And sew on.....

 Ok, so John is doing better. I did not have to go off the deep end.   Apparently he managed to work through the whole thing without my help (aka: interference!).   So today is my cousin Nancy's 43rd birthday.  She and I are August to November apart in age.  So I still have a couple months of youth left in me till the big 4-3.  Yeah, I know, who am I kidding?!  Happy Birthday Nancy!!  Anyway,  I just found out something interesting...  North Carolina has a tax- free weekend!  You can shop and pay no tax.  What a marvelous idea!!!!  Why can't Michigan do this?  Somebody call Governor Granholm.   Got off work at 11:30 today.  WHat a great thing!  I went to Michael's and bought a few things for the upcoming Kids Day Camp our church is having next weekend.    I then went to Kohl's to buy my neice a birthday present.  She is turning 12 and so it is a little tough to buy things for her.  She loves clothes, but being 12 she is right between juniors and the girls department.  The girls stuff is too cutesy and Hannah Montana-y and the junior stuff is too slutty.  It was tough to buy a couple tshirts for her that don't make her look like a hooker.  I hope she likes what I got.  Cool fact,  I bought a two pair pack of cow socks for myself, (you never know when you might need cow socks.  Perhaps when one "needs more cowbell."  One would want to wear these socks.)  Anyway,  they were $1.60 for both pair!  Great price huh!  Also, I bought a 3 pack of not so cheap socks, but will probably last more than 20 minutes, and they are the softest socks ever!  And then, when I went to the grocery store, to buy all the stuff I forgot to buy when I went to the store yesterday,  they had these No Nonsence brand socks for like a dollar and change so I bought 3 of those!  It is sock heaven at my house!!!  Today it is STerling Fest.  My city's festival.   Great fun!  I'll be going over there after a bit.  Tomorrow night REO Speedwagon is the headline band!  Yes, you 80's friends!  I'm going to keep on loving you!  Cause it's the only thing I want to do oooo.  It's free at Dodge Park for anyone who wants to go! 

My husband is away this week.  He went with the youth group at our church to Chicago on a mission trip.  They will be working at various things, such as a homeless shelter, Habitat for Humanity, a crisis pregnancy center, that sort of thing.  Now for those of you who don't know, my husband has a heart problem.  He gets fatigued fairly easily.  But because he is off work for the summer the youth pastor always wants him to go on these trips to help with the kids.  John usually enjoys going, although he does confide in me sometimes that often with his work with the youth and other youth staff workers, he feels a bit left out.  Like he doesn't quite fit in with the "cool crowd".  I know that sounds silly, but he does want to be and feel useful with this ministry.  So yesterday, I talked to him by phone and he sounded pretty down.  He does suffer from depression and is medicated for it and mostly does well.  From time to time he will have down days that he just has to get through, till the chemicals balance out again.  Occasionally if something really stressful happens, especially during these down times,  he will have trouble controlling his emotions and this obviously is very embarrassing and frustrating to him.  So yesterday he tells me that he went with some of the youth and other staff to take the kids for ice cream  (by the way, these are senior high age kids), and while he was in the restroom, they left without him!!!  I don't know who the staff worker was who did this, but I'd sort of like to "have a word with them", if you know what I mean!  He said he had to call them after he figured out what happened and wait 20 minutes for them to come back and pick him up!  He was, needless to say, upset about this and apparently was far more emotional than he would have liked, but he couldn't stop it.  So then he's really embarrassed and feeling terrible that he felt like he mattered so little to the rest of them that they would actually forget him and leave him behind!!  This really  breaks my heart and makes me want to drive to Chicago now and pick him up!  I know, I know, I won't go off the deep end!  But still!  Please pray for him that he would be able to get past this and still have a nice time.  He was hoping this year might be different, because last year's trip, he was upset because they all split up in different cars and vans to get there and back and he went to the van he was supposed to ride in and they told him no that he was supposed to ride with so and so, so he went to so and so's car and they said no you're supposed to ride with such and such, so he goes to such and such's car and they said, no, you're supposed to ride with the first van he went to!  So by this time he felt very passed around and very upset!  How is that to treat someone who is supposed to be your friend!  So he already feels a little unwanted, except that the youth pastor asked him to be there, and then they leave him at the ice cream store.   Do I sound like an angry wife?  Sorry, but I am a little.  In the mean time,  I am at home,  my best friend's husband's grandmother died and I had to go to Port Huron yesterday evening.  I didn't mind going of course, because I love my friend and her husband dearly, but it was hard to go after work and leave the dogs alone for yet another few hours and then come home and not get enough sleep.  So I was pretty sleepy this  morning.  Gosh, do I sound whiney.  I hope you will indulge me though.  Anyway,  I had  a good day at work today, so that was good!  Thanks for listening!

