For once I don't really know how to start this blog! Ha! I'm at a loss for words...not the first time in my life, but certainly one of the few times this has happened :-P I guess I'll just jump right in and tell about what has been happening in my life.
Independence Day weekend was a lot of fun for me. I spent the three days I had off with my Aunt and Uncle. We did some projects, visited the Portland Waterfront Blues Festival, the St. Paul Rodeo, and a friend's firework show in Butteville. It was such a blast! At the Blues Fest we got to listen to some really neat artists and saw a silver man...so cool! On the flip-side of that we were also bombarded by some people's incense and subsequently their smoke...there were just a few flower kiddos there....next we were introduced to the "chair hoarders". There were tables and chairs set up for the public to use for eating when the purchased such consumables from the vendors. when we had arrived with our dinner in hand to find a place to eat we found a chair for my Aunt and my Uncle and I stood while we ate. I had no problem with this arrangement until my legs began to get tired after my belly was full. My Uncle and I ended later sitting on the grass next to the table and later went to see the silver man. While we were gone, as we later learned from my Aunt, a lady came with a plate of food and was looking for a place to eat.
There were two chairs folded and leaning against the table near a group of ladies at the other end of the table and she asked if she could use one of the chairs to which she received an emphatic refusal. After a little while she asked if she might use it just to eat. They debated a bit and then let her use it with the understanding that she return promptly when she was finished. My Uncle and I returned with this new addition to the table and completely unaware of what had taken place. As we sat there enjoying the music the lady was finishing up her meal and as she did she leaned over and informed me of her impending departure and that as soon as she got up she wanted me to sit in the chair and not give it up because the lady behind her had this odd idea that she owned the chair when they already had a few extras. As the woman rose and left I got up off the ground and sat in the chair...not a minute later the lady from the group at the other end of the table realized someone different was in the chair and marched on over and grabbed the back of the chair i was now sitting in and leaned over and spoke into my ear informing her that I was sitting in HER chair and that she had just lent it to my "mother" and she would like it back now. I informed he that the woman was NOT my "mother" and that I was given the chair by her as I had been sitting on the ground. My Uncle soon came to my rescue and informed the woman that the chair was NOT hers and that it was meant for public use for those people that had bought food to eat. She seemed quit miffed and informed us that this was indeed her chair as she had been there since four o'clock and had saved said chair, even though she had not been using it for the almost hour that we had also been there. As I'd just gotten off work two hours earlier and was beginning to grow quite weary I let my Uncle do all the talking. She soon left us and started telling her friends about what we'd done, but before she left us alone for good, she leaned back over to my ear and told me how lazy she thought I was and how she hoped one day I would experience the same thing. She then proceeded to take the one other public chair they had that they'd saved and weren't using and wedged it behind another of the chairs they were using so that no one could use it. We stayed for the rest of the artist that had been playing and then left, not returning the next day as planned. We had a good time, but unfortunately some people don't understand sharing for the good of others. I guess she thought because I was young I could be classified as Lazy and unfeeling....what Uncle stands up for a lazy, self-centered youth??? I should hope none! It really pounded into me that sad state of assumption and quick judgment without facts. What an odd way to learn something like that. It felt weird refusing to give up a chair to an older woman, even when she didn't need it! If I had been in the wrong I would have been willing to admit it and give her the chair, but even when the rest of their friends came back, from who knows where, they still had at least one extra chair that wasn't being used and when she realized that she still left the chair wedged between the chair she was sitting in and the table.
The next day we went to Craft Warehouse and got some crafts to do and I got mine done in 3 hours!!! I made three boards to decorate my room...when I finally get it rearranged and organized. My Aunt was most gracious and helped me to pick out the fabrics and other coordinating colors to match my room.
I also made a couple dresses. One for myself and my sister, and then two for two of my nieces. It was so much fun! Especially after having not made any clothing for over six years!
