Happy Memorial Day!

 What a nice day it was! 

Tim and I went to mass this morning and it was so nice! After Mass Tim worked on the fence for awhile and I worked around the house. I took my walk on the treadmill later so that I could sleep a little later. 

After lunch I went over to Danielle's and we took the puppies for a walk. That was a hoot. They went a long way, and they were all tuckered out! It was fun. 

I went down to Weis to get a few things for dinner. Forgot the watermelon, but Paul went to get one and he did a great job picking one out! It was wonderful. John and Sarah came over for dinner and I grilled and we had fruit and chips. I had started a fire earlier, and so we had Smores too. I felt bad because Maggie wanted to be outside, but it's so hard for her to get up and down the hill that I made her stay in. 

So tonight I am watching American Ninja Warrior. I have been waiting! 

Tomorrow Lilly will be back at school. I am hoping to get a lot of 

Happy Birthday to Laura!!

 It's raining, it's pouring, but the sun is shining right now in my heart!

I remember so well the day, 38 years ago, when my firstborn came into the world. What a journey we had been on! I was so glad to finally see her, all 6 pounds, 3 ounces. She gave us a bit of a scare, but she rallied and she has been going strong ever since!

We drove out to Street today to look at the new farm. What a beautiful place! I can't wait to go visit Ivy when it's warmer than 52 degrees. 

It is just too cold to be outside today. Except for a short walk for Cora.

When You're a Stinky Puppy....

 

You're Gonna get a Bath...

New Chromebook!

 Well, I got a little device to make it easier to blog on the road. 

This thing is great! I am so excited to have a little Chromebook just for blogging, oh and banking and such too.

I'll add more to this post as I figure our how she drives.

Yep. She's a beaut.

Grandgirls

 Well, Ok, THIS was Thursday night. Lucy has graduated from 8th grade! 
I can't believe how grown up she is getting. Such a lovely girl.

Lilly has been volunteering up at Freedom Hills Theraputic Riding as a walker for the whole school year. She is such a help!! She and Sunny, the pony have a good relationship. Sunny doesn't really care much for me. Not sure why. Anyway, I am really glad that Lilly is able to do this. She just loves one of the little people that we work with. 

What a Beautiful Day!!

 "Take courage, get up, Jesus is calling you."~ Mark 10: 49-50

A wonderful start to the day today. What a beautiful message to share.

I have been trying to get the house cleaned up and get ready to host the pups here this afternoon. They are quite a handful these days, and it is helpful to let them come here to run off some of their abundant energy. I'm afraid Cora appears to be the wild child of the bunch. 

Well, that went well...They had a great time! They ran all over the place, played with toys, went in and out downstairs, and nobody had an accident! Everyone did what they had to do outside. 

I am beat. Time for a cup of coffee and a chance to watch that crochet tutorial.

Ivy is so happy!! I am so glad!!

My Latest Projects

 I have been working up some projects, blankets and such, to work on when we are traveling.

I am going to start another tonight, because I found a stitch that looks like fun and it seems really easy. 

Here is what I have so far:

Corner to Corner- baby yarn

Another Corner to Corner

This is going to be a large Granny Square

This is being made out of a blanket that I started and messed up!

I have another that I will add later....

Moving Day

Ivy is heading out to greener pastures...again.

Last night at the Bel Air Ranch.

What a lovely girl.

Last Week of May!

 I can't believe that we are winding down May of 2021! It has just flown by and so much has happened! It has been a month of new and old and some very hard decisions. It has been a month of renewal and reorienting into something like normal after a tough year of Covid. I have to smile every time I go into the church without a mask.

This summer is going to be such a busy one with so many exciting times! 

Lucy will be here on the 7th of June for a few days, then I am leaving for my school and trip. 

Tim is heading out to Washington State to act as best man at James Waltenburg's wedding!

After I get back from Washington I will be bringing Cora home to live. Then it will be puppy training and the application of what I learned at school for the rest of the summer. Hopefully some beach days and hiking thrown in. I just can't believe that we are on the cusp of that time that we have been looking forward to. 

