All You Need is Love

Well another Thanksgiving is now behind us and almost another year.  It was so good to be with friends and family.  As always too much food.  

 In the last month, I  applied online for a job and went back to work at Walgreens.  It all started with about 40 hours of online training.  Also started the process for applying for a license, that is required in Indiana for working in a pharmacy.   When applying for a pharmacy license, there is a requirement to be finger printed.  That is a new requirement which started in July of this year.  Unfortunately,  I was finger printed three times, each time they rejected.  I don't know what caused my fingerprints to be unreadable, but that has delayed getting my license.  Now they have to do a name search, which will take longer than it would normally.  As the finger printing is new, they weren't quite sure of all the steps they would need to take to do the name search.  Of course that caused a problem with my Walgreens job.  I couldn't work in a pharmacy without the license. After completing my training I observed for a week thinking I might get my license but to no avail.  I made several calls to the agency responsible.    As we know governmental agencies don't really care whether you are not working because of their slowness.  In fact the one employee, who could actually help me, informed me she was going on vacation.    After a week and still no license I was told  to call them when I do get a license.  What was the point when I couldn't actually do anything.  So here I am back to square one. 

Dave and I have been doing a lot of praying.  It is hard to be excited about the holidays, etc when neither of us are working.   Just praying for a turn around.

We are hoping next year will be a better one.  Still seeing the turmoil in Egypt and am praying that those that are still there are safe.  I sent a facebook message to Jeff and Cathy Dunahay, our close friends who are still there, would feel better if we could hear from them, but am uncertain how all of the communication systems, they tend to shut those down when their is turmoil there. 

Well praying for a better 2012, would covet your prayers also. 

Karina Turns Two

Can't believe this little girl turns two in a few days!!!!

The Grandkids grow up too fast!

Time Flies By

I haven't been posting to our blog.  I had writers block for awhile.  We have been working at home, trying to get some repairs and maintenance taken care of that has been on the back burner for a lot of years with the time in Egypt.  Dave and are praying for the job situation and praying for God's guidance and timing there. 

We took a trip end of July to Colorado, Amarillo TX, Tulsa Oklahoma, and Branson Missouri.   We absolutely loved Colorado.  We went to Pike's Peak, Garden of the Gods, and just enjoyed the beautiful scenery.  It was hot there, just as it was here in Indiana but it just didn't feel hot..  A place like that makes you reflect on "God's Good Earth".     Branson was my least favorite place.  It was a lot of shows that were expensive, more of a tourist spot, and not my cup of tea.  We even came home a day early from there.   What was wonderful is just getting in the car and drive. 

We have so enjoyed our kids and grandkids.  Ruthy is growing and changing so much!!!   Heather and I get to spend more time together.  She and I go to each others houses and help each other.  I love that time with Heather.  Ruthy's smile and interactions are so fun.  She has a haircut like Grandpas!!   She was dedicated last Sunday and had the honor of attending that.  So glad Tom's parents and Bart and Amber and kids were there too.

We took Kaden and Karina to the Whistle Stop and to see Lowry's Minneapolis Molines one Saturday.  We met Travis and Kaden at Speedway to see 3000 old cars at the track.  Travis left me to watch him for a few minutes while he stood in line to get some food.  It was funny as soon as he left, a man walked up and asked if Kaden had ever set in a roadster.   Of course he hadn't so the guy put him in his.  I ran over and yelled at Travis to come and  see.  Travis said....."I thought you were watching him."  LOL  It was so cute.

 

We have been enjoying our friends.  We have had time to spend with them that we neglected for a long time.   Not enough can be said about friends.  Real friends keep you on the right track, help you when you are down, and are a joy to spend time with.  They love playing cornhole, eating, talking and just having fun, and catching up.    This summer spent time in Chicago, Noblesville, Brookston, Indy, Monticello,  and here.

