GO-GO-GO

Monday, January 22, 2018
Gee, I sure do love these Seminary kids! I started asking them this week to respond in an email what they got from the lessons and what actions it prompted them to do. Not only did they have great insights, but said some cute and sweet things. One even made a little comic pertaining to the lessons that she sent to me. I love this calling!

Besides our normal Monday stuff, Ken and I got some moving errands and chores done. He went to the Maytag appliance shop to order new electric burner plates for our stove (I couldn't go in, they were sheltering a cat - ah-choo!). Then we sent to our PM to discuss some details about renting the house and go over our renter's application.

And we packed. I packed boxes, he packed up the van. He shoved as much stuff into the van as he could fit, but he had a couple of shelving units in there that took up a lot of room. There was an awful lot of dust and eventually I had to quit and use my inhaler. We have three more Mondays before we move to get as much done as we can. We reserved the U-Haul, Ken's going to talk to the Chickasha Elders' Quorum for help on that end and I am to reach out to the ward here. Three weeks and counting!

Tuesday, January 23, 2018
I could have sworn I opened today's lesson module last night. I know I had my laptop out for that very purpose yesterday evening. But this morning, it was closed! Trust me, my students let me know! I quickly opened it, emailed that the coast was clear, and everyone was fine. But, what happened? I think my brain is not retaining what it should!

I can illustrate this point better. As I was leaving work for my dinner break, I walked out of the back offices with a pair of scissors. Did I need those scissors? No, I have a couple pair at home. My mind thought I was reaching for my empty container of yogurt to take home and wash. Nope; I ended up with scissors instead, which I did return. My boss thought it was hilarious. I warned her that my mind probably wouldn't be at the top of its game for the next three weeks. The insanity has begun.

Wednesday, January 24, 2018
I had a regular check-up with my doctor today. I informed him that I was moving. He was so sweet about it, saying I was one of his best patients, offering to have me come back or call if I needed anything (even though it's a distance) and gave me a hug goodbye. He's a short, albino Asian man with a lazy eye and a funny sense of humor. He's never chided me about my weight, just patting his own belly and saying we could both use to lose a little. He's been a good doctor; I hope I can find another like that in Chickasha.

The dingy-ness continues. I forgot to pack a healthy snack for work (yes, I need one) and I walked out of the house in falling-apart flipflops. They're hard on my knee...so no walk for me and Analiese today.

This evening I worked on the February/Valentine's door display. I won't say anything until I've put it up and taken photos, but it involves poster board, construction paper, and a lot CUTTING! No painting this time!

Thursday, January 25, 2018
I had to wait to have breakfast this morning. Usually I have it right after Seminary. But the doctor told me yesterday I was to have lab work done and go in fasting. The lab didn't open until eight a.m., I had to wait until after I got to the lab (right when it opened) to eat. They took four vials of blood - ouch! It left me a little light-headed for a time afterwards, even after breakfast!

I kept plenty busy at the library today. I finished up my regular weekly order plus I cataloged a special order of large print books that the Library Director had requested for a specific patron. This evening, I put out some donated books onto the book sale cart and looked up some particular nonfiction books on finance for this year's Financial Fitness program.

Oh, and I nabbed a bunch of old newspapers that were going to be recycled. The library is a great place for packing materials!

Friday, January 26, 2018
This has been a week of go-go-go, no extra rest, needed or not! This morning, one of my coworkers came over to help me pack, bless her! She's moved many times, including overseas, so I valued her hands and expertise. In fact, I had her wrap the heirloom china from Ken's grandparents. I was too chicken to do it!

I managed to get a bunch done myself, motivated by her work ethic. I packed up a good bit of the kitchen, culling and cleaning as I went along. The kitchen is by far the biggest hassle to pack.

After the gal left, Analiese and I headed over to the 4H extension offices to the Rabbit Club meeting. We didn't stay for the meeting, just going primarily to say goodbye to our friends, in particular, Valerie and Joy. I'm friends with them on Facebook, so it's not the end, but still, it's sad. Their annual Rabbit Show comes up next month...right on the 17th - our moving day!

Saturday, January 27, 2018
With regret, I washed the snowman off of the lobby door this morning. It was time to move on to the next holidays. I put up my Valentine's door display - a mailbox with flowering vines around it and a bluebird on top (holding a Valentine in its beak).

This was a bit trickier than others I've done because I decided to make it double-sided. That way, you see the front and back of the mailbox through either side of the glass.

