Third Week

Friday marked three weeks since the accident. Life moves on slowly. Days go by one by one, each brings its own pleasures and diversions. Flowers on the table make me happy.

We learn coping tricks and grow more accustomed to the helping routines that get me through this season of being "lame in both arms." (As opposed to Mephibosheth who was lame in both feet, 2 Samuel 9:3)

The Meal Train ended Friday as well, but we are well supplied with frozen extras for the future. Each contribution this week was special in its own way. We enjoy when the givers can also partake the meal with us.

Sunday, rather than delivering a meal to our house, our friends Dane and Laurie invited us to their home after the service (they live next door to the church). To our surprise, they had asked several other to join in "Rita's meal." We had a great time of fellwoship, wonderful food, and a fun game--Suspend.

Notice the Suspend challenge in the center

Monday, Leah took me to our local nail salon, Polished, andI chose a bold color for once.
And after we enjoyed our favorite foods at The Bridge Cafe across the street.

BLT sandwich (Leah), South African salad (Rita)

I continue to enjoy long walks, listening to books, observing nature, and exploring new spaces on the Taylor campus.

Tuesday, I hired three sisters who do landscaping to help restore order and beauty to our overwhelmingly overgrown surroundings. They worked wonders in four hours of steady hard effort even through a torrential cloudburst! "We loved it. I always wanted to play in the rain,"  one said.

That evening I attempted Sarah Cray's live tutorial, the weekly Paint Along, and was pleasantly surprised to be able to join in even with hand limitations.

Evenings we relax (and often fall asleep!) watching movies. This week a series of food-related ones: East Side Suchi, Tortilla Soup, Love's Kitchen; and a couple others, A Castle in the Sky, and I Dreamed of Africa.

Michael has been working steadily, bit by bit, on a major hardwood floor repair project, to replace a whole section damaged by our previous leaky refrigerator. He had to work some "magic" to fit the new-sized boards in old grooves. Friday he was able to say, "It is finished!"It is beautiful!

Friday afternoon we went to the our local Farmer's Market, always a fun commjnity event.

On this occasion, Matt and Kayla were there selling honey, always such a joy to interact with them.

A couple of Upland Farmer's Market vendors: Upland Honey, from Kern's bees; wreaths by friend Debbie Manganello

Skye and Destiny posted the big family news this week along with a first photo of our next great grandbaby due in 2020.

The weekend marked the end of the Logos Hope visit to Buenos Aires and also the closing of the Alumni retreat onboard. After the event, our Argentine Doulos shipmates, gave the leaders a replica of the Doulos as a token to represent the wonderful memories of our time involved in the ship ministry and the ongoing impact of the experience. View the moving response here.

So it is that life moves on and we find purpose in every day, every moment. "For in him we live and move and have our being ."  (Acts 17:28)

2015 Week 46: Busyness and birthday party

Beautiful weather prevails, although we had a couple very windy days and some rain.
I came home one day and the neighbor's car was parked in the middle of the lane. I couldn't see the problem from where I was parked waiting at the top of the lane. She came up to tell me there was a fallen tree. Her son arrived from school shortly after, three cars waiting to get through, and trying to solve the problem. Fortunately Mike was home and came to our rescue with a chainsaw.  Great opportunity for a photo! Several days went by without any photos other than this one.

Our little walking group agreed not to go out one morning because it was too cold and another  day because it was too windy. Excuses?

Thursday we had a delightful little visitor. While her mom helped with some cleaning tasks, Rebecca kept me company. I was at my desk and she sat at the child desk, although not for very long, her attention span is still quite short.

Monday through Thursday my schedule is very tight. Fridays feel a bit more relaxed and include meeting with writer friends and coffee with a neighbor at Common Grounds in a neighboring town, always at our favorite table. This time I chose hot chocolate.

Michael has been intensely busy. I think he's making up for the many months that he was so limited due to pain. We are so grateful that he continues to be pain free. He gets out on his bike almost daily. Surely exercise is helping as well.

