The Blustery Day

If you read my sister's blog today, you already know that it was a very windy day here in upstate NY. It was so windy that I felt the house shaking. I went downstairs and asked my hubby if there was school today. He was already on the computer bright and early. He said, "Yes." The kids all moaned and groaned and got ready for school. I send them out to the bus stop. A few minutes later they were back inside because Mrs. Castle had called out her front door to them that school had been cancelled. There are a lot of walkers and I guess there was concern for their safetly. And for good reason. A HUGE pine tree blew down in the yard behind ours. It just looks like a big mass of pine boughs in a giant heap on the ground. Luckily it did not hit a house. After that I kept eyeing the pine tree next to our house. Praise the Lord that it stayed upright!
I put the picture of the fire up because that's what I felt like being near all day. I do not have a fireplace. Perhaps my next residence will...if I ever move again.
Audra is on the swim team here in town and she's turning out to be quite the little swimmer. She was supposed to go tonight and swim to see if she could make state's. I guess her time on the backstroke is close. Anyway...all swim events have been cancelled. It's too bad because it is now 5:30 PM and the wind is completely gone. It looks very still out there. Now we have to have her at the high school at 8:00 in the morning to do this swim thing. I guess I won't be sleeping in in the morning.

Something to look forward to

I have not blogged in forever. I was not feeling well for a few days and then I just got so busy. These are pictures of my father. Wasn't he cute? I don't know how old he was. Maybe 5 or 6? Anyway...they were taken circa 1937 or 1938.
I am feeling a little lonely today. I took the dog for a long walk. It is beautiful outside. I can't believe it is February. As I was walking, I was noticing some green poking up through the ground in one of the gardens I passed. Crocuses maybe? It's a little early for them to be coming out...but they don't know that. I stopped by my husband's work for a cup of coffee and a visit...but everyone in the office was quite busy. They had potential clients there and were showing them their portfolios. I didn't stay long because it was not a good time to visit.
Next week there is no school because of winter break. On Monday we will drive down to Jamestown to visit our friends. It is just over a 2 hour drive. We miss them terribly. They have kids the same ages as ours and Amy and I are very close friends too. She is like a sister to me. Our families used to share a house. We lived upstairs and they lived downstairs. We used to do everything together. That was back in the days when we had one car and so did they. Our house was out in the country...so it wasn't like we could walk anywhere. Amy and I would spend a lot of time together drinking tea and watching our little boys play together. Then we each had a girl. Neither of our families had much money so we would get very creative with what we had. Sometimes we would decide to pool our resources and cook dinner together...or plant a garden. We had such good times. Eventually we both moved from there but remained close...still hanging out often. This past August however, her husband Jeff got a new position at a church down in Jamestown...so they moved. This will be our first visit there. I can't wait!

Paintings and Tooth Fairies

This is a painting I did in my home. It is a small mural that is painted in an old fireplace mantle. No fireplace...just this mural. It matches the wall paper border in the room. I'm planning on putting this on my business cards when I have them made up. Do you think that is a cool idea? Hopefully next week I am going to go along with a woman who is in the art field I am trying to break into...and learning from her. God is really good to orchestrate this very willing contact! I'm also hoping to go to faux finishing school. There may be hope now that my husband is almost finished with school.
On Friday I hope to finish a cupboard I am painting roses on for a lady here in town. And by the end of next week...I hopefully will have the layout of a cat painting for a woman who has commissioned me to do that on a milk can.
Other than that...I am being the busy mom that I am. Yesterday Alicia lost her second tooth. As usual...in the middle of the night I snuck into her bedroom to replace the tooth with a dollar. This morning she triumphantly announced that she had seen the tooth fairy in the middle of the night. I said, "Oh yeah? What did she look like?" She had this amused look on her face and she pointed at me and said, "You, Mommy! I was awake when you came into my room!" I was amused but decided to play along. I said, "What? The tooth fairy looks just like me? That's amazing!" She put her little hands on her hips and said, "Mom! It was you. And I know it!" Anyway, the jig is up...but we are all enjoying ourselves!

