We left Lebanon shortly after three o’clock and headed to Louisville. On the way we delivered Winston and Whitley to Connie (Janet’s sister) in Springfield. We stopped at Janet’s aunt and uncle’s house and her Uncle Gene drove us to the airport. We arrived in plenty of time because our plane to Detroit was delayed (we flew Northwest). This put us in trouble for our connection from Detroit to Gatwick. We literally had to run from one gate to the other. Once we were on the plane, we still sat for a while, but that “last call for boarding” announcement scared us. I know now how out of shape I am! The flight was uneventful. Caitlan and I worked crossword puzzles. I watch the movie THE INCREDIBLES. We had a snack of pretzels and tomato juice. Dinner was pasta with vegetables and a salad. I tried to sleep but slept very little. I just couldn’t get comfortable.

It is so wonderful to have Caitlan home. Unfortunately, she caught a bug somewhere along the line (maybe on the plane), so her first week home wasn’t the most pleasant. She and Kyle were able to eat dinner here in Campbellsville with Janet and me before she got sick. Janet made delicious taco soup. I went to the Stations of the Cross again on Friday in Liberty and stayed the night with Mom. I got to visit a little with Glenda and see James off before he left with Susan for their trip to the Grand Canyon. On Saturday I saw KK for a little while and worked at 4th St. varnishing the peninsula and banister again while listening to NCAA games. Then I went to spend some time with my good friend, Deb, who took me to dinner at Acres of Land for my belated birthday. We watched the end of the Louisville Game together 🙁 . KK came to stay the night with us, but still didn’t feel very well on Sunday morning. Deb and I went to Lex to the Newmand Center for 11:30 Mass. A really beautiful service. I just love their music, and the gospel was Blind Bartameaus, one of my favorites ( I love it when his parents say, “For crying out loud, he’s an adult–ask him yourself!”

Caitlan and I headed back Kelley Ridge to grab some stuff, and then delivered air mattresses and Joe Boxes to John and Dana. They are really making progress on their refurbished room next to the conference room upstairs. We made it to the Valley before dark, ate Mombo’s vegetable soup and Jerusha’s bean soup, and watched Bridget Jones’s Diary. Mombo had never seen it. She says she can’t understand the British accents, but she still laughed a lot. We all did.

School has been busy this week. Caitlan and I got haircuts (ARRRRGHHH!!)and worked on our trip itinerary for the week after next. Janet and I walked 3 miles tonight. It was beautiful out. Janet’s birthday is tomorrow. They got good news from the adoption company tonight. I got to talk to Brendan tonight. Things are good.

Oh, yeah, that’s easy for you to say–your hair probably grows faster than 1 inch a year. It was an impulse, but all I said, in response to “Do you want some layering in the back?” was “Yes, maybe a little.” And now I have my own version of a Joan-mullet. I woke up hoping it was a bad dream, but it wasn’t. No, I’m not going to kill myself.

I worked hard yesterday at 4th St. and thought I deserved a break of laughter. I finished the staircase in the entry room. James had come last weekend and really got me going on it-I guess I was at a kind of roadblock–it seems too big a task. But when he came and just went to town on the beautful solid walnut banister and the door and staircase, I helped from the other side. We didn’t have time to finish, but this week when I came, the task did not seem so insurmountable. I finished it and then put the second coat of varnish on the kitchen peninsula, having sanded it for the second time. Jim Brown had come during the week and got the washer, dryer, and dishwasher running. The carpet men came and put in the living room carpet and Jerry Bogie got the electrical inspection done. Now all that really remains inside the apartment is finishing the walls of the front entry room and texturing the ceiling where it has been repaired. It’s hard to believe. I’ve had so much wonderful help. The upstairs renters moved out yesterday, but I actually showed the downstairs apartment to someone who seems very interested in renting it, so I really have to get it done. Anyway, I thought I should laugh and had seen ads for William H. Macy’s new movie, so I tried to find someone to go with in me in Richmond. No takers, but Jim and Beth decided to go to a movie in Danville. I think they really wanted to go to see THE ASTRONAUT FARMER, but I made them too late, and then WILD HOGS was sold out. So we went to the Hub and dramk tea and coffee and talked and listened to music. It might have been better than WILD HOGS.

Tonight Jerome, Janet, and I skyped Brendan and Caitlan at Brendan’s flat in London (Battersea). KK had gone to visit him and will the stay the night. It was so good to see them together. KK looked happy to be with her big bro, and BCA admitted that he is still suffering from a little jet lag. It was pretty amazing that the three of us could see and talk to the two of them. I did have to tell Jerome that, since I didn’t have a camera, it didn’t do any good to wave at the screen. Oh, well, he’s a doctor, not a techno-wizard.

I’ve never had it before. Oh, it was fun to go to Ian’s or Cailan’s middle school games, but I never really caught the madness. In those days a basket was like a win. I never really understood the phrase–just a game you know, not a disease. Until this year. Until our Hayley. Why else would this 57 year old sleep-deprived librarian drive 130 miles without supper after a full day of work and 2 hours of profesional development? But tonight ended this year’s run. Boyle County’s Ladies can hold their heads high–what an exciting season! You’re Awesome, ‘Belles. Thanks for the adventure. It would have been worth a 200 mile drive.

