Michael is determined to be at work on Friday (though the day will be broken up with labs, post op appointment and Good Friday service). Since this is his goal, I began to enlist his help around here more, get him up and active.....we walked around the block today...and I nabbed him to help with school. I've found staying home to care for Michael has been a BOON for school. This is only Tuesday and we've gotten 4 weeks of Tapestry of Grace done AND we have more time for the fun things too....for instance....
Have you ever tried to jump like a macropod (big foot) marsupial? We have. First I had Michael show the kids how far 30 ft was from their starting point....as a kangaroo can jump that far in one hop.
Then I challenged the two to hop as far as they could....
Yes, we DO school in PJ's and shorts
Michael was exempt from hopping - he was our official hop measurer (I'm aware this is not a REAL word). We discovered none of us can hop anywhere close to 30 feet at one hop.
We also discovered Michael is bored - but he tires easily - I figure that means he needs to rest.
Here is one funny event from the hospital stay. The first night after the surgery, I was constantly struggling with a really dry mouth. I was allowed to have ice chips. De'Etta had been up with me for quite a while, and I knew she was tired. I decided I could do the ice chip thing on my own. I held the cup on my chest with one hand and used the other to spoon ice chips and some of the melted water. This was going fine until I began to nod off. You know those sudden muscle spasms you have when you startle awake? Yup, I had one of those. Doused myself right in the face with that cup of ice chips and water. Wow! What a way to wake up. Thank you, De'Etta, for coming to my rescue and even getting the water out of my ears.
I THOUGHT SPRING WAS HERE. It was 31 Mar....the roads were clear - not dry - but not snowy. The snow storm of hast weekend had turned to rain....patches of mud were emerging, lost garbage was reappearing....
Sad deflated snowman
The ginormous sledding hill/fortress out our door had melted from "roof high" to fence high...and it was muddy, and broken sleds and such were starting to appear as it thawed.....note the barn roof.
But then...who would guess? Sleeveless dresses and white sandals in the BX - 1 April on the calendar - Palm Sunday.....
Status Updates
April Fool's Day - you thought it was spring? SNOW on Palm Sunday.
2 extra hours due to insomnia to catch up on FB status' - not sure THAT was the best use of time, but I feel connected again. LOL
English Muffins made - new batch soaking
Great visit from Jim and Marvie - love our chapel family
Contemplating the legal definition of slander/defamation of character though I suspect Holy Spirit won't allow Mama Bear to use the info
MORE SNOW
Spent some relaxing time watching video clips at Share Faith, Sermon Spice and youtube (search stewardship).
Changed Michael's dressing and it looks really good
Began to realize it's APRIL
Continue to recover for Michael
Praying diligently for leadership team for PWOC Japan
6 weeks until local ladies retreat (2 sessions to prepare)
8 weeks to a trip to Tokyo for a soon to be announced conference
9 weeks to Korea for WILD (training Financial Liaison), then a couple of days in Tokyo 'cuz
10 weeks to Tokyo for WILD Japan (general session and training Presidents)
I wanted to visit the Tokyo area and Kadena PWOC installations in April/May...but I'm not so sure....
Somewhere in here the 4 adult kids hope to come and....
I love living in a place where every day is full of possible new adventures. I asked the kids who wanted to go to a local store with me to pick up a few essentials.....Jared has a bit more free time now that he's in between jobs....it was fun to have him with me.
I forget how much smaller these carts are until the guys are along
We decided since the commissary will be closed until Tuesday to pick up ingredients for Yakisoba and Gyudon. This Aomori Beef looked great - but I didn't want to spend nearly $20 for 1/2 lb of beef.
Ah this is cheaper....about $5.14 for a bit over 1/2 a lb....marked down even....can you read the little sticker on the left? It says "we care" and in the inner white circle "American Beef" with a map of USA..... I couldn't figure out WHY it said, "we care," until Jared reminded me about the Fukushima beef...oh yeah...so I bought American.
Akikosan says it's "trendy" to eat grains steamed with your rice. She and I were talking about how I grind flour....evidently grains are a new trendy food craze here....so this cracked us up....
