Feeding the ducks is always a favorite thing to do.

I love this fountain at the entrance to the park.

If you look hard you'll see a baby duckling swimming in these waters.

After we left the park we rented a video and watched it together. Destiny didn't stay awake for the end, which amazes me, considering how many hours she slept this afternoon. But I'm not complaining! My bed is calling my name. I surely do miss my hubby.

Yard sale prep

I spent hours today going through boxes and bags of clothes (mostly Destiny's) to get rid of at tomorrow's yard sale. I am going to practically give the stuff away, because I do not want to bring it back home. Later this afternoon I drove to Reading to get Destiny, then went from there to my dad's house. We did not have any rain all week, (not since the torrential rain I drove in on Saturday evening coming home from State College) but it chose to rain cats and dogs while I was driving today! So I guess if it gets dry around here, I'll plan a road trip and it will be sure to rain!

The reason for being at my dad's this evening was to meet my niece Katie's boyfriend Matt.

Katie is my sister Rose's oldest daughter. As most of you know, Rose and her family live near Atlanta. Katie is a student at Kennesaw State University. Matt's family lives is CT, but he is a student at Auburn near Montgomery, AL. Their two families are very good friends from the days when they used to go to church together in CT. Katie and Matt are two amazing young adults and make a delightful couple. I'm so glad to have finally met him. My sister Mary Ellen was there also this evening. We had a great time together, especially eating my stepmother's scrumptious country meal, complete with brown-buttered potatoes. Yummmm.

I also love her gorgeous hanging flowers. She just has the right touch for so many things, including caring for my dad. We all love you tremendously, Mary!

Destiny and I need to hit the sack early tonight, because we have to leave bright and early to set up at the yard sale. The trunk of my car is PACKED FULL!

More cleaning out, more organizing

Dick left to go back to State College this morning. He had to start work at 10:30.

I spent a boring day here at home working on updating the church worship lists and the musicians' music notebooks. This evening was our last evening of VBS.

Tomorrow I will be going through about three years' worth of Destiny's outgrown clothes, as well as other things, preparing them for a yard sale I will be participating in at my school on Saturday. I love cleaning out.

I dreamed a dream

When I woke up this morning I was MAD. Then I realized I'd been dreaming - a really crazy dream. You know how dreams seem to mix a whole bunch of stuff into one? Well, I think this dream was a mixture of Michael Jackson news, my dentist appointment yesterday, my friend Kat's dentist appointment last week, and VBS. So here goes.

In my dream I needed to have dental work done. It seemed my dentist was a good friend (that's the part from Kat), and he was doing my dental work in his house. Before doing the work he was giving me medicine to put me to sleep (that's the part from MJ news). So I was sleeping, but I started to wake up and realized that the dental work wasn't done yet. I looked over and there was one of my 7th grade boys. (He's been coming to VBS this week.) I asked him why the dentist hadn't done my tooth yet - he had waited too long, and now I was already awake. He didn't seem to know, so I got up and went out to another room. There was my friend, the dentist, and a bunch of other family and friends, and it was already the next morning. I found out that while I was out cold, they had gone out to a party or family gathering or something, and had completely forgotten about me and about my dental work. I was yelling, "You went WITHOUT me?? How could you just forget about me like that?" And then I woke up feeling absolutely furious. Aren't dreams ridiculous?

This afternoon was almost like a bad dream. I took my dad and stepmother to his appointment with his cardiologist. We arrived at 1:00, a little early for his 1:20 echocardiogram. That was followed by a chest xray. Then a visit with the doctor himself was next, scheduled at 2:45. We got to his teeny tiny waiting room 15 minutes early. There really wasn't room for wheel chairs, and his was not the only one. But we found a place for him and began to wait. And wait. And wait. And wait.

After about an hour-and-a-half we were finally escorted to a little room. And there we waited some more. And waited. And waited. At long last the doctor arrived, looked at his xrays, the bloodwork and echo results, decided things look stable, we'll keep his meds the same as before, and we were dismissed. It was almost 5:00!!!! We were HUNGRY and thirsty and my dad had not brought any of his pain meds along.

But I want to say that he and my stepmother are both so tremendously easy and pleasant to be with, that even in such a miserable situation, I thoroughly enjoyed being with them. On the half hour trip home I had the local Christian radio station on, and they played a Gaither song, "Feeling at Home in the Presence of Jesus," a song our family used to sing at programs back in the day. And just like in the old days, Daddy sang bass. It just totally blessed my heart to hear him sing.

Dick is home

Dick has two days off, so he came home today. It was nice to have some time this afternoon to sit down and work on some of the details of our move. It will also be nice to have him mow our lawn tomorrow!

This morning first thing I had a dentist appointment to get that back tooth refilled (after the dental hygienist got the floss stuck and broke the filling!) I've also been working on some more sorting and throwing and packing and planning. We're having VBS at church each evening this week too, which is always a fun time. Here's what the stage looks like this year.

And here's a scene from the drama. Boomer, in the middle, is a such a comedian - both in real life, and especially on stage.

