Bec came over this weekend to pick up Randi, who, you might remember, stayed over after the visit Bec, Cade, and Carly had last weekend.  Since Bec was coming, Jan and Troy decided to come as well, and we're always glad to see that.  Troy loves to use the grill, so that meant special eats for last night--and everyone liked that.

I guess our girls didn't realize how cold it got here at night, when they went riding on the 4-wheelers, so we had to improvise.  They wore shirts that belong to Sid and me, so their clothing was just a tad large for them.  That's OK, though, 'cuz that kept them warm and prevented possible sickness.  They're all so cute that I'm sure you didn't even notice the clothes, but...just in case!

The 4-wheelers (Troy brought his with them) were busy all afternoon and into the evening.  For some reason, our kids really enjoy riding after dark, which is something Sid and I never do, and last night was no different.  Except for meeting up with a skunk, their rides were uneventful.  Oh, they did see some precious little raccoons, probably the same ones Sid and I saw a couple of nights ago.  (Note to Bec, Randi, Jan, and Troy--on our ride this afternoon, we saw the raccoons again, but we didn't get a picture this time.)

Before they left for home, we made sure that our meal at DON's took place.  Bec enjoys eating there, and it's one of Randi's favorite places.  Sid and I went to SAM's after that, to replenish our water supply.  While there, I called at Mom's to see if she needed more cokes.  She didn't answer her phone, so I checked with Paul.  Yep!  She is in dire need of her "cokes in a bottle"--so, Sid and I picked up four cases for her.  That should take care of her for a little while.  There aren't many things that Mom REALLY enjoys, but a cold coke IN A BOTTLE, not a can or a plastic container, is something she relishes.  I'll bring those to her when I head off to Lockport on Thursday.

When we got back from DON's and SAM's, Sid and I took a ride on the 4-wheeler.  That's when we saw the raccoons again.  These seemed to be rather small, perhaps babies (or "toddlers"), and they were very quick to move.  One climbed a tree and decided to follow his/her brother/sister into the woods and didn't seem at all concerned that we were right there.  Off it went--and then, off WE went, without our picture.

Since then, Sid has been busily working on his lesson plans for school tomorrow.  He is always prepared for his classes, but these lesson plans take up so much time and just seem useless most of the time.  So many rules and regulations take up a teacher's time that could be better spent working on things that directly affect the students.  Oh, well--you gotta do whatcha gotta do!

Once again, as I mentioned, Randi is gone back home, so I'll be sitting around the Cottage all by myself this week.  I guess we'll have to do our "chatting" via the computer, which is something we both enjoy doing.

Not much else to talk about, so I'll wish you a good evening.  Hope your night is pleasant and that you have a terrific week.  Before closing, I ask your prayers for a young friend of mine who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and is having surgery tomorrow.  Please pray that she has the strength to accept whatever happens while also praying that this surgery and the following treatments will restore her to good health.

HEALING:  "Nothing...refreshes and aids a sick man (woman) so much as the affection of his friends."                          --Seneca the Younger

NOTE:  Let us become for our sick friends/relatives a source of strength and courage, someone they trust with whatever worries them, someone who can share their burden in a special way, someone who is "just there" for them in whatever needs they might have.  Become a source of healing for those you love and care about.