Tuesday….

Auditor still here.  Went to the office, made sure he had everything he needed, then finished some work and went back home.  Checked on him again about 2.  He says he will be there two more days–yuck!

Back home, garden work, pulled up another dead shurb and planted a climbing rose—Queen Elizabeth–will be pink, climbing up a black iron trellis.  Hopefully it will look nice.

Actually started washing windows—-yes washing windows.  My garage windows had a really good coating of bug stuff.  Ended up getting a razor to scrape—while I was doing that, I scraped the paint off the windows from where we had painted the garage two years ago.

Cooked dinner - spaghetti casserole, cheese bread, iced tea.  Oh yeah, there was salad too.

Went to church - MOPS meeting, but no MOPS—I must have had the wrong time

Back home, read about one of our community taking rehab in China - amazing!

College boy home, two finals today, studying for two more on Friday.

Well, that’s it for me today—–real significant stuff!

 

Prom

 

   Our last prom!  I stressed all day about Kid#2 taking off to drive to BG and then back at midnight.  But, that just shows how little faith I operate in sometimes.  God got them there and got them back safe and sound—thank you, Jesus.  They looked so nice, don’t you think.  They went together as a group of 3 couples.  It was fun to see them all dressed up and interacting while we were taking pictures.  Kid#2 is such a ham. We didn’t get to get pictures AT the prom (although I learned later than many parents actually did go) but, we have pictures of the couple, the group, cousins and brothers—-even the shoes, yes it was all about the shoes.  So….another milestone has passed.  Next hurdle—graduation!

Monday……again

We survived prom.  Kid #2 made it there AND back with no scratches or dents on my vehicle and no trip to the police station!  Hallelujah!!  I will post pictures a little later.

Well, on to Monday.  Monday with an auditor in my office all day, and probably the next two.  This is NOT what I had planned for this week. 

Before you get the wrong idea—–WE are not being audited, but I have a client who is.  His situation is a little unusual, but I don’t believe he is pulling any funny stuff with his return.  However, I have to admit, that when the auditor asked if he kept his business banking separate from his personal banking and he answered no—-I thought oooooh that doesn’t sound real good.  Anyway, if I disappear for a few days, you’ll know that I have a date with the Taxman.  Keep me in your prayers. 

Saturday morn

Saturday has not begun well for me today.  Stayed up too late last night, partly because of the weather.  Since 2/5, every lightening/wind/thunder/pouring rain storm gets me on edge.  I am sure it will eventually wear off, but I still get a start when the noon alarm goes off in town.  So, needless to say, waking up this morning didn’t have me in the best form.  Add to that, the beginning of another episode of vertigo–so far just mild, probably from the weather change, sinus, etc—and I just feel crappy. 

Having to really right a rising sense of panic as Kid #2 prepares for prom tonight.  They are going to BG and he has never driven there, especially without one of us.  Hoping the weather won’t be like last night.  (WHY do they have to have it so far away??)  I guess tonight will be another late one, because I am sure I won’t sleep until I know he is back in town. 

Please remember to pray for the kids as they travel back and forth. 

Talk to you all later, gotta go take a pill for this HEADACHE.

Friday….

No yard work today. 

 

Pouring down rain. 

Tornado watch. 

Shopping.  

Back home for dinner with hubbie. 

Ready to go to bed–nite, nite.

Celebrating a very special moment

Sunday night was a very special night for these two little angels.  They had the opportunity to make their profession of faith - “Jesus is Lord” and experience baptism.  They were just like any other elementary age girls, giggly, squirmy, impatient to get it done.  But, unlike many girls their age, they knew the significance of what they were doing.  They understood that they would not come out of the water the same as when they went under.  I just wanted to take the opportunity to celebrate this exciting and wonderful time with them. 

Love you both!

Oh, a note to the mother of each of these girls—I tried to get them to do it with the wigs, and they wanted to, but said their mother would be SOOO mad.

Update on Christy—call to pray!

 

 

Got this email from my friend Nancy re Christy’s situation—-please be interceeding for her, this news is not what they were hoping to get.  This news just makes me cry, she is such a precious person.

Thought I would try to keep you guys informed.  The PET scan results are in and not really what we were hoping for.  Christy will have to undergo radiation and chemo for 6 wks then surgery followed by 6 months of radiation and chemo.  The start date of the treatment is still be finalized.  I will try to keep you informed as to how things are going.  Please continue to keep Christy and Jim in your prayers. Please pray for Strength for what lies ahead.  Courage to face them, Understanding that God knows what he is doing, and Faith that he will be there with her through it all.  I know my God is an Awesome God.  When we are on our last leg he is there to pick us up and carry us.  

 

Nancy F. McGuire

Office Manager / Senior Tax Advisor

 

     

Still not moving so well…

Another day of hoeing, raking, etc.  Still so darned sore, but the back yard is almost finished.  I ran out of mulch, so a trip to Walmart in BG will be necessary again.  I really, really love this rubber mulch that I am working with.  I love the idea of recycling something and it is organically dyed so it is a really pretty brown color. 