Alyssa getting married a few weeks ago really made us reflect on time and where does it go.  It was a beautiful wedding.  So happy for Alyssa and Justin.   

Our friends John and Gail in Wisconsin are moving to Texas so Dave took a road trip to with him to take his boat down.  They had a wonderful time and Dave got to meet John's son, and see John and Gail's house in Texas.  John dropped Dave last night and spent the night.  Catching up on that laundry today!!!!! 

With several other wonderful ladies have been spending time planning a Ladies Retreat for our church in November.  I have been so blessed there.  We have a wonderful minister and I have a wonderful friend in our minister's wife.   She knows me, my faults, many of the bad things I have done, (haven't got enough time to share all.) and she still loves me.   I have gotten so close to the other lady helping also.  We have attended church together for years, but now have gotten so close and it has been like a gift.

I will close with a small refection.  Our retreat in November is based on relationships.  While we were trying to decide on a theme we looked around and saw so many broken or hurting relationships and looked at several of our own.   You pray that the Lord stays in your relationships.  It seems no matter what you try there are misunderstandings, hurt feelings, expectations that aren't met, and lack of trust.    Often you ask, "How important is this relationship?"   In a strong relationship, you can be you and be accepted for it, you are  not trying to be who you need to be to be accepted.  You need to experience forgiving and being forgiven with little revenge or reminding of past offenses.  You need to experience unconditonal love.   Everyone wants to feel like they are valued,  loved, and accepted for who they are.  We can't think that we are more important and what we are doing is more important than what others are doing.  Relationships require time together and work, but when they become too much work...........   Sometimes realtionships are tough!!!   Praying to God for all relationships!

Time with Heather and Ruthy

Great Couple of Days so enjoyed my granddaughter

Sweet Baby Ruthy

Yes I am tired! 

A Day With Our Clan

We love our family!! 

Grandpa, Kaden, and Karina

Karina holding Ruthy 

Grandma and the Grandkids

Baby Ruthy Belle Leman

She was born July 15th at 5:45, weighed 7 pounds and 13 ounces, and 21 inches long. I don't want to post on Facebook, will let Heather and Tom do the honors there, but can't help posting a few pictures here.

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The Last Couple of Weeks.

Yeah Heather Graduated on May 15th.  Not bad, graduating in May having a baby in July.   Dave and I are so proud of her.   Not everyone has a baby shower on Saturday and graduates on Sunday of the same weekend.  Sully Sullenberger spoke at Heather's graduation.  Such a good speech from a humble man.   He spoke of the flight that landed on the Hudson, which he was the pilot.  He gave all credit to the whole flight crew on that plane.   Sullenberger received his second degree from Purdue University in 1973 in Industrial Psychology. 

 

Got the opportunity to watch Kaden and Karina over the weekend, Travis and Cami attended a wedding in Indy.

Love my grandkids to death and it was so much fun!  Kaden is back to 10 hours at home with dialysis.   He seems more like his old self.   Kaden and I did a lot of racing on the WII

Schatzi, their dog, thinks when I come that I am there to play.  She jumps on me and barks when I don't pay

attention to her. 

The last couple of days have been fun, except for the mini tornado in Francesville.  I went and spent the afternoon with my aunt yesterday, the 25th.  Always love doing that.  Ran into my parents house today after the wind damage to see what I could do to help.  Thankfully the damage was minimal.  I went to lunch with them at Todd's.  That was wonderful, saw friends there I hadn't seen in a while.   Then I headed to Wheatfield and went to garage sales with Sandy Hershman in DeMotte.  Heather benefits from that trip.  Found so many cute clothes for her baby.  We also found some must haves at another garage sale, lots of yard ornaments, plants,  cute household items, and nick nacks.   I was supposed to go to Monticello with  Deb Nedza in the evening but chose to not go because of the weather.  We did meet at Todd's again instead.   Another great visit.   Rain, wind, rain......tornadoes, will it ever end.  Scary!!