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!

SOME WEEKS ARE JUST HARD TO TITLE

Monday, May 22, 2017
Still feeling slight pain in my throat, especially on my left side. The worst part is that I'm so tired. I took a nap this morning and after doing some laundry and eating lunch, I was ready for another one!

Ken and one of our home teachers spent this morning trying to power wash the flaking paint off of the house. Apparently our water pressure is too low for it to do much good. So how we have a lot of scraping to do. Ken purchased a bunch of cheap scrapers - it's going to be a family affair!

By the end of the day, my throat was raging again. I have too much to do to be sick! I took pain relievers, gargled with salt water, filled my diffuser, heated a rice sock, and went to be armed to do battle with my tonsils.

Tuesday, May 23, 2017
I slept fairly well and this morning didn't feel as bad as I did last night. Still, I think the doctor should have said tonsillitis with a touch of bronchitis, not the other way around.

I'm still terribly tired and took another morning nap. Obviously, I'm not getting anything else done. My to-do list is sitting all alone; sad.

I did go to work, equipped with more pain relievers and lots of water. We have so much work to do - look at all the books (nearly two carts full!)

and the new educational tablet-like gadgets we have to figure out and put in our system.

It's going to be a busy week. But I don't think I've convinced my boss that I was doing better because she told me that if I still felt bad tomorrow, to only come in during the evening shift when I'm really needed. I said I'd "take it under advisement." We'll see how I'm feeling tomorrow.

On dinner break, my throat was hurting again, so more meds were called for. At work, for the last three hours, I was mainly just tired. If only I could get my energy back!

Wednesday, May 24, 2017
I was feeling MUCH better this morning. There was only a little pain and residual swelling on the left side of my throat and neck. (TMI?) I was still tired, but not as wiped out as I've felt the last few days.

I did take a precautionary nap this morning, but only a short one. I had promised Analiese that I would (try and ) help her with her math. Fractions - Good luck!

Oh, boy, we're busy in the back at the library. On top of all the other books, my boss gave me some invoices of audiobooks that are coming in. No chance of me being bored with nothing to do!

As it was, I mislabeled a bunch of children's non fiction books between yesterday and today (about fourteen) for the HL for the upcoming summer program. She spotted the error. Oops! Good thing we figured it out now before I get into the 150+ other children's nonfiction books that are waiting for me!

Thursday, May 25, 2017
Call it an indulgence, but I napped again this morning. I'm just trying to get completely 100% (redundant, I know) over this thing and that lingering light cough is mocking my efforts! Ergo, I nap. Take that, cough.

I can't help but feel slightly claustrophobic at work lately. What with the carts crammed with books, the boxes upon boxes of the tablet-thingies (which we're still trying to figure out how to display, catalog and protect), the now-in audiobooks and the piles of requests from the front "please move these to storage," etc.), the walls seem to be closing in. I walked out into the front a couple of times just to get a feeling of space. Breathe!

Jonathan came back with me after dinner to help the HL with some 3-D foam puzzles of  U.S. & world architecture for the summer program displays (Theme: Build a Better World). She'd had trouble with them and I volunteered Mr. Lego champion. One of them, though, flummoxed even him! To be honest, it was defective, with pieces broken or misshapen. So she's not getting a Big Ben for her display.

Friday, May 26, 2017
I didn't want to wake up when I did this morning. Surely, I would wait another 30 minutes to an hour? Nope. Mr. Skunk had been outside, close enough to permeate my bedroom, and I cannot sleep through that.

Oh well! Now that I'm better, I've lots to do and catch up on. First thing was to harvest my garlic. One garlic head from California (Mom brought it out last October) became...SIXTEEN! It's like magic! At least I'll get something from my garlic this year.

Two doves sitting on a hay bale on the corner of my garden boxes.

Then it was on to the front bathroom. My motto for today is "Finish the bathroom, or die" Which, in my case, may kill me yet. I had pretty much finished my touch-ups when my visiting teachers came. Oops, I forgot. Sorry I look like a paint-splattered mess!  It's never a clean project, no matter what anyone says.

After finishing up the painting, I went to get a manicure and pedicure. The former was a step outside for me, but I 1) needed to give the last paint in the bathroom a chance to dry and 2) my fingernails really needed it. I've been considering (and putting off) doing it, but my cuticles are awful, I'm hard on my hands, and maybe I'll leave off picking at them if I take good care of them.