I kept pretty busy today with another book order that arrived. There were only three of us in the library today, New FD2 wasn't there, but it was quiet enough that we managed. By the way...I only have ONE more Saturday to work!

In the late afternoon my boss's husband called me, telling me they were in the E.R. She has the flu. I kind of thought she was coming down with something this week and I heard she went home yesterday dragging and just feeling awful. I texted her later in the evening, telling her not to worry about work, just rest up and get better. Now I'm praying I don't get it. This would be a REALLY bad time to get sick!

Sunday, January 28, 2018
So...I said I would sing in Church today. I agreed to it over a month ago (pre-moving date), I tried to find someone to do a duet with...Analiese chickened out. Apparently my alto is too strong for her to do a melody. I've never done a solo, so I looked off-and-on for something. Do you know how hard it is to find a church-appropriate alto solo?

Anyway, today was the big day. I had an accompanist, I had a song. He had a better arrangement in the same key, but before this morning I'd never seen nor sung it! We practiced it a couple of times before Sacrament meeting and...it was what it was. I'm really not a musical performer. But it's a favorite hymn of mine - "Be Still My Soul" - and I just prayed to be able to sing my testimony without too much congregational cringing. I was so nervous, I gripped the podium tightly and my voice shook a bit. I was no means perfect - breathing and timing - argh! But the Spirit carried my testimony, I'm sure of it. Someone asked me if it represented this last crazy two-household year. I said, nope, it represented my whole, crazy life!

One of my visiting teachers had crocheted two beautiful shawls for me and Analiese. One is all purple, and the other is a mix of blue, green and purple. They are so lovely...she was so thoughtful, I know it was a lot of work! Hey, I even got Analiese to take off her ratty old red hoody that she wears, literally, everywhere in order to use the multi-colored shawl!

We had a linger longer potluck after the meeting block today. It really hit me, I have only two Sundays left with these people. Amazing how you can come to love and appreciate them in so short a time. I'm really going to miss them!

BACK AND FORTH AND FORTH AND BACK

Monday, January 15, 2018
One of the sister missionaries in our ward gets transferred this week...to Chickasha! They texted me about it last night and I was, like, "No way!" I told her she'd still beat me there by about a month's time. She knows Ken, though, so there will be one friendly face there (two, really, when Jonathan gets there Wednesday). She is so excited!

HAPPY DANCE!

I just got the phone call from Kay - our house is now rented! Thank you, Father in Heaven! In a month, we'll all be back together in Chickasha! Yee-haw!

Our internet through AT&T was down all afternoon and evening. Was that because of the severe wind storm that raged through SWOK today? Or did AT&T have a major U.S. breakdown? All I know is that tonight I needed to open the lesson module for Seminary tomorrow. I went to McDonalds to try and use their wifi. They were down, too. (BTW, going out in the freezing cold was NOT nice!) So I went to the library, sat out in front in the parking lot in my car (stay warm), and it worked! They don't have AT&T, just so you know.

But it was so cold! I went home, had cocoa, and a warm tub bath. That is something I haven't done in a while!

Tuesday, January 16, 2018
It was a bitterly cold day. It started at 5 degrees at 6 o'clock this morning and I think it reached a high of 23 degrees. Oklahoma or Alaska? Hard to tell by the chill, but at least there's no snow or ice!

President Russell M. Nelson has been set apart as the new prophet and president of the Church. His two counselors are Elders Dallin H. Oaks and Henry B. Eyring. The press conference held today about it had some sweet, cute moments. I had my confirmation/witness, of the verity of the first presidency, too. I told the kids it was up to them to get their own, but I told them I'd had mine!

I turned in my notice today, much to the chagrin of my bosses and fellow employees. One kept sniffing each time I passed her desk. Jonathan had his last day at the Altus Walgreen's. He said there were a couple slightly-emotional goodbyes...plus a cake. He reports to the Chickasha Walgreen's on Friday.

I gave my library "cousin" a copy of the Book of Mormon today. He's a bit agnostic, soured on religion from some past experiences. but he said he would read and treasure my gift. I hope it will help bring him peace. Plus, if he's going to call me a relative, he needs to know what I believe!

Wednesday, January 17, 2018
Today was one of those "best laid plans" sort of days. First, when I got up, I found the pipes in the back (non-insulated) bathroom frozen, thanks to my son who forgot to drip water when he got out of the shower last night. GRRR! No shower for me, and hopefully no busted pipes! I turned on the bathroom heater, turned on the faucets, and closed the door, hoping the heat would warm and defrost things.

