PEOPLE COME, PEOPLE GO

Monday, June 20, 2016
Changeover day. I was at Wal-mart at eight in the morning, pulling down Fathers' Day. I think only four people asked about cards. This time I left my co-worker at noon to start setting up the summer stuff and without guilt. Because I know now...I had to get to Hobart and get it done.

I stopped at Taco Bell drive-thru to grab a bite to eat before traveling to Hobart. This one was by myself. Other than a nasty paper cut in the web between my right thumb and forefinger, I got the cards up in a couple of hours all right. The end stuff I kind of worked on my own apart from the Hallmark schematics. I have so many bags, wrapping paper and tissue paper from the crazy change a few weeks ago. I snuck them into both aisle ends with the other stuff Hallmark sent. I got all of my work done there in six hours, a half hour under budget. I think I didn't do badly!

But getting home, I found myself tired (obviously) and stiff and achy in my back, neck, arms and feet. Analiese, who spent her day packing for camp, was alone and glad to see me home. Me, too. Time to veg. Dinner in my jammies. Nice!

Tuesday, June 21, 2016
I was up at 6:30 this morning to take my daughter to the church so she could go to Girls' Camp. She was already up before me; I'm not sure how much she slept the night before due to excitement. She got off okay, with nary a nod to me in goodbye. I had to shout out the car window, "Don't get eaten by a bear!" To which she replied, "There are no bears at camp!" She's off to have fun!

Walgreens today. I am budgeted four and a half hours. It takes me nearly seven. Fortunately, it is all justifiable, because I worked from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with only one short bathroom break, See, I had one side of an aisle to take down and put up new stuff, plus do an end. I did not get to the regular servicing because 1) I hadn't received any boxes of everyday normal stuff and 2) I was tired.

Wednesday, June 22, 2016
I was a woman on a mission today: I intended to clean my refrigerator. This is not a confession, but a fact: it's been a while. It's getting gross in there. I also planned on having Jonathan help me. But when I went to start...he was asleep on the sofa!  He woke up in time to help me dry a few bins and shelves, but the nasty stuff was already done by yours truly. I even cut my finger somehow in the freezer (cuz' it was gross, too.) - a painful metal cut. Ouch!

My garden is growing. I have a baby zucchini with more on the way.

The watermelon and cantaloupe are starting to spread out, too. My tomatoes are looming large, but are still green.

I went back to Walgreens for about an hour this afternoon to see if there was any everyday boxes. One...and my shipment list said I was to expect two. SIGH. Oh, well, I did what I had and cleaned up the aisles and went home.

Tonight, Ken, Jonathan and I went to see the latest X-men movie. Use their air conditioning, I guess. It was an okay movie. I thought the character of Quicksilver was funny.

Thursday, June 23, 2016
I COULD have gone to Lawton today to help with an installation. But I was tired and just didn't want to. Instead, we did some more work in the house...Ken did some touch-up painting in the back bathroom and we moved some things we had stored in Analiese's room back to the laundry room and the dining room. That'll be a nice surprise for her when she gets home.

This afternoon, I went with the sister missionaries to an appointment. I don't mind going, I love the sisters and the work, but this house was hard on me physically. I am still dealing with lingering sinus/allergy issues and the house we went to had a cat, three dogs and was full of choking smoke smells. I came out of there a little hoarse and very stinky. I managed to change my clothes, but it lingered in my hair, too. It is never a good idea to mess around with my allergies.

After dinner, I went to the 4H offices for the Rabbit Club meeting, sans Analiese. I needed to go just to get the announcements for next month and any other information she needed...like prepping for the fair in a couple of months. I did stay a little longer than intended, talking to the moms and holding a baby mini rex. Cuz I could. Cuz they're cute and soft and addictive. Mind, my allergies didn't like it much and I shuffled home sniffle-y.

I promised Jonathan I'd cut his hair when I got back, so he was pacing a little when I returned. Hey, give a gal a chance to have some of her own fun! But, I "shaved the bear" so he didn't have to be so hot and sweaty.

Friday, June 24, 2016
Ken and I left around 8:30 a.m. to go to the Air Force base for the Change-of-Command Ceremony for the Lt. Commander over the KC-137 squadron (97th?).

Brother Sperry, from our ward, is moving with his family to Illinois.

