Let's see....the last seven days have included run-away school buses, skunks, peaches, hives and ice cream! Quite an assortment, isn't it? Let's start with the skunks....

Last Sunday, one of Willie's ride operators spotted a skunk in residence underneath her ride. Being the responsible team captain that he is, Willie quickly called for backup and soon had several individuals who were offering their help. But ye ole skunk was not going anywhere! Rather than risk the odor of Pepe LaPeu being unleashed, they decided to leave Pepe alone for the time being. So Pepe spent the day under the ride, unknown to the parents and children who chose to climb aboard!

Now on to run-away school buses. Late that same day, the same operator was running the ride with one three-year old child aboard....seated in the front seat of the yellow school bus (one of several types of "vehicles" on the ride). As Willie stood nearby, he heard a loud grinding sound and then saw the yellow school bus with child strapped in, break off from the ride and come heading toward his operator! Thankfully, she knew safety precautions and did exactly what she had to do, but it was still a scary sight to see a school bus (a miniature version, anyway) come heading your way! No one was hurt, and the child was soon back riding the tea cups (uck....I hate those spinning rides)!

Now on to the peaches and the hives....I have heard that you can develop allergies to things you have always eaten, but never really bought into the idea. Well, guess what?!!! I do now! We were sitting on the couch last night eating some fresh cut peaches from the local farmer's market, when all of a sudden I had an itch on my neck....then one on the other side. I got up to go look in the mirror and see what bug was biting me, but....instead I saw hives spreading all over my neck and chest...and heading up my chin! After downing a couple of Benadryl, we headed off to the emergency department, where they watched me for the next hour or so (my lips, tongue and top of throat swelled, but not severely). Eventually they sent me home with some steroids, and more antihistamine....but no more peaches for this southern gal!

And now for the heart attack. Yes, it really was a heart attack. Wednesday afternoon, while my dad and I were visiting with my mom in the nursing home, she suffered a heart attack. Thankfully, it was not a major one, but it was scary, nonetheless. She is recovering remarkably well, and is actually in a better frame of mine now than she has been! The quick response and wonderful attention she received from the staff was heartwarming, and it is nice to see her determined to get back to her physical therapy. We still don't know if she will be coming home or not, but we are taking it one day at a time, and trusting that God has her, and us, in the palm of His hand.