with tact?
Just how do you tactfully RSVP to a party someone's having for a product you technically sell but practically have pretty much quit selling due to burnout and not enough business to be worth the effort anymore? Here are my choices..
"Why would I come pay full price for something I can get half off from myself anyway?"
"Good luck getting your hostess benefits. I know they are the best around, but someone else is going to have to help you get your free jewelry."
"I've been donating free stuff to the Mom's group for a few months now, so what's this chick got that I don't?"
"Don't forget to save your receipt in case you need to take advantage of the Guarantee... ."
"Thanks for inviting me, but I'll be serving my family with care that day. " (Actually, I got invited to a Southern Living party first..hey, that's a good excuse without being evil. Not that I have decided if I'll go to that one either.)
Don't get me wrong, I still believe the company has the best marketing plan and hostess benefits in direct sales, but that's the catch... direct sales means you do a whole lot of work and have to keep track of it like a business as well as pretty much market yourself. Not a good thing for an organizationally challenged person like myself. It's time I quit trying to be something I'm not and let those who are good at it and/or have the desire to be serve my potential customers. Although if you really want to order something without being pressured to have a show, I do have a couple of catalogs left. And heck, if you really want to get some free jewelry as a catalog hostess or even a home show hostess, I can help you with that, too, until May. I'll even be nice about it.
I think a simple "no, thanks, sorry I can't make it" will suffice.
*******************
eating my words...
I found out who the jeweler is, and I know her Mom. She's visiting from Colorado, and has been working on building her business here. We've been wanting to meet eachother, so I might just go after all. Buy something? probably not, but the fellowship could be fun, and that is part of what it's all about. She's one who has been able to build a halfway decent business with good income, and still loves what she's doing. She's not "way up there" in MLM terms, either. Just another smaller fish in a big pond working her tail off.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
She's still my Baby
Just when we start talking about how fast Baby Bear's growing up, something happens to remind me that she's still our little baby who needs her Mama and Dada. We put her to bed around 7:45 last night. At first, she acted like she would go to sleep immediately. A little while later, she awoke. Baby Bear is normally a fairly sound sleeper. We're spoiled. Well, I went downstairs to check on her, and she was rolling around fussing half-way asleep. I picked her up, unable to tell what was bothering her. Checked her diaper, temp... everything seemed ok. But she clung to me like I was the only thing that could help. We sat on the big comfy couch with her fuzzy precious moments blanket spread over us, and she fitfully started relaxing on my shoulder. She kept hearing the tv from upstairs, so I moved us into our bed. She made herself comfy on my torso, and both of us began to fall asleep. A couple of hours later, hubby came down and moved her back to her crib, where she seemed content to rest again. (Hubby now has a bad cough and knew she would wake up cranky if he joined us in the bed and left her there.) Around 1:30 a.m., she woke up again. No fever, no tugging at ears, but coughing and sneezing more than she had earlier that day. Once again, I wandered over to her room, picked her up, and cradled her on the living room couch until she fell back asleep.
It's nice to be Mommy. Oh, it's hard when my best efforts seem to fail, and she doesn't fall back asleep, and none of us rest well. But when my attempts to show her that she is loved really comfort her, it's just priceless. I read some books early on that scared me into thinking I could spoil an infant. Stupid "experts". The ironic thing, I have learned since then, is one of those authors has a strained relationship with his adult children. I've got a long way to go as a parent, but I can only hope that my Baby Bear will always know her parents are more concerned with loving her well than doing everything "right". Oh, she won't always like our decisions or discipline as she grows up, but she will be loved. And for now, I will cherish the early morning wakings as opportunities to cuddle and love on my increasingly independent Baby Bear.
Just when we start talking about how fast Baby Bear's growing up, something happens to remind me that she's still our little baby who needs her Mama and Dada. We put her to bed around 7:45 last night. At first, she acted like she would go to sleep immediately. A little while later, she awoke. Baby Bear is normally a fairly sound sleeper. We're spoiled. Well, I went downstairs to check on her, and she was rolling around fussing half-way asleep. I picked her up, unable to tell what was bothering her. Checked her diaper, temp... everything seemed ok. But she clung to me like I was the only thing that could help. We sat on the big comfy couch with her fuzzy precious moments blanket spread over us, and she fitfully started relaxing on my shoulder. She kept hearing the tv from upstairs, so I moved us into our bed. She made herself comfy on my torso, and both of us began to fall asleep. A couple of hours later, hubby came down and moved her back to her crib, where she seemed content to rest again. (Hubby now has a bad cough and knew she would wake up cranky if he joined us in the bed and left her there.) Around 1:30 a.m., she woke up again. No fever, no tugging at ears, but coughing and sneezing more than she had earlier that day. Once again, I wandered over to her room, picked her up, and cradled her on the living room couch until she fell back asleep.
It's nice to be Mommy. Oh, it's hard when my best efforts seem to fail, and she doesn't fall back asleep, and none of us rest well. But when my attempts to show her that she is loved really comfort her, it's just priceless. I read some books early on that scared me into thinking I could spoil an infant. Stupid "experts". The ironic thing, I have learned since then, is one of those authors has a strained relationship with his adult children. I've got a long way to go as a parent, but I can only hope that my Baby Bear will always know her parents are more concerned with loving her well than doing everything "right". Oh, she won't always like our decisions or discipline as she grows up, but she will be loved. And for now, I will cherish the early morning wakings as opportunities to cuddle and love on my increasingly independent Baby Bear.
Monday, January 15, 2007
Finding Focus Assignment #4
a) Choose 3 things to do this weekend to prep for next week:
1-laundry
2-meal plan (haven't even adapted grace's yet)
3-draft of weekly chore list
b)pick 2-3 and chart a 3 month plan to get started toward these goals
1-more frequent date nights with hubby- tickets for symphony arrived, sis agreed to babysit!
2-teach baby-bear- see her blog for things she's done lately; a couple of books bought to get my lazy brain moving into more intentional play ideas
3-beach vacation prep- need to list things we'll need to buy so we don't have to spend all that money at the last minute; look into 1 or 2 kid friendly activities for the girls (besides building sand castles & swimming, of course)
c) choose 1 thing and devote 15 minutes daily
1-quiet time
2-planning time
*****
making lists is an accomplishment for me... now lets see if i can actually follow through... ignore the fact that it's almost Tuesday.
a) Choose 3 things to do this weekend to prep for next week:
1-laundry
2-meal plan (haven't even adapted grace's yet)
3-draft of weekly chore list
b)pick 2-3 and chart a 3 month plan to get started toward these goals
1-more frequent date nights with hubby- tickets for symphony arrived, sis agreed to babysit!
2-teach baby-bear- see her blog for things she's done lately; a couple of books bought to get my lazy brain moving into more intentional play ideas
3-beach vacation prep- need to list things we'll need to buy so we don't have to spend all that money at the last minute; look into 1 or 2 kid friendly activities for the girls (besides building sand castles & swimming, of course)
c) choose 1 thing and devote 15 minutes daily
1-quiet time
2-planning time
*****
making lists is an accomplishment for me... now lets see if i can actually follow through... ignore the fact that it's almost Tuesday.
Sunday, January 14, 2007
I really thought I'd be well enough for church nursery duty today...
we dropped Baby Bear off for the Sunday School hour, and I was fully prepared to go serve during the service. About halfway through Sunday School, my head became increasingly "cloudier" and my cough worsened. I had abstained from the meds that I thought were causing my dizziness... apparently the light-headedness was still a sympton of the illness, not the cure. A friend volunteered to fill in for me, God Bless her! I suppose she knew I shouldn't be coughing all over the toddlers. I sat through service... I enjoyed listening to everyone else singing, my heart sung what my voice could not. My friends thought I sounded terrible, but I really do feel better than I have in about 4 days, even with the continuing symptoms. It's all relative.
While I type this, Baby bear is watching "Baby Da Vinci", tapping her head with her palms and bopping along to "Head, shoulders, knees and toes." When I picked her up from her nap, I could actually smell her baby-clean hair. I am getting better, I swear.
we dropped Baby Bear off for the Sunday School hour, and I was fully prepared to go serve during the service. About halfway through Sunday School, my head became increasingly "cloudier" and my cough worsened. I had abstained from the meds that I thought were causing my dizziness... apparently the light-headedness was still a sympton of the illness, not the cure. A friend volunteered to fill in for me, God Bless her! I suppose she knew I shouldn't be coughing all over the toddlers. I sat through service... I enjoyed listening to everyone else singing, my heart sung what my voice could not. My friends thought I sounded terrible, but I really do feel better than I have in about 4 days, even with the continuing symptoms. It's all relative.
While I type this, Baby bear is watching "Baby Da Vinci", tapping her head with her palms and bopping along to "Head, shoulders, knees and toes." When I picked her up from her nap, I could actually smell her baby-clean hair. I am getting better, I swear.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Ok, I made my finding focus list, but I'm not posting it yet. I am making progress toward my goal of getting organized in baby steps. We had a nice, relaxing Saturday at home. It's a little ironic that I made homemade chicken noodle soup and now we're baking brownies (from mix, not scratch), and our taste buds are all out of whack... baby bear liked the soup! I guess one of the ways to get better is to feed yourself good food, even when you can't really taste it.
Friday, January 12, 2007
Finding Focus Project... Assignment #4 (from Dana on W@H Message Board)
"* Choose three things to do this weekend that will be of help in the week ahead (just like last weekend) Share them with us and then tell us when you have succeeded! You will be SO HAPPY YOU DID IT!
*Look at your list of aspirations for the year. Pick 2-3 and chart a 3 month plan to get you started on those goals. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO FINISH THEM IN 90 DAYS! you just have to implement a plan to get them STARTED! remember --any forward progress is SUCCESS.
*Choose one thing from your list OR from the thing you chose in the last assignment and devote either 15 min OR 15 more minutes than you already were to it every day. You CAN find 15 minutes. If you truly look and can't find 15, then do 10, if not ten 5. But spend some time CONSISTENTLY on one of your goals!
*****
Ok, I've spent more time blogging than on my finding focus project. But I am posting this reminder here, so the next time I blog-in, I may hold myself accountable or give myself a pack on the back. The carpet is still damp, so we'll move the table back into place tomorrow. Guess baby bear will have to play downstairs until mommy cleans up her mess in the morning. I'm not staying up waiting for it to dry....
3 posts is the charm. Good night, folks!
"* Choose three things to do this weekend that will be of help in the week ahead (just like last weekend) Share them with us and then tell us when you have succeeded! You will be SO HAPPY YOU DID IT!
*Look at your list of aspirations for the year. Pick 2-3 and chart a 3 month plan to get you started on those goals. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO FINISH THEM IN 90 DAYS! you just have to implement a plan to get them STARTED! remember --any forward progress is SUCCESS.
*Choose one thing from your list OR from the thing you chose in the last assignment and devote either 15 min OR 15 more minutes than you already were to it every day. You CAN find 15 minutes. If you truly look and can't find 15, then do 10, if not ten 5. But spend some time CONSISTENTLY on one of your goals!
*****
Ok, I've spent more time blogging than on my finding focus project. But I am posting this reminder here, so the next time I blog-in, I may hold myself accountable or give myself a pack on the back. The carpet is still damp, so we'll move the table back into place tomorrow. Guess baby bear will have to play downstairs until mommy cleans up her mess in the morning. I'm not staying up waiting for it to dry....
3 posts is the charm. Good night, folks!
strange
i hope it's not too strange that i found a funeral service beautiful. but i did. what was not beautiful was the mess i just made. my fresh mug of rasberry zinger tea with honey was on the wicker chest/coffee table. i put my feet on the table. hubby didn't think he needed to remind me the cup was there. my guafinacin/cough drop/inhaler/zpac overloaded brain needed the reminder, god bless him for not trying to patronize me. thank God for woolite/oxy clean carpet cleaner. it's the best.
i hope it's not too strange that i found a funeral service beautiful. but i did. what was not beautiful was the mess i just made. my fresh mug of rasberry zinger tea with honey was on the wicker chest/coffee table. i put my feet on the table. hubby didn't think he needed to remind me the cup was there. my guafinacin/cough drop/inhaler/zpac overloaded brain needed the reminder, god bless him for not trying to patronize me. thank God for woolite/oxy clean carpet cleaner. it's the best.
beautiful
death is not often referred to as such
neither is mourning
my friend's dad lived a beautiful life
he served his country well, earning a bronze star in vietnam
loved his family well
his last word spoken was "hi", to his son and namesake
perhaps his first word in heaven as well
his innocent grandson slept calmly on his mother's breast
his wife... sad, strong, yet relieved
her beloved, no longer in pain
with his Maker
his daughter, brave, faithful, beautiful
honoring her parents and Lord
loved ones from afar
gathered solemnly with hope
flowers, photos, memorabilia, flag
reminders of a legacy
a short, full life
healed in Him
*****
The funeral service for Anna (WBT)'s Dad was today. Hubby stayed home with Bear, and I rode up with my parents. Another good friend who now lives halfway across the country was able to hitch a ride with her parents, who just happened to be at her house when she heard news of her childhood friend's death. It was bittersweet to see her again. I wish circumstances had been better. One of these years we'll make it out to visit her and her hubby. Several family members drove from 10+ hours away, the church took care of her wounded sheep, and the service was appropriately mournful and joyful.
Thank you all for your continued prayers for this family as they grieve the earthly loss of their father, husband, brother, uncle, and friend.
death is not often referred to as such
neither is mourning
my friend's dad lived a beautiful life
he served his country well, earning a bronze star in vietnam
loved his family well
his last word spoken was "hi", to his son and namesake
perhaps his first word in heaven as well
his innocent grandson slept calmly on his mother's breast
his wife... sad, strong, yet relieved
her beloved, no longer in pain
with his Maker
his daughter, brave, faithful, beautiful
honoring her parents and Lord
loved ones from afar
gathered solemnly with hope
flowers, photos, memorabilia, flag
reminders of a legacy
a short, full life
healed in Him
*****
The funeral service for Anna (WBT)'s Dad was today. Hubby stayed home with Bear, and I rode up with my parents. Another good friend who now lives halfway across the country was able to hitch a ride with her parents, who just happened to be at her house when she heard news of her childhood friend's death. It was bittersweet to see her again. I wish circumstances had been better. One of these years we'll make it out to visit her and her hubby. Several family members drove from 10+ hours away, the church took care of her wounded sheep, and the service was appropriately mournful and joyful.
