August 20 – “Happy Birthday, Mom”

Today is Mom's official eighty-third birthday.  Jachin made a comment last night that not many people should get to be ninety years old.  We told him his MeeMaw was 83, and he was a bit taken aback.  I think he just can't comprehend someone being that old when it takes him so long to count that far.  We are planning a birthday celebration tomorrow at Kel's.  At least they are.  Tuesday at Luby's I asked what time, and Kel told me I wasn't invited.  Hope they have fun.   We took the Explorer in to have the oil changed this morning.  It was way overdue, but with Chris driving so much from Galveston to Bay City to Houston and back, there just wasn't any time.  He's also going to check the air conditioner and the motor that operates the front window.  It's hard to order at Sonic when the window won't roll down.   We did more painting today.  This fine tuning type trim painting is driving me nuts.  I used a half-inch wide brush on the outside of my house.  That's like using a toothbrush to groom an elephant.  I think I finished the front porch.  I'm not sure how much Chris did.  She was on a ladder around the corner working on eaves.  At lunch Mom asked if we could see the light at the end of the tunnel.  I answered – probably a bit too quickly – no.  But Chris echoed it.   The tile guy came just as we were finishing lunch.  He had a loaded caulk gun in his hand and a little bottle of something in his pocket.  The caulk was the same color as our grout, so he filled in the cracks that had formed.  The little bottle was some kind of sealer mixed with restaining agent.  It turned the areas of grout that had gotten really dark back to its original color.  Now we don't have to seal the floor of our shower.  And he was only here for twenty or thirty minutes.   The call finally came from the mechanic.  Oil change was no problem.  He did some checking on the other stuff.  The AC looks like some minor low pressure switch, so he disconnected it.  If it still works, that was it.  The window, on the other hand was a problem.  The motor that operates the electric windows is dead.  So is one in the back seat.  Cost for replacing each is around $290.  We'll make due.  That's just some of the sacrifices associated with owning a 1992 Explorer.  And I just heard today that we missed out on the government's cash for clunkers program.  They're out of money.  I guess we'll bandaid what we have for a few more years.   We finally decided on a date for our Hallelujah Party.  This is more than just a housewarming.  We're celebrating one year since Ike.  We plan to invite our neighbors and the church and, well, anybody.  We'll cook burgers and hot dogs in the front yard and let people walk around and look at the house if they want to do that.  Of course, all that is contingent on one minor detail.  That there is not another storm in the Gulf heading our way.  I don't know anybody who plans to stick around this time.   Psalms 89:14-16 says, "Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you.  15 Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O Lord.  16 They rejoice in your name all day long; they exult in your righteousness."   Father, I'm getting the hang of your love and faithfulness.  Not doing so well on the righteousness and justice.  Please forgive me.  Amen.