Saturday, May 25, 2013

Quickly Stopping In to Update....

Hello from Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
Warren and I are here enjoying the Gaither Homecoming Family Fest with 
thousands of other people.
Really...It is PACKED!

We postponed our trip by a day so that I could see the 
cardiologist to discuss my abnormal test results.
Turns out I have 2 of three indicators that would send me 
for a heart cath next.
However, 
this doctor is great and not invasive test happy so 
we talked at length and went back to some results 
I had three years ago that led to a heart cath,
which was basically fine.

He has agreed to hold off unless I have more symptoms.
I believe I can not have the symptoms if I build 
up my cardiac health slowly rather than 
my propensity to jump in with both feet when I do something.

So...If you see me walking slowly on flat surfaces over the next 
weeks or months I'm just following doctor's orders.

But we are here!
The weather is cooperating very nicely.
The natives are freezing because it went down to 40 degrees
last night but we are loving it.
Not hot.
Not muggy!  
Praise the Lord!!

We enjoyed lunch at The Old Mill Restaurant yesterday.
It is a very delightful place.



The food is so plentiful that I brought half of my meal 
back with me.
And...we have enough left on our gift card to eat there
again on this trip.
Thanks Mom!

I forgot to bring my camera....
Obviously I was not myself when we left.
Too worried about that doctor's appointment.
This blogger almost never forgets her camera.
Sigh....
A trip, in the mountains, with all of this beauty and I have 
to ask Warren to take pics with his phone.....
double sigh.

Oh well.
I'll live.

Hugs....
See you soon.
We are off for day two with awesome music 
and thousands of Saints of God.






Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Hard Days

Sunday afternoon was going along in a very nice kind of a way
with a fun ladies meeting where we enjoyed tea
and a talk by my awesome mother.
This talk was about trusting God.

That He is trustworthy.

He is indeed.

It is a very good thing we know that.
For shortly after we finished our time together
with prayer for needs in our group
there was an urgent call.

Our dear friend, Amy, was in trouble.
Miscarrying.
I won't recount the details.
If you'd like to know more you can read
Deanna's blog post 

We are so thankful that God spared Amy's life.
She is very precious and special to all of us.

We weep with their family for this loss.

Then yesterday I went for some tests on my heart.
Finally.
I started this process with one group and have 
had to change cardiology groups midstream.

Test number one went smoothly...
as far as I could tell.
Test number two....
not so much.

There were complications and 
I ended up needing 2 doses of nitroglycerin
and oxygen
to calm my heart back down.

I am left wondering what I will find out 
at my next appointment.
It seems that I'm not really going to like it.
But I'm praying that it isn't as bad as it seemed.
Perhaps they will simply add another med.

However, 
I am a bit apprehensive.
There is no doubt about it.

I passed it along as a prayer request to the ladies at church
and immediately received a call from one of them.
She reminded me of Mom's talk.
Honestly, I had not even thought of it.
But how perfect was that timing?

Not many hours later
I turned on the news to watch a killer tornado
roar through Moore, Oklahoma in real time.

It is no wonder my heart is heavy today.
I've seen that many of you are feeling the same way.
But the best news is this:
Our God is trustworthy.
He can be trusted...
in all.

Whether it is a bad medical test.
The tragic loss of a darling baby.
A son heading into the Army.
A daughter heading to the other side of the world.
A road trip to new places.
Or....
Any number of other things we may face,

We can worry....
For all the good that will do.

Or we can trust.

I'm going to try.
Really, I am.

How about you?



Friday, May 17, 2013

Grocery Shopping with My Girl

Chelsea caught my love of grocery shopping.

It used to be something Warren and I did together
but over the years I've tended to get out and do 
it while he is at work.

Of course,
Chelsea has a little different shopping style.
She likes the far away store.
Because they have "everything"!
I prefer going to two or three nearby stores
and getting sale treasures.

So, we blend our styles.

I've made a list of all of the sales items I want 
in two of our local stores 
and we plan to go to her favorite store as well.

There will be lots more fruit and veggies in our future.
'Tis the season....they are beginning to appear and 
are very tasty.


Our menu kind of went by the wayside this week.
It was such a crazy week.
Monday was the Baby Shower....so Chelsea made a chicken casserole
for the guys to eat here.
Tuesday I made sausage on the grill while Warren mowed the yards.
I had mine with scrambled eggs while he put his on a roll.
Wednesday I turned Sunday's remaining spare ribs, leftover pasta and some quick cheese
sauce into a dish for Warren while I ate leftover sausage.
Last evening I made rice to go along with Mom's delicious sauced chicken,
sweet potatoes, salad and corn.  Yum.
Tonight?
Well, it is up for grabs.   
I'll have to see if there is anything written on the menu for today.
I just don't remember.

In any case, 
did you notice I ate "at home" all but one of those nights?
And that was the planned baby shower.
Yay for us!!

Eating out is our entertainment.
Its what we do for fun.
LOL

But, it is also pricey in money and calories.
So....we are attempting to do better.
My bloodwork was improved 
so I'm thinking our changes are helping.
My doctor was encouraging.
Even though the pounds aren't just dropping off
as I would wish them to
it would seem I'm headed in the right direction.

