NO MORE SEMINARY :(

Monday, June 19, 2017
The heat and humidity are back up - yuck! I went out to water and weed my teeny garden this morning. My poor onions aren't looking so well!

Ken had a dentist appointment this morning, so he didn't have any time with the power washer. Jonathan used it a bit, working on the front of the house, nearly driving some ants inside! Analiese grabbed the bug spray and I met them on the other end of the door. Sorry bugs, no room in this house for you!

Man, I do NOT want to cook in this heat! We had tortilla wraps for dinner because I refused to stand over a hot stove. Just give me cold drinks and frozen treats right now.

Tuesday, June 20, 2017
I had to get up by 7:30 this morning to take Analiese to the church so she could go to Girls Camp with our ward and stake. Since I hadn't had breakfast yet, afterwards I went over to the medical lab to get blood work done that my doctor keeps bugging me about.

I don't have very many new books on my cart for this week. In fact, I got through most of them today! I still have some Juvenile NF (that's nonfiction) I can do plus finish off a paperback project I've been slowly working on. But after that...then what?

Tonight I ended up not worrying about all that much because I had to help FD2 at the front again. I don't know what's up with FD1, but she's not working today, tomorrow, or Thursday!

Wednesday, June 21, 2017
Without Analiese here to hover over as she works and whines about her math, I find myself with time on my hands. Before work. To do things. Productivity?

I cleaned the kitchen counters, stove top, and sink. The cabinets still need wiping down (inside & out), and the oven is in desperate need of attention. But they aren't happening today. I don't have THAT much time.

Oh, dear! It's just as I feared. I've gone completely through the week's books. Now it's whatever little thing I can find to occupy my time. Not to worry, says boss, we're expecting LOTS of deliveries next week. Feast or famine around here.

Thursday, June 22, 2017
My boss figured something else for me to do today. She gave me a bunch of donated DVDs to catalog. Most were children's videos; a lot of moms check them out for their kids, so it was nice to have a few new ones.

The library program for today was a theatrical presentation of Beauty and the Beast. Not Disney. Some patrons complained about that. Really? Anyway, we had nearly 150 attendees.

I spent 30-45 minutes after the program talking with a new Air Force family in town. They're homeschoolers and had questions about library services, local groups (none currently, but I pointed them towards 4H), etc. I've become the go-to person about homeschooling in the library.

Friday, June 23, 2017
My day off...so of course I woke up with a headache. It also must mean I have a lot planned to do. Figures.

First off, I had to make the no-churn ice cream for dessert tonight (the sister missionaries are coming). I made peach - yum! I hope it freezes well, but I already know it tastes good...she who makes the peaches and cream gets to lick the bowl! I also put black beans in the crockpot for refrieds tonight. We're having pork carnitas!

I had to go to the store for some stuff for dinner, though. I took Jonathan with me because he wanted to go to the bank. I waited on laundry, though, until after I picked up Analiese from the church upon her return from camp. You should have seen her filthy socks; I am not sure they will ever be completely white again! Besides filthy, she came home with a sunburned nose and looked ready to crash. An email sent shortly after her return puts us on the watch for mumps; apparently a girl went to camp with them. Makes me wonder...my kids were vaccinated. I know people debate, but really? Anyway, I'm not worried.

Dinner was great. We have a new sister missionary in our ward, so we met her. The carnitas and refried beans were yummy, but the peach ice cream...was SPECTACULAR!!!

The new sister said her family makes homemade ice cream a lot during the summer, so this was perfect for her. For me, well, I love summer fruit, especially peaches. It was heavenly (and easy) so I see myself doing that again!

Saturday, June 24, 2017
Analiese is up and about energetically again (unless we're talking math...that's another story). Marching orders given, I left for work, wondering what I would have to do today.

