Settling In...

There are many new things settling in at Chez Goodneedle over the last few days, aside from the fine layer of sheetrock dust that has managed to cover everything that doesn't move. Our youngest two grandchildren are spending a few days with us, they arrived on Friday and have settled in just fine. The ceiling repairs continued on Saturday, much to the delight and entertainment of the little ones; it was not an easy task to keep them out of the way of the work crew, they wanted to watch everything that went on. New schedules have settled in for Mr. Goodneedle and me, these revolve around meals, rest times (not nearly enough for us!), school hours and outdoor energy-expelling sessions. We're all settling in quite nicely to this new, short-lived, routine. Since bedrooms have been lost temporarily to the ongoing repair work, Gregory is sleeping on a cot at night in Nana's sewing space. This is what I found this morning after the children left for school. Hannes is settling in too, he loves having the children here. It's very quiet this morning, a fragile and brief peace has settled in around me like a gentle affirmation, it is energy-giving. Before long they will noisily burst through the door again, full of laughter and happy smiles, loving hugs, and the news of the day; their return can't come soon enough for me. Nana and all the dust will be waiting, except for those paths where little feet have zipped through the house and the designs on flat surfaces that curious fingers have traced, momentarily obliterating one powdery layer while awaiting the next.

Life is Good!

  

Not Quite Right

There's something not quite right with the world today, my friend Helen is no longer here; she joined The Church Triumphant on Tuesday. Today she will be laid to rest alongside her beloved husband, Marvin. I can only imagine how joyful the reunion in Heaven must be; for the two of them, and for Helen's precious loved ones who are waiting for her there. Helen was one of the very first people I ever met when we moved to Puerto Rico in 1995. She and Marv welcomed us into Grace Lutheran Church in Santurce, that's the way Helen always was; warm and welcoming, and it's the way she lived her life. When I began teaching beginning quiltmaking classes from our home there, in the winter of 1996, guess who the first one was to sign up? She recruited others and helped them to procure their supplies as well. Helen embodied the spirit of hospitality. She was quick to invite and always happy to offer herself in any way that was needed: a car ride, a meal, a phone call, a visit, a hug, a prayer... you could count on Helen. We used to laugh together over our "plight", being residents of the Island of Not Quite Right... the nickname she gave to Puerto Rico. Don't get me wrong, it's an absolutely lovely place to visit. Living there, day to day, can be another story all together. This is Helen in 1996, holding her quilt that she named, what else: "Not Quite Right!" My heart is heavy today; please join me in prayer for her family, I can only imagine how deeply they are grieving now. I am thankful for the happy memories of Helen and the joy and love that she spread so easily... in a way that was always, absolutely,  just PERFECTLY right!

Life is Good!

"How Would I Know?"

I had to stop by the pharmacy last week to pick up a prescription, it wasn't ready when I arrived; I was invited to wait in a nearby chair while it was filled. That's where I was when I overheard the following conversation between an elderly woman(W) and the pharmacist(P):

W: "I'm here to pick up a prescription, my Dr. called it in."
P: "Your name?"
W: "Mary Smith."*
P: "Let me look"... (pulls out a package from a bin) "Mrs. Smith, is that address 123 Main Street?"*
W: "How would I know?"
P: "Are you picking this prescription up for someone else?"
W: "No, it's for me."
P: "OK, so you're unsure of your address?"
W: "OH! Yes, that's my address. I thought you were asking me what my Dr.'s address was!"

At this point I had to get up from the waiting chair and wander off, to laugh. I couldn't help myself.

Life is Good!

*(name, address are changed for protection)

Store Pick Up

I was out of my normal stomping grounds yesterday morning. I needed to drive to a nearby town and pick up my mother-in-law for Circle meeting at church. I decided to stop at the Walgreens near her home on my way to pick up some printed photos of the grandbabies. I ordered them through an online service from my laptop and checked the little box on the order form that reads: Store Pick Up. I received an E-mail confirmation that they were ready before I headed out. I ran another errand first and zipped into the pharmacy, I had plenty of time to spare. A thought crossed my mind as I made my way to the photo counter: "why don't all Walgreens set up their stores the same way"? I told the first employee I encountered what I was there to pick up; after some enthusiastic and dedicated searching in the photo department the clerk came up empty handed. I explained that I had received an E-mail and he kindly searched again. Nothing. He called another Walgreens nearby in case I had checked the wrong box on my order. Nope. I was reminded of a similar incident that happened two years ago, so, I gave him my blogger name; I had nothing to lose. He gave me a very confused look and simply suggested that I call back after I got home to supply him with the order and store number; he wrote down his name, the phone number and the extension on a small slip of paper. I agreed that I would do that and left the store. Later yesterday afternoon I dug out the paper, logged into my E-mail and called with the needed information; after reading through the message to the clerk I was met with momentary silence before being informed that I was calling CVS, NOT Walgreens! Walgreens is located across the street, no wonder the stores aren't set up the same way.

Life is Good!

A Good Laugh

Life is Good!

Huh?

I'm catching my breath today, it's good to be home. After our excursion to the Midwest and back I raced to the Capital City and crammed in some Mason-time and then dashed off to Asheville yesterday for a fabulous quilt show at the incredibly beautiful North Carolina Arboretum. Whew! I took a gift basket of assorted goodies to our hosts in Illinois last week. Among the packages of gourmet cookies, crackers, spreads and dip mixes, I had also tucked in this cute little spreader. My sister-in-law opened up the basket when all of the family was gathered in their family room, including my mother-in-law. The following conversation ensued:

SIL: "Thank you for the spreader"
MIL: "What is that on the handle?"
Group: "CHEESES"
MIL: "What?"
Group: (a little louder this time) "CHEESES"
MIL: (looking perplexed, but nodding and replying softly) "Oh"

Later on she asked me, quietly, "where did you find a spreader with Jesus on the handle?" We're still laughing over that one, the spreader has officially been renamed.

Life is Good!

For Your Listening Pleasure...

My parents are visiting from New England for a couple of weeks. Along with various other goodies my Mom brought me a new, classic style, Flutophone! Packaged in a retro-style box it appears to be exactly like the one that I played in elementary school. I was having difficulty with the fingering and my daughter in law came to my rescue here (without a doubt she had an interest in protecting her own ears as well as those of the others in the room). I can't remember the last time that I have laughed as hard as I was during our collaboration; she is doing the fingering while I am supplying the wind. We make a great team. You may want to consider us for your next engagement that requires live entertainment. If you are thinking ahead, no need to worry; we're working on a second number to add to our repertoire: "Jolly Old St. Nicholas" for your holiday enjoyment. Quite amazingly, this is what is printed on the side of the box:

You may want to consider booking early,
we're sure to be inundated with requests~

Life is Good!