Last Saturday in October

I can't believe how quickly the school year has gone so far.  We're wrapping up the first marking period and soon will be having conferences.  I'm mulling over whether I'll put up the Halloween decorations here at home for the 4 days left before the holiday, or go directly to the autumn stuff.  I decorate more for the grandkids than anyone--maybe if the boys come over today to watch the Spartan game we'll put a few things out.  The Dracula doll that screams when you push a button used to scare Wyatt. 

Mike and I are having a relaxing Saturday morning.  Mike will be heading out to the World Series game this afternoon, meeting Cameron, who obtained the tickets for them.  I'm leaving my schoolwork until tonight when I'll be watching the game on my own, most likely (which is perfectly fine--I like going to ballgames, but we don't need to pay for two tickets at World Series prices).  I hope the Tigers revive in their own park.  The first two games were not pretty.  Fans in our family still have high hopes that we'll take this series out six or seven games and come away happy.  I'm just happy picturing Mike and Cameron at the park together, savoring a World Series game.

I just put a few posts on from Mom's 1971 journal.  It's much easier to transcribe someone else's thoughts than to record my own, but I thought I'd pause for a few words from 2012.

I'm thinking of my cousin Marlys today.  She is undergoing chemo for ovarian cancer, the same cancer Mom had.  I remember the visits I was able to make with Mom to Mayo--walking through those winding corridors and the underground walkways from one building to another.  I was always turned around, but Mom knew her way from one spot to the next.  Phil and I were with her one time, and in the waiting room there were several jigsaw puzzles out on tables.  One had been partly put together, and Phil and I sat and finished it.  We stood up and cheered right there.  It made the people around us smile. Then I think we started another one, and left it partly put together for the next people who had to spend some time waiting.  I took a life lesson from that moment--you come across puzzles that others have partially solved, and you get to be the one who figures out the solution to that one.  Then there are other puzzles you start and never finish, but you have left the beginning put together for someone else.  But you have to be sure to cheer when you finish a puzzle, so you're happy and the people around you smile.  I'm hoping to cheer over good news from Marlys.

I talked to Dad last night.  He and Ed will be splitting wood today to fill up the shed for winter.  He says the cold weather has started in Minnesota and is headed our way.  So I'd better bundle up before I head out for Michael's and Wyatt's last soccer games today.  We will be fortified with cups of hot coffee.  I may put a little Bailey's in the bottom for good measure.  It will be my little secret--well, shared with the one reader who follows my blog.  But don't tell anyone, okay?

Our dogs are perched on the back of the couch, growling at someone or something stirring out by the road--a walker, a squirrel, a bird.  Who knows?  Nothing gets past them--if they're awake.  They're funny little dogs.

Well, off to my October Saturday.  Looks sunny and bright.  I will try to be the same.

Lois, January 10, Sunday

Sunday School & church (choir anthem--God Knows All About Tomorrow).  The choir could have had more practice.  I hope we can get in more time this next week.  Sermon was on what "The Church" should be doing.  Installation of officers.  Dorothy Wilhoite as deaconess, Harold Bartlett, Dan Wollesen, Alfred Dreesen & Henry Bielema as elders.  Lord--Be with our church leaders and with each of us so that we may truly serve Thee in this world.  Help me to be more tolerant of people--especially when they disappoint me--and help me, Lord, to be less of a disappointment to my fellow man.  Help Loel & I to keep the right things in mind as we work out our year's budget & plan for this coming year.  Amen.

January 9, Saturday

Becky off to catechism--Debbie, Betty Kreitlow and Loel gone to Storm Lake for practice.  Daily dozens to do.  Becky baked cupcakes and 3 loaves of bread and some crescent rolls.  Loel & Debbie got home late in the afternoon.  We got some cleaning, washing and ironing done but I didn't feel like doing much.  I washed my hair & got a bath taken in the evening so that helped me feel better.  Thank you, Lord, for giving me this family to live in.  Help me to teach them to take responsibilities--and still to not be ducking my own.  Help me walk the line, Lord.  Amen.

Lois, January 8, 1971, Friday

Woke up with a terrific back ache so everything I did seemed to be frustrating.  Thelma Pratt watched the kids while I went to the Dr.  I guess the bug is really bugging me--bought 3 kinds of medicine and am supposed to wear a corset and stay on a bland diet and continue with the after the meal medicine.  Lord--help me to be aware of the needs of people around me.  Help me to get involved in the things outside me and forget myself.  I want to feel well enough to do well in the things I am involved in.  Guide me, Lord, each step of the way.  Amen.

Lois, Thursday, January 7

Loel had early a.m. meeting.  Nancy Johnson here in a.m. for knitting advice.  Grandma Bielema here in a.m.  Katherine's husband has been gone 4 months and she is having a tough time.  Blues for Grandma B aren't any better.  Grandma Peters has been in the hospital--supposed to come home any day.  Ed mailed income returns off this morning.  Choir practice--took down Christmas tree and got through 1 song.  I don't believe in "wading through" the first time--but Esther may be taking over the way I feel so her ways should be used too.  Lord--help me to be able to decide what is best for me--and those I'm involved with--as for us what things I should do.  Amen.