Monday (5/10) & Tuesday (5/11)

Monday (5/10)

I was on the phone with my brother for about 30 minutes last night - he called just as I had pulled in the garage and parked.  He needed my assistance with loading a file onto a portable drive so that he could transport it between his home computer and office computer.  I helped him with that, then we caught up with what had been going on with each other since we last talked.  

I learned my oldest nephew had had to have an additional surgery on his thumb.  He had injured it as a result of an accident last year in which his truck was totaled.  He was not at fault.  He had surgery on it a while back, but the thumb was still not right, so they had to go in last week and redo the surgery.  He's hopeful to only miss a couple of weeks of work.  His thumb is very important to him in his line of work.  

Tuesday (5/11):

I finished reading Book One of The Antiquities of The Jews: From the Creation to the Death of Issac.  I still have Books Two and Three to read.  I found Book One to - for the most part - confirm Biblical accounts.  There were just a few items in there that I found to differ from the Bible.  Book Two has 16 chapters and Book Three has 15.  I have 2 weeks to read them.  

Earlier today Karen Irby was sentenced to 2 18 year terms in prison - to run concurrently - in the deaths of 2 young doctors in February, 2009 as the result of a head-on collision in North Jackson.  The sentencing was carried live by WAPT-TV [Channel 16].  

A co-worker and I went walking this morning - just a short walk - and indoors down the street down a long hallway.  Supposedly 2 trips up and down that long hallway is a mile.  She and I both need to get back to walking for exercise - well I do, anyway.

Today is "drummer boy" Mark Joel Herndon's 55th birthday.  He played drums for country supergroup and Artist of the Decade and Country Music Hall of Fame members ALABAMA.  

This is all I've got for now....

Sunday evening and Monday

Sunday (5/9)

My housemate arrived home about 8:40 PM.  She said that it was a tiring drive but she made it.  She shared with me some details of her visit with her family and we had a nice catch-up chat before I finally went on to bed, since I had an early call this morning.  

Monday (5/10)

I attended the lunch at First Baptist of Jackson and we had a good speaker today.  It has been a quiet day; cooler than usual for this time of year.  There was even a little bit of rain this morning - although I didn't see any on my way in to work.  

On the walk back to work afterward, the sun had popped through.  Our high today was 81 degrees.  We struggled to reach that!  

This is all I've got for now....

Saturday, 5/8 & Sunday 5/9, 2010

Saturday (5/8):


My housemate and I took Rusty for a walk in the morning.  I "took the reins" so to speak - that is, I had control of the leash.  I think we confused the dog because she was with me, but I had the leash.  


Once we were done, I left and ran an errand to the grocery store to pick up some things, including a bag of dog food for Rusty.  We hadn't gotten any food for him since before she made the trip to Vancouver, Canada but his food bin was starting to get low.  The bag I got him is 17.6 pounds.  We haven't opened it yet since we want to try to use up all of what is in the bin first.  


After the stop at the grocery, I went on to LifeWay Christian Stores and did some shopping.  I got a couple of copies of Barbie's book.  I found they were actually already signed, but that she would personalize them when she arrived.  So, I put them in the buggy, then went on do some additional shopping.  


I got a copy of Edge of Apocalypse: The End Series from Dr. Tim LaHaye and Craig Parshall; a copy of Stormie Omartian's The Power of Praying Through the Bible and I was also looking for something to go with the items I've got for my cousin and her fiancé for a wedding "happy".  I settled on something that is made specifically for weddings and was recommended by Nancy, an employee at LifeWay that I personally know.  It's still at LifeWay to have their names imprinted on it because they're backed up with imprint work due to graduations and weddings.  I should be able to pick it up sometime this week, though.


Eventually Barbie came in and there was a small crowd waiting to greet her.  I was first to get my books done and I got a picture taken with her.  I also got pictures of her signing the books.  Before the signing, though, I had taken pictures of the book display.  

Display of Barbie's book 

Barbie signing copies

of her book:

Forecasts & Faith: Five Keys to Weathering the Storms of Life

at LifeWay Christian Stores in Jackson on Saturday, May 8, 2010                                 

Once my books were signed and the pictures taken, I gathered my stuff and left.  I headed for home, but bypassed the house and instead went to a local restaurant and placed a "to go" order and picked it up and came home.  I ate lunch and did a few things around the house.

My housemate had declined to go to the signing as a friend of hers had passed away and she had some things to do at home before going to attend the funeral.  She came in from the funeral sometime after I got back and I shared with her about the signing.  