We're doing VBS together with another nearby church. What's really cool is that these two churches used to be one congregation when I was a little girl. I kid you not - we worshiped in one building one Sunday and the other building the next!!! When I was five years old the congregation was getting too big, so the decision was made to become two separate churches. But we did a lot of things together for many years - revival meetings, youth group. Somewhere along the line the two churches went their separate ways, and it's only old people like me that remember when we used to do things together. So it seems like a new idea. Isn't it funny how things go through cycles?

Of course the best part is that we VBS workers and families eat together each evening before it starts. Last night we had yummy meatball sandwiches and salad. This evening we had scrumptious ham, potatoes, and green beans. It's such a great chance to connect with people while eating.

Full, but good Sunday

This was a full, but good Sunday. I went to our church first this morning to lead the children's worship during Sunday School, then I went to my dad's church a few miles away because they were having special prayer and anointing for him. My sister Mary Ellen as well as my brother Dick and his wife Nancy were there too.

What a special time. First of all my dad, formerly the pastor of this church, sat in his wheel chair in front of the sanctuary, with my stepmother by his side, read a scripture from James, then gave a brief update and the reason he was asking to be anointed. Then we gathered around them for prayer. Of course we wept. How many times over the years my dad anointed and prayed for others, sometimes with amazing results. How often he was the one who visited the sick, listened with compassion, and gave encouragement. I pray that all he has sowed into the lives of others will come back to him abundantly.

This afternoon Destiny and I both took a good nap, then we went to the first night of VBS. We're doing a curriculum called Flight School. I'll post pictures later this week.

Destiny's friend Elizabeth came home from VBS with us. They're still up watching Peter Pan! They had popcorn and popsicles, and now they just brushed their teeth, so I think they'll soon be snoozing.

Arts Fest at State College

On Friday, after I picked up Destiny, we headed north to State College. Unfortunately, I hit the Harrisburg area at rush hour, so it took a very long time.

I met up with Dick at Lori and Anthony's house around 7 PM, then we headed into town to meet Anthony and Lori at the Arts Fest. We got some Chinese food at a stand. Whoa, did they ever charge an arm and a leg for that! After we ate we took Destiny to the children's water area, but by then there was a very cool breeze, and she wasn't interested. So we went home and all turned in for the night.

What a beautiful sight first thing this morning!

Looks like these two guys weren't finished sleeping.

Austin says, "Would someone give me something to eat, for heaven's sake?"

"Guess I'll just have to eat my big toe."

The rest of us had a breakfast of pancakes, scrambled eggs, and turkey bacon. Then Dick had to leave to start work at 11. Pep Boys is only two miles away from Anthony and Lori's house! That's the closest Dick has ever lived to his job.

This afternoon a little girl from Anthony and Lori's church came to spend time with Destiny. We went downtown and ate at Baby's, a 40's type diner. We sat at the counter, and it was fun watching them work.

Then we went to the kids' area of the arts fest. It had rained earlier this afternoon, but it became hot and humid while we were there - just perfect for the girls to play in the water-dumping area. They had a great time.

Austin just took in all the sights. He was so good the whole time we were there today. He seems to thrive on lots of activity.

Destiny and I went to Pep Boys before leaving State College to say goodby to Dick. He has two days off the middle of this week and will be coming home.

Just as we hit the road the rain started, and DID IT RAIN! I drove in torrential rain a lot of the way home. The last hour it wasn't raining, but I felt like it was trying to catch up with me. Just as we got home we were hit with a heavy storm. Now it's over, and I hope it's totally over for tonight.

Growing like a weed!

Look how this baby boy is growing!! And he's had nothing but breast milk! Lori says his chubby thighs are almost too big for the confines of this seat, ha, ha, ha! I will get to see him and squeeze those chubby thighs this evening. Can't wait! (I love the rolls at his wrists too.)

True friends

This is the fun gang I had lunch with today - the middle school teachers, bookkeeper, and administrative assistant from my school, left to right - Renee G, Cathy D, Darla M, Deb H, Lib K. We were at Lib's lovely home. Actually, we were also joined by a former middle school teacher, Melissa N, but she had already left by the time I remembered to pull out my camera. Each one is a very dear friend of mine, and it's hard for me to think of them being at school without me. We have so much fun together, we care about each other and our families, our joys and sorrows. I can just be me with them, and they love me. I will really, really miss them.

The fun begins

In addition to a doctor appointment and a hair appointment today, I started the fun of going through some things to decide whether to keep or to throw out. I'm starting with things that I can live without for a while - like my big stash of CD's.

I even had some cassette tapes that I brought along when we moved four years ago. How times change! I threw out a HUGE amount of cassettes before that move. But, alas, this evening I threw out almost all the ones I had kept. I don't have a cassette player anymore, but I did keep the tapes that have sentimental value. The oldest one is the tape of our wedding 38 years ago! There are many that I recorded of the kids when they were young. There's one that has Dick's mom's voice on it (she died in 1981) and several of singing groups we were in years ago.

I wonder if I'll throw out all my CD's the next time I move. It's crazy how technology keeps outdating things.