So...we continue to enjoy our grocery shopping
for delicious and healthy foods.

Pass the veggies please!

Thursday, May 16, 2013

It Has Been a While


Tidbit hasn't had any blog time for quite a while.
She was looking kind of cute
on the other end of the sofa this morning.

She was on the other end of the sofa because
I made her leave the space just by my ear.
This cat purrs so loudly that it can be 
distracting.


Have a wonderful day.
I'm off to the candle kitchen to finish up 
an order for the Shar-Pei Rescue, 
prep some candles for a local shop,
mail some candle club orders
and to make up a Baby Shower Favor order.

I also have to stop by the school district office
to see if they have some paperwork 
the Army is requesting from Mikey.

I'm so torn as to whether I want them to have it.
Sigh........
Let's just say that I'm getting less sleep these days
with all of this underway.

Later we have music practice and some work time
at the church since we had carpet put in.
Time to replace the things that had to move.

Plenty to do around here.
Always.

Monday, May 13, 2013

Triple Baby Shower


This evening's baby shower was sweet.
Three mama's....two born babies...and one about to be born.

Precious little Benjamin.
He came to the party with his eyes open
and a good appetite.

I got to hold him for a bit.
That was awesome!
It has been way too long since these arms
have held one this young.
He was two weeks old on Sunday.
His mama, Susanna, is very dear to me.
You may know her as belonging to Katie
if you've been reading here long.


Our baby shower was held at 
in Lampeter
with the amazing food being 
catered by 

It was the perfect place to meet up.
We reserved it after hours
and were delighted
by the 
service and food we enjoyed!


I ran out to take a photo of the sign.
I love the new logo.

Chelsea and I have been championing this 
local cafe since they opened.


Deanna, of Creekside Cottage, snuggled with little Owen.
He is growing so quickly.
But thankfully he still has that newborn snuggle thing
going on........


Molly, who is about to become a big sister again
practiced her baby holding skills on Benjamin.
I love this face!


Brigette and Kim open gifts with Molly's help.
I think Molly is going to help to dress her new baby 
brother when he gets here.



Trying to keep the centerpieces simple I used 
these glass boots which I filled with sand and a 
hot chocolate tea light.
Then I searched until I found little cowboy hats.
These were set on a piece of bandana fabric.


Some of the food.....
Fruit tarts.


Ham or Pesto Chicken Salad Sandwiches.


Petit Fours.


Lemon Bars....
Some thought these were the best thing there.


Best Ever macaroni salad.


My favorite Item...
Red Potato Salad.
Yum!!

Our evening together ended 
with prayer for these ladies 
and their families.

Such a special time.




I know everyone is busy these days
but I'm soooo thankful for those who were willing
and able to come out and celebrate
the miracle of life and these 
lovely women who are dedicated 
to God and their families.

Saturday, May 11, 2013

One Week Ago Today


One week ago Warren and I enjoyed ourselves 
at Hershey Farms.

While waiting for lunch to be served
we strolled past the delightful goats.


I just love goats.
If we ever have a little farm......


They have such wise eyes
and playful attitudes.

They are curious
and usually very friendly.




After leaving the goats we strolled to the pond
where there were several duck and geese.








Tis the season for lots of new life.
Every one a miracle.

Happy Mother's Day
to my 
Mommy friends.

Never forget that 
you have been given a very special gift....
and that you are a special gift
to the child 
placed in your care.

Friday, May 10, 2013

Back to School


Edited to add:
Haha....on one very sleepy evening I actually did 
update you on the school stuff.  
Oh.my.goodness......please forgive me for the repeats!
Remind me never to post when exhausted.
However, there is more information in this post
and it took me a while to write so it stays.


On this lovely day in Lancaster County
Chelsea and I have some plans this morning.
Nothing fancy....
just some cafe time together.

Then, a bit later this afternoon, 
 I'll be off to that Lancaster City Middle School
to make hot chocolate mugs with 
the kiddos there.

Some of you said they were waiting to hear 
how it went after the first time.
Oops. 
Sorry.

Well, I may be late in letting you know
but here it is.

I had a blast.
Teaching is one of my favorite things
to do.....ever.

These kids were fun.
They may have been a bit skeptical when they 
came in but one girl expressed it well when 
upon leaving she turned and thanked me
then said, 
"This was actually fun!".

Ha.

That's my payday.
Love it!

The second time I went 
the kids were so 
exhausted.
They had been on a field trip that day
so I took it easy on them and after getting
our candle making demos done
 the second group and I 
played 20 questions.
I have an hour with each group.

We also put the wicks into their mugs
in preparation for today's adventure.







There really isn't three hours worth of candle making
to teach middle schoolers.
Making candles is a LOT of hurry up and wait.
And since I'm carrying in and out everything
we had to do things that could be done and
set up within an hour.

Last time I demo'd 
spearmint tea candles.



For the first class I made tea lights 
that were headed to 
Australia.
The students were properly impressed at 
my world wide fame!
LOL

So....that leads me to trying to figure out how to fill
the waiting time today.
Maybe some fragrance identification game.
Yep!  
I'm thinking they'll be sniffing the oils today
and running a bit of a relay.

In between putting marshmallows on their 
hot chocolate mugs.

It is going to smell soooo good in the classroom today!