Seasons of Life

Hmmmm. I just went on line and saw a bunch of pictures from my 20th high school reunion...which I didn't attend. If it weren't for the captions...I wouldn't have recognized anyone. Well...maybe a couple here and there. I saw several group pictures and to me...they look like a bunch of older people. Which could only mean one thing...I look older too! It is quite sobering. I just never thought I would look like a 39 year old woman some day....or atleast not yet. It went by fast. It couldn't have possibly been 20 years ago(actually 21) that I was running to catch the bus...or scribbling a note to pass to a friend in the hall (this was before the days of instant messaging). It couldn't have been 21 years ago that I was stopping by my locker on the way to math class...and laughing at the antics of a boy I liked who I ate lunch with. It just couldn't be! Could it?

Which leads me to think about now. I'm a mother who begins the day making lunches for the kids and kissing them goodbye and watching them as they run off to catch the bus. Instead of scribbling a note to a friend, I hastily sign a permission slip for one of my kids to go on a field trip. Now a days I stop by the grocery store to pick up a gallon of milk on my way home.

Seasons of life! And to every season the Lord has a purpose for me.

"And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" Esther 4:14.

Lord, help me to live out the purpose you have for me where I am today. Amen

Can I make a cake and eat it too?

I have been procrastinating all day and of course getting no where. I am supposed to be throwing a birthday party for my daughter, Audra tomarrow. She is turning 9 on Sunday. I'm good at putting things off...like housework. I have this problem with clutter and getting rid of it. It is a constant battle for me. It must run in the family because I remember going to visit relatives down in the southerntier as a kid and their houses were always messy. I remember thinking that as a little girl and being pretty sure that my house wouldn't be that way when I got big. I've included here a picture of some relatives. My grandmother, Florence is on the far left. She is with 2 of her sisters. They were part of a family with 11 kids...so I don't know which sisters they are. Anyway...if my memory serves me correctly...my house isn't as bad as some of the ones I remember...but it is messy enough. I don't seem to have the knack of getting it neat and tidy and keeping it that way. I suppose step one could be getting off my can and to work. Hey! I've got the cake in the oven so give me credit for something!

"For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: If a (wo)man will not work, (s)he shall not not eat." 2 Thess 3:10

So does this mean I can atleast have a piece of the cake?

It's the Thursday Thirteen!

Thirteen things about me!

1. I usually drive the speed limit.
2. I am very right brained.
3. I am sometimes absent minded and forgetful...this drives my husband nuts!
4. I'm a prettty good cook.
5. I struggle with organization.
6. I love Mexican food.
7. I did not gain much weight during my pregnancies.
8. I can talk on the phone, cook dinner, do laundry, pack my daughter's swimming bag, help my son with his homework, let the dog out or in, and spot clean the kitchen all at the same time.
9. I'm somewhat introverted.
10. I clean one house every other week and get paid for it.
11. I once worked at JC Penney.
12. I wish I lived in a house that was finished.
13. I enjoy nature documentaries.

Allen

My son is so cute. He saw the picture I put on of his father yesterday and wanted me to put his picture from the 5k up too. Here it is. My husband and son ran in a 5k this past summer to help raise money for a cancer research center. I walked it. Ok...I'm a wimp I admit...but I helped raise the same amount of money, so there! Allen wants me to put 15 things about him on this.
1. Allen is going to be 11 on March 8.
2. Allen likes sports...particularly soccer.
3. He likes to read. He just finished The Hobbit and plans to read The Fellowship of the Rings trilogy next.
4. He still likes snuggling with his mom sometimes.
5. His teachers have told me they really appreciate his sense of humor in class.
6. Allen is a very good student.
7. Allen made profession of faith two summers ago and was baptized.
8. He says he wants to be a computer animator when he grows up.
9. He really enjoys reading Calvin and Hobbes and has a few of the books.
10. His favorite food: noodles with melted butter and sprinkled with parmesan cheese.
11. Favorite movie: Probably a toss between Star Wars and Chronicles of Narnia.
12. Best friends: Michael, Rylan, Jordan, Sam, Jonathon
13. Enjoys hiking with his family.
14. Took saxaphone lessons but didn't care for it.
15. Is in 5th grade.

