A nice visit

Some of you will recognize this picture from Dunja's blog. (I am using it with permission) I went to her house this afternoon for coffee and visit. We really had a nice time together. Her 'Apfel Kuchen' was delicious too. Of course the best part one another's company.

I'm looking forward to having coffee again with her some time.

Stepping out

I've decided to step out of my comfort zone and allow people to read my Princess Prayers. It is a blog that I have kept my own since earlier this year. Maybe it will encourage others to knw what I struggle with.

yesterday's surprises

I had a fun day yesterday and the Lord brought some surprises my way. We took the kids to the Rochester Museum and Science Ceneter as a surprise. I took a lot of great pictures, which I can't put on my blog right yet. Oh well.

We walked in to RMSC and there stood a very familiar face. An old friend whom I had not seen in about 14 years. Craig and I met when we were 12. We sat next to each other in math class in 7th grade and used to make each other laugh. We became such good friends (but never romantically). A few years later we found we had a other bond. Christianity! In high school there was a group of us who would get together through a group called Young Life and we studied the Word of God on Saturday mornings. Later on we lost contact because we went to different colleges. After college we met up with one another by both becoming Young Life leaders in the Rochester area. My husband Jamie also was a leader, so he met Craig too. Craig became engaged to a girl he met in college (T) and I got engaged to Jamie. J and I married in Oct 1992 and C and T got married in Nov 1992. That was the last I saw of him, because he and T moved to North Carolina. I figured I'd never see him again, but often wondered what ever became of him. Once in a while curiosity would get the best of me and I would google his name to see where he was.

The Lord brought me a surprise because there he was! I recognised him immediately and he recognised me too! We were able to pick up right where we left off, and talked about the Lord too. He said, "Wait a few minutes because Sarah (another girl from our YL study in high school) will be here shortly." She walked in. I hadn't seen her in 21 years. She always was a very sweet girl, although I never got to be close friends with her. However, with believers there is a bond. We gave each other a hug, introduced our children and husbands to one another and had a nice conversation.

I felt such a joy at seeing these two. I am quite sure that the joy would not have been the same if we did not share our relationship with the Lord with one another. It makes me think how wonderful Heaven will be. There are so many people that I will get to see some day! Sometimes I just can't wait!

Good news...and some bad.

The good news is, I recieved a digital camera for Christmas! Yeh!!! I got a Kodak Easy Share C875. That means that I potentially have the ability to blog much more interestingly for all my readers. Woo Hoot!

The bad news...my computer is so hopelessly obsolete that I couldn't download the program disc onto it...so I still can't put interesting pictures up yet! There is a possibility of using my husband's laptop to do that...but he has to see if it can be done.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! This is the Christmas video that my hubby's work sent out to their clients. Just so you know, my hubby is sitting at the desk while everyone is bustling around and his is the first head to pop up on the roof.

Click right here .

My hubby works for a small company that makes videos/dvd's for other companies, organizations, etc. They've made a few local comercials, documentaries, training videos, wedding videos...you name it!

Introducing...

Hello. I wanted to introduce to you some missionary friends who are serving in Thailand. Ruth and Colin hail from Australia, but spent a year and a half interning at our church here in the states. They have served the Lord in Cairns and then more recently in Melbourne. The Lord has now sent them to Thailand. Check out their blog on my links.

Where is the white stuff?

It is a little odd here for this time of year. No snow. Usually by this time there is atleast some. I think we will have a green/brown Christmas this year. At least we don't have to drive in it!

Christmas Cookies

Every year we cut and decorate Christmas cookies. This has been a tradition in my home all through my growing up years and into adulthood.

The kids always enjoy it and it makes such good memories. The kid in me still enjoys it as well.

And of course, we all enjoy eating them!

little miss santa

My husband took this picture of our darling daughter sleeping with this santa hat on.

Home

This picture probably was not taken near Christmas...but it's a snowy picture, so it's allowed in my "Christmas Series." (because I said so, that's why)

This is the house I grew up in. There's the old blue station wagon...which gives us a clue as to when it was taken. Late 60's is my guess. But really, it doesn't look all that different from how it often looked in winter during all my growing up years...(until I was in about 11th grade when my parents decided to make it a light brown house). This is home. It evoked all sorts of sentimental memories for me. I've been thinking a lot about this lately.

Home is powerful. It is where I felt the most nurturing and a place of love and safetly. I feel thankful for the home I grew up in. As Dorothy said in The Wizard of Oz, "There's no place like home."

Anyway...I thought it would be fun to hear what "home" was for you and one of it's best memories.

Ok. I go first. One of my best memories was sitting on my father's lap. He would be sitting in his favorite rocking chair in the living room and I would climb up onto his lap. Sometimes I wish I could go back in time just to do that once again. Eventually I got too big to do that.

This is a pathetic picture of me and Tigger with Dad in about 1976. Martha and I shared a bedroom. I wasn't sitting on his lap...but it's the best I can do.

Ok...so let's hear from you now.

Christmas 1966

I know. You're thinking, "Where's the tree? Where are the Christmas trimmings?" They're not in this picture, but I am certain that somewhere in the vicinity of this small child there is a tree and probably some presents.

This is me. I was born a week and 2 days before Christmas. So I guess you could say that I am the present this year. Notice the glass bottle. No plastic ones back then. My mother nursed all the children in our family except for me (and my brother who was adopted). I was not adopted (atleast that's what I've been told)...but for some reason, my mother's body refused to produce milk. She was under great stress and grieving at the time of my birth and I guess the result was having no milk. My second brother Tim was 8 at the time. He was put into a special home because he had severe autism. During this time in history not much was done to help children who had autism. Luckily today much more can be done. Anyway...my mother tells me that I came along as a gift from the Lord and was a big help in distracting her from her distress. You can read a story about a visit with Tim here. I don't know who the bear is next to me. It was probably placed there by my older sister, Martha. She was 2 at the time. I vaguely remember this bear. I think it talked if you pulled a string with a little plastic loop out of his back-side...but I'm not sure about this. Am I right, Mart?