Well, my boss and I nearly had a heart-attack. She was coming into the library garage as I was going out of it into the back building. She jumped and I yelped. Then we laughed, hugged each other, and went over to my work station. She'd left me a note with a small order of books, some of which I'd have to catalog from scratch because there wasn't much online information (goody) and a couple of audiobooks. We talked for a bit and then she went home (she was here to see if last night's rain storm had done any electrical damage to our systems).

Because of the lack of information, these records take longer to catalog, so that used up a good bit of the day's time. But for the most part it was a snoozy sort of day. Hey, at least the weather is cooler! In fact, at one point I was actually COLD in the back. That's nearly unheard of!

Sunday, June 25, 2017
At 7:35 (I know, I saw the time on my phone), the power went out. No reason. It just went. It was down for an hour and forty-five minutes. I spent the morning in the living room where we had the most light. I was relieved when it came back on. I mean, it is cooler, but not enough to keep the house comfortable as the sun goes higher.

We went to church a little earlier so I could meet with our high counselor from the stake, who happens to live in our ward. I was released today officially from Seminary. 😢I didn't really get emotional about it, though, until I was formally released in Sacrament meeting. Then I got teary...all the way through the sacrament. But the brother they called to take my place is going to be great, I think. They had to release him from the Stake YM to do it, though.  Sigh. Seriously, the end of an era.

After church (and lunch and Devotional), I took a nap, but forgot to set a timer. I've been trying to sleep no more than an hour. Longer than an hour and I feel groggy and "off". So, since I forgot and ended up sleeping longer, guess how I feel? But I got up and found Ken home, which made me happy. He told us today the funny story of how Alice (the rabbit) is a snitch. Apparently, she is so smart she not only knows her own name, but PomPom's as well. When Ken went looking in the other house for Pom, he kept calling her name. Alice basically ran over to where Pom was hiding. Tattle-tale!

SUMMER IN FULL SWING

Monday, June 12, 2017
It's so very hot and humid today. It reached 99 degrees today. I'm not sure what the humidity was, but I could feel it. Yuck!

I kept off of my leg(s) until after lunch when I went shopping with Ken. I'm so glad he came with me because at the end my knees and right ankle had had enough. I spent the rest of the day with my feet up. I only got up to make dinner (a simple casserole) and to put away laundry.

Ken did some more wall washing this afternoon before heading back to Chickasha. He thinks we can start buying paint and maybe get painting by next weekend. Finally!

Tuesday, June 13, 2017
I am SO done with those crutches! My neck and shoulders hurt worse than my knees from my knees from the stress of using them - so they're gone!  I have the brace, I elevate and rest my legs, ice them when I can. It will have to do!

I spent some time this morning looking at and pondering on the Book of Mormon Doctrinal Mastery scriptures for seminary next school year. I know, I'm moving, but I haven't been released yet and I've been itching to study the Book of Mormon in depth. I'm so drawn to it and I feel the need to study the principles in there more.

My boss wasn't at work today; she's sick, sadly. It was a big bummer for me because it made work quiet and lonely. This evening it was just me and FD2 in the library, so I spent some time up front helping her. In between, of course, sitting and icing my knees.

Wednesday, June 14, 2017
There are aspects to my job that I more than dislike; loathe is the appropriate word. I absolutely loathe processing books that are beyond morally objectionable...they are downright foul and evil. One co-worker here likes that stuff and encourages the ordering of it. Today she came around looking to see if we had any new "smut" (her word). I told her no, I had processed it yesterday (true - gag). I did not, however, volunteer to find it for her! I may have to process it as part of my job, but I don't have to hand it over to eager readers! There are so many wonderful things to read; a mind is a terrible thing to desecrate.

Contrast that with another book I processed yesterday. I immediately checked it out afterwards to take home to Analiese. I knew she was looking forward to this book - the next in a series she likes. She "squeed" in happiness when I brought it home and I got a big hug. I also took a book home to Ken about two weeks ago on business leadership, something he'd been concerned about that I thought would help him. I truly believe "if there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things!"

