Day Thirty Three - visiting with Jakki, and a wonderful present from Riley

Job 5:17-19 


"Behold, how happy is the man whom God reproves,


So do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. 


For He inflicts pain, and gives relief;


He wounds, and His hands also heal. 


From six troubles He will deliver you,
         

Even in seven evil will not touch you."

I woke up this morning with very little sore throat, and a ability to speak, albeit in a lower voice.  This was so good because one of my cousins was coming over.  I had been really worried that I would not be able to speak.  I had even asked Corey to join us in case I couldn't speak.  My cousin Jakki and I were going to talk about what to do about the family cookbook she was gathering recipes for.  She is about 13 years younger than me and we hadn't really talked ever.  I babysat her once, and I know that she was in my sister's wedding, and she lived at my parents house when I lived in Hong Kong in the early 80s.

I had a great breakfast of oatmeal, though Riley accidently put in too much salt.  And he brought me one of his custards with berries on top for sweetness.  Then I got dressed, went down stairs and tidied up a bit, then I went into the garden to deadhead roses while waiting for Jakki.  She arrived sometime between 9:30 and 10.  We chatted in the kitchen for a while, then we got tea and went upstairs to sit in the "sitting room", otherwise known as the library annex, as it has almost as many books as are in the library.  That would be somewhere over 600 books.  We had a wonderful time chatting until almost 12:30.  And it was so nice and sunny in the sitting room.

We talked about all kinds of things, partly catching up on what's been happening.  On that side of my family there are at least 26 cousins, never mind the spouses and children and grand-children.  Jakki's father, my uncle Phil, is only 9 years older than me, so that means that I am closer in age to Jakki's father than I am to Jakki.  But on the other hand a lot of my best friends have been 13 years younger than me, but none of them have been as much as 9 years older.  I think this partly comes from my being the oldest of 8 children.  I grade school I didn't even much like visiting at the houses of friends who had older siblings.

Ephesians 5:28-30

"So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, because we are members of His body."

Soon after Jakki left, Riley came home to feed me lunch and to bring me a very special present.  I could see he was very excited, and I had absolutely no idea what it could be.  It was a parcel that had obviously come through the mail, and I could see that it was from Cananda.  He wouldn't let me read what was on the box, but I could see that whoever had sent it was a bit of an artist, as there were cute drawings on the package, which was by the way very light.  Soon Riley set to opening the box for me.  When the outside tape was undone he let me finish.  The first thing, of course, was popcorn stuff.  Riley got a bag so I could unload it.  Next came a floppy little bag, which I set aside.  Then came a very nice sturdy white box, measuring about 11cm x 6cm x 23cm.  Then at the bottom of the package was a packet that felt like a book, but not quite.

Well it was a wonderful present - a doll that I had really liked butI  was sure she was out of reach.  She's an absolutely adorable little porcelain doll called Lexie, who has a red bob for hair, and brown eyes.  She was designed by Heather Maciak, of Calgary Alberta.  In the first packet was a little outfit for her - a red striped t-shirt and stockings, red shoes, and a blue jumper with embroidery.  Then the last packet contained 4 patterns that the doll designer sent along because she knew I liked to sew.  The doll is dressed in a green flowered dress with an organdy pinafore, a green felt hat and a lovely green corduroy coat.  I have to say that I am absolutely thrilled with this little doll. I've already started working on a white cabled cardi for her.  If you look at the picture of the blue jumpers you will see that the one with the red shoes is on the blond doll (Jenny), and the empire waist jumper is on Lexie.  Well Riley wanted me to have the empire waist jumper and the red shoes, and the lovely artist obliged him.  Have I mentioned what a wonderful husband I have?

After he ate his lunch, he left for work. I was still sitting at the kitchen table trying to finish my lunch. I'm so tired of eating. But I realize that it is absolutely essential. When I was done eating lunch I dinked around. Occasionally I tried to take a nap, but I was unable to do so. I did just lay there for a while. Finally Riley came home. He wanted to know what I wanted for dinner. What a dumb question. I did want to eat anything. But I tried to be helpful. We went off to Whole Foods to get some fish for dinner. When we got home I felt sorry for Riley, who looked tired. So I said I'd make dinner. Well seemed like a good idea. But as soon as I had dinner ready I hit the wall. I COULD NOT EAT! I just laid down on the couch, and that was the end of me. Eventually Riley gave me a Ativan, turned on a baseball game, and I dozed off. Then eventually he got me off to bed.

So, lesson learned: don't think I can do things like I used to. I simply can't! Riley has to keep telling me this.

Psalm 27:1

The LORD is my light and my salvation;

Whom shall I fear?

The LORD is the defense of my life;

Whom shall I dread?