My Husband

Well...I've barely written anything about my husband. Here are 15 things about him.
1. Born 6/30/64
2. Country boy
3. He's a morning person.
4. He loves bike riding.
5. He's an extravert.
6. He's a hard worker.
7. He can play the piano.
8. He's a Christian.
9. He's a good father and husband.
10. He can cook.
11. He's good with numbers.
12. He's not much of a reader.
13. He enjoys acting in dramas and plays.
14. He likes seafood.
15. He's not much of an artist...but appreciates my art.

A day in the life...

It was not a very productive day. I had my eyes dialated for a good share of the morning so that made me useless. So I watched the second half of the movie, Oliver Twist. Once I was down...it was hard to get motivated to do much of anything. I'm not always this lazy.
Tonight I my husband and I are going out to dinner with my 2 sisters and their husbands. We do this in place of Christmas presents. I know it'll be fun and I look forward to it. Just hope my babysitter shows up when he said he would!
I'm annoyed with myself because I forgot to go visit Laura and her baby at the hospital! How could I have done such a thing?
I should go heat up dinner for my children and babysitter. Good news is-the babysitter is here!

Thursday thirteen

Thirteen Things about Priscilla

1. I love reading children's books.

2. I hate wearing nail polish.

3. I love coffee.

4. I've never been out west.

5. I'm decended from two different people on the Mayflower.

6. I wish someone would come in and decorate my house for me.

7. I don't care for sewing.

8. I could spend hours in Michael's.

9. I love antique stores.

10. I've parasailed.

11. I would love to go on a mission trip to a 3rd world country.

12. I'm right handed.

13. I don't wear perfume because my husband is allergic to it.

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Alicia and I

This is a picture of Alicia and I taken on Christmas Day.

A Stroll Through the Orchard

This is a picture of Alicia and I on a stroll through the apple orchard at Martha's house. I have nothing really interesting to say...but I just love the shot!

My Father

This is a picture of my father. I just thought I'd show it to you because it is such a nice picture of him. I'll tell you a bit about him. How about 13 things?
1. He was born in 1932.
2. Is a polio survivor.
3. Can play the guitar and banjo.
4. Is an avid bird watcher.
5. Volunteers in nursing homes.
6. He loves Jesus.
7. Married to Arlene (my mom)
8. He loves reading to his grandchildren.
9. Enjoys studying the word of God.
10. Has 13 grandchildren.
11. Plays the harmonica.
12. He used to be a chicken farmer.
13. He loves me!

Thirteen Things about PRISCILLA1. I love reading 2. I am the 4th out of 5 children 3. I love Jesus 4. I struggle with depression 5. I can play the piano. 6. I think square dancing is fun. 7. I love coffee icecream mixed with chocolate. 8. I had a recipe published in the magazine called Country Extra. 9. I once worked at a camp in the Adirondack Mountains as a cook. 10. My maiden name is a Jewish/Russian name. 11. I studied to be a high school math teacher in college-what a joke! 12. I made a queen sized quilt once. 13. I'm a night owl.

More Blessings from the Lord

This picture was taken 4 years ago. I can't believe it has been that long! It really seems like yesterday that I was sitting there with Alicia on my lap. She was only 2. Audra was 5 and Allen was almost 7. The Lord has certainly blessed me with this family of mine. My husband is Jamie...and I'm rather fond of him as well!
Today was a rather busy day. I went to Community Bible Study where I am a core leader. We are studying the period of time in the Old Testament where Israel returns to Jeruselem to rebuild the temple after being in captivity in Babylonia. I am really getting a lot out of the study. It just amazes me how the Lord had everything in His hands...even when everything seemed so out of control and hopeless. There were so many variables. The captivity, keeping the articles of the temple safe for so many years, a lost decree issued by Cyrus-rediscovered by King Darius, his support of the Jews rebuilding the temple...even providing for all of their needs out of the treasury. It puts a whole new spin on a much quoted piece of scripture from the book of Jeremiah.
Jeremiah 29:11-14 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the Lord, "and will bring you back from captivity."
God allowed Israel to be taken away into captivity because she had turned he heart away from the Lord and worshipped other gods. God called to her, desiring her to turn to Him and be faithful...but she wouldn't. So she was taken into captivity and made to suffer great loss. Israel finally called out to the Lord and prayed to Him and God listened and brought her out of captivity.
This whole story just excites me so much because I can totally relate. I too was in captivity and the Lord set me free. It is a story that I was hoping to be able to get around to telling. It is not an easy story to tell...one that could never be told in one setting. Maybe I can tell it in a new blog. Telling this story is scary because I liken it to "stripping naked" before the world. I'm not sure I have the guts to tell it...but I will try. God still has everything in His control today. He showed me that personally through my journey.
For this particular blog...I will keep it light.

