Routinely fitting in....

Margot H. got after me for not blogging every day this week...whew, such pressure. Aleene is off getting her hair done so I have a few minutes to my self (she keeps me moving.)

We have been walking in the mornings this week. We live about 1/2 mile from the GFU campus, more specifically, the athletic complex with their all weather, rubberized track. We hike up to Fox and do a mile on the nice soft surface (with other seniors who are from the Friends Village, a Freedom Village-like complex that borders the facility.) There are students running and community folk coming and going, too. Then we head back and may or may not stop at our favorite coffee house (Coffee Cottage). It is our favorite because their coffee is hottest and they have a delightful outside veranda (weather permitting) that is attractive to us. Then three more blocks back home.

When Amy and Bren lived in this house we got started walking to Fox early, so it became a natural for us this time around. It is four more blocks to Amy's present house from here, so it was not as inviting from 5th street to go to the track as it is here.

The inside of the house is taking shape. The living room is really looking homey. The kitchen is ready to go now and we are using the other rooms too, but they are stuffed.

Speaking of stuffed...the closets are stuffed, especially the front closet with all our winter AND spring coats. But, hey, if you visit your coat can go on the old coat tree that has been in my family for years. So don't let that stop you.

The garage, as I mentioned yesterday, is now full of sale items, so it will be a while until we can move around in there. I did get some tools put away in the event I have to effect some repairs, I will know where to look for my tools.

For the comuputer literate, Bren helped me get the router going this week, so the house is a WiFi hot spot. We have a password protected system, but, again, if you visit, I will share the password with you, so don't let that stop you. Our desktop is not yet adapted for the internet, but is running otherwise. I have to get a WiFi antenna for it. But I do most of my work on the laptop, so I am ok...Aleene has learned to use the laptop this winter/spring so I am not sure why we have a desk top anymore. Used computers have no value, so I may as well use it as try to sell it. It is a good XP machine, but it takes space and space is a premium in this house.

I went to the men's prayer breakfast on Thursday at a local restaurant...men, plus our female pastor...and that is refreshing. She fits right in (she was born and reared in Scotland, so she can turn on the brogue.) I also went to choir on Wednesday. Believe it or not I did not know any of their music excet their introit. They have about a month left in the season, so I am just sneaking in. They have a robe for me, so I guess I am hooked again. There are about 30 (ten male) voices and the director is the band director at Newberg High. If I have not mentioned the organist, she is terrific. She plays piano for the choir and the praise band, but she is tops on the pipe organ.

The weather continues to be perfect...warm days and cool nights. Monday they are calling for 90 degrees here, but it gets down in the forties at night, so we walk with jackets on.

Not sure how Mother's Day will develop. Amy and Aleene have been talking about it this week. Bren's dad and wife are in the area, so between them and his mom the Connelly's are moving around this weekend. I think they will be here after church since I am on standby to grille something (my motor home grill works just fine.) Amy is taking Aleene to French Bear for lunch today...for the first MD outing they have had in years and years. I will have to kill another hour without her at noon...maybe some NFL channel and a nap...yea, that should do it.

Take care, all, and for you mothers... you are special. It is amazing to me how God had the foresight to give women the minds and bodies to do what they do in life. Those who do it well, are the glue that keeps families strong...and all the mothers I know take their role as mother very seriously...bless you all and thanks.