Yesterday at work this girl comes through my line, she and her friend and I were chatting, I asked if she had a fuel saver so she handed me her keys . . . she looks at her friend and freaked out and said Where are my keys? Do you have them??? I kinda laughed and said no, I have them, well we all busted out laughing when she realized she had just handed them to me. She said one time she was talking on the phone to her Mom and said, Mom I have to let you go, I can’t find my phone! hahahaha oh man that girl is in for some trouble!!!!

I didn’t have to work today till 2:30 so was able to run to Gordmans and get a couple of long sleeved tops to wear under shirts this winter pretty happy about that little feat and thank You, Lord for the money and the time to get that done! Sunday I was able to get a new pair of shoes for dress up YUP the old pilgrim shoes are history after all these years! I also was able to get four new bras ok that’s enough information! hee hee

I went to the laundromat on Sunday afternoon. It had been over 12 years since I had been there. Yes JoAnna it was the one you got into the dryer and I took your picture. nothing has changed except for the machines same old feel and same old smell. There was a gal there in a Y Staff shirt. I asked her if she worked at the Marion Y she said no, she worked at Mercy Fitness the new branch the Y got last summer. It was nice to chat with her about that and to have the Y in common.

I picked up Tricia after I dropped the laundry off at home and she went shoe and bra shopping with me. If it wasn’t for her I would stopped shopping after the shoes, it was so overwhelming but she was a huge help in looking and fetching so I could try them on. I had such a headache when we were done! Thank you Tricia for the help and the company.

Xan and Alyssa spent the weekend with me whilst their folks went to Chicago. We had a great time! Saturday night after the Birthday extravaganza we came home and took showers and I rolled Alyssa’s hair. She said her hair is straight and she would prolly never have curly hair. I showed her just how easy it is to get curls she was so happy and she looked so pretty

Bible Study with the ladies at Joanne Hopson’s tonight what a blessing these women are! And the laughter oh man I needed that. It has been really neat getting to know these ladies better. Julie, September, Laurie, Willene, Pam and Joanne. Thank You, Lord for these women you have placed in my life!

Easy day tomorrow child watch then a free afternoon, I have some errands I need to run let’s see if I get them done

Heading to bed, this gal is tired tonight!

Friday started at the Y then to Hy Vee then Mom picked me up and we went out to Johnson’s, Marilyn wanted to have a get together one more time before my folks pack up and head to Arizona. I decided this time I was going to change my clothes when I got there instead of in the car, I was way too tired and getting too old for that kind of silliness.

It was a truly wonderful evening. Marilyn had us sing Ancient Words (recorded by Robin Mark) and as we were singing that and other songs that we used to sing years ago, I could almost hear Doug and Jim singing the songs and my heart was overwhelmed with gratitude to Jesus that the words we were singing about His great love and faithfulness truly are ancient words of Truth spoken before the World was created and are just as true today. I couldn’t even sing, so I just listened to Marilyn play and the voices of the people that have been so dear to me for nearly 40 years (some of them anyways) and cried and worshiped. Marilyn had me lead which is kinda strange but yet very familiar something I don’t do often, and I realized I don’t sing for any length of time anymore . . . funny how life changes.

I finally got home about 11 pm from there and got to bed about 12:15 – I had gotten up at 5:30 my normal getting up time on Fridays, setting my alarm for 7am so I could have a little time to read my Bible and have some coffee before Jillian’s soccer game. It was chilly in the kitchen with the windows open but such a beautiful morning. Soon I was out the door to Arthur. I had fun chatting with Sheila (she prolly didn’t enjoy it much because she felt so lousy but I needed to talk and so talk I did) Actually when i first got there I thought I saw Matt standing but he was alone and I thought maybe Sheila stayed home since she was sick. As I got closer I realized it was not Matt afterall but some other guy. There was a huge space of no chairs and sunshine and since I didn’t see any of the kids I thought maybe they weren’t there yet????? I got my chair set up and got settled and spied Jillian on the field but still not the rest of the family – curious. After about ten or so minutes the game was just getting started. I thought maybe they went for coffee????? Finally I texted Sheila to see if everything was ok . . . no response. After a little longer Ash texted and said they were down the field! ha! I told them I was in the sun down the other way she said they were in the shade (brrrr) a little while later here they come down to the sunshine! Isaac ran up to me and asked if he could spend the night. I told him yes but I had some things I needed to do so I would be in touch with him.

I left the game, ran to the bank and had a nice chat with Debbie Avis, then went home to shower so I could go get my nails done. It was just me and one other lady when I got there so I got extra treatment the guy who is in charge of the place said because of the Iowa game and the Iowa State game they would be s l o w fine by me, I was albe to relax and enjoy the massage chair and the pampering.