Memory is a funny thing sometimes.

Christmas 1970

Well, here we are just a year later. A few changes have occurred. Rachel has grown beautiful curls to her shoulders and has learned to walk. Martha is now wearing glasses and I am undoubtedly a bit taller.

I just love Martha's look on her face. Even though it is a profile, you can tell that she is full of glee...holding up that beautiful package that holds such promise of pleasure. I'm the one wearing the green pajamas. As you can see, I'm already tearing into a package of some sort. Probably clothes judging by the shape of the box. I'm wondering where my brother is in this picture and the last. He would have only been 13 in 1970, so he was there somewhere. Dad was always the one with the camera in our house...so that explains why he is invisible.

Stay tuned for more Christmas memories in the next few days.

Christmas 1969

With the Christmas season upon us once again, I thought it would be fun to do a series of Christmas memory photos. This might be challenging since I only have a few on my computer right now. But I have an excellent source (start looking through your files, Mart).

Here we are with Mom, Christmas 1969. That's me in the back wearing the gold sweater. I was 3 years old. Rachel was one years old and Martha was 5. We must have all gotten dolls for Christmas. Goodness, my mother looks young, doesn't she? She was only 35. Younger than I am now. I look like I know exactly what is going on and am very excited. Rachel on the other hand...looks like she's not quite sure. She appears to be holding a bit of wrapping paper which I'm sure made her quite content.

We had a good childhood. We had parents who were trustworthy and loved us. We had what so many children didn't have. Security. Love. Here we thought the gifts were under the tree. Ha! They were nothing compared to the real gifts our parents gave us each day.

Thank you Mom and Dad!

Pumpkin Pie, anyone?

Yesterday was our Thanksgiving feast at my sister-in-law's house. Lots of family and lots of fun. A few days ago I called up Jamie's mom because it is usually up to her and I to make the pies. She said she would be making 2 apple and 1 cherry. So I decided to make 2 pumpkin and 1 lemon meringue. We got to Laurie and Kevin's house and found out that my neice's fiance's mother and brother (Daniel) had come too. Daniel had made a pumpkin pie...all by himself (he's 12). "Wow, 3 pumpkin pies," I thought..."that's a lot." Kelly and Drew showed up. Kelly had made 2 pumpkin pies. "Five pumpkin pies! Can you believe it?" This was the discussion that was going on when Jamie's Aunt Helen showed up with the 6th pumpkin pie. "We have 6 pumpkin pies here, everyone...so you better eat up after dinner!" I announced to a crowd of relatives gathered in the kitchen. "Oh no we don't, " said Wendy. "We have 7 because I brought one too." I waited for the 8th to show up, but it never did. I'm guessing that at the next family Thankgiving no one will dare bring a pumpkin pie and we won't have any!

Anyway, the food was great. The fellowship was wonderful. The laughter was rich.

*sigh* Would anyone like to come over for pumpkin pie?

Come unto me and I will give you rest....

Today I went over to visit Martha. On the way there, I was getting sleepier and sleepier as I was driving. I was getting very scared. I was not very safe on the roads! My head kept nodding! It was scary, but the Lord got me there safely (and all the other drivers out today were safe from me too). I went in her house and felt such a heavy fatigue that I had to lay down. This was the result. Good ol' Martha with her faithful camera! Actually, it's not a bad shot of me.

I was already asleep when she brought me coffee. I slept quite a long time and felt very refreshed. We had a nice visit, albeit shorter...but I was ready and alert for the drive home!

Still having fun!

Well...I'm doing good here...averaging a post a week. My arm is doing very well provided that I stay off the computer. I used my right hand very briefly...and I am paying for it! Maybe I ought to break down and see a doctor?

I hate left handed blogging as it is slow and clumsy...but it is a great way to keep me off the computer and doing other things! This past weekend I busied myself helping my 4th grader build a Iroqouis Longhouse! It was great fun! It turned out to be very cool! (although I'm not sure using a hot-glue gun was the smartest thing to do with my ailing hand and arm) We delivered it to her classroom today! I took a picture...but with my older camera, so I can't post it yet.

God bless!

Hi to all! Still blogging left. Haven't been here in awhile! Been busy. My daughter's swim team is in full swing. They had their first meet Saturday. She got a personal best in her 50 free. We've had an extra daughter for a few days. Her name is Sarah and she is 9. Her mom's been in Colorado for CBS training. We've been having fun!

Life is good!

Here's "Al" taken this summer.

I know this sound choppy. Trying to keep sentences short and simple.

I miss you all!

Hi everyone! I am doing well...except I am sure I have a mild case of carpal tunnel. I should not be on the computer. (using left hand for this) Just wanted to say hello to everyone! I miss blogging!

Here is a picture of my handsome father in about 1949.

ABC check DOESN'T WORK!!!!!!! And other things

Hi!!!!!! This is Priscilla's son al again.(yes I have permission) while posting blog entrees I've used ABC spell check but it's really frustrating because it says common words don't exist.(It wants to change Priscilla to priceless) As for my mom her arm stopped hurting but she's not using the computer because she wants to prevent it from hurting again by using less computer. She often says that the computer is addicting and I have to agree. So that's why she's not answering question as often. Tomorrow's Halloween and no I'm not going tricker treating. I not sure what the point of this Halloween is. Luckily I'm going bowling with friends that feel the same is me. I can't find a way to end so I'll end it like this.

