Just Talk

Good Morning !  I don't have anything to show today.  I wanted to share that it may be a few days before I do.  My husband built shelves in the basement this weekend.  That means that my craft area is under some reconstruction.  It looks like a bomb went off down there.  My mom is coming in to visit for a few days so I'm not even sure WHEN I'm going to get things cleaned up.  That's ok.  I need to see my mom.  It will  all still be there when I am ready.

  I find that I am sinking under the pressure of the holidays.  I don't normally get like this.  That is another reason I have been a bit silent on the blog.  I want my blog to be a happy place.  I've been feeling a bit blue...that's not fun to read.  I decided that I would share a bit though.  I am also asking for a few prayers.

Please pray for Priscilla.  I'm not sure how much I can share at this point.  Just know that she needs them..

Also, please pray for my Dad.  He is going through so many struggles right now.  I am amazed by his strength to push through.  Without divulging too many details I will share a few things.  First, his wife has Alzheimer's.  She is only 60.  Each time we go to visit you can see how she gets a little bit worse.  Some days are better than others.  My dad is only 59.  He hopes to be able to retire and care for her.  The daily struggles of figuring out when and if it's time to have someone intervene are very trying.  My dad is amazingly patient.  Much more than I find myself being at times.  It is a balancing act everyday.  Juggling the possibilities of what she will or won't do.  His wife still wants to be independent.  That is a tough line to cross since there are days she has a hard time being that way.  My dad also has a very demanding job.  It has gotten worse over the years.  With no one around to help him with his wife it is even harder. Alzheimer's is a sad, stressful disease.  I don't think anyone really knows how hard it is for both the person and the caregiver until you SEE it.

 My dad also recently did a good deed for someone that ended up with some bad consequences.  His heart was in the right place; his luck was not.  So you see, he really needs some prayers.

I promise that my blog will not always be this much of a downer.  I REALLY hate getting like that.  I thought if I wrote about it I might feel a bit better about it.  So THANK YOU if you have read this far!

The holidays are always a little bit stressful for everyone. That may be why I feel so edgy.  Or maybe it's because of this conversation that I had with my son:

Let me set up the story first.  My friend, Mrs L (she reads my blog) substitutes at the school. She regularly fills in for Mrs. B. Last week was a BIG testing week for the kids.  The IOWA test...no we live in Ohio.  I'm already confused.  Then this conversation took place after waiting with 8 kids in the hallway of the school because my other friend was running late to pick her kids up.   Then SIX of those kids came home with me!  I felt the need for a drink that evening BTW!  Here's the conversation:

Dalton: Hey Mom, Mrs L. was in my room today!

Me: Oh yeah, I think she was Mrs. B today.

Dalton:  NO, it was Mrs. L.

Me: Yes, I know, but she was Mrs. B at school.

Dalton: No she was Mrs. L!  It was Mrs. L in my room.

Me: What I MEAN is she was working FOR Mrs. B today....in her room.

Dalton: No because I saw Mrs. B today.  She came in and got "so and so" to take him to her room.

Me:  Oh, she must have been taking him to do some testing.

Dalton: MOM, we are all taking a test.

Me:  Yes, but she does special...oh never mind.  

This is MY rendition of a "Who's on first, What's on second" skit.  When we saw Mrs. L that night Dalton told her she should wear a mask of Mrs. B when she works.  That might make it so much less confusing for our next conversation at home:(

Speaking of my son, he is having some difficulties at school.  He is such a hard worker, but he struggles so much with reading.  We are looking into extra help at school and tutoring.  It is tough to see him work so hard and have such a hard time.  So please pray for him too!

Thought I'd share a few picture of our trip to be a bit more cheerful.

  This was opening day of hunting.  My son went almost every morning with my husband.  My dad, uncle and cousin are also pictured.

My daughter went almost every evening.

We all spent a day hanging out in the barn, cutting and packaging meat.

Hopefully, I'll be back towards the end of the week with something to share.  In the meantime, I'm feeling better already.  Thank you!