July 27, 2005 - 11:42 AM
Our house guests left last Tuesday morning, so were only here for 3 nights. And although it was nice to have some of Lyle's family visit, it's nice to
have the house to ourselves again.
Last week was a busy one. Each morning, Geneva and I left the house with Amelia and Amanda around 8:15 and headed to Crossroads Church where we all took
part in Vacation Bible School, VBS. Amelia was a Tribe Leader. Amanda was a beggar, actress in the skit and shop assistant. And I was the Shopkeeper
for the Basket Shop.
The church was taken back 2005+ years ago and set up as Jerusalem. There was the Marketplace, Synagogue School, Tribal Time and a whole host of activities
that 200 kindergarten thru eighth graders took part in. All workers and participants dressed in costume, wearing tunics.
The Basket Shop was in the North Market along with the Spice Shop, Candy Shop, Bakery & Bead Shop. When children came into the Market, it was very noisy
and joyous. I had two assistance with me teaching the kids to make their baskets, and later in the week when we'd ran out of baskets to make, teaching
them to make head bands, belts and necklaces with twine and beads. My friend Sarah, who is also blind and Nancy, a dear friend from church were wonderful
assistance, and Sarah's dog Janine and Geneva both found their spot each morning and laid quietly throughout our 2 hour spell of hustle and bustle. The
kids were very good not to bother the dogs, and more often than not, seemed to not even notice them. I was really surprised at how accepting the kids
were of Sarah and I, not asking us lots of questions but just taking in our instruction for their project and being very good about showing us how they
were doing by placing their project into our hands.
Each day I would get home around 1:00pm exhausted, but feeling very blessed. Geneva seemed to feel the same way as I, usually plopping down somewhere for
a nap while I relaxed and watched a movie. I took in 3 of my new DVS movies last week, Raising Helen, Meet The Fockers & The Incredibles.
On Saturday, Geneva and I attended our first picnic together. Our PCB chapter and the new SKCB chapter held a joint picnic in Port Orchard at the South
Kitsap Community Park and many of our members rode the train around the park, some more than once or twice. I opted not to ride this year, but I have
in the past and it really is lots of fun. There was lots of food to eat, burgers, hot dogs, salads, etc. and most importantly, people to visit with, and
a little German Shepherd puppy named Duke to hold. Yes, my friend Andy finally has her new GSD puppy and she brought him along. What a treat. I think
he's about 12 or 13 weeks old, very soft fur, pointy ears and lovable. Duke is number 20 for Andy as a puppy raiser. What a gem that lady is! Geneva
did great throughout the picnic. I was very proud of her behavior.
On Sunday, we went to church in our VBS costumes and enjoyed a 10 minute video capturing the week. That evening, Lyle took us out to Tony Roma's for my
birthday dinner, a day early. Yum! I had a half-rack of Carolina Honey's. They were delicious! And, the waiter gave me a bottle of Carolina Honey Sauce
to bring home with me. It was a nice evening.
Monday was actually my birthday. So in the late morning, Michelle and I went to the Mall where she had a surprise planned for me. She took me to the Disney
Store and gave me a gift card to spend. My daughter Amelia had the same though and had also given me a gift card for the Disney Store. So I had a grand
old time! A musical Bambi globe now sits on my hutch and I have some new Mickey Mouse attire too. I hit some good clearance sales! smile We then went
to lunch at Red Robin where Sarah & Clair joined us along with their 3 little ones. Clair's little girl Melanie sat to my right and Kyle, Sarah's oldest,
sat to my left. It was very nice having these two 2-year-olds to help me eat my Hot Fudge Sundae brought to me by our server as everyone sang Happy Birthday.As
most of you know, I've been trying to watch what I eat, but I'd decided that I would just go for it and eat the darn thing. I mean, it was my birthday
and all. But four bites into it, and Kyle, in his sweet little voice sang out to me, and with his mommy's permission, and then with Clair's permission,
my community spoon went from left to right, back and forth, and I had the pleasure of feeding ice cream to these two precious kids, saving myself the calorie
intake and creating a precious birthday memory for me. The lunch event was a special time of conversation and sharing with friends, and the kids were
very good too.
My Mamma Dee & Lucille from next door presented me with a beautiful bouquet of flowers and a gift card for a local coffee place. And my friend Andrea came
over for a long-overdue visit. She even stayed for dinner. I cooked up two quiche. Amanda baked a cake. And it was just a lovely birthday.
Oh yes, I almost forgot to mention. On Sunday I decided to call the Frisbie's, Geneva's puppy-raisers, just to let them know how great everything is going.
Sometimes, you just don't want to use email as the communicator. Anyway, I had a nice talk with Dick and learned that they would be flying through SeaTac
on Thursday, heading to Vancouver BC for a cruise on Friday. The long and short of it is, I'm going to get to me Dick and Claudia and I am so excited!
tomorrow, my dad is driving me to Vancouver Wash. for a hotel site tour and visit with that local chapter. On our way back, we'll go to the Doubletree
where they will be. I can't wait to see Geneva when she sees them and to meet this special couple who gave Geneva her start.
Yesterday, Michelle and I made another visit to the Mall. Sarah and the kids joined us too. I picked up a few cards, a gift, etc. Besides meeting the
Fritz's, I'm going to the GDB graduation this Saturday.
Speaking of the upcoming graduation. My friend Jamie called my last evening to let me know that she was on her way home and would not be graduating Saturday.
She had been having some problems with identifying when she and her dog were veering and apparently this became a major issue. Extra work with instructors
was unable to resolve the potential safety concern and Jamie, very sad and feeling defeated, headed back to Idaho. She, with encouragement by the GDB
staff, is talking about getting more O&M training and reapplying next year. But please keep her in your thoughts and prayers, as no matter how strong
she wants to be, this is a very tough time for her.
Now another bit of Spud news to share. When I returned from my convention vacation, I learned that Spud had been quite sick and had an enlarged spleen
which was removed. I'm told he is in foster care with a GDB employee until he can get a clean bill of health, but it sounds like he is on the mend. I'll
keep you all posted.
This summer has sure been a busy one so far. I think I should write a little more often so that these writings don't turn into chapters.
Thanks for hanging in here with Geneva and me.
Hugs & wags,
Cindy & Geneva