After Seminary, I was going to drop off Analiese at home (to watch the water/pipe situation) and leave with Jonathan by 7:30 to head to Chickasha. Nope. He was still sleeping (strike two, kiddo!). I got him up and took his little remaining "stuff" to the car, stopping at a gas station to put more air in the tires (the freezing temperatures fiddle with air pressure). On the first tire, the air hose seemed to make the problem worse! So we hobbled over to another gas station, took care of all four tires without issue, and started east. Half an hour later than I intended.

The trip went fairly smoothly...until we hit the toll just before Chickasha. There'd been an accident, and the three lanes (including the FastPass) were down to one for everybody. That slowed us down as we waited for cars, trucks, and everything in between to go on ahead.

We finally made it to the house, and Jonathan changed clothing quickly (into something warmer, he was going to do a little walking around town), I said "hi" to the bunnies, and took him to Taco Bell. I wanted to see Ken; he wanted something to eat. He was going to walk to the bank (across the street) to open an account then introduce himself at the Walgreen's (about a block over). I left him there to go back to Altus, via Lawton.

I had to go to Sam's Club (auto fuel), Hobby Lobby (library project) and Chick-Fil-A (people fuel). Then I hurried home, changed clothes (no shower, still frozen), and headed to work an hour late. I'd warned them, though, so they weren't surprised. But the good news is that the pipes unfroze shortly after 1:30, and Analiese (as well as Jonathan) knows how important it is to drip water in freezing conditions. I always worry about the water bill, but that's nothing in comparison to a plumber's bill if the pipes bust!

Thursday, January 18, 2018
My mind raced with all kinds of thoughts, mostly anxious...I didn't sleep well last night. Badly enough so that, after coming home from Seminary, I dragged myself to bed for another hour's sleep.

Hey, at least I got to take a shower today! Last night, while below freezing, was not nearly as cold as the previous two nights. And I remembered to drip water!

I have plenty of books to work on: some from the weekly receipt of orders (it took a bit this week because of the holiday Monday and my boss being busy or gone), some as samples from a book company, and some donations. I'm not sure I'll get through them all by week's end.

FD2 has gone, so today a new gal from the employment agency began training today, once again keeping my boss busy (she's in charge of training). They need to get this all sorted out before they can work on getting my replacement. FD1 wants my position, which would mean finding another FD person, though. We sure do go through them!

It looks like I'm taking Analiese to Lawton tomorrow morning, meeting up with her soon-to-be Seminary teacher/YW president (Lawton's the halfway point). She'll be spending the day with her and then attending a youth activity that night and spending the night. She'll be with Ken (at TB) and Jonathan on Saturday, go to church with them on Sunday, and come home with Ken that afternoon. It'll be just little old me alone by myself this weekend!

Friday, January 19, 2018
We ended meeting up in Lawton a little latter than I expected, so I was able to shower and get ready for work before going and not after. It was clear and sunny (the day was warming up), but stock ponds along the way are still frozen pretty solid.

Uh-oh! Her ST/YW leader got out of the car (we met at the Carl's Jr. in Lawton)...with a dog! Rats! I forgot to ask the all-important dog question! It made Analiese's day more interesting and I told them to dope her up with Benedryl, if necessary. She ended up going to our house in Chickasha to spend the night after attending the youth activity. Sorry!

I said I'd go in to work today, since they were down a person; namely, my boss. It was a long, boring, quiet six hours. I got a bunch of cataloging done, but it was so dull!

My evening alone wasn't much better. I filled it with Seminary work, laundry, dishes, and reading. It was so quiet and empty that I had a hard time settling down to sleep. I didn't really like being alone for the night!

Saturday, January 20, 2018
My alarm went off at seven-thirty as usual. And I remembered...it was just me! I mean, I did my normal Saturday morning routine: showering, breakfast, getting ready for work, studying scriptures. But it was lacking. I supposed you get used to being alone. I think it would take me awhile!

I finished my cart of regular books today and made a sizable dent in the sample books. No one needed me up front (well, one tiny computer issue), so I was in the back all by myself all day.

After work, I went to the movies with FD1. I didn't want to be at home alone or go to the movies alone, so I asked her to go with me. We saw Jumanji, which was funny but a little overboard on the language and innuendo side. I don't really think I want my kids seeing it. But it was fun to decompress (FD1 is a funny person) and not have to think about moving, children, and my empty house for a few hours!