Two of his kids were my students, so I went to see them off. Coincidentally, the NEW Lt. Commander is also LDS and has two kids who will be new students of mine. Talk about you win some, you lose some!

Still, I will miss the Sperry's. It goes without saying that I love those kids to death and we hugged and wept at our parting. But too, their mom is a very special person and our ward just won't be the same without her...or any of them.

I made them promise to keep in touch...I want to see how they grow and mature!

I got back home in time to get ready for work at our local Wal-mart and did so for a couple of hours. I kind of relaxed for an hour or so afterwards when I got the text from Analiese's leaders that they were ten minutes from the church. So Jonathan and I drove up to fetch her and prepared ourselves to hear all her camp stories.  It was obvious when we got there that everyone was tired from their week, but they all looked like they had a good time. Analiese did...that's for sure. She made new friends, participated in all she could (I guess she got a dunking when she fell out of a canoe and into the lake!), and had plenty to show me from their crafting experiences. Tonight, however, she fell into bed with a great sigh. Ah, to be in her own bed!

Saturday, June 25, 2016
Today was just a do-stuff day. Starting with the garden. Not only do I have zucchini coming, but my cantaloupe and green beans have blossoms on them! It is such a happy sight. That, and the watermelons and cantaloupe are vining out, stretching their little tendrils toward new ground. Watermelon, in particular, grows well here. I wonder how my cantaloupe will do?

Also, it was Primary-prep day. I am subbing in Primary for the music until they get a new chorister called (Sister Sperry was our last one). With no real guidelines, I decided I would teach the Junior Primary one new song and the Senior Primary two songs. Both are fun and easy, I just had to make charts and pictures to help...especially the younger non-readers.

Sunday, June 26, 2016
Because Stake Conference was last week, we had our Fathers' Day Sacrament Meeting today. The Primary sang, so I led them, though the kids looked at me funny - "What's She doing there?" We had a few talks on fathers and fatherhood, and the Young Women handed out boxes of "hugs and kisses" to all the dads afterwards.

The rest of my church time was spent in Primary; first, with the Juniors, then with the Seniors, and at the very end, in the Nursery. Junior was the most draining, because I expended a lot of energy trying to get them excited and singing. It didn't help that they wanted to sing "Do As I'm Doing" whilst spinning around in place. I think I got the dizziest!

The Seniors are always a harder sell on singing because it's become so blase. But they liked the new songs I chose. They were much smaller in number, though.  The Nursery was just basically sitting on the floor singing to the kids while they sometimes participated, sometimes ignored me. I never take it personally, though there was one cute little girl who wanted to chatter away at me. She was very interested in what I was doing!

So I came home, exhausted and my voice pretty much gone. I still have my lingering sinus/allergy thing going and today was quite the work-out for my voice. I haven't done that in a while and I forgot how much energy it takes...and that I didn't have it!

SOGGY START TO SUMMER

Monday, June 13, 2016
Still feeling yucky. Doesn't stop my schedule, unfortunately. And the day is built to match it. Ken looked at the weather first this morning and - despite gray skies - it didn't portend rain. But when I looked, it said 35% chance. It didn't take long for all predictions to become reality. The rain came down.

I had to drive in it to Hobart. I took some sinus meds to keep me going and not give people the idea that I was spreading something about. This poor little Walmart, however, keeps it's work carts outside and I had to wade through 2-inch deep water and mud to get at one! Plus I had to wrestle one out of the group and the first two weren't cooperative!

I managed to get my work done in three hours, including unboxing and reviewing the structure of the new layout of cards when I changeover from Fathers' Day cards next week.  Then I straggled back (rain gone, thankfully) to Altus to go grocery shopping for the week. I certainly won't have time any part of the rest of the week!

Tuesday, June 14, 2016
Storms last night kept me up much of the night. Especially the cannon-like boom of striking thunder and lightning just north of our house. It shook everything - including me.

I drove up to Wichita Falls today for another Hallmark installation in a Walgreens there.  It dripped a little on the way up, but for the most part, the drive was lovely, though long - about an hour and a half. And about fifteen minutes out of the city, I got a text from my boss...the installation was cancelled. Great! Now what?

