For August

... there will be all sorts of news and introductions. News about our upcoming adventure is 'cooking' as we speak ... and introductions of a few new sisters ... and an invitation for a few more ladies to join in the fun. ... stay tuned! A Reunion is 'cooking' for next year as well... I'll be back after I catch my breath ;)

Just a note to say....Thank you!

As some of you may know, my husband has been chronically ill for about 5 yrs. He apparently picked up a parasite in Europe and has had a parasitical infection ever since. I cannot tell you all how this has impacted our lives...in the negative naturally, and in every area. I can't even begin to list all the nasty symptoms and side effects of the sickness and of the medicines plus the drain emotionally, spiritually, physically and of course, financially.

Well, I am very happy to report that as of this writing, he is getting well!!! Hallelujah!

He has been undergoing treatment for the last year that has actually begun to work. Before that we were very frustrated with traditional doctors who did nothing to help and only wanted to treat the symptoms...which of course either didn't help at all or came back with a vengeance as soon as he got off the treatment.
Two weeks ago he finished the last prescribed round of treatments from his not so traditional doctor that he has been on for 6 months or so and low and behold...his symptoms ARE NOT COMING BACK!!!
They tell us it will take at least a year for his body to recover and he is down to skin and bones too plus as weak as a kitten but it appears he is finally getting well!
I cannot begin to thank all of you who prayed or lifted us to the Lord during this time whether you knew the situation or not. Our God is Good and His mercy is everlasting!

Now on to restoring his body, his strength and getting some weight back on him. Now we can actually make plans for the future and move forward with our lives.
Thank you, sisters..and Thank you, Lord!

SCARF SISTER REUNION

After reading the posts on having a reunion, and talking to Deb last night (she knows I don't like to talk on the phone!) the prospect of a Scarf Sister reunion sounds like a lot of fun...and a lot of work to coordinate! Good thing Mrs. Mac is so good at the sort of thing. ;)

As I told Deb, at first the sound of reunion in Michigan sounded perfect...till I realized, I've seen Michigan, for 62 years! I wouldn't mind one bit venturing to another location at all! I'm up for anything, so what Deb and I thought might be interesting is for everyone to submit 3 or 4 or 5 places that sound good to you. Hopefully, by process of elimination we could all agree on the one place that would be pleasing to all. I also think that early Fall might be a nice time, but I understand the logistics of those with children and jobs. I have neither...well I do have children, but not young children (sorry girls!).

So, having said all that, here's my picks in no particular order: (Not including but not excluding Greece).

1. Gatinburg TN.

2. Chicago

3. NYC (I realllly want to see the statue of liberty!)

4. Niagara Falls, Ont.

5. San Antonio, TX.

ps

Lord willing, I'll be there, anywhere-including Michigan!

Miss O's Day Camp - Update

Just a quick update - Miss O had a much better day today at Day Camp - I know in part thanks to all your prayers!!

In fact, she's in the shower as I type this...singing away at the top of her lungs - all the camp songs which she has refused to have anything to do with up until now.

She participated in her very first ever Flag ceremony - where she was part of the color guard. I was very proud of her - honoring the Colors, folding the flags, leading us in singing "Taps", etc. If she continues in Scouting (and hopefully she will) today was the first of many more color guard experiences to come. I wish I had my camera today --another missed photo opportunity!

Anyway, thanks so much for your prayers. There's a lot of power in prayer - as we all know. ....and God cares about every detail of our lives, even our ability to get along with our day camp leaders!

Prayer Request....

....what may seem insignificant to most is monumental to some...

Miss Olivia has Girl Scout Day Camp this week. She has attended two days thus far and both days she has cried most of the 20 mile drive home. She dislikes her leader - in fact, has started to refer to her as "Miss Rudie" because she thinks she's very rude.

In being the best Mom that I can be, trying to set a good example and be an encourager, I have talked to Olivia at length about her leader - appearing to give her the benefit of the doubt - when in reality, I can see...just in the 15 minutes at the beginning and end of the day that Olivia is probably very accurate in her assessment.

As I type this, Olivia is in bed, hysterical because she doesn't want to go to Day Camp tomorrow morning.

Since Girl Scouting holds some of my best childhood memories, this breaks my heart for a number of reasons - not the least being that I hate to see my daughter hurting.

We've prayed each night for her leader...and each day Olivia tells me that God isn't answering her prayers because her leader isn't the most patient person in the world. Anyone who is a parent or who deals with children knows that an abundance of patience is a requirement - not optional!

Ugh. Tomorrow, I may speak to the Camp Director...don't know yet...still praying about that. In the meantime - as you read this - please say a prayer for Miss O and her Day Camp "adventure"(?)

Thanks!

Ironing??!!!

I had the most wonderful phone chat with Cathy (Mrs. Mac) yesterday. She called to say that I had been on her heart...she was checking up on me...letting me know she has been praying for me. What a blessing to receive her phone call! Initially, she called when Brillo Man, Olivia and I were enjoying dinner out at Perkins. (Kids eat free on Saturday nights!) Since we were headed out to do some grocery shopping afterwards, Cathy agreed to call back a few hours later. I almost couldn't wait for her to call back! When we arrived home, I hurried and put the groceries away then I positioned myself in a lawn chair overlooking the pond. I had my Kindle in order to read my Bible to help pass the time until she called. My cell phone was within easy reach and I sat there with great anticipation of hearing it ring, not knowing if perhaps she had become busy with something and wouldn't be able to call back... But then - the phone rang! Yahoo! I could hardly contain my excitement! Waiting for her call, I felt like a kid waiting for Christmas!