The Cookes are all very excited as well! 

I am going to try to blog a little each day. At least a few pictures of where we have been and what we have been up to. People that we meet along the way. All our friends in the PNW and the wedding. 

I hope to have my neck at least s little better before I go. It has been giving me trouble and I am not one to give in to such things, but I have a lot to do and I don't want to deal with tinnitis and dizzines. I am going to the doctor tomorrow to see if there is anything that I can do in the short term. I have a healthy fear of chiropractors, but I may just take that route for a short term fix. We'll see. 

Old Maggie is still hanging in there, but she is enjoying life less and less. We need to make a decision soon. Within the next couple of weeks. The thing is, every day she gives me that smile and comes to me with her loving look and I think that maybe I'm wrong and we can wait. I am praying for clarity. 

Well, off to Adoration and the rest of the day!

Pentecost!!

 It's been a whirlwind couple of days around here. 

Thursday I went shopping and we had our last session with our Wedding Prep couple. What a great pair they are! They are off to a good start!

Paul is back to work at Ripkin Stadium, and he will go back to the Y again at the end of the month. I guess that is actually coming right up. 

Friday, Lilly and I went up and took one of the kids on a trail ride with Lisa. Then we came home and I worked on the house. I went to Adoration later, around 5:30 and then Tim came down and we went to Mass. Our friends renewed their vows that evening, and it was very beautiful. 

Yesterday I went downtown with my friend Barbara at 8am and we walked around town. It was really nice! Then I had a women's Bible study meeting. After I came home, I went to Weis for the things that I needed for our cookout. I came home and prepped the fruit, and did some stuff inside, and then went outside and pressure-washed the back deck and the house. 

Cora had her 2nd puppy appointment and got a clean bill of health! The vet seemed to think that she was "trouble"... Well, that may be true, but she is a sweetie too. I love how she comes running when I call her. She is such a little cutie! We are going to have so much fun going all over the place. I wish Maggie could be here to play with her and be a friend to her as she adjusts to us. 

Mass was amazing today! What a hot day, but a very good one! Pentecost is such a wonderful day!

We came home and got things set up and ready for dinner. We had a wonderful cookout with our small group from St Pat's. They are all such wonderful people! We had grilled chicken, sausage, and burgers, and people brought wonderful salads. I made Strawberry Shortcake for dessert, and Summer is ON!

Danielle brought the puppies over for a play session and it was a great time!

I am really tired now!

Wednesday

 The weather has really turned summer-like this week! We are enjoying the lovely warm days. I got to sit outside on the deck this morning to do my prayers, and it was delightful!

Monday I did a lot of running around. I had to get Lilly, and then I had some errands to do. I went to the vet for another 20 tablets for Maggie. Had a talk with the woman at the desk and I was thinking that Maggie was really just not doing well, and then yesterday she rallies and seemed to be feeling great after dinner. She was playing with Tim and very interested in all that we were doing. She slept better and I was happy, of course! I guess we are just going to let God make this decision. He gave her to us, and He will let us know when it is time for her to leave. 

Meanwhile, she will have to get used to the onset of Cora. That little girl is a force to be reckoned with. she is so fast! She is also very smart! She knows me and comes running when she sees me. That just warms my heart. Maggie doesn't seem to mind. I think she is adjusting to the idea. 

Lilly and I stopped this morning on the way down from her house and picked up the whole gang and brought them home to play in the yard. They had a very good time. They were all over the place. It was pretty awesome. Maggie came out to play for a bit, and I think that if it had just been Cora and Comet she would have enjoyed herself, but she is so unsteady on her feet that the large number of pups running around and under her was kind of stressful. I think if she holds out til Cora comes this summer she will be fine. We will just keep Cora busy, and tire her out. Then she can curl up with Maggie and take a nap. 

It's so nice to be going everywhere without a mask!! I love it! I feel so liberated. I am SO glad that I got my vaccine. It is so good to feel free of worry about Covid, after so long! 