Ma, get well soon

This is Pricilla's son. Encase your wondering I have permission from this blog's owner encase your suspicious. I do not do evil things like sneak on someone's blog unlike one of my uncles. I come with a message from my mom. She's in pain I'm afraid. This computer of ours has given her pain from her wrist to her elbow. She obviously didn't want to leave it on the entree about sesame street. To make it more dramatic I drew a picture on paint. Do not worry about her she'll probably be better by the end of the week but for now I'm writing for her. All we can do now is hope and pray she gets better.

Sesame Street days

Sometimes I admit that I miss having a little one here at home...and sitting and watching Sesame Street, snuggling on the couch, taking naps and reading picture books. I felt much more useful during the day than I do now.

I've been struggling to find my sense of purpose now that all of my children are gone to school all day long.

Doing Better

Well...my arm is considerably better. I've been able to resume most every activity. I must be careful not to restress it. Left hand blogging is very difficult and no fun!
It was a very windy and rainy day. Many more leaves have fallen to the earth. I was up at a friend's house today. What a gorgeous view of God's beautiful earth...even in the wind and rain. She lives on a hill in the country and the colors are magnificant. Wish I had a picture.
Now...I just need to think of something interesting to blog about.

Get your tissues

This one will bring tears to your eyes.

http://cjcphoto.com/can/

slow blogging

I am having a considerable amount of pain in my right forearm. It is so painful that I can barely do anything. I finally figured out that it is from using the mouse on my computer and typing so much! So I will need to refrain from blogging quite so much. Right now I am using my left hand which is sloooooowwwww. Hmmmmmm. Do you think the Lord is trying to tell me something?

On a brighter note...Jamie and I went out for lunch today. It was so nice to connect again with him. It is sometimes hard to do that in the hustle and bustle of life. Last week when I said we were going out...we actually didn't. Something came up at his office and he couldn't get away.

Junking and Consigning

On Friday I walked downtown with $5 in my back pocket to buy a copy of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. I'm tired of hearing about either the book or the movie every time I turn around and not being a part of the discussion. I decided it was high time to read the book. Well...to my dismay, Judy's Bargain Books was closed! Bummer. I didn't have the dog with me so I decided to poke around in the shops...not really expecting to find anything. I went over to Cuddleback's Antique shop. I love poking around in there. You never know what you'll find. I just love looking at the stuff. I hardly ever buy anything because my budget won't allow it. I think my husband would totally freak out on me if I started bringing home old bird-cages and stuff. He doesn't see things quite the same way as I do. They have a pretty big section of old books. I thought, "Ok...what's the chance of P&P being here?" So I looked...and it was like looking through a haystack for a needle. I found it! It was quite an old copy...no copyright date in it, so who knows. I'm guessing 1940's? It cost $1. I was very happy, walked home and started reading it. I just loved the book! I can't wait to see the movies now.

So yesterday I picked up my lovely middle daughter for a dermatogist appointment. The appt overlapped her lunch time at school, so I allowed her to choose a restaurant and we ate lunch together at Denny's. I hadn't spent this kind of time with her alone in a while. She is quite a character and often reminds me of Ramona Quimbley! While we were eating I decided to not take her back to school, but to go out shopping. Went to a great little consignment shop in Victor. She needed shoes and I found the perfect pair for $4. She was so excited that she wore them to school today. Unfortunately, they had no pants that would fit her and she really needed them. Ended up spending more than I would have liked at Old Navy.

We had fun together...which was so good for us. I've been in a junk shopping mood, if anyone would care to join me.

No words are necessary

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1

Anniversary

Today is my wedding anniversary. Jamie and I have been married for 14 years. It has been joyful, fun, challenging, tough, rewarding, happy, sad at times,.....overall great. I am blessed to be married to Jamie. We really didn't do anything to celebrate today...but tomorrow we are meeting to go out for lunch.

Martha scanned a picture for me so I could put up a wedding picture. He was 28 and I was 25!