I bought a bird feeder today and some bird food.  I just love watching those little critters, so soon I will hopefully have some pretty little ones enjoying a snack here.  I also got my humming bird feeder out—needs washing—but will have it out soon. 

I planted some sun ferns in the ground–first time for me—but the lady at the nursery said they were intended for full sun.  Mine will get sun for half the day so maybe they will do well.  Lots of other stuff planted–a pretty purple clematis, some dianthis, periwinkles, —divided my hostas and monkey grass.  Man, that stuff grows fast.  I started in the back first because I want it to be done when we open the pool. 

Next week I start weeding the front—-I tell you this,  I KNOW that some of those weeds have roots all the way to China!!!

Anyway, if you see me walking funny, or just standing there unable to move, please don’t laugh.  And if you happen to see me on the ground,  please come help!

BYW, I really expected some good, home remedy from Mama Rosi and Wet Granola—-I can’t go to Brenda every day!

Also, SC, just what were you doing to Maggie’s ceiling??

Been away for a little while

Sorry not to have done much blog reading lately.  It is spring and I love, love , love getting in my yard, digging in the dirt, planting, pruning, and such.  What I am not loving, especially this year, is the fact that after a full day of working outside, every single molecule of my body HURTS!! 

I actually came close to falling out of my vehicle when I got out because I felt so sore and stiff.

I need help.  What is good to make this go away.  BenGay, hot bath??

HELP!

 

 

Tax Day Surprise

Aren’t these flowers beautiful.  Again, thanks to the dear friend who brightened my day last week. 

Final day……all deadlines met!

 

My day started with chocolate and flowers left by a sweet, kind friend.  Just the boost I needed to rally up for the last day.  There were many unexpected turns in the day.  Played intermediary for two, very hurting people who seem to have reached a stalemate in marriage.  Having heard both perspectives, I hurt for both of them—they will be in my prayers and heart.

Last person of the day was a sister in Christ who has walked a very difficult road this past year.  She needed someone to listen, allow her to cry a little, and just be with her.  I was able to be that.  I will see her again tomorrow to provide help she needs with a financial matter.  It seemed so hard to her, yet it is very easy for me.  Lots of experience with this trouble.  I hugged her as she left and hope that I imparted a little something.

Time to look forward after a deep winter season.  I can feel the breath of spring in my soul and my spirit longs to breath in deeply.  Time to take a new direction. 

For me, April 15 has the same significance as December, 31.  I guess I my biological clock is set on a fiscal year ending in mid April.  As we put the last tax return enroute to the land of Internal Revenue, I began thinking about resolutions—my actual new year’s resolutions.  I am always too involved in making preparations for the filing season to really do any serious resolving in January.  So….now, lots of thoughts fill my head,  lots of goals to press toward.  But, first, I am going to go to bed and sleep, sleep, sleep.  Awakening tomorrow to celebrate a whole new day.  Glory!!!

ITS FINALLY OVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  yoohoo……………….. 

Update on Christy

 got this email today from Nancy (Christy’s office manager) regarding Christy’s visit to the doc in Louisville.  Please include her, this will be her THIRD occurance if it is cancer.

Christy went to see the specialist in Louisville today.  He was very up front with what he saw and what he thought and needed to be done.  Not for sure as to if it is cancer but, they ran a second biopsy on the tumor or mass.  Really won’t know anything until

Tuesday when the results will be back, but based on her history with the cancer and its location did not want them to get their hopes up.  Should it come back as cancer she will be facing 6 months of chemo and maybe even radiation treatments, either before or after the surgery.  She should come through with only a temporary bag.  Please keep both Christy and Jim in your prayers that all will be okay, and that the Lord will have his hand on them throughout this ordeal.

 

Once again please lift them up in your prayers, ask everyone you know who believes in the power of prayer to do the same.

For we all know Our GOD can do all things.

Nancy F. McGuire

 

Hard Day

Whew!  Glad to be home tonight.  It has been a hard day, on top of which I have not felt the best.  The aftershocks of this cold have me dragging and just generally feeling weird. 

This is NOT the “most wonderful time of the year” for many of the people I see.  I have to give them BIG numbers.  Numbers with lots of zeros.  Numbers they will write on checks they will mail.  Checks that go to someone that already don’t like! 

I find myself always wishing I could have done something different for them.  But alas, we are supposed to “render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s”  and unfortunately “Caesar” requests a lot of rendering.

With only FIVE (5) more days to go…….I am sooooo ready for a change of scenary.   