Sunday, January 21, 2018
Was it the lack of sleep for the past few days or the increased winds outside (wind & fire advisory) that created the crackerjack-of-a-headache this morning? Maybe it didn't help that I accidentally (mental capacities: down) took my night medication this morning (can you say "anxiety trigger"?). All I know is that the top of head hurt...to move, to think, to talk.

I went to Sacrament meeting, but knew I probably wasn't going to last past that. What made it harder was that every noisy, squalling baby and toddler seemed to be sitting behind me. I get it, having been that mom, but it did nothing for my brain (Public Service Announcement: Parents, I give you permission to take your children out of the chapel to calm them.). I don't think I said goodbye to anyone, just jetted home and to bed.

With a cold lavender pack on my head, I slept for three hours. Yikes! I awoke with a teeny headache for which I treated with a Dr. Pepper (trust me, it helped). It tamed down a lot, but lingered thereafter like a terrorist threat if I moved too suddenly.

Ken and Analiese came home shortly after four. She was tired, but had a good time this weekend, even despite the dogs and allergies. I think she's going to be happy and comfortable with the youth in the Chickasha branch!

NO TITLE, NO PICS. SORRY

Monday, January 8, 2018
New Year, new semester in Seminary. We started in Alma 17, talking about the "disarming" personality of Ammon the missionary. Ha-ha! Analiese said her teacher made the same (read: lame) joke.

Ken spent most of his day - interspersed with yard work and a shopping trip - making his famous chicken and dumplings. The sister missionaries are coming to dinner (again) tonight and we promised them that treat. I also made brownies with mint chocolate chips and walnuts for dessert.

One of the sisters is sick with a cold (?). I purchased some lemons and honey so Ken could  make his also-famous honey-lemon tea. I swear by it when I'm sick. He made up a thermos for her to take back to their apartment.

They loved dinner and there was plenty of it - Ken always makes sure of that! So we loaded them with some more of the soup as well to enjoy, giving extra broth for the sick sister. We do try to take care of our angel missionaries!

Tuesday, January 9, 2018
Now that birdie knows he has wings, birdie wants to FLY! Jonathan drove Analiese to and from Seminary yesterday and today. His reasoning was so that he could let his mother sleep in. How sweet (wink, wink)!

I had plenty of books on my cart when I got in to the library today. Maybe they'll last, oh, two days? Actually, we've had a bunch of donations lately, so there are more things I can do.

Jonathan didn't have work today, so he got to make dinner tonight. He wanted to make his own hamburgers, not just cook up pre-made patties. Coming into the house, it smelled great! Tasted great, too. But after eating dinner, I didn't want to go back to work; I wanted to go to sleep.

Wednesday, January 10, 2018
This was not a slow, leisurely morning. We had to be at the library at 9:00 a.m. so Analiese could take what the charter school called a "benchmark" test. Basically, it's a pre-ACT practice test and her teacher even timed her on it. He said if she took the actual ACT test today (which she won't for two more years), she would pass all of it except the math. Even the math wasn't too bad, considering she's only had half a year of Algebra 1 and no Geometry or Algebra 2. Good news!

Analiese and I took a walk on our afternoon break. My back was achy and she'd been facing a computer screen since her testing this morning. A nice breeze was blowing, but it wasn't cold. It blew all of the mental cobwebs away.

It was just two of us this evening in the library. Our normal third went home early since she wasn't feeling well. Since several employees have had their turn being ill (and I haven't, fingers crossed), I don't want to be near anyone who might pass something on.

Thursday, January 11, 2018
Winnie-the-Pooh would say it's a rather blustery day. Analiese says the winds are "sweepin' down the plains" (thanks Rogers & Hammerstein!). The Weather Channel has given us a high wind advisory notice until late this afternoon. All I know it that it woke me up early morning, rattling the house like a giant ghost who is tired of being ignored!

It made the library garage feel like a meat locker, too. My boss & I had to go inventory some things stored in there...and I had to wear my coat! Those of you who know how hot I run should be appropriately surprised! If we had had any precipitation today, it would have been snow or ice.

So it was nice to get home on my dinner break and find that Jonathan had fixed dinner for us. I'd sent him the recipe ahead of time and it wasn't very complex, plus I'd prepped some of it before I went to work. Still, it was so nice!