The physical travesty of the day was at the front. The air conditioning is not working up there. When I went up this evening to help out, I nearly panted at the warm, moist air that hit me as I walked through the double doors. The nearby thermometer read 85! Ugh! That is so unpleasant! I made sure the FD2 (because FD1 is out again today; back tomorrow) had a glass of cold water nearby and I teasingly said not to overexert...like ballroom dancing in the lobby. But seriously....

Thursday, June 15, 2017
I spent my morning helping Analiese simplify equations. That's me, the math genius - NOT! But by the end, she did seem to understand a bit better. By the end of the day, she'd done two more assignments...without me. Atta girl!

Every Thursday in June and July is program day for the library. Today a fellow came into the conference room and sang songs with the kids (around forty) for nearly an hour. They loved it. I heard them from the front desk where I was supply backup. They came into the library proper afterwards still singing snippets from the program. Some people/patrons were irritated. Not me. I thought it was kind of cute (the first one hundred times!).

The evening weather report shows the possibility of a storm; the skies are grey. At 96 degrees, a rainstorm would be more like a sauna bath. Oh well, at least the front desk air conditioning is working (somewhat) better.

Friday, June 16, 2017
I went back to the doctor for a recheck on my knee this morning. No crutches, no brace, but still ice and elevation are recommended. I'll be honest, this recovery was nothing short of a miracle. I'm grateful for the blessing Ken gave me and for the Lord's rapid answer to my prayer. I don't think I would have healed so quickly otherwise.

I dropped by the store after the doctor's appointment to grab a few things for a nice, early Father's Day dinner for Ken tomorrow. The kids are going to cook for him while I'm at work. Then, after dinner, he'll open his gifts. Can't wait until he sees what I got him!

A friend of Jonathan's came over this evening to play games (told you, we're gaining a rep'). His mother stayed a while to chat with me, she was one of the first friends I made after moving to Altus. They're moving, too, only farther, to a suburb of OKC. This is one reason why the kids weren't so broken up about us moving to Chickasha - their friends are moving and we'll only be 45 minutes away from them versus 2 1/2 hours!

Saturday, June 17, 2017
I have a hodgepodge of things to do at work. A little cataloging, a little withdrawing (aka "getting rid of"), a little record fixing, a little organizing. Hey, it breaks up the monotony, so I'm good with it.

At lunch I went home to help Analiese with her preparations for Dad's dinner and to do a little on my own. I made dip and lemonade and helped her to make graham cracker toffee for him as a present/treat. I also gave her the instructions on how to cook corn on the cob; she knows how to husk it, she's done that many times. Jonathan, when he gets off of work, is going to grill hamburgers. I think that dinner will make for a nice treat for Ken when he gets home this afternoon!

Sunday, June 18, 2017
Ken was so thrilled with all of his Father's Day gifts! I wanted them opened yesterday so that he'd had time to set up and charge his new Fire tablet (my idea...I was so excited to think of something for my hard-to-shop-for husband) for church today.

He appreciated that and all the work put into the meal for him.

So instead of dragging the old, falling-apart laptop (the space bar is broken off) he usually takes to church, he only took his new tablet today. He enjoyed being able to use the Gospel Library app and follow along in the lessons and the scriptures.

The fun was soon over and, while I don't like him having to do any kind of work on Sunday, this house isn't getting read for sale as fast as we'd like. After lunch and a brief nap, Ken went outside to work some more on paint removal. Sigh. It's an interminable job. At least a strong breeze picked up this morning and cooled things off a lot. Yesterday was 107 degrees. Today, it's 84 degrees.

NOW WHAT?

Monday, June 5, 2017
Analiese was anxious this morning. Ken was to take her to Chickasha so she could meet with the branch's Young Women and go off with them to Norman Stake's Girls Camp. He had planned on leaving here around 10 a.m., but ended up leaving shortly after 9 a.m. She had been pacing!

