HAPPY BIRTHDAY wishes go out to my sister-in-law, Bess, AND her grandson, Jonathan.  I hope their special day was perfect and that it begins a year of all things good.

To help Bess celebrate her birthday, my other sisters-in-law, Martha Anne and Weze, Randi and I went with Bess for dinner at Satterfield's.  Three of us had the soup and salad combo (shrimp/corn soup was the soup-of-the-day), Weze had baked potato with crawfish etouffee, and Randi had hamburger steak.  Although I prefer the shrimp/corn soup with a white base, this one, with a tomato base, was good as well.  The salads were HUGE, but we managed to eat most of our servings.  The most important thing, though, was that we were all together and enjoyed visiting as much as eating together.

Randi and I did a little bit of shopping before the meal, going to STILL WATERS, a little shop that sells religious supplies and other gifts.  I wanted to get something special for Ben before he leaves, and I was successful.  I won't say what it is (seems like I've said that a couple of times lately) because I know Sandie reads my journal and I don't want her to accidentally tell Ben what I bought.

Yesterday was a lot calmer than today.  Randi and I just got some chicken from Popeye's for lunch, bringing it home to eat in the comfort of our own four walls.  Believe it or not, we each got one of the specials they have and came out ahead on those deals:  Randi got a leg/thigh with mashed potatoes, a biscuit, and a drink for $3.75; I got three wings with a biscuit for the same price.  Of course, my meal cost a little more because I bought a small side of potatoes as well.  Nevertheless, I think the prices for these meals was excellent!

Both yesterday and today brought rain, as has been the case for the past couple of weeks--when we reach the afternoon times, the rains come.  It hasn't affected any of our plans, though, so that's okay.

I spent some of my day today trying to get info from our kids about whether or not they can attend a special little get-together for Ben before he leaves for Oklahoma.  It seems all of them have plans for that weekend, but each of them expressed good wishes for Ben as he begins this new phase of his life.  Because I will have just traveled to Lockport for Mom's appointment, I may not be able to attend the gathering either, but I'm hoping that perhaps we can figure out some way to get together while I'm in that area.  Sandie and I will try to make arrangements to meet somewhere, even for a brief period.

Yesterday was Weze and Mike's anniversary, #42 for them.  We wish them many more, of course.  I actually remember their wedding, mainly, I think, because I had to walk out with Becky.  She was only a year old, and she started cutting up in church, mainly, I think, because she was seated next to a couple of older cousins.  In any case, I missed part of the ceremony--If I'm not mistaken, that's the weekend our whole family, the Stevens' part--took a trip to Mississippi to spend time there at a friend's camp (more like a big house, of course).  I remember having such a good time there, taking lots and lots of pictures of our little one (even though she did make me miss part of the wedding--LOL).

Sid will be administering his first tests of the new school year tomorrow.  As usual, WE are both interested in seeing how the kids do.  I have heard from someone who had grandkids there that Sid is well-liked at school--which doesn't surprise me, except for his corny jokes--and that kids describe Mr. Miller as "very smart" and a good teacher.  Again, no surprise there!  I hope the kids do well on their first tests, mainly because it encourages them to continue working hard and finishing the year with good grades.  There are always those who don't study, of course, but mostly, that hasn't been a big problem at this school.

I spoke with Rett the other day, and he was complaining because they already had a project to do.  I didn't understand what he was talking about at first (I thought he said he had to draw a "plant sale"--hmmmm???); when I asked him to SPELL what he was saying, it turned out to be a PLANT CELL.  He had already done the project, though, so I'm sure he did just fine.  His teacher this year is the one who took my place when I retired from teaching to enter nursing school.  She was, and has remained, a good friend--and a good teacher!

Our trip back to Lockport is fast approaching.  It seems I just went there and I'll be returning already.  I pray that Mom doesn't have to have another angioplasty, but I am not overly optimistic in that regard.  Based on the doctor's reactions to her previous tests, I think he probably will want to do another (at least one), especially if these last tests confirm what he saw in the previous tests.  Prayers, please!

Please keep in your prayers the family of one of Sandie's friends who just lost their 21-year-old son to cancer.  The father of the boy was a pastor at one of the local churches (if I understood correctly), so I know they are filled with faith that their son is now in the hands of his Father; but that doesn't lessen the pain of loss that a parent feels.  They will surely need prayers as they go through this terrible time in their lives.

"No man is an Island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the Continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friends of of thine own were; any man's death diminishes me because I am involved in Mankind; and therefore, never sent to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee."                     --John Donne

NOTE:  The young man who just died surely touched many lives, both before he was ill and afterwards.  I know, from what Sandie has said, that he was strong in faith and did everything he could to live.  He is gone; but he lives on in the memories of those who loved him, and he awaits those he loved in a better place, without pain or sadness.  Rest in peace, Jordan Paul Robinson!