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.