Thank you all for your continued prayers for this family as they grieve the earthly loss of their father, husband, brother, uncle, and friend.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
| HowManyOfMe.com | ||
|
There are 3 people with my first and married name... and still only 15 with my 1st and maiden name. 97% with my first name are women. No shock there. the other 3 % who spell it the same way, go by their middle names.
evil yahoo, colds
for the past two days, yahoo has not let me send e-mails. the word verification screen pops up, and then after i enter the little letter code and click... an error code pops up.
hubby and i were quite the pair last night... coughing, blowing noses, rolling over, taking sips of water, getting up to pee..... i think i finally fell asleep around 12:30, after tylenol p.m. kicked in and extra robitussin dm was swallowed, somehow without gagging....
i feel spacey when i stand up, no driving for me today....
i even had to have hubby come out of his office to help change baby bear's very full diaper. between my poor balance and her squirming, i wanted the mess to stay in th diaper.
for the past two days, yahoo has not let me send e-mails. the word verification screen pops up, and then after i enter the little letter code and click... an error code pops up.
hubby and i were quite the pair last night... coughing, blowing noses, rolling over, taking sips of water, getting up to pee..... i think i finally fell asleep around 12:30, after tylenol p.m. kicked in and extra robitussin dm was swallowed, somehow without gagging....
i feel spacey when i stand up, no driving for me today....
i even had to have hubby come out of his office to help change baby bear's very full diaper. between my poor balance and her squirming, i wanted the mess to stay in th diaper.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Armed & Famous
We're home sick tonight. not homesick. Home sick. Baby bear is in the best shape of the 3 of us now.... a little of her cough and runny nose remains, but other than rolling and scooting toward the gate at the top of the stairs in the midst of a temper tantrum, she really is in good shape. She's eating well, temp is down....
Unfortunately, the germies have spread to hubby and me. And hubby doesn't get sick very often. We're watching Armed & Famous, and I'm enjoying his critique of the show. Already he's said "They're not going to start there, they'll start will law and stuff, first." And "They wouldn't actually let them (the women) keep their hair down."
Best part of the show? It's in Muncie, IN! Close to crt and Grace... I've even eating at a puzza place there.
At least we can be entertained while we sniffle and hack....
We're home sick tonight. not homesick. Home sick. Baby bear is in the best shape of the 3 of us now.... a little of her cough and runny nose remains, but other than rolling and scooting toward the gate at the top of the stairs in the midst of a temper tantrum, she really is in good shape. She's eating well, temp is down....
Unfortunately, the germies have spread to hubby and me. And hubby doesn't get sick very often. We're watching Armed & Famous, and I'm enjoying his critique of the show. Already he's said "They're not going to start there, they'll start will law and stuff, first." And "They wouldn't actually let them (the women) keep their hair down."
Best part of the show? It's in Muncie, IN! Close to crt and Grace... I've even eating at a puzza place there.
At least we can be entertained while we sniffle and hack....
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
New Link Alert:
Cutie Tooties Cloth Diapers
This new company is based in my home state, and the owner is a girl I remember from college. She may or may not remember me. Anyway, she has triplets who are around Baby Bear's age, and is now a work/stay at home mom with a unique business. She's a person I always wished I got to know a little better... check out her site!
(I don't use cloth diapers, I'm still too lazy... but I am becoming more open to the idea as I fork out $$ for disposables. If not for Baby Bear, maybe for the next one...)
Cutie Tooties Cloth Diapers
This new company is based in my home state, and the owner is a girl I remember from college. She may or may not remember me. Anyway, she has triplets who are around Baby Bear's age, and is now a work/stay at home mom with a unique business. She's a person I always wished I got to know a little better... check out her site!
(I don't use cloth diapers, I'm still too lazy... but I am becoming more open to the idea as I fork out $$ for disposables. If not for Baby Bear, maybe for the next one...)
I've been tagged by Farm Wife!
When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was the first thing you thought? I am so glad I finally got my face waxed...
How much cash do you have on you? cash? maybe $5 in my purse, plus some change. It would be lost in the laundry if I kept it in my pockets
What’s a word that rhymes with DOOR? pour
Do you label yourself? unfortunately
Bright or Dark Room? BRIGHT!!!! unless I'm watching a movie.
Why is there always a missing question? there is?tell it to me and i might answer it. or i'll realize why it was missing and delete it myself
What does your watch look like? silver square links with a rectangular silver face frame and pearlish/silvery face... hubby got it for me for christmas
What were you doing at midnight last night? Fast Asleep... finally, after taking cough medicine, a throat lozenge and tylenol sleep aid
Where is your nearest 7-11? i have no idea.. starbucks is 1.6 miles away. i clocked it.
What’s a word that you say a lot? Hannah-bear
Who told you he/she loved you last? hubby
Last furry thing you touched? baby bear's stuffed kitty
How many rolls of film do you need developed? i'm sure i'll come across one or two in five years.. i use a digital camera now and need about 1000 prints made
Favorite age you have been so far? 23... graduating from college, engaged to be married, focusing on hopes and dreams for the future (30's not bad either, especially realizing the dream of being a mommy!)
Your worst enemy? My anxious and indecisive nature, followed closel by procrastination
What is your current desktop picture? this computer- hannah in her pumpking costume, crawling like a tiger. upstairs- hannah and juliana (my youngest niece)
What was the last thing you said to someone? Have a good nap-nap. I love you!
The last song you listened to? Probably "Away in a Manger" on the little people stable... or something by Point of Grace on the radio
What time of day were you born? I don't remember, and my bnirth certificate is locked away.. I think around 2 p.m., though.
What do you do when vending machines steal your money? shake them, press all the buttons just in case, pound on them and try to tilt them... or if i'm not in the mood, just walk away
Do you consider yourself kind? usually
What’s your life motto? Phil 4:13- I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me... Another form that I made taught my students: "El que sigue tratando nunca sera un fracaso.." (He that keeps trying will never be a failure.)
Name three things you have on you at all times. hair, sweat, fingernails
Can you change the oil on a car? nope.
When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper and mailed it? does a typed, Christmas mass-mailing count?
I tag Stephanie & crt
When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was the first thing you thought? I am so glad I finally got my face waxed...
How much cash do you have on you? cash? maybe $5 in my purse, plus some change. It would be lost in the laundry if I kept it in my pockets
What’s a word that rhymes with DOOR? pour
Do you label yourself? unfortunately
Bright or Dark Room? BRIGHT!!!! unless I'm watching a movie.
Why is there always a missing question? there is?tell it to me and i might answer it. or i'll realize why it was missing and delete it myself
What does your watch look like? silver square links with a rectangular silver face frame and pearlish/silvery face... hubby got it for me for christmas
What were you doing at midnight last night? Fast Asleep... finally, after taking cough medicine, a throat lozenge and tylenol sleep aid
Where is your nearest 7-11? i have no idea.. starbucks is 1.6 miles away. i clocked it.
What’s a word that you say a lot? Hannah-bear
Who told you he/she loved you last? hubby
Last furry thing you touched? baby bear's stuffed kitty
How many rolls of film do you need developed? i'm sure i'll come across one or two in five years.. i use a digital camera now and need about 1000 prints made
Favorite age you have been so far? 23... graduating from college, engaged to be married, focusing on hopes and dreams for the future (30's not bad either, especially realizing the dream of being a mommy!)
Your worst enemy? My anxious and indecisive nature, followed closel by procrastination
What is your current desktop picture? this computer- hannah in her pumpking costume, crawling like a tiger. upstairs- hannah and juliana (my youngest niece)
What was the last thing you said to someone? Have a good nap-nap. I love you!
The last song you listened to? Probably "Away in a Manger" on the little people stable... or something by Point of Grace on the radio
What time of day were you born? I don't remember, and my bnirth certificate is locked away.. I think around 2 p.m., though.
What do you do when vending machines steal your money? shake them, press all the buttons just in case, pound on them and try to tilt them... or if i'm not in the mood, just walk away
Do you consider yourself kind? usually
What’s your life motto? Phil 4:13- I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me... Another form that I made taught my students: "El que sigue tratando nunca sera un fracaso.." (He that keeps trying will never be a failure.)
Name three things you have on you at all times. hair, sweat, fingernails
Can you change the oil on a car? nope.
When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper and mailed it? does a typed, Christmas mass-mailing count?
I tag Stephanie & crt
Monday, January 08, 2007
WBT's Dad went to be with the Lord around 12:30 this morning. WBT said he stopped breathing in his sleep. Thank you your your prayers for his family, and for safety for those who will travel for the funeral.
Also, my uncle "Irish guy" had a heart attack on Friday and died. Pray for his 4 daughters (1 biological, 1 step). Their Mom (my Mom's sister) died 17 years ago in a car wreck. My mom will be flying to NY for the funeral.
praise- Baby Bear slept mostly through the night last night! Her fever is still lower, but the congestion is still hanging around. You know how it goees...
Also, my uncle "Irish guy" had a heart attack on Friday and died. Pray for his 4 daughters (1 biological, 1 step). Their Mom (my Mom's sister) died 17 years ago in a car wreck. My mom will be flying to NY for the funeral.
praise- Baby Bear slept mostly through the night last night! Her fever is still lower, but the congestion is still hanging around. You know how it goees...
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Procratinaholic Weekender
Ok, so I'm getting a little behind on my finding focus list. the counter is still messy, meal plan is not made, and laundry not caught up. But I went to the gym for the 2nd day in a row! Woo hoo! We signed a contract with them 2 years ago, just before I found out I was pregnant with Baby Bear. I haven't been diligent in my working out, though I can't imagine why. ;-) Well, when I weighed myself yesterday, I was pleased to discover that in spite of only finding 2 things out of about 15 that I tried on that I liked well enough to buy when I last went shopping, my weight is back to what it was when I first got pregnant. Alas, weight might be the same, but my body's not quite hanging the same. You know, the whole post baby body syndrome. That disheartening shopping trip motivated me to use what's left of our gym membership. We don't care for how the company runs things, and hubby's work got a contract enabling him to work out for free elsewhere. Still, 2 days in a row. I'm gonna be sore tomorrow....
Otherwise, we took it easy today. We skipped church, choosing not to subject people to baby bear's runny nose and fever (which is dropping), slept in, and relaxed.
Ok, so I'm getting a little behind on my finding focus list. the counter is still messy, meal plan is not made, and laundry not caught up. But I went to the gym for the 2nd day in a row! Woo hoo! We signed a contract with them 2 years ago, just before I found out I was pregnant with Baby Bear. I haven't been diligent in my working out, though I can't imagine why. ;-) Well, when I weighed myself yesterday, I was pleased to discover that in spite of only finding 2 things out of about 15 that I tried on that I liked well enough to buy when I last went shopping, my weight is back to what it was when I first got pregnant. Alas, weight might be the same, but my body's not quite hanging the same. You know, the whole post baby body syndrome. That disheartening shopping trip motivated me to use what's left of our gym membership. We don't care for how the company runs things, and hubby's work got a contract enabling him to work out for free elsewhere. Still, 2 days in a row. I'm gonna be sore tomorrow....
Otherwise, we took it easy today. We skipped church, choosing not to subject people to baby bear's runny nose and fever (which is dropping), slept in, and relaxed.
Saturday, January 06, 2007
Finding Focus Weekender
What are three things you can do this weekend that will help next week run more smoothly?
LITTLE THINGS? WHAT are you going to do this weekend FOR YOU!?!?!?!
1) Clean off the kitchen counter- throw out junk mail, make sure address book is updated and throw away envelopes from Christmas cards (I tried to keep up, but got behind).
2) Finish laundry catch-up, including sheets
3) Plan meal ideas
*****
For me: blog... maybe read more of The Mommy Manual by Barbara Curtis
What are three things you can do this weekend that will help next week run more smoothly?
LITTLE THINGS? WHAT are you going to do this weekend FOR YOU!?!?!?!
1) Clean off the kitchen counter- throw out junk mail, make sure address book is updated and throw away envelopes from Christmas cards (I tried to keep up, but got behind).
2) Finish laundry catch-up, including sheets
3) Plan meal ideas
*****
For me: blog... maybe read more of The Mommy Manual by Barbara Curtis
| |
Update on World's Best Teacher's Dad, who has cancer
Dear friends,
I'm posting the text of a couple of e-mails that I just received from my good friend and former college roommate, World's Best Teacher. Thanks so much for your continued prayers. I'm grateful for the strength the Lord is giving my friend. I spoke with her this afternoon, before I even read the e-mails, and she said her Dad's breaths are growing shorter and shallower, and the pauses between them grow longer as the day progresses. They are fully expecting the Lord to heal him by taking him home soon. Her brother is en route from halfway across the country. I called her this afternoon on my way home from working out at the gym for the first time in a couple of months. (gotta use the membership before it runs out and we don't renew). It must have been God prompting me to call her specifically, although I often use the short drive to touch base with friends or family. Thank you for keeping my dear friend in your prayers! She is 30 years old, like me, and in our minds, too young to be saying goodbye to a parent. But our timing is not God's.
Lauren
********
Sent: Friday, January 5, 2007 6:05:43 AM
Subject: Dad
Dad had a stroke last night (about 1:00). He's much worse, he's stable and
"not in distress; he's at home. I have to work hard today if I want to take off time next week. Pray I get everything done. Mom is calm but is very tired and had a hard night. Hospice helped her and everything is medically taken care of right now.
