One Busy Weekend

With all the trauma the past week, I totally spaced the PFLAG yard sale on Saturday. My son Jim called me Saturday morning to see if I was there helping and could check on baby equipment, especially a crib. I not only wasn't there, I'd forgotten it. I hung up and my other son called to tell me he didn't have to work until 2:30 and would I like to pick him up for the sale. Sure, why not.

I took Rochelle and Rebecca with me, Elcie was feeling lazy for which I was grateful (3's a lot) and we went over to the sale. Fortunately, they had plenty of help and most people who show up at sales are early birds. We ended up spending more than we intended. The baby monitor and car seat were a great deal; I'm not so sure about the golf clubs. For a baby? Nope. Tim and his brother talked on the phone and decided with two sets of clubs at $10/bag, they might take up golf. That should thrill Jim's wife with a new baby soon to arrive. At least they have two teenage girls at home with lots of experience in baby sitting.

The girls picked up a bunch of odds and ends (they need a few more of those) and a couple of little treasures for Elcie. At least we contributed some cash if not much physical help.

We took all of Jim's stuff to his house and then decided on breakfast at IHOP. Tim wanted to hang out with us so we went shoe shopping for the girls. Did very well - one pair of semi-dressy shoes each (okay for school and also for church or other special events). Guessed on Elcie's size but usually what fits Rochelle will fit her as long as it's not tight across the instep and has some support.

By then it was close to time to drop Tim at Barnes & Noble. I had just remembered they didn't have anything new for Easter. It's not a requirement but I try for one new outfit for each in the spring.

Elcie and Rochelle are out of kids' sizes and into the juniors so Rebecca tagged along in that section of Factory 2 U. We found two long crinkly skirts; one in bright orange (Rochelle) and one dark grey with metallic vertical stripes (Elcie) and found tops to match both. Paler orange for Rochelle and solid black for Elcie. Classy but still age appropriate. On to Rebecca. She's still a kids' size 10 or 12 at most and it was hard to find something in the little kids' section that suited. Finally located a pair of light aqua capris and a silky matching shirt. Dressy looking but still very Rebecca. I'll try to get some photos up but it may be next Sunday before they're dressed up. By that time I may figure out why my camera is giving me problems.

Then we were home for the day or so I thought. I caught the last two outs of the Giants game (we won). Then Tim called me from work sick and needing a ride please. He usually rides his bike but since I'd dropped him off he didn't. He can always get a ride at the end of the day but this was early.

Back Elcie, Rochelle and I went to Barnes & Noble. Rebecca was across the street at my neighbors. Picked up Tim; he was hungry so we stopped for fast food and finally got back home. The rest of my night is a little blurry but at some point we got the kids settled in and me too.

Sunday morning all of us except Elcie (but including Ray) went to church. Palm Sunday so the kids carried in the palms, our guitarist leading them like the Pied Piper (waving palms, not her guitar). She's a second grade teacher at their school and the girls get a kick out of seeing Ms. M. up there on Sundays with her guitar just like normal people. We have several of the elementary teachers at the church. Home again and then back to church at 5:30 with five kids (no Ray this time but two of the neighbor girls). We have a movie night every two weeks and tonight was Jesus Christ Superstar. I have it on video but the kids hadn't seen it. I'd thought they might be a little young.

They were fine until almost the end. Rochelle was weeping and Elcie had tears. They know the Bible story so it hadn't occurred to me they'd be upset. I hadn't seen it in a while and I remembered the music and dance more than the ending images which are a little graphic. Not Passion of the Christ type graphic which they still haven't seen and neither have I but still a little grim. We talked about it on the way home and they're fine now.

So that's my exciting weekend.

Welcome to Margaret who lives in Germany by way of St. Louis. She's an Army veteran with a cute little girl.

and Jacqui, a great-granny and maker of dolls and stuffed bears who lives in Bridgetown, West Australia. Nice to have another great-granny visiting.

and Dee who writes fuzzbunnies nest and lives in Pennsylvania.

and Cat a student from West Midlands, UK.

We also have Jo from Utah (mom and granny) and Jaws from someplace in Dixie. I thought I'd introduced them before (especially Jo) but maybe not. Oh well, twice is better than not at all. If I missed anyone, it was inadvertent.

We've had a couple of decent days in a row but more rain forecast for Monday through Thursday. So far it looks like it may be light showers, unlike last week. I took a look at the creek closest to us today and it's down to almost its normal level. It never did flood, at least not in town. I drove over a road full of chuckholes that I don't think were there before our storms. I'll avoid that one for a while. They're still concerned about the Friant Dam on the San Joaquin River (a combination of rain and snow melt could cause some problems). Lady Jan and I are both tired of being wet. San Francisco's been catching it as well.

I'm looking at almond trees sitting in water halfway up their trunks. (T.V. news). Disaster for the growers. Lettuce and cotton are suffering as well. And we still have people living in shelters. We may not be out of the woods yet.

Thanks to anyone I might have missed for their concern about Ray (and me). I said to one that the big problem with chronic illness is that it's chronic. We may or may not be off the roller coaster for a while. As of this moment, life is good.

Take care everyone.