Anticipation. Apprehension. On alert.

All the above.

After as good a week as last week was, you just got to believe that things will settle back a little more like normal, or worse.

School begins today for most of the remaining students of the big county. Classes begin at the three Universities located here. The start of another cycle.

Sunday was a fun filled day. I haven't ever seen two six year old girls play like Addie and Kat played! You can bet they slept last night. Meme finally made them get out of the pool just after five so they could bathe and get the chlorine rinsed off their bodies and out of their hair. Addie had a birthday party to go to at six. Lots of hugs and kisses when Addie left.

Kat is smart, you can tell that she has older sisters. Addie is sly. She is also lazy and doesn't want you to know how smart she is. Yesterday morning as we were leaving the church building to go to Meme's and Dandy's house, Addie's mother and I were spelling parts of our conversation out. I said, "She doesn't have a s-w-i-m-s-u-i-t at our house". Her mother replied, "I know, I will bring her s-u-i-t and some s-u-n-s-c-r-e-e-n." As Addie and I left the parking lot, she looked at me and said, "Why are you and my mother spelling about swimming?" It was hilarious! We are almost to the stage where spelling isn't good enough cover.

Trc came over late Sunday to pick up Kat. Kat had to take home one of the "dress up" dresses from the trunk in their room. I swear, I have never, ever, seen a child that loved to dress up like she does. What an imagination!

Meme and Dandy got caught up on all the goings on with the two bigger granddaughters. Of course Lauren is busy with cheerleading. Her first official cheering activity was the eagle extravaganza Thursday (which Meme and Dandy didn't know about until Friday morning). From the sound of it there are lots of cheerleading politics going on. Ellen is playing volleyball, she tried out for the teams last week, one day after she hurt her shoulder. She is also running cross country. ???? This kid doesn't like to run any further than the bathroom or the fridge and she is running cross country. Turns out she thinks it will be good conditioning for basketball (her passion). Busy busy!

Brently was working yesterday. Their little business enterprise has been on another famine cycle. I hadn't really thought about it but all the recent rains really brought their outdoor construction projects to a stand still. They have lots to do, they just need the weather to get it done. Feast or famine. What's good for the goose is not necessarily good for the gander. They have had an on going renovation for the customer from h e double l. This lady has been totally unbelievable. She has told them what she wanted, picked out tile and paint and when it was finished didn't like it and had them tear it all out and begin again. They are so close now. They had textured and painted earlier in the week and were finishing some trim and hanging fixtures when she decided she didn't like the light fixture. Brently took the old light down and it messed up some of the texture on the ceiling and the new fixture wouldn't cover so they are back to patching, texturing, and painting. Sad thing is, this lady had been difficult to deal with on the money end. Past history has made Trc and Brently require a fifty percent deposit when work begins. They will work against this until it is gone and then weekly settlements are required until the job is completed. I think this woman paid thirty-five hundred down and hasn't paid a penny since, her tab is now in excess of ten grand! This reminds me of some of my ventures. Lots of cash flow (the wrong way), and not much sticks or stays (in my pocket). I think Brently's week includes two days in Breckenridge and then a day or so at Brookesmith. Better "Git er done" while the sun is shining.

I had opportunity to see the extended forecast for our area as well as the Roscoe, St. Lawrence, and Coyonosa areas. It appears that weather for the next ninety days will be favorable for growing conditions and for harvest. Warmer than average with average rainfall. Textbook!

Well, let's get on with it. Have a good day!

FATHER, for this day and its bounty of blessings I thank YOU. I thank YOU for YOUR love, YOUR mercy, and YOUR grace. I ask YOUR wisdom and guidance as I enter the work week. I thank YOU for Krl and ask for her healing and renewal. I thank you for all the grandbabies, I ask YOUR blessings on them and ask for YOUR watch and care over them. I pray for Memama, Pepa, Hag, Bets, B., Lillie, Aimee, Jennifer, Ashlyn Kate, Jess, Dr. Mackie, Jeanine, Verlin, S.T., and Karen. I ask YOUR gifts of healing and care for them. I ask comfort for those hurting from loss. I pray for those of us who struggle to follow YOU. I pray for our spiritual family and for our leaders. I pray for the efforts being made to expand YOUR kingdom. I pray for Aaron as he looks for work, that you position him where intend. I pray for Adam as he prepares to ship out for Iraq with his men. I ask for their safety, and ask that YOU will guide and protect Adam as he leads them in a dangerous land. I pray for peace. YOUR perfect peace. For the world, for me. Perfect peace.