Funny - I woke up at 1:00 and couldn't get back to sleep. Mom thought she was letting me sleep and didn't call me until after 5:00. I never believed those stories, but they're true. You do wake up from sleep when loved ones are in distress. Must be God.
Last thing dad said to me last night was "I love you". He fell asleep within about 10 minutes of my getting to the house after work last night.
Two of mom's sisters are arriving Saturday. They planned it yesterday before the stroke. God is still taking care of us.
Sent: Friday, January 5, 2007 2:49:07 AM
Subject: Dad update
I hope you don't mind if I send you a mass email to answer the question "how is he?". Many of you have asked, and I know you care. It's easier to just share all at once than keep retelling, and I thought this might be a good way to do that.
************
We had a good Christmas. My brother and his family came into town for several days. We had Christmas in dad's room.
Dad has cancer in his lungs, his back, and a large tumor on his adrenal gland (on top of his kidney). The cancer in his back has made it very difficult for him to feel and use his legs. The term for the care dad is getting is "paleative" (not sure how to spell) - which is a fancy word that means "keep him as comfortable as possible". The goal is not recovery (although we don't deny that God has the power to make this happen) - the goal is make this time as easy for him as possible. He has been getting radiation on his back to help with numbness and pain in his legs. He stays in bed right now all the time other than hygiene needs. He has lost a lot of weight. He is at about 190 right now. He is a 6'6 man. It¹s hard for him to eat - it takes a lot of energy (which he doesn't have) and he has no appetite. Wednesday he couldn¹t make it to radiation. Mom told me his legs were completely numb. He didn¹t have the strength to get out of bed first time that¹s happened.
Mom called to arrange hospice and they came yesterday to evaluate and begin services. He will be able to stay home unless things get really complicated. Things aren¹t good for dad right now. As mom says, "Our peace comes from God even if our hearts are breaking."
Mom and I are awed and feel privileged to see some of the "tapestry" of God through all of this. Mom, dad, and I are continually finding comfort and peace.
Examples: I told dad yesterday that if God wants us to go this road, he has lined it with friends to go with us. Mom is very "Dutch". Dad's Doctor's name is Dr. "Holland". We chuckled at this "SIGN" that he was the doctor for us. Dad's hospice nurse is the wife of a teacher my brother and I both remember fondly as having had in high school and the mother of a high school friend of mine - so she already seems like a friend.
Labor Day weekend, we were able to go to Michigan to visit family - before all of this started - so many family members who can't come have had an opportunity to visit with dad recently!
Dad's bills are not a worry - Veterans's Affairs has declared him 100% disabled due to "agent orange" exposure in Vietnam (strange to call that a blessing) and so is paying for everything.
Mom is getting help from hospice, and praise the Lord, we both have lots of sick days that are available to use. Mom has decided to stop working completely and is able to do it indefinitely using her sick leave!
Richard (pastor) reminded me recently of something I knew, but is taking great meaning lately - and that continues to bring peace - the ultimate peace we can have is not physical healing, but spiritual restoration. Dad's physical distress is difficult to watch, and very difficult for him to experience, but peace comes for him and us from knowing he will not only
have physical healing if he leaves us, but the best healing of all - because of Christ he will be with our heavenly father, restored to the beautiful creation God intended him to be. Praise God. Dad is ready - either way - to stay and be healed or go and be healed. Either way is an awesome option. Win- Win!
Family have been visiting frequently. They are traveling all the way from Michigan! They are such a blessing - even from a distance when they can't come.
God is good! He is the good shepherd.
People have often asked if there is anything they can do to help. The
answer mom and I keep giving is - nothing tangible right now.
Money is not a problem (thanks to VA).
Food is not a need really - dad isn't eating much and we feed him whatever
he will eat (which changes based on his appetite). Mom doesn't eat that
much, and so what's been happening is his dogs are getting fat on the food
we/she can't eat! :0) The only "maybe" that might be nice is something
that freezes that we can pop into the microwave or oven really fast when
family or visitors do come to visit. We have some family here now, more
coming this weekend, and many (8+) coming at the end of the month that we
know of. Mom likes most foods. Again - dad varies.
Mom is a wonderful, but private person, so talking about the situation with
people outside of close family and friends can sometimes be difficult for
her, so this may not be the best way to help. It's also difficult to find
good times to visit with dad, since his needs change and he sleeps so much.
We have support from friends who have offered hospitality for visiting
family - and have taken advantage of that.
So really - prayers are the best way to help, both because the Heavenly
Father says so and because our other needs are taken care of right now.
Prayers for peace and comfort and healing and wisdom to know how to handle
what comes would be wonderful. Prayers for journey mercies for family and
strength for Mom and Dad would be great. Thanksgiving for God's blessings
would be wonderful.
Thanks again all for your love and support. You've all been so wonderful. I
will try to keep you all posted for better or ..better.
Exercising Faith - and getting a real workout!!!,
World's Best Teacher (she signed her real name,i'm keeping that private on the blog)
***************
Dear friends,
I'm posting the text of a couple of e-mails that I just received from my good friend and former college roommate, World's Best Teacher. Thanks so much for your continued prayers. I'm grateful for the strength the Lord is giving my friend. I spoke with her this afternoon, before I even read the e-mails, and she said her Dad's breaths are growing shorter and shallower, and the pauses between them grow longer as the day progresses. They are fully expecting the Lord to heal him by taking him home soon. Her brother is en route from halfway across the country. I called her this afternoon on my way home from working out at the gym for the first time in a couple of months. (gotta use the membership before it runs out and we don't renew). It must have been God prompting me to call her specifically, although I often use the short drive to touch base with friends or family. Thank you for keeping my dear friend in your prayers! She is 30 years old, like me, and in our minds, too young to be saying goodbye to a parent. But our timing is not God's.
Lauren
********
Sent: Friday, January 5, 2007 6:05:43 AM
Subject: Dad
Dad had a stroke last night (about 1:00). He's much worse, he's stable and
"not in distress; he's at home. I have to work hard today if I want to take off time next week. Pray I get everything done. Mom is calm but is very tired and had a hard night. Hospice helped her and everything is medically taken care of right now.
Funny - I woke up at 1:00 and couldn't get back to sleep. Mom thought she was letting me sleep and didn't call me until after 5:00. I never believed those stories, but they're true. You do wake up from sleep when loved ones are in distress. Must be God.
Last thing dad said to me last night was "I love you". He fell asleep within about 10 minutes of my getting to the house after work last night.
Two of mom's sisters are arriving Saturday. They planned it yesterday before the stroke. God is still taking care of us.
Sent: Friday, January 5, 2007 2:49:07 AM
Subject: Dad update
I hope you don't mind if I send you a mass email to answer the question "how is he?". Many of you have asked, and I know you care. It's easier to just share all at once than keep retelling, and I thought this might be a good way to do that.
************
We had a good Christmas. My brother and his family came into town for several days. We had Christmas in dad's room.
Dad has cancer in his lungs, his back, and a large tumor on his adrenal gland (on top of his kidney). The cancer in his back has made it very difficult for him to feel and use his legs. The term for the care dad is getting is "paleative" (not sure how to spell) - which is a fancy word that means "keep him as comfortable as possible". The goal is not recovery (although we don't deny that God has the power to make this happen) - the goal is make this time as easy for him as possible. He has been getting radiation on his back to help with numbness and pain in his legs. He stays in bed right now all the time other than hygiene needs. He has lost a lot of weight. He is at about 190 right now. He is a 6'6 man. It¹s hard for him to eat - it takes a lot of energy (which he doesn't have) and he has no appetite. Wednesday he couldn¹t make it to radiation. Mom told me his legs were completely numb. He didn¹t have the strength to get out of bed first time that¹s happened.
Mom called to arrange hospice and they came yesterday to evaluate and begin services. He will be able to stay home unless things get really complicated. Things aren¹t good for dad right now. As mom says, "Our peace comes from God even if our hearts are breaking."
Mom and I are awed and feel privileged to see some of the "tapestry" of God through all of this. Mom, dad, and I are continually finding comfort and peace.
Examples: I told dad yesterday that if God wants us to go this road, he has lined it with friends to go with us. Mom is very "Dutch". Dad's Doctor's name is Dr. "Holland". We chuckled at this "SIGN" that he was the doctor for us. Dad's hospice nurse is the wife of a teacher my brother and I both remember fondly as having had in high school and the mother of a high school friend of mine - so she already seems like a friend.
Labor Day weekend, we were able to go to Michigan to visit family - before all of this started - so many family members who can't come have had an opportunity to visit with dad recently!
Dad's bills are not a worry - Veterans's Affairs has declared him 100% disabled due to "agent orange" exposure in Vietnam (strange to call that a blessing) and so is paying for everything.
Mom is getting help from hospice, and praise the Lord, we both have lots of sick days that are available to use. Mom has decided to stop working completely and is able to do it indefinitely using her sick leave!
Richard (pastor) reminded me recently of something I knew, but is taking great meaning lately - and that continues to bring peace - the ultimate peace we can have is not physical healing, but spiritual restoration. Dad's physical distress is difficult to watch, and very difficult for him to experience, but peace comes for him and us from knowing he will not only
have physical healing if he leaves us, but the best healing of all - because of Christ he will be with our heavenly father, restored to the beautiful creation God intended him to be. Praise God. Dad is ready - either way - to stay and be healed or go and be healed. Either way is an awesome option. Win- Win!
Family have been visiting frequently. They are traveling all the way from Michigan! They are such a blessing - even from a distance when they can't come.
God is good! He is the good shepherd.
People have often asked if there is anything they can do to help. The
answer mom and I keep giving is - nothing tangible right now.
Money is not a problem (thanks to VA).
Food is not a need really - dad isn't eating much and we feed him whatever
he will eat (which changes based on his appetite). Mom doesn't eat that
much, and so what's been happening is his dogs are getting fat on the food
we/she can't eat! :0) The only "maybe" that might be nice is something
that freezes that we can pop into the microwave or oven really fast when
family or visitors do come to visit. We have some family here now, more
coming this weekend, and many (8+) coming at the end of the month that we
know of. Mom likes most foods. Again - dad varies.
Mom is a wonderful, but private person, so talking about the situation with
people outside of close family and friends can sometimes be difficult for
her, so this may not be the best way to help. It's also difficult to find
good times to visit with dad, since his needs change and he sleeps so much.
We have support from friends who have offered hospitality for visiting
family - and have taken advantage of that.
So really - prayers are the best way to help, both because the Heavenly
Father says so and because our other needs are taken care of right now.
Prayers for peace and comfort and healing and wisdom to know how to handle
what comes would be wonderful. Prayers for journey mercies for family and
strength for Mom and Dad would be great. Thanksgiving for God's blessings
would be wonderful.
Thanks again all for your love and support. You've all been so wonderful. I
will try to keep you all posted for better or ..better.
Exercising Faith - and getting a real workout!!!,
World's Best Teacher (she signed her real name,i'm keeping that private on the blog)
***************
Baby bear has another cold. I think she got it from me. My cat allergy turned into my usual cough and crud and runny nose. It's practically tradition. Visit anyone with a cat, go home under the weather. Well, 2 days ago, baby bear's nose started running. She had a low-grade fever Thursday night, and a 102 fever last night before bed. She woke up every 2 1/2 hours fussy last night, and her temp seemed to be falling. It was practically normal this morning. Hopefully we're on the end of it.
The family gathering we had planned to celebrate my Mom and bil's birthdays has been postponed, and the women's Bible study group at eaglet and sil's church in Slugger City gets to devour a yummy chocolate cake. My floor needed to be swept and mopped anyway, so I'm not too bitter. I just want my baby to feel better.
The family gathering we had planned to celebrate my Mom and bil's birthdays has been postponed, and the women's Bible study group at eaglet and sil's church in Slugger City gets to devour a yummy chocolate cake. My floor needed to be swept and mopped anyway, so I'm not too bitter. I just want my baby to feel better.
Friday, January 05, 2007
Finding Focus, Assignment #3
from Dana on W@H: "Ok ladies. We have shared our plans. We have encouraged each other. We have brainstormed on attitudes and road blocks. We are going to start making changes to our lives and our habits that will move us towards our goal. Take time Friday and Saturday to brainstorm a few small changes. Use the plan you shared in Assmt 1. Pick your 2-3 top priorities and plan three SMALL but important steps to move you forward. I do not recommend you do something for each and every area. YOU STILL HAVE 51 WEEKS to accomplish your goal.
When you have decided what you are going to do and how and WHEN tell us about it. Make it POSSIBLE and make room for it in your schedule NOW"
****
to be continued....
from Dana on W@H: "Ok ladies. We have shared our plans. We have encouraged each other. We have brainstormed on attitudes and road blocks. We are going to start making changes to our lives and our habits that will move us towards our goal. Take time Friday and Saturday to brainstorm a few small changes. Use the plan you shared in Assmt 1. Pick your 2-3 top priorities and plan three SMALL but important steps to move you forward. I do not recommend you do something for each and every area. YOU STILL HAVE 51 WEEKS to accomplish your goal.
