Sunday church

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up
do you not perceive it?"

Revelation 3:7-8, "These are the words of Him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.

I know that you have little strength, yet God knows that our flesh is weak but our spirit is willing. He has gone before us using His strength to open the doors for us. He is such a gentleman, full of honor and grace to open the doors for His Bride. We don't have to use our strength to open the doors; He has already done that for us. All we have to do is walk through the doors, placing our confidence in His power.

Psalm 90:16-17, "Let Your work appear to Your servants, and Your glory to their children. And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands for us; yes, establish the work of our hands."

Still walking on the water....

Another drug test

What happened on Friday ? Faith came over and we were to go get my TB test checked, get a Hepatitis B shot, go get a drug test for Wal-mart and come home and pack for Ethiopia. All of this from noon till six when she had to leave.Then somewhere fit my mom in for shopping.
Everything was going as scheduled. Test read, shot given.
Things were going fine until I had to give some urine for a drug test. I went in to deposit a sample for them but ended up with half as much as was needed. I don't know, call it a "shy bladder" or the fact that a huge man was waiting on the other side of the door for me to do my thing. I froze. Not enough came out for a sample. I was in there a long time too, thinking, "I always can go....I always am drinking something ...whats the matter...whats that guy thinking...how many people are waiting for their turn to use the bathroom....?" Finally I gave up and gave him what I had. He said that was not enough and I couldn't go back in , that I had to sign a paper and go drink three glasses of water, no more than three because it would be too diluted. In all that info and signing papers and being told "Do not leave the building" , a stern voice spoke and said"Wash your hands". That done it. I was embarrassed and red faced.

When I told Faith what had happened she shook her head and said something , trying to laugh, scold me and console me all at the same time......don't really know what she said as I was trying to guzzle down the first glass of water.

We sat and sat and sat. No urge . After about an hour or so I decided I would "go for it" and whether or not it was a success I would deal with it at that time. Ahhhhhh....the water was working and when I came out of the restroom the gentleman saw my face and smiled and said" it happens all the time here". I know that because there was a man who had the same problem as I did. He mumbled something to me like...under too much pressure. Thats why he couldnt, you know.

On the way home the other two glasses of water kicked in and man o man I had to go.

My mom decided in the mean time she didn't feel like shopping and so Faith and I were going to rush home and get me packed. Nope, her girlfriend called, she had to leave and so I carried all the suitcase and stuff up to Abigail's room for another day.
But this reminds me of a saying my husband says to end this blog..."when ya gotta go, ya gotta go"

Another Saying

This time the saying is not from my dad. The last one I meant to **** the bad word but forgot in all my eagerness to get the saying right. Nevertheless, one of my friends asked how I like being a lady of leisure and that reminded me of a saying I used to say.
Its hard doing nothing because you never know when you are finished. Hopefully that will take the bad taste out of your mouth from the last one. (no pun intended)

I have another interview today and then I will go find my mom. She is on a motorized cart in Meijer's in Rolling Meadows. My sister is dropping her off and going to a doctor's appointment. I don't think my mom should be by herself that long. Besides, it is not past me to grab a motorized cart and drive next to her and talk about all the good stuff they have in the store.
Well, as my beloved Abigail says, I gotta blast....

Hosana Faith

Hosana Faith is looking at a book. It shows pictures of Abigail and Grace and her extended family.

I know that Abigail and her sister will be fast friends.

Precious face, in just a few more weeks we will be the ones holding her.

A new angel has been made

As I was in orientation with Visiting Angels, Wal-mart called and left a message that they wanted to schedule an interview for tomorrow. Yikes...the word is out, I am available.
I told V.A (visiting angels ) that I would not be available to work for a couple of weeks because I had to help my daughter with her adopted daughter and they were cool with that. So far so good. They gave me a name tag, lunch bag, swede pocket calender, and cards with my name on them. They also called the references I had given them and Jackie, my boss, was very impressed and she told me what each person said. (takes one to know one)

Faith should come over today and help me with some packing before my mother in law comes for my niece's daughters baptism on September 6. That means I have to get packed and clean the house before she come because it will be cutting it pretty close by then. Getting excited. I hope Grace has lots of patience and time to post the pic's we take in Ethiopia. Going to have some good coffee while we are there. And who knows what else.

I'm like a pin cushon

Today I got a T B test. Kept waiting for the nurse to give me a band aid but she didn't. As I was leaving I looked down and my arm was bleeding. No big deal but now I have to find some way of cleaning it up. At least I know I still have blood.
On Thursday I go to Visiting Angels for .....ummmm.....orentation. But before I go there I have to get my TB test checked. Then onto my orientation.
I have applied a few different places and will keep those options open too. So far I am getting more opportunities to work than I thought.
How many more days till I leave for Ethiopia via Hershey, Pa ?
My living room is full of stuff to take along. But looking at what is really packed is mostly food. How sad is that ? (that reminds me of my friend Vikky-she used to say that all the time)
I do miss the people at Fisher....not the work, just the wonderful people. Hopefully I can take them some popcorn soon.