She changed clothes and packed, then headed out to travel to her son's home in North Mississippi to be there for Mother's Day and to attend her grand-daughter's violin recital.

Sunday (5/9):

I got up and ready and went to church and Sunday School today.  I went on to stop on the way home to pick up lunch at a local restaurant, then came in and changed clothes and ate lunch.  

There were no activities at church this afternoon or evening because of it being Mother's Day.  I took a nap and have done a few things around the house as well.  

My housemate should be on her way home by now - in fact, hopefully she should be close to pulling in the driveway.  

I suppose that this is all I've got for now....

Today - Friday....

I woke up about 3:30 AM and couldn't get back to sleep, so I got up and got on the computer, trying to be quiet since my housemate was asleep.  I uploaded the pictures from NDP2010 and MAS - FBCJ 2010 and saved them in folders on my flash drive.  I wound up actually uploading 53 and 54 pictures to the folders for a total of 107 photos.    


I went back to bed around 5:00 AM and woke up again about 7:45 AM; wandering out to the kitchen just about the time my housemate was finishing up in there so she could head out to work this morning.  She left for work and I went on to have breakfast and take my regular AM meds plus the AM group from the NP on Tuesday.  I also went through the newspaper and discovered that someone I know's husband passed away yesterday.  I know her from a church I was previously a member of   


Once I finished up with breakfast, I cleaned up behind myself and then came to my bedroom and got on the computer for a little while - I logged in to Shutterfly and uploaded the groups of photos from each event that I had noted - after uploading and doing a little editing to them, I had written down a list of which ones [by number] I wanted to upload to Shutterfly - and then decided that I would place an order for the free 50 4x6 prints that I had coming from them.  I did that - I ordered at least one of each of the photos in the 2 new albums I had created; in some cases I ordered more. Then I placed the order - and found that I had to pay the shipping and handling for the order - which came to $3.20 - so I plugged in my debit card information and finished placing the order.  It's due in sometime around the end of next week.  


I logged out and went to check my e-mail and found I had quite a few messages.  I left my Inbox up and went and took a quick shower, got dressed [shorts and tee shirt] and as I was finishing up, my cell phone rang.  I checked and found it was my SS classmate calling - she and ministry partner had made it back to the USA - they were at JFK in New York and she called to let me know and check in with me.  She said that they would be back in Jackson sometime this evening.  


I was looking at my e-mail and found I had one from someone in our class about her husband.  I told her about it and asked her if I should send out a special note about it.  She said that she's at peace about this - whatever I want to or feel led to do.  


So, after I hung up from talking with her, I finished reading my e-mail, then pulled up a new message, titling it "Special Note: Updates!" and copied and pasted the classmate's message in it; I also added a message from our missionary classmate - that she had called and let me know that she and her ministry partner are back in the USA and that she had a wonderful time in Ougadougou and can't wait to tell us about it and should be home in Jackson this evening.  I also added a message from me letting everyone know that I had seen the NP instead of the doctor, and that I wound up with 4 prescriptions and a diagnosis of a combination of sinus, allergies and cold. I said that I am finally feeling better, but asked them to continue to pray for me to get over and beat this.  


I sent the e-mail out and then received a prompt from YahooGroups about it and logged in and approved it, so that it went on to the e-mail list.  Once I was done with that e-mail business, I went on to try to get logged in to my work e-mail and it was saying it couldn't get to that website.  So, I closed the browser and went back to my desktop and used the shortcut and it went right to it.  I realized that the bookmark I was using is old and out of date.  I got logged in and it loaded correctly again.  


I looked to see if I had a message from a co-worker about the medical reimbursement check and I didn't, so I waited a few minutes, then sent her an e-mail inquiring.  After a while longer and no respone - e-mail or phone [I had included my cell number in the e-mail I sent her] - I called and got her.  She said that the checks were in and that there was one for me and how much it was.  I finshed up getting ready, logged out of the work e-mail account and headed out and Downtown.  I found that there was a parking space in front of the building - with a meter - so I opted to pull over and park there.  I put a quarter in the meter - for 30 minutes of time - since it was expired and even though I knew I wouldn't be that long.  I didn't have any lesser change on me so that's why I had to use a quarter.


It was up to the business office.  She was in there - along with some other people - and I picked up the check, chatted briefly, then excused myself and headed out. I went on back down to the car, got in and drove away, headed for the banking office.  I made my way there and cashed the pair of checks, then headed back towards home - I stopped at the post office on the way back.  


Okay - I had to take a break to move a load to the dryer and start another load in the washer.  Then the computer decided to not cooperate!  I thought I was going to have to reboot.  But, I managed to get control of it - at least I think I have control; it may think otherwise!   


