SISTERS' WEEK VACATION -- DAY THREE (MONDAY)

We got a late start today because I was trying to get everything together for Joe before I left.  I made him breakfast, did dishes, made phone calls and made two chicken salad sandwiches for his dinner.

But Elaine and I finally got on the road and headed out to Lancaster.  It's so great to be here.  So beautiful and peaceful.

The first place we went to was Kitchen Kettle.  It's a "village" of cute little stores.  We love going there.  There was something new there this year -- a beautiful fountain.  I took Elaine's picture in front of it.

 

Then we headed to the Christmas store.  Every year we go there to pick out an ornament.  This year I got a nativity scene made from olive wood from Bethlehem.  I forgot to take a picture of it, but take my word for it, it's gorgeous.  I went outside to wait for Elaine and listen to the musicians.

 

We saved the Jam and Relish Kitchen for last.  We always end up spending too much money and buying too much stuff in there.

  I got some hickory smoke barbeque sauce, some apple butter, and a jar of peach ginger jelly that tastes almost as good as my great-grandmother's.  I bought it because it reminded me so much of hers.  The store has open jars of their product and little dishes of oyster crackers all around that you can taste their things before you buy it.  One thing we tasted was called "Cheesecake in a Jar."  It was sort of like sweet cream cheese.

Elaine saw this and had me stand in the picture frame to take my picture.  Yummie the gingerbread boy is the mascot of Kitchen Kettle.  Does it look like a postcard?

We checked into our motel and got settled in.  Here is the view from our window.

 

We went to dinner at the Bird-in-Hand Restaurant.  

Elaine had a veggie platter -- tossed salad, baked potato, broccoli with cheese sauce, and batter dipped fried zucchini.  I had a slice of ham loaf with gravy, mashed potatoes and green beans.  So good.  We looked around the store attached to the restaurant a little bit, but didn't buy anything. 

Instead we went to Rockvale Mall.  It is all outlet stores.  I got Joe two pair of pants in the Hager store.  He has lost so much weight that he has had to buy all new clothes.  Then in Reading China and Glass I got some K cups for the Keurig.  So all in all it was a good day.

We are planing on going back to Rockvale in the morning to go to several other stores and then we have tickets to a show at Sight-and-Sound Theater.  It is "Jonah" and is supposed to be wonderful.

SISTERS' WEEK VACATION -- DAY TWO (SUNDAY)

Welcome to day two of vacation.  I got up early and did some more cleaning before leaving for church.  Joe was not feeling well and stayed home.  He has not been doing too well these days.

After church I did some more cleaning.  Oh my, there is so much to do around here.  I hadn't finished when my sister showed up.  So that's the end for today.

We went to Bristol, PA to the King George II Inn for dinner.  It's where I went to dinner on my birthday.  You can read about it here. 

The atmosphere is great.  It is an actual 300 year old building which has always been an inn.  The food is so exceptionally good.  Elaine, Larry and Marion had the crab cakes, Rich had pasta, I had meat loaf and Kim had prime rib.  For appetizers we had mini pierogies, lime and chili humus with pita wedges and crab dip with soft pretzels to dip into it.

Today was also Puerto Rican Day in Bristol.  We were watching all the activities in the park across the street from our table in the restaurant.

We had quite a crowd.  Here's my brother Larry and his wife, Kim.

Everyone ordered creme brulle for dessert.  The waitress overheard us talking and brought one with a candle for Elaine.

 

Our friend, Marion, really enjoyed her dessert.  No wonder, it was good!

 

This is Marion's husband, Rich.

 

The waitress saw us taking pictures and offered to get a group shot.  So nice of her!  It turned out a little dark because we were by the window, but it's still good.

 

After we finished eating we were looking around the building.  We went into the private dining rooms they had.  If I were ever holding a small party, this is the place I'd go to.  This is the President's Room.

 

And here's the Lincoln Room.

 When we went outside we decided to take pictures by the sign.  Here's the group with me.

And here's the group with Elaine.

 

We headed over to the park to take some pictures and went out onto the pier.  It was beautiful  You could hear all the music and the weather was perfect.  In the park itself there were lots of booths/tents with people selling all kinds of food and crafts.

 

This is the bank of the Delaware River.  I never knew it was so rocky here.