Well, I'd planned to do a little shopping after the install, anyway, if it didn't take too long. So I hung around (it's a large city, bigger than Lawton), went to Home Depot and picked up some herbs for my garden, visited Hobby Lobby and Mardel (a Christian bookstore & teacher supply store - it has homeschooling resources, too), and then went to Sam's Club to do my real errand.

After that, I went home, dropped off my stuff, and decided to go do my Altus Walgreens work. I was going to do it tomorrow, but since I didn't work today, I had a little time to get it done. Not that I have all of my energy back, but tomorrow is busy, too, so I figured why not?

Wednesday, June 15, 2016
The Seminary broadcast was yesterday, but I missed it. So I watched what I could of it this morning before going off to The Plaza restaurant for a good-bye luncheon for a sister in our ward who is moving (Air Force, of course).

I had the chicken flautas, a favorite of mine.

After that, I went over to Wal-mart (right behind the restaurant) to work for a bit on the Fathers' Day cards. My co-worker asked me to come in and try and fit in more cards. We have three boxes left, I needed to whittle them down. After two and a half hours, I was down to one box, better than we both figured.

Then I went home, finished the rest of the broadcast video, and worked some on Seminary stuff, making dinner, etc. I am very tired. Ken's been home today, so he took Jonathan to work and Analiese to Young Women.

Thursday, June 16, 2016
Since this is Ken's day off and no one has to work, it is our official Fathers' Day. Tonight we plan to grill dinner. But this morning we started off with an important meeting.

We have enrolled Analiese in EPIC, a charter homeschool in Oklahoma. It was recommended to us by the bishop's wife, they use it for one of their sons. I have been thinking Analiese needs challenging, that she is working way below her capabilities. So today we met with Ricky Herbert, her "teacher" from EPIC at our local library. All four of us, Jonathan included, so we kind of ganged up on him. Though, to tell you the truth, I personally could have done that on my own. Having homeschooled and worked with a charter school before, I know what I'm doing and what I want and I'm not afraid to say it. I don't mess around with my kids' education!

I must say, though, that I was impressed with him and the EPIC way of doing things. They have several different curriculum system, but you can even do a little "a la carte," as it were, for adaptations and needs. Analiese was well-involved in this meeting, too, taking a learning-style assessment sort of thing and talking with Mr. Herbert about which of the various curriculum systems (all online) appealed to her. He had brought his computer and showed us all the options. For this next school year, we're going to try a system called Odysseyware and see how she works with it.

He also went over EPIC expectations of students and parents. He said he's not worried about us...we seem VERY involved. But Analiese will be reporting to him daily via text messages and email. Her progress on her work will be sent to him and she can even contact him with questions via web conferencing. We will meet monthly face-to-face to get an idea where we stand and adjust things as necessary.

On top of this, this program is very specialized. She will take an assessment in August to see where her strengths and weaknesses are in all subjects. They won't bother to bore her with stuff she already knows. As Mr. Herbert sees how she's doing during the school year with her work, he will make adjustments to her curriculum and assignments accordingly. He told her to expect to struggle; he doesn't want it too easy for her. She can't grow without challenge. But she won't be alone in the process of growth; he and the EPIC people have resources to help her. So far, I am looking forward to seeing what happens here. I think she's been bored. Time to stretch those wings, girlie!

That took two hours. We did a lot of talking. I had questions, he had questions, we did a little get-to-know-you sort of thing. But I came out feeling very good about this decision. It doesn't take us out of the equation, we'll be helping, too, but it does give us more resources that I really don't have the time or money to find and use.

So our evening was Ken-centered. He did grill his own t-bone steaks and potatoes (I love baked potatoes on the grill).

 I made a Caesar salad for him and had purchased some nice lemonade per his request. We had him pick him favorite ice cream out at Braum's for dessert. Of course, he picked chocolate flavors, but that's okay. It's for him!

After dinner, Jonathan did up dishes and I cut Ken's hair and trimmed Analiese's bangs. Only, I cut too much of her bangs...so they're a little short. And just before camp! I deserved a real chew-out, upset teenage tantrum for that, but she just put a head band on and grumbled a tiny bit. Much more mature than I think I would have been at that age!

Friday, June 17, 2016
Ken left early this morning for Taco Bell training or a meeting or something in Oklahoma City. He'd gone to bed early last night because he knew he'd need an early start in the morning for that 2 1/2 hour trip! I did manage to get up, though, before he had to leave.

