ah good morning!

 Oh how good it is, too.  I had to drive Miss Char to her very last state test this morning, and what a beautiful day it is, one of those mornings that almost hurts the senses, it smells so good, and everything is so lush and green.  I drove by farms, cows in the morning sun, and a peacock ran in front of my car.  I know, right?  

Yesterday I had to bring Camille to the doctor, she still needs the leg brace, and has to start physical therapy tomorrow.  The knee is still swollen, but is healing up nicely otherwise.  After her appointment, we drove up to the house we are fixing up.  Camille sat on the front porch and talked with Grant, who kept himself busy collecting nails and screws, while I painted outside trim and Mariel cleaned the front windows.  Paul got the kitchen sink hooked up, and Sam helped with the hot water heater.  It's coming along, we're waiting for trim to be available, then it'll be almost there.  phew.

So Sam and Grace are still living here, and it's busy.  Little Ruth pulls herself up and cruises along the furniture, sometimes she lets go and stands all on her own.  First steps are coming soon!  She is a busy smiley little girl.  

Today, we are going to the zoo!  I'll ride with Kathryn....Sam and Grace and their little ones will go too.  Just yesterday I was going on these summer outings with my own little ones, now I'm the old grandma!

I did overdo it yesterday, after all the work on the house, I went to our church and cleaned the kitchen for a few hours.  Sweeping and mopping and wiping things down, more stress on my arm and hand...well, I paid for it.  I woke up in the night and OUCH.  I NEED to rest it again.  When we were on our little vacation, by the third night, I finally had a night where I slept through without pain...so resting it does work.  Last night though, oh my goodness.  It's kind of discouraging.  I don't mind cleaning and painting, and I want to be a help...but I've read about it, and it's not good to just push through the pain, which I feel like I've done all my life.  Once, several-everal years ago, I went to the ortho dr. for my knee pain, and oh the arthritis on that x-ray!  The dr. asked, don't they hurt?!  Yes, I said, but I'm so used to pain...(try being fat and pregnant for years on end, and still have to take care of kids and the house, ha.)

Anyway.  I don't mean to complain, everyone has their trials in life.  It ain't all sunshine and rainbows, but sort of, it is.  If you're alive and breathing, God has been good to you.  

Grant, with the comfiest seat, on the TP!