Okay, so I didn't totally finish the bathroom. The touch-ups are done, the cabinet is put together, the floor is swept, and the hardware and blinds are up. Everything is up except the mirror, which I think I'll let Ken deal with. Plus, I got so much else done. My piano music is all packed up, I went through and tossed a bunch of old, irrelevant files, finished laundry, and made dinner. Oh! And my piano is gone! My HTs came with a U-haul and took it away. The dust under and behind it is horrific, but I no longer have to worry about it! Another thing checked off my list!

A picture of my 20 yo and my 14 yo playing Legos together. So mature!

Saturday, May 27, 2017
The weather has shifted to definitely summerish. In other words, too warm for my liking!

I spent all of my work day (until closing procedures) on juvenile nonfiction. In particular, a set of biographies of all the presidents of the United States. I tried to finish them all, but was six short when I had to stop.  Their faces were starting to swim before my eyes!

Dinner was nice and easy tonight. I try to do crockpot meals on Saturdays for that very reason. This morning I put a small pork roast and some red potatoes in the pot to cook. Upon arriving home, I was greeted by a delicious smell!

Ken was home too! He had thought to come home and do some work on the house, but it was too hot late in the day. So he decided to take his wife on a date. We went to see the new Pirates of the Caribbean movie. Verdict? More plot holes than a Swiss cheese. Still, I laughed in a couple of places and shrieked out loud in surprise at a zombie shark attack. I can only say you have to see it in 3-D to know what I'm talking about. Ken thought it was funny.

Sunday, May 28, 2017
Ken didn't sleep well; I'd had too many late nights; Jonathan worked until 3:00 a.m. this morning. We all felt a little dozy in sacrament meeting today. I woke up more in the next two hours, but the men-folk were flat. We were all going to go directly home after church in spite of the Linger Longer, but my ward "cousin" and his wife invited Analiese and I to stay. They would take us home.

For not many people (it being Memorial Day Weekend), there was a pretty good spread. I ate too much - and it was all so tempting - that when I went home to organize my week, especially my menu and grocery list, every idea sounded gross! I really can't see me wanting dinner tonight.

END OF AN ERA

Monday, May 15, 2017
I taught my last New Testament lesson today - Revelation 21-22. Tomorrow we practice for the Assessment, which is Wednesday. It is the beginning of the end...of this school year.  I guess I'm feeling a little blue.

I finished painting trim and doing touch ups in the bathroom. I discovered a few more as I removed tape, but not much. Now we can put back fixtures, clean up the tub and sink and floor, and make everything shine!

Ken climbed on the roof this morning to look at what damage we may have. He thinks it was just weaknesses in areas where the roof meets with other things. So he smeared all the suspect spots with Flex-all. Another storm is due later this week; we'll see how it all holds.

Analiese and I went through some storage drawers, weeding, throwing things out, organizing and minimizing. There was so much dust, I had another headache over that left eye again. What's up with that?

Tuesday, May 16, 2017
I woke up with a sore throat this morning. It's high grass allergy season right now. Maybe that's it. Maybe it's from the dusting yesterday. Or having a big fan blow on my all night might not have helped, either.

Work was work was work was work today, for the most part. But it pays the bills.

Coming back from dinner break, I saw that there was a potential for a storm. But it was like a game of tug-of-war, will it or won't it hit Altus? Erring on the side of caution, the Library Director decided to close the library by 6:30. The wind by then had really picked up and the skies were greenish. For the most part, the evening at home was uneventful. We did get a bit of rain later towards bedtime, but it wasn't nearly like last week.

On the interesting side, Ken and the Chickasha Branch President went to Norman to see the Norman Stake President. He called Ken to be the Elders' Quorum President for the branch!

Wednesday, May 17, 2017
My throat is somewhat better, but I'm developing a slight cough. Stop it!

Seminary assessment was today. They all passed, which relieves them and makes me feel like I did something right, though that's not my best measurement standard. That came from one of my students who surprised me with testimony-like comments about apostles and prophets. Now THAT gives me "job" satisfaction!

Even though Altus didn't get hit with much yesterday, 30 miles north of us in Elk City did. And hard. I saw pictures today and my heart filled with prayers for them!

