Weekly Wows

What a week this has been...

I've been having a little trouble with my sewing machine, so I took it to Richland Sewing Center in Hurst last weekend to see what was wrong. Besides the fact that I had the bobbin in backwards, the service man recommended that I have the machine cleaned and oiled. Even though it was apparent that I had no clue what I was doing, both the men (yes, men do work at a sewing shop!) in the service department were so nice to me and explained everything in terms that novice-sewer-little-me could understand. And when I went to pick up the machine, they even loaded it into my car for me (and I don't think it's because I looked like a helpless pregnant lady). Let's just say I am now a Richland Sewing Center customer for life - and you should be too!

I have discovered my new favorite dessert: Oikos chocolate Greek yogurt with raspberries. It is SOOO good, and it has less sugar in it than other non-nutricious sweet things I might want to eat (like Girl Scout cookies).

Speaking of Girl Scout cookies, did you know that you don't have to pre-order them any more? Girl Scouts now peddle their cookies with boxes in hand rather than the old-fashioned order form, which I remember from back in the day. (Geez - that makes me feel so old.) If only they had gone to that method sooner, it would have spared me much grief and competition with the younger, cuter Girl Scouts who would steal all my customers at church.

My sister-in-law let me borrow the Perfect Pregnancy Workout DVD, which I tried out last Thursday night. Let's just say I had no idea what I was getting into. First of all, the instructor has performed with Cirque du Soleil for many years and plans to film something for them only six weeks after giving birth, so she is in incredible physical condition. She is "one of those" pregnancy ladies who has crazy muscles in places I didn't even know existed! Not only that, but she is pretty far along in her pregnancy (think close to 30 weeks) and yet she is doing exercies that would wind me even in a non-pregnant state. I only did the beginner level of each exercise and was definitely feeling it for a few days afterwards. But then again, they say giving birth is a phyically-challenging experience which you should train for. I just think I like the prenatal yoga-style of training a little better. :)

My dear, sweet grandmother Ruth - or Mema, as I called her - went on to be with the Lord early Friday morning. She fought for the past four months to overcome the effects of several strokes which caused her left side to be paralyzed, and made incredible progress despite the difficulties this caused for everyday activities like getting out of bed, eating solid foods, and talking with those she loved. A final stroke last weekend left her completely paralyzed, yet she still fought to her very last breath on Friday. I was lucky that we were able to make the drive to Tennessee to be there for her service over the weekend. It was amazing to hear the stories of her 92 years of life and to remember all the memories she gave us. We will all miss her dearly, but we are so glad she is in a place where there is no more suffering and look forward to joining her there one day.