Laura and I have been chatting about the road trip. What an adventure that is going to be! 

Lots to Tell!

 This has been a very busy couple of days!

I finished my projects and the fence is wonderful! It is so much fun to have the pups come over to play and not have to worry about them running off. We still have to do the other side but I have it propped up for now. 

I also finished my path through the gate. 

The yard is looking pretty nice!

I went to Freedom Hills to help Lisa on Friday and filled them in on the situation with Maggie. 

Max and Miles made their First Communion!! What a wonderful day for our family!

My small group had a retreat yesterday and it was so wonderful!! I was so blessed by the women who were there and who are so special. We had some wonderful prayer time! Then we went to Mass mask fee for the first time in over a year!!! It was just the best feeling to be able to breathe! We are also back in the church, which is just wonderful. 

After Mass our friends, the Pojunas', asked us to come over for dinner and it was so much fun! We had delicious food, and visited for a couple of hours. What a blessing to have such good people in our lives. 

I got the yard ready today and we hosted the "kids", Comet, and Watson, the sire of the puppies. He is a little bit of a thing. He is very personable, and enjoyed running around with the puppies. There was a whole lot going on in the yard. I even got to introduce Cora to Bob and Dean. 

After they left I went out and built a fire and sat by it for a long time. I cut up and stacked a few branches and just kind of cleaned up outside. After dinner we went out and roasted marshmallows and Peeps left over from Easter. 

The guys made Smore's. That was nice! I stayed out there with Tim for awhile after Paul and Brendan left. They were going to a party at a friend's place.

Now we are looking at another busy week! I do plan to blog again sooner than later.

Yard Projects

 Today I started working on a couple of things outside. I had been planning to make a path through the gate on the side of the house that we use all the time. The mud there is always a problem when it rains. I Put down plastic, sand, stepping stones, and filled in with rock. I will take a picture tomorrow.

I also started putting new wire on the the fence. It's going to be so nice to play with the dogs without them running off. I will be training Cora after I get back from our trip and "come" is going to be a much less optional command than it has been with Maggie. I am going to really make an effort to get her obedience work down cold by Christmas. We will do some other things, fun stuff, next year. 

I went with Nina and Lilly to see Ivy tonight. We gave her a bath and Nina medicated her poor skin. She was pretty happy because her nose was buried in grass. 

After dinner I went to see Cora and helped with puppy baths. I hope to meet their sire tomorrow.

Cora Hosts a Puppy Party

 Well Cora got to spend some time in what will soon be her yard. 

We brought Comet and all the pups over to the yard and had a great time! They thoroughly enjoyed romping in the grass. 

We have to get the wire back up on the fence so that they can run all over the place without running away.

What Happened This Week?

 Guess I have to pack a whole week into this one....or most of one.

Last Friday I received my second Covid shot, with much trepidation. I have heard so many stories about people being flattened by the second shot. It wasn't too bad. My arm swelled and it was really sore for a couple of days, I still have a knot and it itches. I was fluish for a few hours. Some chills, a headache and muscle aches. I had a rash all over my legs for one day. No biggie. I am so glad to almost be fully vaccinated. I will be able to relax and enjoy the summer so much more. 

I went out to the "Mom's" breakfast on Saturday morning. That was very nice. We met here in Havre de Grace at the Chesapeake Grill and had a nice visit.

I had a meeting with Fr Dale about the things that I hope that we will be able to continue after the transition. We should still be able to have our small groups, and Respect Life, and Adoration! That is the most important! 

We thought that Maggie was making a bit of a recovery on the new medication that she started, but it seems like that was a false hope. Maybe we just started it too late. She is worse and worse. She has been falling, and I am worried that she is going to break something. I don't know what we are going to do. I am waiting for the vet to call me back. I am so torn. 

He called back. There's not going to be any good news. 

Cora is growing and apparently is very talented at escaping the puppy pen now. They all are. I don't know what Danielle can do short of locking them in a bigger kennel. Cora is very sweet and loves it when I come to visit. She recognizes me and comes right over. I am so worried that she will forget me when I am gone. 

