What I've Been Up To!

This past week has really flown by! Now that I'm on new medications and feeling much better, I am able to do so many things I haven't felt like doing in a long time, such as going out for breakfast! YES! At the Cracker Barrel to beat all places!

Well, let me back up to Sunday. Since Mom was out of town, I cooked a delicious roast with potatoes, carrots, onion, garlic for Dad. In addition, I prepared a humongous salad with all things fresh and beautiful in it. After attending services at our church, Shane and I headed to Dad's house in Tampa with the prepared meal. Oh boy, did he enjoy it! Mom had left the pantry and fridge well stocked with easy to fix foods and snacks, but you tire of that after awhile and a fresh, hot home cooked meal is all that will fit the bill!

I left Shane with Dad and Josh, then headed over to my new friend, Mary's for a Mary Kay Facial Class. She allowed me to host it in her home which worked out best for both of us. I had a successful class and earned lots of free product.! Yay!

Then I rushed off to the evening service at my Dad's church. I saw an old friend who had gotten out of church, but thankfully has started back now. It was great seeing him. What a blessing!

After church, Shane went home with Dad again and I rode out to Hope Children's Home with my friend Connie. Her daughter works for the home but has no car, so we took Sarah back home. It was my first time out there since Sarah came on staff, so I was joyed to get to see the little cottage that is supplied for her, rent free! Her mom and I stayed until 10:15. I had to get back to dad's to pick up my vehicle and Shane and head to Olive Garden to get my husband from work. We got there just as he was turning out the last lights and setting the alarm. Then home to bed. I was exhausted but rejoicing in the fact that just a month ago, I absolutely could not have done all that in one day. Thank you Lord for giving my life back!

Monday, we hung around the house, re-grouping after being gone all day Sunday. We did a history lesson. Due to dad's heart surgery and a few other incidents this school year, we are trailing a little behind in school work, but we do see light at the end of the tunnel.

Monday night, about 11:15, mom arrived at our house. She was returning from her conference in N.C. and her time with family in W. Va.

Tuesday, Mom spent the night with us and took us to Cracker Barrel for breakfast. It was a wonderful feeling to WANT to get ready and leave the house. These past months previous, I had sunk to such a low point physically, that I was basically home bound. I didn't even have the energy or DESIRE to get ready and leave my house for anything. My hubby had been doing almost all the shopping and errands. Once in a while I would go to the store if he drove me. I wasn't able to drive very often. It was also a blessing to spend some time with my mom after she had just visited all my relatives and brought me up to speed on their lives. I was also able to buy some small gifts for our neighbor's birthday party later that afternoon.

More school lessons for Shane and cleaning. I did some ironing. Off to the party next door. After returning from the party, I freshened up and headed off to our church for a going away party for our Assistant/Youth Pastor's Wife. On the way I stopped at Publix and bought some sliced apples, cubed cheese, bite size brownies, paper plates, foil, and toothpicks. I hadn't had time to prepare anything at home so had to get something convenient on the way!

Wednesday, a Kirby Vacuum salesman showed up around 1:00 in the afternoon. I told him I had a 12 year old Kirby which I love and it still works wonderfully. He still got in! You know the spill, "Oh there is no obligation to buy. I just need to do one more demo today to meet my goal. I'll shampoo which ever room you choose and you get to keep this bottle of carpet stain remover!" *Big smile* I did need the traffic pattern in my family room cleaned and they use a dry foam cleaner, so I let him in! My Kirby transforms into a shampooer too but I haven't used it in this new house yet, so I thought:" hey free labor!" I also received a call from my friend Pat, letting me know that her new grand baby had arrived without complications for the mommy who has seizures and was going to have to be off the meds. Praise the Lord for that answered prayer!

Thursday, my hubby was off so I didn't get much accomplished. I did iron 1 chef's coat, 3 pairs of dress slacks, 5 dress shirts, 2 pairs of dress shorts. Agustin did get the lawn mowed and some weeds under control. Shane helped him outside then they moved into the garage and sanded a little chest of drawers for me which I plan to paint. We had delicious chicken and brown rice for dinner.

Friday, cleaned a little. Made loads of phone calls and received loads of phone calls, mostly from Kim and/or Ashley!! j/k girls! I prepared a shopping list for Agustin and Shane. They went shopping while I readied the house for my parents, my brother, and my Josh to come for a cookout. It was dad's 71st birthday, so we had a little family get together. Members of his congregation had already bombarded him with cards and gifts. Agustin bought a sugar free apple pie, which dad loves! After the meal, we watched the movie, "One Night With the King". I had already seen it 4 times but my parents hadn't. I really knew they would love it as it tells the story of Queen Esther. I highly recommend this movie! I sat and read the entire book of Esther today. It's a small book with only 10 chapters. After seeing the movie for the fifth time, I so enjoyed reading about Esther in my Bible today. Being a visual person, I could now try to imagine what she must have seen and gone through. Can you imagine just how beautiful and magnificent that palace of Shushan was? What a strong, courageous young lady of gigantic faith!

Saturday, Today! I have blogged way too much! Shane went home with my parents last night and Agustin went to work this morning after having two days off. I have made my bed, done some dishes, two loads of laundry, talked on the phone to Kim - *yes, again!* and my brother called me twice today, go figure! Now I must get off of here to vacuum my carpet with my OLD Kirby!