It is wednesday, and my sister, vicki, is working for the first day of her long=term substitute resposibilities for the librarian of some elementry school in Farmer's Branch ISD. The librarian has been told to go to bed for he duration of her pregnancy. Her child's birth was to occur on october 20th, but, as we all know, these things can be predicted, but not guaranteed, so vicki is at work a month earier. Of course, vicki's daughter, catherine, is getting married on saturday, october 18, so vicki has asked for the week prior to the 18th to have a sub. All of this is to say, i have wanted to talk to vicki all morning long, and have been unable to because for the next months, until January of 2009, she ill be working.



I dont know exactly what happened this morning, but we had Cinnabon cinnamin toast from the toaster, turkey bacon from the microwave and split a banana three ways and orange juice and we had to stop by the "stop & go" to get a drink for Michael's ISTEP (Indiana's form of TAKS) snack, and when we pulled out of the parking lot of the stop & go, i realized that it was 6:55a.m. I have no idea how we got out of the house that early, but for the first time we got to the bus stop without a race to the finish line and had time to sit and visit for about 15 minutes until we saw the bus. I am still amazed we did that. i guess it was all of the microwaved bacon and the toaster-ready Cinnabon cinnamin toast and splitting the banana, thus only having to peel one. Then i got home and had a little nap, since i had arisen at 4:50a.m. I napped until around 9a.m. and arose and went to the market and the butcher shop. i tell you, the gala apples here are the best i have ever tasted. The growers live just down the street and everything is so fresh. it is a completely different way of living. The people and the shoppers at the market are all so folksy and nice and they speak openly about the Lord and bonds are formed quickly. I met a couple this morning who have been married 48 years--he was 18 and she was 16 when they married. We plan to meet at the starbucks one day soon for an extended visit. They are such dolls. Still in love with each other. she still laughs at everything he says and he appears to adore her. They make up a gospel group and he sings and she plays the piano for the group. They know the chuck wagon gang and their church is having gospel-quartet-night one sunday soon and they have invited me. I will probably go--at least i hope i actually go and don't just talk about going like i did withthe Chuk Wagon Gang. They will not be performing since their man that sings bass is having back surgery and will be unable to perform..

I have been unable to reach ramona or matthew today. I spoke with matthew twice for extended times yesterday. They remain without power and know nothing as far as any inkling of when the electrictiy will be back on. Places nearby have power, but they do not. There is no ice and the generator is not working. One of the first things i believe we will do, is purchase a good generator when i return. If is sits for years, it will be worth it if anything like Ike ever comes again. I am quite confident that this story will be a story that they refer to for the rest of their lives as one of the tough times that they made it through. Precious Karsen. He is probably excited that he has his parents undivided attention 24 hours a day. He probably is unaware that his parents are ready to pull their hair out for want of some air conditioning, a tv, and something cold or even cook to drink. Alas, this is earth, and we have struggles down here. There is always someone who has it worse, but when one is in the midst of a electric power-less life in an electric power-eeded world, it doesnt matter about anyone else, you only realize how miserable you are.

Well, i have decided that i will need to leave everyday at 2:00p.m. to pick up the boys to be assured that i am there right on time to pick them up at 2:50 p.m.. Sometime the traffic is heavy for some unknown reason and i am cutting it too close and they are at a neighbor's house waiting for me. This has occurred twice and i am determined for it tonever happen again. So, the way for it to never happen again, is for me to leave at 2:00 p.m. and take a leisurely drive to the bus stop , read and wait. I love them so much and i feel so rejuvinated by their presence in my life and my gift of being able to interact in their lives daily. Please pray for me to continue to be healthy and be able to help out in this way. I love those boys, and my son, michael, as well. I am really enjoying being aound him dailyl. I love my Matthew too, of course, and long to speak with him daily as we are able to do when i am in houston. I am so thankful that he and ramona, and Karsen, too, are able to stay at my house in houston. I am so sorry that they are without air, but so glad they are there to keep everything safe. Matthew cleaned up the yard from the "Ike" debris and i am thakful for that. I really am blessed to have the sons i have. I also am blessed, as you know i am getting ready to say, that i was able to spend 17 years, 9months, and 17 days with Mandy as her mother. Now she is safe in the arms of our Savior and has had no worries like no air conditioning or any problem at all only bliss, since that moment when she met our Savior. What a blessed woman i am and have been and continue to be. Blessed be the name of the Lord. jk