When you have decided what you are going to do and how and WHEN tell us about it. Make it POSSIBLE and make room for it in your schedule NOW"
****
to be continued....
home "improvement"
we have a laundry room that is larger than a closet, but not huge. maybe 8 feet deep by 6 feet wide. well, there is a wall about a foot to the right of the door that cuts into some of the entry width, and that is where i normally lean my brooms, mop and dustpan. for the past several months, i've become increasingly irritated when one of the said items would fall over across my path to the washer and dryer, or worse- block the door from opening all the way. we went to superstore today, and found a simple metal bar with spring-clips to hold broom handles. unfortunately, the width of the holes did not line up with the wall studs, so hubby had to get creative and drill another hole in the bar. but for less than $4 in the home improvement deparment (not by brooms, that holder was more expensive and only held 4 handles), we got 5 things out of the way, hanging decently and in order. and i can check one of my items off my Finding Focus list! he hung them high enough so we can set the vacuum underneath them and still get to the brooms... i also proceeded to sweep and mop the kitchen floor, something which it desperately needed.
during another leg of our errand run, hubby bought something in which he can conveniently yet safely store his "personal security system" with some of his Christmas gift cards and money. baby bear watched him program the passcode, and had fun trying to figure out how to get cookie monster out. (she didn't succeed). now it's successfully mounted in an undisclosed location, and hubby is quite proud of himself for being a handyman this evening. i am, too. plus, when monarch, purple princess, or any other kids are playing hide and seek, they will not accidentally stumble upon certain dangerous items.
oh, and at our first stop, he used another gift card to buy a new shredder, since our old one died. so now he is shredding papers with sensitive personal info on them during commercial breaks. (he used to burn such paper, when we lived with tech mom and tech dad. but our gas-log fireplace is not so equipped, as it has no chimney.) we have a box full of junk that needs to be shredded, so this could take weeks.
we have a laundry room that is larger than a closet, but not huge. maybe 8 feet deep by 6 feet wide. well, there is a wall about a foot to the right of the door that cuts into some of the entry width, and that is where i normally lean my brooms, mop and dustpan. for the past several months, i've become increasingly irritated when one of the said items would fall over across my path to the washer and dryer, or worse- block the door from opening all the way. we went to superstore today, and found a simple metal bar with spring-clips to hold broom handles. unfortunately, the width of the holes did not line up with the wall studs, so hubby had to get creative and drill another hole in the bar. but for less than $4 in the home improvement deparment (not by brooms, that holder was more expensive and only held 4 handles), we got 5 things out of the way, hanging decently and in order. and i can check one of my items off my Finding Focus list! he hung them high enough so we can set the vacuum underneath them and still get to the brooms... i also proceeded to sweep and mop the kitchen floor, something which it desperately needed.
during another leg of our errand run, hubby bought something in which he can conveniently yet safely store his "personal security system" with some of his Christmas gift cards and money. baby bear watched him program the passcode, and had fun trying to figure out how to get cookie monster out. (she didn't succeed). now it's successfully mounted in an undisclosed location, and hubby is quite proud of himself for being a handyman this evening. i am, too. plus, when monarch, purple princess, or any other kids are playing hide and seek, they will not accidentally stumble upon certain dangerous items.
oh, and at our first stop, he used another gift card to buy a new shredder, since our old one died. so now he is shredding papers with sensitive personal info on them during commercial breaks. (he used to burn such paper, when we lived with tech mom and tech dad. but our gas-log fireplace is not so equipped, as it has no chimney.) we have a box full of junk that needs to be shredded, so this could take weeks.
Thursday, January 04, 2007
online security
well, for the past few weeks, 75% of the time i comment on a site with word verification, including my own, blogger makes me retry. it's really annoying. so, today i made this blog private, in hopes that unnwanted weirdos will stay away, and took the word verification option off my comments. i might go ahead and make baby bear's private, too. we'll see.
i've noticed that my comments usually stick on blogs that don't require the word verification, so we'll see if this makes it any easier for you guys to comment on mine.
baby bear's nap is over, time to get off the computer and be mommy.
well, for the past few weeks, 75% of the time i comment on a site with word verification, including my own, blogger makes me retry. it's really annoying. so, today i made this blog private, in hopes that unnwanted weirdos will stay away, and took the word verification option off my comments. i might go ahead and make baby bear's private, too. we'll see.
i've noticed that my comments usually stick on blogs that don't require the word verification, so we'll see if this makes it any easier for you guys to comment on mine.
baby bear's nap is over, time to get off the computer and be mommy.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
a reminder from my crt, computer guy, and my nieces....
you can do anything you want to do
thanks, crt!
you can do anything you want to do
thanks, crt!
Finding Focus Project- Assignment #2
Identify your roadblock
From Dana at W@H: "I don't know about you all but it seems like there has always been "just one thing" where if I could get it done then "everything else would fall into place" I know that isn't the way it is, but that's how it FEELS. And I know it's not just me because I've watched other people tackle that mountain and feel SO MUCH BETTER about themselves when it was over. So tell me, what's your roadblock? What's the one thing that you feel like if i could just do...... then everything would be GREAT! and it doesn't have to be housework, it could be weight, a project, a broken relationship, your marriage WHATEVER what is it-----and what are some concrete steps you can start taking to get past it? it's time to CHUNK that old baggage and MOVE AHEAD."
*****************
Procrastination and laziness are mine. If I would quit procrastinating, I'd get a lot more done.
What are the roadblocks that keep you from reaching YOUR goals?
Identify your roadblock
From Dana at W@H: "I don't know about you all but it seems like there has always been "just one thing" where if I could get it done then "everything else would fall into place" I know that isn't the way it is, but that's how it FEELS. And I know it's not just me because I've watched other people tackle that mountain and feel SO MUCH BETTER about themselves when it was over. So tell me, what's your roadblock? What's the one thing that you feel like if i could just do...... then everything would be GREAT! and it doesn't have to be housework, it could be weight, a project, a broken relationship, your marriage WHATEVER what is it-----and what are some concrete steps you can start taking to get past it? it's time to CHUNK that old baggage and MOVE AHEAD."
*****************
Procrastination and laziness are mine. If I would quit procrastinating, I'd get a lot more done.
What are the roadblocks that keep you from reaching YOUR goals?
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
can't wait! (but i'll have to)
Hubby and i are going to the new symphony hall downtown for a concert on February 15th! It was his idea, and my sister is going to babysit. (She "owes" me a couple of babysitting favors for keeping my niece while she and her hubby went to Cedar Point with their youth group, although I'm glad the girls get time together and don't mind having her sweet little one around. Especially when Mom comes to help out.)
Hubby and i are going to the new symphony hall downtown for a concert on February 15th! It was his idea, and my sister is going to babysit. (She "owes" me a couple of babysitting favors for keeping my niece while she and her hubby went to Cedar Point with their youth group, although I'm glad the girls get time together and don't mind having her sweet little one around. Especially when Mom comes to help out.)
A breath of fresh air
One of the advantages of having a job with the government is that when all the bigwigs get to go to funeral services for former a president, the little guys and gals on the totem pole also get the day. I am not trying to dishonor President Ford in any way, or make light of his death. I just want to express my gratitude for another day with hubby home.
Today is one of those winter days one can't help but love. It's comparable to an autumn day in the upper midwest. The sky is a clear blue, with few clouds in sight. The sun has shone for a majority of the day. In college, days like this could calm me or invigorate me as I walked across the Quad, back to the dorm, or over to the BSU. The breeze is cool, but not frigid.
Hubby, Baby-Bear and I went for a walk this afternoon. One neighbor was in her driveway with her 6 year old son, who was adopted from Russia almost 2 years ago (or maybe 3). Their house is for sale and under contract, and I'm going to miss them. (They are joining the exodus to the county a mile away with the better school system. Why people didn't just buy down there in the first place when homes were less expensive there is a mystery. At least our neighborhood resale average is good. And to be fair, there are more new homes available now than there were even a year ago. Though none of them are in our price range in the size we would want.) They were trying to get a remote control car going.
Baby bear became bored while we stopped, and had a grand time toddling down the sidewalk holding our hands. She looked so cute in her new blue jeans, coral/striped sweater, and with her silver fake-fur-lined vest over the sweater. So big.
Some of the rock pink that I planted on the cliff last Spring apparently took. The stuff looked pretty dried out when I planted it, but my parents got it really cheap on clearance at a nursery, and knew we needed erosion control. Anyway, as we walked to where the sidewalk ends, I saw a few of those tiny fuscia flowers blooming about 7 feet up the hill. Apparently they think it's Springtime already. The image of life in the midst of dead grass, weeds, and above a cliff that has been cut away is refreshing. And for those of you who want a ground-cover that even those of us with a brown thumb can't kill, rock pink might be just the thing.
The dishwasher hums, the laundry rolls, and hubby and baby bear nap. Among the other things I still hope to do today: vacuum downstairs, hang up my clean clothes, make a couple of phone calls, and clean off the kitchen counter.
One of the advantages of having a job with the government is that when all the bigwigs get to go to funeral services for former a president, the little guys and gals on the totem pole also get the day. I am not trying to dishonor President Ford in any way, or make light of his death. I just want to express my gratitude for another day with hubby home.
Today is one of those winter days one can't help but love. It's comparable to an autumn day in the upper midwest. The sky is a clear blue, with few clouds in sight. The sun has shone for a majority of the day. In college, days like this could calm me or invigorate me as I walked across the Quad, back to the dorm, or over to the BSU. The breeze is cool, but not frigid.
Hubby, Baby-Bear and I went for a walk this afternoon. One neighbor was in her driveway with her 6 year old son, who was adopted from Russia almost 2 years ago (or maybe 3). Their house is for sale and under contract, and I'm going to miss them. (They are joining the exodus to the county a mile away with the better school system. Why people didn't just buy down there in the first place when homes were less expensive there is a mystery. At least our neighborhood resale average is good. And to be fair, there are more new homes available now than there were even a year ago. Though none of them are in our price range in the size we would want.) They were trying to get a remote control car going.
Baby bear became bored while we stopped, and had a grand time toddling down the sidewalk holding our hands. She looked so cute in her new blue jeans, coral/striped sweater, and with her silver fake-fur-lined vest over the sweater. So big.
Some of the rock pink that I planted on the cliff last Spring apparently took. The stuff looked pretty dried out when I planted it, but my parents got it really cheap on clearance at a nursery, and knew we needed erosion control. Anyway, as we walked to where the sidewalk ends, I saw a few of those tiny fuscia flowers blooming about 7 feet up the hill. Apparently they think it's Springtime already. The image of life in the midst of dead grass, weeds, and above a cliff that has been cut away is refreshing. And for those of you who want a ground-cover that even those of us with a brown thumb can't kill, rock pink might be just the thing.
The dishwasher hums, the laundry rolls, and hubby and baby bear nap. Among the other things I still hope to do today: vacuum downstairs, hang up my clean clothes, make a couple of phone calls, and clean off the kitchen counter.
Monday, January 01, 2007
Here's my list for Finding Focus Assignment #1:
(Remember, the prompt said the sky is the limit and now is not the time to be reasonable.)
Personal
-Become more self-disciplined
-Make fewer excuses
-Procrastinate less
-Balance my time more wisely; limit online time when necessary
-Connect with close friends on a more regular basis (in addition to online)
-Have date-nights with hubby more than once this year
-Continue to seek wise guidance re: medical issues
-Revamp wardrobe
Spiritual
-Read through the Bible
-Consistent time with the Lord
-Personal Reconciliation in area I've been wrestling with
Family
-Be hubby's helpmeet; take more initiative with certain things at home
-Be baby-bear's Teacher as well as Mommy: Set a good example for her,
spend lots of quality time with her, step out of my comfort zone to
make our daily routine more fun and educational
-Beach Vacation!
-Visit cousin's family on Sapelo Island
-Visit Brother and his wife at seminary
-Send pictures to Gramma monthly, since she doesn't have internet access
-Visit Gramma in WI
-Get all birthdays on wall calendar
Household
-Establish daily task/goal list
-Establish weekly routine for chores
-Plan meals more effectively/cook more frequently
-Save more money on groceries to help stay within our budget
-Declutter bedrooms:master, guest, nursery
-Deep clean kitchen & bathroom cabinets
-Hang broom rack in utility room
-Add shelves to kitchen dish and glass cabinets (1 each)
-Add shelves or cabinets in utility room
-Get rid of my clothes that aren't being used
-Organize old baby clothes
-Get bookshelf for our bedroom
Hobbies
-Have piano tuned by a professional
-learn at least 2 new arrangements or songs
-polish up old arrangements
-organize desk
-read 6 new books this year (or more)
-Organize/inventory scrapbooking supplies
-Finish Hannah's 1st year scrapbook (I'm on page 3)
-Go on a (short) family hike in Smokies, Fall Creek Falls or another park
-organize old photos- already printed
-organize digital photos- and print those needed for scrapbook and sharing
Finding Focus Project-Assignment #1
Ok, gang. Here it goes. I've decided to jump on board the W@H (women at home) ministry's Finding Focus Project. It's supposed to be something to help with home organization, something anyone who know me really well knows I need very desperately. For added accountability, I'm listing it here. Here's the assignment:
"let's say you have all the time in the world and the resources to do what you want with yourself, your space, your hobbies, your time this year. The sky is the limit. WHAT do you want to do this year?
Don't be reasonable right now--write it ALL down, big and small. you aren't committing to DOING it, you are simply saying you desire TO do it. Priorities come later. For now, we're just talking."
Wish me luck. I'll post my list soon.
Ok, gang. Here it goes. I've decided to jump on board the W@H (women at home) ministry's Finding Focus Project. It's supposed to be something to help with home organization, something anyone who know me really well knows I need very desperately. For added accountability, I'm listing it here. Here's the assignment:
"let's say you have all the time in the world and the resources to do what you want with yourself, your space, your hobbies, your time this year. The sky is the limit. WHAT do you want to do this year?
Don't be reasonable right now--write it ALL down, big and small. you aren't committing to DOING it, you are simply saying you desire TO do it. Priorities come later. For now, we're just talking."
Wish me luck. I'll post my list soon.
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Happy New Year's Eve!
Hubby and I are bumming around in front of the tv. Baby bear fell asleep around 8:30. She giggled with glee as I wound the music box with the German children on it, and cuddled with her grey kitty that Caslon and Photo guy gave her the weekend after she was born. A few minutes later, she realized she was in bed for the night and protested, but that didn't last very long. She had a long afternoon nap when we returned from church (as did her mommy and daddy).
