We Did it Again!

Well, we did it again. After Freedom convention, our cup was running over, but we went to Newry two weeks later for more of the same! On Saturday evening at Newry, I was wondering if I really could take any more in, but Sunday was another day of very helpful meetings! Convention is such a rich experience, and I came home with a great desire to spend more time reading the Bible. After having eight days total of convention meetings, the Bible is more open and understandable than ever before. As I read I find myself asking, "How do I do that, Lord?" and little by little, He begins to show me.

And now it is back to ordinary life, lived with a purpose renewed. Ken's job of eleven years is getting increasingly unstable--they got new management there about a month ago, and are replacing somebody every week or so. We wonder what Ken's future is there, but do not worry much about it. Whatever will be, will be. Ken turns 62 on Sept. 18, and has thoughts of retiring next spring.

Now that conventions are over, and summer is drawing to a close, I am more open to the idea of a part-time job. Some weeks ago, I applied at a flower shop in DuBois, but did not hear from them. Last week, I applied at Joann Fabrics in DuBois. I would really like to work there! Perhaps it is a dangerous place for this fabricholic to work??!!?? DH says that maybe I would get tired of fabric--like people getting tired of doughnuts when they work in a doughnut shop! We shall see what opens up for me. I also continue to volunteer Friday mornings at Hahne Cancer Center, and keep my eyes open for opportunities there.

My little garden did fairly well, and DID NOT BLIGHT! After last year's disappointment, I anxiously watched it this year. I did not spray for it because I don't really like to put poison on my garden. I planted most of the garden plot in buckwheat, which grew very well. When it went to seed in July, we cut it down and tilled (or tried to till!) it under. It reseeded itself nicely, and we got another stand of it. Since convention, Ken has mowed it, and I intend to till it one day soon. I have beautiful tomatoes on my four Big Boy plants, and lots of cherry tomatoes on the other two plants.

Ken's mother, Martha Grady, turned 96 on August 29. We had an open house birthday party for her that Sunday afternoon over at Jane's. It was lots of fun! She is such an amazing woman. Nobody in her family that we know of has ever lived this long.

The Labor Day picnic at Cook Forest was great fun. Brian Hildebrand and Jim Eaker and some of their family usually go out early to reserve the spot. They cook breakfast there. We decided we were ready for the adventure, too, so we left here at 7:15 and got there about 8. It was COLD, in the 40's! I took some freshly baked cinnamon rolls, and we had blueberry pancakes, ham, sausage, bacon, and eggs. Around 9, Ken and I decided to take a bike ride up the river road, and Brian, Rachel and Jenny came with us. We did a little over 5 miles, round trip. Traffic was light on the road that early.

Pretty soon, in came son Todd and Otto Herr. They are trained bicyclers, and had ridden from Brockway and DuBois to come. Their ride was about 30 to 40 miles.

We had a delightful day of fellowship, food, and fun! Some of us just didn't seem to want to leave, and stood around and talked on our way to our vehicles!!

Now what? Labor Day is past, too. I have determined that I am going to do lots of sewing, unless I get a job. I have lots of fabric and ideas. I have dreams of getting a Handiquilter 16 quilting machine but the over $6000 price tag is holding me back. I have leftover "rug money" for part of it, but kinda hate to beg the money from our joint funds with Ken's job being uncertain. In the meantime, I plan to make some more quilts in readiness for owning one. We have also been watching Craiglist and Ebay, so perhaps I can get a gently used one.

Ken also watches Craiglist and Autotrader for Mustangs! Our dream is to have another one. He had one when we were courting and we honeymooned in it and brought home baby Roy from the hospital. It turned into a rust bucket, so we traded it on another car that was totally without distinction! So, his retirement dream is to get another one, but I guess it will be a third vehicle for us, because they are rear wheel drive and not much good in the wintertime.