All in a Day's Business

PJ Artistry. How does it ring to you?

I am starting my own business...decorative painting and murals. I'm a little nervous...but life is about taking risks I guess. I finally came up with a business name. PJ standing for Priscilla Jo. Anyway...I need to file a DBA and get moving on creating business cards and brochures. Right now I feel as though I am swimming in an ocean and not quite sure about which strokes to take. How's that for an analogy? I have 2 projects in the works and possibly a third. I'm just hoping to make some money so that this is worth it in the long run.

I am taking a running start and about to take that plunge!

"Go Priscilla! Go!" Yes. I need that cheering and encouragement going on!

The kids will be coming home on the bus soon...and then my tranquility will be gone. They'll come in the front door, throw down their bookbags, coats, shoes, etc. and all vy for my attention at once. I will start saying things like, "Hang up your coats please." "Allen, you need to do homework right away because you have an Odysee of the Mind meeting tonight." "Yes, we have snacks...go look in the cupboard." "Audra, please pick up your book bag." This little run through of what will happen has reminded me that I should say, "Hey kids! How was your day?" I will give each a hug. I suppose that would be nicer than greeting them with a list or orders and hum drum. I am glad my tranquility will be gone because it means that I have 3 healthy and happy active kids in my life!

Rolling!

It was a relaxing day. As a Sunday ought to be. Audra brought a friend home from church. I spent the day reading a Ted Dekker novel. We had leftovers for lunch and meatball sandwiches for dinner. Right now the kids are rollerskating around the kitchen table and I am praying that I won't have to visit the emergency room later on. They are having such a good time. Strangely enough, I remember rollerskating around my house as a kid too. I had the kind of mom who didn't mind...and I never remember needing to go to the emergency room as a result either.

Ahhh...refinement!

I was just inspired to blog about refinement by reading another blogger's inspiration. I would state that I just love refinement...but it just isn't true. It hurts. It is painful! Ouch! It brings back memories of darkness and depression...when I lost a person I loved so dearly. When I was rejected and despised by those around me. When I prayed that God in His mercy would end my life. But in the end, it was His mercy that saved me. It was all good. What Satan meant for evil...God intended for good. Praise the Lord that he is Sovereign.

Job 23:10 " He knows the way I take. And when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold."

I am thankful that it is He who holds me over the fire of refinement. He knows just when to pull me back...so I will reflect more of who He is in my life. And that is what my desire is. To reflect Him. His love. His power. His grace and mercy. How I need Him in my life.

Through it all I learned to trust Him. One can't really trust until he/she has reason to need to trust. What is faith if it is never tried?

A hot day in the city

Isn't this the sweetest picture of my son and daughter? They are ages 10 and 8. This picture was taken in August when we visited New York city. It was taken in central park. It was an extrememly hot day...record breaking temperatures. We bought lemon ice from a vendor and these two were sharing (a rarity!). It was quite a trip and we were thankful to get back to Aunt Wendy and Uncle Ed's house to swim in their ingound pool that day. We live in NY state but no where near the city of NY. We live about a 6 hour drive from there. Visiting the city was fun...but I'm much more of a country girl!

Resolutions

Well it was back to school for the kids today. They had difficulty getting up because their schedules are all out of wack now and they are used to sleeping in. I'm sure they'll get into the routine soon enough. As much as I love my children, it was nice to actually do some house work and have it stay done for a good chunk of the day. There is something gratifying in that.

I've been thinking of New Year's resolutions. Here are some of mine.
-Become a much more accomplished artist than I am...practicing a bit each day.
-To get my business officially off the ground and really running.
-Spend time in God's word every day.
-Get my house and schedule more organized.
-Get rid of a lot of clutter...both in my home and the spiritual clutter in my heart.
-Be a better friend to the women in my small group.

These are NOT written in order of importance...rather in the order that they came to my mind as I listed them.

Right now...I must get off the computer to work on my Community Bible Study and next...I will sketch in my book.