By the way, I didn't mention that when I picked up my housemate's mail for her yesterday, I found a package left by FedEx that was a gift from her daughter for Mother's Day.  I retrieved it and put it on the kitchen counter.  I didn't say a word to her about its arrival since I had no idea she was expecting it.  I didn't want to spoil a surprise from her daughter.  Anyway, she found it when we got home last night and asked me when it had come in.  I told her and added, questioningly, "you knew about this?!" and she said that her daughter had told her she was sending it so that she would be looking for it.  I said that I hadn't said anything to her about it in case that it was supposed to be a surprise.  She understood that.  


There was also a greeting card in the mail from her daughter for her; I didn't mention anything about it either; I just told her that I had put her mail on her desk.  Later I noticed that she had checked it and found the card, but I didn't say anything to her about it - not wanting to be nosey!


Sukiey is now laying contentedly on my bed - it's a case of she wants to be wherever I am when I'm at home.  My housemate says that Sukiey will cry for me - she said it sounds just like a child crying.  I'm glad she puts up with this from Sukiey.


Saturday is the Barbie Bassett book signing at LifeWay Christian Stores.  It's from 12:00-2:00 PM.  I'm not sure if my housemate is going to go or not; the last time I mentioned it, she didn't seem interested.  I'll mention it again this evening and see what she says.  


This is all I've got for now...oh - the laundry is done - and put away.  

Missionary Appointment Service - FBCJ 2010

My housemate and I attended the Missionary Appointment Service at FBCJ.  Dr. Jerry Rankin is retiring after 17 years as president of the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention.  He has spent many years prior to those 17 on the mission field and in other positions as well.  This was his final MAS to preside over; he and his wife Bobbye, will be retiring at the end of July to Clinton.  They are native Mississippians.  


I took my camera along and got a lot of pictures - most of which I can't share because they're of the missionaries.  Here are a couple that I can share, though:


[below]
Dr. Larry Black
Minister of Music, Emeritus
FBCJ (w/Music Assistant Eva Hart)

  

[above]

Dr. Jerry Rankin, President

International Mission Board

Southern Baptist Convention

The MAS lasted for 2 hours; from 6:30 - 8:30 PM.  There was a reception afterward, but we did not attend.

National Day of Prayer - For Such A Time As This....

I left work about 11:40 AM and headed over to my car.  There I dropped my briefcase and purse in the trunk - I stuck my wallet in my back pocket - and left the hard case for my sunglasses on the front seat of the car.  Of course I hit the alarm button on my remote as I left the car.  Then I headed on over to the Capitol.  I got over there about 11:50 AM I suppose it was.  I found a spot that seemed to be fairly shady in front of a mother's memorial monument.  

I tried to call a co-worker to see where she was but got no answer.  I began looking around to see if I could spot her, or a couple of friends.  Well, instead of finding any of them, I spotted another friend.  I finally succeeded in attracting her attention.  I let her know where I was hanging out.  She took a seat in a row of seats in front of the memorial monument.  Eventually, as I walked around a little, I saw the other 3.  I let them know where I was hanging out; I went back to the memorial monument for a little while then decided it was getting too sunny there and I moved around some.  I found a spot in the shade on the left side of the stage and stayed there for a few minutes, but then moved around again and found a spot up on top of a mound off to the right side of the stage but where I had a perfect photographic view of the stage and the speakers.  I made sure that where I was sitting didn't impact the view of a couple of women sitting in chairs off to my left.  They assured me that they were fine with me sitting there.  


Throughout the entire Mississippi National Day of Prayer service, I took pictures.  I got several copies of the program - copies for friends, plus one for me.  One friend is the one whom I adopted Sukiey from.  The reason I got a copy for her [she now lives in Texas] is that one of the speakers [or rather "pray-ers"] was Pastor Otis Lichlyter of Living Hope Ministry.  He's the man she always called "Poppa O" and she was a member of his church when she lived at here.  I've met him and his wife, Twyla on a couple of occasions.


When I saw his name on list, since I knew him, I decided that what I would do would be to get a number of pictures of him so as to have several to choose from, then print a couple of the best ones and put them, along with a copy of the NDP program, in a photo mailer and send the package to her as a surprise.  I know she'll get a kick out of this!


As the NDP service started, when we reached the reading of the Proclamation of the National Day of Prayer [in Mississippi, by the state legislature], it was announced that Lt. Governor Phil Bryant - who, as President of the State Senate, normally presides over this and was scheduled to do so today - had had to travel out of town and down to the Gulf Coast to meet with some federal officials concerning the oil spill.  So, filling in for him with this duty was Mississippi State Senator Michael Watson.  


