May is running by...

Well, I finally sat down and did some scrapping on Saturday evening and accomplished 4 pages. I was pleased with what I finished and am hoping to do some more this coming weekend. I even did my first scraplift ever! It was interesting to do something that way. I think it took me longer than creating my own usually does, but I like how it turned out. I also finished another big chunk of pictures with those 4 pages and on Sunday afternoon I got out the next big set of pics and began sifting through them to know what I've got. It's actually from my first time to ever use one of Mom and Dad's timeshares by myself with friends. It was the summer of 1993 and the place was Weirs Beach, NH, right on Lake Winnipesaukee. So I've also done a little research in the last couple days, looking up the names of places we visited and correct spellings, etc. Then I won't have to be back and forth to the computer when I'm ready to work on the pages.

In other news, the current afghan is moving right along. It is actually a pattern done in strips and I'm just finishing the 4th of 9 strips so I'm getting close to half done with it. I wore my new skirt to church on Sunday and it made me feel good! I'm looking forward to maybe getting some other things made to wear, rather than the fabric just sitting in my wardrobe and closet. It's so hard for two reasons. There are so many things I enjoy doing and it's hard to split my time between all of them and yet still feel like I'm accomplishing something. Secondly, on the sewing front, I so want to lose some weight and am really trying to eat well and have started walking (twice a week as of right now, with Susannah), that I want to wait till I do that to make all new clothes. But if I keep putting it off and I don't lose then it all just sits there. What a vicious cycle! Anyway, I think I'm going to have to at least make some new pants for work because the ones I have are getting worn and I'm definitely not going to go spend money on new ones when I already have the fabric and thread. I will have to get some zippers, but that's it! I'll keep you posted.

I also have a new project I'm helping my parents with... they have decided that they are not going to build a home in Hot Springs Village, AR where they have a lot and had intended to retire. They've realized instead that it really would be better to find a continuing care retirement center (like where Grandpa lives) and move into it instead. Then they will not have to ever move again. So we have begun the research, learning and information gathering campaign. We spent a couple weeks looking at stuff on the internet and they began to narrow some things down. There is one here in Brentwood, that is fairly new and interested them so I went last Thursday night and met with a lady to get all the nitty gritty. She spent over 3 hours with me and really gave me a lot of great information and tips. This particular place is way out of their price range, but it was really a great place to start for learning about this type thing in general. In June I will be making a couple trips to check out some places for them. One about halfway to Knoxville and a couple over in Germantown (suburb Memphis). I'm also planning a trip to visit Grandpa near the end of July and will probably meet with someone at his place and an additional one in Fort Wayne. I also got an email from Mom today that they've found another one in Nashville and there is one in Murfreesboro that we aren't sure about, but that I will check on in case. So, those of you who are so inclined, please keep the family in your prayers as we work through all of this over the next couple years - there's alot to learn and alot to decide on.

One more note on the "new" board. I'm going to begin going to a small group Bible study with some girls from my Sunday school class. We meet at our teachers' home once a week and they are just ready to start a new study so it's perfect timing. I'll go for the first time this Thursday and we will have a get-acquainted time and small devotional and then next week will begin the new book. I'm excited about this, I know myself well enough from times past and know that this will help me tremendously to get fully plugged into the new group and the new church. Thank you Lord, for showing me this opportunity!

Well, I guess this has grown quite a bit longer than I had planned, but at least catches up most areas of the doings of my daily life. Have a great rest of the week and hopefully I'll have more to share with you in the very near future!