I stopped by the Oakland Rd Hy vee to get my medicine and a few really needed things then headed home to watch some of the game, but not near enough because I turned it before the big turn around win hiss boo! JoAnna had texted earlier asking if anyone wanted to meet for dinner she said they were at the cabin but were going to leave about 5:30. I was so excited!!! I was hoping it would turn into a girls dinner but ended up being just her and I and we had a marvelous time. It was so nice to catch up and laugh and talk about so many things. As we were leaving a little boy at the table next to us kept saying over and over what sounded like ‘naptime and lunch’ ‘naptime and lunch’ it was so cute, kind of annoying but so funny at the same time! Then we went to Hobby Lobby I had not been there yet, I had not seen any of the new shops out there or the new ones at Lindale – sheesh I need to get out of the house! It was a really great evening what this Momma’s heart needed!

Before I left to go with JoAnna Sheila, Matt and Jillian had dropped Isaac off. Andy had agreed to keep Isaac whilst I went with JoAnna so they boys went to Little Caesars and then back to Andy’s room to hang out they were both really happy about that

. . . to be continued

Long afternoon/evening at work happy it’s behind me!

Ashley Hinson came through my line the other day.I kept thinking this girl really looks familiar. . . When she swiped her fuel saver card her name came up Ashley something and I said don’t I know you from the news? She got a big smile on her face and said yes! She is way taller than I am that was a surprise

Tue I got a text from JoAnna that she was taking a group and going to Noelridge to shoot off rockets, if we wanted to join them we could So Hannah and I went out and watched. That was fun. One of the rockets went really, really high . . . they never did find it I am sure it either landed on a rooftop of one of the neighbors or in a tree far, far away

my poison ivy is finally clearing up. What a pain that’s been with all the swelling and itching = praise God it’s finally almost gone!

My friend Deb has really been on my heart, loosing her husband. It brings back so many memories most of which I really don’t want to revisit and yet the pain is way so much less now. Thank You, Jesus. I pray for her so often she has a long journey ahead of her.

A couple of weeks and the Emmaus study will start up again, I am so looking forward to that.

I have all next weekend off and no plans! YAHOO!!!

Slept in today till 8:40 then woke up to the sound of thunder what a blessing!!!

Heading off to bed, this girl is tired!

had a good, long day at work – got to re stock pepsi products I have done that a couple of times before so I feel like a pro

I have a rash on my arm that my work shirt brushes against – ugh

last week my Mom, Dylan and Robbyn all celebrated birthdays

very sad the summer is coming to an end – after I said goodbye to the kids at the pool, then dropped the other kids off at their respective homes, I was overwhelmed with such sadness knowing that change is about to happen again. No more pool days or time with the kids, then started thinking about when Colton went to school and how difficult that was, and my work schedule changing . . . funny how thoughts get carried away and take you places you really don’t want to go

Last wednesday I had the grandgirls overnight. We made homemade pizzas – Hannah made one with pepperoni stuffed crust poor Alyssa had a bad allergy night and was awake most of the night crying, sneezing and blowing her nose, I felt so bad! But I know what to do if that ever happens again

we went to the pool 3 days in a row this past week, I thought my skin was going to burn off – how in the world did we go most days last summer? sheesh

I got to sing in child watch with Sheila and the kids, that was fun I really hope she will come again after school starts when we have the littler kids again. Then she asked me to sing with her in the lobby. I forget how easy it is to sing with her and just let our voices blend and harmonize. I really miss that

several deaths recently makes me remember how fragile and unpromised this life is.

life has been busy but should be slowing down or maybe speeding up with school starting up – change is difficult and yet it’s not

I am so very thankful to Jesus for never changing and being so faithful to me no matter what. I fail Him so often and yet His love for me never changes, that’s what His Word says! He is so wonderful and He holds me in the palm of His hand.

Mid way through August . . . shouldn’t it be June?

Monday July 14 I worked from noon to 6. I get a 20 minute break usually about half way though the day but I like to go on break with about 2 hours left so my last part is shortest. Anyways, Monday I was up in the ‘very quiet’ breakroom all alone enjoying the quiet eating my lunch and reading the newspaper when Lucy comes in. She is a transfer from the Oakland Road Hy Vee and is really nice and sweet and we usually talk when we see each other.

She was trying to get something on her phone and was having trouble so she walks over to the door that leads outside, pushes it open and BAM the loudest alarm went off! Oh my goodness, it was so loud and had like 3 levels of alarms. Well here the alarm is sounding and she can’t do a darn thing about it, and all I can do is laugh! so much for my quiet break.

Drew finally comes flying in the room and he is not happy! Asking what the heck and what were you thinking with Lucy apologizing all over the place. I stopped laughing right away! I felt so bad for her but man it was funny at the time. Drew said, didn’t you read the sign?

Warning! Alarm will sound if door is opened – (believe the sign!)

