Filling These Waiting Days

We started our day Sunday visiting his Mom. I feel sad for the worry I know she feels.

Next, we headed to church. In a strange turn of events, our young guy pastor is having some heart issues of his own.  Our young lady pastor (his wife) focused the songs and her message on the heart. I think there were good words for us hear, especially the song/prayer in verse three.

We ran by Aunt Tish's house to get some squash and cucumbers.  I ran Handy Man home and headed to a baby shower.  He has kind of started to feel like a 5th wheel at some of these mostly girl events and was glad to pass on this one.

Wow, how time flies.  This new little Momma was just a newborn a blink ago and with some dear friends we had a shower for her Mama. I was her photographer and number one fan.  She was such a beautiful baby and an equally beautiful young woman about to have her own littlest bit.  The shower was just pink and perfect to welcome this new love.







Then it was time to race home, clean out the car and head to the park to see a play with friends.  The weather was amazing.  This was the first actor we met.

Then we were entertained by a magician.

Then the show-As You Like It, with an Appalachian flair.  So fun.

We were up early today to the Life Vest gong.  The battery was dead.  That was okay, we had an early date with Giddy-up, taking him to his Monday Kid's Garden camp. They do such a great job with the kids.  Even though this boy has been part of growing things all his life, he is still so delighted by this experience. He said, "I love this garden. It is my favorite place." 

His mentor for the day turned out to be a friend from bygone church days. She and Handy Man got to visit, as I have this gardening gig down. I explained to my boy  that the job of a plant is to reproduce itself, in this case through seeds. When its job is done, the plant is done. To keep producing, keep pinching off withered blooms. Already he was able to take home some kale and basil. I think onions and radishes will be ready next week. 

Each kiddo has half a bed for their own.  Things that take a lot of room like squash, sunflowers, strawberries, are in beds they share. 

Speaking of gardening, a friend gave me this plant years and years ago and told me it would take over.  I'm,  "Yeah, right. The only thing that has ever taken over at my house is the dreadful creeping charlie, well and Gramerlings!  Finally, after so very long, this space is filled with chameleon vine. Apparently it has a lot of names.

Houttuynia cordata, also known as fish mint, fish leaf, rainbow plant, chameleon plant, heart leaf, fish wort, Chinese lizard tail, or bishop's weed,

Aren't you curious how such names as fish mint and fish wort got in the mix? Weird.  I like it. When it is in a sunny spot it is multi -colored.

Handy Man's cardiologist asked that we change his primary care person.  Our counselor at school kindly volunteered to ask her physician dad and he offered to take Handy Man.  

Today was the day of his first appointment.  Handy Man's weariness is becoming apparent day by day and all the busyness didn't keep him from being less than excited to have to deal with a new office, a new set of questions, more hours of waiting.  It turned out though that it was an okay experience, thank you Lord!  The doc told Handy Man his circulation was great for the shape his heart is in and that he felt like this surgery would have him almost back to his old self.  I was grateful that for once, he left feeling encouraged!  

As you might guess, the mailbox is now full of bills and explanations of services.  I wondered about the Life Vest, but didn't bother asking at the time  because it didn't make any difference, he had to have it. Almost $4000.00.  Because you pack it all up and send it back when you are finished, I sort of assumed you were renting it. Doesn't look like that.   In the case of the vest, a good portion is covered by insurance, thankfully.  I called today and talked to them about all the tests they said he'd have Monday.  I said, "Can you just check on this as he's had most of these tests already and the bills are rolling in."  She did check and saw he didn't have to have a couple of them.  Others are because they've taken so long to get this scheduled, they have to have it done again.  

I would like to make this next week faster, or easier, or less terrifying, and I'm trying, but prayers for peace are much appreciated.