 

Another view of the Delaware River with Burlington, NJ in the background.

 

There were some ducks in the river.  They were so cute and fun to watch.

 

These two motor boats kept going up and down the river.  I was lucky enough to get them just as they crossed each other's paths.  The island in the background is Burlington Island.  It has a small amusement park and a marina on the other side.

 

Marion has been a friend of ours since she and I were in fourth grade together.  We wanted to get a picture of the three of us together.  How funny that all of us chose to wear black and white to dinner.

 

It was getting late and as much as we wanted to stay listening to the music on the water, it was time to go home.  Here is a picture of the street where we parked.  Such pretty houses.

 

I called Joe before we left and he asked me to bring him home a sandwich.  So I stopped at Wawa and got him a hoagie.  So sad he was not feeling well enough to come.

These are less than half of the pictures I took, but I didn't want to overwhelm you.  So much to see and do in Bristol.  All in all today has been a great day.

 

 

SISTERS' WEEK VACATION -- DAY ONE (SATURDAY)

Here it is heading for 2 a.m. and I am just getting around to blogging.  That's because it has been a really busy day.  Besides watching the Olympics, I did a lot of cleaning in my kitchen.  That's right, folks.  I decided enough was enough and did a massive "haven't used it, let's get rid of it."  Oh my, how nice things look now.  Why oh why didn't I do this before?  I guess because I am always so tired when I get home from work.  What a difference a day without work makes!  Ha, ha.

Today, well Saturday the 28th, is my sister Elaine's birthday.  She is 39 again. (Not really, but I'll never tell her real age.)  Elaine is the sister next to me in age -- the second child in the family.  And she is the sweetest person anyone could possibly know.  

This is the first time in years we have not spent her birthday together.  Usually I take her birthday week off and we have our "Sisters' Week", but this year it with it being on a Saturday it didn't work out that way.  So tomorrow (or should I say today) is the day we are celebrating.  She is coming in the early afternoon from her home in northern New Jersey (a 2 hour drive) and we are going to dinner.  It will be fun.

But now I really have to go to bed.  The rest of the cleaning up will have to wait until the morning when I get up.  I just can't do any more tonight.

What a way to spend the first day of my vacation!  On the other hand, I'm feeling really good about my kitchen.

FRIDAY VIEWS

I had an interesting day today.  It began with a meeting I had to attend at the Northeast Regional Library.  This is where I work on Sundays and where I used to work years ago.  I am always late getting places.  Ask Joe, he will tell you.  It drives him nuts.  But I was afraid to be late today.  I was the 4th person there.

The meeting was about the reorganization of the library system.  I thought it would be deadly dull, but it actually was very interesting.  I even asked a question.  If you know me, you know I usually just sit in a meeting with my mouth shut.  So this was hitting the big time for me.

The best part of the meeting was -- no, not the free breakfast -- seeing so many of my friends that I have worked with in the past.  Always fun to catch up.

Here it is the last day before vacation.  All day I felt as if time was d-r-a-g-g-i-n-g.  I think it should be lunchtime, and I have an hour to go.  But I know that on my vacation time is going to fly by.

I stopped at ShopRite on the way home and got some flounder and asparagus for dinner.  As a treat, I got two little pieces of fudge brownie cheesecake.  Oh my!  A wonderfully delicious way to start my vacation week.

So, for my Friday view today I have to show you what I got in the mail this week.  My blog friend Bonnie at What About Pie? had a giveaway and I won!  When I got home from work Joe told me I had a package.  I saw Bonnie's name on it and knew just what it was.  It was wrapped so cute in pretty gingham paper!

And when I opened it, the inside was cute too!  I was so impressed.

Here's what I won.  They are three antique books and three bookmarks that she made.

Thanks for picking me, Bonnie!  I love them.

Woo hoo!  Vacation is here!!!

WE NEED THE RAIN, BUT COULDN'T IT WAIT?

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Another really busy day at work.  So much to do and just Bob and I there.  Usually Thursdays are sort of quiet and it sure started off that way, but all of a sudden the doors opened and the people poured in.  Boy oh boy oh boy!

I was getting the deposit together tonight when I heard the windows start rattling.  The wind began to whistle and the trees were blowing so hard they almost bent in half.  Then the thunder and lightning started.  And the hail began.

