Too busy to.........

Last week was a busy week with a very busy weekend.

 Monday , I  recovered from the mule day weekend and bake a cake and cooked for all of the kids for a birthday supper for Becca.

 Tuesday, I  visited Mom and Aunt Dot in Adel.  Went to  bible study  and finished shoe boxes with the ladies. Got back in time to pick up all of the Grandbabies and cook spaghetti and meatball for the kids. Mark called and said they needed me to go up to NJ as soon as they got the paper work ready.

  Wednesday, I spent a lot of the day in Bible study. I started collecting things that  I might need or be able to share like gloves, socks, scarves etc. and put the on the couch.  Then  picked up Becca from school for birthday gift pedicure and voice activated journal, Riley helped me pick it out.

 Thursday, I had heard enough to think that trip north was very soon.  I tried to call, text, facebook and e-mail Sara all day to tell her happy birthday. Mark called and said it was a go and to call Jack.  I packed a bag and was ready to go on a trip to nowhere.

 Friday morning Mark said it may not be until Sunday or Monday.  So, I called Carrie and she helped me set up for Calico at Allen's.  Carrie is a very busy woman and I was delighted that she had time to help decorated and move tables.  She is surprisingly strong. Just about the time she left, and I had a couple more tables to do, Mark called and said it was a green light and may  be leaving today.  So, I dropped everything and cleaned up and finished packing and put every thing in the jeep.  The kids promised if I had to leave before the show was over,  they would pack things up for me.  I a really appreciate their help.  I could not have done it without that promise.

 Friday night the girls took me out for my birthday.  Tarragon grill for supper and Applebee's for dessert. So, I got to see Drew  and get a birthday hug and he paid for my dessert.  He volunteered to come and help me finish setting up and sell stuff  Saturday morning  

 Saturday, We are selling stuff and I am waiting for the call.  Mark called, the boss wanted to know where his wife was. I talked to one of the Ladies in charge.   After a long day of  selling, I could not help myself.  I asked the kids if all four grand baby could come home and spend the night.  We had a pizza, pop corn and movie night.  Alle, woke up in the mood to party and play at 10:30 until 1:00 A.M. and then again at 5:00.  She was not crying unless I laid  her down, but  she was not going  back to sleep.  SO, I got a lot of bible and prayer time and very little sleep.

 Sunday, I took all the kids back home in time to go to church. Clint said the jeep  smelled funny and put water in something under the hood. Love having adult kids around, when Mark is gone. Went back to Allen's to work the Calico show.  Mark called and said  that  he found out that it was not going to work out for me to go where he was working.   We will go back again,  but next time we will go together.  Finished work and headed home for left over spaghetti and fell asleep by 8:00 p.m.

 This morning I woke up around 5:00 a.m. with my mind full of stuff that I needed to do.  I almost skipped my quiet time.  But I remembered what I heard on the radio sermon  this week.  It was a about a note that he saw in a preachers office that said......"You have such much to do today, do not waste precious time on prayer and Bible study today," signed  Satan.

 Well, I decided to spend time with the Lord this morning before I went to work.  After that, I went into my messing kitchen and house and decided to time myself for each activity.   It is amazing how much work you can do when you are competitive and racing the clock.  By 7:00 a.m. I had finished the kitchen, sweeping and most of the house work.  Now I need to price stuff, load boxes and tables and go up town for groceries, errands and  to set up for next week's car show. I am ready to go and it is not even 8:00 a.m. yet.

 Ya'll have a wonderful day.  If it is going to be a busy day, try spending time with the Lord first.  "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God....and all these things will be added unto you Matthew 6:33.   

Mark is coming home soon

It has been two weeks since Mark left to work with the Red Cross up north.  It was an experience of a life time for him.  He said it was on of the most rewarding experiences of his life.  I can not wait for him to get home so that he  can tell me all of him stories.  He and Bill served 9,150 meals to victims of Sandy and the Nor eastern storm. They are closing down the kitchen they they worked out of and it is time for them to come home.  Mark had volunteered to stay a couple more weeks and for me to go up and help.  I have been packed for days ready to get paper work done.  But  things have a way of working out as they should.  When Mark was told that they could not promise I would be with him ,  the decision was made.  We will go back, but next time we will go together. I have stayed busy with two shows ( Calico and Mule day),  bible studies , grandbaby sitting ( A joy) , trips to see Mom , Doctor appointments and three family birthdays. I will be sooo glad to have him home.  Thanks for your prayers..

happy birthday baby girl

November 8th 1985 we had a little girl and Mark named her Sara Gail. She will always be our baby girl.  We are  sooo proud of  the  beautiful woman you are  inside and out.  You are a free spirit with a huge heart full of life and love.  I never know what you are going to do, but I am your #1 fan and cheerleader and proud to be your Mom.
Have a wonderful, magical day and birthday week.    Happy birthday baby.

Laundry day in New Jersey/New York area

I am not saying that I spoil Mark, but he has never done laundry.......until today.  I called him today to see what I need to pack. They are in the middle of a huge storm with snow falling sideways and sticking.  Mark has only really seen snow one other time. That was when we went to New York with Farm Bureau the year after 911.  All of the ERV's have been called back to the hotel area.  So, there are 25 ERV's at the local  laundry.  I think that Mark  may be  asking the ladies for help. All he has asked me to bring are socks, lots of socks and  gloves to share.

another storm heading toward NY/NJ

Another storm is heading toward  the New England states.  I think it is called a Nor easter . Mark said that they have MREs( meals ready to eat) with them in case they get  stuck where they are tonight or tomorrow. This is not what this area needs......keep praying

Red cross still needs money

Just talked to Mark.  He was coming back from 3rd  drop of the day and they have one more to do.  He estimates 2000 red cross volunteers that he has seen.  There is a lot of money being used and more needed to help with this massive operation.

 He said that he will be glad when the election is over so that politics can get out of the way. Yesterday they fed 1,200 meals out of the ERV going just as hard as they could for 4 hours.  One meal at a time going to people on the street.  He has taken food to a National guard armory building where military men came out and helped unload.    They have seen a fire and had police officers help them close to buildings to unload.

 Mark sounds real good.  I think he is happiest when he is helping some one.  This is what we trained for and I am very proud of him. Next time I hope to be there with him now that he has experience and can show me what to do.   Keep praying and send money if you can.  I noticed today that the TV channel 27 is  matching donations given to red cross up to three million dollars.   Every little bit helps.

Princeton N.J.

Mark and Bill are camped out at the Hyatt Regency lobby in the dark with flash lights waiting to see what happens next.  Bill said he was not excited about having a candle light supper with Mark. There are 90 Erv's there now and plan on having 100 more.  They project 200,00 meals to be served. Mark is ready to go to work.  He said that tomorrow he may regret that statement.  We both do better when we are busy.