Random Musings

  The best laid plans of mice and men 'oft go awry.   ~ Robert Burns Several years ago many of us bloggers posted a project for each month as a way of challenging us to get some things done. I did accomplish quite a bit that year, but I also found it a bit stressful. I was both surprised and relieved to find others felt the same way. So this year my plan was to have one major project or goal to accomplish every two months. I was making progress. I honestly thought I could finish a non-fiction book I've been attempting to read the last two years before the month was out. We finished picking up pecans at our house and most of Mrs. Bryan's house so we could get them to the sheller. I had planned to pick up all the sticks in the yard from the last few storms and till my garden to have ready for planting next week.  But on Monday, January 23, when we called Jean (my mother-in-law) to see if she wanted to ride along as we took ours and hers pecans to be shelled, she didn't an

 I started to do a bullet point update for the last 3 months of 2022, but ended up deleting it each time. October Turkey Trot training going great Taught a new class during election training Early voting began I got sick Dog's fence line went out during a thunderstorm November We met with surgeon at UNC -Chapel Hill Aunt Lois died Election Day Worked with Blue Bag Canvass Team the week after the election My friend Marilou died Kids Christmas Program work began in earnest Trip to AL for Thanksgiving Turkey Trot cancelled due to flu numbers in the area Cancelled Mom's 80th birthday party due to her health December Kids Christmas play FINALLY got Bobby's van returned My first gallbladder attack, lasting almost 30 hrs Septic tank stopped up and collapsed at Mrs. Bryan's while she had family staying with her So I was not sorry to see the calendar for 2022 close. Here we are on the third evening of 2023. It is now 5 months out from the first diagnosis of a 1.5" kidney st

 Early in the week our pastor's wife received word that her Dad had suffered a massive stroke and they did not expect him to make it. Mr. Bowen has visited our church on numerous occasions throughout the years and was one of the friendliest and easy going people I have ever met. I think it's safe to say our whole church family grieves with the Bowen family and Nan as they prepare to say their goodbyes tomorrow. The next day we found out that one of our neighbors had also passed away. Over the years he had been a tremendous help to Bobby. He was a mechanic and has his own shop behind his house. Before cars became so computerized, he did an incredible job of keeping Bobby's van running. Our prayers are with the Walls family, especially Betty Lou as she adjusts to life without her husband. The next day we found out the wife of one WCA's earliest board members passed away. I never met her, but Bobby knew the family well. The Trumans owned a saw mill, and they would let you

 I still can't believe we are already into September.  So what happened from my May post through now? We had a small garden. I canned 3 batches of tomatoes. Put up several pints of spiced apples (sugar free). Still have 1/2 a bucket to go. Made batch 1 of 2 of grape jelly. I might not pick any more. We've had three different hens hatch out biddies, and one more that wants to but we're not letting her. We put burlap around the pecan trees in hopes of stopping the worms from getting to the nuts. It's supposed to take 3-4 years of wrapping & spraying before they're gone. Spent 3 mornings fishing with Bobby's great-nephews. Worked a summer election, called a 2nd primary (essentially a run-off) and helped with the hand-eye count afterwards. We purchased a new van. New van went back to the shop the 2nd week we had it and we still do not have it back. It is now at the Chrysler dealership as the problem is not the lift or adaptive equipment. The company will "r

The end of April finished up help table elections training and brought with it an offer to work on the Early Voting helpline. (For those not familiar with Wake County elections, Help Table is the position that processes all the non-perfect scenario voters and the Help Line is a direct line to the Board of Elections that puts you in touch with staff who can answer questions and troubleshoot problems. I was flattered to be asked. After talking it over with Bobby, I said yes, then within an hour was wondering "What have I done?!?" Today we completed the first week of Early Voting. I have learned a LOT, still have a lot more to learn, but am so thankful for the organizational structure and supportive network that BOE has in place. So far it has been a positive experience, though a bit slower than I would like. (They say November will be much busier and some days you won't take your headphones off for very long.)  We also had our first reptile visitor for the year. This is way

 My favorite text from the family group chat last night: I only heard the nurse say 8 lbs. I couldn't hear the rest because there was a baby crying in the room. Welcome to our family Anderson Jeremiah White!!! My parents got to visit at the hospital this afternoon. My brother Andy got to give him his first bottle. So thankful for this photo...for so many reasons. My sister-in-law Amie is such a trooper. So thankful for her and happy for her.