An arbitrary memory from each school year

Kindergarten-Mrs. Volk would take a beautiful chocolate cake off of the piano and light a candle when it was someone's birthday. We'd all sing the song and the birthday kid would blow out the candle. I wondered why we never got to eat the cake. Finally after months of this incredulous waste I inquired of my teacher. That's when I learned that the cake was made out of clay!
1st grade-There was a little girl named Patti Ann in my class. One day a group of us were playing school. An argument ensued about how to make a number 7 on the blackboard. Being the artistic one, I preferred to make a little extra line on the end of the top part. Patti Ann got so made at me that she bit me on the finger and left teeth marks!
2nd grade-My friend Lisa moved back from Canada and was in my class. I felt a bit protective of her because her mother had died.
3rd grade-My teacher, Mrs Hayes had a favorite saying when someone did something she disapproved of. She would say, "Look at Shane." I was always very puzzled by this, but would always look over at Shane Peacock to see what he was doing. He never seemed to be doing anything noteworthy. I finally figured out towards the end of the year that she was saying "Look ashamed."
4th grade-I became the author of a famous short story series about a dog named Charlie. I would draw wonderful illustations to go along with the stories. Then one day, a little girl in my class copied me and started another series about a dog...who looked uncannily a lot like my Charlie. I can't remember what she called her dog, but I was very annoyed. I was also annoyed that the teacher would let her get away with it!
5th grade-I hated competative sports. I was sure that I was terrible and everyone would laugh at me. Especially those awful boys! One day we were sent out to play kick ball with Mr. Hickey's class. I kept getting in the back of the kickball line so I wouldn't have to kick the ball. Mr. H found out and made a spectacle out of me and yelled at me in front of the whole class.
6th grade-I had a crush on a boy named Joey. (not sure why looking back on it). He didn't exactly feel the same about me. One day I left a stick of gum on his desk. When he found out it was from me, he threw it out.
7th grade-In math class I sat next to a boy named Craig. We nick-named our teacher "Turtle Woman"...never calling her it to her face of course. Anyway...Craig made me laugh quite a bit in class. We'd always get in trouble for laughing and talking.
8th grade-Jill sat next to me in science class. I got excellent grades, but Jill never seemed to catch on. I used to try to help her to no avail. One time during a test, I let her copy off of my paper which I knew was wrong. I felt terribly guilty. I was actually relieved when Mr. Bellini had us stay after class a few days later to "talk". Of course he had figured it out. It scared me half to death and I never did it again.
9th grade-Another science class memory. Mr. Moriarty stood 6'7" tall and was extremely intimidating at times. He enjoyed controlling the class through fear. One time he asked a question and no one raised their hand to answer. He got irritated by this and said, "I know people know the answer to this question. When I ask it again, I expect to see some hands." He then asked the question again and no one raised their hand and he yelled at the top of his voice, "Get those hands up there!" Every hand shot up in the class, including mine. I prayed he would not call on me because I didn't know the answer. Luckily, he didn't. The boy he called on knew the answer. Phew! How I hated that class!
10th grade-It was towards the end of the year and we were all feeling a bit mischievous. There was a boy named Salim (from India). He and I engaged in a water gun fight in one of the stairwells. A teacher saw us and started to object when suddenly another teacher named Mr. DeMatteis jumped out from behind a wall and began pelting us from water from his own watergun...he even made machine gun sounds with his mouth. The first teacher shut her mouth and left.
11th grade-I remember taking my time getting ready for school one morning...a little too much time. My mother told me I was going to miss the bus. I assured her that I would not. She warned me that I better not. I ran from the house, up the street and around the corner just on time to see the bus pull out of the neighborhood. I had missed it! What was I going to do? I knew my mother would be angry and she didn't have a driver's licence so she couldn't get me to school. Besides that, she ran a day care center which made it quite impossible anyway. I couldn't walk to school because I'd be late. What to do! What to do!!! I just stood there praying and then I saw one of my neighbors leaving for work. I flagged her down and begged her for a ride...which she complied! Praise the Lord!
12th grade-Tom sat next to me in music theory class. He would click his pen and reach over and "color" on my jean leg with it. This would fake me out because he was really clicking the pen point inside of his pen and not out. This would amuse him because I would always look. One time I decided to do it back to him, only by an accident I clicked the pen point out. I reached over to "color" on his jean leg only to discover that I really did it! We both did a double take. It was quite funny, but embarrassing. At the end of the school year he wrote this in my year book: P.J., It's been a great year in Music theory. You're a great kid. The only thing is that you owe me $400 for the soap that I used trying to get the ink out of my pants. Just kidding, yu only owe me $200. Have a great summer and good luck in college. Love, Tom.

51 things about me that you might not know

1. I was very good at math in school.
2. The first time I ever flew in an airplane, I was 34 years old...and it was only a week before 9/11.
3. I knew Matt Odmark personally before he was famous. (He's in Jars of Clay)
4. I accepted Christ as my savior when I was 14.
5. I had to sit in the naughty chair once when I was in kindergarten (I was teasing Sammy).
6. I had a stuffed dog when I was growing up. His name was Theodore. I took him to college with me. I still have him.
7. I enjoy a good cup of tea.
8. I clean a few houses to make some extra money.
9. I like sitting up front in a class or at church because I'm easily distracted.
10. I can sew.
11. I made a queen sized quilt once and it is on our bed.
12. I had pet gerbils, two cats and a dachshund as a kid.
13. I always thought it would be cool to live on a farm.
14. One of my favorite kinds of cookies is molasses.
15. I wish I had studied art in college.
16. My anniversary is next week. We have been married 14 years.
17. I wasn't interested in dating my husband when I first met him.
18. I've only lived in the state of NY.
19. I spent a lot of time iceskating as a kid.
20. I almost never iceskate now because it causes a certain toe to come out of joint and it is very painful!
21. I'm not a big sledding fan.
22. I think it would be cool to travel. I've done hardly any traveling.
23. I've never golfed.
24. I married a golfer.
25. I hardly ever watch television.
26. I've never seen some of the popular shows people talk about.
27. I'm not very technologically saavy.
28. I get up at 6:00 most mornings.
29. I think it would be really neat to adopt a little girl from China.
30. I think I suffer from the "fear of failure"
31. I had a broken heart once and it nearly killed me-literally.
32. I won't go to a high school class reunion.
33. I've never liked going barefoot.
34. I hate wearing sandals that have things going between my toes...which makes it challenging to find a pair.
35. I like the clothing styles from Llbean, Lands'End, and Eddie Bower.
36. My house isn't really decorated to my liking.
37. I love houses with history.
38. I miss having a real close girlfriend to visit.
39. I'm my dog's favorite person.
40. I like camping.
41. I like canoeing. Haven't done this or #40 in a long time.
42. I love sitting by a lake with my Bible in the early morning and listening to loons. (reminiscing my trip to Quebec)
43. I need 8 hours of sleep a night...which means I better hurry up and finish this so I can get to bed!
44. I get my words twisted up a lot when I talk which is a source of amusement for my family.
45. I'm quiet in real life.
46. I'm usually reading 2-3 books at once.
47. Sometimes I read children's chapter books.
48. I volunteer in our church's nursury.
49. I almost died of smoke inhalation when I was 18.
50. I'm 5'6" tall.
51. I never was big on amusement parks.