I baked bacon (yes, in the oven) and made a lot of crepes in anticipation of tomorrow morning's family breakfast during Seminary. On my dinner break, Jonathan & I went to the church to set up for tomorrow morning. The families are supposed to bring the rest of the goodies tomorrow morning.

Analiese is happy. For YM/YW they are going swimming at a ward member's house. It's warm enough to do so and my little fish loves swimming. Heavens...even if it wasn't warm, she'd still go in the pool!

Thursday, May 18, 2017
Seminary breakfast went off well and in good time, not going over, in fact a little short. One student made a game of New Testament Jeopardy as a way to make up attendance. I was impressed, that took a lot of work! One family presented me with a lovely necklace and my third-year student gave me a buffalo figurine along with a special note that I'll always treasure.

I'm trying hard not to be overly sentimental. Trying.

Storms are on the horizon for today, but I went into work as usual. We kept an eye on things, but around 2 o'clock the tornado watches became warnings as we received news of touchdown outside of Duke...ten miles to our west. So we closed up and raced home. In a pinch, we could have sheltered in the public bathrooms, but I didn't want to be apart from my kids, who were at home.

The kids and I sat for nearly an hour in Analiese's room, but nothing hit our town, sweeping to the north and heading east instead. None of it hit Ken in Chickasha either, thankfully.

Just as well I was home early. I'm really not feeling well. And by bedtime, around 9-ish, my right eye started watering. Not quite watering, more like weeping something. Not a good sign.

Friday, May 19, 2017
Ugh! I could have slept in today, and I did, but I feel just awful. My chest is congested and my right eye was glued shut with gunk when I woke up. As soon as I could, I called the doctor and got a 2:15 appointment. I want to nip this "whatever" in the bud before it gets worse.

That didn't mean I could rest much, though. The sister missionaries were scheduled to come to dinner and I had planned on making a peach pie for dessert. The frozen peaches were already defrosted; what was I to do? Also, I packed up my Seminary stuff for this year. I had wanted to go over to the church and clean the closet, but a nap took priority, especially since I was having a hard time staying awake.

Doctor said....mild case of bronchitis. He recommended OTC medicine, plus rest and fluids. Stuff I was already doing. Actually, by the time of my appointment, my eye was doing better. I'd been using allergy drops because this isn't my first eye infection rodeo. Mainly, I was just dragged out tired.

But dinner with the sister missionaries was nice. We like having them over to visit. I think I enjoy our gospel discussions afterward best of all.

Saturday, May 20, 2017
I was still feeling crummy this morning, but I've lost so many hours this week to storms that I went in to work anyway. I'm back by myself most of the day, so I could take things at a reasonable pace. Though when I went home for lunch, I had this internal war going: eat lunch, or take a nap. Sad to say, I didn't get a nap. Oh, well. I can always go to bed earlier.

Actually, I made it until three o'clock, when my throat was starting to really bother me. A coworker was going to the corner gas station to get something from the convenience store and I asked her to grab some orange juice for me. She took a good look at me and said, "When I get back, you're going home." At that point, it didn't take much convincing.

I went home, kicked off my shoes, flopped down on the sofa, and fell asleep for a couple of hours. The kids tip-toed around me, but I was pretty oblivious. When I awoke, they made dinner and I ate a little then sat on the sofa watching silly YouTubes with them. Then I got up and went to bed. End of story.

Sunday, May 21, 2017
Not good. The throat has popped up again, I'm coughing gunky and I get worn out just walking to my bedroom. I went to sacrament meeting and then went home to have a little soup and a lot of sleep. The kids walked home; it was a beautiful day and they didn't mind.

I would like to say that I spent the rest of the day in bed relaxing. I spent MOST of it doing that. But then I had to head out to Lawton in the evening for Seminary graduation. Kind of one of those things that - barring terrible, infectious, life-threatening illness - I ought to try and go to.  It was nice, as always, though my sentimentality at the end of the school year was definitely starting to show!
I was able also to resolve some family seminary issues (I can't believe Analiese will be old enough for seminary this fall!). But by the end of it all, I was reeling. My throat felt like it was on fire and swallowing was excruciating. And I still had an hour's drive home!

