Happy Wednesday to everyone! It's been a rainy, cool week so far here in the midwest of the USA. I'm enjoying the break from the heat and humidity we had all summer, but not too excited to hear the weather people using the detested four letter word-snow. The long range forecast is saying possibly next week! Oh no. Not ready for that at all.

So far my back seems to be doing much, much better after the ablation last week. I even did some chair exercises yesterday trying to strengthen the muscles a bit. I'm starting out just every other day because I don't want to be too aggressive and be back where I was, unable to do much at all.

Dennis is at the Mission today, distributing groceries and I'm just doing a few things around the house. Yesterday I finished the Christmas ornaments for the kids and grandkids, sewing them up and stuffing them. I'll take a photo and show you after the holidays since I don't want them to see the chosen design before they open them.

I also finished a sock I began on Sunday. I'll start the second today. Here are the socks I've finished since I last blogged. All are plain vanilla as I'm in production mode!

These are the five prayer shawls I have finished. I mistakenly said I finished six in a previous post. Oops! I  must have miscounted and now I still have another five to make. I used the Iris crochet stitch for most of these, maybe all. I can't remember!

A few of you commented on the fact that we bought a double kayak. Here's a photo of it when we inflated it in our bedroom to make sure it held the air. We didn't want to miss the return date if it was defective and we probably won't use it much until spring. Many of you shared that you wouldn't be getting in a kayak. I feel the same. To tell you the truth, I'm terrified. I do not like water and can't swim. I do like boats though and Dennis bought be a brand new life-jacket and promises to rescue me if I fall in! :-) He really wants to do this but won't go with our friends without me because he doesn't want me feeling left out. He's missed SO much the past several years because of my back, so I'm determined to at least give this a try for him. He is an amazing guy and I'm so glad I've got him by my side through this crazy life.

See the tan sock on the dresser? Somehow the washer or dryer ate it's mate. I'm hoping it will show up and Dennis can have a matching pair again. :-)

I thought I would share a photo of the table by our entryway. I enjoy the fall decorations around the apartment and usually put them up the beginning of October and leave them through Thanksgiving at the end of November. In December, Christmas decor usually appears but I think that since we'll be gone, I probably won't decorate this year. Just the nativity will be put up, because you really can't forget the reason we're celebrating can you, and I'll leave it out for awhile when we return home.

I was asked if we'll return to London next spring when the baby is born. We haven't talked about it, but much will be decided by the price of the airline tickets. They can fluctuate wildly, depending on many factors, so we'll need to decide that closer to the time.

I hope you're all doing well. The world is continuing to continue it's crazy course so I just keep praying, knowing that ultimately the Lord is in control and works all things for the good of those who know Him. I do hope you know Him too. He is the source of peace and joy and I can't imagine living in these troubled days without Him by my side, loving me. Stay well and I'll be back soon!

Blessings and hugs,

Betsy

We sang this song in church Sunday for the first time and I fell in love with it. I hope you like it too.