2006 was a very good year for our family. Hubby's job, which he began in October of 2005, just a week before our daughter's birth, has provided him with the best schedule. (He had a voice mail from the acting supervisor at working stating the office will be closed on Tuesday, that will be his 12th day off. ) He's never been able to actually take a chunk of vacation time or enjoy a full-fledged holiday with family since we moved to Music City. The older we get, the more we realize that no job is perfect. However, to have one that is secure, with adequate money, and that offers time off that can actually be used.... well, that is so helpful. When I quit working before baby bear's birth, we knew his pay cut combined with no check for me would be hard on us. It has been, financially. But God has provided. To be able to stay home with Baby Bear is a precious gift. To watch her grow, teach her, to know that she knows her Mommy and Daddy love her. She doesn't seem to recall the 7 1/2 weeks that she only saw her Daddy a handful of times after she was born, because "Dada" is her current favorite word. (As everyone heard in Memphis.)
Last summer, crt told me about this thing called blogger, and showed me how easy it was to post pictures. At that point, I switched from using babiesonline to blogger for my means of keeping family and friends posted on our little one's progress. Shortly after, I started my own personal blog. Soon I learned from Zann that she had a blog, as did someone I might remember from church in high school- Farm Wife. Through Farmwife, I've met some other wonderful bloggers... Inkling, Grace, Farm Fairy, Ang and Sarah. My neighbor gina drops in every once in a while (probably more than know), we will have to get together more in person this year. I've been nosy and discovered some other acquaintances that I remember from college... FreddyT, and Stephen Cavness are among them. Tech Mom and Caslon and I sometimes talk on the phone, but often just check on the others' blog. I'm fascinated to learn where
God has led people that I know and once knew. Oh, and there's another fabulous and crafty gal who I've met a few times in real life, and now I find myself wandering in her W@H circle. I'm thankful. I have family, some of whom I also connect with online (Tech Mom, Caslon, eaglet), all of whom I love. I have friends, some of whom are online, many who have more self control than I and have not succombed to internet addiction. And then there are the members of my "blogily"... those of you who I may or may not have met in person yet, but you read my site patiently. You observe the ramblings and ponderings that I share online and sometimes we even get into full-fledged discussions.
So, as the clock ticks closer to 2007, my heart begins to wander and wonder once again. Resolutions? I don't want to make them and just break them, so they will be chosen carefully.
This is in fact my little bleep of cyberspace. A place to vent, share, cry, laugh, wonder...
Thank you for taking the time to get to know me and my family on this and my other blog.
And now, to spend the rest of 2006 with my beloved. Happy New Year, everyone!
Hubby and I are bumming around in front of the tv. Baby bear fell asleep around 8:30. She giggled with glee as I wound the music box with the German children on it, and cuddled with her grey kitty that Caslon and Photo guy gave her the weekend after she was born. A few minutes later, she realized she was in bed for the night and protested, but that didn't last very long. She had a long afternoon nap when we returned from church (as did her mommy and daddy).
2006 was a very good year for our family. Hubby's job, which he began in October of 2005, just a week before our daughter's birth, has provided him with the best schedule. (He had a voice mail from the acting supervisor at working stating the office will be closed on Tuesday, that will be his 12th day off. ) He's never been able to actually take a chunk of vacation time or enjoy a full-fledged holiday with family since we moved to Music City. The older we get, the more we realize that no job is perfect. However, to have one that is secure, with adequate money, and that offers time off that can actually be used.... well, that is so helpful. When I quit working before baby bear's birth, we knew his pay cut combined with no check for me would be hard on us. It has been, financially. But God has provided. To be able to stay home with Baby Bear is a precious gift. To watch her grow, teach her, to know that she knows her Mommy and Daddy love her. She doesn't seem to recall the 7 1/2 weeks that she only saw her Daddy a handful of times after she was born, because "Dada" is her current favorite word. (As everyone heard in Memphis.)
Last summer, crt told me about this thing called blogger, and showed me how easy it was to post pictures. At that point, I switched from using babiesonline to blogger for my means of keeping family and friends posted on our little one's progress. Shortly after, I started my own personal blog. Soon I learned from Zann that she had a blog, as did someone I might remember from church in high school- Farm Wife. Through Farmwife, I've met some other wonderful bloggers... Inkling, Grace, Farm Fairy, Ang and Sarah. My neighbor gina drops in every once in a while (probably more than know), we will have to get together more in person this year. I've been nosy and discovered some other acquaintances that I remember from college... FreddyT, and Stephen Cavness are among them. Tech Mom and Caslon and I sometimes talk on the phone, but often just check on the others' blog. I'm fascinated to learn where
God has led people that I know and once knew. Oh, and there's another fabulous and crafty gal who I've met a few times in real life, and now I find myself wandering in her W@H circle. I'm thankful. I have family, some of whom I also connect with online (Tech Mom, Caslon, eaglet), all of whom I love. I have friends, some of whom are online, many who have more self control than I and have not succombed to internet addiction. And then there are the members of my "blogily"... those of you who I may or may not have met in person yet, but you read my site patiently. You observe the ramblings and ponderings that I share online and sometimes we even get into full-fledged discussions.
So, as the clock ticks closer to 2007, my heart begins to wander and wonder once again. Resolutions? I don't want to make them and just break them, so they will be chosen carefully.
This is in fact my little bleep of cyberspace. A place to vent, share, cry, laugh, wonder...
Thank you for taking the time to get to know me and my family on this and my other blog.
And now, to spend the rest of 2006 with my beloved. Happy New Year, everyone!
Saturday, December 30, 2006
another addition...
hubby's coworker's wife gave birth to a beautiful 7 lb 10 oz baby girl yesterday. we spent some time chatting at the office luncheon before Christmas, and she mentioned that a lot of her friends swore by a certain parenting book that i had previously read and now rank below The Fountainhead. (not a parenting book, but i was going to write an essay on it for a scholarship, and would have burned it if it were mine and not the library's. i hated it.) she has a degree in child development, and said that as she read it the red flags went up because so much was contrary to what she learned in her classes and experience as a nanny and preschool teacher. they're going to do just fine.
lilly has two parents who love her, and i'm sure baby bear will be glad to teach her all her tricks as she grows up.
hubby's coworker's wife gave birth to a beautiful 7 lb 10 oz baby girl yesterday. we spent some time chatting at the office luncheon before Christmas, and she mentioned that a lot of her friends swore by a certain parenting book that i had previously read and now rank below The Fountainhead. (not a parenting book, but i was going to write an essay on it for a scholarship, and would have burned it if it were mine and not the library's. i hated it.) she has a degree in child development, and said that as she read it the red flags went up because so much was contrary to what she learned in her classes and experience as a nanny and preschool teacher. they're going to do just fine.
lilly has two parents who love her, and i'm sure baby bear will be glad to teach her all her tricks as she grows up.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
another addiction...
i've been reminded why i don't read often enough. i get addicted to it. i began reading "the secret life of bees" by sue monk kidd two nights ago. someone recommended it to me a couple of years back, and when i got to tech mom's house, she still had caslon's copy in her possession. i've almost finished it, and it really is a fascinating tale about a girl running from her past, longing to know her mother, and relationships. the language is very real, which might offend some people. however, i do believe it adds to the authenticity of the character as well as the time period. i will finish the book tonight, before we leave tomorrow.
i've been reminded why i don't read often enough. i get addicted to it. i began reading "the secret life of bees" by sue monk kidd two nights ago. someone recommended it to me a couple of years back, and when i got to tech mom's house, she still had caslon's copy in her possession. i've almost finished it, and it really is a fascinating tale about a girl running from her past, longing to know her mother, and relationships. the language is very real, which might offend some people. however, i do believe it adds to the authenticity of the character as well as the time period. i will finish the book tonight, before we leave tomorrow.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
neat message board...
stephanie at olive tree introduced me to the women at home ministry message board. it's a pretty neat place! as if i need another source for my blogging addiction... oh, well.
stephanie at olive tree introduced me to the women at home ministry message board. it's a pretty neat place! as if i need another source for my blogging addiction... oh, well.
the fun dwindles down at the crazy house
hubby's grandma, aka great-gramma, made it home safely. so did her gifts. the 2nd suitcase that tech mom suggested she bring with her came in handy. it sounds like the weather will be rainy and cold up there, making the chilly air we had here in memphis feel like california. we're so very thankful she made the trip down to spend Christmas with all of us. she has her strong opinions as to why her great-grandchildren are so different in their temperaments, among other things. (monarch and purple princess are very spirited and picky eaters, baby-bear is a little more laid back and eats almost anything so far. she interprets that as baby-bear being happy and the other two, well... the funny thing is that they are quite content not eating much, it's everyone else who has a problem with their eating preferences.) by now the rest of us are quite used to the girls, and to be honest it would be nice if baby-bear would slow down on the growth curve for mommy's back's sake. she certainly has made up for the slow weight gain she had in the first 3 months of her life...and then some. if i can instill half the love of learning that crt has managed to cultivate in her children, i will be happy. anyway, since great-gramma is our last living grandparent, we treasure each moment we have with her... opinions and all.
caslon and photo guy should be pulling into their driveway any minute now. they have 4 new tires on their car thanks to the flat they had on the way into town. their kitty (the real caslon) will probably be glad to see them yet confused by the scent of another cat's fur on their things. they are going to be great parents some day. no pressure, just an observation! for now, their nieces and nephew will soak up all the attention they can give them.
crt, tech mom and i took the girls to chuck-e-cheese to get out some of their energy this afternoon. baby-bear loved riding on the little cars, especially the one with barney and the one with chuck-e-cheese "himself". she thought the hungry hippo game was pretty neat, too. the men stayed home and vegged, then ordered pizza which they picked up just in time for our return from the kids' place. tech mom said we deserve badges that state, "i survived chuck-e-cheese." i definitely admire smart guy's willingness to take his boys to their local branch so grace can get a break. it's a crazy place, though not so expensive if you don't get the pizza and food. i'll post pics from the adventure on hannah-bear's cave soon. monarch and purple princess had a blast, of course. it's amazing how much energy they exert for such small prizes.
hubby's grandma, aka great-gramma, made it home safely. so did her gifts. the 2nd suitcase that tech mom suggested she bring with her came in handy. it sounds like the weather will be rainy and cold up there, making the chilly air we had here in memphis feel like california. we're so very thankful she made the trip down to spend Christmas with all of us. she has her strong opinions as to why her great-grandchildren are so different in their temperaments, among other things. (monarch and purple princess are very spirited and picky eaters, baby-bear is a little more laid back and eats almost anything so far. she interprets that as baby-bear being happy and the other two, well... the funny thing is that they are quite content not eating much, it's everyone else who has a problem with their eating preferences.) by now the rest of us are quite used to the girls, and to be honest it would be nice if baby-bear would slow down on the growth curve for mommy's back's sake. she certainly has made up for the slow weight gain she had in the first 3 months of her life...and then some. if i can instill half the love of learning that crt has managed to cultivate in her children, i will be happy. anyway, since great-gramma is our last living grandparent, we treasure each moment we have with her... opinions and all.
caslon and photo guy should be pulling into their driveway any minute now. they have 4 new tires on their car thanks to the flat they had on the way into town. their kitty (the real caslon) will probably be glad to see them yet confused by the scent of another cat's fur on their things. they are going to be great parents some day. no pressure, just an observation! for now, their nieces and nephew will soak up all the attention they can give them.
crt, tech mom and i took the girls to chuck-e-cheese to get out some of their energy this afternoon. baby-bear loved riding on the little cars, especially the one with barney and the one with chuck-e-cheese "himself". she thought the hungry hippo game was pretty neat, too. the men stayed home and vegged, then ordered pizza which they picked up just in time for our return from the kids' place. tech mom said we deserve badges that state, "i survived chuck-e-cheese." i definitely admire smart guy's willingness to take his boys to their local branch so grace can get a break. it's a crazy place, though not so expensive if you don't get the pizza and food. i'll post pics from the adventure on hannah-bear's cave soon. monarch and purple princess had a blast, of course. it's amazing how much energy they exert for such small prizes.
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
girls' night!
once upon a time, i enjoyed going to the mall. then i grew up and realized i really don't need to tempt myself, and the mall during this time of year is torture.
well, my dear friend PT, who lived down the hall my freshman year of college in the same suite as WBT and Catgirl, is getting married in a month. less than a month. she, the one who is responsible for introducing me to hubby, holds a special place. and while a series of unfortunate events seemed to prohibit her and her hubby-to-be from going on a honeymoon trip, they will be going away for a week after all.
this friend has been a big help with baby showers, bridal showers, etc. for myself and some other friends. but circumstances what they are, our circle of friends is spread apart so far, that the logistics of us having a shower for her were, well, next to impossible. with one having a baby in texas, one living in nc, and the rest of us spread out across this state, it just didn't happen.
well, tonight, PT and i went to the mall to shop for her shower gift. this was a type of shower gift that you really should either get a gift certificate for or have a receipt, because inevitably those who try to purchase it for you can't get the size right. since we are still at tech mom's, and they live in the same city as PT, tonight was the perfect opportunity for us to have a girls' night at the mall. now, us old married folk know that such a gift is frivolous, but every new bride wants to feel extra beautiful for her beloved. (and even though hubby claims such wrappings aren't necessary because they don't last long, he doesn't seem to mind the times they make it out of my dresser drawer.)
so we went shopping, pt picked out her shower gifts from me and WBT, and we had a good couple of hours just the two of us. we also stopped by the clearance rack in the dress department and she found 2 dresses that will be perfect for dining out at their honeymoon destination. i tried on a couple of dresses, but fortunately for my bank account my post-baby body just doesn't wear things as well as it used to, so i left empty-handed. i really need to start exercising again. thankfully i have a hubby who loves me for who i am, completely and unconditionally. in old jeans and a t-shirt, or other wrappings.
once upon a time, i enjoyed going to the mall. then i grew up and realized i really don't need to tempt myself, and the mall during this time of year is torture.
well, my dear friend PT, who lived down the hall my freshman year of college in the same suite as WBT and Catgirl, is getting married in a month. less than a month. she, the one who is responsible for introducing me to hubby, holds a special place. and while a series of unfortunate events seemed to prohibit her and her hubby-to-be from going on a honeymoon trip, they will be going away for a week after all.
this friend has been a big help with baby showers, bridal showers, etc. for myself and some other friends. but circumstances what they are, our circle of friends is spread apart so far, that the logistics of us having a shower for her were, well, next to impossible. with one having a baby in texas, one living in nc, and the rest of us spread out across this state, it just didn't happen.
well, tonight, PT and i went to the mall to shop for her shower gift. this was a type of shower gift that you really should either get a gift certificate for or have a receipt, because inevitably those who try to purchase it for you can't get the size right. since we are still at tech mom's, and they live in the same city as PT, tonight was the perfect opportunity for us to have a girls' night at the mall. now, us old married folk know that such a gift is frivolous, but every new bride wants to feel extra beautiful for her beloved. (and even though hubby claims such wrappings aren't necessary because they don't last long, he doesn't seem to mind the times they make it out of my dresser drawer.)
so we went shopping, pt picked out her shower gifts from me and WBT, and we had a good couple of hours just the two of us. we also stopped by the clearance rack in the dress department and she found 2 dresses that will be perfect for dining out at their honeymoon destination. i tried on a couple of dresses, but fortunately for my bank account my post-baby body just doesn't wear things as well as it used to, so i left empty-handed. i really need to start exercising again. thankfully i have a hubby who loves me for who i am, completely and unconditionally. in old jeans and a t-shirt, or other wrappings.
