Long time no writing

I am still battling this upper respiratory infection. Still a lot of blowing and coughing and hard to breathe at times. I am praying my extraordinary helpers don't come down with it. I did push myself to help Thursday and Friday because I was not feeling well about having them do all the project. My intent was to bond and talk with them, not to be in bed sleeping. The room is wonderful. I got mad at Chris yesterday (Friday) because he is the decorator and knows how to assemble the pictures on the wall. But with Aunt Arlona's and Aunt Dodie's help it looks great. I did add things to the in-wall bookcase and pictures on the walls today. Today, was long and tough. I didn't get to sleep til 2am and then woke up at 7am. As Alex said at 11am when she woke up "your room was clean for only one day, what happened?" What happened was I pulled everything out of the bedroom closet which was Chris' and went through it. I kept 2 suits out of 10 and colts clothes and couple of dress shirts and one pair of jeans and one pair of work pants. I am going to try to sell the rest at Jennifer's garage sale next Saturday. I threw out 5 garbage bags full that were old or out of date. I then took everything out of the linen closet across from my room and organized that then but Alex's room back to order after messing it up for a little over a month. Then I went to the coat closet at the bottom of old stairway and took everything out and organized it and even found a box full of old old coins same dating back to 1880's and silver pennies from 1943. Then I did the same for the new coat closet and even reorganized my bathroom closet. I lost track of time and so Alex was like I am starving what is for dinner? I didn't realize it was almost half past 7pm. So I took a break and we ate. Then she took a shower while I dusted everything and then vacuumed the whole house. My house is finally clean again.

I can NOT say or express the gratitude for the work Aunt Dodie and Aunt Arlona did this week. More work than we thought. Under the wallpaper was a disaster that needed repaired before painting and they even painted the the ceiling.

I can't thank my dad and brothers for their help as well with getting the in-wall bookcase in and the casing of the windows done as well. Thank you for putting your projects on hold for me. It means alot to me.

I like to thank Adah for loaning her wallpaper steamer to us to use. Also, to Jennifer and mom for their love and support through this whole thing. Plus, Jennifer came over and fixed dinner for the clan while I was sick.

Last night was fun, even though I didn't see the game. I chatted with other school personal since Ken was talking to McCallums and mom and dad were behind me and Jen and Bart and Alex did their separate things. After the game and fireworks, I offered for the McCallums to stay in the bedroom but they went on home. My house is feeling empty again.

I did show my neighbor's daughter the house today, she hadn't seen it yet since the frame work of the addition. She was amazed and loved it especially the in-wall bookcase and the color scheme. She couldn't believe my dad did it and also the china cupboard.(the first one he made which was for his mom, that I got when she passed).

I am wanting to get a camera soon when all the financial things are said and done so I can take pictures and post them. I am waiting on Aunt Arlona to email them to me from her camera. I did find a very old picture of our room that makes the wallpaper look good but it was coming down and faded when we did this project. So when I post the pictures keep that in mind when I scan the good old room.

It's after 10pm so I better get Alex to bed so we can go to church tomorrow. Hopefully, I won't be a disturbance during church. I am skipping the graduation party I think and the birthday party that Alex wants to go to in Waterloo.

I cried tonight as I was going through a basket that Chris had at the hospital. It had all the cards Alex and I made and gave to him. I re-read what we said and I just saw the joy and smiles he had when I took them to him daily. I don't know if this was the right time to get rid of most of his clothes but I didn't want to do it later when his closet needed cleaned out anyway. I did keep items for Alex and she even wanted to have his dresser in her room so she has that. Next project for me is to go through the filing cabinet in garage and de-clutter the garage of items I just have been storing there temporary, then my dreading project of the basement where my pack rat husband put everything. Our cat got mad at me last night because I locked him out so he won't scent my carpet even though he is fixed.

My prayer tonight is that those who are fighting illness will be better each day. I pray a safe guard around our hearts and minds that we will do and think the pleasing ways of Jesus. I pray that I won't have to get rid of our cat that Alex and I adore but it would help with Jennifer's and mom's allergies. I praise God for His faithfulness and giving all these people giving helping hearts to help especially being around me when sick. I praise God for a strong support team of family and friends. As for me and my house we will serve the Lord.

The Weekend in Michigan

Good evening, Friday after work I picked up my nephew and then my parents. We went to Michigan so my parents could go visit my grandma's grave with her siblings. I took Alex and Anthony to the lake and we walked the pier to the lighthouse. They were able to play on the beach as well at the park. God gave us a good day, not too hot or cold. Most of the day I had a headache because Thursday and Friday night I only had 3 hours each night of sleep. By evening it had grown to a migraine. I did drive home and thank God I had my dad to help me drive safely. The headlights from cars bothered me and Anthony was having a spiritual welfare. We found out he couldn't sleep because his mom and aunt took him to go see the movie angels and demons (R) and he was scared the demons was going to get him. We told him to praise God and defeat the enemy by talking to God and praying in Jesus Name so he did. Matter of fact very loudly and in high pitch. Mom and I felt it was necessary to not stop him. Before this we stopped at a Perkins in Grand Rapids and my cousin Sue and husband changed their plans and met with us there. I was able to talk to them but felt like I couldn't say everything that disturbed me about some relatives on Chris' side and felt bad because I needed help on it and it seemed like I kept repeating myself on just one topic. I enjoyed seeing family and my Aunt Lois is looking good with her weightloss. Seeing Uncle Bill and Aunt Gerrie who hosted lunch was good too. Uncle Curtis and Aunt Dodie was there and surprised me with a great picture of my family from their wedding. I already have it hung up(not where it is going to stay though, I think it will go in my room). I didn't get to talk much with Pat but I enjoyed seeing her. I didn't eat lunch because I was not very hungry and was missing my better half. After lunch I helped clean and then walked to the lighthouse again with Aunt Arlona and Uncle Al. I wished we could've stayed longer but I had to work today 10am to 4. I got home last night at 12:30am and I slept. I woke up with my migraine still so I took my medication and it went away. Tonight I am at my moms and we had a cookout with friends and neighbors. It is such a great night. I am still waiting for God to reveal Himself and confirm my beliefs. Alex is showing off her new bible that Aunt Arlona won for her. She really enjoys it. I am so thankful to those who served and died for us to have freedom. I am thankful for family who are so very supportive and loving. I thank my friends for liking me for me and are there for me. I am thankful to my sister who understands my loneliness feeling and very sensitive to my feelings and needs. She has and is there for me. I thank my parents for there help with Alex and for post poning their remodel to help me do my bedroom. I am thankful for my extended family for their help and support emotionally and physically and helping with my room project as well. So overall this weekend was sweet. At the end of the cookout as we were saying goodbye to the friends and neighbors about a mile away was fireworks that we could see from mom and dads backyard. Good thing I chose to give my indy 500 tickets to his brother because it got rained out. So they will try to race tomorrow. Today was hard and had to call Alex around 2pm to just hear her voice. She sounded like she was having fun. I wrote her a note tonight and sent it to her email. Talking about God and her dad.