It made for a quiet morning with them gone and Jonathan was off at work. After a little indulgent nappy-poo, I did normal boring stuff - laundry, dishes, and grocery shopping. The day got warm and humid quickly, which saps my energy

So I spent the afternoon keeping cool in the house. Jonathan got home shortly after 4 p.m., but went back outside to power wash paint off the house so more. I rewarded him by making some dinner. Then we spent the evening vegging in front of the t.v.

Tuesday, June 6, 2017
I didn't get any work done this morning, other than a laundry load of towels. This is because some friends of ours who'd moved to Texas came to visit us for a couple of hours before I had to go to work. Their kids were excited to come play games at our house (Karla, I think we have a reputation, now) and I enjoyed talking with my friend, the mom. They're a cute family and I've missed them.

I fought off a headache at work this afternoon. This was mainly due to the city people doing some pipe work in the alley behind the library. Guess where I work - yeah, at the back of the building.

The guy kept glancing at me, wondering what I was doing. I could ask him the same!

At first it was a whining sound with a concrete-type smell. They switched later on, though, to some heavy pounding that echoed in my skull.  My left eye began at one point to twitch in time to the blows...and it didn't tickle!  What a relief to come back from dinner to find them done!

Wednesday, June 7, 2017
It was a nice, mellow morning. Jonathan did some work outside; I did some inside. We had a lot of cloud cover this morning, so the temperature has cooled off some,

I was able to wear jeans and a t-shirt to the library today because my boss and I had to go out to the garage and find/clear out/clean up a workspace for her to clear out the old computer hard drives before we get rid of them. It's always "charming" out there. After that, we cleared up some shelving in the back to make room for those orange playaway table learning thingies. Yes, thingies.

I haven't posted a cute book in a while. We haven't had one. Here's my choice for this week:

Mo Willems is a popular children's author/illustrator. His new picture book is a "guidebook" for babies, aka "new arrivals." It's cute and a hoot for parents, too.  Look at this page:

My biggest problem today, though, was my right leg. I'd done something to it yesterday at work and I was sore coming home. Today it was worse. It hurt to walk on it, to bend it, all the way from the outside of my knee down to my ankle. I don't know exactly what I did, but I need it to stop hurting. It aches terribly.

Thursday, June 8, 2017
I made a doctor's appointment as soon as their office opened at 8 a.m. They got me in at 9:15, but I wasn't happy with the diagnosis: strain/sprain/ maybe torn ligaments in the knee going down to the ankle. He prescribed heavy-dose Naproxen, a knee brace, crutches, an x-ray (just in case), physical therapy and possibly a visit to an orthopedic doctor. Really???

It took forever at Radiology over at the hospital because the doctor's office sent the x-ray order for the WRONG knee. Crazy. Then at the medical equipment store I had to try on several knee braces and adjust my crutches The last stop was Walmart for my medicine. I actually managed to get to work only 15 minutes late (yes, I'd called them and advised them beforehand).

There, I was subjected to all sorts of questions and pity. All I could say/admit to was my chronic, klutzy stupidity. It's terribly embarrassing. It was only going to be me and FD2 tonight and they worried if I could handle it. I did. I just sat down and put my feet up a lot. We survived. It's what I do!

Friday, June 9, 2017
I woke up TOO early at a 3:45 a.m. to the sound of really hard hail. We'd had intermittent small rain showers yesterday and I wasn't expecting this. It didn't last long, but it took a bit for the adrenaline to empty out of my system so I could go back to sleep.

Considering it's only been a day since I went to the doctor and I only started taking my medication this morning, I'm feeling pretty good! Things are still a little tender, but I can bend my knee with a lot less pain. Was it the brace? The crutches (which, BTW, I hate)? The elevation? The ice? I'm not ready to do jumping jacks or climb a mountain, but I'm highly encouraged. From what the doctor said yesterday, it looked like a long, painful recovery. Today belies that.

