A lot has happened in just the last 5 days here in the Den affecting life in the cornfield. Depending on your perspective, it's not bad, but occurrences and developments have definitely made life more stressful. Yet there have also been some rainbows thrown in as well.

It begin with a phone call at 1 a.m. Saturday night/Sunday morning. Iohn's oldest sibling, Sheena, called. The relationship of 24 years between she and her husband had become intolerable. A quick phone call to Mom and Iohn and I were on our way to Terre Haute to pick up Sheena. Such a scenario has played out in my family before. Now Sheena and Mikey, Iohn's 6-year-old nephew, are staying with us.

Sunday was our long-planned early Thanksgiving get together. The day became less celebratory for me since neither Kev nor David could be there. Dave was absent due to work requirements, understandable. In Kev's case...not really sure of all the details...but I am sure part of it had to do with me telling his maternal grandmother that the relationship and exchanges between my son and I were none of her business. She has already ruined her daughters and now she is trying to make her grandson a mental case. The woman doesn't know where here nose ends and keeps sticking it where it does not belong.

For the last couple of weeks Iohn has been working 7 days a week between both Patrick's and Casey's. Even with a full week he isn't getting 40 hours. But he is doing his best to do his share to support our home. He's come a very long way from the brash, irresponsible young man he was when we first met nearly 4 years ago.

Monday, Sheena with Iohn's help got Mikey enrolled in Dugger Elementary. The sooner he was back in school the easier his parents break-up would be on him. I then took Sheena to Sullivan, got her medication transferred and stopped Family Services. Before the day was out, Mikey had in his first day at his new school and Sheena was signed up for assistance.

While we were in Sullivan, Iohn talked to our landlord. He is converting the empty trailer next door from gas to total electric. He was told the trailer would be ready in about a month. Iohn let Cecil know he had a renter, his sister. Iohn told him what was going on. This gives Sheena time to get a job and know she already will have her own place...right next door to the Den.

Last night, Tuesday another development. Iohn has been offered a full-time position at Casey's. Granted full-time means only 35 hours per week...but he's doing 37 hours now with 2 jobs in 7 days. And he's having to drive 20 miles a day round trip to work at Patrick's. Casey's is 2 blocks away and the 35 hours would be in 5 days. So see there is a bright rainbow!

It's now Wednesday. Mom and I have already put together a birthday celebration for Kev this Sunday. He and Hailey are coming up to her house for lunch and then cake and ice cream.

The sun shines bright on the the cornfield today. The mercury leaves much to be desired, but we will make it. Here in Mark's Dena and the cornfield we always do...some way...some how.