Lucy turned 14 and got her plane ticket to see us for her birthday! It is going to be so much fun to have her here! I am so excited! 

Paul is officially going to Franciscan this Fall! He paid the deposit, and he is looking for funds.

He has two jobs lined up for the summer, and we can help out a little, so he should be in good shape. Brendan is looking at flight schools. He is hoping to become a pilot. He would be a very good one!

John may go back to school, he is trying to decide.

Nina starts her new position next week! She is moving into a much better paying position and it suits her very well. 

Laura and Andrew will have TWO new Communicants this weekend! Max and Miles are going to be receiving their first Communion on Saturday afternoon. Wish that I could be there. I will be seeing them soon though! At the end of June we will make our trek to Washington State. It is going to be awesome!

What Will Be, Will Be

 It's a little odd to be in this limbo of inactivity at this moment. I had been so busy, so full of purpose, and ideas and things were just starting to look like they would be returning to normal as far as the parish is concerned. I was working on a talk to give. I had been trying to think of things that we might do to bring families back to Mass. I was so full. And now there is so much uncertainty and I feel like my direction is, if not changed, then rather suspended. There was so much that I was waiting for, and now I am just waiting. I know that it is all God's will, but it is so disconcerting to think that He wants one thing and be earnestly trying to do that, only to find out that that isn't it at all, and that it's possible that there will be no place for the things that seemed so possible. I don't feel angry or hurt, just confused. 

I wonder if I should just get a job. Maybe there is some place for me to be useful and still be able to share the Gospel and the truth. I have to do something. I think that I will try to write more frequently, and I will be better about seeing friends and helping people. I will be going through the Spiritual Direction course, but will Fr Dale be able to continue to be my Spiritual Director? He is going to be very busy at his new parish. If he can't then I have to find someone soon, because all the students at the school have to be in direction themselves. I feel very restless and kind of at loose ends. I know that God has a plan for me, and that I need to be patient and listen to Him. He has been telling me that things were going to be different, I just didn't know how different. 

I think that I will get in touch with a few people and see if there is anyone that needs a hand with anything. I am not working as an organizer right now, but I can do some work as a volunteer. Maybe something will come of that.

It has been nice out, weather-wise. It was actually hot yesterday. The yard is very happy, and everything is very green. We put in the air-conditioners upstairs. 

Claire is 10! She had a party and got a couple of nice gifts. I can't wait to see her! Lucy is going to be 14!! What fun we will have on our trip!

Cora is 5 weeks! What a little cutie she is! I need to get over to see her today.

Changes

 I can't believe it has been a week since I have posted anything here! 

It has been a busy time since last Monday. So much has happened that I feel like it was a year ago. 

Maggie continues to improve, and received her second injection on Thursday. She has a lot more energy and she is getting up and down so much easier! I am very much encouraged! 

On Tuesday I met here at our house with my Christlife small group, and we were able to sit out on the deck and enjoy a lovely evening. 

Wednesday was my birthday, and everyone was so sweet to me! I got two lovely cards. We had a fire in the fire pit and Lin's Hibachi for dinner. Then I went over to visit little Cora. She sure is growing up!

On Thursday it was raining, so I stayed home and we got schoolwork done. I need to get everything together for next year. I have about half of it. 

Friday we went up to Freedom Hills and Lilly and I helped with Lisa's new clients! It is very exciting to be a part of this new venture. Lisa and Mike have worked very hard, and I can't wait to see what comes of this.

Yesterday was a very tough day. I was sitting at breakfast with a friend, and I got a call saying that Fr Dale will be leaving in July. What a shock. I know that we only have our priests for a time, but I thought that he would be here for a lot longer. There are different reactions from everyone. Some people are angry at the transfer, everyone is sad, and we are praying that the next Priest, Fr Francis Ouma, will be willing to carry on with many of the initiatives that Fr Dale had been putting in place. What a thing to have happen after the long year of Covid. Things were just starting to get back to "normal".