Getting back in the word

I've been trying to be more disciplined with limiting my time on the computer. It has definitely been getting out of hand lately. The Lord has been convicting me that I have not been honoring him through serving my family...and also not honoring the Lord through spending time with Him. So...you may all hear less from me, but I will still be around.

This week Community Bible Study started up again. I am so happy to once again be accountable to a group of women each week for the study of God's word. This year we are studying Galatians and then Hebrews. This morning I did my first lesson on Galatians. I sat at the kitchen table with my Bible and my lesson and a pen. The lessons for CBS are deep and thought provoking. As a friend of mine describes it, it is a "Bible Study with teeth in it." I would encourage anybody to look for a CBS in the area they live in and sign up!

I got a phone call from the prayer chain with a prayer request for a mom who attends my church. She has MS and is really having a difficult time walking. She no longer can walk independently, but must use a walker and often needs help from a person as well. It is so hard to see her decline. I remember when I met her about 13 years ago, I could not even tell she had MS. I guess at that time it had just been discovered. She has 3 school aged boys. Years ago, she and I were in the same young mother's group. I remember her carrying her youngest son in a kids' carrier back pack. I sent her a card with a few verses and a note. I hope it lifts her spirits. I know she sometimes suffers from discouragement and depression. Please keep Christine in your prayers.

Tranquility

This cabin looks so cozy. I can just imagine sitting in there by the fire...maybe working on some needlwork or enjoying a cup of coffee with a friend. I long for the simpler life. I long for tranquility and peace. A world without agendas, television, or clutter. I long for deep companionship and a sense of belonging.

Toe Socks

How hard can it be to find toe socks for your daughter?

I'm gonna like this teacher!

The day before yesterday when Allen came home from school, he started doing his homework. He said, "Oh yeah, my science teacher, Mr McGory said whenever we don't have school work to do for homework, we have to do something around the house to help out." He showed me in his notebook where I needed to write what he did to help and sign that he did it. So...Allen folded and put away a load of laundry that was in the dryer and loaded the dryer with stuff that was wet from the washing machine.

Wow! I think I'm gonna like this Mr McGory!

Dan's Birthday

Today is Dan's birthday. Dan is my brother. He left this earth to live with our heavenly Father in 1983. If he were alive today, he would be celebrating his 48th birthday. I called my mother today. I always try to remember to call her on this day and also on Feb 17th, the anniversary of his death. Telephones are good. You can spread so much love and care through the telephone line.

My mother wasn't home. But I will try her again later. I am sure she is thinking of Dan. She and Dad might have gone to a nursing home to spend time ministering to residents as they often do. I think it is tremendous that they have moved forward in ministry and in living. I think that nothing could be worse than losing one of your own children. I knew it was tragic when it happened when I was 16...but now that I have children of my own, I think about it even more.

Priscilla and the roses (circa 1971)

I've decide that from time to time I will change my profile picture just to add interest. This was always one of my favorite pictures of myself as a child. I think it was taken on a Sunday morning before leaving for church.

Locks of Love

I took Audra to get her hair cut tonight. The salon owner measured Audra's hair to see if it was long enough to donate to Locks of Love. It was! She tied it off with a rubber band and cut it off. Then she styled A's hair. It looks so cute...but short! Actually, it is a little below chin length. Jamie loved his girl's long hair. He's on a business trip right now. I hope he doesn't flip when I tell him! Knowing it was donated will help I'm sure.

Tomoorrow I will be mailing the hair to Florida. I'll post a picture of Audra when I get one!

Swimming!

Last night I took Audra to her first swim practice of the season. It was good to see her back at her favorite sport...working hard with her teammates and coach. They started out with a little pep talk with a welcome back cheer. I could tell Audra really enjoyed it. Swimming on this team is so good for her.
I'm very proud of my beautiful daughter.

Hiding squash and other fun games

Today is the fourth day of school and it already seems like school is quite routine. Audra and have been butting heads lately. It seems like everything is an argument. I'm hoping that it is simply because we are both having a hard time breathing due to congestion (thanks to fall allergies). I made a lasagna last night and I layered into it thinnly sliced summer squash. Audra was totally put out by this. She says she hates squash and insisted that I ruined the meal. She whined about it during the entire meal (until I threatened her). My other two children said they liked it. I thought it still tasted deliscious. I also thought it was an ingenious way to use up the squash that has been sitting around.

I made muffins while the children were at school. I wanted them to be healthy. I found a recipe that used whole wheat flour and wheat germ. They turned out to be very yummy. This morning I told the girls that there were muffins for breakfast. Audra looked at them suspiciously. "What's in them?" she asked. I said, "Bananas, peaches, whole wheat flour, wheat germ, sugar(emphasis on sugar)." What I didn't tell her was that I had shredded up the remainder of the summer squash and put that in as well. She ate reluctantly. "So...do you like them?" I figured that she would say a resounding "yes." They were sweet, moist, tastey with chunks of delicious peaches. What's there not to like? She looked at me and said, "No. All I can taste is wheat germ!"

Can I ever win?

New Rules!

I am trying to become more self disciplined. Last night, I stayed on the computer too long and got to bed way too late! Then of course I had trouble getting up this moring! So, what do I do when my kids are on the computer too long? I set a timer. When the timer goes off, they get off...no arguments! Why is it that I make these rules for my kids and then I go and act like a child myself?

So I am mothering myself tonight and setting a timer. I have 15 more minutes. Jamie says that I am very amusing sometimes!