Worked today for about three hours. My co-worker and I get along well and I think we're doing a good job because our boss was there yesterday and didn't say a word about how things looked. No word from Boss is a good thing. She knows she can trust us to get the work done without her breathing down our necks. Nice all the way around, if you ask me.

Ay! It's 105 degrees out there! It is, unfortunately, summer. Me no likee the heat. Makes me and my garden all wilty. Summer is NOT my favorite season.

Saturday, June 18, 2016
Today, being the day before Fathers' Day, means that I am in full Hallmark-mode. I get to hit all three of my stores. Today. Fortunately, none of them will be long visits. Just clean up the Fathers' Day sections and get outta there.

However, the day didn't start out like I wanted. I haven't been sleeping well lately, mainly because of this lingering sinus stuff. Last night it was after midnight when I got to sleep. I woke around 6:30, but figured I had a little more time, so I went back to sleep. And woke up at 9:45. Ay!

I had to rush out of the house to get going to Hobart. Did my routine there, then traveled back to Altus for Walgreens. It only took a few minutes, we're really low on cards there. But I had already received my order for next week to replace Fathers' Day stuff, which I'll do next Tuesday. So I took a little extra time to sort the new cards and tried to figure out how Hallmark Corp. wants them displayed (vs. reality - it never works exactly).

Then I went home to recuperate and relax. I was determined to not hit the local Walmart until after dinner. That's my biggest mess and I wanted to try and avoid the crowds. Ken will tell you - I did not want to go. I didn't feel very well and it was a very warm day. But I dragged myself out at around 7:30, battling with the crowds that were there anyway, for an hour. No more. I couldn't bring myself to give them more than that. I did clean up and it looked better, but it wasn't going to be perfect with people still coming. No use knocking myself out.

Sunday, June 19, 2016
This weekend was Stake Conference. I missed the adult session yesterday, for obvious reasons. But today the kids and I drove out to Lawton - nice and early, too, because our ward's choir was singing and the kids were going to be in it. Not me, I'm still not there yet.

It was a nice conference, with lots of speakers. Three were patriarchs - two emeritus and a newly-called brother. His talk was very moving. Brother Sturges, my CES Coordinator for Seminary, came and spoke too, about the importance of daily scripture study. My kids listened carefully - he really appeals to the youth!  The Stake President spoke, too. He's fairly new, but I've been getting to know him a little through Seminary events and he's a very humble man. His talk was equally inspiring.

Afterwards, my two students who are moving next week came to see me...to say goodbye. One started with a big bear hug - he's a demonstrative boy. So then, I started to cry. His sister came up, and then the three of us were hugging each other...and weeping. I made them promise to keep in touch and assured them that Seminary in Illinois would be great, too. But I will miss them very much!

We drove back with two extra passengers - the elders. They'd come up with someone else but needed a ride home. We made lunch to eat on the way home and made some extra for them. It was a nice trip.

However, Hallmark Holiday called and after returning, I changed and headed to Walmart again. It's the only store I have to visit, but the one I least like to do. And yes, there were still people looking for cards. I gave another hour. Straightening up, but no more. It's Sunday, a holiday, and I'm just really tired.

THE CARD SHUFFLE

Monday, June 6, 2016
It was only a short trip to Hobart today. Things didn't take very long. I did have to figure out the new bag, bow and paper area.

In fact, my timing was so good that I decided, after taking Jonathan to work, I'd do my grocery shopping. Analiese went with me to get a new bathing suit for camp. Her old one is all stretched out. Her body shape is at a point in time where she's in-between sizes. A girl, a teen, what? She had to try on several and ended up with a top and skirt, covering everything. Believe it or not, there were one-piece suits there more revealing!

We met up with our Rabbit Club friends - the Snows - in the store.  Twice. And we spent time talking with them both times. It ate away at our time. We got home later and then I had to work on dinner. Just her and me, since the men folk were at work.

A problem, though, at home with our air conditioning. We only installed a new unit when we moved in three years ago. So it is going to be a warm night's sleep, until we can get someone to look at it tomorrow.

Tuesday, June 7, 2016
Ken got hold of the a/c people first thing this morning. But it meant I had to go to work right after Devotional so someone would be at home no matter when they got here. Jonathan and Ken both had to be at work at noon.  Nicely, the guy came by around 11:30. I guess it was just some wires that had gotten loose. Easy and cheaply.  Problem quickly solved. Whew!