All of this only reinforced in my mind what I've been thinking about for months. And it's actually something Mrs. Mac and I discussed during our call; we need a Scarf Sister reunion!! All of us have been blessed so much by each other and I don't know about you, but I don't want to wait until we get to heaven to give each of you a hug and tell you how much you have impacted my life!

So...I am officially opening this topic up for discussion...Let's plan a get-together sometime in 2010. Initial thoughts for a location were either the Niagra Falls area or somewhere in Michigan. What do you all think?! Start saving your money...a Scarf Sister reunion is in the works!

Oh, and one more thing....WHO (besides Mrs. Mac) irons things?! It just occurred to me that during our phone conversation, Cathy told me that she had spent some time earlier that day IRONING!! I can't remember the last time I ironed anything.

Anybody? Ironing?! Come on...fess up!!

Friends Are Friends Forever

Arlene's sister Peg and I made a trip to the cemetery yesterday. Arlene would have been 59 years old tomorrow...I miss her still.

For The Sisters

here is a picture of the sisterhood of the "retired" scarf!.
i have left a space for one of the new sisters because i couldn't find a picture of her!
god bless all of the 18 sisters here on earth and we will still remember our dear sister, arlene who is in heaven and who we sorely miss.
she will always be in our thoughts!

Aunt Di Update

Good morning, Sisters! I'm just dropping in to say 'thank you' to each of you for your steadfast prayers and support during this time. I am doing well, just the usual soreness and perhaps a bit more weakened and tired than I had expected. My doctor kept trying to warn me about unrealistic expectations. I should have listened more closely!

My sisters are insistent that I remain with one or the other of them until the first two weeks are up because I am not allowed to life anything more than 5 lbs. and cannot drive. Unfortunately, my doctor seems to be in cahoots with them!!!

So, I'm thinking I will be here at my sister's house for the remainder of this week and next and hope to go home then. I can already tell a difference with the new stimulator. It will take a few months to get it to it's optimal settings for my bodies' specific needs. I am still nauseated, but less so than before surgery and I haven't thrown on AT ALL since surgery! This is a great relief for me!

Thanks again to each of you for your love, support and prayers. The Lord is continuing to restore my health and I know He has a plan for my life.

God bless each of you!

Fun Facts

... about our scarf:

• She traveled to two continents ... North America and Europe
• three passports were needed ... U.S.A., Canada, Norway
• tossed about in eight states
  
• she landed in the state of Michigan FIVE times
• two Canadian provinces
• was a warm hug between sixteen sisters and numerous friends/family members
• was spotted on more automobile dashboards than most scarfs of her make
• witnessed autumn, winter, and spring in all its splendor
• comforted the sad
• gave us some great tours of Canada
  
• welcomed new friends
• saw some great ancient haunts and hung from Nordic ruins
• visited the 'Center Of The Universe'
• had a bikini beach blanket party and shivered!
• supervised 'blood draws' at a Pennsylvania hospital
• participated in the election of the USA's president (I won't hold that against her .. no matter how she voted ;)
• was sighted on too many church pews to recall
• went to a museum
• had a spa date on a cold blustery spring day
• sipped sweet tea while down south
• sang karaoke Christmas songs in her jammies .. off key ... ;)
• pretended to blow snow off a driveway ... but we know better :)
• was a good tour guide in Downtown 'Motown'
• helped purchase a TV
• drank lattes at church
• Showed us the Erie Canal while we all sang a folk song
• witnessed a basement flood
• Got a little naughty in Texas ;) pretending to be a svelte Mrs. Santa Clause!

Scarf sisters ... please add to the list in the comment section.

Group News:

I'm just now drawing up the design and rules for our next adventure. Watch this site and your email for updates. In August there will be more announcements, surprises, and clues. Can't wait to get started ... but for now, enjoy the summer ... because winter is a coming! Get out and garden, put some provisions away for the cool months. Learn a new 'old' homemaking skill to help ease the budget during these economic hard times such as mending, darning, baking bread, thinking about where your food comes from. Stretch your dollars and save for a rainy day. Even in this shaky economy, give thanks to our Heavenly Father. Keep each other continually lifted up in prayer.

Hugs,

P.S. I'm working on getting copies of the Scarf's Journal entries to you. They are all worth savoring.

It's Finished

Today's mail brought a treasure in the form of one package from Tennessee! Any guesses? Boy, do I have some good reading to accompany me in the bubble bath tonight :) Will post a farewell ode to Scarf soon (sniff, sniff).

Friday's the BIG DAY!!!!

Well, Sisters, tomorrow is the BIG DAY! I am scheduled for surgery tomorrow afternoon at 2 p.m. CDT at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville. I am so excited to have this done and feel better! The nausea and vomiting have really gotten me down this time around. I am so thankful tomorrow is nearly here.

Please pray for me and for the doctors and nurses who will attend me. I completely expect an uneventful surgery and recovery and know I can trust the Lord to watch over me. My sister will be taking me up to Nashville and spending the night with me there. We expect to be released on Saturday and come back to West Tennessee to her home, where I will spend 7-10 days as my doctor didn't think I should come home alone right away.

There will be a post surgical update posted on my blog sometime tomorrow evening. I expect to be able to be back online by Sunday. My niece is going to post the update for me tomorrow night. Thank you all in advance because I know I can depend on each of you to pray. I am so truly blessed to be a part of this wonderful group! I am looking forward to feeling better and being more involved with each of you AND more attentive!

God bless you all; I love you!

Happy Fourth Of July

God Bless America!