked me last night what the best part was. Niece #2, definitely. She is about 2 1/2, very talkative, and full of ideas-- all her own. We went to Dollywood, and I was the lucky one to get to take her on the rides. She did great and had a fabulous time. Twice she fell asleep on me; that was fabulous for me. What a snuggle bug a two year old is. I am happy to have my boys back, although they leave tomorrow for camp. #1 is going to BioTech Camp to learn about forensics. #2 is going to SpaceCamp to learn about astronomy. They only go for two days, back on Tuesday, so I won't miss them too badly. The floors are not finished as hoped. The sander broke partway through finishing the floors, and a part had to be ordered. It will be next week. Sigh. Par for the course, I suppose. Grandma's house sold very quickly. A neighbor bought it, so I supppose they knew it was a good deal. I'm going to miss that house. I don't like all of the changing that is going on...turning 40 soon, 20 years of marriage, a son starting Middle School, Grandma being unable to stay alone... How did this happen? I will be going to WV to help pack up the house next month. I'm sure lots of tears will follow.

Gatlinburg

Taking a break from the song series to give a short update. My boys are in Gatlinburg with Hubby's family now. They went down there on Saturday. Evidently yesterday #1 had a bout of homesickness, but was able to get over it. They have been gone over two weeks, and I know I miss my home after that long, too. Hubby and I will head out after work this evening to go to Gatlinburg. We will stay a couple of days and come back on Friday. It will be especially good to see my brother-in-law and sister-in-law and their kids. We saw them last at Christmas, but we were so sick that it feels like we didn't see them. We are super happy that the sister-in-law is doing well and has completed her radiation treatments. Thanks to everyone who was praying for her. I miss my boys. Yes, I talk to them nearly every day, but you can't hug over the phone. I know they are well and reasonably happy, but it will be good to get them back. Of course, we get back on Friday, and then they leave for 4-H camp on Sunday. The floors are to get finished upstairs while we are gone. Then I can really clean for the last time...super clean anyway. I will definitely still have to clean. It has been good to have some time to get caught up on things. Yesterday I had 10 children here throughout the day, and it reminded me of what I am about to get back into. It is difficult to keep things looking good when kids are at your house all day. I don't know when it will change, but adults certainly don't make as much of a mess as kids. I was putting away laundry this morning when Hubby heard me say, "I just don't understand." I was finding the wrong types of clothing in the drawers. There is a drawer for long sleeved shirts, one for short sleeved, one for pants, and another for shorts, etc. Why can they not get the right clothing in the correct drawer? Hubby said, "You still don't understand? They're crazy." I guess so. At what age do they gain their senses? Hope everyone has a great week. And keep your radios tuned to that country music!

Alyssa Lies

My little girl met a new friend, just the other day, on the playground at school between the tires and the swings But she came home with tear-filled eyes, and she said to me "Daddy, Alyssa lies" Well I just brushed it off at first, 'cause I didn't know how much my little girl had been hurt or the things she had seen. I wasn't ready when I said "You can tell me" and she said... "Alyssa lies to the classroom, Alyssa lies everyday at school, Alyssa lies to the teachers as she tries to cover every bruise" My little girl laid her head down that night to go to sleep. As I stepped out the room, I heard her say a prayer so soft and sweet "God bless my mom and my Dad and my new friend, Alyssa *oh*I know she needs you bad Because Alyssa lies to the classroom, Alyssa lies everyday at school, Alyssa lies to the teachers as she tries to cover every bruise" I had the worst night of sleep in years as I tried to think of a way to calm her fears I knew just what it was I had to do *I knew exactly what I had to do* but when we got to school on Monday I heard the news My little girl asked me why everybody looked so sad the lump in my throat grew bigger with every question that she asked. Until I felt the tears run down my face and I told her that Alyssa wouldn't be at school today 'Cause she doesn't lie in the classroom she doesn't lie anymore at school Alyssa lies with Jesus because there's nothin' anyone would do Tears filled my eyes when my little girl asked me why Alyssa lies *Oh Daddy, oh* Daddy tell me why Alyssa lies This song has been out a while. I did a little research, and it took the writer 3 years to get it together. It is definitely an emotional song. What does it have to do with my faith though? I think it says a lot about how we turn our heads and ignore what we don't want to believe. Even at church, I can brush someone off who is difficult to deal with or just puts too much "drama" into my life. But it doesn't change what the person is going through. The question is..."Will I be the one to listen to the "truth," to stand up for the one who can't stand on her own, to protect the helpless? Or will I listen to the lies, ignore the painful truth, and have Jesus to answer to?" That may sound melodramatic, but it happens every week to all of us. People are hurting. Are we being Jesus on Earth, or are we just being Jesus's Earthlings, living and never loving?

