After about 4 weeks of intense schedules, I felt rather adrift yesterday with a normal pace of life. Here are just some of the recent happenings-
We celebrated JR's 17th b-day on the 29th. We went to Grandma M's for lunch, then he went with the youth in the evening- had a good time playing outdoor games at one of the church families.
He had his last session of equine therapy the previous week. It was encouraging to hear their observations of the progress he made. He has gone horseback riding there since, but we can't afford more therapy right now. We had an appointment with the Dept. of Developmental Disabilities in hopes of qualifying for their services, especially a job coach. He was tested, then we toured their facility; we were feeling rather upbeat about the possibilities, only to be cut loose once again. He scored too high. It's good that he is high functioning, but bad in that we do NOT qualify for services. We already knew what the test showed- he is too capable to be classified as disabled but not capable enough to live independently. Pray with us that he could find a job.
We sold the day cab. We were not looking to sell but had an offer, so we let it go. Now R spends his spare time shopping for a replacement. We need a day cab to get in some of the tight places he has to deliver to; farm lanes generally are not designed with big trucks in mind.
We have been wanting an aerial photo of our house. We had a fella stop in with a photo in a nice oak frame (made in good ol' Lanc. Co) that he was selling for less than any other offers we had. So we now have our aerial photo.
On Sept 4 we went to an air show in the northern part of our state. We haven't gone on any vacations this summer and this is something the menfolk have been wanting to take in, so we decided this was the year to go. After a week of a 90*+ heatwave, it was supposed to cool off to a comfortable 70* that day. We didn't think of taking jackets. Or umbrellas. About the time we arrived in the outskirts of the city, it started to rain. It appeared like it would blow over soon but it continued to rain all morning. We didn't drive that distance to stand at the entrance of the parking garage, so we asked if we could leave to buy jackets & umbrellas without paying to re-park. Lack of business= no problem. We drove around almost 2 hours till we returned with umbrellas and inexpensive jackets. The store we were finally directed to for jackets was distinctly African American and 2 of the jackets we bought had a gang-type symbol on the back that upon returning home and reading the tag we fervently hope no one recognized.
Upon returning to the air field, the rain tapered off. The umbrella was no good because the wind promptly turned it inside out. It was very windy and cold. $50 for jackets we didn't otherwise need felt like money well spent. Some of us were shivering despite them. A was in flip-flops and had to sit on her feet to keep them from freezing. It really was miserable. In all that commotion, I inadvertently left the camera in the van. It was a good 20 minute hike back to the parking garage (because one had to go around the block to get there). I was just sick! R was a real trooper and went after it during a lull in the show. Some acts were cancelled due to the high winds. We were amazed that the wing walker still performed. That's her on top of the plane below.
At one point A wanted me to open her bottle of flavored water; in spite of opening it slowly, it ended up spewing half it's contents into my lap which left me feeling distinctly sticky. Wow, this just was not my day! We also played the "I have to go to the bathroom- Why didn't you go back there- But I didn't have to go then" game on the way home. To end a perfectly miserable day, we arrived home to the letter in the mail stating that JR scored too high on the aforementioned OEDI to qualify for services. In spite of it all, the guys thought it was worth going, although JS was disappointed the radio controlled craft couldn't fly. R was intrigued by this jet truck. (Note the parachutes out the back to slow it after it had just raced a plane.) Yep, it's a Pete.
We celebrated R's b-day the next day with peanut butter pie (his ticket into my family- that ones for you, bro). After the evening program at church, we went camping with the youth. We set up our camper so we had comfy, cozy beds to fortify us through the 40* temp overnight. After breakfast (nothing like campfire bacon, right?), the youth watered down a garden and played several games of mud volleyball and football. I had no desire to help, but stayed to take pictures. In typical youth fashion, how to get home in muddy clothes was not pre-planned. Farm & Dairy seat covers to the rescue. Once I got home, I had more food to fix for the church picnic in the evening. Bed would've felt good, but I went to the picnic for supper and stayed to watch part of the cornhole tournament.
Tuesday I had a large pile of laundry. One of our pumps decided to give out; combined with the draught, doing laundry on one well was an extended project. Fortunately the pump finally came in and R installed it that evening. It had occurred to me on Saturday that I only have this week to get 2 dresses made for family pictures. I got them both cut out on Tuesday and started sewing A's. When I tried the bodice on her, it was too small. Make a new pattern and start over. I'm feeling stressed!
By Wednesday AM the water had settled in the well and I had plenty of clean water once again. PTL! Was able to finish the laundry plus wash 3 very large loads of towels. I got A's dress sewed, ready for the hemming.
Thursday I was feeling the pressure to "put the pedal to the metal" on the sewing machine. I started on my dress in the morning, made the weekly trip to town for groceries, library & banking in the afternoon. Right after school I took JS shopping -major items on the list: white shirts for the menfolk to wear for family pictures, and some archery equipment for JS. He's counting the days!
Friday- the pressure is really on now! Laundry had to be done. The sleeves didn't fit my dress so I had to start over. Make a new pattern, which then has to be tweaked. Ripping seams. Ticking clock. No time to eat. Target departure time of 3pm- I'm still at the sewing machine. Revised departure time of 4pm- I'm still at the ironing board pressing the hems, while everyone is responsible for their own packing. 4:30- loaded up & heading east! But I'm so jittery from the stress that I can't hem. And carsick because I haven't had time to eat. Eating doesn't help. R needs me to take over driving because he's fighting sleep. That takes care of the carsickness, but now it's almost dark... and I keep pricking my fingers when we hit bumps. 10pm- arrive at my parents' house and resume hemming until I'm too tired to see straight (which isn't long).
I never, ever leave my house so dirty when we go away. I have this funny thing about being in an accident -my in-laws being shocked and my mother embarrassed at my untidiness. When all else fails, I at least straighten up and sweep floors. This time I overcame my phobia and left the house as it was, which resembled an airport that hasn't been cleaned for a week while the masses rush in & out. After all, the doors are locked and no one will see it, I told myself. About half way to our destination, R's cell phone rang - our favorite bro-in-law (none of 'em read this so I can say that; no, seriously, we're glad to call him family) wants to borrow our commentary. R tells him he has to clean up before he leaves if he goes in. But alas, our mess awaited when we got home.
Saturday- drag myself out of bed at 6:15 to resume hemming. Ticking clock. Tangles in thread. As Mom always said "The hurrier I go, the behinder I get." Just when I'm ready to implement Plan B- hemming on the way to family pictures while wearing the dress and using scotch tape on the remainder, Mom whips out a needle and helps. Hooray, time left to eat breakfast! And iron the mens' shirts. We've made it! The whole family shows up in outfits that coordinate instead of clash this time-predominantly blue denim & white. Nice location and perfect weather for photo shoot.
The evening is taken up with a supposed-to-be surprise party for my brother's 30th b-day. Our cover was blown when he went into the basement, smelled the BBQ and saw the roaster ...after inviting himself over for lunch. I'm a bit disconcerted that I can easily remember things that happened 30 years ago.
And now I must sign off. While I don't have such a rigid schedule this week, I do have the office to houseclean and more sewing to be done, maybe some painting thrown in to keep life interesting. And A's b-day coming up this weekend- she wants to have company, which involves cleaning this dirty airport and making some food.
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