Last night, JOhn and I went and saw Hellboy 2,  It was ok, but not great.  Entertaining, if you like this genre.   If you like the Hellboy comic, you'll find this fun.  A few more glimmers from his childhood and then of course the usual bad guy, hellboy fights.    We went out to dinner as well.  It was very nice.  I wore this really cute little top I bought that shows a little more cleavage than I am used to displaying, but John liked it and it was fun to wear.  Today is Saturday and I plan to lay around and read the latest Odd Thomas book and perhaps clean the house a bit.  I may do some quilting.  Of course there is always the basement to clean!  Oh, boy...  Anyway, lots to choose from to do and lots to worry about as usual.  I was just watching Michigan Magazine on PBS, ( I LOVE that show!) and it talked about a quilters retreat at the Thunder Bay Resort.  It is somewhere in northern Michigan, I'll have to look it up.  It looks like lots of fun.  Although, most of my friends are scrapbookers not quilters.  I tolerate scrapbooking in limited doses.  I love all the supplies though, the stickers, the papers and the markers, the cool toys for it, but to actually sit down and do it is pretty tedious.  I did do a scrapbook of last years vacation and I was very happy with that, but the kitchen table was a mess for a couple weeks till it was done and by the time it was done, I was ready for it to  be done!  Ok, time for breakfast.  Gotta go!  Have a great Saturday.  Tomorrow I work afternoon shift.  I am a little nervous about this, because I will be pretty much on my own.  It will be good practice before I work a midnight shift.  I can do it!!!!!!!  Just keep swimming, just keep swimming.........  :)

4th of July was fun.  We went to my inlaws because it is my mil's birthday on the 4th.  My brother in law came into town then too.  It was nice to see him.  Also, on Sunday we were invited out on the boat of some people we only knew a little at church.  It was  a very unexpected and very pleasant invitation!  We had a great time!  The boating life is kind of nice.  If only I didn't have that pesky sea sickness thing.  But I did pretty much ok.   

So,  I reluctantly joined a Bible Study my neighbor and friend, Dixie was hosting in her home.  But went because of the topic and John encouraged me to. I didn't do it reluctantly because I don't like Bible studies or anything, I just wasn't sure I wanted to devote time to it.  But it is on how to hear God's voice.  In everyday things and decisions.  I just finished the first week and wow!  It talks all about faith and how when the man from Capernaum (John 4:46-54)  came to Jesus and asked for his son to be healed and Jesus told him to go home that his son was well.  So the guy just went home knowing his son was healed.  I am trying to mull over in my head and do a little more study on faith to decide what that meant.  I don't really think the guy just went home to see what happened.  He must have went knowing that his son was well.  How to have that kind of faith.  Just knowing that God did something.  Of course, this guy had Jesus tell him outright that his kid was ok, and I don't hear too much verbally from God, but He does make things clear to me sometimes.  I am thinking specifically of my husband's healing.  I have been praying for John's healing and thus far, God has seen fit not to heal him.  How do I know if God will heal him and I don't believe on  it.  So this is what I am going to pray towards.  That God would help me to know His plan and that I would then have faith on that plan, or should it be the other way around?  I have faith in the plan, whether I know what it is or not?  Hummm....   Hebrews 11:1 says "Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."    Then there is the whole mustard seed thing... in Matthew 17:20  where Jesus tells us that we don't even need all that much faith to accomplish much.  It says,  "Because you have so little faith.  I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move.  Nothing will be impossible for you."  So here it is.  I am going to work on this.  I am a believer in Jesus Christ for my salvation.  I love Him and know he died on the cross to pay for my (Jennifer's) sin.  (and yours too), I believe that He alone can save me from eternal separation from Him.  Years ago I told Him that I believed in His name to save me from my sin and that I would walk with Him all the days of my life.  So I am living this out daily and am going to practice truer faith.  Not lacidaisical  (no idea if I spelled that right!) faith anymore for me.  For all of my praying and believing friends out there, please pray along with me  that we would be a faithful people.  Can you imagine what God could do if we unite together in faith?!  If you don't know Jesus and are wondering what I'm talking about send me an email and I will explain it too you, from the beginning. 

Ok,  all my praying friends out there.  Time to rally and pray for my friend's sister.  To make a long story short, she has cancer.  Nasty kind.  Took out a bunch of colon and they still couldn't get it all.  Next is radiation, chemo and only our God knows what else.  So please pray for her salvation, the salvation of her family as many of them don't know Christ.   Pray for my friend as he prays for his sister and tries to support his family.  Thanks

 Happy Father's Day to all the fathers out there!!!!  Thanks for playing with us, fixing stuff, eating stuff with and for us, and for being the strongest man in the world!  (in case anyone wonders, my Dad could beat up your dad!)