Monday, December 25, 2006
Pray...
I spoke to my dear friend WBT tonight. Her father is the one with cancer, and this weekend "has not been one she woud like to remember." His physical strength is decreasing, he stays in bed, eats little, and is icreasingly irritable.
Her brother, his wife, and their 2 1/2 year old son are home from halfway across the country, staying at her apartment. They go to the parents' house during the day. Anyone who has lost a loved one to a terminal illness, who has witnessed the progression of a body shutting down and the flood of feelings and fears that comes with it, can relate.
Pray for them to find comfort in each other's company, and for glimpses that remind them of who their Dad is. Not the disease that has overtaken.
I spoke to my dear friend WBT tonight. Her father is the one with cancer, and this weekend "has not been one she woud like to remember." His physical strength is decreasing, he stays in bed, eats little, and is icreasingly irritable.
Her brother, his wife, and their 2 1/2 year old son are home from halfway across the country, staying at her apartment. They go to the parents' house during the day. Anyone who has lost a loved one to a terminal illness, who has witnessed the progression of a body shutting down and the flood of feelings and fears that comes with it, can relate.
Pray for them to find comfort in each other's company, and for glimpses that remind them of who their Dad is. Not the disease that has overtaken.
Merry CHRISTmas to all!
We're having a wonderful time at TechMom and Dad's. I'll be posting photos on the other blog soon hopefully tonight. (Assuming blogger will cooperate.)
I've logged on and stopped by some of my friends' blogs, but the cat must have gotten my tongue. Sometimes, in real life, I like to just sit back and relax and observe. I guess that trait is coming out online, too.
Our family took up a pew in church yesterday morning. Monarch did well, but she conveniently had to use the restroom about the time the sermon began. (Purple Princess and Baby Bear had classes, but there was no children's church for the older ones.) We had very few large family gatherings ar Christmas growing up, especially after the closest cousins moved from PA to the Cape. I do have faint memories of playing in the snow at their house, with our Bichon, Gabriel, and Sheba, my cousins' dog. I remember their Christmas tree set up on the foyer of their home, and the narrow stairway that seemed like a secret passage up to the 3rd floor. After those cousins moved further away, we stayed home for all the Christmases that I can remember.
So, to be near family and have Baby Bear playing with her cousins, while her Great-Gramma watches from her chair with a quiet joy.... well, it's comfort. Baby bear attended her 1st Candlelight service with us. It was also Great-Gramma's first-ever Candlelight service. She marched right up to the very front of the large sanctuary and she and Tech Mom found seats up close. The rest of us sat near the back, which proved wise when Baby Bear became restless about halfway through. She and I went to the back foyer, where she calmed down and I was still able to enjoy the carols. We also had the pleasure of watching candles being lit one-by-one across the room, which held hundreds of people. The sight was simultaneously breathtaking and heartwarming.
Opening gifts was an adventure, as would be expected. The "littles" went first, Baby Bear was assisted by Monarch and myself. Hubby did his fatherly duty of untwisting all the annoying twisty ties that secure the toys in their boxes. Great-Gramma complained as the stack of gifts in front of her grew, but as she opened her presents, her face glowed.
It's been a wonderful weekend for us. I hope all of you have made treasured memories with your loved ones, too.
I've logged on and stopped by some of my friends' blogs, but the cat must have gotten my tongue. Sometimes, in real life, I like to just sit back and relax and observe. I guess that trait is coming out online, too.
Our family took up a pew in church yesterday morning. Monarch did well, but she conveniently had to use the restroom about the time the sermon began. (Purple Princess and Baby Bear had classes, but there was no children's church for the older ones.) We had very few large family gatherings ar Christmas growing up, especially after the closest cousins moved from PA to the Cape. I do have faint memories of playing in the snow at their house, with our Bichon, Gabriel, and Sheba, my cousins' dog. I remember their Christmas tree set up on the foyer of their home, and the narrow stairway that seemed like a secret passage up to the 3rd floor. After those cousins moved further away, we stayed home for all the Christmases that I can remember.
So, to be near family and have Baby Bear playing with her cousins, while her Great-Gramma watches from her chair with a quiet joy.... well, it's comfort. Baby bear attended her 1st Candlelight service with us. It was also Great-Gramma's first-ever Candlelight service. She marched right up to the very front of the large sanctuary and she and Tech Mom found seats up close. The rest of us sat near the back, which proved wise when Baby Bear became restless about halfway through. She and I went to the back foyer, where she calmed down and I was still able to enjoy the carols. We also had the pleasure of watching candles being lit one-by-one across the room, which held hundreds of people. The sight was simultaneously breathtaking and heartwarming.
Opening gifts was an adventure, as would be expected. The "littles" went first, Baby Bear was assisted by Monarch and myself. Hubby did his fatherly duty of untwisting all the annoying twisty ties that secure the toys in their boxes. Great-Gramma complained as the stack of gifts in front of her grew, but as she opened her presents, her face glowed.
It's been a wonderful weekend for us. I hope all of you have made treasured memories with your loved ones, too.
Friday, December 22, 2006
all together
we are all safe and sound at tech mom & dad's. great-gramma made it here yesterday. after running some errands this morning, we hit the road and made it in good time. caslon and photo guy arrived about 3 hours later, after changing a flat tire when they had driven 5 of their 6 hour trip. a couple of hours after that, crt and computer guy arrived with monarch and purple princess. baby bear fought valiantly to stay awake to see her cousins, but after chasing princess up the steps and around the living room and dining room, she crashed around 8:15. her cousins walked in the door by the time hubby and i came back down.
be forwarned, my psuedonyms for my family will probably vary. especially the non-blogging ones.
princess the beige cat wants to be with us on her own terms. she did hide from baby bear for a little while, but now that the little ones are in their beds, she is in the middle of the living room floor. i'm sure she wants us to know this is her kingdom, she reigns, and nothing will change that. she's declawed in front, she is not a farm cat. (the birds that congregate on the trees in the back yard taunt her, as do the goldfish in the water garden.)
great-gramma's hearing is getting worse. she refuses to wear her hearing aid. so we either have to speak very loudly and repeat ourselves, or speak quietly enough so she doesn't realize we're talking. tech dad and i agree that she treasures the company and while she could retire for the evening, she did not travel hundreds of miles from her home to be by herself upstairs. so we smile, and when the time is right, converse. sometimes she falls asleep in the middle of our conversation, but that's alright. it is so nice to have her here with her only daughter and 3 great-granddaughters. her shoulder is healing well. she cannot lift it as high as she could with the one God gave her, but the one the surgeons gave her enables her to throw wood in the furnace in the cellar like she used to. she is doing great for an 86-year old woman.
caslon (peridot rose) brought gingerbread house kits for monarch and purple princess to assemble tomorrow. tech mom almost poisoned her only daughter with pesto, which contains finely ground pine nuts. thankfully, caslon read the label on the pesto jar before all the pasta was covered in it, so there was no need for her epi-pen (sp?) tonight. i'm also trying to figure out how difficult it is to leave nuts out of partial batches treats, but thankfully crt brought fudge with no nuts, so caslon won't be completely deprived. on the other hand, at least tech mom made treats, unlike myself... caslon handles it well. hubby keeps offering his younger sister the nut-infested treats, as any loving big brother would do.
i'm on tech mom's laptop, sitting back in her deep-red leather recliner with my feet propped up. there are 9 adults and 3 children in the house, and tech dad has set up extra seating with some folding chairs like you'd bring to a ball game or camping. i suppose i'll share the recliner at some point this weekend. the buzz of conversation under lamplight and white Christmas tree lights is like music.
it's nice to be here with some of our loved ones. to be able to kick back, relax, and talk about... whatever. i don't take it for granted. a good friend's son is stranded in denver, inkling is with her beloved but far from her other loved ones.
i'm not sure how often i'll be on this week. i am addicted, so i may find myself claiming any laptop that is in sight as my own. or maybe my family will send my to blogger's anonymous and banish me from my beloved hobby.
we are all safe and sound at tech mom & dad's. great-gramma made it here yesterday. after running some errands this morning, we hit the road and made it in good time. caslon and photo guy arrived about 3 hours later, after changing a flat tire when they had driven 5 of their 6 hour trip. a couple of hours after that, crt and computer guy arrived with monarch and purple princess. baby bear fought valiantly to stay awake to see her cousins, but after chasing princess up the steps and around the living room and dining room, she crashed around 8:15. her cousins walked in the door by the time hubby and i came back down.
be forwarned, my psuedonyms for my family will probably vary. especially the non-blogging ones.
princess the beige cat wants to be with us on her own terms. she did hide from baby bear for a little while, but now that the little ones are in their beds, she is in the middle of the living room floor. i'm sure she wants us to know this is her kingdom, she reigns, and nothing will change that. she's declawed in front, she is not a farm cat. (the birds that congregate on the trees in the back yard taunt her, as do the goldfish in the water garden.)
great-gramma's hearing is getting worse. she refuses to wear her hearing aid. so we either have to speak very loudly and repeat ourselves, or speak quietly enough so she doesn't realize we're talking. tech dad and i agree that she treasures the company and while she could retire for the evening, she did not travel hundreds of miles from her home to be by herself upstairs. so we smile, and when the time is right, converse. sometimes she falls asleep in the middle of our conversation, but that's alright. it is so nice to have her here with her only daughter and 3 great-granddaughters. her shoulder is healing well. she cannot lift it as high as she could with the one God gave her, but the one the surgeons gave her enables her to throw wood in the furnace in the cellar like she used to. she is doing great for an 86-year old woman.
caslon (peridot rose) brought gingerbread house kits for monarch and purple princess to assemble tomorrow. tech mom almost poisoned her only daughter with pesto, which contains finely ground pine nuts. thankfully, caslon read the label on the pesto jar before all the pasta was covered in it, so there was no need for her epi-pen (sp?) tonight. i'm also trying to figure out how difficult it is to leave nuts out of partial batches treats, but thankfully crt brought fudge with no nuts, so caslon won't be completely deprived. on the other hand, at least tech mom made treats, unlike myself... caslon handles it well. hubby keeps offering his younger sister the nut-infested treats, as any loving big brother would do.
i'm on tech mom's laptop, sitting back in her deep-red leather recliner with my feet propped up. there are 9 adults and 3 children in the house, and tech dad has set up extra seating with some folding chairs like you'd bring to a ball game or camping. i suppose i'll share the recliner at some point this weekend. the buzz of conversation under lamplight and white Christmas tree lights is like music.
it's nice to be here with some of our loved ones. to be able to kick back, relax, and talk about... whatever. i don't take it for granted. a good friend's son is stranded in denver, inkling is with her beloved but far from her other loved ones.
i'm not sure how often i'll be on this week. i am addicted, so i may find myself claiming any laptop that is in sight as my own. or maybe my family will send my to blogger's anonymous and banish me from my beloved hobby.
Thursday, December 21, 2006
hubby has gone back to the office today. he has to turn in some things, so he'll work from there instead of our "land of spare oom" . i wonder how long it will take before baby bear realizes he is not in the house today as he has been all week.
my parents stopped by yesterday afternoon. they had to see their oldest grandaughter at least once more before Christmas! mom commented how my house looks "lived in". at least she didn't say "neglected". later that night, we picked up the main room and vacuumed. as i type, i can hear baby bear redistributing the toys that were put away in the toy box (a value-pack diaper box).
it's time to get the gifts wrapped!
my parents stopped by yesterday afternoon. they had to see their oldest grandaughter at least once more before Christmas! mom commented how my house looks "lived in". at least she didn't say "neglected". later that night, we picked up the main room and vacuumed. as i type, i can hear baby bear redistributing the toys that were put away in the toy box (a value-pack diaper box).
it's time to get the gifts wrapped!
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and wandering heart reconciled.
Hark The Herald Angels Sing
from the Christmas Song Generator.
I confess, this is not the first rendition that came up when I typed in my pseudonym. But it is the most fitting!!!! "I saw Mommy kissing wandering heart" made me laugh. But if that were about me, we'd have some serious issues here.