We then had dinner with my Aunt and Uncle's neighbors and then had a nice campfire with s'mores! They were very yummy s'mores as we used Reese's PB cups instead of the Hershey's chocolate bars. It was so good with the marshmellows and graham crackers! I'm not one that likes chocolate either! I love campfires in the evening and the wonderful conversations that often times surround said fires. Being this was the day before Independence day, we got to enjoy the neighbor's fireworks as they lit them off while we enjoyed the warmth of our fire.
The next day we did some more sewing and listened to a message by Allister Beck. It was a very good reminder for me of the story of the Sower and the Seeds and how it isn't just another story, but a lesson God intended us to learn from. After enjoying a relaxing afternoon and playing a little on my Aunt and Uncle's keyboard (it felt so good to be able to play again), we headed off to my Cousin's house for a BBQ dinner. She had some yummy BBQ ribs, green salad, pasta salad, veggies, rolls, and cookies. Although I did not eat any of the ribs I heard they were most excellent. I'm more of a steak girl :-P After some nice conversation we all hopped in the cars and headed off to the St. Paul Rodeo! I have been to only one other Rodeo in my life and was pleasantly surprised at St. Paul's. I had heard lots of good things about it, but never had the pleasure of attending until then. We had a thoroughly enjoyable time and I got some really good pictures of the action.
A little after nine o'clock, just before it ended, we left for our friend's firework show about 20 minutes away. We arrived and were quite glad to see that they hadn't started just yet. After finding a good spot on the lawn, spreading out our blankets, and settling in, we watching the thoroughly impressive fireworks show. I truly believe that in my entire 20 years existence I have never seen such a wonderful display of fireworks! They had a DJ there playing music while the fireworks went off and I was pleasantly surprised at how well they corresponded to the fireworks going off. I don't think there was ever a time in the whole of the 45 minute show that didn't have a firework in the sky and many times had several going all at once! It was spectacular and we were all so very close to it all that when the wind shifted just right we had ash falling on our heads, but only for a short while, as the wind shifted back again. It was all in all a wonderful show and enjoyable day!
Monday I had off as well, so I slept in and hung out for a while with my Aunt and Uncle and had a nice long chat with my mother and father on the phone. My Father had gone to the ER on the first and I was calling to see how he was recovering. He had passed out and had a mild concussion, Praise the Lord. We were all very glad he had not suffered a stroke or anything else that could possibly be life-threatening. He does better each day and is now close to being back to 100% :-D This incident made us all think back to 6 months ago when my beloved brother passed away, and how fleeting life is. We all take so much for granted and my parents still worry about what will happen to some of us kids if anything ever happens to them. But I've found that we must trust that everything is in the Lord's hands and that we will all make the right decisions when it comes time and that we will look out for each other's best interests.
When I got back to work that night I learned that Gwen had gotten to see quite a firework show out her living room window as well...even though they were still a bit in the distance she got to see about three or so different shows. I had a certain peace for a few days before struggling again with some waiting and contentment issues, I seem to have to continually be keeping those in check. I think waiting on things is the hardest. Even waiting to see people from weekend to weekend can be hard for me. And then I feel guilty and frustrated when I don't get to visit everyone as frequently as I'd like, but one only has so much time.
Last weekend I went to my beloved second families home and helped out with my best friend's baby shower! It was a smashing success and God gave us some wonderful weather for the outdoor party. I got to see some people I hadn't seen in quite some time and meet some new people. But most of all I got to see and spend time with my beloved second family! They are all such a blessing to me and I love them so dearly. They are talking of moving from Newberg to Sweet Home at some point and I'm hoping that it isn't too terribly soon, as that is a bit farther of a drive and I'd like to take advantage of their being so close, as much as possible :-)
Well, another long post...I guess that is what I get for procrastinating about posting and continually telling myself I don't have enough time to sit down and write all I want to :-P I'm thoroughly surprised I got all this out as it was just supposed to be a draft :-P
Thank you all who have persevered through this long and tedious reading! God bless you all!