The individual praying for Mass Media and Entertainment Industry was Dan Modisett, General Manager and President of WLBT-TV [Channel 3].  Of course, there were reporters and camera people from Channel 3 there covering the story - since their boss was a participant!  I don't think they dared not to come and cover this story for that reason!


Eventually, they reached the point where it was time for prayer for the military.  Well Poppa O got confused or something happened - and he jumped ahead in line and got up to pray for Pastors, Churches and Ministry Organizations.  Sgt. Michael Thomas from the MS National Guard followed him, although he should've preceded Poppa O.  I got pictures of all of those praying - as the last person was praying, I made my way back down to the area where the memorial monument was.  I found that one friend was still sitting where I had left her; my co-worker was sitting behind her.  The others had had to leave and return to work.  I made my way over to them.  My co-worker handed me some cash - it was my change from earlier.  The other friend had to leave to return to work; my co-worker stayed through the observance of communion - something I don't recall having been done before - then she had to leave to return to work.  


I moved closer and waited through the singing of the final song; then when I realized that the lady who was going to blow the shofar was going to stand almost behind the podium, I had to hurry and move to the side and even closer so that I could get pictures of Mrs. Bean blowing the ram's horn.  I got several - good ones.  

Once the NDP service was over, I headed back so that I could retrieve my car.  I got there and popped the trunk, then put the NDP programs in my briefcase and also put my camera in there.  I got my purse out and put my wallet back in it and then shut the trunk and went and got in the car and drove away. 

It's Been A Few Days....

Good afternoon....it's been a few days since I've posted anything.  So, let me back up and start writing. 

I last posted on April 28, 2010.  That was a Wednesday.  Nothing exciting or memorable happened the remainder of that day.

Then on Thursday, April, 29, 2010 I attended the Mission Mississippi Prayer Breakfast at First Baptist - Jackson.  There was a large turnout and we had scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon and biscuits plus grits for breakfast with coffee or orange juice as beverages.  I brought along a bottle of Coca Cola Zero as that's my preference.  I can't drink coffee in hot weather and orange juice doesn't like me.

After the Prayer Breakfast was over, I headed for my car, then drove on to work and had to park in the garage since all of the parking lot spaces were already taken.  It was my "short day" at work; afterward I stopped for the mail and also at the grocery store to do some shopping before heading home.

Friday, April 30, 2010 was my day off.  I had to make a trip to my banking institution, as it was payday.  I did that and also stopped at the post office again for the mail.  I had some money orders to get; I also stopped at an office supply place to pick up a few items I needed, then headed home - where I stayed for the rest of the day.

Saturday, May 1, 2010, was the monthly meeting of "the breakfast club" at a local restaurant.  My housemate and I attended along with several others.  Afterward, we came home and she got something to cover the back seat of her car and then took Rusty over to the vet.  She dropped him off for his shots that were due along with a bath.  He was beginning to need one badly.  She had some errands to run while he was at the vet.

I left and went to run a couple of errands myself.  I went to make copies of my Sunday School class' prayer calendar; I also went to a sports store and purchased baseball display holders for the 6 baseballs I had signed by NY Yankee legend Bobby Richardson. 

When I returned home, I sat down and placed the baseballs in the holders and then put them in a box and put the photos I had printed that go with them in there too.  Sukiey seemed to be attracted to them, so I had to put the box in the closet where it would be out of her reach. 

I wasn't feeling well - I had what I thought might be the beginnings of a sinus infection.  I wound up missing both church and Sunday School on Sunday, May 2, 2010.  My housemate went to the second service. 

We had some stormy weather to move through on Sunday afternoon.  Neither of us went to the evening service as a result.  Travel was too hazardous!

I missed work both Monday and Tuesday - I was still feeling ill.  I went to the nurse practitioner on Tuesday and was diagnosed with an amalgamation of sinus, allergies and a cold.  Whoa!  I left there with 4 prescriptions to go and get filled.  I went home and stayed put after getting the prescriptions filled at the pharmacy. 

I spent most of the day/afternoon in bed and had the TV on to keep me company, although I slept a good bit.  I did watch the Oprah with Laura Bush and I'm going to get Mrs. Bush's book when an opportunity presents itself. 

I returned to work today and I'm feeling much better now that the medicines are getting into my system.  For lunch I went down the street and got something - including a milkshake to try to ease my throat - I'm still coughing in spite of taking a cough suppressant pill. 

Well - this about sums things up - I'll publish here.....