Thanks for the fun link, Farm Wife!
enough
all of you
is more than enough for all of me
for every thirst and every need
you satisfy me with your love
and all i have in you is more than enough
you are my supply
my breath of life
still more awesome than i know
you are my reward
worth living for
still more awesome than i know
you're my sacrifice
of greatest price
and still more awesome than i know
you're my coming king
you are everything
still more awesome than i know
more than all i want
more than all i need
you are more than enough for me
more than all i know
more than all i can see
you are more than enough for me
written by chris tomlin and louie giglio, c 2002 worshiptogether.com songs
all of you
is more than enough for all of me
for every thirst and every need
you satisfy me with your love
and all i have in you is more than enough
you are my supply
my breath of life
still more awesome than i know
you are my reward
worth living for
still more awesome than i know
you're my sacrifice
of greatest price
and still more awesome than i know
you're my coming king
you are everything
still more awesome than i know
more than all i want
more than all i need
you are more than enough for me
more than all i know
more than all i can see
you are more than enough for me
written by chris tomlin and louie giglio, c 2002 worshiptogether.com songs
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
i'm working on our christmas letter mailing. might run out of baby bear's picture, darn it. i can get more made, but it's the hassle... it feels good to have most of the envelopes stuffed and addressed... just gotta get a sponge or washcloth dampened to seal all of them. i shouldn't have saved money by buying envelopes that require water to seal. oh well!!!
we bought wrapping paper and ribbon at the dollar tree. i tell you, that is my new favorite store. wrapping paper is like other disposable papers. why pay for the super thick stuff when it's going to be thrown out? except kleenex. i like my kleenex with lotion in them. or puffs. whatever's on sale. anyway, facial tissue is my exception to the get the cheapest disposable paper rule.
i am really ticked off at myself for letting a credit card billthat i am responsible for get lost. i found it today after realizing i didn't remember mailing it and digging it out from under junk mail on the counter. now it's late. i never mail in bills late. neither does hubby. he mails all of them except this particular bill, and now i'm considering this a sign to quit direct sales. because now some of my profits are going to have to go toward interest instead of a manicure or scrapbooking stuff. besides the fact that i am hopelessly organizationally challenged. this reminds me of the one time i ever had a check bounce, in college. it was at dairy queen, for my suite mate's birthday cake. that ended up being a really expensive cake. times like this make me grateful my husband is a receipt nazi and i don't normally have to worry about micromanaging our finances. he does it well on his own. anyway, don't tell me to get a calendar and make lists. i have a calendar. i make lists. they get lost. baby bear eats them. hubby must be ticked, but he's being very nice and gracious about it.
i was going to post the lyrics to the praise song "enough"... i certainly need to read them right now. but the cd case is downstairs and i am ready to go to bed when i go down. i was listening to my jeremy camp cd today, and this song and others were some very good reminders. maybe i'll share the lyrics tomorrow. after i mail that bill and our christmas letters.
oh, while i'm venting, this whole free service called blogger is being extremely rude, especially to my family members who are not on beta. they have to post anonymously or not at all.
oh, one good thing... baby bear slept in til 8 a.m. well, sort of. she actually woke up at 5, i put her back to bet at 6, and then she slept til 8. but i forgot she had woken up so i felt like she had slept in til 8! our little rooster did not get the early-rising genes from either of her parents although her daddy has to go to work early. this week, that means getting out of bed, showering, eating breakfast, and walking down the hall to the guest bedroom, where he's set up his work laptop on a card table. it came in handy this morning when i almost passed out from dehydration while tryng to change baby bear. i got her pj's unzipped, got dizzy, set her on the floor, and laid down and called hubby to come help. she decided it was time to get undressed completely, and by the time her opened his "office" door from across the hall, she was left in just her diaper, babbling away in her cute baby language and looking so proud of herself. thankfully i started feeling better this afternoon after my fluids and food were staying in me. and in spite of feeling icky, i did get the dishwasher emptied and reloaded (including some containers that had been housing science projects from the fridge), and 2 loads of laundry washed. the day could've been far less productive.
thanks for putting up with my complaining and random musings. good night, friends! see you on your blogs tomorrow!
we bought wrapping paper and ribbon at the dollar tree. i tell you, that is my new favorite store. wrapping paper is like other disposable papers. why pay for the super thick stuff when it's going to be thrown out? except kleenex. i like my kleenex with lotion in them. or puffs. whatever's on sale. anyway, facial tissue is my exception to the get the cheapest disposable paper rule.
i am really ticked off at myself for letting a credit card billthat i am responsible for get lost. i found it today after realizing i didn't remember mailing it and digging it out from under junk mail on the counter. now it's late. i never mail in bills late. neither does hubby. he mails all of them except this particular bill, and now i'm considering this a sign to quit direct sales. because now some of my profits are going to have to go toward interest instead of a manicure or scrapbooking stuff. besides the fact that i am hopelessly organizationally challenged. this reminds me of the one time i ever had a check bounce, in college. it was at dairy queen, for my suite mate's birthday cake. that ended up being a really expensive cake. times like this make me grateful my husband is a receipt nazi and i don't normally have to worry about micromanaging our finances. he does it well on his own. anyway, don't tell me to get a calendar and make lists. i have a calendar. i make lists. they get lost. baby bear eats them. hubby must be ticked, but he's being very nice and gracious about it.
i was going to post the lyrics to the praise song "enough"... i certainly need to read them right now. but the cd case is downstairs and i am ready to go to bed when i go down. i was listening to my jeremy camp cd today, and this song and others were some very good reminders. maybe i'll share the lyrics tomorrow. after i mail that bill and our christmas letters.
oh, while i'm venting, this whole free service called blogger is being extremely rude, especially to my family members who are not on beta. they have to post anonymously or not at all.
oh, one good thing... baby bear slept in til 8 a.m. well, sort of. she actually woke up at 5, i put her back to bet at 6, and then she slept til 8. but i forgot she had woken up so i felt like she had slept in til 8! our little rooster did not get the early-rising genes from either of her parents although her daddy has to go to work early. this week, that means getting out of bed, showering, eating breakfast, and walking down the hall to the guest bedroom, where he's set up his work laptop on a card table. it came in handy this morning when i almost passed out from dehydration while tryng to change baby bear. i got her pj's unzipped, got dizzy, set her on the floor, and laid down and called hubby to come help. she decided it was time to get undressed completely, and by the time her opened his "office" door from across the hall, she was left in just her diaper, babbling away in her cute baby language and looking so proud of herself. thankfully i started feeling better this afternoon after my fluids and food were staying in me. and in spite of feeling icky, i did get the dishwasher emptied and reloaded (including some containers that had been housing science projects from the fridge), and 2 loads of laundry washed. the day could've been far less productive.
thanks for putting up with my complaining and random musings. good night, friends! see you on your blogs tomorrow!
Monday, December 18, 2006
tummy troubles...
i really hope baby bear and hubby don't get them. if baby bear does, we'll all be miserable. and hubby will have to go buy pedialyte. so far, it's just me. i hope whatever it is works its way out and is long gone before we, crt, caslon and their gangs make our pilgrimages to tech mom's for Christmas.
it all started with nausea this afternoon, and just got worse.
poor baby bear couldn't understand why mommy was reading to her one second, and the next she was "dropping" her on the floor (gently of course), and running across the house to the bathroom. then she couldn't understand why she couldn't sit on her mommy's lap on the potty. this made our little cub angry.
hubby was tucked away in his makeshift office (the guest room/gift storage area), working on some of his reports. he was approved to work from home some, and since he just has some reports to write, he figured he could do them from here. baby bear was confused when daddy didn't go outside like he normally does when he tells her he is going to work. she waved "bye-bye" as he disappeared down the hallway. it was so cute! at the end of his work day, he came out and asked what the crying was all about.
i really hope baby bear and hubby don't get them. if baby bear does, we'll all be miserable. and hubby will have to go buy pedialyte. so far, it's just me. i hope whatever it is works its way out and is long gone before we, crt, caslon and their gangs make our pilgrimages to tech mom's for Christmas.
it all started with nausea this afternoon, and just got worse.
poor baby bear couldn't understand why mommy was reading to her one second, and the next she was "dropping" her on the floor (gently of course), and running across the house to the bathroom. then she couldn't understand why she couldn't sit on her mommy's lap on the potty. this made our little cub angry.
hubby was tucked away in his makeshift office (the guest room/gift storage area), working on some of his reports. he was approved to work from home some, and since he just has some reports to write, he figured he could do them from here. baby bear was confused when daddy didn't go outside like he normally does when he tells her he is going to work. she waved "bye-bye" as he disappeared down the hallway. it was so cute! at the end of his work day, he came out and asked what the crying was all about.
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Tonight we visited a church that is being planted by the church we currently attend. I found the following excerpt from the bulletin amusing, " The people of God are called to worship Him in song. Our lack of musical knowledge inhibits this activity. Therefore, we are printing music in the bulletin in order to encourage part-singing, to more easily facilitate the learning of new music, and to increase musical literacy for the glory of God."
While I can't disagree with the point being made, it cracks me up. It surely is a sad sign that our culture is so used to singing by ear without musical notes (with overheads instead of hymnals) that we have to explain the use of sheet music.
Hannah did pretty well in the service, other than trying to preach right along with Dr. Grant, who was teaching out of Luke. Fortunately, she was not the only child voicing her gibberish. Just one of the loudest. A deacon assured us as we walked in that kids are welcome and cherished during the service, including their stirrings. (In the newsletter, Dr. Grant calls their stirrings ""holy hubbub".) I'm so used to dropping her off in the nursery that it felt strange, in spite of the fact that I pretty much grew up with kids present in the service with us.
I really appreciated the celebration of the Lord's supper, and the fact that it looks like they are trying to incorporate it weekly. I've never understood the whole "once a quarter" thing, and even once a month as our current church does it is a little infrequent, as the assembly I went to growing up (before moving to TN) had a separate service for the Lord's supper and prayer every week before the other services.
While I can't disagree with the point being made, it cracks me up. It surely is a sad sign that our culture is so used to singing by ear without musical notes (with overheads instead of hymnals) that we have to explain the use of sheet music.
Hannah did pretty well in the service, other than trying to preach right along with Dr. Grant, who was teaching out of Luke. Fortunately, she was not the only child voicing her gibberish. Just one of the loudest. A deacon assured us as we walked in that kids are welcome and cherished during the service, including their stirrings. (In the newsletter, Dr. Grant calls their stirrings ""holy hubbub".) I'm so used to dropping her off in the nursery that it felt strange, in spite of the fact that I pretty much grew up with kids present in the service with us.
I really appreciated the celebration of the Lord's supper, and the fact that it looks like they are trying to incorporate it weekly. I've never understood the whole "once a quarter" thing, and even once a month as our current church does it is a little infrequent, as the assembly I went to growing up (before moving to TN) had a separate service for the Lord's supper and prayer every week before the other services.
Saturday, December 16, 2006
we spent the afternoon with WBT, who is one of Baby bear's "surrogate" aunts as one of the witnesses present at our first meeting, by divine providence. her dad was not up for visitors, so we went Christmas shopping and out to dinner. her dad's cancer is wearing him out. please keep their whole family in your prayers. the time is so difficult for her and her family. I am glad we were able to spend some time with her. Baby bear loved meeting Ian, her dog. I'd never see him tolerate attention so well (he's a one-person dog, a little bit of a dog snob.) He even let her kiss him on his nose several times.
we had the privelege to be part of a God's provision for some friends from our church family. they own a cleaning business, therefore i will call them "mr. & mrs. clean" on the blog. they are about our age, and they have 3 sons. a couple of years ago, they started their own business, which has been growing slowly but surely. a few weeks ago, they were able to move from the dangerous neighborhood where they were living, to a safer community much closer to our church. (while they lived in the old neighbnorhood, their brother's car was stolen and vehicles were broken into every night around them.) so, this move in itself was a big answer to prayer. well, last night at our fellowship they mentioned that one of their cars had died.
my dad, who is retired from working at a car factory, has friends who are always selling their used vehicles. i figured that he might know someone who knew someone with one available, so i called him to ask about it. he reminded me that my mom's old car was still in their driveway. they had purchased a car from a friend a few weeks back, not wanting to put the money into the old car.
i called our friends this morning, gave them my dad's number, and they picked up their vehicle this afternoon. since the husband uses their only vehicle for driving to clients' homes and offices, mom and kids were basically stranded at home during the day. not that that's the worst place to be stranded, but it does make family logistics a little more difficult. the best part- dad gave them the car for free! so even though it needs repairs, it is a vehicle. it will get them by.
the situation reminds me to be greatful for how the Lord has provided for us. Abundantly. Our immediate family is healthy and safe. We have more time together than ever. We have a very comfortable home, two vehicles that are dependable, and most importantly, eachother. He doesn't worry about the things that distract or confuse me. Oh, I believe truth matters and one day He will reveal it through His Word or if He comes first, but there is a reason the church is often divided on secondary issues... sometimes I think part of the reason is to get us to refocus and seek Him through His word, not just through tradition, theologians, or family and friends. And yes, I consider baptism a secondary, though very important, issue (in spite of the fact that I've let it be a major issue lately. ) Something that isn't debatable is that the Bible does command us to love one another. He promises that He will supply all our needs. Not necessarily with the newest or best whatever, but with whatever is sufficient. The car could have gone to an alcoholic who would probably drive it drunk (someone who had expressed interest but didn't come to see the car for a week, until after dad had already promised it to my friends just hours earlier). Instead, it went to a family that needs it AND will use it responsibly. I imagine they had one less worry as they left town to visit their family for Christmas! Coming up with repair money is a lot different than coming up with a new car.
we had the privelege to be part of a God's provision for some friends from our church family. they own a cleaning business, therefore i will call them "mr. & mrs. clean" on the blog. they are about our age, and they have 3 sons. a couple of years ago, they started their own business, which has been growing slowly but surely. a few weeks ago, they were able to move from the dangerous neighborhood where they were living, to a safer community much closer to our church. (while they lived in the old neighbnorhood, their brother's car was stolen and vehicles were broken into every night around them.) so, this move in itself was a big answer to prayer. well, last night at our fellowship they mentioned that one of their cars had died.
my dad, who is retired from working at a car factory, has friends who are always selling their used vehicles. i figured that he might know someone who knew someone with one available, so i called him to ask about it. he reminded me that my mom's old car was still in their driveway. they had purchased a car from a friend a few weeks back, not wanting to put the money into the old car.
i called our friends this morning, gave them my dad's number, and they picked up their vehicle this afternoon. since the husband uses their only vehicle for driving to clients' homes and offices, mom and kids were basically stranded at home during the day. not that that's the worst place to be stranded, but it does make family logistics a little more difficult. the best part- dad gave them the car for free! so even though it needs repairs, it is a vehicle. it will get them by.
the situation reminds me to be greatful for how the Lord has provided for us. Abundantly. Our immediate family is healthy and safe. We have more time together than ever. We have a very comfortable home, two vehicles that are dependable, and most importantly, eachother. He doesn't worry about the things that distract or confuse me. Oh, I believe truth matters and one day He will reveal it through His Word or if He comes first, but there is a reason the church is often divided on secondary issues... sometimes I think part of the reason is to get us to refocus and seek Him through His word, not just through tradition, theologians, or family and friends. And yes, I consider baptism a secondary, though very important, issue (in spite of the fact that I've let it be a major issue lately. ) Something that isn't debatable is that the Bible does command us to love one another. He promises that He will supply all our needs. Not necessarily with the newest or best whatever, but with whatever is sufficient. The car could have gone to an alcoholic who would probably drive it drunk (someone who had expressed interest but didn't come to see the car for a week, until after dad had already promised it to my friends just hours earlier). Instead, it went to a family that needs it AND will use it responsibly. I imagine they had one less worry as they left town to visit their family for Christmas! Coming up with repair money is a lot different than coming up with a new car.