Commonwealth of Kentucky Garrard District Court Case No. 05-P-0004

In Re: THE ESTATE OF JOSEPH BENJAMIN WOOD, DECEASED

Order Confirming Final Settlement:

This cause having come on to be heard, and the court being duly advised that the Final Settlement herein has lain over for thirty (30) days without any exceptions having been filed thereto, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Final Settlement be, and the same is hereby, CONFIRMED, that the Executrix, Joan Dixon Wod, is hereby released from any other duties and obligations concerning the estate, and any surety be exonerated.

Ok–now what?

Friday–Saw Torrance Rylee, finally, and she fell asleep on my chest

Groupies at Deb’s with heavenly potato cheese soup

Spent the night at Sharon’s, served tea before bedtime

Saturday–Took Camry to Miller’s for gasket replacement

Sharon picked me up and dropped me at 4th saying she had a few
errands before helping me paint

Her “errands” were to pick up Sr. Mary Thomas who came to help
paint (her project was painting the mantlepiece gloss black)

Others arrived all day to help(Sharon had secretly invited 4-ephers from St. Mark–that’s former friends and faculty); it was incredible! Thanks Holly, Kathleen and Mike, Charlotte, Chris, Larilyn, Debbie, Sharonie, and anyone I’ve forgotten! We got so much done–woodwork in living room, primer in entry, sage green on enrance wall, hallway touch-up, staircase primer, touchup in bedroom, tape removal!!

John and Dana came and stained entire kitchen peninsula as well as many other jobs.

Late night supper with J&D at Casa Fiesta–we remembered that it was Mombo’s birthday and gave her a singing phone call

Stayed the night at Sharon’s again (Greg sleept in the garage-it was raining)

Sunday–Pax Christi for Mass at 8:30. I like this full of light, inclusive church. I thought Mass was at 8 so got there early, but if I had been right I would have been late. Got to talk to KK for a while first.

Back to Richmond to attend First Baptist with Sharon. Wonderful song-filled, Son-filled service with Pastor Bill’s inspired message.

Lunch at Casa Fiesta (don’t be jealous, Caitlan) with friends of Sharon (Kathy and Mike and their two young, precious daughters) who lived in Oxford–we talked England.

Talktime with Michele–good to touch base–O’Charley’s

Varnished part of peninsula. Touch-up. Clean-up. Tired. Home to KR, Greggie Brown.

Monday–Still felt like the weekend. After school, headed to the Valley to pick up Mombo and go to see Boyle County girls play Danville City Girls at district tourney held at Garrard. BC mopped the gym floor with them–Hayley-babes was awesome, especially at the foul line. Also some incredible defensive moves. Can’t wait until Thursday to see them play Lincoln or Garrard. Either way they go to regionals. Best part–taking Mombo to the games. She’s a winner.

I never had a hard time not eating meat on Ffidays because I liked the food that we did have. I only remember one time that I was tempted to eat meat–Friday night football games and hot dogs. In those days we always had pizza and spaghetti with meat, and Mombo made vegetable soup and bean soup with meat, so we did not have those during Lent or on Fridays. Now she has perfected her veggie soup, and it is so good that to add meat would spoil it. We did have potato soup, though, and of course tomato soup with grilled cheese.

The other standards were salmon patties (usually with peas on the side), macaroni and cheese, and tuna noodle casserole that I somehow always mispronounced. Then there were “decks.” I can’t really remember how this menu got that name. It had something to do with John and Jim playing that the food on their plates were ships or barges going up to dock and unload. But I think “decks” consisted of fish sticks, fried potatoes, and a dill pickle spear. Anyway, I liked all these foods, so not eating meat was not a sacrifice. And even though we went to public school, they never served meat on Friday in the cafeteria, so it wasn’t a problem. Have I left any other recurring fare out?

We never ate candy during Lent either, but we would save it in a drawer, and we were allowed to eat some on Sunday (which for some reason wasn’t part of Lent–I never got that). I need to make a Lenten promise like KK and Ian (he hasn’t eaten meat during Lent for years). Deb isn’t eating sweets–I already blew that because Janet made almond joy cake (truly yummy). I have walked every night, but that’s not really a sacrifice. Mombo got me a subscription to a booklet that has the daily readings, so I’m trying to spend more time in prayer and less on tv (our whole household has decided that, although we haven’t made a final decision on 24 yet). I’ll come up with something. In the meantime, I’ll go eat some tuna noodle casserole.

My precious ones,

Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday. Don’t forget that it is a day of fast and abstinence. Find your Lent–a time of introspection and simplicity. Examine the flame deep within your heart. Be the intentional Christian–the essential Catholic. Wear your ashes. Make your sacrifices. Go silently to your room to pray and do your study. Do works of generosity and make your actions those of service. Be the Lenten pilgrim.

I love you. You are Mine.