Stuffed up! Sniff!

I am having a bad allergy day. Managed to get the kids off to school. I'm glad we have lots of leftover soup for dinner!

First Day of School

Today was the first day of school. I woke up pretty early (5:40). My son was already up getting ready for his first day of Middle School. He was gone before the girls got up. Allen walked to school and the girls took the bus. Sometimes we walk. I think tomorrow we will. It's good exercise and the kids hate the bus!

It was good to get back into a routine. I love summer...but I really do well with a routine and I think everyone was ready to go back. I had a wonderful quiet time using some of the scripture my friend, Jon sent me yesterday. (Thanks again, Jon) and then I was off to clean a house. I spent 4 and a half hours cleaning and left with money in in my pocket...which I deposited in the bank on the way home. Allen got home about 20 minutes after I did. He had a good day. An hour later the girls were home and they seemed pretty happy too!

So...I'm happy that school started. Do you think less of me as a mom?

Life on a Merry-go-round!

Just when I thought my life would get simpler...the summer ended. Actually today is the last day of summer vacation. Last night we went to an orientation for 6th graders at the Middle School. Now I've got a whole bunch of papers to go through and glean information from. We also went to visit Alicia's classroom. Second grade is much simpler...but I still have "stuff" to fill out and send in and mark on the calender. The swim team is starting up again. I need to go to the YMCA to talk to someone about getting scholarship money. I took a saxaphone in to get cleaned and serviced yesterday. My core leader (Sally) called me to let me know I'd be in her core group this year. CBS will start on Sept 20. Everyone wants volunteers. Everyone wants me to clutter up my schedule with more committments. My sister-in-law would like me to paint a mural for her. Another person would like a mural too. I'm picking up another house to clean every other week. I need to get my house organized and calendar organized. Our back porch is rotting off the house. We have no money to build a new one. My house is under construction and will be forever. My husband would like me to come up with a way to pull in more money than I have been. (I don't pull in much at all)

I just don't think I'm good at all this. I feel like I never do anything really well because I am pulled in too many directions. The other day I was sitting with a group of women from my church. A few of them have older children and they had horror stories about the books their kids are assigned to read in school and the battles they have had to fight against this. One woman is sending her child to Lima Christian School this year. Another woman home-schools anyway and she told about the wonderful benefits of home-schooling. I made a mental note to pick up a list of all the books Allen is expected to read this year from his English teacher...and I forgot to do that last night!!!

I feel like I'm not doing a good job at being a "home executive." Am I doing enough? Probably not. Am I doing too much? Probably. I kind of miss those simpler days of having a new born baby and a toddler. No one expected anything from me other than to be a mommy. The world was safer. I didn't worry about school curriculums and policing it. I didn't worry too much about the calendar. Oh sure there were things on it that needed my attention, but I always took a nap in the afternoon when my babies did and I never felt too guilty about it. (ok...maybe I did a little) My kids didn't use a computer...and we had no internet hook up. No worries about what they were stumbling across (albeit accidently). We read picture books from the library and watched Veggie Tales, The Donut Man and Barney. When my kids went to preschool...they were under the wings of Deb Thompson, where they learned Bible stories and did fun projects and they learned about caterpillers and apples. Kids tapes could be heard playing songs like The B-I-B-L-E, and Jesus Loves the Little Children. Sometimes I felt like I was going crazy...but I had a stay-at-home neighbor with children the same age as mine and we were both Christians. I spent hours drinking tea with her and talking as our children played. I went to the mother's group at my church every Thursday morning. We would look at scripture and talk about parenting preschoolers.

Oh dear! I'm getting all sentimental and weepy! Somebody out there give me a good scripture to encourage me or some words of wisdom and comfort because I think I need them today!

A Soggy 5K!

Today was the Crosswinds 5K. It drizzled the entire time and then...just as Alicia and I were crossing the finish line, it started really pouring. Looks like we are in for a lot of rain for a few days because of Hurricaine Ernesto.

I should probably tell you before you are falsly impressed by my stamina and athleticism....that I actually walked the entire thing. Allen and Jamie both ran and did quite well. I walked at a small 7 year old's pace...but it was good. And...I should also add that Alicia and I earned just as much money for the Sands Cancer Center as everyone who ran. Maybe next year I should train to run it just to prove to myself that I can.

Alicia and I came in dead last. There was someone else who came in with us and she actually medaled. (ok...Dorothy is in her 80's and she won 2nd place for her age division) Anyway...we were soaked to the skin when we were finished. When we got back to the church we went to the awards ceremony. I saw a guy I went to high school with whom I hadn't seen in years. It was nice to see him.

My church always posts pictures of the 5k. When they do, I will be sure to post a picture!

Fall!

Last night, Jamie took inventory of everything the kids have and still need for school. He did all the school shopping this year-on line with Staples. It was all shipped to us via 3 different boxes last week. Shipping was free because our order for 3 kids was over $50! Today I told Audra to load up her back pack and we went over to the school to meet her teacher, Mr. Bambey and see the classroom. As soon as I set foot inside of that building, I noticed the smell. It doesn't smell bad...but it smells like the school. Probably a mixture of all the markers, pencils and papers in that place! You could tell excitemenet was in the air as kids filed in one by one to see the class and meet the teacher. School starts next Thursday and we are ready!

Lots of changes are in the air. It is definitely feeling cooler and I've noticed a few different changes in leaf coloring here and there. Allergies are at full hilt for me, which isn't fun...but I'll survive! On Wednesday the kids and I drove a couple of hours to meet up with our friends, the Falkes. Amy was saying that she finally is getting the hang of changing seasons. She grew up in Zaire as a missionary kid right on the equator. The weather there was pretty consistent all year round. She said when she first moved here, the change of seasons always caught her off guard and she didn't know what "fall stuff was." Now she has learned to appreciate pumpkins, crisp apples, cider mills, fall colors....school starting again!