My day began with Jan coming in to work singing Happy Birthday to me and giving me a big hug! Next thing I know JoAnna and Hannah are there with a beautiful bouquet of flowers for me! I got cupcakes and a Happy Birthday sign from Kay and got to make popcorn

Had lunch with Liz and Hannah then went and picked up everyone to go to the pool

Spent the afternoon at the pool with Hannah Xan Alyssa Sheila Jillian and Lilly then Jolene Missy B and Will came I got to have a birthday ice cream sandwich from my daughter the paid guitar playing singer

Dropped the kids off after swimming, got to wave at Robbyn and hear her Happy Birthday to me

I got several texts and lots of fb messages today

Then tonight at work Marlys and Dale came through my line and sang Happy Birthday to me and to top it off my Mom and Dad came through my line and sang Happy Birthday I am one blessed girl!

I got to see all my kids except Matt today, but I did get to see Asa at the pool so that was good!

where on earth has this month gone?

today:
got to sleep in till 8!!!

had a nice quiet time

did a couple of loads of laundry and my dishes

got a ‘climber’ hooked up for my morning glories

got the last planter on my deck planted boy were those little plants happy!

work today from 1 to 6 then the Goodwill fashion show tonight

other things:
did not work Tues night, Demi asked to work for me (then she was late so that made for some hassle moments but it all worked out)

Thurs night most of my shift I got to feed cans or plastic bottles into the can crusher at work and stock beer

drama, drama, drama at work in the mornings glad to have this all behind me!!!

tomorrow:

looking forward to hearing Bill Davis tomorrow morning

today I:

got up at 5:30

left for work at 6:43

did all my normal stuff at work, folded a bin of towels, talked with Eric about some concerns in Child Watch

spent time outside due to the fire alarms going off

got the popcorn started for Popcorn Friday

chatted with Ashleigh when she came in to work for her mom

came home and mowed the lawn at least part

had lunch and chatted with Liz

finished mowing the lawn

layed out with my sister and had a nice visit

took a shower

rode with Andy when he went after his check

texted with Sheila ( I will be glad when they are home!)

watched Star Trek newer one

heading to bed – long day tomorrow

I was sitting in the break room having lunch Memorial day when Dean the meat dept manager comes over to me and said, Kathy? I said yes, he said Roxanne would like to talk to you when you are finished. Ok I told him.

I started trying to think if I had done something wrong or was my drawer way off more than one time, is she going to tell me I am done or what? Roxanne is our HR person, the gal who hired me . . .

I finished up my food and walked into her office . . . She said Dean was wondering if I would be interested in working in the meat department. Slicing meat, making deli sandwiches stuff like that. I told her I did not know anything about the meat department but sure why not. Then I asked her when and what hours would that be? She told me not for a couple of weeks but the hours would be 2 to 7 five nights a week – ugh. She said they were looking for someone dependable who showed up for their shift on time and someone they could count on.

I thanked her but told her no, with summer coming I wanted to spend afternoons with my grandkids and I wasn’t crazy about working nights esp every night. She thanked me for telling her before hand instead of after the fact and she would keep me just where I am

I was relieved and pleased with that little visit with Roxanne

I had a couple of things happen today that was totally God’s Hand and I wanted to write it here to not only give Him praise but to help me remember when I look back.

I had my bank send my sister a check for my phone payment in April. After the due date I got a text from her saying my bill was now overdue . . . when I could finally get home and check my bank I had indeed had the check sent but it seemed it was lost. So a couple of weeks go by and still no sign of the check. Tricia kept encouraging me to see about a stop payment on the check but to pay to stop payment was almost half of what the check was for! sheesh. I felt I should just wait, so I did. Yesterday on the way to pick up Andy from work I was thinking about the lost check again and I said out loud Lord, I never asked You about the check and I am sorry. Will You please make that check show up?

Today I got a call from Tricia . . . she had the check! It was mixed up with another check she had but she had the check!!!!! I was so thrilled and thankful we both praised God and rejoiced over His goodness to us both!

Tonight at work a guy came through my line with a carton of pop I rang it up and told him the total and he handed me a $20.00 I was going to get his change when he said I thought those were three for such and such . . . but there was only one back there. nevermind I will go back and get some more pop. Took the $20 and walked away! Sheesh! Now what do I do. My drawer was going to be short- great! So I took the receipt and wrote on the back of it what had happened. When my shift was over Delaney told me to go ahead and go home. I told him I needed to talk to him first. He came over to my register and I explained what had happened and he thanked me for telling him and keeping the receipt! He is also one of the bookkeepers and he would need to know why the registers and receipts were not balancing. He also said to me if there ever is a problem I would talk to you the next day, you have been fine so far so it’s all good. Praise God!!!! On the way to work I had thanked Him for going before me and staying beside me He is a GOOD God!!!

I am tired, I need to go to bed . . . right after ice cream