Sissy's Song

I like this song by Alan Jackson because it reminds me of a modern Psalm. There is pain, hurt, confusion, and hope. The verses change from hoping that she went to Jesus, wishing she went to Jesus, and finally being certain that she went to Jesus. So many of the Psalms are real like that. Your faith changes, ebbs and flows, if you will. But always there is the chorus getting you through the pain. In your heart of hearts you know Jesus is waiting for you. Why did she have to go? So young I just don't know why Things happen half the time Without reason without rhyme Lovely, sweet young woman Daughter, wife and mother Makes no sense to me I just have to believe She flew up to Heaven on the wings of angels By the clouds and stars and passed where no one sees And she walks with Jesus and her loved ones waiting And I know she's smiling saying Don't worry 'bout me Loved ones she left behind Just trying to survive And understand the why Feeling so lost inside Anger shot straight at God Then asking for His love Empty with disbelief Just hoping that maybe She flew up to Heaven on the wings of angels By the clouds and stars and passed where no one sees And she walks with Jesus and her loved ones waiting And I know she's smiling saying Don't worry 'bout me It's hard to say goodbye Her picture in my mind Will always be of times I'll cherish And I won't cry 'cause She flew up to Heaven on the wings of angels By the clouds and stars and passed where no one sees And she walks with jesus and her loved ones waiting And I know she's smiling saying Don't worry 'bout me

Roosters Are Country Music

I was planning on butchering a rooster this evening and some hens tomorrow, but it looks like we will be having rain. I butcher out in the back of the barn, so rain isn't conducive to butchering. I had hoped to get that done before the boys come back though, so I may just have to get wet. We have to catch the rooster in the evening, and the hens too, but I will put the hens in a cage and save for tomorrow. The rooster would be too feisty to wait until tomorrow. My plan is to get an incubator later this summer and start raising my own flock. I think it will pay for the incubator in the long run. I often have people stopping by to ask if I will sell chickens. The eggs have been profitable lately, too. It is just when I don't get eggs in the winter, but still have to feed the chickens, that it doesn't seem like a good idea. I may have to turn on a light for them this winter. --------- I like country music. I like that I can usually understand most of the words, and I like that no one yells or makes a lot of noise with guitars. I also like that the songs usually tell a story- even if it isn't a good, moral story. But I think one of my favorite reasons for liking country music is that it is religious. Jesus and God are often mentioned in favorable terms. So I thought I would have a little "series" on country music for a few days. I think I will write about some songs I enjoy and what they speak to me about my faith. Here is a little quip just to wet your whistle. I don't know the whole song, as it was a new one to me, but I heard a fragment the other day..."If you want to hear God laugh, just tell Him your plans." God rarely lets me follow through on my plans. In fact, if I say something like...I will NEVER marry a preacher...then somehow it seems to come to pass. But the Bible often says "and it came to pass" so I guess I am just staying scriptural. God's plans always seem hard to follow. He isn't very good at drawing maps, or maybe I am not good at reading them, but I always like where I end up after the trip is over. I wonder how much He is laughing now as I try to go to grad school, figure out a job, raise a family, build a house, lead a church. He must be getting quite the chuckle.

The Cure

I watched a movie last night from Netflix. It is called The Cure. The plot is that two eleven year old boys meet in a small town along the Mississipppi River and become friends. One boy has family problems, and the other has AIDS. They decide to find a cure for AIDS, and the story takes off from there. They hunt for different plants that might work, try to get to New Orleans where a quack has "found" a cure, and they spend a lot of time in the hospital. In the end, the boy dies, and the other is upset that they never found a cure. The grieving mother says that they did. Her son was alone and afraid before they became friends. His friendship was the cure they needed to make her son happy. Sappy, I know, but a good thought. How much could we "cure" people if we would only be a good friend to them? Here's to being a better friend today. -------- Turned in State Projects yesterday! WhooHoo!! We had a club project and 5 kids' projects. I am planning on helping another kid on Monday with her project, so that will take us to 6 kids' projects. I would like to help the state personnel work on the guidelines and judging of state projects. It isn't very well done, and I think with just a few easy adjustments it could be a lot better. I told our Extension Agent, though, that I am not getting a degree to work with 4-H. There isn't enough money in it. Guess that will come back to bite me; it always does.

Dog Days

Turned on the ac last evening. I have never turned it on June first before. It is supposed to be hot all week with a chance of storms. Think hot and humid. At least we found out that the upstairs unit is a good one. It cooled down fairly quickly up there. It was 97 degrees upstairs when we turned it on. I am trying to find a home for Kelly. She has caused too much trouble for us to deal with her any longer. Since the cement escapade we have put her in a harness. She can get out of it. Now she won't get up to let us get the harness back on her; she just lies down on her back and refuses to move. Any time the door opens, out she runs and heads to the new subdivision. Having children in the house, the door opens quite often, and the kids can't keep her in. Last night was our monthly prayer meeting. I enjoy taking the time to eat with friends and spend an hour in prayer. I kept thinking I needed to have more free time yesterday so that I could get more marked off my list, but after I sat down and relaxed, I realized I needed the prayer time more than I needed the work done. Sabbath rest is such a difficult concept for me.