This past weekend we spent with Dan's side of the family and had a crash course in family history. We were able to see the old family farm, visit the cemetery and then we spent most of Saturday scanning in old photos as we walked down memory lane. It is just so awesome to be part of such a loving family. I can't wait to start putting photos now along with the information I have (birth/marriage/death/etc). It's amazing when you can put a face to a name of those who have gone before.

 

As for the downs... we found out this past weekend that yet another close friend of the family is begining his own fight with cancer. The man is much too young to have to deal with this (mid 60s) and he is one of those people who has dedicated a vast amount of his personal time in helping those who need assistance. Please keep "jim" and his family within your prayers as he travels this difficult pathway.

Three years ago today I married my best friend and started on a journey which has made me a better person. It's amazing how when you meet someone who loves you for who you are how much that can be a foundation in your life. If I need someone, he's there. If I have a question, he's there. If I hurt, he's there. He's my best friend and every single day I still look forward to coming home to him.

 

I love you, Daniel. Here's to at least 70 more. *hugs*

Saw this on Stephanie's blog...

 

 

Today I came home to find a box waiting for me from Terri! She had my name in the EMS Stitching Board Staff Exchange and WOW! I was absolutely spoiled.

 

She stitched for me a hanging pillow that reads "I stich therefore I stash," an afghan, book of hummingbird patterns, two beautiful patterns, a hummingbird kit, fun magnet and a pocket calendar. I can't believe it ... I'm thrilled and it brough a very busy and stressful week to a close. Thanks, Terri - I love it!!

 

A man gone much too early. Blessings and thoughts be with his wife and son.

 

 

Political Cartoons:

Well, Iowa has gotten hammered with the wet stuff this spring and at last count there are 83 of the 99 counties that are declared disaster areas. The worst being up in Cedar Rapids in which the city is under water. Please keep all of those effected in your thoughts and prayers. Where we are, however, we're dry, have running water and electricity so we're doing well. Stay well!

I stood out on our back porch tonight and really enjoyed the nice, cool weather. It was so beautiful out tonight and so hard to think what tomorrow might bring along with yet another round of rain. Tonight they will allow the spillway to reach just under 900 feet and the "inflateable dam" section will be slowly lowered over night (technical term is "Numatic Flood Aide System"). This will let more water run down the Des Moines river and towards the capitol city. We'll know by tomorrow morning what tha all means in flooding terms. Think dry thoughts.

 

One bright moment, however, as I stood outside this afternoon - the sunset. It was just plain awesome and so I quickly grabbed the camera and took a shot. Enjoy and hope you are doing well in your section of the world. *hugs*

 

 

Today's scripture was:

 

"This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another."

1 John 3:11

 

So simple and yet so powerful.

Now that my partner in TN has received her stitched item from me I can finally post my first attempt at a pendibule. They are really easy to stitch and make up and make really pretty gifts. :)

 

Well, we're about to go through yet another night of thunderstorms and possible tornados. We've been hammered pretty hard across Iowa the past few weeks and most of us would give just about anything for a full week of pleasant dry weather. Tonight we grilled chicken even though it was pretty windy and got it done before any rain fell. Currently they are saying there's red on the radar to our west ... so we'll see how it ends up. According to the "weather ticker" there just above this post it shows rain, rain, rain and..... more rain.

 

Lately I haven't been sleeping very well due to pretty major joint pain. My fibromyalgia tends to flare when the pressure changes from low to high ... and right now we're back to low pressure as we wait for the storm. I've been depending on ibuprofen and stretching to get me through it. Tonight I did 22 logged minutes of Yoga on the Wii Fit and think that helped some. I'll go take more ibuprofen before bed with another bottle of water and call it good. Argh.

 

Only other news is I'm way behind on my stitching. Like WAY behind. I need to make myself stitch for a dedicated time each night or I'm just going to get further behind with the projects I'm trying to complete. Or maybe I just need to take a week of vacation... *grin* Yea, right.