I drove out to Chickasha to pick up Analiese from Norman Stake's Girls Camp, much encouraged. I stopped at Ken's TB to ice my knee and rest while waiting for my daughter. They dropped her off there and I got to meet one of her leaders and prove to the branch there that I actually exist. Analiese glowed...from sun (more freckles!) and happiness, chatting away at me about camp. For knowing practically no one, she had a great time! They seemed really happy to have her there, too!

Analiese and I went with my boss to the movies tonight to see Wonder Woman. The movie was okay, morally suspicious in parts, but I enjoyed our time out. Analiese was cuddly - I think she may have missed me a little at camp - and my boss seemed to have a good time, too, because she said we should do this again soon. We're becoming good friends, her and I.

Saturday, June 10, 2017
At work. On crutches. So NOT graceful. My left knee is being more problematic than my right. It isn't used to taking the burden and that old mission injury flares up from time to time. So it's been clicking, grinding, and swelling. Sigh.

Work was deadly dull. Off of my feet, I was stuck at the computer cataloging all day. Besides making me stir-crazy, my back is aching. Oh, and my shoulders do not like the crutches. Actually, all of me does not like the crutches. I can't wait to get off of them!

Ken came home tonight. He was set apart as the Elders Quorum President for the Chickasha Branch at the Norman Stake Conference's leadership session. Then he headed to Altus. I think he felt he needed to come home to take care of his clumsy, gimpy wife.

Sunday, June 11, 2017
Well, that didn't last long. The Chickahsa TB people called Ken this morning in a fluster about not having enough people. He encouraged them to try and find some people to fill in for absentees, but after not hearing back, he decided he'd better go out there. He's coming back here, again, but - oh! - the mileage, gas, and frustration!

Because it is our Fast Sunday today (last week we had Stake Conference in Lawton), I didn't take my heavy-duty Naproxen because it would have required me to eat something and drink a full glass of water. I really wanted to fast. The downside of that decision was that I saw that I'm not as completely miraculously healed as I'd hoped. I made it through Sacrament Meeting, after which Jonathan suggested I go home; he and Analiese would walk. I looked that bad, eh?

So I did. I took a nap, followed by icing my knees. I also have a little headache, too, but I'll survive. This is all so terribly inconvenient!

Ken made it back this evening to give us a nice Family Home Evening message. It came from a talk he heard at Norman Stake Conference. He'd brought us some cold ginger ale, too, to cool us off on a warm day. Yeah, it's summer.

CHAUTAUQUA (Shaw-talk-wha)

Monday, May 29, 2017
Gee, I slept in until 7:30! That's pretty late for me! Still, I had to get up, because I have much to do. Even if it is Memorial Day, it's still Monday and my regular day off.

I went grocery shopping alone this morning while Ken kept working on the outside of the house with Analiese by his side. They did flaking and chipping away at the wall surrounding the power box. We're borrowing a gas-powered washer today and he wisely decided we shouldn't use it around electricity.

After lunch, I helped Analiese with the never-ending math, put away laundry, and packed up some stuff for Ken to take with him. Meanwhile, he transferred the paint on the house to himself via water (ha-ha). When Jonathan came home from work, Ken showed him how to use it and hopefully finish removing paint off of the house this week.   It looks like we'll have some wood repair/replacing (a little) and then...paint!

After Ken left for Chickasha, the sister missionaries came over. I cooked up a couple of frozen pizzas, we brought out games and had a fun time. They couldn't do any work because everyone is busy with the holiday (seriously, the stores and food places were practically deserted), so they spent time with us. It was nice, after a busy day, to just relax and have fun.

Tuesday,  May 30, 2017
For the record, acetone (nail polish remover) works very well at removing latex paint from tile floors. It took hardly any scrubbing and went quickly. I was quite pleased. Thanks again to Pinterest!

