We Survived the Garage Sale!

Hello everyone!  It's been awhile since I posted, although I have been trying to keep up with everyone's blogs.  The garage sale was a big success and I never could have done it without my wonderful husband.  He lifted, toted and carried everything around.  He even made several deliveries to people's homes when they didn't have a large enough vehicle for their purchases.  He loaded everything that didn't sell into my CRV and I took it to the Goodwill the last day of the sale.  When I got home, he had the tables down and almost everything back to normal.  We kept our pledge of not taking anything back into the house once it came out with the exception of a toolbox and my bicycle.  Those didn't go to the Goodwill because we're taking them to Mandy and Brad in June.  So technically we're not keeping them!  :-)

Last weekend was the Memorial Day weekend and we spent it at the lake.  Dennis drove in on Saturday to mow the lawn and get a haircut and then we came back for church on Sunday before returning to the lake for a few more days.  We are so lucky to be so close to town at our camper.  This is how it looked on Saturday.  We were blessed with warm temperatures and blue, blue skies all weekend.  The boaters, skiers, jet skiers and swimmers were having fun on the water.  Dennis drove the boat while our friend Paul skied a few times.  He said the water was the warmest he ever remembers it being on Memorial Day.  That's our trailer on the right.  Dennis built the steps for me that are much better than the ones that come with the trailers. We have them on both the front and back doors.  They were so popular that he's built several more sets for other people in the campground!  My husband can do anything!

Friday night Dennis and I took a walk to the beach and this was the sight that met our eyes as the sun set.  Isn't it beautiful?

Sunday night we had a big campfire and enjoyed the sunset from the campsite.

The moon was just a tiny crescent.

Five pairs of mittens were finished  during the garage sale.

And a baby blanket.

A second baby blanket was finished this weekend, but I still have the border to finish.  I typically wait until I know if it's a boy or a girl before putting the last row on, but since these two are bound for the Crisis Nursery, I'll put a border on in the next few days.  Sorry they are wrinkled, I haven't washed or blocked them yet.

My Amulet Shawl was down to the last 6 rows when I took this photo, but since then I have finished the knitting and am now casting off.  That will take awhile because there are well over 400 stitches on the needles.

Here is a bit closer look at the beading.  I have really enjoyed knitting this shawl.  I have three more of her patterns and hope to knit them in the future as well.  After I finish binding off, I will wash and block it.  I'm looking forward to seeing how the lacework blocks out.  Selfishly, I think I will be keeping this for myself.

On Monday, Memorial Day I was sitting in my chair at the lake and happened to look up.  This bald eagle was soaring round and round over our campsite.  It literally took my breath away.  Don't you think it was quite a fitting tribute to the meaning of the holiday?

Last Monday night, Dennis and I were alone in the campground and we were sitting on the loveseat looking at the lake and watching the fish jump.  All of the sudden, an eagle swooped down INTO the water, all of the way INTO the water and didn't come up for a long time.  We thought he had drowned!  Then, up he came, and started swimming.  I have never seen an eagle swim before.  Apparently the fish he had caught was so big he couldn't carry it.  He proceeded to swim all of the way across the bay towards where we know they nest every year.  We watched his huge wings propel him 4-5 feet with every powerful stroke.  It was like he was doing the breaststroke!  I have truly never seen anything so awesome in nature before.  So beautiful!

And to finish up the photos, may I present my precious granddaughter, Miss Piper Krumel, student of the week!  Notice she wants to be a Princess when she grows up. :-) Grandpa thought she already is a Princess.  Ha!

I had my semi-annual visit with the cardiologist's office last week.  They called last night and the electro-physician (fancy name for the guy who inserted the pm), had reviewed all of my pacemaker downloads since it was put in two years ago.  To make a long story short, as a result of the review, instead of taking me off some of my medications as I had hoped, they have increased them.  So frustrating.  That's even after losing almost 25 pounds since January.  Not easy to do with next to no exercise because of my back.  Plus the doctor wants me to DECREASE my walking.  They don't believe my pacemaker is causing my issues with tachycardia, (increased heartrate), but my own heart is doing it.  Don't get me wrong. I am very grateful for the medications and I am hopeful that it will help and I will once again be allowed to fly soon to see my kids.

We're still planning to make the over 3000 mile round trip next month to see our family in Nebraska, including Miss Piper and her parents.  I'm really, really, really looking forward to that.

All in all, life is good.  I have a husband who loves me and spoils me completely, (I don't know why), kids and grandkids that I love and I think love me too.  :-) I  have a safe home and can move about freely in my country, which is more than a lot of people have.  I AM grateful.  My prayer is that all of you have lives of peacefulness and contentment.  I am very grateful for each one of you who visits me here.  I hope you have a most wonderful remainder of the week and a blessed weekend.

In this increasingly scary world these are some words that I hold fast to.

"May the LORD bless you and keep you; may the LORD make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; may the LORD turn His face toward you and give you peace."  Numbers 6:24-26

and

"Cast your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7

Blessings always,
Betsy