Saturday, I had fun shopping at local sales and craft fairs--great shopping, and helped community friends.
I was fascinated by the fall decor of the first stop--every nook and crannie was taken up with seasonal decorations. The hostess' son had painted a grapevine over the front door, complete with little ants crawling on the stem.

Mid afternoon, Mike was home after a workday with other volunteers, cleaning up the brush around the lake at the Lion's Park, in preparation for the trailway coming through our town.

Zion's birthday is so close to Thanksgiving that it was a better idea to have his party early. We joined that fun at the YMCA where the children were playing games, the littlest ones were running around, and some ventured to try the climbing wall.

Jude ran up to me and in his special deep raspy voice he said, "Grandma Rita (as he caressed my chin), rock climbing, you can do it." I was not convinced.

Kristie and others were successful.

While the children played, the adults were able to visit.

Kriste, her mother and sister

What about the birthday boy? He seemed to be having a great time--lots of games, and then party food and gifts.

I couldn't find an appropriate card, so I printed up one of his funny photos. He laughed remembering the occasion, and loved it.

Little Rebecca had us in stitches with her aggressive kissing! She doesn't have other little ones to play with. This was probably the first time that she was around children her size. She was so excited, just wanted to hug and kiss them, on the mouth! What's she been watching?!

Another week has begun. Hope it is a good one for each and every one of you, my readers!

2015 Week 35: Teaching again

It's been a week of beautiful weather, pleasant temperatures, sunshine pouring in the kitchen window, humming birds flitting about, AND at the same time I've been intensely focused on preparing for class each day and keeping up with everything else as usual.
I am gratefully surprised by how well everything came together--a great beginning!

Michael left Monday to attend a workshop in Wisconsin on Tuesday, so I insisted on a goodbye selfie.

After the first class in Muncie, I went directly to Monday Night Meal at Stephan and Karen's. If that were not possible, I probably would have turned down the teaching job.

Fun after-dinner moments

The new teaching schedule does not interfere with my morning walks either!

Tuesday sightings

It's delightful to stop and talk to Debbie, who is also in my tap class! She works so hard to keep the Lightrider grounds and buildings looking good.
Rebecca joined us for part of the walk, very happy and comfy, interacting with us and pulling off her socks.

Mike arrived back after 1 AM and I never woke up. Evenings, after class, I am wiped out. Now I can relate to Karen and other teachers who are at it non-stop for most of the day!

Malachi's milestones this week: he got his license and began driving to school on Wednesday; and was chosen for a major role in the school play!

Photo credit Samuel Koch

Thursday, Kayla and Rebecca left to babysit cousin Jude. I walked only part way, as far as the Communications Arts Center to see the new entry way.

Redone open area, designed to match window above entrance 

Then I parted ways with my friend and jogged back to the car so I could catch a glimpse of preciosa and give them some items to take to Sam's family.

Two Debbie's chatting; Rebecca and Violet ready to travel

Thursday was also a big day for Michael: an appointment with the neurosugeon (goes back next week); stitches taken out of his hand (no more cancer!); and a late night at robotics getting ready for the Family Fest this weekend.

Jared flew in from Arizonain and took the shuttle from Indy airport. I picked him up after class at Cracker Barrell.

Friday morning, after collecting all (or most) of his things and packing his car, he was eager to be off and see his Anderson University friends!

Mike and I had a date night. We went to see the new movie War Room, about spiritual warfare.

Afterwards we had trouble finding the right place to eat--one was too crowded and noisy, another too cold, the next was closing. Finally we settled on Mexican, perfect!

Saturday, as I sit here looking out at the birds, suddenly a big beautiful orange one lands on the hummingbird feeder and figures out there is nothing there for him. I watch and manage one photo between the slats of the window blinds. 

Mike has been pain-free the last two days and even dreamed last night that he was again able to exercise and do anything he wanted. I wonder how his day is going at the Meridian Services Family Fest?
That is where the PhyXTGears' workshop is located. The team members set up a couple robots and some fun activities for the youngsters attending the fest.