Hair, Japan, contacts, choir, sick boy

I guess it's time to let you know I'm still alive.  I don't think I took one picture all week, so just a quick review of a few things I've done.

On Tuesday I again went to Empire Beauty School to get my hair done.  I asked for the same girl I had before, and this time she didn't have as much help from her teachers.  She did a fine job, but was very, very slow.  Again I realized that my 9:00 appointment (the earliest possible time slot) was stretching well past 11:00 and I couldn't possibly pick up Austin on time.  I could feel my shoulders tensing and my jaws tightening as she ever-so-slowly worked on my hair.  I felt sorry for her and for me.  I finally texted Anthony to see if he were possibly available to pick up Austin, and was SOOO relieved when he finally replied that he could.  All in all, the extreme savings cost-wise, makes the frustration worth it to me.  

Of course the dreadful situation in Japan is pulling on my heart.  Today I saw a sweet, young Japanese mother weeping as she told the reporter that there was no baby milk.  I wept along with her.  What in the world would you do with a baby that's hungry, if you were not breastfeeding, and there was no milk available?  When they talk about the people that are now told to stay indoors because of the nuclear situation, the cold temperatures, the empty stores, the devastation, I just feel such despair.  Yesterday I saw someone interviewing Franklin Graham from Samaritan's Purse.  They are quickly and efficiently responding to the need, and I plan to send money to them.  

Would you believe what the first thing is that comes to my mind when I imagine a sudden disaster like that?  Contacts, contact solution, and glasses!!  Do ministries and agencies that respond to the need ever provide such things?  Seriously, I am so extremely near-sighted that if I ever suddenly lost my house, including my glasses and extra contact lenses and solution, I would be desperate and handicapped.  

We had choir practice this evening.  The songs we're working on for Lent and Easter are SO beautiful.  They are running through my head all week long.  We always have so much fun at practice.  

Austin got another ear infection and a very croupy-sounding cough this week.  It sure is tough being a little one.  When he woke up from his nap today he just wanted me to hold him on the rocking chair for at least half an hour.  Of course, I just hated that, hahahahaha!!!  We had an absolutely beautiful Spring day today, and later when he felt better we went outside for a walk.  He is still obsessed with picking up last fall's stray leaves.  He found one really big one that he thought was a real prize.  Every other leaf he picked up he handed to me.  But not that big one.