November News

Jim and I went camping at a nearby state park. It was nice to get away, since it has been awhile. The nights were cold, but during the day we enjoyed beautiful fall weather. We went to a prime rib/seafood dinner at the lodge and then to see a melodrama at the park theater. We have never done that before and it was so much fun! When the hero entered the stage the audience was told to say-Yaaaahhh. When the heroine entered, we were to say-Aaawwww (and she would respond by lifting her leg and placing her finger on her cheek). When the villan came onstage, we were to yell-Booooo, Hisssss and throw popcorn at him. There were even a couple of chase scenes that went into the audience! In between Act I and Act II, we had an old fashioned sing along. I laughed so much-an unexpected great time! We had our bible study fall reunion. Arlene has the gift of decorating, so her house was very inviting. I tried a couple of new recipes-everyone loved the Pear Custard Bars. A lady who is in the Air Force Band played two songs for us on her clarinet. She is very talented. And when we closed, another woman spontaneously sang a blessing over us that was just beautiful. All in all, it was a really nice evening.

We have a new person at work. She came from a different branch and is helping us to learn things that our brief training didn't cover. I've been picking up a few extra shifts-I have a huge Visa bill coming next month. Jim's car was in the shop again (he needed a new battery, alternator, and plugs/wires/distributor cap). I had my brakes done in between, the dog had an ultrasound, and Noah didn't get a job so he needed me to cover his car insurance until he can pay me back. All on the card. I really need tires, but was hoping to get this paid down first. It doesn't look like the weather is going to cooperate; snow is in the forecast next week.

I took a bunch of stuff to Goodwill last week and I recycled our old computer. I am so excited that it is gone. It sat in our basement for three years. Jim wasn't happy when I told him of my plan to recycle it. He was even less happy when he found out we wouldn't get any money for it, but instead had to pay money for them to take it. I told him he had three years to come up with a solution, he hadn't done anything about it, so this was what was going to happen. With that old computer gone, I got motivated to really clean my basement. Today I decided to put up the Christmas decorations in the basement. I also ironed all the Christmas stuff that will go upstairs after Thanksgiving, got my Thanksgiving table linens ironed, washed a bunch of windows, and ran some errands in town. I still need to clean my fridge and get the turkey out of the freezer. We are doing our usual thing-just our family and I cook everything. Noah will be coming home Monday night. This will be his second trip home. He came home for a long weekend in October-and I can report he is back to his normal self! I am triple excited! I am excited for my son to be home again-I am excited because he will be here for almost a whole week-and I am excited because he will be meeting Jim in Kansas City Monday night to watch a basketball tournament and then following him home. The original plan was that they would go their separate ways after the game (I was uncomfortable that he would be on the road, back to school, so late, alone) but Noah was able to rearrange his schedule so he could come home with Jim instead. He is doing well at school, with very good grades. He seems to finally be adjusting. He doesn't complain so much when we talk to him and he is thinking about next year at Pittsburg. He is still not sure, but that is a change to see him looking into some things there. He continues to tutor kids in Biology. Last I heard he had 5 or 6 kids. He got another advisor (his was on sabbatical until spring semester) and has been meeting with him weekly, which has also made a difference. Now if he would just get a job! Nate is doing well. He's starting to slack off in school a little, but I think he got back on track this week. He went on fall retreat with his youth group and didn't come back sick. I think that's a first!

My fibromyalgia isn't improving. On top of that, I have various small health issues that are interfering with my recovery. It is all very frustrating and I have days where I want to sit down and give up. I'm just so tired of it all. I finished my Beth Moore study. I'm so proud that I did my whole workbook! I took my second knitting class and am finishing up my first project. I really like knitting. It is very relaxing. I'm going to take more classes and keep learning. Last weekend our branch manager's mother died. I baked some cookies and chipped in for some flowers, but I didn't make it to the wake. I feel so bad, like I let her down.

Well, I have to work tomorrow so I better sign off for now. It sure would be good to hear from someone.