I have another "cousin" here in Altus. One of our literacy tutors has ancestors with the Carr last name. Strange thing, though, they are from Mexico! He loves doing genealogy and swears we're related. So now I have two "cousins," both with Hispanic roots, here. And me whiter than white! I hope my DNA thingy shows something. It would be so fun to tell them they're right!

Friday, January 12, 2018
It's still pretty cold out there, though the wind has died down. I decided to wear my coat when I took Analiese to Seminary this morning. Good call.

I won't go into details (except to say I was not sick - no cold or flu), but I wasn't feeling well this morning, so when Analiese went off to do her online math class, I went to bed and slept for two hours. Good, yes? No! I woke up in a sweat, thinking I missed the broadcast of President Monson's funeral. I didn't, I had another hour and a half to go (time zones make me crazy), but you know that overslept feeling!

I did get to watch the funeral.Well, nearly all of it because I had to get Jonathan from Walgreens. I did cry a little, because I loved that humble servant of God and, as a mortal left behind, I will miss him. Still, the tributes were wonderful and I came back from it more inspired by his example and more determined to live the principles he taught.

A gentleman came over this afternoon to look at the house. I gave him the tour...but he looked familiar. Turns out he's a friend of our library director and has visited the library often. He thought he recognized me, too. He said he'd left me know Monday if he was going to rent it or not and was willing to give me a months time to complete my obligation to the library. However, two hours later he called. I guess he really wants it...he was willing to come over and put down the first payment, but he'll have to wait until Monday to do it with our property manager. The shift is coming, the wagon wheels are getting ready to roll!

Saturday, January 13, 2018
I would have rather stayed in bed this morning, but I had to work. My boss was there when I arrived - surprise - but she had some personal errands to run and stopped by the library on her way. She's not happy about the moving thing, but she knew it was inevitable.

It was very quiet in the library today. Good thing, since I wasn't feeling energetic enough to do much (see yesterday). I had a few new books waiting for me, but after that I worked on some donations. Most went towards replacing previous copies of our that were worn.

I had an orange for snack this afternoon at work. Yes, this is the most interesting thing I have to tell you all day. I'd only purchased it Monday and already the peel had shrunk to the fruit, making it super-hard to remove. What a juicy mess! Half of it I had to eat right off the pith because it would not come off! I ended up wiping down the whole table in the break room after this fiasco. But it made the room smell like oranges, and that was an improvement!

Sunday, January 14, 2018
Today was Jonathan's last Sunday in the Altus ward. Next week he'll be up in the Chickasha branch with Ken. Rumor has it, the Elders' Quorum President there has an assignment for him already! 😆

During the third hour, I substituted for the Primary chorister. I didn't exactly use her plans because the instructions for the game she had planned confused me. So I reviewed their song for the month - "I am a Child of God," the verses they knew, and then went over the next verse some and left it at that. We ended up singing (for fun) "Nephi's Courage." I had the kids act out the parts, which they did with gusto!

Ken and I were home alone for a good amount of time this evening. Jonathan had to work and Analiese went to Lawton with the Youth for a Pre-Trek fireside. (She REALLY wants to go on Trek, has for years, and even if we move to Norman Stake before April, I'm going to try and see that she gets to go. It'll be a good way to see her friends here one more time, too.) So we had the peace and quiet and time to just talk, have dinner, and act like we're a married couple after all!

MORE DEATH THAN I CAN DEAL WITH...

Monday, January 1, 2018

I awoke to 7 degree temperatures outside. I think we may be giving Alaska a run for it's money (not really, 7 degrees was their HIGH for today). No real precipitation, though, and I'm not sorry. There's pockets of icy snow in shady areas and ice slicks anywhere water has been lately, but the roads are nice and clear, if chilly.

Our Happy New Year was pretty much a normal Monday. I "officially" started my new planner (though I've been prepping it for a couple of months now) and the blotter calendar I purchased as our family's 2018 scheduling calendar is on the wall.  We're as ready as can be.

Once more, we've had the sister missionaries over for dinner. Ken and I saw them at Walmart earlier, but I didn't think to ask them if they had an appointment. Someone posted on the ward Facebook page that they didn't, thought so I texted them and invited them immediately. It was only black bean soup and nachos, but my kids love (I always have to double it) and in this freezing weather, it was well appreciated!

Tuesday, January 2, 2018
I had today off from work. I slept in and thought: "How nice.. A day where I can take my time. No rushing to do anything or go anywhere." Until I looked at my planner (which I guess means I should look at it BEFORE starting to think each morning) and saw that, sadly, I had a funeral to attend. As it was nearly nine a.m. when I discovered this, I had to race to the shower and get ready before heading out into the icy winter morning towards the church.