Analiese and I worked on painting some garden markers. Basically, we're painting the backgound white. When it's all dry (2 layers), we'll decopage pictures of each plant that I've taken from all the garden catalogues I've amassed. Plus, we'll paint the names of each plant on it. I think they'll be cute.

Wednesday, June 8, 2016
The phrase for the day is achy and exhausted. Our Wal-mart here in Altus had a Hallmark installation/revision. I was there at 8:30 in the morning and left after 5:00 p.m. Yes, it was one of those "take everything down, scramble it up, and put it back together." Only this time, being one of "my" stores (it's really more of my co-worker's, but I help), I was more involved. Altogether, I think there were 7-8 of us ladies working on the project.

Like pushing a cart with a good 9-12 boxes worth of new cards on it. It was very heavy (over than 50 lbs. limit they told me at the interview), didn't want to steer well around store aisles (from the back room to the front of the store where we are), and I could hardly see around it (over was impossible).

I did get some new experience this time, though. I personally moved and reset the stationary section, learning to read the paper and placement of shelves and bins. One thing I didn't get right - and I'm still trying to figure - is the placement of the price tags. They don't make it easy and I just couldnt' figure it out. Embarrassingly, someone with a lot more experience had to come and redo it for me.

I DID get a break in the middle of it all, when I reached a stopping point at one activity before starting a new one. I also brought my folding chair - for sitting on to reach lower areas without going on my knees and for putting boxes on so I don't have to bend all the way over to the ground. Between that and my personal little fan around my neck, they are my best helpers.

I staggered home, exhausted and hurting everywhere. I collapsed on the sofa, unable to move. Nicely, Ken - who had the day off - figured dinner and let me rest there until the time I figured I could move again and get my body into bed, with painkillers and pain creams, etc.  I earned my money today!

Thursday, June 9, 2016
Because we got the install completely done yesterday, I don't have to go back today! Yippee for me, but even more so for those ladies who traveled all the way from Wichita Falls, Texas. I'll be heading that way next week.

I went out with the sister missionaries today to an appointment. I can't really say how well it went. The gal was nice enough, willing to read the Book of Mormon with us, and even prayed at the end. She recognized the need to come to church and made a promise to come in three weeks (can't this Sunday, next is Stake Conference, so we're stuck with the third). But, her kids were all over the place, with a young one climbing in and out of everyone's lap. Also, she didn't really compare the things in the Book of Mormon with spiritual issues, but temporal ones.  I get it, a little, but the spiritual ones are the most important ones and end up taking care of the temporal ones in the long run! Oh, well, everyone has to learn.

Tonight was a Relief Society pool party at the Bishop's house. Lots of sisters were there. I didn't go in, didn't feel like it. Analiese had come along, with the purpose of babysitting, but when the one mom who came with kids left early, she hung around the pool...and got pulled into the pool by one of her YW leaders. In her clothes. I don't think it bothered her too much, because she stayed in into I reeled her out to go home.  She's like a little fish in the water.

Friday, June 10, 2016
I figured this morning I'd only be working a couple of hours, then I'd do a little shopping and go home. Nope. It was three and a half hours of work, mainly because of issues that came up because of the installation/revision on Wednesday. Namely, the numbering of the cards in their packaging was different than where they were really supposed to go. It took me about five cards to figure out the problem. The solution ended up going into the installation section of my device and looking up what it said the cards should be. This took much longer than a normal card day really is.

Then, I twisted my knee a little at the end of the shift. Great! I had no choice, though, but to do my shopping. I had to get the water refilled (Altus water = BAD), we were almost out and the weather has been getting warmer quickly. Also, there were some things I had to purchase to make a dessert for friends we were to visit tomorrow. Knee or not. By the time I got home, I could barely move. Luckily, the kids took care of the water for me and Analiese helped me make the dessert that evening so it could refrigerate overnight.

Saturday, June 11, 2016
Me no feel good. Seriously. My throat feels dry and raw and I feel so dragged out. Analiese doesn't look much better. We're supposed to visit friends today. Ack!