Ouchie

Aaaaarrrgggggg. I have been inoculated. Ethiopia here I come. While getting the prescription filled for travelers diarrhea, the pharmacist and I got to talking and he and his wife adopted from Addis Abba too. Through some agency in Minneapolis. He showed me a picture of his two girls and by the way they were sisters. How great is that? Anyway, I may go back and talk to him before I leave for Ethiopia.
Probably my sister Sylvia and I can only appreciate this, but our dad cracks me up. For a long time now I have been repeating some of his favorite sayings such as "Ya pay your money and you take your chances". Well the other day my sister called and was telling me about my dad wanting to fly this widow lady from North Dakota to St James City in Florida. He was concerned that it may be too soon after her husband passed to invite her for a visit. He said "maybe I shouldn't stir up the s*** and make it stink more".....I cracked up. How funny is that ? Maybe it is just me but really...think about it.....
So who ever is out there and knows my dad...you'll understand.

Well, here it is Sunday. Dan and I are at the library again. It makes me smile to be here next to Dan and him fiddling on a computer next to me. He keeps talking to me about bleach and baking soda and how they are made and where they come from. He always is finding something interesting to read about. Now he wants to find $10 Internet service for us thru the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) for short.
Monday I will start my series of shots for Ethiopia. Faith came over Saturday to help me decide which ones I really needed and which ones I can do without. Like my dad says"Ya pay your money and take your chances" I agree. I have such a peace about this and am trusting God to do with me what He wants.
If you read Grace's blog: http://allthesereasons.blogspot.com you will see what our living room looks like except with adult clothes. Dan keeps helping me get stuff organized and on track. What a man ! I will miss him so much, and he is the reason I will come back from Hershey and leave Grace and Abigail and Anna-Faith behind. I have to come up with a better name than that. Any suggestions ?

Once upon a summer's day

Hot dang ! My friend Laurie, her step daughter just had a baby. So many babies and so little time. Babies such as Anna-Faith. How many more days till we get her? I forgot to look at the little gage I have on my side bar of the blog. I am getting so excited.!!!!!! I have to hurry and call Laurie I mean Gramma Laurie.

Once when I was maybe eight years old I snuck into my neighbors house next door...the Shamrock's....it was back in the day when you did not lock your house unless you went away on vacation. Nevertheless, I snuck in. Being such good neighbors back in those days I would pop in from time to time and bug Peg. Like most women in those days, she was a stay at home mom (unlike mine) and I sometimes needed a woman to terrorize with my antics.
(that might include shoving a snake in their face, or beating up their younger son, Billy)

Now one day I was over at Peg's house and was talking with her and she was putting her grocery money away from the days shopping. Hummmm, I remembered that place. So a couple of weeks later I guess Satan moved me to go over there and scope out things..and I did. No one home. Within seconds I remembered the cash drawer...Jackpot ! Well to make this story shorter, I stole the money and it was a "wad". Really don't know how much either.

So fifty years later..it still bothers me. I only told my sister Sylvia last year and only because we ran into their son at a class reunion in the park. Guess who lived across from the park and guess who went over and saw them ? We did, Sylvia and I. End of story ? Not yet.
Yesterday I "ditched" church and went riding around in Brookfield, by my old house, hangouts, high school and then I ended up on Peg's street. They had moved but not far enough away.

I stopped in front of their house and knew what I was going to do. Walked up to the house and knocked on the door. I told Peg and Bill, her husband, what I did and how it had bothered me all these years and "here is $19.00 it would have been $20.00 but I didn't know I was coming here and I stopped for a dollar burger at McDonald's". That's when I could not hold back the tears. I was so sorry for what I had done and those poor people I could only give them $19.00 but with a clear conscience I left their house and went home.

Man, the adventures get better and better.

Another Monday

Another Monday.

gagga and pepaw surf the net

Dan and I are sitting next to each other at the library scanning articles and blogs concerning Ethiopia. He is trying to get me ready for the trip as much as he can. He wants to know how dangerous it will be, how to dress for the weather, how much money to take, what shots do I need so I don't contract some disease. We check each others web pages from time to time to see what we've come across. I usually have pictures of
Abigail I am looking at and occasionally look at the Ethiopia travel web site. I suppose between Dan, Grace , Faith and I we will figure it out.
Hopefully Faith will be able to fly to Hershey the same day we arrive home. She would be new blood to the adventure and new wind in our sails. We should find out pretty soon if she will be able to come to Hershey.
Dan and I have been at the library now for three hours, neither one of us are fast readers and we mostly don't care either. We are content to brouse.
In getting ready for the trip I was able to find some rain boots at the salvation army and a couple of rain coats. That was an answer to prayer. Been pricing boots and rain coats and I got a bargain. God is good.
Still wanting a job of some sort and my sister in law may have some work for me , helping her with ad books. Anyone need any for their church fund raiser or business?
A dear soul gave me $30 the other day and I will save that for spending money while in Ethiopia. Other than that I am waiting to see what God is going to do next. I love it when He surprises me.

