28 and counting.....

Having a wonky back today has actually proved fairly helpful: I've gotten all sorts of "unnecessary" things done that I've been wanting to finish. Things like updating my blogs, sorting out some pictures, marshaling some financial stuff, and catching up on Stargate, which, I am delighted to say, has been extended on Hulu till January. No need to watch 4.5 seasons by tomorrow night. (Which is good because without the assistance of a stabilized wormhole and a solar flair I wouldn't have the time.)

I promised birthday pictures. The thought of photographing all the different parts was overwhelming me, so I dumped them all in a chair and had Mom take one picture. You find it below with corresponding descriptions.

1. (Which I absentmindedly left black when it should have been white-- it's on those outrageous magenta flowers) Flowers from Cynthia! I came home to a bower that evening and this was a completely unexpected part of it. These flowers are super cool too because they fade like a bad print in the sun. With her daughter getting married next weekend this was incredibly thoughtful!

2.0 Glorious flowers from Dana. This was my favorite one:

2.1 The most amazing swing from Dana! This was absolutely one of those things I didn't know I wanted till I saw it. It brings back all the memories of my grandparent's front porch, curling up in their enormous wicker swing and twirling till I was sick. This is a collapsible, indoor-outdoor canvas swing, big enough to curl up in, and be twirled by some obliging fellow.

2.2 Godiva chocolate. Need I say more?

2.3 Fenlon's Meditations on the Heart of God. So good.

3.0 Elisabeth sent me a brilliant box and Praying God's Word was in the bottom. It's one of the few things I've asked for lately and she, naturally, heard me and procured it. Already it is remarkable, and I want to give one to every person I know.

3.1 Menus for my feet! These are my coffee shoes! Elisabeth decorated them with every coffee word you could think of. They get rave reviews wherever they go.

3.2 Work clothes! This is my new favorite shirt. ☺

4. My Utmost for His Highest. Confession: I have never read this. For ridiculous prideful reasons that Andrew understood. So he gave me his lovely copy because I decided to humble myself and read it. ☺

5. Bethany brought me rum balls from the Market Street Bakery. I love my family so I shared.

6. Scorch! I love this. Talia painted me a dragon. We understand one another.

7.0 Drum-roll please........ the complete boxed set of Jeeves and Wooster! My beloved sister has a knack. My whole family pitched in and bought laughter from Amazon. These make me disproportionately happy.

7.1 The wrapping paper my sister made for the box. Yeah. She's awesome.

And that's all for the evening folks! Thanks to all of you who sent texts and facebook greetings and called me all day long. I felt very treasured. The Lord is indefatigably kind.