By afternoon, Analiese, Alice, and I headed toward our friends' home. I told my daughter we wouldn't stay, which bummed her out. She wanted to swim. I just wanted to give them my dessert, see if we could hook Alice up with a boyfriend, and go.

I proved her right, unfortunately.  We did stay a little longer than planned, mainly to see if Alice would perform with their male Himilayan, Java (he's brown-eared, she's black).

While they were getting acquainted, We got to cuddle with the newest batch of mini rex baby bunnies they had. Oh! Were they soft!

But things went downhill quickly. It had been slightly overcast, but now the sun came out and beat mercilessly. The rabbits were panting...but so was Analiese. She didn't believe me before when I told her she wasn't feeling as well as she thought. Now, however, she started to say, "I need to sit down in air conditioning. I don't feel good." That's when she keeled over. Her eyes were open and she looked somewhat responsive to me, but as she told me later, she didn't remember talking to me, only finding herself on the ground. Well, me and my friend walked her from the barn to the house to sit in the a/c with a glass of ice water. She was so pale! Gave me quite the scare.

So I ended up packing Alice up, getting the van a/c running, and taking my daughter home to rest and recooperate. She had a slight headache then, but complained about her throat later, which is my current complaint. I think we have something more going on.

Sunday, June 12, 2016
Neither Analiese nor I were feeling much better today. She could stay home, but I had to go to church. One, because Jonathan was giving a talk today and, two, I needed to observe in Primary. Why? Because the Primary chorister is moving and for the next couple of weeks I will be substituting until they get a new one called.

It wasn't easy. My throat was on fire, I ached all through my chest and shoulders from coughing, and I felt sooooo tired. I felt bad, too, because the choir was singing and I haven't been able to go to practice or participate. They're singing in Stake Conference next week, too, and it doesn't look too promising. For me.

Jonathan's talk went well. It was short, but they told him only five minutes. A returned missionary who'd been in Nicaragua spoke after him (and the choir). But I told Jonathan to look for me after second hour because I didn't think I'd make it much longer after Primary.

I didn't. I went, saw what she did, what they were singing, spoke to her a few minutes afterwards. Then I had Jonathan drive me home. Because I did not have any energy left for it. So I went home and slept. And the rest of the day was a wash. Analiese and I laid back, resting, and drinking lots of fluids. No help for it.

SOGGY WEEK

Monday, May 30, 2016
I'm feeling a little bit better today. At least the dizziness and the lightheaded-ness are gone. I don't feel quite so dragged out, either. Which is good, because rest time is over. I have things to do.

All four missionaries came over today to borrow our computers so they could e-mail their families. Because it's Memorial Day, the library is closed where they usually do it. They came about noon and were all able to write home.

During that time, I spent a little time with my plant-babies in my garden; it's a beautiful day. Another bean plant has sprouted and some of the carrots are up.

However, someone's been nibbling at a canteloupe leaf. Grr!

After they left, Jonathan and I went grocery shopping. I was glad he was with me, because my energy level had pretty much been zapped. I didn't want to do anything after getting home. It took a lot of persuading to get me to cook the chicken for tacos for the kids' dinner.  At least I'm not stuck with dishes, too.

Tuesday, May 31, 2016
Despite the coughing and fatigue, I still had work today. In fact, because of Memorial Day yesterday and a necessary work trip to Wichita Falls tomorrow, I had to do both Hobart Wal-mart and Altus Walgreens today.

I went early to Hobart and, not unexpectedly, I only had one box because FedEx hadn't come yet. So I figured I start with what I had. Then the management there came to me to tell me that I had to move over all of my 8-foot section of roll wrap, ribbons, and gift bags to the other side of the aisle...into a 4-foot section. Somehow, me and the laws of physics had an issue with that. I called my boss, who had no idea about any of it. While she went searching for answers, I did my stuff, checking in every once in a while for my shipment. Nope, nope, nope. I got done with my stuff, checked in with Boss again, who said just go on to my next store and she'd be by tomorrow to figure it out somehow. I would have left right away...except when I went in the back to throw stuff out...there was my shipment. Murphy's Law.

So I got back to Altus in time to pick up Jonathan so we could BOTH work at Walgreens. That, at least, went smoothly, and I was out of there in a couple of hours so I could go home, get dinner on for Analiese, and put my feet up.