Hey, so cool thing.  Today, I talked to my friend Sandy.  Haven't spoken in about a year and a half.  So nice to talk to her.  She is the kind of friend that when she visits, (she lives in Wisconsin), doesn't complain, "how come you never call, how come you never write?".  We just sort of accept each other where we are.  When we get in touch, it's sort of like a horse race when they open that little gate and the horse comes charging out and goes full tilt till the race is over.  That is us.  Our conversation goes full tilt till the time is up and we hug, hug, kiss, kiss and are completely happy.  She has always supported me and I have done so for her.  We share a sort of kinship that is priceless.  One of those "forever" friends you might say.  I also stepped into the 21st century and set up a facebook account.  I'm sure there is some way to link face book and live journal, but I'm not sure how.  you can find me under my email address, jennifred40@yahoo.com  .  Today at work, half of the operating rooms started an hour late because of a power problem.  It seems someone thought doing something to the generator, some sort of upgrade or whatever, was a good idea, well, apparently it wasn't.  None of the computers worked and we were getting these weird power surges.  So it took them an hour to figure out how to fix it and test to make sure the power surges weren't dangerous.  Wouldn't want to use the cautery unit and electrocute someone!  don't think that is possible, but you understand.  
John put up the new address sign we bought for our house!  Looks really nice!  He also trimmed our ridiculously over grown, Japanese Maple tree.  Gave it a hair cut and it looks nice.  Now he is off to music rehearsal at church.  
I am off to put laundry in the dryer and take out what garbage JOhn didn't get to.  Wee howdy, my life is exciting!

So lots has gone on since I last posted.  Toni's wedding, very nice.  She seemed to have a nice time!  Can't figure out how to put a picture in here, so forget it.   Anyway, lately,  I have  been seeing lots of people I haven't seen in a long, long time.  A couple weeks ago, I was able to see a freind whom I haven't seen in the better part of 20 years.  Jackie and I grew up together.  We were almost like sisters.  She gratuated joined the military and I graduated and went to work and we never really saw each other much after that.  But she came for a visit and I was able to meet up with her, our mothers and she and I shared a very nice, and long lunch.  I missed her so.  Then just yesterday,  John and I went to the home of a couple I went to high school with.  Mike and Cherri's daughter graduated high school and they invited us to her grad party.  It was so very nice to see them.  My other friend Rick came too, I haven't seen him in ages either.  It was like old times, only now, my other best friend, my husband, was there with me!  It was great to share this with him.  He was a real trooper, listening to us telling stories!  Such fun.  There is another guy who was in our gang, Kevin, he was my high school, boyfriend, he lives in lower MI now and we talk only occasionally by email.  So I emailed him pics that we took yesterday.  My sweet husband was even gracious enough to put up with a few Kevin stories too!  Anyway,  we had a great time, and I have really enjoyed remembering old times.  Oh, I set up a facebook account today.  Woo Hoo!!  If you are on face book, look me up!  It is under my name, Jennifer Reynolds or my email address. 

My legs are killing me!  It's my calves really.  I joined a new gym and the trainer there is a very nice girl, but she worked me like a rented mule!!  I worked my legs on Monday and it is now Thursday and I still am having trouble walking.  I did arms and upper body stuff yesterday and it doesn't bother me.  But my legs, it's like t he muscle doesn't want to support me.  I have to stretch it out for a while before I stand up.  It will get better!  I will keep working!  I think I 'm supposed to go for a dress fitting today, but I work afternoons today, so I am going to have to reschedule.  Also, I think the dog has an eye infection.  It's been a little ooky for a week or two, but he has allergies and that's what I thought it was, but it's not getting any better.  So I have to figure out when to get him to the vet.  He has to go for his knee anyway.  I don't know if the Humane Society of Macomb, where we take him can do xrays though.  I'm just out of ideas for his knee.  It's just not getting any better.  I'm sure it's a torn ACL, and he did this before, but the leg got better.  This one isn't getting any better.  It's been since about Christmas I think.  I give him his medicine everyday, but still not better.  I'm really worried about this because surgery is super expensive.  I don't want my dog to hurt, but there is no way I can afford surgery.  I'm barely making my bills now.  John's work will taper off during the summer and I am hoping he gets another job, but he's not showing signs that he is going to look.  I don't know.  I feel myself getting a bit overwhelmed here.  Too much going on when all I really want to do is work on my yard and sew.  I have to finish a quilt for my niece.  And  I bought a bunch of material to make scrub hats.  I cut them all out, but have sewn only one and a half last night during American Idol.  Ok, there it is.  I let the cat out the bag.  I am a closet American Idol fan.   Shameful I know.  But I really hope David Cook wins.  He is the best I think.
Oh, cool, completely unrelated news!!  I have a baby Japanese Maple tree growing in my flower bed out front!  I have the Mama tree out front too and like a regular maple tree that drops those helicopter things and little trees sprout up everywhere, the Japanese Maple, isn't prolific like that.  We've had the tree for several years now and this is the first time I've seen a little tree!  I am praying that it lives.  I have no idea where I'll put it, but it is just cool that it is growing.  Ok, I'm reading this email back and I think I'm a little ADD here!  That happens when I start to feel too overwhelmed.   I need to go do some stuff.  Always something!