I remember as a kid, we used to always take a drive in the fall to see the fall colors. (See picture above. I am on the far right) Quite often we would end up in the town of Naples. Naples seemed like it was hours and hours away from our house. Now that I am an adult, I live closer to Naples and it is actually the next school district over from us. But in any case, I remember driving down, getting food at Bob and Ruth's (a classic restaurant there that still exists today!), walking through the quaint shops, looking at the pioneer cemetery there...and even taking a wine tour once (but not being able to taste because I was a kid).

So we will be donning more sweaters and packing away the swimsuits and shorts soon...but I look forward to the new season and it's beauty!

Dollhouse!

I have a house full of girls today. Allen is outnumbered. A woman from my church called me last week and asked if I could watch her daughter today...and then last night another friend called me and asked the same favor. Sure, why not? The more, the merrier! And so I have 4 girls here and they are playing girl things. Girl girl girl! They spent hours playing dollhouse. It was fun listening to the conversations between the dolls and the drama. They asked if they could please use a large plastic mixing bowl and fill it with water to pretend it's a pool. And then they wanted a small one for a hot-tub. They commenced to have a pool party. Audra is so funny because she was pretending one of the dolls had just moved here from England and she was talking the doll in an "English" accent. I put quotes around that of course...because it didn't quite sound English to me...but it was cute! (I'm not sure how she came up with this idea, Nixter...but I knew you'd get a kick out of that) It was quite the pool party...complete with "mom" calling the kids out of the pool because the hotdogs were ready.

This all brings back wonderful memories of my own childhood, playing with my sisters and some of the girls my mom babysat...and a few neighbor friends. We played with the Fisher-Price Little People...which are no longer manufactured. (atleast not like the ones we played with). Some of the most fun was building the houses. We had a huge box of blocks and we could build the most wonderful houses. Here at my house, we have 2 dollhouses, but the girls always build additions onto them because the houses are really not big enough to suit them.

So today is a "messy house day." I've been stepping over dolls throughout the house. For a while they were playing "school bus run"...and so there were small piles of dolls...usually 2-3 each gathered at various bus stops throughout the downstairs.

So what is Allen doing during all of this? Why being a boy of course. He amused himself for a little bit by annoying them. Boys don't know how to play dollhouse. They are always exploding things!!!! (Or putting cows in the living rooms or in the beds...various things to get a reaction) I finally suggested to him that he watch one of his nature videos. This ought to occupy him for the time being anyway!

New York State Fair

On Friday we went to the fair out near Syracuse. I particularly enjoyed looking at the livestock...perhaps because I had always secretly wished to live on a farm as a kid. I just enjoyed watching these kids taking such time and effort to show their cows and horses...grooming them and polishing their hooves! Never seen such clean cows! Our kids got to bottle-feed a calf. I do not have a dependable camera...thus missing this great photo opportunity. (Sorry, Shelly! I know this is just killing you!) I would have rather posted that picture here. I googled photos from the fair and considered stealing one for my post...but I felt too guilty to do it.

My great grandfather was an excellent horseman and raised several of them. Here he is pictured with one. Great Grandpa refused to learn how to drive an automobile. He prefered the horse and buggy. He was born in 1862. I never met him, but have heard many stories about him. I've also been told by my father that this man was a man of faith. So....I get to meet him some day in heaven! I look forward to meeting him and also my mother's parents and sister.

Will you be there? Who do you look forward to meeting? (besides Jesus!)

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Today my mother turns 72 years young! I talked to her on the phone today. She told me Dad is taking her out to dinner tonight...she wasn't sure where.

Tomorrow we will have a celebration for her at Martha's house. I have baked a blueberry/peach cobbler. I got the recipe off the internet and I think there was a misprint on it. I'm not sure if I fixed it properly...so don't get your hopes up just incase it turns out to be a flop. Mom happens to be glucose intolerant...so she is lucky enough not to have to sample my blunder. Rachel is making a gluten-free carrot cake which is delicious!

Anyway! Happy Birthday, Mom! We love you!

Hi everyone!

Been crazily busy this week and hardly time to blog! I promise to come back more regularly next week! My love to all!

Little girls and tea parties

This morning Alicia told me she would like to have "tea" with me. So I poured her a cup of "tea" in her favorite little teacup. It is a yellow flowered teacup that has a butterfly on it for a handle. What she was really drinking was apple cider...while I had a cup of coffee. Last week she had a little friend over and they played dress up. They both dressed in gowns out of Alicia's dress-up box and wore tiaras on their heads. They got out the tea set and had "tea" out on the front porch together...(that day the "tea" was really water).

What is it about little girls and tea (or big girls for that matter)? Here is a picture of my mother having "tea" with her sister and cousin in about 1938. (Mom is the little blond girl and Aunt Margie is to her right)

Chickadees

I have been having a wonderful time painting chickadees. They are one of my favorite little birds. They are so cute and quite social.

I had a special gift from the Lord the other day. I was painting in my "studio" (lots of laughs) and the windows were open and I heard a chickadee singing to me.