A big thank you

I owe a great big thank you to Maggie for making me pretty.  She used the stripes in my bag (see post below) and jazzed it up to make it me!  I was so excited.  It’s like having a new outfit on.  So, Maggie, THANKS a bunch.  (you still have to teach me to do this though)

Need prayer intervention

This is my dear friend and colleage, Christy.  Christy was diagnosed a little over 6 years ago with colon cancer.  She had one colon surgery and full course of chemo.  She was totally sick during the chemo.  About a year later, there was a second occurance of the cancer and she had more colon removed, but this time no chemo.  Yesterday, I got a call from her office manager that she was at the docs office because her recent colonoscopy showed a mass.  I talked to her hubby today and the docs think it may just be a calcification.  They did a biopsy, but will go ahead and do surgery to remove this mass.  Please pray with me that this will not be another cancer.  Third occurance cannot be good.  Thanks for your support.

My word for this week

Thursday night in our small group, I challenged everyone to hear from God one particular scripture and abide in that word for the week.

Well, I got mine this morning and here’s what I got as I meditated on it. 

Ps 91:1 (I really need to memorize the book and verse)

 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
         Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

Some version says abide neath the shadow of His wings.  I like that.  The key words for me from this verse are “dwells” and “abide”.  As I thought about this I remembered a devotion that I had read once and these words were emphasized.

Dwell - to live or stay as a permanent residence; reside.

God wants to be our dwelling place - our permanent address.  He does not want to be our overnight stay (He’s not Super 8, even thought the light is always on). 

 He does not want to be our vacation home (just there until the good times are over).

He does not want to be just our storm cellar, although we can run to Him in times of trouble.

He wants to be our permanent address.  He wants us to move in, unpack our baggage, put on our pajamas, and abide (rest) in Him.  He wants to be our eternal dwelling place–our refuge.

When we can come to a place of dwelling in Him, then we are sheltered in the shadow of His wing.  That does not mean that we never feel the wind of the storm, or the rumble of the earthquake.  We will still experience the heat of His refining fire.  But through all that we can rest.  We do not have to fear.  We can have peace and know that our dwelling is secure, but only when He becomes our permanent dwelling place.

My prayer for today:  Lord, let me dwell only in you.  Let me abide in the shadow of your wings.  Let me know that what I see on a daily basis of this world will pass away, but you are forever!

Anyone who would like to take up this challenge, please post your Word on your blog and we can all be encouraged and exhorted by what God speaks!

 

new for spring

This year for Christmas, my hubbie got me all this Vera Bradley stuff.  I loved the pattern and I guess he figured more was better.  Anyway, I have saved it to use when springtime came.  There is the bag, (and it has pockets ALL the way around the inside) glasses case, wallet, cosmetics bag, umbrella and bookcase (which houses my ratty looking Bible).

It works pretty well with the larger tote I got last spring.  (note the monogram- I though it was neat and it was in a clearance catalogue).  I would love to have the large tote by Vera, but hey, I’M not spending that kind of money. 

Guess you can tell, I’m really desperate to do something beside tax work right now—my employees are wondering why I am taking a picture of all the stuff in my purse.  They just don’t get it–do they! 

I played hookie on Monday and went to see the Easter presentation at Southeast Christian. It was a spur-of-the moment thing, I blocked out the afternoon and went for it!! All I can say is WOW!  I have never seen anything like this.  It was Academy awarding winning quality—live animals, fantastic performers, special effects, voice distortion (for Satan), people suspended midair (actually a whole boat filled with disciples suspended midair), people gliding across the stage.

The guy who played Jesus really communicated the intense compassion of Jesus as well as his very real humanity.  They did a number which caused me to see a portion of the easter story in a different way.  There was a duet between Peter and Judas—it was awesome—the song was based around the theme concept of what have I done.  There was video going while the live performance was going as well.  One screen was Peter denying Jesus, the other screen was Judas preparing the rope and hanging himself—-it was really powerful.   

And speaking of the stage—the photo above is not good because of lighting issues and they did not allow ANY photos during the performance—-but I included just so you could see the magnitude of the size.  It was 3 levels.  Well, enough said, I don’t want to give away too much, just that this was a glorius experience and I hope we can all go next year.

Note:  The actor playing Jesus autographed my program–it says “Jesus loves you”.  How sweet is that!!!!

I’ve been visiting the Pioneer woman again!!!  This is her lasagna and is it ever good!  This woman is the Martha Stewart of the prairie.  Saturday afternoon at work (kind of slow with Easter and all) I got to do some indepth research on her site and decided to give this a try.  It was easy, delicious and made a TON! (apparently her Marlboro Man must like it a lot)  We have enough for supper another night.  The HOT MAMA cheese bread was good too (Walmart-frozen section).  That was lil sis’s suggestion.  If you haven’t visited The Pioneer Woman, you really must–she has such a sense of humor (read Confessions of a Pioneer Woman).  But, I do have to say her pictures are better than mine, but that’s gonna have to wait until another Saturday afternoon.

Easter presentation - supreme

Saturday evening hubbie and I attended our church’s Easter presentation.  A combination of music and drama.  I wasn’t sure just what my reaction would be this year, since the gentleman who played Jesus in past presentations died this year.  But, the music was sooo good.  The choir sounded great and they ended with the Hallelujah chorus, which is about as classy as you can get.  All I can say, Bravo!!! Brian and choir.  Excellent job!