After dropping Jonathan off at his work and before heading to mine, I stopped at a ward member's house to load up the Honda as much as I could with packing boxes. This moving thing is starting to feel real...

I cataloged DVD movies today for the first time. My boss didn't even show me how, though she'd said in the past that they were similar to audiobooks. I picked an older one off the library shelves, looked at it's computer record, copied it, and made necessary changes. I showed my record to my boss...and I got it right. This old lady can still learn!

Wednesday, May 31, 2017
The sister missionaries came over this morning. Not to play games, but to give service by weeding our front planters! Analiese helped by picking up weeds and debris. I went outside for a bit, too, to deadhead roses and remove diseased leaves. Jonathan worked some more of wall washing.

Then I went inside to work some more on the front bathroom floor. I think I tried three different cleaners, trying to get dried, soiled bunny stuff off the tile and grout. Nothing really worked, though all the chemicals left me dizzy, headache-y, and breathless. Rather stupid.

Work today was mainly going through juvenile nonfiction books for every basketball team in the NBA! My eyes were swimming when I was done. Please don't mention basketball to me for a while.

Thursday, June 1, 2017
Today was really boring. Seriously. Normal stuff at home and more junior/juvenile nonfiction cataloging at the library. Either that or easy reader series books, which I loathe. So boring that I never let my kids read them. They are so dull they'd put anyone off of reading. Cataloging them is no more enjoyable.

I did work some up at the front this evening because FD1 (Front Desk Employee 1 - she took my spot) wasn't here. Just me and FD2 in the library alone. She was surprised that I knew/remembered what to do for the FD1 duties. C'mon, it's only been a couple of months! It's one of the reasons they had me closing alone with the FD's so soon instead of "babysitting" them for a couple of months. I know how the front works!

Friday, June 2, 2017
Boy, I slept in today, until 8 o'clock! I must have needed it. It set my plans back a little, too, but not bad. I spent the morning mainly helping Analiese with linear functions (lines, graphs, etc.) and after lunch I popped over to the church to clean out the Seminary closet.

This week has been Chautauqua - living history week - in town. The library and the museum sponsor lectures, workshops and events every year around a certain historic theme. This year was "Cowboys and Cattle Trails." Analiese and I went to the museum this afternoon to hear a lecture on captivity accounts of people who were taking from their families by Indians.

It was fascinating especially because part of one woman's story took place in this part of Oklahoma. There is a road in Lawton named after her son, who was the last Comanche chief. We enjoyed it and Analiese even read a piece of an account for the lecturer. Afterwards we toured the museum and saw the re-done grounds; they were lovely.

It made for a nice afternoon off.

Saturday, June 3, 2017
I took Jonathan up to Lawton to a meeting with a member of the Seventy who'd come down for our Stake Conference. Elder Nielson, the head of the Church's missionary department, wanted to speak to prospective missionaries and Jonathan was invited. It was a very interesting, informative and spiritual meeting.

It meant, though, that I took the morning off of work. So, after getting a bite to eat, we headed home. I dropped him off and then went to the library. I stayed primarily in the back the whole time because the crazy temperature system in the building had the heater ON in the front. It was roasting!

Sunday, June 4, 2017
We had a beautiful drive to and from Lawton for Stake Conference. There was a little rain, but mostly blue sky, clouds, and sunshine.

Conference was wonderful, as always. The Stake President had a great talk on being extraordinary and growing spiritually. The temple president and his wife spoke (obviously) about the temple. Elder Nielson spoke, of course, about a variety of things, touching mainly on points made in the other talks. At the end he pointed his remarks toward the youth, telling them that God's laws set the universe in motion and there are consequences for defying those laws. Like, jumping off of a 40-story building in defiance of the Law of Gravity...relating it to spiritual laws. I really liked it.

We went back right away because Jonathan had to work this afternoon, having taken yesterday off for the meeting. Ken came home in time to take Jonathan, bringing some rented videos and goodies, proclaiming a movie afternoon/evening!