My Ducts Are Clean

Safety King came today and cleaned out my air ducts.  I now have a new furnace and very clean ducts.  We're good to go for many years.  It took about 4 hours and I'm thankful that Debbie was able to take Jess to her house after their breakfast out. 

Jon and I went out to lunch and some running around to a couple stores before Debbie had to leave.  I'm still trying to get my Christmas decorations done.  Not having them completed at this time of the year is very frustrating to me.  I want to be able to sit down and enjoy the decorations and have a few people over for the holidays.  I want to read books and watch DVD's.  I want to enjoy my Christmas. 

A Busy Day

Jessie needed the van today (Debbie had her truck) so Jon drove me to Bible Study.  Unfortunately, it was the last one in this book series.  It was a really great Bible Study and I look forward to our next one beginning the middle of January.  To complete our study we had a pot luck luncheon.  I'm glad, though, that I don't HAVE to do special reading during the holidays.

When I got home, Jon and I made a Salvation Army run and then I had computer work to do for a friend.  I left at 5:00 p.m. and went to Office Depot to get stuff printed, then I had just enough time to grab a quick sandwich before I went to my Down Syndrome Book Club.  Tonight was our last night, too, and we finished the book.  We won't do another one until next summer.  Again, I'm glad I don't HAVE this reading to do over the holidays. 

It's late and I still have paperwork to do so I can go to the bank in the morning. 

A Day Filled With Emotion

In 1978 I had a dream.  I have never forgotten this dream and never will.  I had almost the same one last night and woke this morning to such heartache that I have cried all day.  I can not share it with you as it is too raw and most of you will think I was nuts anyway.  I've cried today like I cried when Bill was first diagnosed.  I just couldn't stop crying.  The sobbing kind, or should I say the slobbery kind, as I used many kleenexes.

I managed to go to water aerobics by blocking my mind to everything except the class.  Debbie and Jessie went and spent time swimming while I was in class.  Unfortunately, our regular teacher was sick and we had a fill-in who just didn't know much about water aerobics.  It was almost a waste of my time.  Most of the women just ended up doing what they wanted to do. 

When I got home I was still very emotional, although I didn't want Jessie to know so I went upstairs to my bedroom.  I prayed.  I cried.  I took a nap.  I went to Stephen Ministry tonight and cried there, too, although for different reasons.  Two people who attend our church died unexpectedly.  One last night, one today.  A very-long-time member of the church's husband has been diagnosed with cancer in the lungs and brain.  This man (age 75) has almost never been to church and very anti-Christian.  Last night Pastor Garry talked with him and he said he wanted to go to Heaven to see his mom and dad.  He asked Jesus into his heart last night, and knows he will see them soon.  Please pray for this family, as they are going out of state for him to say good bye to his siblings in the next few days.  I think when he does get to Heaven and Bill sees him, since he's known him for years, Bill's jaw will drop in surprise.  I can almost see that reunion.  Thank you, Jesus!

There is so much heartache where ever you turn.  Every one has something that they are burdened with.  Let's remember one another in prayer for what ever we are dealing with.  God knows our burdens and has promised to "hold our hand" and walk us through our trials.  I, for one, am grateful for His presence in my life.  Praise His Holy Name!

Not Too Cold For Swingin'

But I'm sure it was for Debbie who sat in the swing watching Jessie several times today in her hammock swing.  At one point Jess put her gloves on then took them off.  She's making her tired noises, so I hope she goes to sleep early.  I could use a few extra minutes of quiet time tonight.

I put up a few more ornaments on the tree but I'm no where near being close to being done.  One ornament box is still completely full.  I might have put on 20 today.  Maybe tomorrow after water aerobics. 

Still Decorating

I'm not putting up alot of decorations this year but I just can't get in the mood.  I should have finished decorating a week before Thanksgiving, but I'm not.  I began going through the Christmas closet again after Jess and I went to Wendy's for our Girls Day Out lunch.  I know that my stair chair isn't meant to be a "pack mule", but as you can see from the picture, it sure came in handy!  It saved me many trips up and downstairs.

Jon and I went and purchased a grave blanket from my favorite florist (Mandel's Greenhouse) and took it to the cemetery.  That was hard for both of us. 

I remember asking Bill one night how he lived knowing he was dying.  He shrugged his shoulders and said, "One day at a time."  Life without Bill - well, I guess I could say the same thing: "One day at a time." 



Christmas Hymn Sing

This is Jon's weekend off so he went to first service at church and I went to the second.  Came home and had some homemade chicken soup, read a few pages in a book, took a quick nap and visited with Chris for about an hour.  Then Chris, Jon, Diane, Randie and I went to Mr. B's for dinner before we went to church for their annual Christmas Hymn Sing.  It was very nice.  I told Diane that I had never been to one, only Chris corrected me and said that she went with Bill and I last year.  I looked back at my Christmas Memories Book and sure enough, she was right.  So much for my memory.  Rachel came and stayed with Jessie and they both had a good time.  I am so glad that it has worked out for Jessie's best friend to be her aide.  Rachel's doing a good job. 

I Did Too Much - Again

I probably wouldn't have done so much if Jessie wasn't so willing and determined to help me all day.  First we had to put away all the Harvest decorations.  She sat on my bed and helped me pack the boxes.  Every year I try to give stuff away for each season, but this closet is still stuffed.

Next we had to begin emptying the Christmas closet which is in my bedroom.  My stair chair helped  in carting alot of stuff downstairs and at least we can go to bed tonight.  We just have to be careful where we walk!

Then, she wanted to help me in the kitchen - loading the dishwasher and putting other dishes away.  Next we went in to the laundry room/office and put a couple loads of wash in.  I'm not quite sure why she wanted to help so much, but it was nice and she seemed to enjoy herself. 

Jon had off and went to the show and saw "Red Dawn", which he said was awesome and he'll go back soon and see it again.  We had our "Thanksgiving Day Dinner" tonight with Jon.  He had a pheasant and Jess and I each had a Cornish Hen. That was fun. I had the Cornish Hen already on Jessie's plate before I called her to dinner and she jumped back and said, "Oh!" when she saw her plate.  That was just too funny.