Relaxin'

Saturday morning and I should be relaxing but I am busy getting organized for the guys who are coming to help John re-shingle the garage roof! John got a good price on shingles and now we only need the manpower.  This morning four guys showed and have been working steadily since 9 am. We broke for lunch and John cooked up sausage and kobasa and we had potato salad and fresh vegetables and dip.  Throw in juice, freshly baked brownies, a cup of coffee and you've got a great meal (and a great excuse for a mid-afternoon nap!!!).  They broke for about 45 minutes and are back at it again.

I can now sit for a few minutes as I have cleared away all the dishes and put things away and everything is in the dishwasher. First time I have used it for awhile! I thought I would take a minute to say what I have been up to.

I had to go to the west end yesterday to pick up our income tax returns so I decided to stop in on the way to pick up my friend, Isla.  She was just getting up (11:35 am) because the staff were encouraging her to do so! She tells me there is nothing much to do so might as well stay in bed!  Well, I arrived at her room and asked if she wanted to run around with me to do errands and she said 'YES!" So away, we went. We stopped for lunch (as she had not had breakfast or her morning coffee). We went into Tokoyo Express and had a Teriyaki Chicken Bowl each with a cup of iced tea. She said she quite enjoyed it. Then, we went to Costco while I picked up a few things for today's 'work bee' and then off to Sobey's to get a few smaller items and home to put everything away.  John was working on the garage roof with a friend so we all stopped to have coffee and cake for a coffee break. She seemed to be quite fine and enjoyed chatting with the guys and just being outside. I had to take her back to her room about 3:40 pm and I felt like a heel doing so!  Of course, I know that will be the last time she will be out until another friend or family member comes for her. If it depresses me, what does it do to her?  She was so thankful that I came. How can I not????!!

After a light supper, I headed to my Ladies 'Rest Easy' group event at a friend's place just down the street.  Only 7 of us ladies showed up tonite (out of 13) but we had a great time.  Each of us brought a little something to snack on and we played a game (Buzz Word, I think) and generally just chatted, laughed and at the end of the evening had a great prayer time. There are so many needs. The end of a wonder FULL day by 11 pm.  Slept like a baby until 7:30 this morning.

It is a beautiful day today. Perfect for shingling a roof! It is so nice to have friends who can help out. Count your blessings if you have lots of them. As I sit here writing this, I am wondering about Isla. If I could zap her here I would. I guess life for her will never be the same now. She said she didn't think she was forgetting things but thinks others do. She didn't know for sure. She does repeat herself but then so do I. She definitely would like to know where her clothes are and why she is in this facility and her son is in her house! No wonder she sleeps in!

Well, I guess I will do what I can, when I can and I guess that is how it has to be for the time being. Need to learn about about this disease and what is important and can help and what can't. If I were in her place, I would want her to care about me.

I think Psalm 142: 1-7 would adquately cover Isla's call for help. My friends and I pray for God's mercy in her situation.
(vs 1: I cry aloud to the Lord; I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy. I pour out my complaint before him; before him I tell my trouble. And vs 7: Set me free from my prison that I may praise your name.)