just hanging out

Here I sit at the computer. I need to find a job. But what am I doing ? Playing. Gracious me.
I know Dan wants me to stay busy but I don't think this is it. Later today I will call a couple of temp agencies and see what I can do until I go to Ethiopia.
I know this is the step where I trust God to supply all my needs as He has faithfully done in the past. Yet my flesh wants to "get er done". Peace be still. I will wait on the Lord and see where He leads. This is still an adventure and is fun. Grace has new pic's of Anna on her blog. You can check it out at allthesereasons.bloggerspot.com or if that is not correct it is on the side of my blog page. Better "blast" as Abigail says.
I'd rather be horse back riding or garage sale-ing

is walking and flying about the same thing?

We are having a baby. Hard to believe that the time is approaching and Miss Sparrow will be in Hershey. About 25 days from now.

I guess everyone by now knows that I quit my job at Fisher. I have gotten out of the boat and now I need to start walking on the water. The strange thing is I will be flying over the water. I will be traveling with Grace and Abigail to Ethiopia. How wonderful is that?

Coldwater, Michigan

Back in Streamwood, finally. Dan and I went to Michigan to see my dad and two other sisters and their families. The Hershey suitcase was still hot from the trip when I jerked out the "Lily laid all over me all the time clothes" and threw in some clean panties and tops and shorts. Off we went to Michigan.
Upon arriving at 5am Michigan time, we hit the bed. Later that morning we awoke and feasted our eyes on my 95 year old dad. He is still full of "it" and if you don't understand what that means he can tell you without mincing words.
My dad still likes to fish and keep up with what is going on in the world. He has so many solutions to the many problems and witty inventions he has created in his head. He is amazing.
The next day Dan and I went into town and got some grub (as they say in the old west) and had to stop and get him an ice cream cone. That is why we are so willing to travel into town. But on Saturday evening we went to the Branch Co Fair. We saw all the buildings that contained the blue ribbon winners and the vendors that were giving out free samples of there wares. We sat on a bench outside the out buildings and watched the people ride the rides and kids run to their parents to ask to go again on the same ride.
The elephant ears were calling my name and so we lazily walked over and spent our $4 and called it good.
Sunday morning I made dad some fried liver, and packed up. Dan and I went to my nieces house and picked up my mom, that had driven up with my sister on Saturday afternoon. So our journey began back to Streamwood. And now we are home. Thank God.

Lily

Lily is a great cat. I didn't believe Grace when she told me that Lily stares at their pictures... until I got here. Then I was so amazed I had Grace take these pictures of her staring at the pictures!

I think she is like a dog in a cat's body. She comes, running, when you call her. Every time. All she wants to do is lay on somebody and she will follow you around the house until you sit down- then she jumps into your lap. When she is happy, she wags her tail. When she was rescued by PAWS, her tail was infected and she had to have most of it amputated. So when I say she wags her tail I mean she wags her stub.

She's been a real delight while I've been here since I do love animals! The only bummer is her rabbit-like fur that she leaves with you when you cuddle. But you pay your money and take your chances- that's what my dad says!

Here is a little montage featuring Lily.

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Favorite Song

August 2nd and counting

Counting what ? Counting down till Grace finds out about Sparrow (her adopted daughter) and when she can go and pick her up from Ethiopia. And counting down the time till I see my beloved, (Dan) and enjoy his good company. He called me the other day and told me something funny and made me laugh out loud....I miss him and how he makes me laugh and makes me feel. I miss my best friend.

In other news Abigail and I have slept together every night since I arrived and have had a blast. We stay up at night and talk and pray and giggle at silly things. One night I asked the little 5 year old if when she gets bigger will she still sleep with her "gagie" and she replied"even when I am six I will sleep with you" I was hoping for maybe sixteen....she is my sweet baby girl and I will be missing her when I have to go home. You see Abigail has always slept with me since she was a newborn. Pepaw would so graciously sleep on the couch so that we could sleep together because Abigail would not like to be alone at night in her own room.

i am my gaga's abigail and i love to be with my gaga.
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hfhgghdghedrthtygueuor1225636473857767675654hsgshghdhghghjfhgdhgfhguturuuuuuuuuuu
that was me being silly.

Well folks, that was Abigail and she wrote and spelled almost all of that, pretty smart isn't she? I think so, when I would try to help her on the computer she would say "I know how to do it GaGa" ok then.....

Abigail had to go to bed for the evening and I will join her soon. I will try and do better with my blogging but these days have been crammed packed full not to mention Miss Lily, the stomach cat. You see whenever you sit down she gets on your stomach to be petted. If you don't pet her she will kneed your stomach for several minutes so that you touch her to get her to stop or get her off your lap. She gets between you and the lap top. What a cat.