I had a funny experience today. It actually began yesterday. My husband and I went to Austin to take care of some things at the association office with which he is involved and while we were there, I noticed a small loose place on my right shoe. It was just little, and I was actually able to just tuck it back into place and I laughed about it and told my husband and the lady in whose office we were that I see no reason to shop unless absolutely necessary, and I thought the shoes would last awhile longer.

Then, today, I went to drop off an order and on to a store and as I walked through the store, I thought, `Why does it feel like my toe is going through the end of my shoe?' I looked down, and realized that my left shoe had come apart from just beside my big toe, around the inside of the shoe to where the heel began. The sole of the shoe literally hung down half an inch from the upper of the shoe. I left the store, went straight to the nearest department store and bought the shoe closest to the one I was sort of wearing. Told the salesman that under the circumstances, I saw no reason not to wear the new shoes out of the store and just to throw the old ones out along with the box. No point in taking the empty box either. He was still laughing when I left the store.

Called my mom and allowed her to laugh at my expense. She said she couldn't believe I literally walked out of my shoes. That's what happens when you hate to shop so badly you only do so in dire circumstances.

I like my new shoes.

Another Restored Friendship

I had another great blessing yesterday. My phone rang and I missed the call, but when I checked the caller id, it was a friend I hadn't heard from in four years. I called her right back and we talked for nearly two hours. Four years ago, her father died and she went through the same type of tailspin that I did. Her mother lives in another state and she was trying to help her and it all got to be overwhelming. In addition, there was another major change in their family and all-in-all, she just didn't have the energy to talk to me or answer letters, etc. I told her I understood completely.

This is the most godly woman I've ever known, and to find out she suffered many of the same emotions that I have made me feel so much better. At times I felt guilty for being depressed. Then, last night, I spoke briefly with another woman who expressed the same guilt. I guess the things that made me feel the most isolated and alone are shared by everyone. Isn't that what we're supposed to realize about ourselves and those around us?

High School Musical has a song in it, "We're All in This Together", and we are. But Satan loves to convince us we're all alone. That's a little sobering to think about because that means, I was putty in his hands, instead of resting in the Hands of my Father. Believers don't go through life without problems, challenges, temptations and troubles. But we do have the means to get through them. That's a promise we all have, but I see that once again, I was not letting God be in charge.

Anyway, I'm delighted to have my friend, who is an amazing prayer partner, back in my life. Can't wait until the next time we get to visit. Maybe I'll even get to see her next year when we go to her town for a convention. It's worth a try, anyway.

Needed Time to Recover before Posting Again

Last week was a stressful time for me. This was the biggest reason.

I did something terrible to my daughter before her state board practical exam last week. She had packed her stuff the day before and we put water in an insulated carafe that morning. When we were getting ready to go, I grabbed her bag and lab coat and put them in the car with my purse and camera (for the Fair - not allowed at the test). When we were about to 9 miles from home, she asked if I had her lab coat and I told her yes. We went all the way up to the city where the test was being given - 35 miles or so from here and arrived 25 minutes before she was even allowed to enter the building. Sat outside about 20 minutes and I suddenly realized I didn't have the water. She hadn't brought it either. I threw the GPS at her and told her to find a Target or Wal-Mart and I was praying - out loud part of the time. Found an Office Max first. Office Depot has them, but Office Max didn't. The clerk in there told me where a Wal-Mart was, but my daughter had found a Target and didn't want to get back on the freeway before the test. So we went to Target. Ran (literally) in, found the carafe, raced to the check out and waited in line, not patiently. Continued to pray, sometimes aloud, as we raced back to the testing center. Got there and in the door at about 1:25. Made her the last to check in, but we made it. Meanwhile, to her credit, she never got upset (I was upset enough for both of us) and said, "If I can't take the test today, it's for a reason and it's okay."

Once we got in there and got started, she was as calm as she could be. Scored a 75 our of 78 (96%). I had to go on to the car to wait for her to finish the test once I was released, and she was going to try to convince me she hadn't passed, but she couldn't keep from smiling. It was such a relief, and then I cried. If she hadn't passed it, I would have felt like a real scumbag.

Final blow - she didn't need the carafe. She was allowed to get water at will from the shampoo bowls in the room.

It has been hard to forgive myself for causing her any anguish. I know she handled it well, and that is good, but I hate to let down anyone, especially my own children.

This week included my and my husband's 29th anniversary. No big celebrating, but it's still quite a milestone for us. Last night was our state's "National Night Out". It's too hot to have that in August with the rest of the country, so ours was moved to October. It was fun, but not exciting. This is, after all, a very small town. Good hot dogs, though. Thanks to the Fire Department.

My daughter has her first event with her new company this weekend. Everything has come together well and she is ready for it. The last part was getting the "gimmes" she is going to give out and they arrived yesterday so they are ready to go today. Sure is nice to have them done ahead of time.

I have been working on my preparations for a big scrapbooking event the following weekend. My gameroom looks like a tornado tore through it, but I've made progress. Today I get to mark down items for sale. I hate doing that. It means changing the tape in the tape gun and that's hard to do. Ha! Not really hard to do, but I don't enjoy it, then I have to make a list of every item I'm marking down and the original and sale prices. It's a lot of tedious, boring work. But then it will be done. That's the last big chore except making snacks for the big day.

Guess that's about it for this time. Have a blessed day.