Here's a picture of some lightning over the Philly skyline from our local news station.




The weather was so bad that driving home I could hardly see to drive.  I considered pulling over somewhere and trying to wait it out.  But I didn't know how long I would have to sit there and I didn't know if anyone coming along could see me or would hydroplane, so I just kept on (praying very hard) and finally made it home.  Unfortunately I did not have an umbrella, so I made a mad dash for the house.  But even with the short distance I had to go, I was soaked when I got in.


We desperately need the rain and I'm so grateful for it.  But couldn't it have held off for about 15 minutes and let me get home?

A DAY OF FRIENDS

Friends here.  Friends there.  Friends, friends everywhere!  Everywhere I turned today there was a friend.

It began with me going to my friend Donna's house for lunch.  Donna and I met at the library when I waited on her.  We began talking, hit it off, and became close friends.  She is so sweet and I love spending time with her.  Donna had invited me for lunch a couple of weeks ago and I couldn't make it.  So we arranged for me to go to her house today.  She lives close by the library, so it was easy for me to do this.  She made these delicious chicken salad sandwiches on onion rolls.  So good.

When I got back to work, my friend Debbie was just leaving.  She stayed a few more minutes and we got to talk.  I haven't seen her in awhile and it was good to catch up.

Then my friend Charlie from Tuesday Morning Bible Study came into the library.  It was really busy so I couldn't talk to him much, but it was good to see him.
 
Tonight Walt, Carole, Joe and I went to Chick-fil-a for dinner.  We weren't sure which Wednesday it was that people were to come to support them.  It turns out it's next week, so we are going back again then.  Do you all know what is happening with Chick-fil-a?  They are having some serious problems with people who want to shut them down because of their president/founder's personal view on gay/lesbian marriage.  We want to support them.  

While we were waiting in line I felt someone tap me on the shoulder.  It was my friend Mary who was also eating there.  She used to go to the same church I do, but has fallen away for some time.  She hugged me and I told her I missed her.  I'm trying to encourage her to return.

Our meal was very good (as usual).  As we were finishing, the manager came over to take our trays and ask how everything was.  We started talking to him.  He told us he's 26 and has been with Chick-fil-a since he was 20.  He's a born-again Christian and is so happy with his job.  We were telling him how we support the company and are so glad they are there.  He is going to look for us next week.  What a nice guy.

So just 2 more days of work and then I'm on vacation.  I'm so looking forward to 9 days off.  

WHAT A DAY!

This has been quite a day.  Jerry was off today and so was Diane.  So we were really shorthanded.  Of course this meant that everything happened.

To begin with, we got a delivery.  This is a good thing.  But we usually get 2-3 totes of books to check in.  They have been returned to other libraries or people have requested them to come to us from another branch.  It takes about an hour to check in each tote.  Well, since it was just Bob and me there today we got 10 totes!  You read that right.  Ten!!!  It was all we did all day.  Thank goodness our volunteer was in and did a lot of shelving for us.  We wouldn't have been able to do without him.  When Marquita came in for the last 2 hours it helped a lot.

Then there were the kids.  They were so rude and unruly.  One little girl screamed and cursed at me because I told her to pick up some candy that she and her brother were throwing at each other.  So I did some throwing myself.  I threw them both along with their friend out of the library.  Walt, our guard, told me he was proud of me.  Ha!

Then there were the adults.  Sheila was told she was rude because she told a lady that she was sorry she couldn't get on a particular computer because the lady was an hour and a half late for her reservation.  The lady is going to report Sheila and "make sure she is fired."

Working with the public is no fun.  You will notice my retirement ticker at the bottom of the page.  I am counting down the days to when I can get out of there.

As you can tell I am very frustrated today.  I am sure not all libraries are like that.  I am hoping when I retire I can volunteer at a nice quiet library with nice quiet people.  I think any library would welcome a volunteer who has worked at a library for 20 years.  My vacation next week is looking better and better.

A GOOD DAY

I'm so glad I had such a good weekend this week.  Even though I didn't get everything done that I wanted to, I still got SOMETHING done and that's always good.

Today at church we had a great service.  We sang a lot of the worship songs I like (especially "As the Deer").  Now I'll be singing them all week.  For some reason once I get a song in my head on Sunday, I sing it all week non-stop.  Sometimes it drives me crazy, but I can't shake it.  Are you that way?

