The First Hundred: November 2006

Closed Doors & Open Windows

It may seem to be a trite saying, but I do believe that when you run into a closed door you'll find a window open somewhere.
No, I didn't get the clinic job, but I will be starting two part time jobs which will give me plenty of hours and the flexibility I've been looking for.
Waiting for an answer to prayer can sometimes seem interminable, and a bit nerve-jangling. When the answer isn't what you expected, you can be disappointed.... or paradoxically, relieved. That's what I felt when the clinic job didn't materialize. I had the answer to my prayer: God had something else for me.
Feel that fresh breeze? The window's open!

Happy Birthday Josiah

Josiah turned 2 earlier this week, and has been opening presents all week.

Today was "cake and ice cream day". What fun!

I think he and Daniel will have fun being Bob the Builder.

Thanksgiving

Hope you had as nice a Thanksgiving as we did, and took time to count all your blessings.

This is the only way I can get Josiah to sit still for a picture these days.
We enjoyed a gourmet Thanksgiving dinner. Andrea and Daniel tried a bunch of new recipes;
apple cider-marinated turkey;
white cheddar cheese mashed potato bake;
pecan/brown sugar sweet potatoes;
sausage/cornbread stuffing;
bread pudding with cherries...
It was all dee-licious.

Josiah made sure Daddy got the important stuff on video.

Making Progress

Welcome to my world.
I still have a few things to put away.

In the meantime, my guest room is ready (or at least ready enough).
So, when are you coming to visit?

I'm taking a break and looking forward to Thanksgiving in Chicago with PR,
Daniel, Andrea and Josiah.

A Moving Experience

Yesterday was moving day. PR, Daniel, and friend Pat drove out from Chicago with a truckload of stuff. Thanks, guys! It was a long day, and since Daniel had a big paper due today he brought along the laptop to get a few minutes of work in...

This is the "before" picture.

This is the "after" picture.

I spent about 8 hours today, mainly getting the kitchen put together.

"Before".....

"After!"

Tomorrow after church, Lord willing, I can get to work in another room.

In other news, I have a "second" interview at the clinic scheduled for Tuesday afternoon. This one is to meet the doctor, so it looks like I'm on the short list. Keep praying!

Birthday Fun

Yesterday was one of my best birthdays ever.

First thing in the morning I was greeted by a lovely tribute from my sister, MaryM.

I was treated to breakfast at the Parkway by Reiley and Luke (and their parents), and to dinner at Macaroni Grill by Josiah (and his parents).

And sandwiched in between, I had a leisurely two-hour drive back to Chicago (and a nice 25-mile cell phone visit with my mom) so I could join PR in the continued quest of sorting, packing, and purging our belongings in preparation for the big move. We are discovering how much "stuff" you can accumulate when you live in the same house for over 13 years. (It's the longest we've lived anywhere since our childhood homes.) I think it will feel good to lighten the load.

I arrived to a stack of mail (only two bills, but several birthday cards), and piles of boxes and bins. PR evidently had a busy week ! I rolled up my sleeves and dived in.

In the midst of everything, there was a welcome phone call from PFC Mark, now in desert training in California. I was pleased to know he remembered his mom's birthday.

So, today is the first day of my 54th year, and I'm going to make the most of it. So much to do, so little time...

Work Crew Encore

While I took a break from painting, the work crew took a break from raking leaves to have a "picnic" lunch.

After a good nap, Reiley got back to the business at hand.

Luke pitched in.

Actually, he was searching for his juice cup that got buried...

Jason stopped by after work and helped make short work of all those piles of leaves. He calls himself his mother-in-law's "cheap labor".

Cleaning House

We closed on our house yesterday, and spent the morning today doing some cleaning. We hired "The Austin Boys", specialists in vacuuming. (We'll be getting the carpets cleaned, but thought it best to at least get some of the previous owners' dog and cat fur picked up first.) The only thing missing was Cousin Josiah, to help with attachments, plugging and unplugging, and pressing the on/off button.