She Wore Platform Shoes and Drove a Gold Beetle

It was the 1970's. Her name was Sue. My mother called her Sues. I thought she was the coolest. She dated my older brother for a while...and even after their romance ended, she still came by the house. This time to visit my mother. My mother took her under her wing so to speak. Sue was a pretty emotionally damaged young woman. (Her mother had committed suicide when Sue was in her early teens.) My mother became a second mother to her. She would talk for hours with Mom; drinking coffee and smoking. Sometimes she would cry on Mom's shoulder. Mom loved and encouraged her. She also loved Mom back...sometimes driving her to stores or to a doctor's appointment. One time she drove to my school to pick me up at the nurse's office becaue I was sick. (Dad worked and my mother never had a driver's liscence)

I liked her a lot. I was young...probably only about 7 or 8. I thought Sue was pretty. She was nice and paid attention to me and my sisters. She always signed her name with a little picture of a bear. She wore really cool platform shoes...and she drove the coolest gold volkswagon. Once in a while she gave me a ride in it. I always planned on having a car just like it when I grew up. She smoked. I remember trying to convince her to quit. I encouraged her to chew gum instead. When she came over for a visit, I would pester her with questions about her progress in quitting. I probably drove her crazy, but eventually she did quit, I'm pretty pleased to say! She told me that chewing gum helped.

She was crazy about my brother Dan and I often wondered why he had broken it off with her. But she married Mike...and I think it was a much better fit. After she and Mike got married, I remember visiting her at their new apartment in Penfield and seeing her new baby boy. Later she had a girl. A few years after my brother passed away, she and Mike had another baby boy, which they named Daniel...after my brother.

Sue eventually worked through the pain of her life and came to know the Lord. I think my mother was largely instrumental in this. You know why? Because Jesus stuck out of my mother. That's why. I know Sue still lives in Webster...and I wonder how she's doing. I haven't seen her in about 14 years. Maybe I'll look her up and ask her if I can come over for coffee (without the cigarettes!).

Spiritual Blahs?

I must admit that I have been having the spiritual blahs lately. I feel a bit ashamed admitting it. I just can't get into it lately. I know God is real and that I am His child, but I just don't seem to be getting anywhere. I trudged my way through Colossians this summer and now I'm trying to figure out what to do next. My mind wanders while I pray or when I read scripture. Worse yet, I feel no joy in it. It's like so much work. I am thankful for the above verse. I know he won't give up on me!

Do you ever get the spiritual blahs? If so, what do you do about it?

What do you see?

Stare at the center dots for about 30-40 seconds. Then look at a wall or solid white or light-colored surface. What do you see?
Check out http://www.gregshead.net/2006/08/illusions.html for more cool illusions!

Have You Read This?

Have you read the Mitford Series? It is just such a relaxing and fun read. I feel at home in Mitford somehow. Anyway...if you haven't read it, I suggest that you do.

Is Jesus Sticking out of You?

Yesterday Randy Snavely preached at our church. It was an awsome sermon! At one point he told a story about a little boy who asked a preacher a question. He said, "How big is Jesus?" The preacher answered and said, "Well...I imagine that he was a pretty good sized man, being a carpenter and all." The little boy answered and said, "That's what I figured. So don't you think that if someone my size asks Jesus in my heart that He would stick out just a little?"

So...does Jesus stick out of you? Is it obvious to people around you that Jesus is in your heart? Jesus should never be so small that you can "hide him in your heart."

Back to the Basics

Yesterday I took the kids to the dentist. There was a mennonite boy waiting in the lobby for members of his family to come out of the examining room. He had a hat similar to the one shown here...except that the mennonite men and boys in our area wear black straw hats without a ribbon. He observed my children quietly. I couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking. I watched as the family came out...two women in dresses and caps...holding a baby and another boy about aged 8. They sat in the waiting room for awhile...quietly chatting in their Pennsylvania Dutch. After speaking to the dentist, they left without fanfare...probably to resume activities at their farm on a dirt backroad. I couldn't help but envy them a little for their simple livestyles. They are hardworking citizens of our community and quiet...they aren't distracted by computers, television and the technology of today. They rise up with the sun and go to bed at its setting. I was looking at this boy and thinking he probably works hard on his family's farm...while I can barely get my children to do a sink full of dishes without a fight.

I returned home and began the busy task of fixing dinner. I had the kids each pick up 10 things to help straighten out the house. I felt myself getting frustrated at seeing so much stuff. Toys and gadgets everywhere. Too much stuff! I thought again about that Mennonite family and wondered what their house looks like. I'm sure they have far fewer things. The basics. Instead of sitting on the computer in their spare time...they play a game of checkers or write a letter to a relative in Pennsylvania or Indiana. I often long for a simpler lifestye. Sometimes I imagine getting rid of everything extra, selling the house and moving to a log cabin and living off the land. I probably wouldn't last 2 weeks...but its a dream just the same. And then in the next moment I catch myself wanting things. A new camera with all the gadgets to download pictures quickly. New living room furniture. Siding for the house and new porches. A nicer car (no rust!!!). A new pair of black dress shoes. Art classes. The list never seems to end.

I woke up in the middle of the night worrying. Our front porch is literally falling off the house and needs to be rebuilt. How are we going to afford that? Should I just get a job and give up the painting? God, will you help me learn more business savy so I can be more successful? Our health insurance is dropping Jamie and I as of September 1st. What are we going to do? How can I get a job and still take care of our home and children? I won't take them to daycare!...

This morning I found myself going over the same things and thinking about the Mennonites. I felt short-tempered and frustrated. "I've got to get back the the basics," I thought as I grabbed my Bible...which had lain neglected for a few days. "God, what are you trying to teach me? What am I doing wrong?" I opened to the following passage:

Colossians 3:1-3
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

Lord, Help me to set my mind on things above, not on earthly things. Help me to do what you have called me to do and be content with what you have blessed me with. Forgive me for being frustrated and angry and worried. I know you promise to take care of my needs. Amen