We had a special prayer for the people in Aurora, Colorado.  What an evil thing to happen to those poor people who just went to see a movie.  So sad.  There is no understanding why people do the things they do.

The Harvest America Crusade countdown continues.  Only 32 more days to go and still so much to do to get the word out.  I asked for people to sign up to help and got all my greeters and one usher.  I really need follow-up counselors.  No one seems to want to do that job, but it's the most important one.

I made a meatloaf for dinner tonight.  Usually I put onions in it, but Joe's stomach has been bothering him something awful, so I left them out.  And it turned out so good.  I also had mashed potatoes and peas.  A really good meal.

It was a beautiful sunset today.  I took pictures every few minutes as the sun went down.  It amazes me how quickly the sky changes.

Now things are winding down.  It's time for bed and getting ready for the week ahead.  Five more days of work and then nine days off.  I'm so ready for this.  I was talking with my sister tonight and we are both looking forward to Sisters' Week.

A BEAUTIFUL DAY

What a beautiful day it was today.  The weather was much cooler and the sun was shining.  The humidity was low.  Just perfect.  Here was the sunrise this morning.

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It's easier to get the sunrise when it's at 6:00 a.m. than when it's 5:00 a.m.  I don't know how my brother has managed to get every single sunrise this year.

I was able to get two loads of laundry done today and hung it outside to dry.  Does anyone still hang their laundry out?  We have not had a clothes dryer for over a year and I, for one, don't miss it a bit.  I love the way the clothes smell when they are hung outside.  And I'm saving a lot of electricity.

I did a lot of cleaning also.  I'm really trying to get things under control in this house.  It's hard, though, when I work all day.  But I want everything done before I go on vacation next week so I've really got to move it.

Only 8 more days until my vacation.  I am SO looking forward to it.  It will be so nice to get away.  I plan on taking lots of pictures, so be prepared.

FRIDAY VIEWS

Welcome to another Friday.  I guess this week seemed short because I was off from work on Monday.  But isn't time just flying by?  I know I say this a lot, but it sure seems that way to me.  Maybe I'm just getting old.

We finally got a good rain last night.  Our parched ground really needed it.  My plants are looking happier and I have hopes that some of them will recover.  I did get 4 cherry tomatoes out of the yard the other day and another 4 this morning.  Let me tell you, nothing tastes as good as a tomato out of your yard.

I have really been enjoying reading everyone's blogs lately.  You guys are so creative!  Such great ideas are coming my way.  If only I had time to do everything!

For this week's Friday view, I will let you see my new little pet.  Yes, we still have our groundhog.  He doesn't bother us and we don't bother him.  In fact, the other day when I took this picture he was eating my weeds but not touching my plants.  Good little groundhog.   The mascot for the Pennsylvania Lottery is a groundhog named Gus, so I've been calling my little friend Gus too.  But I don't know.  Maybe it's Gusette?

 Nine more days to vacation!  Can't wait.

WHAT I'M READING

HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE by J.K. Rowling (2000)

About the book:
You have in your hands the pivotal fourth novel in the seven-part tale of Harry Potter's training as a wizard and his coming of age.  Harry wants to get away from the pernicious Dursleys and go to the International Quidditch Cup with Hermione, Ron, and the Weasleys.  He wants to dream about Cho Chang, his crush (and maybe do more than dream).  He wants to find out about the mysterious event that's supposed to take place at Hogwarts this year, an event involving two other rival schools of magic, and a competition that hasn't happened for a hundred years.  He wants to be a normal, fourteen-year-old wizard.  Unfortunately for Harry Potter, he's not normal -- even by wizarding standards.
     And in his case, different can be deadly.

My thoughts:
This is, indeed, the pivotal book of the series.  I got really engrossed in it even though I knew the ending.  The books get darker and darker.  The plot gets thicker and thicker.  Characters are introduced and killed off.  Such a sad book.  And such a good story.

SAME OLD, SAME OLD

I haven't written anything in a couple of days because there has been nothing going on.  Just work, cook, clean house, do wash, repeat.  Anyone else get in a rut?  I guess we all do at one time or another.  I'm sure I'll get out of it sooner or later.   