It was a short, yet sweet, funeral for Ruth, and the tributes given were touching. They caused me to think on the times I'd shared with her and I laughed a little, and cried a little. She had a lot of family there, which was good. Not a whole lot of ward members came on account of the cold, but we pretty much ran the service.

This is my DNA (saliva) sample. I put it in the mail today!

I have less than a week until Seminary starts up again, but I still had to work on closing out the first semester and assigning grades. All of my currently attending students have taken - and passed - the assessment. Hooray!

Wednesday, January 3, 2018
President Thomas S. Monson, Prophet, Seer, and Revelator for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, passed away yesterday at the age of 90. He'd been ill for a while and didn't attend any of the last General Conference, so it wasn't too surprising. He's out of pain and with his beloved Frances now. I'm happy for him, though it's a loss for all of us.

Jonathan took his driving test for the second time - and passed!

He's over the moon and is immediately making plans to transfer to the Chickasha Walgreens and be with Ken in a couple of weeks. I guess the Walgreens people are excited to have him there because he's so experienced!

I put away the rest of the Christmas decorations this evening at the library. I got dust and glitter all over my clothes. It's always so sad, but at least Mr. Snowman gets to stay for a while.

I need to remember to keep my new planner with me at all times. The old one was too big, so I never did. Today, though I had three items to add to it, and it was at home while I was at work! Some help, that!

Thursday, January 4, 2018
I didn't need to turn on my electric blanket last night and slept quite comfortably. I'm not worried about frozen pipes, either.

My boss was back at work today, but I can't say she was better. Another employee looks like she's not feeling well, either. And we've had patrons coughing, sniffling, and sneezing all over the building. This time of year it's such a risk going to work!

Having finished my books for the week already, I was asked to do another display case. They wanted something for Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday. We don't have a lot of books on him, so I printed up photos, quotes, and newspaper clippings from his life. I think it looks fine; I used a little alternate levels to add interest.

Friday, January 5, 2018
Since I don't have to work today (Fridays at the library are done...for now), I made plans to get some stuff done besides laundry. Things like: a pedicure (none since the beginning of November, I was quite chipped and my ingrowns were starting to hurt), packing up my bedroom (non-essentials), and paying some bills.

Working on the first box for my room was revelatory. I had no idea how many filled journals (plus some blank ones) I had! I'd been and off-and-on journal writer for the most part of my life. Then I got into note-taking at conferences and church (thank you, Elder Richard G. Scott), and then I started my blog. My responsibility to my blog ensures that I keep an up-to-date journal. Thank you, everyone who has encouraged my writing. I've done more than my younger self could ever believe!

I am sad this afternoon to report the death of Sherry Berry. She and her husband, Jeff, were friends of ours from California who currently live with their two children in Arkansas. She'd been hospitalized after a bad fall, having super-low blood pressure and kidney failure just before Christmas. This last week things were looking better, they'd gotten her blood pressure up and had her going through some dialysis. But she had a bad turn yesterday and it became final. My heart breaks for them!

Saturday, January 6, 2017
My sister, Wendy, lost a friend last night who'd been battling cancer. So much loss and sorry this week! I'm so grateful for my knowledge of the gospel and the plan of salvation, otherwise all of this pain would be stark and meaningless. Still, ouch! The world is lessened greatly when good people die!

A Saturday co-worker was out sick today. She came in for a few minutes, but I shoo-ed her home. I really don't want her germs hanging around me where I could (accidentally) catch them!

This building was so ridiculously warm. Even with two fans running and the door to the garage open (it's cooler because it has no insulation), it still registered 80 degrees back in my area. I should not be sweating (without extreme exertion) in January!

Steve the Squirrel is hanging out on our window sill. Hi, Steve!

Sunday, January 7, 2017
Testimony meeting was dear and tender today as many members testified of our beloved, belated prophet, Thomas S. Monson. They chose the hymn for closing to be "We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet." Seriously? Bring on the waterworks!

Jonathan got to drive the Honda "solo" for the first time today. Ken couldn't keep his eyes open during Sunday School, so he had Jonathan drive him home and then go back to church on his own. He was rather pleased with himself.

Then, we let him take the car to Walgreens for his work shift this afternoon and evening. No one else needed it, so he could. He was so nervously excited about it that he left early...and forgot his lunch/dinner. I laughed when he sheepishly texted me about it!