Are we all done packing? Ha. I think not. I know not. I am quite sure not.
So why am I sitting here at the computer instead of packing a box? Well, it's simply because the packing side of my brain is empty and the writing side of my brain is full. If I pack a box instead of write a post, my brain will tip over to one side and its contents will be redistributed into a morass of muddlement and befuddlement and my snapses will become scrambled which would thereby cause me to never again be capable of writing another post or packing another box.
(Did you get all that? Good.)
The moving company estimates it will take five to six hours to load everything so we'll be getting into Manteo near bedtime. Thankfully, we don't have to sleep in the new house tonight; another dose of chaos is not what my soul currently needs. (We'll spend the night in the cottage we've stayed at over the past two months.)
In the morning, the moving guys will return to unload everything into the new house and THEN real chaos will hit! But at least it will be fun chaos, because we'll be putting things away instead of packing them up. Which is a whole lot more enjoyable.
If I have any unscrambled synapses remaining by that time.
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Last week, Meagan's family traveled from Florida to North Carolina to spend Thanksgiving with their extended family who happen to live just twenty miles from our house.
Since we don't get to see the Hawleys as often as we'd like, we invited them over for lunch (homemade soup and rolls), even though we were in the throes of chaotic mayhem of the packing variety.
Usually I have a lovely table set for people coming to eat at our home. However, on Friday, this is what the Hawley family got.
Oh well! While the surroundings weren't lovely, the company sure was.
From left to right:
Meagan, Sarah, Kristen (Meagan's older sister) Frank (Meagan's Dad) Steve, Becky, Sheri (Meagan's Mom) Amanda (a Hawley friend and staff member at their church) and Nathan.
After lunch, Sheri and I sat in the dining room and talked, the younger folks went upstairs and the men repaired to the living room to engage in an important and life-enhancing activity.
Now don't be fooled by the placidity of the pictures you have just seen. Believe me when I tell you that the Hawleys are NOT a placid family. They are full of the zippiest vim and the most energetic vigor you have ever seen.
A case in point would be Nathan's 20th birthday party which we had in September at the Hawley's house in Florida. The following video highlights various versions of the birthday song we performed for the guest of honor. (In addition to the people in the earlier picture, you'll also see Meagan's sister Joy and Joy's husband, John.)
There now. Wasn't that fun?
While I'm still on the subject of the Hawleys, let me just say a word or two about my dear friend, Sheri. She is an incredibly gifted public speaker, writer, and ordained minister; she also co-pastors a church with Frank in Winter Haven, FL.
If you happen to be searching for a far-above-average speaker for a ladies' event, revival meeting, church service or conference, Sheri is the one to call. I have heard her speak in a variety of settings (including our former church in Smithfield) and have never known her to do anything less than stellar job. Sheri is a spiritually sensitive, accomplished and funny speaker who always has something worthwhile to say. (E-mail me at smithellaneous@yahoo.com for contact info.)
To give you a glimpse of her gift with words, click on the link below to read an article she wrote. Is it any wonder Meagan is so wonderful with a mom like Sheri?
Embrace the Grace
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