A Great Day For Jessie

Jessie's swimming day and Subway lunch day finally arrived. And, according to Brenda, she had one of the best days she's had in many months. Let's just pray that it continues. Jon worked and had an OK day. I had a very-bad-back day but accomplished a lot of this and that with the help of medication. I worked through the medication and didn't sleep. I'm pretty tired right now though. Plus, I had a rough night. I didn't sleep well, which is really unusual. So, off to bed early.

I guess I should mention that it snowed 4" last night and it took Jon twice as long to get to work as usual. The snow will probably be gone by tomorrow, as the forecast is for 54 degrees tomorrow and 69 on Thursday. BUT, Sunday the forecast is for 41 degrees and snow. Not nice Easter weather.

Another Shopping Day

Lois and I spent the day together again. Shopped til we both almost dropped. I think we got about everything she needed to purchase except for a couple of items. It was nice spending the day together.

Debbie said Jessie was just ok. Crabby at times. Jon was home all day. The playhouse demolition began and will be completed on Wednesday since it's supposed to snow a couple of inches tonight and be cold again.

Our "book club" met and there were 7 of us. This has been one of the nicest events that I have attended/facilitated. I'm going to miss our weekly get togethers when we finish the book. If you want a good book to read that will change your life, read Angels of Humility by Jackie Macgirvin.

Sunday

Despite the cold temperatures, the high winds and the snow squalls, it's been a good day. Jon went to first service and I went to second. The kids and I went to lunch with Lois, Ortha, Paul and Julie. About a half hour of being home Chris came and spent the rest of the afternoon and early evening. We talked then watched "Rio 2" with Jon. Bill's sister, Ruth, called. It was nice to hear from her. Jessie only screamed at me when I coughed. So, all in all, it's been a good day.

The Most Awful Sound

Early this morning I was in a deep sleep when the most awful sound came from my phone. It was VERY loud and I've never heard it before. It scared me to death, as we tend to say. I grabbed my phone trying to make sense of why it was making this noise and tried to shut it off. I don't know what I pushed but I only got to see that it was an Amber Alert before the screen went black. I know that it was necessary and a great way to notify people, but it just about made my heart stop. Good result, though, the little girl was found.

I did go back to sleep, only to be awakened a little while later with the phone going off again - this time for a weather alert. That noise is obnoxious and loud, too, but I'm used to the weather sound. It seems like lately they want to tell people in the middle of the night that the next afternoon it will snow. Not appreciated. When I did finally get up, I looked outside, said "Forget it!" and went back to bed. The ground was covered with snow!

Jon, Jess and I went to Benny's for breakfast. Our friend and waitress, Heather, was beside herself because quite a few people were so mad at her because she couldn't serve water or pop. Shelby Twp., Washington and Romeo are under a boil water alert. She said that they treated her like it was HER fault. That's pathetic. These people should be ashamed of themselves.

After breakfast we went to the bank, Walgreen's, Target and the Post Office. Came home and rested a bit. Jess played on her iPad and Jon put together another wooden file cabinet for me. Later in the afternoon I attended a 90th birthday party celebration for Lois' mom, Ortha. It was very nice and she had a great time with her family.

Helping Others

I have been following the World Help blog about their humanitarian efforts in Iraq and other countries ravaged by ISIS. My heart aches for those who have experienced such unbelievable horrors and lost everything - family members, homes, occupations, and the right to live peacefully. This is a direct quote from their blog today:

"World Help is committed to meeting the needs of the whole person. 

The physical needs are usually the most urgent, but we cannot afford

to ignore the others. We cannot simply keep people alive without 

giving them anything to live for."

Oh, my. That tugged on my heart. World Help, and many other Christian agencies, give because they love Jesus and want others to know that Jesus loves them, even when life is unbearable. They are trying right now to start a school for children in an area where many have fled, yet have nothing. I pray that they will be successful and give children (and their parents) the hope of a future through education. 

I know this is an unusual blog, but I wanted to share this. It's more important than telling you that I shopped all day with Lois!

Gym Day

Brenda is sick so Debbie filled in and took Jessie to Gym class. Unfortunately, there were 30 people there - way too many for Jessie to handle. She would not participate in the activities. McDonald's was OK, though! Debbie brought Jessie to Benny's where I was having lunch with my friend, Lynn, and I took her home. I finished a photo album and discovered that I had neglected to order pictures from October through December of 2013. So, I can't continue until I get them. Oh, well!

"Bringing Our Hearts To Him"

I had the opportunity to attend a "Come Let Us Return To the Lord" Day Retreat at the Capuchin Retreat Center that is in our area. There were 6 women who attended. It began with continental breakfast (for all those in attendance at the retreat center for various functions) then we met in their lounge from 9:00 - 12:00. The lounge is a huge room with many couches, chairs, footstools, huge windows to look out over the grounds, and a roaring fireplace. Perfect.

We read scripture, prayed, and the speaker encouraged us to get to know God for who He is, not what He has done, or will do for us. At noon we had a delicious lunch of salad, grilled chicken breast with various sauces, wild rice and mixed vegetables. A pumpkin spice roll was for dessert. From 1:00 - 3:00 we had our own Time Alone With God. If it had been nicer weather, their grounds are beautiful, with many swings or benches or walkways to wander. However, it was cold and rainy so some of us had their "hotel" rooms to use to get away by ourselves. I wish I had longer than the 2 hours. We came back into the lounge from 3:00 - 4:45 p.m. It was a very nice, peaceful and reflective day.

When I got home I discovered that Jon had made ham and cheese scones (from scratch) that were delicious. He also went to Vince and Joe's and bought us Chicken Cordon Bleu for dinner. He made dinner so that I wouldn't have to do it. I sure do have a nice son.