With the busyiness of preparing for Easter coming and going, I am feeling the joy of the Easter season. After looking for a new vehicle for several weeks, we traded our 2000 buick with 144,00 mi. for a 2005 GMC Envoy. What amazed me was how easy it was to get a great rate, and within our pre-conceived payments. It's been a struggle for us the last few years, and our diligence to improve our credit has paid off. This SUV has so many nice features that Earl and I are still trying to figure out. We finally got to travel in it together to Marshall on Sunday, and enjoy the comfortable ride.
Mac also got into the Easter finery with a desperately needed haircut. Isn't he cute!
After working the beginning of the week, I've been able to have a week off, and catch up on things. Thursday, Earl and I went to Mass before our Social Concerns meeting. We were running late, and I was perturbed that we would miss half of the Mass before we got there, and Earl has been obsessed with keeping the gas mileage the best we can get, and going 55 mi/hr and no more. But as I've come to learn, things don't always work out the way we think it will. Our priest was very late, and hadn't started Mass when we arrived, so no problem there. Our meeting went well. Friday, I met earl after my dentist appt. where I lucked out again, and got an appt. right away due to a cancellation, because I lost part of my back molar to decay. He said I came in just in time to prevent a root canal. I collected the last of the quilt squares from my co-workers to make a baby quilt for a colleague, and went to Mass @ St. Mary's. Earl then took off to the county jail to give communion to the inmates. He had 10 inmates to give out communion and say rosary with. His voice was hoarse when he got home, from saying the rosary over and over again to different groups. Then, saturday, we called Steve and Kory, and invited them to lunch @ Grizzley's. Afterwards, we explored the Home Depot, and Menard's dreaming of what we'd like to do with the kitchen.
Oh I didn't tell you that we, along with Steve and Kory, booked rooms @ the Marina in Superior for August for the Maritime Festival, and see the Pride of Baltimore that is coming there then.
Danielle offered her place to stay,as rooms were filling up fast, or costing a fortune, but as it is our anniversary that weekend, we opted for hotel rooms.
Then Sunday, we helped with Dad's Belgian Waffles @ the Kandiyohi community center to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity. This was a joint effort of the area churches-Tripolis Lutheran, Ebenezer Lutheran, Church of Christ, and St. Patrick's. We supplied the coffee and creamer, sugar, and some workers. We had a nice turnout, and enjoyed the joint venture. Of course, St. Pat's never seem to have a great showing for these events, but we do what we can. After that, I went home and typed up my minutes from my winter board meeting in bird island, thinking we needed them for our Spring Gathering in Olivia next week for CCW. After typing three pages of minutes, and calling our President, she informed me that she didn't need those from the board meeting. Uhhhg! Oh well, they're done anyway.
Then, I went with Earl to Marshall for a Mass at the Campus Ministry Center, where some people were becoming Secular Franciscans. He has been interested in finding out more about this, and met with the leaders afterwards, and given a journal to read and study about this group. He is thinking of becoming one of them, and it involves a three year study, and trips to Marshall once a month. He wants me to join too. I'm not sure what to do, and so am praying for guidance from the Holy Spirit as to what I should do.
Monday til today,
I've been working on the baby quilt, and trying to get it done.
Yes, it is true! The rhubarb is coming up, and my tulip bulbs are growing leaves...now if the rabbits will leave them alone, I may have some spring flowers. Saturday, I spent the day raking up the fenced in part of the yard, cleaning up the debris from the dogs, and sticks from the trees over the winter. Then I raked along the south side of the house, and tackled the flower bed in the front. Needless to say, I could hardly walk straight the next day, from bending over, picking up piles of leaves, using muscles I hadn't used for a while. But it sure felt good to spruce up the yard. Steve and Kory stopped over to borrow the truck. They needed to pick up supplies for their bathroom that they are re-doing. Earl decided to wash the car,and theirs, and power wash the driveway. What a gorgeous sunny day! Hurrah! Then, Sunday, despite the aches and pains, we took an hour long walk with the dogs down to the park, and let them run around the ball field. They could hardly make it home. Monday, we went to a parish meeting, to discuss what the future is going to be for our churches, and Area faith community, in five years, when we may only have 1-2 priests for the four area churches, and what we felt was important ministries for everyone. Tuesday, I went to a baby shower for Katie, and her baby boy, who works with me. I presented the quilt we made her, plus a tote bag and outfit I made. Some of the younger nurses brought their little ones, also. As a friend reminded me, it didn't seem that long ago when I was in their shoes, toting around a bunch of little ones. Now, they remind me of my daughters, and their children, and I feel contented where I am at life right now, and can just be an observer, and a holder of babies. Later that night, we went to Alaina's orchestra concert, and listened to her play her cello. She was right up front, but wouldn't look at us much. She really was glad we were there.
Meanwhile, Jonnie and Grandpa were having a discussion about his jobs as a policeman, and firefighter. It was so great to see them talking together so intently. And Sawyer sat next to Mom, ate gummybear snacks, and lasted thru the 5th graders, and wanted to leave. We gave Alaina a plant of multicolored chrysanthemums to plant outside in her garden, and hopefully, they'll continue to come up for years to come.