Wednesday, June 1, 2016
Rained last night. Nice of the clouds to water my garden for me. Not nice of whatever critter to eat the first leaves on two of my canteloupe plants. GRRRR!

Wichita Falls installation got cancelled. For me, that is. I guess they got most of the stuff done yesterday, so they only had a couple of hours of work for today. No need for me to travel all that way.
Which was actually a good thing, I needed a day to rest.

I fluffed most of the day. I tried to nap, but my cough kept me from laying down. Still, I wasn't much productive beyond reading to Analiese, taking Jonathan to work, and trying to balance my checkbook.

The elders came by today, too, to ask me a couple questions. There's a new one, transfers were yesterday. I had the distinct honor of being the first ward member he's met in Altus. He and his companion had the distinct pleasure of being entertained on my front porch, since both Ken & Jonathan were at work.

It's a very wet afternoon and evening. Lots of rain, with a little thunder interspersed. I think I'll take a Mucinex tonight - even though it's huge and gross - so I can sleep uninterrupted. A good night's sleep will be conducive to my improving health.

Thursday, June 2, 2016
Another wet, mushy day. I was supposed to go out to lunch with a friend who is moving. Didn't happen. I went out with the sister missionaries to visit people. Nobody was home...or available. Just that kind of day.

However, I did get dinner ready for all four missionaries tonight. Trying a different casserole and dessert. Ken hates it when I do that. But both sounded so good!
Chicken Enchilada Rice Casserole
Nutella Cheesecake Trifles

The elders came first, at four, to work with Jonathan some more. They were soaked! The rain had been sheeting down the last half-hour or so and they had been caught in it on their bicycles. So, before anything else, we had to find towels and blankets for them. Poor guys!

The sisters came later, in the truck they share with the elders, so they were dry. But everyone was happy with a hot, fresh meal. And it was good...really good. The dessert was beyond good, plus it was very easy to make. Actually, both were easy, which is right up my alley!

Friday, June 3, 2016
A brother in our ward commented on Facebook that Southwestern Oklahoma was starting to look like western Washington state! It's kind of true. Everything here is very wet and mushy. Nothing's had much of a chance to dry. Residential roads are hit-and-miss for flooding. My garden loves it, though.

Work at Wal-mart today was short and easy. We have an installation there next week, so we did a little tidying. We are actually looking forward to the installation. It's a lot of work, but afterwards, everything is so nice and orderly.

This evening I held a pizza party for my Seminary students. We weren't able to have the family breakfast on the last day of Seminary/school. So the kids came over and we had a lot of fun for over three hours!

I gave them little end-of-year goodies and got (a little) emotional, because two of them will be moving away this summer. SIGH. Such is life in a (sort-of) military ward. These kids just grow on you, it's hard not to love 'em!

Saturday, June 4, 2016
A day without rain!  Whoa! But the grass was still quite wet when I took Jonathan to work this morning and there are plenty of mud and puddles out there.

It was a pretty lazy day for Analiese and I, with the men-folk gone to work. She cleaned the rabbit's cage, I watched the rabbit, made dinner. Not much else. Oh, I took a nap. With a lingering cough and fatigue, it was called for.

Sunday, June 5, 2016
As the first Sunday of the month, it's Fast Sunday. I forgot about starting it off last night, so we did this morning and Jonathan Grumpy-Pants wasn't happy about it. I have learned a little motherly wisdom in these past nineteen years with him, so I just told him that if he didn't like it, he should talk to Heavenly Father about it. I'm just the messenger, I didn't make the commandments. By the end of church he was in a more agreeable mood and apologized to me for the morning's rudeness. He works so much better when you just back off and let him work his way through his problems.

He spoke with the bishop today, too. Mission talk...and the bishop is itching to get those papers ready. They have made a goal for him to go in October, which is earlier than I expected, so I'm happy. Jonathan seemed genuinely pleased with the talk and even discussed with me about getting his passport ready...just in case.

This afternoon, after taking Jonathan to work, our Home Teacher and his Youth companion came over for a visit. He said he'd been by Taco Bell and seen Ken. Sometimes, that's the only way to get him. I totally understand.

It was a nice Sabbath evening, today, as well. We Skyped with my folks, Analiese and I spent some quiet time coloring together, and I chatted with my friends. I like calm, quiet Sabbaths.