Summer's over. Must move on to fall.   Time keeps going faster and faster.  I had a little scare, with an abnormal mammogram and MRI.  But a PET scan concluded that I am all right. There is no indication of recurrence of breast cancer or any tissue abnormalities or lymph nodes indicating any cancer activity. I am extremely grateful and relieved. This is just another little incident in my journey, living beyond cancer. I didn't panic, I was and am prepared to fight again, if need be.

Also, My dear friend died suddenly in a horrible fatal car accident. This special  neighbor lady was 88 feisty, and still full of life!  I didn't know I was spending her very last day with her, and a wonderful day it was!   We still had plans to do many things together, but she was absolutely ready to meet her maker whenever it became her time to go. We had many conversations about  our salvation,eternal life, heaven, Godly things, and life,  So, I'm feeling pretty sad for me losing her, but happy for her, because she is with Jesus. It is so very comforting to be sure about that.  Even in death, she was a testimony, as I explained to her friends and family, that it was okay that she died, because now she will live forever in  a glorious place, because she had the Lord Jesus Christ as her Savior.   I don't know how anyone copes with loss like this without faith.

 In remembrance of Doris,  March 4, 1929 -  September 17, 2017

 Now and forever,  in the presence of her Lord and Savior

I'll miss you so much, until I see you again, Doris!

 I just had a little getaway weekend, which came at a perfect time, to get my mind off everything.
 Ted and I went to a car show on the boardwalk at Wildwood, N.J.
  Always good to go to the seashore. The last time this season.

I'm grieving my friend, but just sorry for myself, as I should rejoice for her. 

 I'll miss her forever until one day, when I'll see her again.

You never know when it will be the last time,

 so make sure  you tell them you love them!

 Love, Linda.

Back to School

and crazy, way too-early mornings, rushing around to get down to the bus stop.
7 am, a little too early for these little guys, and he has over an hour-long ride to the schoolhouse!

Eager beaver!
Smiling, excited about first day of 2nd grade!

Of course,  little sister has to go to the bus stop too!

First day, so exciting!  Whole family affair- snapping lots of photos,

frantic posting on facebook!  So excited!

Grandma Linda had to be there too!

And he's off!

Oh dear God,  Will he be okay, did he go potty, did I remember everything,
should I have given him allergy medicine???  I forgot to pray with him before he left,
 will he be scared, will he be confident, will the other kids be nice to him?
He's so little, but so grown-up. He'll be fine, he's so happy to be going back to school, to see his friends again, and make new ones.  He'll be home before we know it, with stories to tell!


Second day- Grandma takes him, didn't wake little sister,
and she'll be mad when I get back.
He woke up and got ready all by himself .  no fanfare, no entourage, just me and Tommy at the bus stop, and I remembered to pray with him, with my hand on his head!

We have a little litany, that I made up a couple years ago,
Tommy grinned as I began to recite it,
and then he rolled his eyes.

"Pitch black!

Middle of  the night,

  freezing our buns off,

cold as can be,

 so early, 

the sun's not even up.

winds blowin'

 leaves fallin,

 we're here, all ready

but where's that silly schoolbus?"

(Add lyrics-snow, sleet, rain, fog, accordingly)

Wait a half hour, then the big yellow bus comes around the corner-

And then suddenly, they're gone,
 and you pray,
Dear God, please keep that child safe
 and help him be good and help him learn.
Forgive me my impatience as we scramble to find everything,
struggle to get everything done.
Help me to create a calmer atmosphere tomorrow.
Remind me to be grateful for the calamity of hectic mornings at home
 with these precious little ones.
And Lord,  please don't let him grow up so fast!

Sissy couldn't sleep at nap-time, because she was afraid
she'd  miss going to get her brother at the bus stop.

 Back to school,
I'm  kinda sad summer is ending, and there are so many things
I  had wanted to do with the kids. (sigh)

Ah well, we've got homework,  and I want to hear all about his day!

Sure are ready for bedtime at 8:00!  I mean, I was!
 God bless school teachers and schoolbus drivers!-
 (  be sure to add that on to your bedtime prayers tonight, with the God-blesses!)


Happy Back-to-School Days!
 Love, Linda