Busy days, but sad day

I've had a couple of busy days. Yesterday I caught up around the house, took Destiny home, then did a little shopping and some errands. In the evening we had a meeting at church for VBS volunteers. Our VBS starts this coming Sunday evening.

This morning I got up early and spent an hour-and-a-half pulling weeds before taking my shower, then took my parents to my dad's appointment with the urologist, ate a delicious lunch with my parents, spent the afternoon restoring order to the costume storage room at school, came home and did more weeding, and finally made a fool of myself trying to mow part of our lawn.

When we lived on our one-acre mini-farm I frequently mowed our entire property, most of it with the riding mower and trimming with the push mower. I LOVED mowing. But this little place, with a much smaller lawn, is on a hill, with a steep bank in front and in back of the house. Our current mower is a HEAVY self-propelled push mower, which I have never used. I asked Dick to show me how to start it before he left yesterday morning. It seemed quite easy. Until this evening when he wasn't here. I must have called him at least four times. One of the problems was that I needed to put gas into it!

I shed many tears as I worked today. Going with my beloved dad and my dear stepmother to all these appointments is beginning to have a feeling of, I can hardly write the word, a feeling of finality. Apparently cancer is the culprit, and at his age cancer treatments are not an option. Everything in me is just screaming and crying. Oh, God, how I hate cancer.

A GOOD day

Sunday was a good, good day. Dick was home, we went to our church to lead worship for the first time in many weeks, and we went to our favorite July 4th event at Longs Park.

Back when Lisa was taking flute lessons from Carol Bulson, who was then the first flutist in the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra, Carol invited us to come to the patriotic concert and fireworks at Longs Park. That was probably 1986. We have probably been there almost every year since then. Shortly thereafter, my sister Doris and her family started joining us each year, and now it's a deeply entrenched tradition. We always go early and establish our home base near the live cannons. My family has grown up and moved away, but Doris's has grown up and stayed in this area, so the majority of our group is her large family. My sister Mary Ellen has also begun joining us since she moved back to this area a few years ago.They estimated that there were around 40,000 people at Longs Park last evening!

Here are some pictures Destiny took for me. You family members who would like to see people up close and personal will want to click on them for a better view!

It looks like Dick and I are mad at each other! Actually, I was talking to my sisters on the other side of me.

We enjoyed watching Paityn trying to play cards!

Doris with her youngest grandson, Aiden.

As usual, Destiny was gettin' down with some of the music!

Much to Destiny's delight, Frank and Mari and her son showed up to enjoy the end of the concert and the fireworks with us.

FINALLY, after a too-long concert, they arrived at the much-anticipated 1812 Overture, complete with live cannons (so loud you could feel the ground and your heart shake!) and then the marvelous fireworks display - certainly the best in Lancaster County.

It was 11:15 when we got home.

This morning I sent Dick off again with more food and clean wash. Good grief, it's like having a son in college again! Except he's going off to earn us a living instead of costing us an arm and a leg!

Happy July 4th

HAPPY JULY 4TH FROM OUR HOUSE TO YOURS!

Solitude - some pros and cons

I don't think I've ever had this much solitude in my entire life. It has its pros and cons. Sometimes I feel like I just MUST have someone to talk to. And I hate the thunderstorms. But on the positive side - it's easier to be in tune with the Lord. And it surely doesn't take much housework or food when it's just me here.

My solitude for this week ended when I went to pick up Destiny for the weekend. I was ready for some noise around here! I took her to the rec center pool while I worked out, and this evening we were watching America's Funniest Home Videos, for lack of anything better on TV.

Tomorrow evening Dick will come home! He has Sunday off, so he'll be able to help me lead worship and then we can be together for our annual outing at Long's Park for the patriotic concert and fireworks display. He doesn't start work until 10 on Monday morning, so he'll drive up in the morning. We had no idea what his schedule would be, so we are absolutely delighted that he can be home for this special Sunday!

I'm doing alright

Well, I'm doing alright, so far, all on my own. We're having such lovely weather that last evening I was able to turn off the AC and open the windows. I decided to set my digital piano to full throttle pipe organ and I played a bunch of old Rudy Atwood hymn arrangements for any neighbors that happened to be outside. I think I chased all the boogie men and things that go bump in the night right out of my house!

Today I had a sweet time with the Lord in my favorite corner of the deck, went to the gym, took my parents to my dad's follow up appointment after the myelogram, returned a couple of things at the post office and the mall, and worked on the new music for VBS. And most fun of all - I ate dinner with Dick, Anthony, Lori, and Austin via Skype. How cool is that?? I was sitting right here eating at the computer when Anthony called and said, "We're all sitting here at the table eating, and I thought if you'd turn on Skype you could eat with us." It was great. Austin has learned to make a funny new noise that had us cracking up.

Dick's first day of work was very boring - no manual labor, just sitting at a computer learning necessary things about the company and their policies, etc. But that will change.

Now, just in case you didn't look at the pictures on Anthony's blog, here are a few more good ones from this weekend. (Please click on this first one to get a better look at the beauty of Pennsylvania's green, rolling hills.)

Now there's a thunderstorm coming. Yikes. This is a part of being alone that I dreaded.