I was a wreck at home, but Ken gave me a blessing. I also took some Tylenol, sipped some warm cider, cried a little (hey, who knows but that it would help clear up the eye infection stuff?) and went to bed.

HAIL HAIL

Monday, May 8, 2017
Got the second coat of blue on today! Plus I finished painting the cabinet doors and drawers and gave the cabinet itself its first coat of white (covering a shabby job of lavender). Ken and a brother from our ward installed the new baseboard and replaced the sink, which cracked during one of our ventures in the bathroom.

We did manage to get a late lunch and go shopping before Ken had to head back to Chickasha. Jonathan had come home from work and told us that he had to work all this next weekend, which meant that now I have no idea when to have his birthday dinner!

I had also wanted to take him to the movies for his birthday. So, spontaneously we (including Analiese) went tonight instead. I know, a Seminary night...I'll pay for it in the morning! We saw the second Guardians of the Galaxy. I laughed so hard during the "tape" debate. Both of the kids are real Marvel geeks and loved it, saying it was better than the first movie! I don't know, I really liked that one, too.

Tuesday, May 9, 2017
The Dove chocolate piece (from a package Ken gave me) reads: Be proud of your age. I don't know; I'll be fifty this year. I don't think I have much to show for all those years.

My boss wasn't at work today, but then, her son had surgery yesterday for head tumors (yes, PLURAL) and she had said last week that she may need to be with him for a few days. It was very quiet in the back. Even the Literacy people were gone; they had a special Financial Literacy luncheon today. So I opened and sorted two heavy boxes of new books delivered yesterday and stacked her Interlibrary Loans on her desk. I have no (well, a teeny) idea about what to do with them. She'll have quite a pile to greet her when she returns. I hear that they're very time-consuming. I may have to figure out the new books on my own, too, which I've never done before. Usually, she does a pre-processing sort of thing.

Analiese had to come with me to the library after dinner. Jonathan works until 7:00. She snuggled right down into her favorite seat in the library and I won't see hide nor hair of her until 9:00.

Wednesday, May 10, 2017
It was a little drippy when I awoke this morning. When I left the house for Seminary, it was so humid I felt like I'd just got out of the shower! The temperature by 11:00 a.m. was 82 degrees!

I went to work, only to find out that - due to an impending storm of large magnitude - the library would be closing at 4 p.m. I received the tornado watch on my phone at about 2:30 yet it was nothing but gray for the four hours I was at work, though. My boss (who is also our IT person) came in for the last half hour, mainly to make sure everything was shut down, including the server.

I got home about ten after four (I waited with my boss) and then came the tornado warning...ten miles west of us they'd seen touchdown. So we sat in Analiese's bedroom (Jonathan had got home half an hour before I did) for half an hour until the coast was clear...for that.  Because then came the thunderstorm warning.

The storm hit us a little after five and we were flooding in minutes.

At first it sounded like someone was taking a hose to the house. Then came the little pings. Hail, pebble-sized. Then it grew. I think it got as large as marbles and with the driving rain, it hit the house hard and LOUD! I had the kids close the blinds in case things got worse and told them to stay away from the windows. It was a loud few minutes, but was soon over, nothing broken. Thank heavens!

Thursday, May 11, 2017
Okay, so we had two leaks: one around the fireplace (again), but we know how to manage that. The second was a total and weird surprise - my closet! I went in there for something and brushed against my robe. It was wet! So were all of my work pants hanging there as well as the shelf above. Terrific. It's never happened before, so I'm hoping it's a freak thing brought on by the harsh rains and hail. Oh, and the winds. The AFB clocked the winds yesterday at 76 mph. Yeah, a bit more than blustery.

The ground was exceptionally mushy this morning, but then, I think I had about two inches of water sitting in my backyard. All kinds of leaves and debris were scattered everywhere. Even at the church there was a leak (we have one particularly hinky room). But other than a few people with small dents in their cars, most of Altus is pretty much intact.

Analiese was in charge of making dinner tonight (since I was at work) and had chosen to do quesadillas. I can't blame her, she's still learning, but we both had to eat her learning experience. She's not gotten the hang of cooking things without burning them a little; I kind of wonder it she's paying attention enough. Also, she decided that just plain cheese is boring and spiced it up. A lot. Mainly, with Louisiana hot sauce. I had a couple bites and then had to reach for the milk! I ended up settling on crackers and cheese. Even she had to admit she'd gone a little overboard.