Friday, December 15, 2006
where the sidewalk ends
... our cliff begins...
the grey dead grass is where we let the weeds take over in the summer because it was too steep to mow. now even more of it is too steep to mow. but we have a sidewalk to nowhere. thanks developer! you take such good care of your customers. almost as good as blogger.
anyway...
locked myself and baby bear out when we went out for a walk and to take these pics. gina came to my rescue with a couple of her hubby's membership cards to organizations. at least i didn't lock the bolt. but let this serve as a reminder that you should always lock your deadbolt if you really want your home secure. if you are just going for a walk, don't, because you never know when you might have to break back in!
... our cliff begins...the grey dead grass is where we let the weeds take over in the summer because it was too steep to mow. now even more of it is too steep to mow. but we have a sidewalk to nowhere. thanks developer! you take such good care of your customers. almost as good as blogger.
anyway...
locked myself and baby bear out when we went out for a walk and to take these pics. gina came to my rescue with a couple of her hubby's membership cards to organizations. at least i didn't lock the bolt. but let this serve as a reminder that you should always lock your deadbolt if you really want your home secure. if you are just going for a walk, don't, because you never know when you might have to break back in!
ARRGHHHHH!
just had to go back to the grocery store. while talking on the phone, i forgot to add eggs to my cheescake mixture. messed up my oreo crust.
baby bear is now banging metal bowls together and across the hardwood floor, not good for my headache, but keeps her busy.
now to make the new cheescake. anyone wanna help me eat the cream cheese, sugar, and oreo crust from effort #1 that are a nice big blob?
i am grounding myself from the computer until i get something accomplished in my home and spend more quality time with baby bear. (go ahead, place bets on how long this will last....)
just had to go back to the grocery store. while talking on the phone, i forgot to add eggs to my cheescake mixture. messed up my oreo crust.
baby bear is now banging metal bowls together and across the hardwood floor, not good for my headache, but keeps her busy.
now to make the new cheescake. anyone wanna help me eat the cream cheese, sugar, and oreo crust from effort #1 that are a nice big blob?
i am grounding myself from the computer until i get something accomplished in my home and spend more quality time with baby bear. (go ahead, place bets on how long this will last....)
Thursday, December 14, 2006
theological debates
what have i done? an old acquaintance from college is in seminary where my brother and his wife are working on their graduate degrees has a blog. i found the link, and have been reading every so often. well, i've mentioned my disenchantment with the most prominent southern denomination on here before. and his most recent post kind of rekindled that. i didn't mean to pick a fight or debate, but i fear i have. oh, well. actually, i'm still more in searching mode. i was raised baptist/plymouth brethren/non-denominational (my dad grew up in the brethren assemblies, not to be confused with assembly of God)... so i was raised with the belief that baptism is only for those who have professed faith in Christ.
fast forward twenty-something years, hubby and i attend a pca church which practices covenental infant baptism. the reformed/covenental theological viewpoint, for my baptist friends, is that baptism is a symbol and seal of the covenant of grace... as believers in Christ, the covenant God made with Abraham extends to us and our children, and infant baptism replaced the sacrament of circumcision. The reason it's not mentioned much is not because it wasn't done, but because it was simply understood that children of believers would be recipients of the covenant of grace. Baptism does not save the child, it is a symbol of the promise God made to Abraham being extended to children of believers, much like circumcision was a symbol of the jews being set apart. Not all jews truly knew their Father.
well, i tend to overanalyze... everything. and while my head gets the covenental view, i confess, i am still very much baptist at heart. can't bring myself to baptize my daughter because in the context of just the new testament, all i see is "repent and be baptized" over and over and over.... my dad seems to think, well, i don't know what he thinks for sure, but i think it's pretty much sacriledge to him that we would even consider infant baptism. my in-laws, who pastored for 15 years, favor believer's baptism but figure grace pretty much covers it, so as parents it's up to us. after listening to dr. grant over and over and looking at the context of the entire Bible as he presents it, hubby now agrees with the covenental view, and would be fine with having baby bear baptized. i'm not quite ready. and now i'm initiating a discussion with someone who is getting theological training?
i take comfort in the fact that this person whose blog i've invaded does not seem to mind discussion. of course, if you don't want discussion, questions, or debate, don't blog publicly.
fyi, one site i've found quite interesting is "A Contemporary Reformed View of Infant Baptism".
i guess it will be interesting to see what food for thought/resources he (and others) can send my way!
what have i done? an old acquaintance from college is in seminary where my brother and his wife are working on their graduate degrees has a blog. i found the link, and have been reading every so often. well, i've mentioned my disenchantment with the most prominent southern denomination on here before. and his most recent post kind of rekindled that. i didn't mean to pick a fight or debate, but i fear i have. oh, well. actually, i'm still more in searching mode. i was raised baptist/plymouth brethren/non-denominational (my dad grew up in the brethren assemblies, not to be confused with assembly of God)... so i was raised with the belief that baptism is only for those who have professed faith in Christ.
fast forward twenty-something years, hubby and i attend a pca church which practices covenental infant baptism. the reformed/covenental theological viewpoint, for my baptist friends, is that baptism is a symbol and seal of the covenant of grace... as believers in Christ, the covenant God made with Abraham extends to us and our children, and infant baptism replaced the sacrament of circumcision. The reason it's not mentioned much is not because it wasn't done, but because it was simply understood that children of believers would be recipients of the covenant of grace. Baptism does not save the child, it is a symbol of the promise God made to Abraham being extended to children of believers, much like circumcision was a symbol of the jews being set apart. Not all jews truly knew their Father.
well, i tend to overanalyze... everything. and while my head gets the covenental view, i confess, i am still very much baptist at heart. can't bring myself to baptize my daughter because in the context of just the new testament, all i see is "repent and be baptized" over and over and over.... my dad seems to think, well, i don't know what he thinks for sure, but i think it's pretty much sacriledge to him that we would even consider infant baptism. my in-laws, who pastored for 15 years, favor believer's baptism but figure grace pretty much covers it, so as parents it's up to us. after listening to dr. grant over and over and looking at the context of the entire Bible as he presents it, hubby now agrees with the covenental view, and would be fine with having baby bear baptized. i'm not quite ready. and now i'm initiating a discussion with someone who is getting theological training?
i take comfort in the fact that this person whose blog i've invaded does not seem to mind discussion. of course, if you don't want discussion, questions, or debate, don't blog publicly.
fyi, one site i've found quite interesting is "A Contemporary Reformed View of Infant Baptism".
i guess it will be interesting to see what food for thought/resources he (and others) can send my way!
are we being bribed?
when baby bear and i got home from having lunch with hubby and his coworkers, the development crew was out. apparently they had just reseeded next to the new sidewalk. we still have a nice big cliff. baby bear was sound asleep in her carseat, so i walked over to the bulldozer driver, who was friendly enough.
"can i help you?" he asked.
"i was just wondering if you know what they're planning to do to fix the drop off. you know they can't leave the cliff like that," i replied.
"i don't know, but i can ask him to come talk to you," (he nodded toward someone, who was nowhere in sight).
"that would be great," i replied. "i just need to go put my baby down for her nap."
well, whether or not whoever-he-is comes to share the developers' plans has yet to be seen. but as i walked back toward my house, i noticed extra seed on the front sidewalk. and yard. which is very far from the new sidewalk. it kind of reminds me of when i was in mexico, and the incumbent mayor of the pueblo i was in had put fresh dirt on the streets for his constituents. exxcept we got the leftover grass seed. i'm not complaining; our lawn needs all the help it can get. however, we don't want the side yard to slump down, sending our house with it. i had to call hubby and tell him about the "generous gift."
a few minutes later, i spoke with the supervisor, who said he doesn't know what the plans are, but he'll try to find out...
i'll keep y'all posted....
when baby bear and i got home from having lunch with hubby and his coworkers, the development crew was out. apparently they had just reseeded next to the new sidewalk. we still have a nice big cliff. baby bear was sound asleep in her carseat, so i walked over to the bulldozer driver, who was friendly enough.
"can i help you?" he asked.
"i was just wondering if you know what they're planning to do to fix the drop off. you know they can't leave the cliff like that," i replied.
"i don't know, but i can ask him to come talk to you," (he nodded toward someone, who was nowhere in sight).
"that would be great," i replied. "i just need to go put my baby down for her nap."
well, whether or not whoever-he-is comes to share the developers' plans has yet to be seen. but as i walked back toward my house, i noticed extra seed on the front sidewalk. and yard. which is very far from the new sidewalk. it kind of reminds me of when i was in mexico, and the incumbent mayor of the pueblo i was in had put fresh dirt on the streets for his constituents. exxcept we got the leftover grass seed. i'm not complaining; our lawn needs all the help it can get. however, we don't want the side yard to slump down, sending our house with it. i had to call hubby and tell him about the "generous gift."
a few minutes later, i spoke with the supervisor, who said he doesn't know what the plans are, but he'll try to find out...
i'll keep y'all posted....
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Fresh-pick off the Olive Tree:
A - Available/Single: Not available, thank you very much!
B - Best Friend: Hubby
C - Cake or Pie: Chocolate cake!
D - Drink of Choice: currently- sierra-mist with cranberry
E - Essential item you use everyday: computer
F - Favorite color: deep purple or deep red
G - Gummy bears or Worms: Bears, unless the worms are in a flower pot filled with chocolate pudding and ground up oreos
H - Hometown: although I wasn't born here, I consider TN home,
I - Indulgence: bubble baths and blogging. actually, the latter has become my addiction
J - January or February: February, because it's closer to Spring
K - Kids: Hannah-bear
L - Life is incomplete without: knowing God
M - Marriage Date: July 10, 1999
N - Number of siblings: 1 younger sister, 1 older brother , 1 younger sil, 2 older sils, 2 younger bils, 1 older bil
O - Oranges or Apples: oranges, except if the apples are cooked in lots of sugar or fresh cider
P - Phobias/Fear: something bad happening to hubby or baby
Q - Favorite Quote: "oh where is my hairbrush?"
R - Reason to Smile: baby playing peek-a-boo
S - Season: Spring
T - Tag: Anyone? Anyone? (Tag with my nieces is always an adventure)
U - Unknown fact about myself: I have a harmonica collection (but I don't play very well).
V - Vegetable you don't like: ???? ... one that's commercially canned and tastes like a dirty sock smells
W - Worst habit: procrastinating
X - X-ray: teeth, wrists, ankles, and probably chest
Y - Your favorite food: fresh shrimp
Z - Zodiac: virgo, supposedly. i think i'm proof they aren't accurate.
A - Available/Single: Not available, thank you very much!
B - Best Friend: Hubby
C - Cake or Pie: Chocolate cake!
D - Drink of Choice: currently- sierra-mist with cranberry
E - Essential item you use everyday: computer
F - Favorite color: deep purple or deep red
G - Gummy bears or Worms: Bears, unless the worms are in a flower pot filled with chocolate pudding and ground up oreos
H - Hometown: although I wasn't born here, I consider TN home,
I - Indulgence: bubble baths and blogging. actually, the latter has become my addiction
J - January or February: February, because it's closer to Spring
K - Kids: Hannah-bear
L - Life is incomplete without: knowing God
M - Marriage Date: July 10, 1999
N - Number of siblings: 1 younger sister, 1 older brother , 1 younger sil, 2 older sils, 2 younger bils, 1 older bil
O - Oranges or Apples: oranges, except if the apples are cooked in lots of sugar or fresh cider
P - Phobias/Fear: something bad happening to hubby or baby
Q - Favorite Quote: "oh where is my hairbrush?"
R - Reason to Smile: baby playing peek-a-boo
S - Season: Spring
T - Tag: Anyone? Anyone? (Tag with my nieces is always an adventure)
U - Unknown fact about myself: I have a harmonica collection (but I don't play very well).
V - Vegetable you don't like: ???? ... one that's commercially canned and tastes like a dirty sock smells
W - Worst habit: procrastinating
X - X-ray: teeth, wrists, ankles, and probably chest
Y - Your favorite food: fresh shrimp
Z - Zodiac: virgo, supposedly. i think i'm proof they aren't accurate.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)