I know that summer is half over because a lot of my shows are having their endings this week -- "Top Model", "Around the World in 80 Plates".  Where does the tine go?  I was in work looking at the calendar today and thought the same thing.  In a couple of weeks it will be August.  August!!??


Tonight we finally got the a/c in our bedroom.  It is a big job because the unit is very heavy.  Neither Joe nor I can do it on our own.  It is now cool in our room.  Finally we don't have to sleep downstairs anymore.  While we were putting it in Joe accidentally closed the window on my little finger on my left hand.  I don't know if it is broken or not, but it hurts like crazy (even hours later) and is swollen huge.  I had a finger brace in the medicine cabinet so put that on.  Work tomorrow is going to be fun.


I got a call from the doctor today and all my tests came back perfect.  So what's wrong with me?  It is not normal to have skipped heart beats, chest pain, dizziness.  Today at work I started to black out and had to sit down real fast.  I have one other idea.  A friend in church gave me an article that exactly describes what I am feeling.  Her husband has it.  It's called PVT and has to do with one of the heart's valves sticking and is treated with magnesium, potassium and calcium.  Wouldn't that be great if that was the answer?


I have a lot to do today before I go to work.  Yeah taking care of a house and working full time really wears me out.  But I just have to hang in there for 10 more days and I'm on vacation.  Sweet!  It's going to be fun so be prepared for lots of pictures.

SHOPPING ALWAYS HELPS WITH STRESS

This morning I went for my stress test.  I got there early, but couldn't find a parking space anywhere.  After driving around the parking lot three times, I went back across the campus to the Cancer Center and was able to find a parking place there.  Under a tree yet.  Then I walked through the building to the doctor's office.

I was not alone.  There were 8 other people getting the same test.  It seems that on Monday that is all they do.  One of the ladies there started talking to me and said I looked familiar.  She looked familiar too.  It turns out that I used to wait on her when I worked at the Tacony Branch of the library.  She is a crossing guard.  What a very small world.

I thought having had a stress test a year and a half ago I knew what to expect.  I was wrong.  The last time I was in the nuclear medicine department.  Now it is done in the doctor's office.

First they put an IV in my left hand.  The technician, Bob, wanted the right hand, but I couldn't because I had breast cancer on the right side and they can't use that arm/hand.  Then a tech named Ryan injected me with a radioactive isotope.  I had to wait an hour for it to go through my blood system.  During that time I had to drink water and eat something.  I had brought a banana, so I ate that.

Then Ryan took me in the back to do the first scan.  Before I had laid on a bed and the machine moved around me.  Now I was on a chair and I moved around the machine.

There was another 45 minute wait and then Bob took me to the first room I had been in.  He and a physician's assistant who was there wanted me to walk on the treadmill.  But I couldn't do what they wanted because of the bulging discs in my lumbar.  I was supposed to walk quickly (almost jogging) for 4 minutes.  I told him I could do 1 or 2 minutes (maybe) but I couldn't do it for 4 minutes.  So I got the chemical injection while I was sitting in a chair.

It was bad.  Much worse than the time before even though everyone in the room told me it was a milder drug than what I had been given before.  I had what I was told was a normal reaction -- headache, pressure in my neck, chest, arms, legs, rapid heartbeat, nausea, chest pain.  Not good at all.  This lasted for 4 minutes, then they stopped the drug and the things gradually went away. Except for being very dizzy.  Ryan then gave me another radioactive injection and I had to sit in the waiting room for another hour and drink more water.

Finally I was called back and Ryan did another of those tests in the chair with the machine that took pictures of my heart and I was able to go home.  I had been there from 8:30 to 12:30.  Most of the time I was watching the Today Show and Kathie Lee and Hoda.  I never watch those shows, but I got pulled into them.  I guess it took my mind off of what was going on around me.

Now it's just a waiting game to see what the results are.  I think I will be fine. Everything looked good.

I was feeling not all that great driving home, but was very hungry.  I called Joe on my new "toy" (I finally figured out how to use the car phone after a year and a half) and asked him if he could take me to get something to eat.  We ended up going to IHOP and getting breakfast.  I had two eggs, hash browns and sausage.  The technicians told me to drink caffeine after the test, so I had a cup of tea.  Joe had banana and strawberry pancakes that looked really good.

