So here I am.  Still alive.  Kicking.  Or something.  Trying to remove myself from a Facebook-induced writer's slump.  Not that I'm such a great writer or anything.  Anyone who writes this choppily probably shouldn't be calling herself a writer.  Or a grammar nazi. 

Anyways, I was inspired to post because of (get this) dog poop.    Left by the ditch in front of our house by some (it is assumed) slob who can't pick up after their own pooch (is that a mean thing to say?).  Thankfully, neither Auggie or I stepped in it, but as we were continuing on our "morning constitutional", I reflected on the necessity of training our children to be good neighbors.  This is best done by example, in my humble opinion (did that sound prideful?).  Somehow, somewhere along the line, apparently my mom showed/taught me to be a good neighbor.  I pick up after our dog (actually, there is a city ordinance requiring that, thank you very much!), I return grocery carts to their rightful places, I put clothes back on the rack in the store if I knock them off and I refold any item of clothing that I may be examining while shopping.  That's not an exhaustive list, but I think you know what I mean.  And, amazingly, my DDs all do the same.  I suppose it could be boiled down to a "leaving the world a better place than when you found it" sort of mentality.  But I prefer to think of it as simply following the Biblical principle of putting others before yourself, the way our Lord did for His people.  God is good......all the time.       

Hmmmm.  I think I need to redefine what normal is around here.  It may take me awhile.   Yesterday and today were designated "Wash and Sort the Tablecloths Days".  All thirty of them.  I am now a self-proclaimed expert at folding 70-inch round tablecloths.  It ain't easy.    Yesterday, I also made a round trip of about 80 miles, returning rental plates, water pitchers, a cake stand, and tons of serving dishes to their corresponding origins. 
Of course, in between the laundry loads and errand-running, activities of daily living pull at my attention.  Occupational therapists refer to them as ADL's.  I refer to them as the blessedness of routine.    If I didn't, they would just annoy me.  Instead, I remind myself of a series of talks I heard several years ago, describing the "routineness" of God's created order.  The sun rises, the sun sets.  The seasons come and go.  Flowers bloom and die.  On and on it goes.  The blessedness of routine.
God is good..........all the time.  

A news flash!!!!!!!!  DD#1, who is expecting her second child in January, had an ultrasound on Wednesday that showed a baby sister for the cutest grandson ever.     
It's interesting that the cutest grandson ever has been saying that the baby is a girl all along. 

I don't believe global warming is anywhere near a fact.  Except maybe in Oregon.    Supposedly on Friday, it is supposed to be 100 degrees.  *sigh*  So I guess we can call it "Oregon warming"? 
DD#2 and 3 had a fun time at the rodeo.  Someone even got carried out of the arena on a stretcher, sporting a neck brace.    It reminded me of people who go to car races just so they can see if anyone crashes.  I suppose that makes it more interesting.   
Tonight is a bridal shower for DD#2.  More presents to stack in our family room.  Too much fun!

I've been prodded by one of my readers to get on here and please post something.  How sweet.  She missed me.

So here's what's up.  Last Friday morning, DD#2 was with her younger sister at our local park, reserving a spot for the Strauss Festival.  And a bee stung her leg.  She felt a sharp pain, looked down, and there was the nasty creature hanging from the stinger embedded in her calf.  She brushed the bee off, and then she and her sister got the stinger out (ewwwww), venom sack and all.  Well, then.

When she got home and told me what had happened, I made up a paste of baking soda and water and had her apply it several times over the course of the day.  That should do it.  Maybe a little itching and swelling, and then she should be fine.  Riiiiiiiiiight. 

By Saturday morning, she was having trouble walking, and it really hurt.  We applied ice periodically, and had her take ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin.....you know, that stuff).  It was getting a little redder and a little more swollen, but it wasn't warm to touch, so we just kept an eye on it.

Sunday morning.  She hobbles out of her room, complaining of excruciating pain.  Her leg is now very warm around the site, and is swelling down to her foot, which was turning a slightly different color from the other foot.    DH, DD#3 and baby sister prepare to take off for church, while I put a call in to our doctor.  By 10 a.m., I decided 2 1/2 hours of waiting for the doctor to call back was too long, and I took her to an urgent care center nearby that was affiliated with our doctor's medical group. 

Well.  She definitely has an infection.  She is on some fairly powerful antibiotics, has to keep her leg elevated as much as possible, as well as keep a warm compress on it to "draw it out".  Yesterday afternoon, she could barely walk, and had to crawl if she needed to *ahem* go anywhere in the house.    This morning I woke her up at 7 to give her another dose of her antibiotic, and she went right back to sleep.  Poor dear.

In the "old days", I would've been frustrated and annoyed with this turn of events, angry that a week full of plans and activities (wedding-related as well as some other stuff) was being infringed upon.  But I know and love a sovereign God Who does all things well.  This turn of events is under the watchful eye of His perfect will.  God is good.......all the time.