Pocky-like treat rolled in whole wheat berries and rice....."cereals". Tasted quite nice, really.
Do you think this may be Vodka? I'd like to make some home-made vanilla...but I don't want to make it with sake or something.
Lost my Reverend Card, but was able to renew credentials when I happened upon autofill!
Nice skype with Mom and Dad. Never caught Mom Mary.
SNOW - really?
The willingness to be and to have just what God wants us to be and have, nothing more, nothing less, and nothing else, would set our hearts at rest, and we would discover the simpler life, the greater peace." Elisabeth Elliot
Every trip to the store is an adventure - I love living in a foreign country
Arielle enjoyed a Book club and movie - nice outing for her
Michael is resting, talking a bit, resting more
Double batch of English Muffins baked; double batch rising to bake in the a.m.
Dressing changed - looking good!
Debating chapel attendance tomorrow. It would be nasty if Michael caught a flu bug as we're supposed to be watching for nausea, dizziness etc.
Some songs just "speak" and this one speaks to me. I think it's my leadership theme.
[Chorus:]
I could play the background
I could play the background
Cause I know sometimes I get in the way
So won't You take the lead, lead, lead?
So won't You take the lead, lead, lead?
And I could play the background, background
And you could take the lead
[Verse 1:]
It's evident you run the show, so let me back down
You take the leading role, and I'll play the background
I know I miss my cues, know I forget my lines
I'm sticking to your script, and I'm reading all your signs
I don't need my name in lights, I don't need a starring role
Why gain the whole wide world, If I'm just going lose my soul
And my ways ain't purified, don't live according to Your Word
I can't endure this life without Your wisdom being heard
So word to every dance, a foe, a pop star
'Cause we all play the background, but mine's a rockstar
Yeah, so if you need me I'll be stage right
Praying the whole world will start embracing stage fright
So let me fall back, stop giving my suggestions
'Cause when I follow my obsessions, I end up confessing
That I'm not that impressive, matter of fact
I'm who I are, a trail of stardust leading to the superstar
[Chorus:]
I could play the background
I could play the background
Cause I know sometimes I get in the way
So won't You take the lead, lead, lead?
So won't You take the lead, lead, lead?
And I could play the background, background
And you could take the lead
[Verse 2:]
I had a dream that I was captain of my soul
I was master of my fate, lost control. and then I sank
So I don't want to take the lead, 'cause I'm prone to make mistakes
All the folks who follow me, going end up in the wrong place
So let me just shadow you, let me trace your lines
Matter of fact, just take my pen, here, you create my rhymes
'Cause if I do this by myself, I'm scared that I'll succeed
And no longer trust in you, 'cause I only trust in me
And see, that's how you end up headed to destruction
Paving a road to nowhere, pour your life out for nothing
You pulled my card, I'm bluffing, You know what's in my hand
Me, I'm just going to trust you, You cause the dice to land
I'm in control of nothing, follow you at any cost
Some call it sovereign will, all I know is you the boss
Man, I'm so at ease, I'm so content
I'll play the background, like it's an instrument
[Chorus:]
I could play the background
I could play the background
Cause I know sometimes I get in the way
So won't You take the lead, lead, lead?
So won't You take the lead, lead, lead?
And I could play the background, background
And you could take the lead
[Bridge:]
I know I'm safest when I'm in Your will, and trust Your Word
I know I'm dangerous when I trust myself, my vision blurred
And I ain't got no time to play life's foolish games
Got plenty aims, but do they really Glorify Your name
And it's a shame, the way I want to do these things for You
Don't even cling to you, take time to sit and gleam from You
Seems You were patient in my ignorance
If ignorance is bliss, it's 'cause she never heard of this
[Chorus:]
I could play the background
I could play the background
Cause I know sometimes I get in the way
So won't You take the lead, lead, lead?
So won't You take the lead, lead, lead?
And I could play the background, background
And you could take the lead
[Chorus:]
I could play the background
I could play the background
Cause I know sometimes I get in the way
So won't You take the lead, lead, lead?
So won't You take the lead, lead, lead?
And I could play the background, background
And you could take the lead.