When we were finished I felt much better.  Fashion Bug is right next to IHOP and I said I wanted to look in the window.  I saw this beautiful white tunic and said how pretty it was.  Joe said he liked it too and I should get it.  I went in and found it in my size.  Right next to it was a rack of skirts that I also loved.  I found that in my size too.  So I splurged and got them.  Somehow shopping made me feel even better.  (Ha, ha!)  I had a hard time getting a picture of the top, but I hope you can see it.

 The top of it has all tucks.   And the bottom is all eyelet.

Sorry these pictures are so dark.  I hope you can get the idea though.  And here is the skirt I got.

 
It is kind of tie-dyed and has ruffles.  So pretty.   The thing I like about Fashion Bug clothes is that they fit me perfectly.  Even better because I used my card I got 25% off.

On the way home we stopped at the deli.  They were having a sale on turkey burgers, so that is what we are having for dinner tomorrow night.  It is my late night at work and they will be easy to make when I get home.

Finally our last local florist went out of business.  They are selling off all their little left over things.  This past Easter I bought a little boy bunny on a swing from them.  It turns out they never sold the girl bunny that is his mate, so I was able to get her for $2.  I also picked up a couple of bud vases for $1 each.  The people who owned the shop are lovely people and I will miss them.  Joe told Barbara (the owner) that we will have to get together and go to dinner with them.

When I finally got home, I took a short nap and my headache finally went away.  Well, for the most part anyway.

Now it's time to get dinner.  I am having steaks tonight.  I wanted to get the grill cleaned to cook them outside, but I'm just not up to it.  Besides, it's almost 100 degrees out so I think I will just cook them in air conditioned comfort inside.  They will still be good.

A BUSY SUNDAY

It has been such a busy day.  I just ran from one thing to another all day.  It didn't help that I woke up at 4:30 this morning and couldn't go back to sleep.

We went to church this morning.  I had a meeting with Pastor Justin about the Harvest America Crusade before the service.  There's only 42 days till the Crusade and so far so good.  Things are coming together.

I had to run right out after church because I was working overtime this afternoon.  When I got home I just had time to grab something to eat and get out the door to get to work on time.  Who goes to the library on a beautiful summer Sunday afternoon?  Obviously lots of people because it was very busy.  I ran the whole time.

When I came home I was so hungry.  Joe had gone to the baptism we had at church this afternoon.  I couldn't go because, of course, I was at work.  So when I got home I got dinner for myself and then took a short (1/2 hour) nap.  I then got up and went to evening church to pick up Joe.

Right now I am drinking my last cup of lemonade.  Then I have to fast until I am done my stress test tomorrow morning.  I can't take my medication either so I know I'm going to be feeling a little less like myself for awhile.  At least half-way through the test they give me a chance to eat and drink.  The instructions say to bring a snack and drink with you.  I bought a couple of bananas tonight on the way home from church and I will take a bottle of water.  That should hold me over until lunch time when I can eat and take the meds.

As you can tell I am stressed about the stress test.  I remember it well from the last time I had it and hoped I would never have to go through it again.  But I have many people praying for me and by this time tomorrow it will be all over.  I just have to think this way.

I'll let you know how everything works out.

THE ECHO TEST

Continuing on with the saga of "what's wrong with me?" I had an echo-cardiogram test today.  My appointment was for 12:30 p.m. but Joe had another seizure so I was running about 5 minutes late.  I always make sure he is OK before I leave the house.

When I got there the person before me was just leaving.  I apologized to the tech for being late and she said it was fine.  But I found out that they had called Joe earlier in the week and asked if I could come in an hour earlier instead.  Joe, though, had forgotten to tell me so I never got the message.  I am going to have to give people my cell phone number because he often forgets things.  He can't help it, that's just how his epilepsy affects him.

The test wasn't too long.  The technician said everything looked good.  I said to her that I was glad things were good, but that still left the question of what's wrong with me.  She said the way the doctors work is to get rid of the big things that could be wrong, and then get down to specific details.  So I guess that is good.