By the way, she thinks what I do at work is very boring. I admit, it's not earth-shattering, but to the library, it's important. But it does get dull, so I break my day up into different tasks. My boss is very good about me taking breaks and often we'll stop and talk. Besides, sometimes too much time sitting in the chair makes my back ache or the computer makes my eyes hurt and gives me a headache. Important, boring work. Ah well, someone has to do it.

Friday, May 12, 2017
This painting gig is getting very old now. And painful. I needed the stepladder this morning and it was still in my closet since Wednesday's storm. In trying to take it out of my bedroom, I jammed it up against my dresser, which meant my knee rear-ended the step ladder. My left knee, the bad one. There's a whole lot of pain going on and I had to get down on the ground to paint baseboards!

I spent a good bit of time this morning finishing the sink cabinet painting and taping up the baseboards. I'd fetched my garden kneeler from the garage in an attempt to give my knees a little cushioning, which helped some. Better than the hard tile! But by mid-day I grabbed the kids and we ran away to Burger King for about an hour. Jonathan had his frustrations today, too, and we needed to get away. It helped. Not that the knee stopped hurting, but I'd recuperated emotionally and psychologically enough to get a first coat of paint on the baseboards.

I need to say here how helpful Analiese has been in this whole process. She's been cleaning up dried paint spots, putting hardware back on doors and drawers, doing laundry and washing dishes for me. I would have been a painful, blubbery mess if she hadn't pitched in like a trooper. Kudos!

Saturday, May 13, 2017
My boy is 20 today. Where did all those years go? I've lost my little boy; I did quite a while back, I think.

The wreck on my knee has left a sizable goose-egg on the left side of the patella. Tender to the touch (well, it all is!) and I can hear/feel clicking and grinding in the joint. Terrific. I'd iced my knee last night and elevated it some. I should do it more, but work isn't a great place to try to do that. Perhaps on my lunch break...

Ken came down from Chickasha today to spend the whole Mother's Day weekend and Jonathan's birthday with us. He took me to dinner tonight at Sakura, the Japanese restaurant in town. We both like it - he for the sushi and me for the tempura vegetables. I'm not a huge broccoli fan, but dip it in tempura batter and it's yummy! I could not finish all of my dinner!

At home, we sat and watched "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels," which is my second favorite comedy movie, after "What About Bob?" Third, just so you know, is "Undercover Blues," a relative unknown that even Ken finds hilarious. It was nice to sit beside my husband and just relax!

Sunday, May 14, 2017
I awoke around 5:00 this morning with a horrible headache. I did manage to go back to a fitful sleep, but when I got up a little after 7:00, the headache had increased and was centered around my left eye. Yeah, Happy Mother's Day.

I felt awful, but I at least needed to go to Sacrament meeting. Jonathan had been asked to speak. He does NOT like speaking, he was nervous about this all week and wasn't much less nervous on the stand. But he did it, and I'm proud of him. He said afterwards, "It didn't do you justice." Awww, at least he tried!

Analiese wore a dress I'd bought for her months ago. It's one of those Lularoe dresses and it's beautiful...more so on her! She wouldn't wear it though, saying she was saving it for a dance. At the rate she's going, she'll quickly outgrow it. So she agreed to wear it to church for me for Mother's Day. She was so beautiful!

The blue really brings out her eyes! I noticed, too, that she put on a little lipstick. A sister in the ward commented on how grown-up she looked. Sigh, I know. Still, I love my little beauty!

I went home after sacrament meeting and went right into a deep sleep, apparently, because I didn't hear the rest of the family come home from church. Then I had to get busy, making an ice cream cake (found it on FB) for Jonathan for his belated birthday, since he had to work yesterday. Ken made the dinner for me, though, and did up my dishes. I wish Mother's Day came more often!

After dinner we presented Jonathan with his gift from us and cards. He got to choose our Sunday game, too. Ken loved being home for the extended weekend, because it's so short and tiring to just come on Sunday and leave Monday afternoon. Not much time.

Jonathan loved his cake! It was a lot and very cold, but very good. Ken didn't like the strawberry ice cream much, but the kids ate theirs enthusiastically!