Last night I had just finished writing my blog when I heard a big screech and crash.  Then there was the sound of lots of people running outside of the house.  Joe was laying on the sofa, so I told him I was going to see what was going on.  On the street on the other side of the parking lot a truck had driven sideways across the street and plowed into a parked car.  I ran back inside and Joe called 911.  There were lots of people on cell phones outside so I'm sure he was not the only one calling.  

An ambulance came quickly.  The paramedics talked to the man sitting inside of the truck and opened the door.  It was all crushed and they had a hard time opening it.  Then they shut it again and the man continued sitting inside.  I thought perhaps he was trapped in some way.  A man came out of one of the houses across the street opened the crushed car and started taking things out of it.  

Then a police car came.  Two police officers went over to the car, said something to the man, and opened the door.  The man got out, the police handcuffed him and led him away to the patrol car.  He was so drunk, he could hardly walk and was stumbling all over the place.  So I guess we can all gather why that accident happened.  

At 1:00 a.m. I heard a noise, looked out the window and saw the truck and the car being towed away.  By this morning there was no sign an accident had ever happened.  It was all so surreal.

After that exciting story, I guess I will be getting ready for bed.  Church tomorrow morning and work tomorrow afternoon.  A busy day is ahead of me.

FRIDAY VIEWS

Today was an interesting day.  It started off with me being SLIGHTLY late for work.  It turns out I was the first one there.  As I walked in the phone was ringing.  I turned off the alarm and answered the phone.  It was my boss' boss looking for him.  As I was telling her he was at a meeting all morning the alarm went off again.  I had to get her to hold and try to turn it off again.  This time it worked.  I started to talk to her again and the phone started ringing and ringing.  So she hung up.  It turned out to be my co-worker Diane who was calling to tell me she was going to be late.  Then the guard called in sick.  So within the first 10 minutes I was at work I was bombarded on all sides.

We opened 2 hours late.  I called downtown and got us a substitute guard.  And the rest of the day went pretty well.  During lunch it was my job to sit at Jerry's desk and be the librarian.  I always enjoy that.  It's what I went to school for originally, but didn't have enough money to finish the degree.

We are in another heat wave.  It's been over 90 degrees for the past several days.  We are expecting another 8 days of heat.  I just want it to cool off and rain.  We need rain so badly.  Thinking of that I came up with an idea for my Friday View.  This picture is from January 2011.  Maybe it will help us cool down.

This is my back yard covered in snow.  My caption at the time was "I can't wait till summer."  We're never happy are we?
Have a good weekend!

BEING A (WORKING) GUEST AT THE MCPHERSON SQUARE LIBRARY

Yesterday afternoon we got a call that the McPherson Square Branch Library needed an LA (Library Assistant) for the day.  Since Diane and Bob had gone the last three times when someone called for help, I figured it was my turn.  First I checked the calendar and made sure we had enough people at Richmond.

The McPherson Square Library (Google image)

My friend Paul is the LA2 at McPherson.  I knew I would have a good day if he was there.  But then again, I thought, he might be the one that was off and that's why they needed someone.

Fortunately Paul was there.  We had a good time catching up since we hadn't seen each other in quite awhile.  The guard, Corey, was there also.  He and I get along so well.  So even though it was a very busy day, it was an enjoyable day as well.

The McPherson Square Library is a beautiful building, both outside and in.  It has columns around the circulation desk that hold up a domed ceiling with a beautiful skylight.

The interior of the library taken from a Google image.

It sits in the middle of a beautiful park.  You would think people would want to go there.  But it is in a very poor neighborhood with lots of crime.  People don't want to walk through the park because there are a lot of drug addicts that hang out there.  The neighbors are making a big effort to clean up the place.  I hope they do.

Neighborhood children helping to clean the park.  The library is in the background.  (Google image)

But as I said it was extremely busy.  My back and legs hurt by the end of the day from running around so much.  I did 12 library cards for them.  Usually I do 5 at most so you can tell how it was.  Lots of kids.  Lots of people asking me questions I couldn't answer because I didn't know where everything was.


So I was really tired when I got home.  I ended up taking a nap before I made dinner.  It was an easy dinner -- pork chops, summer squash with Italian herbs and mashed potatoes.  Joe also had a couple of peaches.  He said they were good.


Another day of work this week and then the busy weekend.  So much on my plate this week.  But only 17 days till my Sisters' Week vacation.  I'm going to need a vacation by then.